New Sony NEX-7 looking like a corker

Unsinkable II · 08-20-2011, 10:25 PM

24.4 MP Exmor HD sensor
100-16.000 ISO
1200 zone metering
1920×1080 60p/60i/24p AVCHD 2.0 (28Mbit/s) video recording
3 million dot XGA OLED viewfinder
3inch 921k dot TruBlack touchscreen LCD
10 fps
20ms startup time
Built-in flash
New universal hot shoe
Battery life for over 400 shots
Magnesium alloy body
Front and rear dials
Level Gauge and gridlines
HDR, Panorama, Picture effects

It's the magic combination of viewfinder, twin dials and Sony's remarkable new manual focusing system that does it for me. Forget Sony's poor selection of E-mount lenses and just get the M-mount adapter and a pocket-full of primes...

Jasvox · 08-20-2011, 11:32 PM

Will be interesting to see samples and field reports from this camera, for sure.

Jason

jogiba · 08-21-2011, 05:07 AM

NEX-7
24,3 Exmor HD sensor
100-16.000 ISO
1200 zone metering
1920×1080 60p/60i/24p AVCHD 2.0 (28Mbit/s) video recording
3 million dot XGA OLED viewfinder (Active Matrix-OLED with RGB pattern from Samsung)
3inch 921k TruBlack LCD display (touchscreen)
10 fps
20ms startup time
Built-in flash
New universal hot shoe
Battery life for over 400 shots
Magnesium alloy body
Level Gauge and gridline
HDR, Panorama, Picture effexts
NEX-7 feel surprisingly light (at the same time solid).
Body only will be priced between $1000 and $1100.
The NEX-7 will be available in Europe and US around the 7th-10th of November.
Sony A77
Body only will be priced at $1000
Body + 16-50mm f/2.8 SSM Kit will be priced between $1600 and $1800.

NEX-7
Body only will be priced between $1000 and $1100.

NEX lenses
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 will be priced between $900 and $1000.
Sony 50mm f/1.8 OSS Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 will be priced between $300 and $350.
Sony 55-210mm OSS Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 will be priced between $250 and $300.

sonyalpharumors | Home

Jasvox · 08-21-2011, 05:51 AM

I wouldn't say there is a poor selection of E mount lenses right now. There are more and more being released by Sony and third party manufactures every few months. Keep in mind, this E mount system has only been on the market a little over a year. I think by 2012, you will see the current choices doubled. Meanwhile, what is happening on the M4/3 front?

Jason

Frogfish · 08-21-2011, 08:37 AM

Originally posted by Unsinkable II

Forget Sony's poor selection of E-mount lenses and just get the M-mount adapter and a pocket-full of primes...

Virtually 90% of every lens ever made can now fit the NEX cameras via the plethora of adapters available.

However you don't even need the NEX 7 to use the (potentially) fantastic new MF focus system (if it works as advertised) ! As via firmware the much cheaper but very impressive Nex 3, 5 and Nex C3 can all use this feature - perfect for all your PK & M42 lenses !

Peaking
One of the most interesting new features on the C3 is the addition of "Peaking" when a manual focus lens on an adaptor is mounted. The peaking controls are found on the Setup menu, and include the choice of edge colour (Red, White and Yellow), and level of sensitivity, (Off / Low / Medium and High). Peaking, if you're unfamiliar with it from the video world, shows a shimmering outline on the parts of the image that are in sharpest focus.

Also, as an aid to focusing with non-AF lenses, when a lens adaptor is attached the bottom soft key automatically changes to MF Assist, and screen magnifications to assist focusing of 7.5X and 15X are available. This combined with Peaking provides the best focus assist capability that I've yet seen on a new generation camera.

audiobomber · 08-21-2011, 09:37 AM

The peaking feature sounds way cool. The new sensor should be an improvement over any APS-C in sensitivity, so probably improved DR too. Sony continues to push the envelope in sensor design, and everyone has to follow. Good stuff!

