Review of Sony Alpha NEX-5 and two lenses

Today in Radozhiv a review of a non-SLR camera. Sony Alpha NEX5 is a MILC (Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera) - mirrorless digital camera with interchangeable lenses. Very interesting instance with huge potential and good opportunities.

View Sony Alpha NEX-5 without a lens

View Sony Alpha NEX-5 without a lens

All in order:

when you pick up the Sony Alpha NEX-5 camera, you get a very interesting impression, it seems like the lens is large and you need to twist the zoom by hand, but on the other hand there is no mirror viewfinder. After using SLR cameras, I just want to lean the camera against my face and see the picture in the viewfinder. Personally, I have been caught in this trick many times. Of course, it will be easier for someone to sight through the screen, but still sighting through the screen makes the camera very similar to ordinary digital compacts.

Example photo on SEL-1855 and Sony Alpha NEX-5

Example photo on SEL-1855 and Sony Alpha NEX-5

Positive aspects of Sony Alpha NEX-5 (as it turned out, quite a lot):

  1. Very large matrix. Attention: this camera uses a matrix from cropped SLR cameras APS-C, because its size is really large and exceeds all digital compacts. Also, the size is larger than in cameras with a 4 \ 3 matrix. Thanks to the large matrix, this camera is interesting. Using a large sensor, you can achieve low noise and good depth of field control. True, in order to cover such an area of ​​the matrix, one needs to use no longer tiny lenses.
  2. Whole 14,2 megapixels CMOS based. More than enough for amateur use. It's more than mine Nikon D90, and more than professional Nikon D3(S)
  3. Video Full HD 1920 × 1080, 1440 × 1080, 640 × 480. For lovers of photos and videos in one small case, the camera gives you the opportunity to shoot with huge resolution. True, an important point 1920 × 1080 can only be shot in AVCHD format, and 1440 × 1080, 640 × 480 in both AVCHD and MP4. By default, there was the MP4 format and I saw the available options only at 1440 × 1080, 640 × 480, which puzzled for 5 minutes in search of 1920 × 1080.
  4. Compactness. The camera is very small. Given the huge sensor - this is a very big plus. However, already with an 18-55 lens it will be quite difficult to put it in a jacket pocket. But with a 16mm fixed lens, you can throw it in your pocket and purse. Personally, such a camera would be suitable for me on a camping trip - small size and good functionality.
  5. Rotary display. True display rotates only upright almost 90 degrees. It would be better if he had more degrees of freedom during rotation.
  6. Easy operation. Easy does not mean comfortable. All control is done through the camera menu.
  7. ISO 200 to 12800Moreover, in on-camera JPEG, even at 6400, a more or less normal picture is obtained. An ordinary digital compact cannot even dream of such working ISOs.
  8. Camera can work with any optics that can be hooked on it. To do this, you need to make the setting "allow the picture without a lens." For lovers of manual optics just a fairy tale. The camera supports metering in any manual, semi-automatic PASM or full automatic mode. Simply put, you can hook on to the camera through an adapter some small cheap fast lens like Helios-44m-4 and get just wonderful photos.
  9. Monitor at 920000 points. Good contrast display.
  10. The camera has just unique panoramic mode. The panorama is made of several pictures. What do you get a perfectly assembled panoramic photo.
  11. With manual focus, the 14x zoom mode is automatically turned onwhich allows you to fine tune. It is also an indispensable and even automatic thing when working with manual optics.
  12. In the camera you will find all the necessary hints by type bar charts, modes, parameters, etc. True, sometimes there are no elementary familiar things. Many features are automatically enabled, such as reducing hand shake, macro and landscape modes.
  13. Fast autofocus. Autofocus has a number of settings and generally gives a normal speed. But always remember that the aftofocus speed depends not only on the camera, but also on the lens. Speed ​​will be lost to SLR cameras, since in Sony Alpha NEX-5 it works by the principle of contrast, in SLR cameras a whole additional system with phase focus sensors is responsible for focusing.
  14. Continuous speed of 7 frames per second. True works without measurement exposure and focus changes for each individual frame. Still 7fps in RAW is impressive. In normal high-speed mode, when focusing after each frame, the camera takes 2.3 frames per second.
Example photo on SEL-1855 and Sony Alpha NEX-5

