Otitis

Sony nex 5 gives faded results. Sony NEX line of mirrorless cameras

What I didn't like

small battery, bad matrix, interchangeable lenses (Sony's are bad)

What I liked

What I didn't like

The charger is just a disgrace, Chinese 20 ruble garbage. There are no video settings, it’s good if you use a lens with a manual aperture. Strap included. low quality. There is no stub on the matrix. The noise reduction cannot be completely turned off. ISO 200 minimum. Many necessary settings are hidden in the menu - inconvenient. Thinks for a long time before clicking. Too easy :)

What I liked

Short working distance + a bunch of adapters => very good. many compatible lenses. Large sensor. Compact. Clear controls. Good construction, everything is tight and strong. There is a rabbi. ISO 12800 maximum. It clicks quickly.

What I didn't like

Small number of compatible autofocus optics.
A very crooked and illogical menu. There are few buttons on the case.

What I liked

Compact and light weight, image quality is not inferior to SLR cameras. Illumination of the focus area makes the camera an ideal digital back for lenses with manual focus (absolutely any optics can be installed through adapters).

What I didn't like

1) inconvenient setting of ISO, white balance and other settings
2) not very convenient focusing in auto mode

What I liked

1) small, comfortable, lightweight with fairly high-quality images comparable to those on basic DSLRs

What I didn't like

Haven't found it yet.

What I liked

A friend bought herself such a photo. I was very pleased. Excellent bright, juicy photographs. Reliable case.

What I liked

A decent photographer even does a great job on a phone. There are more advantages than disadvantages. Exactly.

What I didn't like

much less convenient than a point-and-shoot camera, and the quality of the photos is much worse than that of a good DSLR.

What I liked

relatively compact. It will fit into a handbag and a large pocket even with an 18-55 lens.

What I didn't like

LCD display gets scratched easily

What I liked

Excellent photo quality; Full HD video shooting; Compact size, lightweight

What I didn't like

In the store I snapped a pack of pictures in all modes on a kit lens, went back and looked at the screen - soap, soap, soap everywhere.
horror. I'll go check it with other lenses - but I'm terribly disappointed

What I liked

small, convenient. Beautiful.

What I didn't like

I haven’t found it yet, I’ve been using it for six months already)

What I liked

1. Perfect for someone who has a DSLR (addition to it) 2. Simple and lightweight 3. Excellent design

What I didn't like

didn't notice

What I liked

The quality of the photos is simply excellent, good focusing, matrix, easy to use, compact. A real plus.

What I didn't like

So far I have found only 1 - a lens cap without a cord. :)

What I liked

For me, the biggest advantage was the small size with such a set of characteristics.

What I didn't like

It gets very hot during long (20 minutes) video recording and cuts off. Inconvenient menu: you turn the wheel, turn it, press, press, and all this takes a long time and is not convenient! It’s difficult to explain in more detail, but it’s like digging around in a Smartphone when you bought it for the first time and “went for a walk” from the menu.

What I liked

Pretty. Small. Writes HD

What I didn't like

A bit awkward design, i.e. large lens and small body.

What I liked

Large matrix, excellent quality images.

What I liked

Very easy to use settings, amazing photos with hands growing out of....., great thing and also shoots FUL HD video

What I didn't like

The lithium battery takes a long time to charge and quickly runs out. Finally, the memory for the SD has been made; now we hope that compact, capacious conventional batteries will be used instead of expensive, huge lithium batteries
Some essential manual settings are far away in the menu I realized that the pancake that at first disappointedly threw away the best lens in this size You don’t have to close the lid on the lens at all and throw it straight into your bag without turning off the camera and it will turn itself off
The default pictures are gray and whitish, which is twisted. Previously, envious canonists criticized Sony for the bright magazine cover colors, now everything is naturally gray
In order to pack more megapixels, the range of DRO and HDR has been reduced; this is not a sufficient replacement, especially since the HDR here is useless + -0.3 when necessary - +3 you have to drag it out in the editor. Previously, only kenons suffered from this
It doesn’t charge via USB, thanks of course that it even appeared
The screen does not rotate 180 only 60!
At aperture 10-22 invisible is visible naked eye Is it normal for garbage in the system?
The shutter slams incredibly loudly and the pugs cringe even for those who know that they are being filmed and are not very afraid of the camera
Prices for small things like filter covers in Russia are simply astronomical

What I liked

Unexpectedly low price for such a miracle of technology, I expected it to be 2-3 times more expensive Pocket everyday size with the quality of a large camera that you have to force yourself to take with you twice a year Normal appearance, unlike, for example, grandma’s creaky canon housings The device is superior in photo quality such monsters as d3100 d5000 550d, etc. and such as Zh2 Pen1, etc., just do it!

Stylish and petite digital camera with interchangeable optics, providing the widest possible creative possibilities with extreme ease of control. 14 MP APS-C matrix, light sensitivity up to ISO 12800, 3” rotating LCD display (921600 pixels), intelligent automation, Sweep Panorama 3D modes, Auto HDR Full HD video shooting.

