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

  • Andrei

    http://cameralabs.org/4630-luchshie-ob-ektivy-dlya-fotoapparatov-sony-serii-nex - good view of lenses for NEX

    • Olga

      Hello, please tell me a portrait portrait for shooting in an apartment.
      I have a Sony nex 3 f mirrorless camera with two whale lenses.
      It is possible to buy a faster aperture lens 25 mm 1.8
      Will the pictures be better. Does the face distort much?

      • Michael

        This is not a portrait, but a wide-angle. Look for a lens from 50mm under your camera. For an apartment, it's better to take 50

      • Igor

        In general, for a start, make sure that you really need it, "portretnik" and not something else. A portrait lens is a short telephoto lens, and for shooting in an apartment, this is far from the most convenient thing. 25mm will be much more convenient for the apartment.

        To check how distorted the faces are, put a 25mm focal length on your complete lens and shoot. Here is the same thing and get it from him.

  • Andrei

    People do not buy SEL18200 - full refund with the broken train.

  • Alexey

    Advantages are known to all. NEX-5T
    But my cons .........
    - The display is slightly skewed on the right.
    and the light of his lamp and even radio elements are visible in the slot.
    Light rain and all.
    - The battery is weak… ..charges for 4-5 hours!
    - Stupid setting buttons.
    - Always scour autofocus.

    Karoche there is something for the couple to give engineers !!!!!!!

  • Paul

    I bought the A6000 + 50 / 1.8 to replace the Canon 7D. Less noise, smaller sizes and at the same, and somewhere larger for me photo opportunities are pleasing

  • Oleg

    A serious drawback of the A6000 is the absence of a change in the exposure metering mode, which makes it very difficult to shoot in backlight. (I.e., you cannot turn on the spot metering mode, etc.)
    Another disadvantage is the lack of shooting mode only in JPG?

    A great advantage is a very decent shooting in low light conditions!

    Overall impression great camera!

  • Alexey

    NEX-5T Great camera but …… ..

    Advantages:
    Compactness.
    Versatility.
    Photo quality!
    Swivel screen.
    Smart Electronics.
    The screen is quite bright!

    Disadvantages:
    Rather weak Akuma ...... ..300-350 gallery. But it is inexpensive on Ibei.
    But this is with live view focus picking and max screen brightness!
    Mirrors would also hold !!!!!!!
    Confusing menu.
    Charges off 4-5 hours.

    A comment:
    Below the NEX-5T is not worth taking something.
    T.K. fewer controls.
    With manual optics Pts look compact and stylish!
    Whale 18-55 is quite good.
    I sold Kenon500D and bought this 5T.
    The picture is a little better.
    Everywhere I go with him ……… it was dreary to wear a DSLR !!!!!!

  • vlad

    Of the shortcomings: long synchronization with the flash 1/125! You won’t highlight in the afternoon.

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    In nex 5t is 100 exists !!!

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    In nex 5t iso 100 exists !!!

  • anonym

    And I used the A3000 carcass - the same eggs, only more functions than those of the nexes :)

  • Glory

    It is a pity that there are no Raw-vov ((

  • anonym

    I would also like articles about mirrorless ones, especially since they are developing at a good pace, in my opinion. Like mirrorless phones from Samsung, the NX300 and NX500 models are very attractive to me. Gorgeous high ISO values ​​for the cropped matrix. That would be a review! Comparison of inexpensive DSLRs and mirrorless mirrors at the moment is interesting, the topic seems interesting to me and the question of choice torments many, including me :)

  • Novel

    Hello! What measurement mode for this camera is better with a manual lens? point, center or multi?

  • serg

    nex5n and nex5 are not comparable in image quality \ different generations of matrices \ nex 5n you can leave yourself oh, how long \ if there is no next revolution in Sony. to 100% crop, you can find fault with a filter like 7p is not removed \ but the pictures are on standard ob-x - triumph of technologies at such prices. used somehow canon-m - did not understand why the company was asking for money - the lens is even worse than 18-55 for Canon DSLRs and those are \ made in vietnam \. most of all I like the polemic about grips, ergonomics, weight The main thing money then tsena.kstati The Samsung staffing optics weaker sensitive than the soni.v soap dish was Shayderovski and sang in the nx-series does not sing, but it is by and large optics Sony sravnivaya.apparaty worthy \ is not four -third and aps-c

  • Dim

    Has anyone put third-party autofocus lenses on NEXs? As they have with autofocus, in particular, Sigma products are interesting.

    • Dim

      I took the Sigma 60 2.8 - autofocus on the a5000 works fine, although the transition to blur for my taste could not be so fast, but everything is fine, especially if the sharpness on the camera is set less, and if the focus point selection is assigned to the “quick” key like this even shoot becomes convenient. One thing is not clear why it was impossible to make a complete shutdown of the noise reduction.

  • Danil

    Please tell me what kind of adapter is needed to install lenses with Nikon and will there be autofocus?

    • serg

      dear metabones

    • serg

      fotodiox fusion \\ vello nikon f \\ metabones -without af

  • serg

    now sold \ on ali express for example \ penny conical lens tubes attached to the camera display and the problem of shooting in bright sun disappears on nex-cameras without evi

  • Xe

    Tell me, is it possible to put Nikon lenses on this camera?