My beef with Sony cameras in the past has been horrible GUI interfaces. Pentax has superb photography-oriented controls, Sony more like a digital TV set.

nosnoop · 08-21-2011, 10:55 PM

And don't forget the rumored LA-EA2 adapter which allows phase detection AF with old A-series lens.

nickthetasmaniac · 08-21-2011, 11:12 PM

Originally posted by audiobomber

My beef with Sony cameras in the past has been horrible GUI interfaces. Pentax has superb photography-oriented controls, Sony more like a digital TV set.

Sony seems a bit schizophrenic with their control interface - the top-end models (A700/A850/A900) are excellent, 'no bull' photographers tools - the K-5 and A900 have the best ergonomics I've ever used.

But then you get to their entry level stuff/NEX and it's a flat out disaster...

In regard to focus 'peaking' - definitely a cool feature, but I can guarantee that it'll feature on every mirrorless camera released from now on.

ltdstar · 08-22-2011, 12:59 AM

Wow that NEX 7 is really nice. The double Edials and more buttons added means less menu diving (better UI?). The universal flash mount is much welcome. Although, I hope it has full manual video. I'm waiting on the arrival of my NEX 3 and ebay m42/eos adapters which has many complaint on its UI, but with new firmware I can customize couple of buttons. Looks like Sony made much needed improvements with the NEX7.

Jasvox · 08-22-2011, 03:15 AM

According to Sonyalpharumors, the NEX-7 along with the A77 will feature full manual controls while shooting video. We shall see.

sonyalpharumors | Blog | (SR5) The video revolution is coming: A77/NEX-7/VG20 with FullHD 60p and full manual controls!

Jason

Frogfish · 08-22-2011, 05:56 AM

Today I went hands on with all of the EVILs ; Samsung, Ricoh, Olympus, Panasonic and of course Sony's NEX C3 (did I miss any ?). Ergonomically they all felt better than the Sony TBH - but spec-wise they lag behind. I asked for and received a PK to E adapter ($30 if I want to buy it - I've seen them at half that though) and put on the Zeiss 85/1.4 ... I have to say that peaking is extremely fast, much faster than for the vast majority of us when MFing, though not as fast as using CIF on a Pentax DSLR.

However I hated the almost total lack of controls on the camera itself, and having to dive into the menu to do anything. You are actually holding a lens and not a camera that is virtually just balancing the lens on the rear. I also found myself firing off bursts when I only wanted single shots.

The shutter is a little noisy but it didn't seem as bad in real life as the YouTube videos I've seen.

Overall I'm torn. I think for a lot of people a Kr for roughly the same price (a little more) would be a better option. However I can see a use and a market for this camera, no question. Adapter - slip on my Leica, Adapter - slip on my Zeiss, Adapter - slip on my Pentax, Adapter - slip on my Canon, or 4/3rds, or Hasselblad or whatever ..... quite incredible actually. You can know choose any lens you want and slip it on the C3.

I'll take a look at the shots and video I took with the C3 tomorrow ! Would I pay for the NEX 7 ( no way - the form factor and UI lose it for me, never mind being the same prive as a K5), would I pay for the much much cheaper C3 - yes I might ......... as an alternative system for all that fine glass out there

audiobomber · 08-22-2011, 06:20 AM

What did you think of the Ricoh, Frogfish? I'm pretty excited about Ricoh/Pentax, I'm betting they'll give us a mirrorless K-mount.

Jasvox · 08-22-2011, 06:28 AM

To be fair, the NEX-c3 and the NEX-7 are apples and oranges when it comes to form factor as well as specs (and most probably UI). I say wait until the 7 hits the shelves in October and try again. (Also, comparing to K-5 is also like apples and pine cones...no similarity at all)

Jason

Frogfish · 08-22-2011, 06:52 AM

Originally posted by audiobomber

What did you think of the Ricoh, Frogfish? I'm pretty excited about Ricoh/Pentax, I'm betting they'll give us a mirrorless K-mount.

I'm sure they will - they must to be able to compete with the other EVILs. It felt good in the hand but TBH I didn't spend too much time with it as I knew the specs didn't meet my criteria.

