Why you should wait for NEX7, and pass NEX3 & NEX5

[kingfishers]

Hahaha, I'm going to buy one for my son as he said it's bingo for him,i had being using Lumix GF 1 also feel to many menu and button to press a little crazy for me..............but for sure I will like this camera good and easy to use.....I have to thumb up for sony.Good.:sweatsm:

 

[Atarandas]

I think we need to see the Nex as what it really is. A PNS with interchangeable lens.

Perhaps we have seen the PEN and GF1 and hence we keep thinking the EVIL sys will be rivals to M4/3 , but from the design and layout of the next + the pricing , its very clear that Sony is targeting the masses , people who doesnt know much abt exposures , apertures and ISO.

An average consumer is mainly concern about size , quality , megapixels and zoom. Some of them never shoot in any other mode other than auto + other presets ( night mode, potrait, etc)

While for the most of here, who demands more than shooting in auto, the interface becomes challenging.

I am skeptical if SONY can come up with an advance manual controls enabled NEX, at the same size. The only thing I can think of is to incorporate their PS3 motion sensor technology lol , move the camera up down to change shutter speed /aperture . That would be COOL

 

[artspraken]

Agree.

I think we need to see the Nex as what it really is. A PNS with interchangeable lens.

Perhaps we have seen the PEN and GF1 and hence we keep thinking the EVIL sys will be rivals to M4/3 , but from the design and layout of the next + the pricing , its very clear that Sony is targeting the masses , people who doesnt know much abt exposures , apertures and ISO.

An average consumer is mainly concern about size , quality , megapixels and zoom. Some of them never shoot in any other mode other than auto + other presets ( night mode, potrait, etc)

While for the most of here, who demands more than shooting in auto, the interface becomes challenging.

I am skeptical if SONY can come up with an advance manual controls enabled NEX, at the same size. The only thing I can think of is to incorporate their PS3 motion sensor technology lol , move the camera up down to change shutter speed /aperture . That would be COOL

 

[ShaneKua]

by then, if pentax is still in existence, i wager in line with their value for money tagline, they will have a k-v (for value) costing $299, with medium format sensor. worried about lenses? they will give you a 8-500mm pancake lens with the package. obviously with engineering constraints to ensure great IQ, minimal distortion it will be f/1.4.

Nightmare, that’s your ‘dream’-list ah? :bsmilie:

 

[artspraken]

pleased to see dpreview conclusion is same as mine
http://dpreview.com/reviews/SonyNex5Nex3/page17.asp

In conclusion, the NEX system shows a great deal of promise but we'd strongly advise waiting for the next generation of products.(emphasis mine)

 

[Ouverture]

I am only more concerned abt its af speed. If its like ep1/2, then it pretty much as useless as pns, esp so if u use it to take moving subjects like kids and pets.

Btw i also find 16mm a very difficult to use for normal photography, esp the target users are very used to zooming and taking people.

 

[Zenten]

pleased to see dpreview conclusion is same as mine
http://dpreview.com/reviews/SonyNex5Nex3/page17.asp

Poor expectations just as I thought ...................
Now it will be up to Sony to see how well they can push the product line ..........

 

[radi9red]

well, i played the sony Nex 5 extensively for 48 hrs on both lens (kit and pancake) (a loan set from my relative shop) - here's my discoveries:

(1) I'm a canon + Minolta + sony crop , 4/3rd , sony full frame photographer for coming to 10 years now. - to be awfully blunt, the kit lens and pancake lens are really really lousy. At F8.0 on pancake len or kit lens , the corners are still ridiculously soft and lack of contrast and micro contrast. The pancake is supposed to be a 24mm (35mm Equivalent) landscape prime. Come on. It just doesn't fit into the bill. That's on a APS cropped sensor - which inherently has a deeper depth of field and still f9 is soft ?? and using kit at wide open or 5.6 at long tele-end portrait shooting at telephoto does not render much sharp photos. It's just has this tinge of softness everywhere. Sony simply have to put more efforts in producing quality NEX adaptable lens if they are serious in developing this new mirrorless concept bodies.

(2) Colours accuracy are typical sony entry level dslr quality. Saturated and weirdly inaccurate at times (it has nothing to do with white balance setting) . shooting complex colours (bright pink, magenta , sparking blue, turquoise) , colours are wierdly off - these flaws are immediately highlighted.