Example photo on SEL-1855 and Sony Alpha NEX-5

Disadvantages:

  1. Manage everything through the menu. It takes more time. But that's a compact, not a DSLR.
  2. In automatic mode, a number of settings are not available.
  3. No ISO 100. For example, at the minimum for Sony Alpha NEX-5 ISO 200 and when using the lens aperture from 1.4 to 2.8 you can not fit into the shutter speed, which is 1 \ 4000, I have the same problem on Nikon D40.
  4. Limited set of native lenses. Only special lenses are suitable for the camera. Minolta AF lenses must be used through the adapter.
  5. Price. About 1000 cu The price is comparable to an advanced level SLR camera.
  6. There are no huge number of useful features like conversion from RAW to JPEG
  7. In automatic mode, the camera gives a slight overexposure to 1 \ 3 or even the entire step.
Example photo on SEL-1855 and Sony Alpha NEX-5

Example photo on SEL-1855 and Sony Alpha NEX-5

Interesting moments:

The camera makes an interesting sound when you release the shutter. At first, I thought that the sound was coming from the lens, but then I realized that the shutter movement was audible. Yes, the camera does not have a simple electronic shutter, but curtain slot with shutter speeds from 30 seconds to 1 \ 4000. Moreover, the shutter fires with a very characteristic double-click, from which it might seem that the camera takes two pictures instead of one. The sound gives some moral satisfaction, which is similar to the shutter sound of a SLR camera. And in the camera you can choose aspect ratios 16 to 9 and standard 3 to 2. Actually photo 16 to 9 below.

Photo on SEL-16F28 16 mm F / 2,8 (frame size 16: 9)

Photo on SEL-16F28 16 mm F / 2,8 (frame size 16: 9)

There is background control mode. Pretty interesting thing for lovers. For professionals, I’ll tell you a secret, this function simply closes and opens the diaphragm, making this magic effect of blurring the background.

Panorama on Sony Alpha NEX-5 and SEL-16F28 16 mm F / 2,8

Panorama on Sony Alpha NEX-5 and SEL-16F28 16 mm F / 2,8

Matrix noise - I was pleasantly surprised, as the camera showed excellent results at high ISO. True, I can only judge when viewing the camera JPEG FINE. My Lightroom refused to process Sony Alpha NEX-5 RAW files. Raw files weigh about 14 MB, and JPEG FINE from 2 to 10 MB.

Photo on SEL-16F28 16 mm F / 2,8

Photo on SEL-16F28 16 mm F / 2,8

Conclusion:

Sony Alpha NEX-5 is very unusual camera with a curtain shutter but without a mirror viewfinder. The camera has an excellent matrix with high working ISOs. Great as a great photo and video gadget with good quality. Find for 2010.

Overview of SEL-16F28 16mm F / 2,8

Lens view SEL-18200 18-200 F / 3,5-6,3

Lens view

It's funny that this lens is also included, because it is not much wider than 18mm and just a stop brighter than 18mm by 3.5. Rather, it’s a marketing move to show people the possibilities of interchangeable optics. This is a wide-angle fixed lens that gives a viewing angle of 24mm in full frame. The lens does not have a stabilizer. The distortion is pretty strong HA removed by the camera, contrast level. Sharpness was disappointing for a prime lens, it is rather poor up to F8.0, although it is quite suitable for creating panoramas since the edges of the frame are quite sharp. Autofocus is optionally fast. Nothing special. The only serious advantage is its compactness and rather wide angle at 16 mm.

