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Sony Alpha NEX-5N makes clicking sound when moved, renders captured audio useless (video)

Zach Honig — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:50:00 -0400

We've spent a few click days shooting click with click Sony's new click NEX-5N click click click and were very click impressed with its click still image performance click click but click noticed some... Oh man, we've gotta hit Stop. As you can see, the camera suffers from a rather significant yet-to-be-diagnosed condition that outputs a mysterious clicking sound whenever you move it about. Since it's quite faint, this is little more than a minor nuisance when shooting stills, but when you go to playback video click it's impossible to ignore, rendering the audio component of your video virtually useless.

We've been able to isolate the sound to the camera body itself, so it's completely independent of the lens and other accessories. We also happen to be testing a variety of new Sony products this week in San Diego, and had Sony reps on hand to acknowledge and confirm the issue, which seems to plague every NEX-5N that we've tried. This is still very fresh, so Sony doesn't have a fix or even a statement to issue, but because 1080/60p video is one of this camera's headline features, we're going to recommend holding off on your purchase until the company can confirm what's causing the issue. Jump past the break to hear it for yourself in our demo video.

Update: To clarify our experience, we've only tested four cameras, all of which were likely manufactured at the same time. All four cameras presented the same clicking sound, but Sony is still investigating the issue, and has by no means implied yet that all NEX-5Ns are affected. We will of course share any updates as we receive them from Sony.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Sony reveals three new NEX E-mount lenses, LA-EA2 A-mount adaptor with translucent mirror

Zach Honig — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 01:00:00 -0400

Sony's NEX line of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras (ILC) deliver quite a lot of bang for your buck, but a diminutive lens selection reduced appeal for advanced shooters. Today, the company is growing its E-mount family of lenses by three, now offering a total of seven compatible lenses. Shipping in October, the Carl Zeiss SonnarT E will take the helm as Sony's flagship optic, delivering a 24mm fixed focal length and f/1.8 aperture, with a minimum focus distance of 16 cm and a sky-high $999 price tag. Also packing a speedy f/1.8 aperture, the $300 E 50mm OSS doesn't sport Carl Zeiss branding, but it does include built-in image stabilization and a circular aperture, promising smooth defocus. Both lenses will ship in December. Hitting stores in October, a new telephoto lens, the $350 E 55-210mm compensates for its sluggish f/4.5-6.3 maximum aperture with optical image stabilization while offering 3.8x magnification. And finally, Sony's LA-EA2 A-mount adapter lets you use your full-size Alpha lenses with the NEX cameras without losing functionality, thanks to built-in Translucent Mirror Technology and a dedicated AF motor. NEX-3, NEX-5, and NEX-C3 owners will need a firmware update to take advantage of the adaptor, but if you already have a collection of A-mount lenses, $400 may be a reasonable price to pay for full compatibility when it ships in November.

Gallery: Sony NEX E-mount lenses

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Sony's NEX-5, now available in gold!

Michael Gorman — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 06:12:00 -0500

Do you feel constrained by the drabness of silver and black cameras? Well its time to let your fashionable freak flag fly, because Sony has announced that it'll now offer its NEX-5 camera in gold. The camera remains otherwise unchanged since its debut this past summer, and unfortunately the company hasn't released the other colors seen at Photokina, but hey, a little bling is better than none.

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Sony Alpha NEX-5 in the wild, plays David to A330's Goliath

Ross Miller — Sat, 22 May 2010 13:47:00 -0400

Talk about envy. One of our lucky tipsters just wrote in to talk about the training he did this week for -- and here's the kicker -- Sony's brand new Alpha NEX-5. Just to prove his conquest, he also managed a picture of the compact DSLR next to the Alpha 330. Yep, it's still really, really small. If that's not enough, the tipster apparently also will be able to use the SAM and SSM Sony lenses, both with functional autofocus. We know what you're probably thinking: the pre-order details are right here.

Update: Perpetual Radio has some hands-on impressions and a video (embedded after the break). Go forth!

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Sony Alpha NEX cameras now up for pre-order, start at $549 in US, €499 in Europe (updated)

Ross Miller — Wed, 12 May 2010 01:31:00 -0400

Listen, you've had enough time to think on it -- just over 24 hours, to be less imprecise -- and now it's time to make a monetary decision on Sony's Alpha NEX-3 / 5 interchangeable lens cameras. Pre-orders are now being accepted via the online Sony Style store; each camera comes as a kit with either the 16mm lens, or for an extra $50 the 18-55mm. Thus, we're looking at a minimum of $549.99 for the NEX-3 with 16mm, up to a penny under $700 for the NEX-5 with the more versatile eye. Lenses aren't yet sold separately, so make your choice wisely, and while you can gawk at the accessories -- optical viewfinder, A-mount lens adapter, and stereo mic, among others -- they're not yet taking your credit card details for anything but the kit right now. What's that... you wanted the camcorder? Keep dreaming, for now.

[Thanks, Julio]

Update: The NEX-5 and NEX-3 are now also available for pre-order in Europe (kitted out with the 16mm glass) at price points of €599 and €499, respectively. [Thanks, Edin]

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