(3) ISO noise control is relatively good if you aren't particular on critical sharpness or micro contrast details as noise reduction algorithm is strong at high iso above 1600

(4) Sweep Panoramic shooting is excellent. Panning landscape is extremely useful. - probably reduces the need for an ultra wide angle in that sense or careful stitching using PP.

(5) Controls - no hot shoe. This is a critical flaw for me as i cannot mount my rangefinder optical viewfinder for picture composition - nor external flash for fill / bounce shooting or complex flash photography.

(6) Lack of physical buttons. - if you think touchscreen buttons works.. trying shooting in cold winter climate with gloves... come on, at least a single physical contact 5 way dial will allow users to control the quick functions when shooting. And i'm not a big fan of touchscreen control devices. Tell me in memory - which mobile phone with resistive or capacitive touch screen sensor lasts the test of time ? Unless you plan to "upgrade and trade in" your $1k camera similar to your mobile phone within a year or 2. I'm really concern when users starts to sell this camera on the 2nd hand market - the touchscreen sensitivity tends to deteriorate over time and extensive usage.

(7) HD video - I'm speechless. Just full HD quality. If you're a video enthusiast, this APS-c full HD video shooting will really excite you with flavorful video shooting with nice bokeh.

(8) lens Adaptability - why in the world do they produce an adaptor for sony A mount that cannot does auto-focusing and expect me to manual focus my minolta/sony A mount lens ?
Try imagining holding a carl zeiss 24-70mm (1.1kg) mounted on the adaptor with left hand, and manual focusing the lens on your right hand and setting the aperture / iso on the touch screen... you 'll know what i meant..

Even if i were to mount lens on it and still fiddle with manual focusing - i'm sure i have tons of better choice than sony alpha (example , Leica , contax CY carlzeiss )

Final word : Will i spend $1.2k on the package ? neh .. think i'll pass. It does not serve my needs for a compact camera (certainly the kit 18-55 is not anywhere compact comparing to a dslr) , as a lightweight DSLR > the 2 lens i have tested are not worthy to bring outdoors.

I'll probably stay on the sidelines and get the body 2nd hand from the herd mentality- impulsive buyers (some will definitely sell it within 3 months) at a good fraction of 1.2k and use that to mount some 3rd party manual lens (leica / carl zeiss / contax ) - having the large APS-c sensor on a slim body the only advantage that this nex-5 delivers.

Pardon me for writing such a length thread comment. =)

 

[cichlid]

Thanks for the write up.

 

[vicpeh]

well, i played the sony Nex 5 extensively for 48 hrs on both lens (kit and pancake) (a loan set from my relative shop) - here's my discoveries:

(1) I'm a canon + Minolta + sony crop , 4/3rd , sony full frame photographer for coming to 10 years now. - to be awfully blunt, the kit lens and pancake lens are really really lousy. At F8.0 on pancake len or kit lens , the corners are still ridiculously soft and lack of contrast and micro contrast. The pancake is supposed to be a 24mm (35mm Equivalent) landscape prime. Come on. It just doesn't fit into the bill. That's on a APS cropped sensor - which inherently has a deeper depth of field and still f9 is soft ?? and using kit at wide open or 5.6 at long tele-end portrait shooting at telephoto does not render much sharp photos. It's just has this tinge of softness everywhere. Sony simply have to put more efforts in producing quality NEX adaptable lens if they are serious in developing this new mirrorless concept bodies.

(2) Colours accuracy are typical sony entry level dslr quality. Saturated and weirdly inaccurate at times (it has nothing to do with white balance setting) . shooting complex colours (bright pink, magenta , sparking blue, turquoise) , colours are wierdly off - these flaws are immediately highlighted.

(3) ISO noise control is relatively good if you aren't particular on critical sharpness or micro contrast details as noise reduction algorithm is strong at high iso above 1600

(4) Sweep Panoramic shooting is excellent. Panning landscape is extremely useful. - probably reduces the need for an ultra wide angle in that sense or careful stitching using PP.

(5) Controls - no hot shoe. This is a critical flaw for me as i cannot mount my rangefinder optical viewfinder for picture composition - nor external flash for fill / bounce shooting or complex flash photography.