Sample photos on SEL-16F28 16mm F / 2,8 (camera JPEG L, resized + watermark)

Prices for modern Sony cameras in popular stores can look at this link.

All Sony E-mount cameras with APS-C sensor

All Sony E lenses for APS-C

Fix Lenses:

  1. Sony 11 mm f/1.8 (announcement) [2022, black, AliExpress price]
  2. Sony 15 mm f / 1.4 G (announcement) [2022, black, AliExpress price]
  3. Sony 16 mm f/2.8 (overview) [2010, silver, AliExpress price]
  4. Sony 20 mm f/2.8 (announcement) [2013, silver, AliExpress price]
  5. Sony 24 mm f / 1.8 ZEISS ZA (overview) [2011, black]
  6. Sony 30 mm f / 3.5 MACRO (overview) [2011, silver, AliExpress price]
  7. Sony 35 mm f / 1.8 OSS (announcement) [2012, black, AliExpress price]
  8. Sony 50 mm f / 1.8 OSS (announcement) [2011, black/silver, AliExpress price]

Zoom Lenses:

  1. Sony 10-18 mm f / 4 OSS (announcement) [2012, black, AliExpress price]
  2. Sony 10-20 mm f / 4 G PZ (announcement) [2022, black, AliExpress price]
  3. Sony 16-50 mm f / 3.5-5.6 PZ OSS (overview) [2012, black/silver, AliExpress price]
  4. Sony 16-55 mm f / 2.8 G (announcement) [2019, black, AliExpress price]
  5. Sony 16-70 mm f / 4 OSS ZEISS ZA (announcement) [2013, black, AliExpress price]
  6. Sony 18-50 mm f/4-5.6 (overview) [2014, black]
  7. Sony 18-55 mm f / 3.5-5.6 OSS (overview) [2010, black/silver]
  8. Sony 18-105 mm f / 4 G PZ OSS (announcement) [2013, black, AliExpress price]
  9. Sony 18-110 mm f / 4 G PZ OSS (announcement) [2016, black]
  10. Sony 18-135 mm f / 3.5-5.6 OSS (overview) [2018, black, AliExpress price]
  11. Sony 18-200 mm f / 3.5-6.3 OSS (overview) [2010, silver, AliExpress price]
  12. Sony 18-200 mm f / 3.5-6.3 OSS LE (announcement) [2012, black, AliExpress price]
  13. Sony 18-200 mm f / 3.5-6.3 PZ OSS (announcement) [2012, black]
  14. Sony 55-210 mm f / 4.5-6.3 OSS (announcement) [2011, black/silver, AliExpress price]
  15. Sony 70-350 mm f/4.5–6.3 G OSS (announcement) [2019, black, AliExpress price]

Third-party autofocus lenses for Sony E APS-C:

Many interesting manual solutions are provided by Chinese manufacturers and brands. 7Artisans, TTartisan, Meike, Neewer, PerGear, Kamlan, Brightin star, Mitakon Zhongyi, Venus laowaFujian, ARTRALABAstrHori other. Autofocus Speed ​​Boosters are also interesting Viltrox Canon EF -> Sony E 0.71X и Metabones Canon EF -> Sony E 0.71X... List of full-frame cameras and lenses Sony FE (Full Frame E) here

General conclusion

Sony Alpha NEX5 is really very powerful camera with interchangeable optics and good performance. The only thing, at the time of its release, there were very few native optics - only a few lenses.

Materials on the topic

  1. Full frame mirrorless systems... Discussion, choice, recommendations.
  2. Cropped mirrorless systems... Discussion, choice, recommendations.
  3. Cropped mirrorless systems that have stopped or are no longer developing
  4. Digital SLR systems that have stopped or are no longer developing
  5. JVI or EVI (an important article that answers the question 'DSLR or mirrorless')
  6. About mirrorless batteries
  7. Simple and clear medium format
  8. High-speed solutions from Chinese brands
  9. All fastest autofocus zoom lenses
  10. All fastest AF prime lenses
  11. Mirrored full frame on mirrorless medium format
  12. Autofocus Speed ​​Boosters
  13. One lens to rule the world
  14. The impact of smartphones on the photography market
  15. What's next (smartphone supremacy)?
  16. All announcements and novelties of lenses and cameras

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.


Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

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Comments: 120, on the topic: Review of Sony Alpha NEX-5 and two lenses

  • Hello! It seems fair to read the positives about the camera!
    Він дісно тобі added?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Well, I'm not talking about its use for serious and even more commercial shooting, but the fact that it has a short working distance will allow you to hook a lens on it from a rangefinder camera and get a fabulous result in automatic mode that warms the soul. I would be lugging around with such an installation instead of a heavy Nikon DSLR, which even on the D90 can’t measure the exposure pair :)

  • ingr

    The size of the sensor gives the potential for the picture. At iba, there are already transitions ... mabut from all bayoneti and іzbi. And we are not aware of the "active loss" of the problem of autofocusing :) Plus, it seems, the plasticity of the picture from the central camera at the top.
    With the presence of great pennies - ideal fun.

  • Crelian

    To be honest, I did not expect a mirrorless review on the DSLR site, especially a good one. My personal opinion is that mirrorless cameras are expensive toys for rich kids of rich parents. If you are an amateur who does not want to comprehend the basics of photography, then a soap dish, maximum ultrazoom will be enough for you. For example, Nikon P500 or AW100. If you still want to progress somehow, then your karma is a DSLR! About this Sonya. It is doubtful to use Soviet manual optics without a viewfinder and with manual focusing exposure settings, both from the point of view of ergonomics and from the point of view of the philosophy of this camera (“like a DSLR, but like a soap dish”).

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Please note that DSLRs cannot use rangefinder optics. And there are a lot of such optics, especially of very high quality. Also, live it is much better to get into focus. And, please, since you already leave a comment, then read at least the article - the review clearly states that the exposure bar is measured perfectly, even in the green Auto mode.

    • Alexander

      It looks like you don't even understand the elementary things, that the MIRROR DOES NOT AFFECT THE QUALITY, but 1) LARGE SIZE OF THE MATRIX, 2) QUALITY OPTICS, 3) GOOD PROCESSOR and 4) HANDS MUST GROW FROM THE RIGHT PLACE !!! and for SPECIALLY GIFTED: 1) If DUST gets on the matrix, it can be ELEMENTALLY removed from the matrix !!! The "soviet optics" on NEXe works great !!!

  • Crelian

    Plus, when changing optics, you will definitely get dust on the matrix. In DSLRs, even though the mirror somehow protects the matrix, there is nothing at all.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Please note that the camera has a mechanical shutter that protects the matrix. Actually, this wild sound when shooting gives a shutter.

  • Crelian

    That is, if the aperture ring on the lens is set to f / 8, will the camera determine the shutter speed? Regarding rangefinder optics, I agree - there are many of them, they are cheap due to the lack of excitement and they are of high quality. But, as I think, when using melee optics, the camera should be placed on a tripod in order to focus normally, especially at close distances and open holes. Purely ergonomically, I think, to hold a small camera in the right hand, and to focus with the left hand is inconvenient. Then on the same Helios-44 a jumping aperture and if the camera does not know how to close it, then focusing on closed diaphragms with a locked jump rope will also be inconvenient. I know about these moments not by hearsay, tk. I myself am happy to take pictures on Helios-77M4. Regarding mirrorless cameras in general, I think that they are too overpriced, their price should be between UAH 3. and 5,5 thousand UAH. At the price of an advanced amateur DSLR, for me personally, the choice is obvious in favor of DSLRs. Moreover, mirrorless cameras are not that compact, especially with an 18-55 lens. In fact, this is a soap dish with an excellent matrix and decent optics, giving results unattainable for a soap dish.
    PS I carefully read the article. But I read a lot about this unit and watched video reviews and held it in my hands (a friend recently got hold of it).

