Sony's NEX cameras

[Tim Le]

I've been following Sony's NEX cameras (APS-C, mirrorless interchangeable lens digital still camera) and there are strong indications that Sony will release it tomorrow. Some info has been leaked already. It's expected to shoot 720p in one model and 1080p in the other. Maybe only 30p, though. It should be very competitively priced against the Micro 4/3 cameras. If they sell a ton of these, the cost of APS-C sized sensors will go way down!

[Erik Phairas]

Interesting! I wonder how much?

The specifications are drool-worthy: ISO 200-12800, mpeg4/AVCHD video recording, 3" LCD display (not touch display), SDHC-compatible. The kit lens seems to be a plain 18-55/f3.5-5.6, but you can snap a better lens if you want. The difference between the NX5 and the NX3 is the video-recording capabilities (720p versus 1080p). There are more photos & specifications in the full post - are you excited?

* 14 Megapixel APS-C CMOS Sensor
* Sony E series lens mount
* ISO200-12800
* 11 points AF + AF assist lamp
* 3" LCD display (not touch) - 920,000 pixels
* 1080p (NX5) or 720p (NX3) video recording
* Full manual settings
* FW50 Lithium battery
* SDHC Cards & MS Memory Stick
* External Flash (!)
* Hotshoe compatible
* USB2.0

[Tim Le]

Price should be less than $1000.

[Dave Blackhurst]

These cameras should have their own thread, almost missed the commentary.

Yes these could be very interesting, I know they supposedly were going to be compatilble with the Alpha mount, I see an adapter on the price list (boo, hiss, if they aren't directly compatible with the old Minolta aplha mount glass, but I suppose it's better than nothing), I see my stack of nice old glass coming out to play...

I was hoping Sony would get an full on DSLR body with video released (they are probably close), but this might do the trick. I think the indentations have to do with that nifty tilt screen (YEAH!), I would have liked touch screen, but as long as it's big and clear, 3" with tilt is nice.

I've been playing with the HX5V and TX7 - Sony's P&S cams with 1080p, and am pretty happy with the results overall - with a bigger sensor, interchangeable glass and better low light, they might well compete with much larger cameras.

The funny thing is that the "body"/imager will be dwarfed by the lenses most of the time!

[Chris Hurd]

Moved from "Sony prototype cinema camera shown at NAB" (no
idea why it was posted there) into its own thread where it belongs.

Area 51 material until officially announced. Left re-direct in News.

[Dave Blackhurst]

Thanks Chris, I was going to report, but your mind reading skills are so superior, no need!

These have been in the works for a while now, They were shown alongside mockup Alpha DSLR-Vs, and apparently will be released first. Will definitley be interesting.

[Erik Phairas]

I like that it's avchd instead of mov for the canons.

[Chris Hurd]

That was the *shortest* length of time any thread has been moved
into Area 51 and back out again. I think it was all of ten minutes.

En Espanol: Las NEX-5 y NEX-3, disponibles en junio por 600 y 500 euros, estrenan el nuevo sistema sin espejo de Sony

NEX 3 review: SONY NEX-3 [Review]

[Tim Le]

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

Moved from "Sony prototype cinema camera shown at NAB" (no
idea why it was posted there) into its own thread where it belongs.

I probably should have elaborated on why I posted it there. The reason is I think this camera is a sign of things to come in Sony's "35mm roadmap." Granted it's not directly related to the video line, but it shows that Super35mm sized sensors capable of video don't necessarily have to be all that expensive and that the body around it could be pretty darn small. IMO, developments in still cameras are leading the way. They can give us clues as to what could happen in the video world. Just look at Micro 4/3. So hopefully it now makes sense why I posted it there.

[Dave Blackhurst]

Sony took long enough to get to the party, I just hope they brought the good stuff.

I can vouch for the HX5V and TX7 - they aren't bad, particularly for a video camera you can stick in your pocket. They aren't in the same league as a DSLR, but these new toys just might be...

[Chris Hurd]

European press release now on DVi News:

Sony Develops an Interchangeable Lens HD Camcorder at DVInfo.net

[Erik Phairas]

So it costs about the same as the T2i? Seems like the avchd is the only thing I definitely like better. Maybe because it is so much smaller... how about a helmet camera that has a s35 sensor? :)

EDIT: holy sh*! A super35 consumer level camcorder (SR11 sized)? Sony is crazy! I love it!!!

[Chris Hurd]

It's nice to see another big major like Sony moving affordable large sensor HD acquisition away from D-SLR and toward EVIL (Electronic Viewfinder, Interchangeable Lens), just like Panasonic did with their LUMIX GF-1. It gets rid of two completely unnecessary D-SLR components: the pentaprism and the mirror, both of which are useless for video.

Check out http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/NEX5/NEX5A.HTM

[Floris van Eck]

Great indeed. I am in the market for a new camcorder and video camera and I am glad I kept my money in my wallet. Many great developments lately. This looks like the home video camcorder I have been waiting for. Thank you Red for unleashing all of this.

The Imaging Resource article is very positive about these new cameras.

[Chris Hurd]

The full press release is up:

Sony Introduces NEX3 and NEX5 for HD at DVInfo.net

And it's on DP Review:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1005/10051102sonynex.asp