Features
Like the Samsung NX system, Sony has decided to use APS-C-sized sensors in its NEX cameras. The NEX-5 has a 23.4×15.6mm, 14.2-million-pixel Exmor HD CMOS sensor capable of producing images measuring up to 4592×3056 pixels. Images can be saved as JPEGs or Sony ARW raw files to SD (including SDHC and SDXC) and Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo or Pro HG Duo memory cards.
Although branded by Sony as part of its Alpha range of cameras, the NEX-5 uses a different mount to that used on its DSLR range of the same name. The new Alpha E mount is slightly smaller than the standard Alpha mount, measuring 58.9mm in diameter compared to the Alpha mount’s 62.6mm.
Standard Alpha-mount lenses can be fitted to the NEX-5 and NEX-3 via the LA-EA1 mount adapter. The adapter allows for auto-exposure in all modes as it can control the Alpha lens’s aperture blades. However, autofocus when using Alpha-mount lenses in this way is not possible, and AF confirmation is not available.
Given that most Alpha-mount lenses are going to dwarf the body of the NEX-5, Sony has thoughtfully included a detachable tripod mount with the adapter. This should help distribute the weight, taking much of the pressure off the lens mount of the NEX-5 when using it with larger Alpha lenses. At launch there will be three Alpha E-mount lenses available: a 16mm f/2.8 pancake, an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS kit lens and an 18-200mm f/3.4-5.6 OSS superzoom. As the NEX-5 does not have in-camera image stabilisation, Sony has employed its Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation in the two zoom lenses, signified by the OSS suffix in the lens designation.
Despite the diminutive size of the camera, Sony has crammed in as many features as possible from its compact and DSLR range. One of the most notable is Sweep Panorama, which Sony has taken one step further than before by allowing the NEX-5 to create 3D panoramas. See Features in use for more information about this.
Also included is Speed Priority mode, which allows the frame rate to be increased to 7fps, although the focus and exposure aren’t adjusted between each frame.
Image: When shooting in the NEX-5’s HDR mode, three different exposures are taken: one for highlights, one for the shadows and one normal exposure. These are blended together to form a single HDR image
Like the Alpha 450, 500 and 550, the NEX-5 has an in-camera HDR function. This has been updated from the version found in Sony’s DSLRs, with the HDR image now made up of three exposures rather than just two. As well as exposures for highlights and shadow areas, the new third exposure captures the scene as the camera would normally do so. This helps to reduce the level of noise in the midtones of HDR images. Plus, the regular exposure is saved alongside the merged HDR image, giving you the best of both worlds.