    • Arkady Shapoval

      That is, if the aperture ring on the lens is set to f / 8, will the camera determine the shutter speed? - Yes. Accuracy is another matter.
      I completely agree with you - this is just a toy and none of the pros and even advanced amateurs will bother with a mirrorless camera. But still, the rangefinder optics from a tripod even very much attracts me, given that the camera has a decent matrix.

  • Alexs

    Crelian
    February 19th, 2012 at 1:07 pm · Reply

    That is, if the aperture ring on the lens is set to f / 8, will the camera determine the shutter speed? As for the rangefinder optics, I agree - there are a lot of it, it is cheap due to the lack of excitement and it is of high quality. But, as I think, when using melee optics, the camera should be put on a tripod in order to focus normally, especially at close distances and open holes. Purely ergonomically, I think, holding a small camera in your right hand while weighing, and inconveniently hitting sharpness with your left hand, is inconvenient. Then, on the same Helios-44, the jumping diaphragm and if the camera does not know how to close it, then focusing on closed diaphragms with a locked jump will also be inconvenient. I know about these points not by hearsay, because I myself enjoy taking pictures on Helios-77M4. Regarding mirrorless mirrors in general, I believe that they are too overvalued, their price should be between 3 UAH. and 5,5 tg. At the price of an advanced amateur DSLR, for me personally the choice is obvious in favor of DSLRs. Moreover, mirrorless cameras are not so compact, especially with an 18-55 lens. In fact, this is a soap dish with an excellent matrix and decent optics, giving results that are unattainable for soap dishes.
    PS I carefully read the article. But I read a lot about this unit and watched video reviews and held it in my hands (a friend recently got hold of it).

    Hello. I am the owner of such a camera. Yes, the camera determines the shutter speed from manual optics without any problems with any aperture in mode A.
    With a normal adapter, there are no problems with apertures and infinity.
    When updating the firmware, convenient functions were added: when installing manual optics, the lower button is automatically programmed by the 7 or 14-fold increase in the subject to be shot before shooting, which makes it possible to bring excellent sharpness on a high-contrast screen.
    In addition, there is a function in the camera with the help of which an object caught in focus is highlighted with colored (optional) contours. This allows you to bring sufficient sharpness without first increasing the subject quickly.
    For the price - it is, for the 5-ku with a kit lens comes 5700, slightly more expensive Nex 5N with a touch screen, 16 megapixels. sensor of a larger size and high-speed shooting up to 10 frames / sec. You always have to pay for additional lenses with AF.
    Another of the important advantages: the park of optics for this camera has been replenished with excellent lenses (for its price) since 2012, 35 / 3.5 of them; 50 / 1.8 with a stub, 55-200 with a stub are very good judging by the reviews.
    You just need to work with this camera, instead of thinking out loud.

  • Dmitriy

    I was going to take Nikon 5100 with the prospect of using owls. lenses. and then the wife saw THIS ate up the whole bald patch ...
    An adapter for alpha lenses costs about 13 thousand rubles. What will be the approximate cost of an adapter for helios, etc. ???
    And in general, should I think and rush about? The camera is needed for reportage photography, portraits, nature ...

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Sonye Nex will be bad for reporting. D5100 will be better. Adapters can be found quite cheaply.

  • Sergey

    Fast autofocus. Autofocus has a number of settings and generally gives a normal speed.
    gives - gives.
    Thanks for the reviews and information.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Thanks. Updated.

  • MAKLAYN

    Examples of photos are not inspiring, there is no sharpness, there are no examples in the sun either, whales are apparently not fanatical (((sadness, I really wanted working autofocus (for my wife) in terms of technology, she will get lost in three pines.