Frogfish · 08-22-2011, 06:55 AM

Originally posted by Jasvox

To be fair, the NEX-c3 and the NEX-7 are apples and oranges when it comes to form factor as well as specs (and most probably UI). I say wait until the 7 hits the shelves in October and try again. (Also, comparing to K-5 is also like apples and pine cones...no similarity at all)

Jason

True - but I can't imagine paying the price of a K5 for an EVIL. And there is not much difference in the form factor. If I had to pay that much then I'd rather buy another K5 .... or a used D700.

08-20-2011, 10:25 PM	#1
Unsinkable II Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,352	New Sony NEX-7 looking like a corker 24.4 MP Exmor HD sensor 100-16.000 ISO 1200 zone metering 1920×1080 60p/60i/24p AVCHD 2.0 (28Mbit/s) video recording 3 million dot XGA OLED viewfinder 3inch 921k dot TruBlack touchscreen LCD 10 fps 20ms startup time Built-in flash New universal hot shoe Battery life for over 400 shots Magnesium alloy body Front and rear dials Level Gauge and gridlines HDR, Panorama, Picture effects It's the magic combination of viewfinder, twin dials and Sony's remarkable new manual focusing system that does it for me. Forget Sony's poor selection of E-mount lenses and just get the M-mount adapter and a pocket-full of primes...

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08-20-2011, 11:32 PM	#2
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	Will be interesting to see samples and field reports from this camera, for sure. Jason

08-21-2011, 05:07 AM	#3
jogiba Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Millstone,NJ Posts: 6,491	NEX-7 24,3 Exmor HD sensor 100-16.000 ISO 1200 zone metering 1920×1080 60p/60i/24p AVCHD 2.0 (28Mbit/s) video recording 3 million dot XGA OLED viewfinder (Active Matrix-OLED with RGB pattern from Samsung) 3inch 921k TruBlack LCD display (touchscreen) 10 fps 20ms startup time Built-in flash New universal hot shoe Battery life for over 400 shots Magnesium alloy body Level Gauge and gridline HDR, Panorama, Picture effexts NEX-7 feel surprisingly light (at the same time solid). Body only will be priced between $1000 and $1100. The NEX-7 will be available in Europe and US around the 7th-10th of November. Sony A77 Body only will be priced at $1000 Body + 16-50mm f/2.8 SSM Kit will be priced between $1600 and $1800. NEX-7 Body only will be priced between $1000 and $1100. NEX lenses Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 will be priced between $900 and $1000. Sony 50mm f/1.8 OSS Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 will be priced between $300 and $350. Sony 55-210mm OSS Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 will be priced between $250 and $300. sonyalpharumors \| Home

08-21-2011, 05:51 AM	#4
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	I wouldn't say there is a poor selection of E mount lenses right now. There are more and more being released by Sony and third party manufactures every few months. Keep in mind, this E mount system has only been on the market a little over a year. I think by 2012, you will see the current choices doubled. Meanwhile, what is happening on the M4/3 front? Jason

08-21-2011, 08:37 AM	#5
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by Unsinkable II Forget Sony's poor selection of E-mount lenses and just get the M-mount adapter and a pocket-full of primes... Virtually 90% of every lens ever made can now fit the NEX cameras via the plethora of adapters available. However you don't even need the NEX 7 to use the (potentially) fantastic new MF focus system (if it works as advertised) ! As via firmware the much cheaper but very impressive Nex 3, 5 and Nex C3 can all use this feature - perfect for all your PK & M42 lenses ! Peaking One of the most interesting new features on the C3 is the addition of "Peaking" when a manual focus lens on an adaptor is mounted. The peaking controls are found on the Setup menu, and include the choice of edge colour (Red, White and Yellow), and level of sensitivity, (Off / Low / Medium and High). Peaking, if you're unfamiliar with it from the video world, shows a shimmering outline on the parts of the image that are in sharpest focus. Also, as an aid to focusing with non-AF lenses, when a lens adaptor is attached the bottom soft key automatically changes to MF Assist, and screen magnifications to assist focusing of 7.5X and 15X are available. This combined with Peaking provides the best focus assist capability that I've yet seen on a new generation camera.

08-21-2011, 09:37 AM	#6
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	The peaking feature sounds way cool. The new sensor should be an improvement over any APS-C in sensitivity, so probably improved DR too. Sony continues to push the envelope in sensor design, and everyone has to follow. Good stuff! My beef with Sony cameras in the past has been horrible GUI interfaces. Pentax has superb photography-oriented controls, Sony more like a digital TV set.

