Sony NEX3 and NEX5 due soon -- DSLR in compact form (1 Viewer)

Sony unveiled the NEX3 and NEX5 cameras yesterday. Each contains a normal APS-C sensor exactly as you find in DSLRs, but Sony removed everything that makes DSLRs bulky.


The result is a camera that is not only as good as any DSLR, but is also as small as -- or smaller than -- the "micro 4/3rds" format. Arguably, Sony just proved that the newly released micro 4/3rds format was not even needed to achieve this goal of a large sensor in a small body.


Most important to me about the Sony NEX3 and NEX5 is that their low-light performance is better than many DSLRs, which means you can take pictures in dark clubs now, for example. There's also a cute little flash that attaches to the top, included in the kit, if you want to use a flash or fill-flash.


Though they likely did not have to price this so low, the price is lower than nost micro4/3rds cameras, with the camera pictured above -- the NEX3 -- only $550 with the shown lens included.


That's a wide angle 16mm (24mm equivalent) by the way, f2.8. You can also buy it with an 18-55mm zoom, though it is not particularly good, just a starter zoom. The lens is bigger than the camera!


The NEX5 is the same as the NEX3 except it is $100 more, and has 1080p video instead of 720p video, and is even smaller, and uses a metal body instead of plastic.


Read about them:


http://sonystyle.com/nex



Re: smaller: here's a pic someone took of the NEX5 in his hand. Remember the same lens is available for the NEX3 and NEX5, so the scale of the NEX3 is about the same as this, just a bit taller:






So far all the coverage has been about the shape, size, the sensor, the incredible low-light performance, but no one has really focused on whether it has manual modes that would appeal to experienced photographers. Since it is all menu-driven, chances are it is intended to be for people who don't change modes between every shot. Or for people who want to let the camera do most of the work.

I've been following these since they were wood block mockups. Pay particular attention to CNET's video review: This is going to be a big product for Sony but the first generation is not fully baked yet. The UI has a lot of annoyances, manual configuration is a pain, there is no way to lock in a lot of video things that would be needed for a 'production' shoot etc.


Wait for the first or second round on these and I think you will see vast improvements. Remember tho that these are marketet to compact users who want to step up but not to a DSLR, not to DSLR users who want a compact camera. And that means there are a LOT of compromises the DSLR aficionado will grumble over.


I also maintain that the ridiculous imbalance between lens and body is going to hurt the prospects of these for most users.

Maybe down the road cameras will look and function like telescopes, 99% lens with a sensor slapped on the back.

Sounds like a usability nightmare to me =)

Seems too early to me, but ok!

http://photorumors.com/2010/05/12/sony-nex-7-in-september

I agree with everything that has been said -- including the telescope comment!


I don't know if I can wait until the rumored September announcement of the NEX7. It won't be the same design, physically, so it's a big unknown to wait for. It will probably be a DSLR shape, more like the Samsung NX10 -- which was my other candidate.


All I need to see to convince me to get the NEX3 is a review that looks more closely at the Aperture priority mode and the Shutter Speed priority mode. So far, everyone is so busy flipping through the various automatic and scene modes that there's been no in-depth look at whether everything -- including the high ISOs -- is available in Aperture priority mode and the Shutter Speed priority mode.


I don't like CNET for camera reviews -- CameraLabs.com is the best, IMO. I love the accent of Gordon (the CameraLab guy). He's either Kiwi or Australian.

The Sony NEX5 has been Umapproved!


http://www.startraksphoto.com/site/gallery/Gallery.aspx?ev=3994F61F66


(Uma Thurman bought one!)

Seriously, I want one too, but wait for the second gen rev.

I'm with you there, Sam. I want to see what the NEX7 looks like. But they won't announce it or describe it until after the NEX3 and NEX5 arrive in more widespread fashion in the US. (The NEX3 and NEX5 are available now but not widely available).

They are available enough for me to know they are an interesting outgrowth but their UI is not fully baked.

This guy is a hoot:




Blueberries and Kylie Minogue, indeed!

I do like the concept of these smaller cameras with interchangeable lenses. If Canon came out with something that would allow me to use my existing lenses (or use the new smaller lenses on my Canon dSLR), I may bite for those times I want to take something smaller than my dSLR setup, or when I may want a backup camera body that does not take up much room. However, the thought of buying into a separate lens and accessory system from another camera manufacturer for how I would use it is not very appealing.


I would think that both Canon and Nikon are working on something, instead of leaving this market exclusively to Sony and the Four Thirds format camera makers.

Nikon made a very vague statement about it lately, something like 'yeah we are doing one but the time is not right yet'.

http://nikonrumors.com/2010/06/27/nikon-we-considered-a-variety-of-so-called-mirrorless-interchangeable-lens-cameras.aspx



Nex3/5 now can shoot 3d panos:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/01/sony-nex-5-and-nex-3-can-shoot-3d-panoramas-with-new-firmware/

In the late '90s I owned the Olympus IS-3 DLX (pictured). When digital cameras started appearing, a lot of people would ask if it was digital because of the rear LCD menu panel, but it was film all the way.


I actually kind of miss it now. It was a pretty nice hybrid, not-quite SLR camera. I believe Olympus actually called it a ZLR for "zoom lens reflex."

Ah, yes. Olympus also had digital versions of those way back when, IIRC.


_Man_

The future:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/06/canon-wonder-camera-concept-promises-single-lens-perfection-vid/

So that pretty much assures that THAT WON'T be the future. Because folks always get it wrong. The future will not look like a hairdryer/dustbuster.


It will probably look like a pair of eyeglasses.

BOOM here comes the interchangeable lens camcorder!


http://www.viddler.com/explore/ImagingInsider/videos/77/

http://www.viddler.com/explore/ImagingInsider/videos/78/

http://www.imaginginsider.com/?p=106761

More info:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/14/sony-issues-nex-vg10-first-interchangeable-lens-hd-camcorder/

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666239819#specifications


I'm not as jazzed about it as I was last night, there is one little detail that destroys it: It shoots 1080 _i_ not 1080p. At 60fields per sec. There is speculation on engadget that it can also record 30p but until it's in writing I'm not betting on it. And unless it does true 24p then a lot fewer 'movie' projects will rush to it.


If they can get real 24p then they have a real challenger to RED for the low end. Those who demand the best codecs and color spaces will still flock to RED but those who are just going to hack around with it and have fun (ie geeks like me) might still go for it. My current Sony camcorder does 1080i only and it's a pain in the ass to convert AVCHD to something usable in post, but even that's getting better all the time, especially with stuff like hardware accelerated AVC like premiere does...


Dpreview has more:

http://bit.ly/cY4VVb


And Philip Bloom agrees, it's interesting but 60i kills it:

http://philipbloom.net/2010/07/14/sonys-new-low-end-interchangeable-lens-camcorder-with-aps-sized-sensor/