Review: Sony NEX-5N

Review: Sony NEX-5N

Overview

The second generation of Sony DSLR-5N sits at the center of the renewed compact DSLR system camera (CSC), an area above the NEX-C3, with which it shares with the resolution 16.1MP effective, and somewhat less effective 24.3MP DSLR-7 is a continuation of the entry-level DSLR third-and mid-range DSLR-5, introduced summer 2010 Sony's first interchangeable lens compact ever.

Outwardly, subtle, and the Russian tractor factory approved body is not a massive departure of the plain-looking predecessor. In fact, while its low-profile form compared to the competitor Olympus, Panasonic, GF, and the Samsung NX-series has reportedly made a shot beginner digital SLR range in Asia, only the combination of the traditional style of bodies smaller lenses means that the competing systems such as the Micro Four Thirds has dropped slightly 'better in the West.

Is Sony NEX-5N, surpassing Sony's hard to sell a combination of small body still large optics, the only one to take the field to the next level?

On paper at least, the NEX zone a significant advantage to take photo enthusiasts - namely the incorporation of APS-C CMOS, a size corresponding to those found in digital SLRs. These are much larger than Micro Four Thirds sensors used by Olympus and Panasonic, and the new Nikon D1 and a Q Pentax interchangeable lens.

Of course, a larger sensor when combined with a large glass before it theoretically offers the best image quality. So, the Sony NEX-5N impress on the use and transcend its modest exterior?

Feature

News value differences between the plain old Sony NEX-5 and NEX-5N is increasing the overall objectives of the resolution 14.2MP and 16.1MP, but courtesy of the same APS-C format and a push for the largest ISO ISO 12800 and ISO 26 500, for what it says is the new Sony BIONZ processor.

Still no flash, but again there is a small clip at the option of slots above the lens mount. The LCD back is, fortunately, tilt, but this time offers the possibility of playing that you felt should have been the cause, large icons on the appropriate screen features a curious prod.

Swivel screen without the adjustable electronic viewfinder is useful for the compositions of high or low angle, and led us to take all the shots that would not otherwise have tried to avoid the dirty knees.

But the three-inch, 921k pixel screen is still rather limited. It can not be turned off by 180 degrees, so it is parallel to the body, such as a camcorder. Nor can it be turned to the user to peek into a portrait lens, and turned to the screen inside the body for added protection.

Another feature is the flagship of Sony respectable 10 fps capture rate. This is already up an impressive 7 frames per second of its predecessor, even if the center is solid, but, alternatively, to ensure our subjects remain sharp, if a frame. This is a 25-point contrast detection - as opposed to phase detection - AF.

1200-zone evaluative metering instead of the 49-measure segments of the NEX-5, the manufacturer also claims a shutter lag of 0.02 seconds, which is five times faster than its predecessor. Adjustments may be subtle, but in the operation of the NEX-5N Sony really seems to fly.

Sweep Panorama mode signature is also seen in the Cyber-Shot features new here, generating up to 23MP images. There are two versions of 2D and 3D, the latter only visible in a suitably equipped TV, which meet a rapid sequence of images of fire to automatically provide an image stretched.

Again, this works well and is easy. Pan camera to the direction of the arrow on the screen through the arch and the Sony DSLR-5N will do the rest.

Another interesting possibility is retained blurred background, so users can reach the depth of field effect attractive to soften the background clutter and to top leaders really jump out of the frame. The intensity of the effect says that is controlled by a simple drag an item from a slider.

Finally, Full HD 1920 x 1080 pixels video recording features a new dedicated red record button to start capturing. There is a choice of AVCHD or more broadly compatible MPEG-4 file formats, the latter requiring a reduction in the resolution to 1440 x 1080 pixels, due to its use less compression. Although we do not receive the label of the NEX-7 or gimmicks like modern GPS, most of the Sony NEX-5N clearly function-checked boxes.

Build quality and handling

As one of Nikon's new flagship V1, CSC, the Sony DSLR-5N is a kind of magnesium alloy usually reserved for mid-level DSLR.

It's not immediately obvious, again thanks to this frame weighs 210g thinner single body - the lightest of the three NEX today. Sony says a depth of 23.3mm at its thinnest point, a pinch of 24.2 mm thinner than its predecessor.

Even if Sony DSLR system camera series includes some of the compact camera bodies more subtle than any APS-C cuts the heart of this resistance is always more to us was empty physically larger E-Series lenses are "I have been matched .

Result, because we see once again the Sony DSLR-5N, is the fact that the optically stabilized 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens, which we received £ 599 kits of view linked to the E-mount, front of the camera seems strangely heavier. If we were cruel, yet we say that the NEX system seemed to work everywhere.

However, if the removal of the lens, the Sony NEX-5 N slips into a jacket pocket a little more easily than most of its rivals CSC, with the exception of almost toy-like P. Pentax and target, it feels like a stronger proposal in general.

Stabilized optical zoom is a necessity, however, because unlike say the PEN camera, the Olympus E-PL3 Lite, Sony does not include anti-vibration in the body itself.

