SONY has created a whole new camera kit that includes changeble lenses and a next generation 14.2 Mp sensor: NEX-3, NEX-5, and NEX-10. The NEX 3 and 5 cameras are available since Spring 2010. The NEX-VG10 Handicam will be available in September for about $2,000 and presales on www.sonystyle.com will begin July 14.
The three cameras in the line: The NEX-3, the NEX-5 designed for photo-imagery. The NEX 3 and 5 cameras are nearly identical, differing only in two ways. They have slightly different body designs, with the higher-end NEX-5 composed of magnesium alloy as well as offering full HD 1080i AVCHD video recording. The NEX-3 only able to achive 720p.
The third model and the SONY 25-year Handycam® surprise is the NEX-10 video camera that relies on the same interchangeable lenses and the extra-large Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor which is approximately 19.5 times bigger than the standard sensor found in conventional camcorders, the APS HD CMOS sensor enables an extremely shallow depth of field. All camera bodies can share the emerging E-Mount interchangeably smart lens. Media storrage/transfer Types rely on SONY's Memory Sticks as well as SDs : Memory Stick PRO Duo™/Pro-HG Duo™/PRO-HG HX Duo™ media SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards.
What is interesting is that in terms of progression in the cameras' features. Begin with the Nex-3 with 14.2 Mp images and only 730p video at 30 frames. When you step up to th Nex-5 the same 14.2 Mp image but 1080i at 60pfps. And lastly, you have the NEX-10 that is a video camera 1080p 60 that also captures 14.2 Mp image frames. Video is driving the progression of imagery absolutely with in SONY's media groups. Most noteable is the evolution of the smart lens that uses an E-Mount just below. Lens have automations that stabilize the images. They are smart enough that they could keep focus on runner coming directly at the camera.
The NEX-10 VideoCam's digital skills includes:
- Imaging Sensor : Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor (23.4 X 15.6mm)
- Focus Points : 25 points
- AF Modes : Single-shot AF, Continuous AF, Direct Manual Focus, Manual Focus
- Focus Area : Multi Point AF (25 points), Center Weighted AF, Flexible Spot AF
- Still Image Mode : JPEG (Standard, Fine)
- Still Image Max Effective Resolution : 14.2 megapixel
- Still Image Size 16:9 : L (12M): 4592 X 2576 M (6.3M): 3344 X 1872 S (2.9M): 2288 X 1280
- Still Image Size 3:2 : L (14M): 4592 X 3056 M (7.4M): 3344 X 2224 S (3.5M): 2288 X 1520
- Video Format : AVCHD (MPEG-4 AVC (H.264))
- Video Mode : AVCHD: 1920 x 1080/ 60i (FX/FH); FX- 24Mbps, FH - 17Mbps; 1440x1080/60i HQ -9 Mbps
- Video Resolution : 1920 x 1080 captured @ 30p (29.97p), recorded in AVCHD 60i (59.95i)
- Image Sensor Captured at 30p (29.97p), Recorded in AVCHD 60i (59.94i) format
- Audio Format : Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC
- HD Output : HDMI (Type C mini)
- Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10 video editing software
- USB Port(s) : USB2.0 Hi-speed (mass-storage)
- Headphone Jack : Yes (Stereo mini 3.5mm)
- Microphone Input : Yes (Stereo mini 3.5mm)
- Accessory Shoe : Dual (Alpha shoe and Cold Shoe)
dpReview London, 1st July 2010: A new firmware update brings the excitement of 3D shooting to the NEX-5/NEX-3 interchangeable lens cameras.
Available now for free download from the Sony Europe support site, the update adds several performance enhancements plus 3D Sweep Panorama. Unique to Sony, this exciting feature makes it easy to capture dramatic panoramic images in 3D with an extra-wide field of view.
Just press the shutter button and sweep the camera from side to side. The NEX-5 and NEX-3 shoot a high-speed burst of frames that are automatically combined inside the camera to create a seamless panoramic still image containing depth information. Sweep Panoramas can be enjoyed in 3D when the camera is connected to your 3D BRAVIA or any standards-compatible 3D TV.
The update also offers other enhancements for the NEX-5/NEX-3. These include:
- Improvement of ‘normal’ 2D Sweep Panorama shooting;
- Decreased power drain when the camera is switched off;
- Quicker start-up in low-light conditions.
The update is only needed for NEX-5/NEX-3 cameras with Version 01 firmware currently installed. Cameras shipped with Version 02 firmware or higher are already updated with the new features. Owners can find out what firmwa currently running by selecting [MENU]/[SETUP]/[VERSION]. Registered NEX-5/NEX-3 owners will be advised of the update via email.
The dual accessory shoes open the door to many accessories for both still and video photography, including shotgun microphones and external flash lighting.
NEX-3 and Nex-5 with Nex-10 below
Swing up and down viewer screen NEX-3
Both cameras aslo have an auto-panograph setting. Just trigger the feature followed by a manning of the camera and get up 149 degrees wide or 106 degrees vertically
Ever since Panasonic and Olympus created their Micro Four Thirds mirrorless system, all the talk has been about what the other players in the market will do. Micro Four Thirds has been steadily building its market share, seemingly without response from the three companies that account for over 80% of DSLR sales (Canon, Nikon and Sony), to the extent that 'Micro' risks becoming the generic term for these mirrorless systems ('When will Brand X make a Micro camera?' has become a fairly common thread title on our forums).
The waiting is now over as, following the showing of some mock-ups at PMA and a torrent of teasers and leaks, Sony finally officially announced its NEX system last month. The details are exactly what you'd expect - HD video capable APS-C sensors in small bodies. What might take you by surprise is just how small the bodies are - the NEX-5 in particular being tiny. In fact the cameras are too small to include in-body image stabilization units, as found in Sony's SLRs, and instead use lens-based 'Optical SteadyShot'. These NEX cameras will come under the Alpha brand but do not make use of the Alpha lens mount, instead using the completely new all-electronic E-mount.
Sony has made clear that it is aiming for compact camera users who wish to upgrade (a market it estimates at around 10 million potential buyers), rather than trying to offer a second camera for existing DSLR users. And the NEX models have more in common with compact cameras than DSLRs - including very few buttons and a resolutely unconventional interface.
DigitalPhotography Newsletter
Reviewed by Dave Etchells, Shawn Barnett, Zig Weidelich, and Mike Tomkins
Review Posted: 05/11/2010
Update 06/08/2010: Production-level 16mm lens
As the fourth major manufacturer to enter the market for small, mirrorless digital cameras with interchangeable lenses, Sony had to make a big impression. We think they'll do just that with the new Sony NEX-5 and NEX-3, two cameras they're calling "alpha compact interchangeable lens digital cameras."
Movie mode. Certainly the hot feature among SLRs these days is video capture with interchangeable-lens digital cameras. Their reasonably inexpensive optics open up budding videographers to new levels of creativity. The large sensor in APS-C-sized digital cameras allow better low light performance and let shooters use selective focus as a storytelling device, quickly switching attention from one subject to another using only the focus ring.
We've prepared a huge writeup on all the Sony NEX-5's video capabilities, which we encourage you to check out, but the basics are that it records 1080i video at 60 fields per second in full AVCHD. Most impressive is that it focuses fast enough to track a subject running full speed at the camera. There are some issues as to what type of subject is more likely to get its attention, but as I've already mentioned, the Sony NEX-5 seems to be checking focus all the time it's on, whether you're shooting stills or video.
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