More details about the model:
SONY Alpha NEX-5 Kit 18-55 SONY Alpha NEX-5 Kit 16 f/2.8 SONY Alpha NEX-5 Kit 16 f/2.8 silver SONY Alpha NEX-5 Kit 18-55 black SONY Alpha NEX-5 Kit 16 f/2.8 / 18-55 SONY Alpha NEX-5 Kit 16 f/2.8 / 18-55 silver SONY Alpha NEX-5 kit 18-200 In order to leave a review, you must register .

olgert_x Date: 10.09.2018 17:20:21

Purchase time: 2018
Strengths: Excellent matrix, color rendition almost matches the original, what you see is what you get in the photo.
It’s better to shoot in manual mode and only in RAW, then you really get good photos; I don’t use other modes at all.
The strong point of this camera is that you can attach any lens via an adapter and get good photos.
Shoots pretty decent video.
With proper exposure at high ISOs there is little noise.
Weaknesses: There is no viewfinder, standard lenses are very mediocre, it is better not to use them at all.
The menu is a bit unusual, especially after Canon DSLRs, but you quickly get used to it, the screen coating leaves much to be desired, you immediately need to attach the protective glass.
Autofocus is not very good, but for me this is not a drawback, since I focus only manually, on manual steles.
Analogues used: There were no similar ones.
Comment: An unusual camera, the capabilities even surprised me a little at first, there’s so much in such a little thing, but as they say, you quickly get used to good things-)

Purchase time: December 2014
Strengths: Miniature without optics...
Short flange distance for a wide variety of non-native optics
Weaknesses: 1) Terrible, monstrously disgusting color rendition in difficult or insufficient lighting, when there is no direct sunlight on the subject!
2) Poor resolution of the matrix - terrible soap in details and shadows, especially on long optics
3) ISO 1600 is no longer working
4) Stupid controls, dumber and clumsier than any normal soap box
5) Frostbitten price for original optics and accessories.
6) Bad video with terrible sound - on the Sony HV100V it was of outstanding quality
Analogues used: Sony HX100V, Sony T100, T50, W7, Nikon P7100, Nikon D7100
Comment: Bought this product BU almost for free, without optics - for the purpose of comparison with normal SLRs, as well as for photographing at the direct focus of telescopes with long shutter speeds. I don’t understand people writing rave reviews about this squalor. The rendering of colors, halftones and shadows is simply disgusting. Everything turns purple or yellow! Dancing with color t. they don't give much. The BB is lying in all the photos, even in RAW - the cloudy sky turns into a nasty purple cold tint. The contrast is terrible even on the VIVID preset, or rather there is none. The matrix is not capable of properly resolving good Soviet optics; the photos cannot be even minimally cropped! After a good Nikon P7100 soap dish, it’s impossible to look at photos from NEX at all! About the initial DSLRs, I’m generally silent - heaven and earth in terms of quality, how can you even compare and contrast with a DSLR?! Feeling like wasted money. I don’t have crooked hands and my creative taste is fine..

Just(Amateur photographer with 25+ years of experience) Date: 01.04.2012 06:05:56

Purchase time: May 2011
Strengths: Replaceable optics, dimensions, matrix, video.
Weaknesses: Control and lack of some important functions, lack of a hot shoe, lack of VI, rapid battery drain due to many non-disabled functions.
Analogues used: No
Comment: The device has a lot of shortcomings, and the most important one for me is the controls. In principle, there are enough buttons, but their functionality is not thought out. Reassigning them to the menu does not solve the problem, since the possibilities for variation are very limited. It also lacks some important functions, such as exposure fixing or auto ISO limitation. The lack of a proper hot shoe also adds headaches when shooting in a dark, fairly large room.
But still, despite a bunch of shortcomings (where there are none)), the camera is very decent both in functionality and price. The photo quality is excellent, the video is gorgeous, and there are almost limitless possibilities for using various optics thanks to the minimum flange distance.

Seint(Beginner photographer with 0-3 years of experience) Date: 08.02.2012 00:31:56

Purchase time: 2012
Strengths:-Excellent autofocus
-good LCD display with high resolution
-effective stabilization system
-excellent, quiet matrix
-fast work
Weaknesses:-no viewfinder
-as for me, it feels so uncomfortable in the hands
-confusing menu (but you can get used to it)
-costs a lot
Analogues used: lumix FZ30
Sony H10
Sony W130
Pentax S7
Nikon 7600
Comment: I took the camera for one evening in a cafe with artificial lighting and dim light, where it performed well.
Fast focusing, no hand-held smears, correct color rendition.
But meanwhile, the device is not very convenient and it takes time to figure out the settings.

The_Phil(Experienced amateur photographer with 0-3 years of experience) Date: 01.10.2011 22:54:01

Purchase time: 01.08.2011
Strengths: 1) Compact compared to a DSLR.
2) High quality images, comparable to whale DSLRs
3)Fast shooting speed
4) Good battery (I don’t know why they say it’s weak. It’s enough for 400 frames, like a DSLR)
5) Convenient, the screen moves
Weaknesses: 1) I don’t understand why they made an external flash
2) With an 18-55 lens it won’t fit into a small bag
3) When shooting, it strobes. Although the quality is good
Analogues used: Canon IXUS 100, Olympus ZX-1
Comment: Good device. In essence, this is a budget kit DSLR, but only small. This is the reason why I bought it, because the quality of the soap dishes leaves much to be desired; some pseudo-mirrors are good, but some are not; I’m tired of carrying around a kilogram Canon. I'm happy with the device. I wish it was smaller. And it’s doubtful, of course, why interchangeable lenses are needed (it would be better if there was one universal one) - after all, the “big” brothers are better. But he found his niche and occupied it. I think cameras like this are the future. DSLRs are dinosaurs :)

Aerien(Beginner photographer with 0-3 years of experience) Date: 01.10.2011 14:36:12