(6) Lack of physical buttons. - if you think touchscreen buttons works.. trying shooting in cold winter climate with gloves... come on, at least a single physical contact 5 way dial will allow users to control the quick functions when shooting. And i'm not a big fan of touchscreen control devices. Tell me in memory - which mobile phone with resistive or capacitive touch screen sensor lasts the test of time ? Unless you plan to "upgrade and trade in" your $1k camera similar to your mobile phone within a year or 2. I'm really concern when users starts to sell this camera on the 2nd hand market - the touchscreen sensitivity tends to deteriorate over time and extensive usage.

(7) HD video - I'm speechless. Just full HD quality. If you're a video enthusiast, this APS-c full HD video shooting will really excite you with flavorful video shooting with nice bokeh.

(8) lens Adaptability - why in the world do they produce an adaptor for sony A mount that cannot does auto-focusing and expect me to manual focus my minolta/sony A mount lens ?
Try imagining holding a carl zeiss 24-70mm (1.1kg) mounted on the adaptor with left hand, and manual focusing the lens on your right hand and setting the aperture / iso on the touch screen... you 'll know what i meant..

Even if i were to mount lens on it and still fiddle with manual focusing - i'm sure i have tons of better choice than sony alpha (example , Leica , contax CY carlzeiss )

Final word : Will i spend $1.2k on the package ? neh .. think i'll pass. It does not serve my needs for a compact camera (certainly the kit 18-55 is not anywhere compact comparing to a dslr) , as a lightweight DSLR > the 2 lens i have tested are not worthy to bring outdoors.

I'll probably stay on the sidelines and get the body 2nd hand from the herd mentality- impulsive buyers (some will definitely sell it within 3 months) at a good fraction of 1.2k and use that to mount some 3rd party manual lens (leica / carl zeiss / contax ) - having the large APS-c sensor on a slim body the only advantage that this nex-5 delivers.

Pardon me for writing such a length thread comment. =)

Correct me if I'm wrong but the NEX's LCD is NOT a touchscreen. And for me, full manual control has not been a problem; the UI is intuitive enough.

Agree 101% on the kit lenses; hoping that production version is better. And adaptor does not allow AF with SSM/SAM lenses yet! Color rendition should be tweakable in camera though.

 

[tangoinquestion]

<snipped>
(6) Lack of physical buttons. - if you think touchscreen buttons works.. trying shooting in cold winter climate with gloves... come on, at least a single physical contact 5 way dial will allow users to control the quick functions when shooting. And i'm not a big fan of touchscreen control devices. Tell me in memory - which mobile phone with resistive or capacitive touch screen sensor lasts the test of time ? Unless you plan to "upgrade and trade in" your $1k camera similar to your mobile phone within a year or 2. I'm really concern when users starts to sell this camera on the 2nd hand market - the touchscreen sensitivity tends to deteriorate over time and extensive usage.
<snipped>

are you sure you "played" with the correct camera? because:

1) NEX 5 don't have touchscreen
2) NEX 5 has a thumbwheel which also doubles as a 4-way directional control
3) There are 3 other buttons near the LCD

also on touchscreen devices which lasts the test of time, my bro has the original iphone and the touch screen still works fine. and me feels the device will be long obsolete before the touch interface gives out... my frens have the 3g and no complaints so far after 2+ yrs use... my own 3gs is just as responsive after a year of extensive use as it was on the day i got it...

 

[Rashkae]

are you sure you "played" with the correct camera? because:

1) NEX 5 don't have touchscreen
2) NEX 5 has a thumbwheel which also doubles as a 4-way directional control
3) There are 3 other buttons near the LCD

That's exactly what I thought too... Seems like he didn't actually play with it, and only regurgitated complaints from the rumor mill before it was released.

 

[cichlid]

Ya, where got touch screen.

...and i thank him/her for the write up

 

[radi9red]

fren .. the title is why you should pass NEX 3 and 5, and wait for NEX 7.. the problem is most likely rumours already states NEX 7 is a same look / functionality as NEX 3&5.. and its fully touchscreen UI.. thats why i wrote it's not wise to wait for NEX 7 as well. DOH !

 

[Atarandas]

I thought the 16mm is fine for a kit lens ? Of course nowhere near the sharpness of 50m 1.4 or the CZ lens , but for a kit lens and consumer use , its perfectly fine for PNS users who currently hardly print their pictures or print more than 4R.