  • Magus

    For some reason, many advise this camera, but looking at test photos on various sites, they are tormented by vague doubts (How is it compared to the Canon s95, for example?
    Need a compact camera that you can carry with you every day. And at the same time a clean picture, focus, good stabilizer, colors. Such a versatile machine that will allow you to shoot portraits in the evening and buildings in the sun. Does this exist in principle?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      It is difficult to use compact cameras for portraits, because due to the crop factor, they have a small, large depth of field. Although, for home use just right.

      • Rainbow

        I do not like AF in nex5n, very slow if you shoot in low light, but many family photos are taken with movement))) in general, after tormenting with the nex, I bought a d7000, well, I left the nex for beautiful sunny days))) Serious nex sculpting is to ditch all the charm of compactness, and with his own he takes pictures slower than the old large-scale KBK kenon: the children galloped off the frame, and then the camera just clicked ...

        Of course, the rotary screen when shooting children is a huge advantage (I really miss it on the d7000), it is convenient to shoot from the hip, and imperceptibly, but ... the d5200 is better :)

        a lot of pictures flies into the basket when shooting dynamics.

        For landscapes and leisurely shooting, this is the best, but for a high-quality result in different conditions - only a mirror.

        There is no sense in the cool matrix, if the frames are solid blur)))

  • Novel

    Why do you all think this camera is not suitable for the serious amateur? For example, I was worn out with manual optics with DSLRs. Forget to focus normally. All chips and wedges are crutches, only live view. I'm already thinking of getting rid of the canon in favor of nesct. And don't think I'm a shooter. I fully realized that for a reasonable price, only manual optics ... I can't afford an autofocus L series. So the canon 550d in good condition is looking for a new owner.
    All good shots!

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Most likely because there is no optical viewfinder, as many are used to working with it and do not experience inconvenience.

  • Novel

    Yes, Arkady, you are right. Just hands fall while looking at the prices of normal autofocus optics. And looking at pictures of a whale lens, I want to break the camera. So you look at the decoys of the Zeiss, but the SLR and the manual are a torment.

  • Igor

    Reading your reviews is nice. A lot about canon and nikon, but would I like a little more dormouse or dormouse is not perceived as a serious technique?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Great technique, sorry few give test.

      • Lycarion

        Arkady, I have the opportunity to provide some Sony for review. The only inconvenience is the shipment from the Dnipropetrovsk region. If interested, write to the mail. Best regards, Sergei

  • Andrei

    Arkady ... it would be very interesting to hear your comment on the SONY A77 camera.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Yes, it would not be bad if someone provided it for review.

  • Andrei

    Hello, Arkady, I often read reviews on your site, I decided, as the owner of Sony Nex 5, to do my bit, so to speak ...
    Pluses of the camera: Compactness, the ability to set various lenses (including rangefinder), a good matrix.
    Having played enough with various manual optics (it was: industrial rangefinder, helios different, pentacon, takumar, tair even bought it (it’s one more pipets)) I found out the most important minus-absence of the viewfinder, in sunny weather you can forget about manual shooting — sheer torment, picking- also a dubious thing, because with it the focusing process takes 5-15 seconds, it is impossible to photograph the dynamics (only by accident), after that the dandelion on the 550th canon seems almost autofocus. Sometimes you just want to spit and buy a good autofocus lens, but it wasn’t there, the only thing they have is a decent Zeiss for 44000 rubles.
    That's actually my fly in the ointment towards this camera, but in general the device is not bad for its goals and its price (if you don't go further than the whale). Thank you, I hope my post will be useful.

  • = MK =

    Punishment "makes the camera look a lot like regular digital compacts."

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Thank you for your attention.

  • Alexander

    I do not agree with comments like “DSLR + manual optics = torment”. IMHO this is only if a person has vision problems. I shoot people on Helios and Jupiter even on the move (I probably feel something like a focus on my eyes), and I often leave Nikkor and Tamron at home ..

  • Destroy

    Does such a short working period somehow affect the photographs?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      No, lenses are specially designed for it.