Purchase time: May 2011
Strengths: The ability to change lenses, the ability to screw on filters and protective glass 49mm, fits well in the hands, the screen rotates conveniently, and is compact compared to a DSLR.
Weaknesses: The closed viewfinder is missing and video viewing is awkward. The microphone is noisy even in light winds.
Analogues used: Complete analogues never came across it before. I shot with DSLRs, digital point-and-shoot cameras, and ultrasonic point-and-shoot cameras from different companies.
Comment: I took the device as a travel device with 18-55 and 16mm, and immediately bought a couple more batteries, UV filters for both glasses, and a Polaroid filter. The impression from the camera is amazing! Convenient, compact, quickly folding screen allows you to shoot hand-held above a crowd, or covertly “from the belly” on the street. And with macro you don’t have to crawl on your belly. The “handheld twilight” mode is just a song, the photos are as if they were alive! At first there weren’t enough external ISO controls, but then I set the ISO call to the top programmable button and everything became fine. The video is beyond praise; the dandelion in the yard filmed in macro mode resembles footage from Discovery. But the video also revealed the first disadvantage - even a light breeze blows out the microphone. They say that this can be solved by installing an external one, but the video is not so relevant to me, so I haven’t tried it. When shooting in flight, I sealed the microphone holes with thin tape and the noise problem disappeared :)) The second disadvantage is the ill-conceived i-whatever mode; you can exit it only by calling up the general menu. But it’s better not to go into it. Batteries are a separate matter. They had to be trained for several days, constantly charging and discharging until they thawed, filming a video in the window. After a few days, the batteries were developed and made it possible to take several hundred pictures (and after five days of lying in the bag, they lost no more than 1% of the charge). At the same time, a branded battery cost 3000 rubles, and ACME - from 900 rubles to 1800 rubles. And they worked, in principle, the same way. The third disadvantage, the most significant one, is that the device cannot be given to the aunties from the group so that they can take a group photo. For some strange reason, all the pictures taken by a “non-photographer” were out of focus, sometimes just a little, but it was a waste. It seems that hands accustomed to the soap dish do not allow the Nex to focus, because... I didn’t have any marriage on these same stages. Overall, Nex-5 is simply a wonderful camera in its class!

Sheekarnoo(Beginner photographer with 0-3 years of experience) Date: 20.07.2011 18:52:09

Strengths: Image quality
Compactness
RAW
Intuitive menu
Weaknesses: Loud shutter
Flash (ppts)
Stained screen
The screen fades in the sun
Small battery 400-500 shots
Analogues used: there were no analogues
Comment: Super camera. Budget DSLR killer. The quality of the pictures is amazing, you wonder: Is this really a compact? Great option for beginners who subsequently want to switch to more serious cameras by jumping over the niche of budget DSLRs. Sony Nex-5 is the golden mean between expensive point-and-shoot cameras and budget DSLRs. If you plan to buy in this price category, don’t hesitate to take the Sony Nex-5.

To record video with sound, the cameras contain a built-in stereo microphone. In addition to the built-in microphone, you can also purchase an external microphone, complete with a wind attachment and a case.

To start and stop shooting, you need to press the same Movie REC button, like in a camcorder - this is very convenient. Second positive point- location of this button. It's easy to access, but impossible to confuse with the shutter key.

High quality in small sizes

Sony NEX cameras are an excellent choice for three categories of users:

Owners of compact cameras who have reached the “ceiling” of the capabilities of their equipment and want to get more interesting and artistic photographs, but are not ready to purchase a “DSLR” due to its size and weight;
Enthusiastic photography enthusiasts who have experience working with a DSLR, but identify for themselves a number of situations when using a DSLR camera is undesirable or difficult, but there is a need to take pictures high quality;
Professionals using Sony Alpha system cameras. Mirrorless NEX allows you to use the same lenses via an adapter, while the camera body weighs almost nothing compared to a DSLR. NEX can be used as a backup or additional camera.

Sony NEX cameras are perfect for each of these categories due to the high quality of images combined with the rather modest dimensions and light weight of the camera.

The cameras are already on sale. Models are sold in sets (“whales”), that is, with lenses included. Camera with 16mm or 18-55mm lens, or both. The cost of NEX-3 is from 20 to 25 thousand rubles, NEX-5 will cost the buyer more: from 24 to 30 thousand rubles. You can also pre-order a kit with an 18-200 mm lens. NEX-5 with this universal lens costs more than 40 thousand rubles.

According to the testing results, Sony cameras NEX is awarded the "ZOOM Recommend" award.

UPD from 1.07. From July 1, an updated version is available on the website sony.ru software for Alpha NEX-3 and NEX-5 cameras. Free firmware allows you to update some camera functions and adds the ability to shoot in 3D.

ZOOM selection: the best cameras of the first half of the year

"DSLR" is a "DSLR". Compacts are taking their toll, but if you need uncompromising speed and precision, wide range focal lengths and a wide selection of optics - and at the same time you are willing to put up with certain dimensions and weight - your choice is with a DSLR camera.

Nikon D5100

It appeared on the market in March of this year to replace its predecessor D5000. The camera has become smaller and lighter. It inherited a new 24 x 16 mm CMOS matrix with a resolution of 16.2 megapixels and an EXPEED 2 processor from the D7000 model. The photosensitivity range is from 100 to 6400 ISO units and can be expanded to ISO 25600. With such numbers, I want to add: “wow”! When I first tried to shoot under the moon, I was very surprised - the colors in the pictures were bright, like during the day, but when shooting, my eyes saw something completely different, almost monochrome. And what to do with this reserve of sensitivity during the day? Some magazines even published articles saying that the concept of sensitivity should be relegated to the trash heap.