16mm will be wide i agree , but its serves general photography well . I would prefer more pancake lens a 24mm 2.8 would be great , but i wun mind a 50mm 1.2 if theres one ! haha

I think we need to put things into perspective, this is targeted at mass market people , who wants something more from PNS but not wanting a DSLR. Its not replace DSLR or to cannibalise the Alpha sales.

Honestly , the buttons arent really that frustrating , theres a menu button that brings u to the main menu , theres also an enter button to cfm ur changes , and a cancel button, with the control dial which acts like a 4 way button as mentioned , I think its adequate . Compare to the G10 series , heralded as the most manual user frenly controls, its almost similar except the fact that the G10 series has a dedicated PSAM dial plus ISO dial. Which makes the mode settings faster.

Size wise its really compact , I am surprised why people think it isnt much smaller then DSLR . Perhaps not to the extent of slipping into shirt or jeans pockets , but i think cargo pants can . If you measure the size to the M4/3 cams , its really smaller and lighter.

There are plentiful limitations of the NEX , but much of it are really due to the expectations GAP of what NEX it is. Like criticising the wat the Volkswagon POLO lacks compared to SICROCCO.

See this as a PNS , then alot of the flaws will start to make sense lol. Thats my view

 

[silvergetz]

The NEX delivers what it is supposed to. An aps-c size sensor in a compact body that delivers good high iso performance. It is meant to be an upgrade from pns users.

It is not designed to replace your Dslr, or a dslr killer. It is designed to deliver dslr photo quality (not handling) with a light compact body/ pns interface.

So stop complaining about slow af, dslr like interface, mounting large lenses etc. There is just so many buttons u can design on a compact body without making it unusable. There is a limit for contrast af speed. It is only physics that large lenses does not really balance well on a compact. The kit lens is this size due to aps-c sensor. And since this is a kit lens, don't expect iq to match more expensive lenses. You have to set your expectation right.
Sony is not pointing their guns to anyone to force purchase. Buy it if it feels right for you. Period.

I find it weird to start a thread like this and tell everyone how bad the camera is, and actually feeling good when online reviews think so too. TS, u feeling insecure mentally?

 

[Atarandas]

fren .. the title is why you should pass NEX 3 and 5, and wait for NEX 7.. the problem is most likely rumours already states NEX 7 is a same look / functionality as NEX 3&5.. and its fully touchscreen UI.. thats why i wrote it's not wise to wait for NEX 7 as well. DOH !

I do not think its wise to conclude on a product based on rumoured specifications without even trying the actual cam ? :dunno:

If the touch screen implementation can be as intuitive as iphone , I kinda of like the prospect of able to change aperture by doing a pinching movement on the screen and flicking a thumb up.down for shutter speed ....:sweat:

 

[wjzkev]

is kind of sad to see so many comments on the this device.

In my view, may it be a good cam or bad cam, as long as it fits ones needs is a good cam.

Yes there are tons of experts in here with wonderful skills and expectations, as someone mentioned and even critics can see this is not a full flage DSLR. So why grumble so much about no this no that, if really hunger for control and power go for the actual alpha.

Sad to say even if the amount comes out it will be madness to log a 1.1 kg lens to this tiny frame. Is like a woman with HHH size boobs on a small frame.

Just sad to see so unjustice comments on the product (ps i know is not a up to expectation product but hey it fits a few others needs, does that irks u? Sony force a Gun to ur head to part with 1.2k?)

This is for fuss free users who wants a hybrid of both the PNS and DSLR.

May be should keep to the topic - and not add oil to fire to create a flaming thread.

 

[vicpeh]

fren .. the title is why you should pass NEX 3 and 5, and wait for NEX 7.. the problem is most likely rumours already states NEX 7 is a same look / functionality as NEX 3&5.. and its fully touchscreen UI.. thats why i wrote it's not wise to wait for NEX 7 as well. DOH !

Hello, your 'review' started by saying that "you played with the NEX 5 for 48 hours and here's my discoveries". Of course a RATIONAL reader will assume you are talking about the NEX 5 and you DISCOVERED the touchscreen!

Re: Atarandas, when complaining about the quality of the kit lens, I am comparing to kit lenses from other manufacturers.
And yes, the Polo lacks that awful wheel spin of the ROC

 

[silvergetz]

Oh forgot to add. To mention the NEX comes with touch screen makes me feel like wasting my time reading the "48hr review" And yes, the touch screen, if any, will last the lifespan of this product as long as you don't drop it. It does not degrade.