[Urkeldaedalus]

SONY NEX-3 [Review]

[lithos]

How the hell did an Aussie get his hands on it so fast?

[Samsungian]

Yet another MILF ???


Mirrorless
Interchangeable
Lens
Format



Looks like fun, well more fun than the Samsung NX



sonyalpharumors

1. Strictly speaking, the NEX is not an EVIL (electronic viewfinder, interchangeable lens) camera since it does not have an EVF.
2. NEX stands for New E-mount eXperience.
3. “E” is chosen because of the flange focal distance (mount-to-sensor distance) of eighteen (18) mm.
4. With E-mount lenses, Intelligent AF (where the scene is continuously monitored for changes to ensure fast contrast detection AF) will kick in. This works in both still photo and movie shooting.
5. The E-mount lenses feature Optical SteadyShot image stabilization.
6. During MF or DMF mode, you can rotate the focus ring to enlarge the image on the LCD by 7 or 14x.
7. NEX-5 can record HD movies in either AVCHD (1920 x 1080 @ 59.94i / 50i) or MP4 (1440 x 1080 @ 29.97 / 25 fps). 60i or 50i / NTSC or PAL depends on where you bought the camera.
8. NEX-3 records HD movies in MP4 (1280 x 720 @ 29.97 fps).
9. The 3D Sweep Panorama photo is created by generating two shots – 1 for each eye – thus there’s no need for 2 lenses.
10. The 3D photo uses the Multi-Picture Format. On a non 3D-capable TV, the JPEG file is displayed instead.
11. The firmware to enable 3D Sweep Panorama function will come in July, downloadable via Sony’s website.
12. The Auto HDR function now captures and combines 3 photos into 1 for a maximum of 6 EV between exposures.
13. Other than the final HDR photo, an additional photo (the 2nd of the 3 shots) is saved.
14. The NEX works with Apple’s iMovie.
15. The NEX has only a single card slot, but it’s compatible with both Memory Stick and SD cards. SDXC is supported.
16. The NEX is compatible with Eye-Fi cards, including the latest Pro X2 card.
17. An optional optical viewfinder attachment (FDA-SV1) is available.
18. An optional mount adapter (LA-EA1) lets you use your A-mount lenses (manual focus) on the NEX. But not with the 2 A-mount teleconverters.
19. The new E-mount 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS lens has an additional Active mode that also exists in some of Sony’s latest Handycam camcorders. Active mode allows the lens to shift over a greater range of motion, thus enabling even greater camera shake compensation.
20. 2 converters are available for use on the E-mount 16mm F2.8 wide-angle lens. The VCL-ECU1 is an ultra wide converter (~12mm effective focal length). The VCL-ECF1 is a fisheye converter (~10mm effective focal length).

[Christopher M.W.T]

I hate the lack of a viewfinder, ever tried using a LCD under bright sunlight? it's a total pain.

Worse then they make you purchase a sub-standard electronic attachment to compensate.

Personally I just don't get these cameras, they are pretty much compacts with big ass lenses attached, the whole thing looks totally out of proportion.

Worse given the proximity of the sensor to the mount I'd hate to think the amount of dust that would get in it, jesus after the last month of me been in places like Egypt and Jordan my K-7 has been exposed to much desert sand and dust and survived I'd hate to think how this fashion accessory would last even a 1/4 of that.

[Christopher M.W.T]

Although I grant the image tests esp at 12,800 are impressive.

[johnmflores]

Although I grant the image tests esp at 12,800 are impressive.

I wonder if this is the sensor that we'll see in an updated K-7?

[lithos]

I hate the lack of a viewfinder, ever tried using a LCD under bright sunlight? it's a total pain.

Tried panning and tracking with one? PITA, and I don't mean the delicious flat bread.

Worse then they make you purchase a sub-standard electronic attachment to compensate.

Yeah. Is it so hard to build one with a rangefinder style VF?

[Christopher M.W.T]

I find Sony is good at making expensive fashion accessories which appeals to the uneducated masses whilst the intelligent enthusiasts always go away from fashion and aim for something more practical.

[lithos]

I find Sony is good at making expensive fashion accessories which appeals to the uneducated masses whilst the intelligent enthusiasts always go away from fashion and aim for something more practical.

Yes, there's always The Sony Tax.

Their sensors do seem all right, and if you were a Minolta AF shooter, they're the only game in town. I can't seem to figure out just what the hell they want their camera division to do. Is there are reason to buy an a550 over any similar offering? Apart from the Zeiss glass and that 135STF lens?

[Christopher M.W.T]

Yes, there's always The Sony Tax.

Their sensors do seem all right, and if you were a Minolta AF shooter, they're the only game in town. I can't seem to figure out just what the hell they want their camera division to do. Is there are reason to buy an a550 over any similar offering? Apart from the Zeiss glass and that 135STF lens?

Yer I don't really get their camera division or strategy either.

I can't tell if they are trying to appeal to every day users, semi pros or pros. It would seem by their offerings they are just all over the place.

[lithos]

Most of their cameras left me with a decidedly "That's nice, dear," feeling. Sure the, A900 and 850 have sexy pentaprisms and full-frame, but I can't help but still feel sad about Konica-Minolta throwing in the towel.

[lithos]

Good news is, it trounces the M4/3 gang:

[Christopher M.W.T]

Most of their cameras left me with a decidedly "That's nice, dear," feeling. Sure the, A900 and 850 have sexy pentaprisms and full-frame, but I can't help but still feel sad about Konica-Minolta throwing in the towel.

Reviews of the A900 say its got poor High ISO performance which is odd for a FF sensor.

[Christopher M.W.T]

The numbers would indicate its also got poor battery life, only 330 photos from a single charge, hmm.

[lithos]

The Exmor in the NEX seems to be doing well.

Another reason for me to shudder everytime someone ejaculates the phrase "Pentax should join M4/3!"