Now the photographer can choose the shutter speed and aperture as he pleases, and we can forget about the sensitivity that we inherited from film. Well, we'll wait and see. In the meantime, let's return to our new product. Like all decent cameras with interchangeable lenses, it has a system for cleaning the matrix from dust, and you can connect a GPS receiver and an external stereo microphone to it. The new rotating screen has grown to three inches, and its resolution has increased to 921,000 pixels. And, like all decent cameras today, it can shoot FullHD video in 1080p format. There are connectors for mini-USB, HDMI, video, microphone and remote control. But the mechanical autofocus drive, the so-called “screwdriver,” is a thing of the past, so autofocus will only work with new lenses like AF-S and AF-I. Weight 565 g without optics.

Ideal for the advanced, demanding hobbyist or as a professional's second camera.

Compact cameras with interchangeable lenses are not a cross between compacts and DSLRs. This is a completely new, special sector with its own advantages. Lightweight, small, versatile, can do almost anything, work with any optics. Slowly.

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Probably the smallest and lightest in the class of non-mirror cameras with interchangeable optics. So small that almost all of its lenses extend beyond the size of the camera itself. At the same time, there is a large CMOS matrix of APS-C size (24 x 16 mm) with a resolution of 14 megapixels, a grippy and durable metal body. Video 1920 x 1080. Matrix auto-cleaning system. Sensitivity up to ISO3200, expandable to ISO12800. USB, HDMI, video connectors. There is no optical stabilization in the camera; it is assigned to the lenses. Optics with E-mount. Adapters are available for sale for almost all common mounts, including Canon, Nikon, Leica and M42 - and, of course, for A-mount from Sony-Minolta. Weight - 300 g without optics.

The segment of mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses is relatively new and rapidly developing. I went my own special way here, relying on the maximum functionality of the processor. In addition to the usual scene programs and special effects these days, the NEX-5 stitches panoramas on the fly and creates high dynamic range (HDR) images. To create a panorama, you only need to press a button and smoothly move the camera from one edge of the panorama to the other - the automation will do it itself the right number frames and immediately stitches them together into a single image.

I would like to add it - and post it on Twitter, as many phones do - but not yet, there is no this function, and thank God, roaming will not ruin you in Borneo. But whether you like it or not, the camera is step by step taking over the functions of a computer. We bet that in a year or less there will be a camera with Android?

High Dynamic Range (HDR) - even more interesting feature. The lack of this range has truly been the bane of digital photography since its inception and the point where it seemed to be hopelessly and forever inferior to film. Remember that modern negative films were developed in the late 60s and early 70s, when mainstream photography used inexpensive compact cameras without electronics.

Hyperfocal lens, one aperture and one shutter speed. The film had to be filmed under almost any conditions - and this was achieved! In a modern negative, the dynamic range can reach 10, 12 and even 17 binary exposure steps, while in digital matrices it is 3 - 4, rarely 5.

Therefore, when shooting a contrasting scene on film - for example, an interior with a bright landscape outside the window and dark corners in the room - you received a negative, where all the details, in principle, were there, and if desired, they could be obtained on the print. But on digital you had just empty spaces, gaps, or noise in both the highlights and shadows. Digital photography soon found the answer. A few years ago, a standard for photography with an extended dynamic range, High Dynamic Range, HDR, appeared. At first, such photographs were obtained by taking several photographs of the same scene with different exposures, and then combining them in a computer into one image with elaborate detail in highlights and shadows. Of course, I wanted to have a camera that does the same thing itself. it can!

Fujifilm FinePix X100 – fast!

Film compacts of the last century worked very quickly: you pressed a button and the shutter was released. Sometimes speed is very great value. Try, for example, photographing a child playing or just a portrait of a person with moving, emotional facial expressions. Usually only top-end DSLRs cope with this - they are heavy and noisy. Sometimes you don’t even mind sacrificing some focusing accuracy just to capture a moment. Remember Cartier-Bresson with his theory of the decisive moment. I've never understood why digital compacts can't be made as fast. It turns out that it is possible.

A camera conceived as nostalgia for film - all metal, with wheels, levers and buttons. Very beautiful or, as they say now, stylish. With optical viewfinder, non-replaceable fast Fujinon 23mm/F:2 lens. Matrix 24 x 16 mm, 12 MP, sensitivity, expandable to ISO6400. Video 1280x720. Weight - 445 g. Another amazing feature is the viewfinder. It can work as optical and electronic and even combine both modes. Focusing is manual. Yes, that's right - there is no autofocus. But there is speed, that same amazing speed: pressed - removed. Even faster than DSLRs!

A fast and silent camera for photographing people, children, and everyday life. To capture unique moments, sometimes you need a very good picture.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

Like the DMC-G2, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3's information screen is touchscreen. It is created on the basis of a liquid crystal matrix with a diagonal of 3 inches and a resolution of 460 thousand dots. The rotating mechanism gives the screen 2 degrees of freedom - movement is possible horizontally and around the longitudinal axis. In general, we can say that this element has completely changed into a new product from its predecessor.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G3

The functionality is based on the use of a new light-sensitive CMOS sensor with a resolution of 16.6 megapixels in the camera - which gives us an image with a resolution of up to 4592 by 3448 pixels inclusive. As mentioned earlier, the sensor size is determined by the Four Third format and is equal to 17.3 by 13 millimeters. Thanks to in-camera image processing, the camera can take frames with aspect ratios of 3:2, 4:3, 16:9 and 1:1.

