Sony alpha NEX-5 Review Discussion

[Jim Keenan]

The joint development of the Micro Four Thirds system by Olympus and Panasonic allowed them to be first in the market with mirrorless, interchangeable-lens compact digitals that offer DSLR-like image quality in sub-DSLR size camera bodies. Olympus announced their E-P1 in mid June 2009; Panasonic their GF1 in early September. The partners had this niche to themselves for the rest of 2009 and into the second quarter of 2010, but now there is competition looming.

Read the full content of this Article: Sony alpha NEX-5 Review

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• Olympus E-PL1 Review
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• Sony launches NEX-3, NEX-5 interchangeable lens cameras
• Sony alpha NEX-5 First Look

[KCook]

Crazy low price caused me to buy my Sony A200 DSLR on a whim. Something we usually come to regret. But the more I use my A200 the more I luv it.

As for this NEX design, yikes! First they give it menus that look like they came from a $200 consumer compact (uggers by DSLR standards). Then they leave off a built-in flash, which any consumer would expect! Makes me wonder which foot the Sony project managers will shoot NEX.

wude Kelly
(mods, feel free to delete)

[kelsci]

I was more impressed with the video quality samples. I did not see any indication that this camera shoots with stereo sound but I believe it does. On video sample 1 I could hear the wind blowing across my two very small monitor speakers from side to side. I have had the same experience in the vhs era with portable cameras that came with or I equipped with a stereo mic. The second video of the birds IMHO sounded quite good in stereo with the chirps of the birds coming from the left side of my monitor. The color quality looked terrific too.

[Jim Keenan]

The camera does shoot with stereo sound IF you have the optional stereo mike attached to the accessory port (which means no flash or viewfinder).I mentioned the microphone briefly in the ergonomics section (since I didn't have one to test) but could have pointed out the stereo ability more forcefully. Sorry.

[OneGuy]

The camera does shoot with stereo sound IF you have the optional stereo mike attached to the accessory port (which means no flash or viewfinder).I mentioned the microphone briefly in the ergonomics section (since I didn't have one to test) but could have pointed out the stereo ability more forcefully. Sorry.

The camera has builin stereo mic. It's not mono like EPL1 for example.

[Jim Keenan]

The camera has builin stereo mic. It's not mono like EPL1 for example.

You're right - the optional mike provides "higher quality" sound than the built-ins.