  • Roman

    Arkady, thanks for the review! I love manuals and canon just got me an inconvenience in this genre. I want Nex-3c (the 5th is a little expensive and does it make sense). You wrote about the difficulties of Lightroom and sony nex raw. Can be more? I shoot with a rave.
    Thank you

  • Sergei

    Good day. First of all, a very interesting resource, thank you for it, Arkady.
    I just can’t call myself a serious photographer, but still I want to add about the NEX-5N.
    * Now a camera with a whale 18-55 costs about 22.000 rubles (in Russia)
    * RAW files are opened with the latest versions of Adobe Camera RAW (apparently Lightroom too .. one engine)
    * on NEX-5N (exactly “N”) the best of cropped matrices at the moment (the same as on sony A77, d7000, d5100 ... well, you already wrote that)
    —–
    It took a long time and painfully to choose a camera “for everything at once”. And there are moments that very few people voiced:
    PROS:
    - In addition to the “panorama” mode, there is a “handheld twilight” mode (this is in the “program” mode of the virtual mode wheel). The camera takes 6 frames, aligns and averages per pixel. The thing really works great. By mathematical averaging of 6 frames, the noise level is reduced by 6 times. (this is kind of a simple operation, but the fact that the device pre-aligns these 6 hand-held frames is much more difficult ... no one except Sonya has such a feature)
    - There is a custom menu (by pressing the central button). You are programming a list of 5 parameters that can be quickly changed. Plus, 2 buttons are programmed (or rather the bottom one + pressing the joystick ring to the right).
    - As soon as you put on a non-autofocus lens, the bottom button is reprogrammed. Clicking on it gives an increase in the focus area, first by 4.5, then by 9 times. (this has already been mentioned too)
    - Exposure metering, focus-picking work with manual glasses (this is when the contours around the entire field of the frame, which the camera considers contrasting, are outlined in bold ... the color and intensity of the stroke is adjustable) On EBAY there are adapters for all possible types of mounts while maintaining focus to infinity (since the working NEX has the smallest segment). They cost about 6-10 dollars.
    - Many people write about the impossibility of working in a studio. This is no longer the case. Sony does not have a built-in flash. There is a custom socket and a small removable flash included. Its power is like a soap dish, and the angle does not change - it shines on the forehead :(. There is no benefit from it. But now there are inexpensive, about $ 18, adapters for a hot shoe. I have this + universal transmitter + 4 receivers at 433 MHz. All together = 43 bucks. When the flash is installed, THE SCREEN IN MODE "M" DOES NOT DARK OUT. The fact is that many write about the impossibility of shooting in the studio due to the fact that the brightness of the picture on the screen changes depending on the adjusted exposure. This is convenient for estimates of the future shot during the day, but when working with a flash, we set the exposure very small and the device, trying to display the result, blackens the screen. This effect disappears when we put on the complete flash or adapter.
    - On a sunny day, it is impossible to focus manually on the LCD screen. The following thing really helps: "LCD Viewfinder SONY NEX" (type on EBAY.com). Moreover, I use this thing whenever I focus on my takumar 50 f / 1.4, it gives 2.8x magnification (the interpixel grid of the screen is visible.) To make it clear, there is a frame on the NEX (attached to the tripod hole), and the cover with a lens on magnets sticks - can be quickly removed / put on.
    - For tourists there is a wonderful piece “Meikon SONY NEX5N 18-55mm Waterproof case” (search on EBAY). For 72 bucks you get a sealed box made of ABC plastic with rubberized buttons. access to all buttons, put the camera there and you are not afraid that it will get wet or crush. This is not a plus for the NEX, it is a plus for all compact mirrorless cameras. For a full-size DSLR, such a box costs several times more and is depressing in size.
    - Recently, new 16-50 lenses with stabilizer have appeared for the E mount. They are not very optically, but the dimensions are very small. If you screw it on, then the camera fits into a jacket pocket easily.
    -------
    MINUSES:
    - ergonomics. The buttons are not felt tactilely (they are flush with the body), there are few buttons, they themselves are small ... well, in general, the controls are like on a soap dish.
    - ergonomics 2. Small body. Thanks to the ledge under the right hand, the camera does not fall out, but it is inconvenient to hold it (well, this is quite obvious)
    - contrast focus. Whatever the manufacturers say, it is slower than the phase one. The focus area is larger than on a phase-detection AF camera.
    - Food. Battery 1000mAh x 7,2V. The camera sucks her out very quickly. Large bright screen and constantly working matrix = 2-3 batteries required. (again on ebay for 13-14 bucks)
    -------
    In my opinion NEX is better than entry-level DSLRs. The ergonomics are at the level of soap dishes, the result is the same. Marketers are now in the process of “degrading” user characteristics, in my opinion. For example nikon d5100 - poorly controlled. there are even enough buttons, but nothing can be assigned. (if compared with d7000, d90). At the same time, the weight and dimensions are large.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Thanks for the great tips.