The new camera has a Venus Engine HD II processing processor. It was this that was used in the DMC-G2, although the designers talk about some improvements in the algorithms it uses. It was these improvements that apparently made it possible to expand the sensitivity range of the matrix to ISO 6400. It starts at ISO 160 - which is somewhat worse than what was demonstrated by its predecessor (ISO 100). Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 has expanded the capabilities of automatic focusing through the introduction of the Pinpoint Focus mode (using the touch screen, it focuses on any point across the entire frame area) and the option of multiple (x4) zoom of a fragment in the “picture-in-picture” mode.

Right view

The camera's video recording option has finally received full support for the AVCHD format. The maximum frame resolution in the video footage and the shooting speed have also been increased - up to 1920 by 1080 pixels at 60 frames per second.

The shooting speed has also increased - the camera can shoot up to 4 frames per second in standard resolution and up to 20 frames per second in low resolution (4 megapixels). Finally, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 has expanded the exposure compensation range to 5 EV in each direction, and the camera's shutter mechanism has adopted a Bulb mode.

Frontal view. It's interesting that the index disappears after the letter "G"

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 is the most adequate and clear response from the owners of the Micro Four Third system to the development of the mirrorless digital camera market and its capture by cameras with APS-C format sensors. The Panasonic designer managed to create the most compact, high-quality camera devoid of options not entirely necessary for the target audience. Touch control allows us to recommend it to almost everyone who has even briefly thought about buying a camera. And advanced automation and a new matrix allow us to hope for getting good shots in a wide range of shooting conditions.

Hasselblad H4D

There are things that can be removed even on best camera 35mm class is physically impossible. When the smallest details are required. Forest, velvet, sea, jewelry. Clothing so that the texture of the fabric is reliably conveyed. Even a half-length portrait, not to mention full-length or group. Sometimes the group of people is large - 50, 100 people. But at the beginning of the twentieth century they took pictures of up to a thousand people! For such detail elaboration, a camera of a different class - medium or large format - is required. Today, the largest matrices have a size of about 40-45 x 50-55 mm, that is, they belong to the medium format class. Large format digital cameras operate on the scanning principle.

Hasselblad H4D is a medium format autofocus digital camera. There are versions with matrix sizes from 33 x 44 mm to 40 x 53 mm and resolutions from 31 to 60 MP. Color depth 48 bits. Weight - 2290 g with 80 mm lens. Sensitivity - ISO50 - ISO 800. Display - three inches, 460,000 pixels. Autofocus - central, single-point. There is no video or audio recording, and there is no built-in flash with red-eye reduction. Nine lenses are available with fixed focal lengths from 28 to 300 mm, two zooms, a teleconverter, a shift converter and a converter for CF optics from film Hasselblads.

There are a huge number of other accessories, including a GPS receiver and even a film adapter. Anyone who has ever held a Hasselblad in their hands is usually reluctant to part with it later. Despite the fact that the functionality of the camera in modern times is, let’s say, not exceptional, the quality of implementation of these functions does not leave much to be desired. The shooting itself gives almost physical pleasure - everything is so convenient, thoughtful and obedient. And after looking at the photos, I usually want to throw away all the other cameras. Oh, if only he weighed just a little less!

Ideal for landscape, portrait, architecture and still life. Suitable for both studio and outdoor use.

Today there is no review on Radozhiva SLR camera. Sony Alpha NEX- 5 is a MILC (Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera) class mirrorless camera - mirrorless digital camera with interchangeable lenses. A very interesting specimen with huge potential and good opportunities.

Everything 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 the zoom needs to be turned by hand, but on the other side there is no mirror viewfinder. After using DSLR cameras, you just want to put the camera to your face and see the image in the viewfinder. Personally, I've been caught by this trick many times. Of course, some will find it easier to view through the screen, but still, viewing through the screen makes the camera very similar to ordinary digital compacts.