    • Xe

      I see the answer above)

  • Artem

    Hello everyone! I am facing a choice between sony nex 5 and nex 5n. In the secondary market, 5n costs 1500-2000 more. Is it worth it to overpay?

    • KalekseyG

      Worth it.

  • kind

    Hello everyone, an interesting camera, I think about it, my friend can shoot a dance clip on both lenses, this is her boyfriend a fotik) I hope I get a decent picture in the end) And what about the full-frame mirrorless cameras from Nikon that the company presents on August 23, 2018?)

    • Arkady Shapoval

      We will wait on August 23, then we will say something.

  • Vladimir

    Arkady and the descent works without a lens or with lenses without electronics (via an adapter)?

    • B. R. P.

      Quote: To do this, you need to make the setting "allow the picture without a lens" in the menu.

  • Sergei

    Surprised by such gorgeous ratings!
    I bought a NEX 3N to replace two old Canon G11 compacts with a tiny matrix (two for stereo photography). Just a whale 18-55. I got nothing but disappointment! Yes, in good light, he knows how to take excellent non-noisy photos, but that's not why you buy a compact with APS-C.
    In low light conditions - say, four 40 watt bulbs in a small room - the amount of noise and “soap” even exceeds that of the G11! The comparison may be incorrect, but with the same matrix size, it cannot even come one step closer to the image quality of the D90 (sigma 2.8). automatic operation (BB, focus, flash control) I also do not like it. As it is not surprising, but I did not see any advantages over a good compact.
    Perhaps with the new 6000 series things are different, but I do not want to experiment anymore.

  • Dmitriy

    I do not know about the last comment. I have a Canon G9, G15, Nikon D90 (18-105) and the NEX-6 with blinozumom. In equal conditions, the picture is usually better for NEX-6. And even more so with a lack of light. Nikon D90 is much more convenient ergonomics, in my opinion, I can not grow out of reflex, but almost do not shoot. Photos from D90 usually require at least a minute, but processing. With the above-mentioned compact digital cameras and Neksa not processed rented directly in jpg. This is captivating when there is a lack of time. At 1: 1 crop, the photos with the G9 and G15 are looser than those with the NEX-6. No complaints about the NEX-6, the quality I do not, although the matrix there is also 16Mp, like the NEX 3N. In any case, comparing with the old man the D90, comparing alas, not in favor of D90. I really love the D90 for its ergonomics, "monumentality", autonomy, but, alas, I myself have repeatedly caught myself thinking that I would prefer to take the NEX-6 with me, because the picture is better, the dimensions are smaller. A D90 is now working exclusively at home paired with flash, Fota children, family, flash excellent quality!

  • Hamlet

    Today I bought this miracle Sony Alpha NEX 5, a complete set, mileage 7k, for 65u. Condition as new. I don’t know, I immediately fell in love with him. Fot-small monster with aps-c matrix, probably the only one with this size, and even with interchangeable optics. There was firmware 01, put the last 05-pleased, added focus picking (for manual optics) and the purpose of the buttons (now you do not need to go into the menu).
    What I liked:
    1) Of course, the APS-C matrix in such a scanty case.
    2) Interchangeable optics (hang on him even Tair 3s) :)
    3) (After flashing to the latest version) the focus picking function appeared, Helios 44m stood up as a native, the pick pick focus is very easily adjusted manually.
    4) (After flashing to the latest version) it became possible to configure 2 buttons for yourself, hung iso on the bottom, hung on the central (you can hang up to 3 actions) BB, the metering method and the autofocus area. Expo pairs are changed with the selector wheel. Now everything is at hand and no need to go into the menu.
    5) Swivel screen.
    Did not like:
    1) Shooting video (1080i). But I don’t need it. Again, it seems not bad, but when you get used to the best (Nikon D5300), then the video with the NEX 5 seems like that.
    2) I would like to buy his native viewfinder (not included), but he is so reptile. Yes, in principle and without it you can completely do.
    ps I can’t say anything bad about autofocus, not as fast as a phase, but not slow and tenacious. In a 20kv room, with a light of 6x20W LED lamps on the chandelier, it focuses confidently. And there is noise everywhere, the main thing is to set the exact exposure, especially at higher ISOs, so that you don’t draw shadows later, there is noise.
    In short, I’m happy as an elephant, I will definitely NOT sell. The main thing is that without any problems you can hang any Soviet optics. So guys, you will see at a good price, take it, you will not regret it.

  • Leonid.

    Hello members of the forum. I want to share how I quickly charge the battery. I bought a regular smartphone charger with at least 2500mA capacity. And it is perfectly charges the batteries. The second option is to order a charger on aliexpress, it is possible for 2 batteries. They also offer sets - chargers + batteries. You can also purchase a charger from the sony slt a37 camera. There are the same batteries. Therefore, charging is faster and safer. I personally use such a charger for a similar Sony nex F3 camera. Very comfortably. The average price of batteries for aliexpress 6.1 - 6.5 $, without shipping, with shipping will be around $ 9.0 regardless of the number of copies ....

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