Sony Nex 5 out in July. Opinions?

[GayleVanLeer]

This camera looks very interesting and by the posted reviews is miles ahead of the other 4:3 cameras. Anyone out there get any hands on time with one yet?

[scottg]

hi Gayle, access has been very limited so far to this camera.

I read a couple reviews but didn't see anything about it being "miles ahead", just smaller and a little better, feel free to link to a review here.

I did review the Oly E-PL1 and I'll get that up soon. Many of my findings will be true for all micro-4/3ths cameras.

Are you considering this mainly for topside or underwater?

[GayleVanLeer]

Here are three reviews with the one from Imaging-Resource being the most extensive. This is a quote from the Digital Trends review. "Having recently reviewed the Olympus PEN E-PL1—another small non-DSLR with a large sensor that lets you swap lenses—we have to say the Sony simply blew our minds."

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/NEX5/NEX5PR.HTM
http://www.digitaltrends.com/digital-camera-reviews/sony-alpha-nex-5-review/
http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=4344

[bvanant]

This camera looks very interesting and by the posted reviews is miles ahead of the other 4:3 cameras. Anyone out there get any hands on time with one yet?

The few real reviews that I have read aren't quite that impressed. There is a good review up on TOP (http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.co ... ds-on.html) that says it is a nice little camera but a pain to operate since there are no buttons or dials to change things, only the route of going to a menu and then scrolling then pressing again.

The conclusion of the review is
"In the meantime, what we've got is two cameras firmly oriented towards consumers and people who want to step up from their compacts. For that part of the market the two NEX cameras seems to be very nice, but photography enthusiasts will probably have to either wait or take up with the competition."

Bill

[GayleVanLeer]

Bill,
Interesting reviewer. I got to say, apologies in advance if I am offending anyone, and from someone that usually keeps a low profile and does not say too much, that reviewer comes across like a camera snob to me. Just my take especially since his review is night and day different from the other three. I get the impression from reading the first paragraph before he even starts talking about the camera that in his opinion, other than people with “real cameras” anyone else need not even bother ever thinking they could take a decent photograph without all the bells and whistles of a high end camera and an back breaking bag of lenses and other gadgets. I am someone that has lugged around a 35mm camera and all those of lenses in some form for 30 years and am delighted that there is innovation in camera design. Digital changed everything. The constant compliments and published photos in nationally distributed magazines I am producing show that knowledge of basic photography skills and an eye for composition can make a fabulous photo from many of these smaller compact cameras. This is the type of person that discourages people from becoming involved in photography because they think they have to have a vast array of expensive equipment to be successful. He is so negative in general, not just about this camera, I could not even finish the entire review. Is this camera perfect, probably not none ever are. And yes I am used to the controls on my Nikon and clearly it is different on this camera. Something had to give to get the size down which is the entire point here. It did not take me too long to figure out the menu system on my other Sony cameras so I doubt this one will be any different. I for one will look forward to hearing more about this camera. I have inquired about housings for it from housing manufactures, two of which responded back immediately that they were very interested in the camera and are looking into supporting it. I want to know what my options are in case I decide to buy. I am going with the positive opinion of 3 out of 4 people and leaving the negative opinion behind.

[bvanant]

Gayle:
You won't offend me, but I think that you need to realize that many of the early reviews are not written by photographers as much as by gadget/electronics guys. One photographer who is a bit positive about the NEX is Michael Reichmann from Luminous Landscape. He writes
"My initial impression of the NEX-5 was positive, and indeed it remains so if I adopt the perspective of a photographic neophyte. For the newcomer to photography, or someone stepping up from a point-and-shoot, the NEX-5 is a terrific camera, offering small size and weight, very good image quality, and ease of use.

But for the photographer who is already familiar with the basics of their craft, and who wants a tool that they can grow with, the NEX-5 seems to put up too many road blocks.

This is a shame, because the NEX-5 is actually quite a terrific little camera and has much promise. If Sony had created a second level of user interface designed for the photographer used to the flexibility of a more traditional DSLR, or who wants a device that they can grow and learn with, the NEX-5 would be a home run."

One example of interface troubles with the camera is that it takes 28 button pushes to get to the menu to format a card. All of the other options are pretty much the same story.

In general, my impression is that it is a very nice upgrade from a P&S that takes very nice pictures but is seriously hobbled by a poorly designed UI. From an UW perspective it might be very interesting in the future but size UW is mostly governed by the housing/strobes/arms/focus lights etc and the availability of lenses that are appropriate for UW shooting meaning a good wide angle and good macro capabilities which AFAIK aren't quite there yet.

Bill