    • Rainbow

      / For example nikon d5100 - poorly managed. there are even enough buttons, but nothing can be assigned. (if compared with d7000, d90) ./
      depending on what you want to assign ...))) when shooting children (amateur purposes), I most of all need the iso assignment, the d5100 has the ability to program one button for quick setting of something :)

  • Sergei

    I will supplement my post…. it seems to me that the main criterion for choosing a camera should be applicability:

    if you shoot a lot + walk a little (shoot mostly portraits, staged shots, work a lot with controlled light) - you need to choose a tool, not a toy .. so that it does not hurt excruciatingly later: d7000, d90, d300, 60d, sony a77

    if you walk a lot (tourism), shoot landscapes, architecture, stomp on your own two feet a lot before taking a couple of shots and do not plan commercial shooting - take a compact mirrorless camera.

  • Alexander

    I have a SONY NEX C3 fully agree with the opinion that cameras of this series replace DSLRs in terms of image quality and I highly recommend Jupiter 37A - the images are flawless. And in my opinion now all manufacturers are turning seriously towards cameras of this type and they are the future.

  • Vadim

    Good afternoon, I also have a NEX c3 (for fans of pixels there are 16 million of them) At the expense of the viewfinder, however, it is not enough. I also bought an LCD Viewfinder, a little cumbersome but works fine. For me, a huge plus of the camera - you can put any glass. Good compact camera. I decided that if I take a mirror, then only in full frame ... I already started looking towards NEX 6 :-) ... ..
    and as always, many thanks to Arkady for his work and reviews.

  • Phantom Memory

    Good day. I have 5A for several years. Before that there was a dormouse w17. So, with w17 I was printing a 30x90 panorama - the photo is clear, but the color rendition is mediocre. I haven't printed it with 5A yet, but I'm going to. Why am I? And to the fact that HA, etc. are not visible on the photo 15х20! Or do I not see them? This year I visited the caves of the Crimea with friends with DSLRs ... they have no photos in the dark without a tripod! And this list of 5A victories over DSLRs in a number of situations can be continued. Regarding the amount of optics ... as mentioned above, you can attach any lens. Personally, I don't need it yet, I only connected with a microscope. So far I have only one additional lens - E3.5 / 30 macro. I like it, if you need a detailed description - I can do it, but I don't know how ...

    In general, who does not want to carry a plastic brick with them - take a nex. Personally, I have never regretted comparing my photos with friends' photos taken with DSLRs on a trip.

  • Sergei

    Hi all!
    The question is the following: I have a NEX-5. I want to look for a lens for her, because I think that the photo will be better. I want a lens for a portrait photo. Advise that it is better or not worth the money. There was one 18-55 mm F / lens in the kit 3,5-5,6.
    PS If not difficult, give an answer to the mail serge-boiko@yandex.ru

    • Vadim

      If you have never used the manual, first buy Helios-44 in any version (you need an M42-nex adapter)

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