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

Very large matrix. Attention: this camera uses a matrix from cropped SLR cameras APS-C, because its size is really large and surpasses all digital compacts. Also, the size is larger than in cameras with a 4/3 matrix. It is thanks to the large matrix that this camera is interesting. With a large sensor you can achieve low noise and good control of depth of field. True, to cover such an area of the matrix you need to use no longer tiny lenses.
Whole 14.2 megapixels based on CMOS. More than enough for amateur use. This is more than in mine, and more than in professional Nikon D3 (s)
Video Full HD 1920×1080, 1440×1080, 640×480. For lovers of photography and video, the camera gives the opportunity to shoot with enormous resolution in one small package. Is it true, important point 1920x1080 can only be shot in AVCHD format, and 1440x1080, 640x480 in both AVCHD and MP4. The default format was MP4 and I saw available options only in 1440x1080, 640x480, which puzzled me for about 5 minutes while searching for 1920x1080.
Compactness. The camera is very small. Considering the huge sensor, this is a very big plus. True, even with an 18-55 lens it will be quite difficult to fit it into a jacket pocket. But with a 16mm lens you can throw it in your pocket or handbag. Personally, such a camera would suit me for a hike - small size and good functionality.
Rotating display. True, the display rotates only in vertical position almost 90 degrees. It would be better if it had more degrees of freedom when rotating.
Easy controls. Easy does not mean convenient. All control is done through the camera menu.
ISO 200 to 12800, and in camera JPEG, even at 6400, a more or less normal picture is obtained. An ordinary digital compact cannot even dream of such working ISOs.
Camera can work with any optics that can be attached to it. To do this, you need to make the “allow photo without lens” setting in the menu. For lovers of manual optics, just a fairy tale. The camera supports exposure metering in any manual, semi-automatic P A S M or full automatic mode. To put it simply, you can attach some small cheap high-aperture lens like Helios-44m-4 to the camera via an adapter and get simply wonderful photographs.
920,000 dot monitor. Good contrast display.
The camera has just unique panoramic shooting mode. A panorama is made from several photographs. This results in a perfectly composed panoramic photograph.
When manually focusing, the 14x zoom mode is automatically activated, which allows for fine tuning. This is also an irreplaceable and automatic thing when working with manual optics.
In the camera you will find all the necessary tips on type, modes, parameters, etc. It’s true that sometimes there are no basic, familiar things. Many features turn on automatically, such as hand-shake reduction, macro and landscape modes.
Fast autofocus. Autofocus has a number of settings and generally provides normal operation speed. But always remember that autofocus speed depends not only on the camera, but also on the lens. The speed will be inferior to SLR cameras, since in the Sony Alpha NEX-5 it works on the principle of contrast, in SLR cameras the whole additional system with phase focusing sensors.
Continuous speed of 7 frames per second. The truth works without metering and changing focus for each individual frame. But still, 7 frames per second in RAW is impressive. In normal high-speed mode, when focusing after each frame, the camera takes 2.3 frames per second.

Flaws:

Everything has to be controlled through the menu. It takes more time. But that’s why it’s a compact, not a DSLR.
In automatic mode, a number of settings are not available.
No ISO 100. For example, at the minimum ISO 200 for the Sony Alpha NEX-5 and when using a lens from 1.4 to 2.8, you may not fit into the shutter speed, which is 1/4000; I have the same problem on .
Limited set of “native” lenses. Only special lenses are suitable for the camera. Minolta AF lenses must be used via an adapter.
Price. About 1000 USD The price is comparable to an advanced DSLR camera.
No huge number useful functions by type of conversion from RAW to JPEG
In automatic mode, the camera gives a slight overexposure by 1/3 or even by the entire step.

Interesting points:

The camera makes an interesting sound when the shutter is released. At first I thought that the sound was coming from the lens, but then I realized that it was the movement of the curtains that was heard. Yes, the camera does not have a simple electronic shutter, but curtain-slit with shutter speeds from 30 seconds to 1\4000. Moreover, the shutter fires with a very characteristic double click, which may make it appear as if the camera is taking two pictures instead of one. The sound gives some kind of moral satisfaction, which is similar to the sound of the shutter of a SLR camera. You can also choose in the camera aspect ratio of the image is 16 to 9 and standard 3 to 2. Actually photo 16 to 9 below.

The camera has background control mode. Quite an interesting thing for fans. I’ll tell you a secret for professionals, this function simply closes and opens the aperture, thereby creating this magical background blur effect.

Matrix noise– I was pleasantly surprised, as the camera showed excellent results at high ISOs. True, I can only judge by viewing on-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.

Conclusion:

Sony Alpha NEX-5 is very unusual camera with a curtain shutter but without a mirror viewfinder. The camera has an excellent sensor with high ISO performance. Perfect as an excellent photo and video gadget with good quality.

Let's go through the lenses. Review of SEL-1855 18-55 mm F/3.5-5.6:

There's not much to say standard with small. The lens comes with a lens hood. Filter diameter 49mm, same as the lens SEL-16F28 16mm F/2.8. The aperture value changes as you zoom. The only good plus is OSS image stabilizer, which really helps when shooting. The lens is small for a DSLR, but on the Sony Alpha NEX-5 the lens looks unusual. The sharpness is quite normal for a kit lens, they are well captured in JPEG by the camera. Of course, at 18mm distortion is very visible, there’s no getting around it. Colors are rendered mediocre. Bokeh at 55mm is quite tolerable, as they say, all felt-tip pens have different tastes and colors. Don't expect fabulous photo quality from this lens. Taking into account the crop factor of 1.5, the lens on the Sony Alpha NEX-5 camera will give viewing angles equal to 27-83mm for 35mm film. The aperture is controlled only from the camera. A very inconvenient factor is that to focus manually you need to set the appropriate mode in the camera menu, without this, twisting the focus ring will not have any effect. Lens perfect for all occasions, that's why he .

Examples of photographs without processing on Sony Alpha NEX-5 and SEL-1855 18-55 mm F/3.5-5.6(resized, watermark)

Review of SEL-16F28 16mm F/2.8

It is a fact that “mirrorless” cameras have established themselves as a class and will gain a foothold on the market for years to come. However, not all photographic equipment manufacturers have yet managed to present their “mirrorless” cameras. Sony was the last to do this, showing the mirrorless NEX-3 and NEX-5. ZOOM.CNews specialists had the opportunity to be among the first to familiarize themselves with the new product. We present to your attention a review and “field” test of new Japanese cameras.

Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5: detailed review and “field” test of mirrorless cameras

The battle for mirrorless

To date, mirrorless cameras have been introduced by four companies - Panasonic, Olympus, Samsung and Sony. It's interesting that companies went in different ways. Panasonic and Olympus, which presented their “mirrorless” cameras two years ago, created the Micro Four Thirds format for such cameras, which involves the use of a matrix of reduced dimensions compared to DSLRs.

In turn, Samsung and Sony, which released their own cameras this year, equipped their models with APS-C matrices, which, in size, correspond to the matrices of SLR cameras. A large matrix is less problems with digital “noise”, which is a big plus for a photographer of any level.

Sony NEX 3 comes in three color options

Now - the most interesting part. At large sizes matrix, Sony was able to make the camera dimensions smaller than Four Thirds, and the price lower. There is nothing surprising in the situation with prices - competition is growing in the mirrorless market. And it will grow, because Canon and Nikon have not yet presented similar models. And only the consumer will benefit from low prices.

Technologies and lenses

Continuing the conversation about matrices: the resolution of the Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor in the cameras is 14.2 MP, similar to the Sony A550 DSLR. However, the sensor in the NEX cameras is not a copy of the sensor from the A550; According to the manufacturer, it was developed specifically for new cameras.

Sony NEX 5 with professional Sony 70-300 G SSM lens

Among the features, it is worth highlighting a wide range of sensitivity changes, from 200 to 12800 ISO units. Limit value corresponds to that of the A550 or, for example, the Canon 7D. Of course it's high maximum value Sensitivity in itself means little, but looking ahead, we note that the camera has no problems with image quality at high ISOs.

Sony NEX 5: E mount

The camera is equipped with a new mount – Sony E (eighteen, from the English “eighteen”). The name was not chosen by chance; the working distance is 18 mm. Interestingly, the LA-EA1 adapter provides compatibility with a family of 30 Sony lenses and teleconverters, as well as a number of other legacy lenses (only manual focus is supported). This expands the creative possibilities of the camera owner. The adapter itself allows you to control the “jumping” aperture. True, we will leave the appearance of such a unit (ultra-compact body + adapter + lens from a SLR camera) without comment.

Lens E 16 mm F/2.8

There are currently three lenses available for the camera:

The flat E 16mm F/2.8 lens is compact in size, which, combined with the compactness of the camera, allows you to literally carry it with you in your pocket or small bag. In addition, special attachments will be released for this lens: the ultra-wide-angle converter VCL-ECU1 and the wide-angle converter type " fish eye» VCL-ECF1.
Zoom lens E 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 is a standard zoom lens that duplicates the focal length range of most compact cameras. This lens is a standard solution for most DSLRs.
The E 18-200 F/3.5-6.3 zoom lens is a “all-rounder” and is perfect for travel. It will allow you to shoot both landscapes and distant objects.

Standard lens E 18-55 mm F/3.5-5.6

Both zoom lenses are equipped with optical SteadyShot image stabilization. In addition, the 18-200 lens also supports Active Mode at wide-angle for even more stable shooting.

Lens E 18-200 mm F/3.5-6.3

The camera also features a manual focus assistant. There are two modes:

DMF (Direct Manual Focus) - Direct manual focus allows you to fine-tune focus manually after the autofocus system has completed its work by half-pressing the shutter button.
MF Assist - When you rotate the focusing wheel manually in MF or DMF modes, MF Assist magnifies the screen image by 7x or 14x for maximum viewing comfort.

Differences

The NEX-3 and NEX-5 cameras are similar, the differences between them are not particularly significant. However, the models differ. The main thing, perhaps, is the advanced video shooting capabilities of the “older” NEX-5, which supports video recording in AVCHD format with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The capabilities of the NEX-3 are more modest, the maximum resolution is 1280 x 720, the format is MP4. In addition, the older NEX-5 is housed in a durable magnesium alloy body. The NEX-5 is also slightly lighter and more compact than the NEX-3. The third difference is that the NEX-5 supports remote control from the RMT-DSLR1 remote control.

Ergonomics and design

The importance of good ergonomics for a mirrorless camera cannot be underestimated. Models that are more compact than DSLRs have significantly greater functionality than digital point-and-shoot cameras. And if the body of “DSLRs” has enough space to spread out the control buttons, then in the case of “mirrorless” cameras the developer has much less room for maneuver.

Sony NEX 5: body elements from above

At the same time, mirrorless cameras are designed for an audience different from DSLR users, so such high control efficiency will rarely be a determining factor when choosing a model. Manufacturers have taken different approaches to this issue. For example, Panasonic and Samsung made their “mirrorless” cameras similar to DSLR cameras, spreading them across the body large number controls. But Sony took a different path.

Sony NEX 5: screen and body elements

Due to the compact size of the camera, only the essentials are left on the body. And, among other things, there are three keys with variable assignment. We have never seen anything like this in DSLRs or other mirrorless cameras; this control method is a Sony find.

To save size and weight, Sony went further than others - the cameras lack a viewfinder and a built-in flash. The flash is external and comes with the cameras and can be connected to the Smart Accessory Terminal located on the top of the cameras. When not in use, the flash can either be left folded on the camera or stored in a special case that attaches to the camera strap (supplied). The solution is original.

Sony NEX 5 with flash

Provided you don't use the flash very often, it's not difficult to attach it to the camera body if necessary. It’s a pity that the flash can only rotate in one plane (up and down), perhaps its “rotation” left and right is a matter of time.

Sony NEX 3 with external viewfinder

A viewfinder and an external microphone can be connected to the same connector. Of course, these accessories cannot be used at the same time.

