In the Sony digital imaging world, the Sony NEX-5 and NEX-3 cameras are the next generation. The NEX-5 and NEX-3 camera by Sony are said to be the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens digital cameras. Sony’s NEX-5 & NEX-3 cameras appear to be one of the more hybrid cameras among the various mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. These cameras have an interchangeable lens that helps the compact camera to produce D-SLR quality images from a point-and-shoot camera. Approximately half the size and weight of the smallest digital SLRs was the main design goal of the NEX-3 and NEX-5 cameras. NEX5 in particular takes this to the extreme, resulting in a rather futuristic, angular look.
The Alpha NEX-3 has more contemporary styling however it is slightly larger.
Sony NEX-3 with 18 zoom lens
Sony’s NEX-5 & NEX-3 share a new lens mount. On the side of the camera, three E-mount lenses have been announced- two zooms, and a prime. Both cameras have metal construction with burnished aluminum bodies and also feature a single-lens, direct view design which eliminates the bulky mirror box assembly of a traditional SLR, much like the Micro Four Thirds-format cameras from Olympus and Panasonic, as well as Samsung’s just-shipped NX10. Both cameras have flange-back distance of just 18mm which gives a pretty impressive especially when one believes that the NEX3 and NEX5 both feature APS-C image sensors- the same size as that of Samsung’s NX10, and some 60% larger than those of the Micro Four Thirds cameras.
Sony NEX-5 and NEX-3 Press Release features:
- E-mount lens system compatible with α DSLR lenses (with optional Mount Adaptor)
- New α digital camera with DSLR picture quality and responsive shooting
- 14.2 effective megapixels Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor
- Intuitive new interface with Help Guide and Shooting Tips
- World’s smallest and lightest1 interchangeable lens digital camera (NEX-5)
- 1080i HD movie recording (NEX-5) with stereo sound, fast and silent autofocus
- Sweep Panorama with 3D capability2
NEX-5 & NEX-3 camera of Sony feature a 14.2MP CMOS sensor and use new Sony E-mount lenses, in addition to presented Alpha-mount lenses by using a mount adapter. Both cameras offer a sensitivity range of ISO 200-12800 and capture 2.3 fps in constant shooting mode or 7 fps in speed main concern mode with AF/AE locked. The NEX-5 has ability to capture 1920 x 1080i AVCHD video or 1440 x 1080i MP4 video, while the NEX-3 will capture 1280 x 720p video. Both cameras should be available in market during summer 2010 at a yet undisclosed price.
With a 16mm f/2.8 lens, the NEX-5 and NEX-3 cameras will cost about $650 and $550 respectively. With an 18-55mm kit lens, NEX-5 and NEX-3 cameras will cost about $700 and $600 respectively. The NEX-5 camera will be available in silver and black while the NEX-3 will be available in silver, black and red.
Sony NEX-5 and NEX-3 Availability:
- Sony NEX-5 w/ 16mm f/2.8 lens
- Sony NEX-3 w/ 16mm f/2.8 lens
- Sony NEX-5 w/ 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens
- Sony NEX-3 w/ 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens
Photos captured by NEX-3 and NEX-5 camera
These new cameras are vividly easy to use and now photographers can enjoy the superlative picture quality and shooting responses prized by DSLR. By the NEX-5, noise is handled extremely well which is what the larger sensor is all about. Both cameras are very similar. The major difference in both of these cameras is its video recording capabilities – the extra cost is just $100 for the higher model. Since Sony has offered interchangeable lenses for some time now – called their “Micro Four Thirds”, it has a huge hill to climb to catch-up to Panasonic and Olympus. But, Sony has the opportunity to overtake the both of them as the sensor is larger and also it offers better image quality. The thickness of the NEX-3 is 1.38-inches while the thickness of the NEX-5 is 1.56-inches. Both cameras have 3-inchs screen and they offer 921,600 dots, more resolution than a Micro Four Thirds camera.
NEX-5 and NEX-3 is the Sony design that I love but What is the difference between the NEX-5 and NEX-3?