JPEG and RAW photos and videos in 1920 x 1080p is linked to either an SD or proprietary Sony Memory Stick PRO Duo, which shares space at the bottom of the handle with NP-FW50 Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

The handle itself is slightly larger than the battery it houses, but its surface pitted rubber prevents slipping while the space to pack three little fingers while your thumb rests on a rubber on small curved back.

Interestingly, although now there is a touch control, the scroll wheel and function buttons that accompanies the top left and the right of it remains in the back plate, and can be used for all selections. So if you are not a big fan of touch screens in cameras, can be ignored.

Although not a natural fire mode dial, a virtual version appears on the screen that the user can navigate with your thumb and rotate the scroll wheel. This is offered under the program, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual, panorama, anti blur mode of movement and scene modes, with an Intelligent Auto mode that allows simple point and shoot.

Although you might want to steer clear of the topics detailed scenes busiest latter, or more, is more reliable to use when you want to focus on the actor and regulations.

It also means that, when set by default, the trade of any person of a compact camera will be able to pick up the Sony NEX-5N and start taking pictures immediately stained.

Performance

When it comes to the company to take photos with the Sony NEX-5 N to the right of the top plate, which is usually a trigger is heavy on / off. The trigger is located on the square of the slope before the handle and slightly to the left.

Flick the Sony DSLR-5N on top of the camera and prepares to act on their own in just over a second, a smidgeon slower DSLR with live LCD fade. Press the shutter button and the camera's autofocus does its stuff, back to the display screen anti-aliasing for a moment before snapping back into focus, focus points marked in green with an acoustic signal, the 'to the end user can press to take a shot.

For us, it does not feel as fast as AF systems PEN Olympus or Panasonic G series, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3, claiming the fastest AF in the world and re-use of contrast detection AF, but much more quickly based on a single blow.

In terms of exposure, and counting, too, were impressed with hints of burnt a rarity - in fact, the camera tends to underexpose, if necessary, to preserve the details and the use of curves in Photoshop we were able to Drag an impressive degree of detail in the shadows again.

The result was that we maintained both foreground and background details in the same plane, then gets an image closer to what our eyes saw at the time, which is probably all you want from a high level camera. The objective is included in the task, as we have results net pocket at maximum telephoto, and maintain edge to edge sharpness of the maximum angle wide. The Bugbear of Sony used pixels blur was refreshingly absent here.

Well-saturated colors are synonymous with the Sony range test by examining the images in-camera JPEG. The white balance is never a problem when shooting in low light conditions, and at higher ISO, noise, and only starts to really become a question in the ISO 6400

ISO 12800 in detail we see softening of the grain boundaries and in the shadows, just crank up the ISO 25600 standard gives a granular appearance throughout the plot. But ironically, helping to maintain an impression of sharpness. It is better to stick with ISO 6400, however, unless prompted.

That first shot or JPEG, the results of Sony NEX-5N and combo goal is sharp and detailed, and most photographers would be more than happy to stick with JPEG files for recording daily.

Indeed, power is good for up to 410 shots on a full charge, according to CIPA testing. So it is a positive improvement in 330 photographs of his ancestor, and an exact match for the performance of the new competitor Nikon V1. But the Sony NEX-5N offers twice the durability of the cheapest of the Nikon D1, which is the most accurate price match.

Lowlight: This picture in low light with tungsten up to 3200 ISO and the use of optically stabilized kit lens, reveals that the Sony NEX-5N and combo kit lens is capable of knowing when to perform at its best.

There are very few with Sony NEX-5N to find fault with, except perhaps criticizing its minimalist design and lack of physical buttons sometimes require a little research on the name of the user. Fans can also find a pain that prevents the ISO does not have a dedicated button or placed immediately on hand.

Once familiar with the vagaries of its menu system, however, with the Sony NEX-5N has become more fun than I expected.

It still looks a little weird with the objective 18-5mm screw in the front, but a good catch-all goal for the purchase of any compact devices for the first time.

Price, although not cheap, however, seems reasonable, in the wake of some of the most recent additions to the compact camera market system, such as the Nikon 1-System cameras, the V1 and J1 Nikon, Pentax, and Q.

It may not seem so attractive to us as most of their cameras more conventional style of his rival, but it is enough to look at the pictures of the Sony NEX-5N realize that stains most of the attacks outside the competition.

We look forward to comparing the new flagship of Panasonic, with its resolution touring schedule. For now we have to say that the purchase of this Sony NEX-5N you can not go wrong.

We liked

The body design can be a bit boring, but in important moments receiving unit. The combination of Sony NEX-5N, a large sensor and images ledger destination rich in detail that the points fall, even as rivals such as Nikon expected of a new system, the V1 and J1. Moreover, most of the courses must have the features we want is here.

We kept

What makes a DSLR system, a different proposal from the Chamber Compact System - with the exception of the Samsung NX, which also uses an APS-C - a combination also led to rather strange appearance of a thin frame and a heavy zoom lens kit if you go to the test here.