Let's move directly to the elements of the body. On the right side of the camera at the top we see a shutter button, an ON/OFF switch, a button to switch to the footage viewing mode, and a button to start video recording.

The camera controls, located at the rear of the camera, include three keys that change their purpose depending on the menu or task at hand when shooting, as well as a joystick wheel.

The camera is equipped with a large and, nicely, rotating 7.5 cm (3”) Xtra Fine LCD display with TruBlack technology. The display can only be rotated up and down, but nothing more is required when shooting. In addition, the screen is equipped with an auto-brightness function, which makes it possible to clearly see the image even in bright sunlight.

Interface and control

The developers have taken the path of simplifying the menu as much as possible, which may be convenient for users moving from the compact camera class, or for people with little experience with cameras.

For an already accomplished amateur photographer, especially one who has worked with SLR cameras, the menu may seem too simplified and more difficult to master. The first thing that catches your eye when you get acquainted with the menu is the impossibility of customizing it for yourself, personalizing it, and you cannot assign other (custom) functions to the soft keys. For serious enthusiasts, the lack of a quick menu will be a disadvantage of the camera. On the other hand, an experienced photographer will be able to work with the menu and get used to it.

The camera can display on-screen Shooting Tips. It's essentially a photography tutorial for aspiring photographers, giving advice not only on technical camera settings, but also on artistic aspects various pictures. Tips can be read both during the shooting process and in “book” format by selecting the appropriate menu item. Thus, when the camera is in shoot-and-learn mode, it fully assists the photographer, in fact, replacing instructions. This feature will be quite interesting for novice photographers, and an experienced user can disable tooltips if they are not needed.

Shooting

The first thing that distinguishes photos taken with a DSLR and a compact camera is the artistic blurring of the background. NEX cameras not only offer the ability to artistically blur the background using Aperture Priority mode, but also have a similar feature for beginners. In auto shooting mode, you can use the multi-function wheel to control the degree of background blur. In principle, this function is an aperture priority mode, but it is aimed at those users who have not yet “grown up” to this difficult term.

This function is available in iAuto (Intelligent Auto Shooting) mode. In manual mode, background blur is controlled, as expected, by manually selecting the aperture value.

To create panoramas in the camera, there is a special Sweep Panorama shooting mode. Creating spectacular pictures is as simplified as possible for the user. We switch the camera to the appropriate mode, press the shooting button and simply move the camera strictly horizontally or vertically (this must be selected in the menu item).

A high-speed series of frames is automatically “stitched” into one detailed panorama with a resolution of up to 23 megapixels and an effective viewing angle of up to 226 degrees. Simple, fast and effective. However, there are two (albeit not fundamental) “buts”. First. During the panorama shooting process, the camera can be heard, because Each new frame is accompanied by the sound of the shutter being released. And secondly, the camera is quite demanding on the movement and steadiness of your hand if you jerk your hand sharply when panoramic photography- you'll have to start over. Recording the captured panorama on a memory card is possible only in JPEG format. Examples of captured panoramas are below.

Panoramic files can be captured in 3D and viewed in 3D on a compatible 3D-enabled BRAVIA TV. The first cameras to go on sale will be so-called 3D-Ready. They will be able to shoot a 3D panorama after a firmware update, which will appear in the summer of 2010. Replacing the firmware is a matter of a few minutes; it will not be a problem for the user.

Another interesting feature is wide dynamic range shooting (Auto HDR). Unlike the α550, NEX cameras take 3 frames in succession. Along with the HDR frame, the camera also saves a frame with normal exposure. 6 exposure steps are possible when shooting in Auto HDR mode, from 1.0EV to 6.0EV. An example of how the function works is below.

The camera allows high-speed continuous shooting up to 7 fps in speed priority mode (AF/AE fixed) and up to 2.3 fps in normal continuous shooting mode.

Video

According to Sony, the sensor of Sony NEX cameras is specially optimized for shooting high-resolution video: 1080i in cameras, 720i in cameras. Obviously, NEXs are primarily designed for photography, but with the ability to shoot video. We were pleased with the result of the shooting. Of course, if you plan to actively use this feature, it's worth taking a closer look at.

To start and stop shooting, you need to press the same Movie REC button, like in a camcorder - this is very convenient. The second positive point is the location of this button. It's easy to access, but impossible to confuse with the shutter key.

High quality in small sizes

Sony NEX cameras are an excellent choice for three categories of users:

Owners of compact cameras who have reached the “ceiling” of the capabilities of their equipment and want to get more interesting and artistic photographs, but are not ready to purchase a “DSLR” due to its size and weight;
Enthusiastic photography enthusiasts who have experience working with a DSLR, but identify for themselves a number of situations when using a DSLR camera is undesirable or difficult, but there is a need to obtain high-quality photographs;
Professionals using Sony Alpha system cameras. Mirrorless NEX allows you to use the same lenses via an adapter, while the camera body weighs almost nothing compared to a DSLR. NEX can be used as a backup or additional camera.

Sony NEX cameras are perfect for each of these categories due to the high quality of images combined with the rather modest dimensions and light weight of the camera.

Based on the results of testing, Sony NEX cameras are awarded the "ZOOM Recommends" award.

UPD from 1.07. From July 1, an updated version of the software for Alpha NEX-3 and NEX-5 cameras is available on the sony.ru website. Free firmware allows you to update some camera functions and adds the ability to shoot in 3D.