08-21-2011, 10:55 PM	#7
nosnoop Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,299	And don't forget the rumored LA-EA2 adapter which allows phase detection AF with old A-series lens.

08-21-2011, 11:12 PM	#8
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	Originally posted by audiobomber My beef with Sony cameras in the past has been horrible GUI interfaces. Pentax has superb photography-oriented controls, Sony more like a digital TV set. Sony seems a bit schizophrenic with their control interface - the top-end models (A700/A850/A900) are excellent, 'no bull' photographers tools - the K-5 and A900 have the best ergonomics I've ever used. But then you get to their entry level stuff/NEX and it's a flat out disaster... In regard to focus 'peaking' - definitely a cool feature, but I can guarantee that it'll feature on every mirrorless camera released from now on.

08-22-2011, 12:59 AM	#9
ltdstar Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: AZ Posts: 285	Wow that NEX 7 is really nice. The double Edials and more buttons added means less menu diving (better UI?). The universal flash mount is much welcome. Although, I hope it has full manual video. I'm waiting on the arrival of my NEX 3 and ebay m42/eos adapters which has many complaint on its UI, but with new firmware I can customize couple of buttons. Looks like Sony made much needed improvements with the NEX7.

08-22-2011, 03:15 AM	#10
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	According to Sonyalpharumors, the NEX-7 along with the A77 will feature full manual controls while shooting video. We shall see. sonyalpharumors \| Blog \| (SR5) The video revolution is coming: A77/NEX-7/VG20 with FullHD 60p and full manual controls! Jason

08-22-2011, 05:56 AM	#11
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Today I went hands on with all of the EVILs ; Samsung, Ricoh, Olympus, Panasonic and of course Sony's NEX C3 (did I miss any ?). Ergonomically they all felt better than the Sony TBH - but spec-wise they lag behind. I asked for and received a PK to E adapter ($30 if I want to buy it - I've seen them at half that though) and put on the Zeiss 85/1.4 ... I have to say that peaking is extremely fast, much faster than for the vast majority of us when MFing, though not as fast as using CIF on a Pentax DSLR. However I hated the almost total lack of controls on the camera itself, and having to dive into the menu to do anything. You are actually holding a lens and not a camera that is virtually just balancing the lens on the rear. I also found myself firing off bursts when I only wanted single shots. The shutter is a little noisy but it didn't seem as bad in real life as the YouTube videos I've seen. Overall I'm torn. I think for a lot of people a Kr for roughly the same price (a little more) would be a better option. However I can see a use and a market for this camera, no question. Adapter - slip on my Leica, Adapter - slip on my Zeiss, Adapter - slip on my Pentax, Adapter - slip on my Canon, or 4/3rds, or Hasselblad or whatever ..... quite incredible actually. You can know choose any lens you want and slip it on the C3. I'll take a look at the shots and video I took with the C3 tomorrow ! Would I pay for the NEX 7 ( no way - the form factor and UI lose it for me, never mind being the same prive as a K5), would I pay for the much much cheaper C3 - yes I might ......... as an alternative system for all that fine glass out there

08-22-2011, 06:20 AM	#12
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	What did you think of the Ricoh, Frogfish? I'm pretty excited about Ricoh/Pentax, I'm betting they'll give us a mirrorless K-mount.

08-22-2011, 06:28 AM	#13
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	To be fair, the NEX-c3 and the NEX-7 are apples and oranges when it comes to form factor as well as specs (and most probably UI). I say wait until the 7 hits the shelves in October and try again. (Also, comparing to K-5 is also like apples and pine cones...no similarity at all) Jason

08-22-2011, 06:52 AM	#14
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by audiobomber What did you think of the Ricoh, Frogfish? I'm pretty excited about Ricoh/Pentax, I'm betting they'll give us a mirrorless K-mount. I'm sure they will - they must to be able to compete with the other EVILs. It felt good in the hand but TBH I didn't spend too much time with it as I knew the specs didn't meet my criteria.

08-22-2011, 06:55 AM	#15
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by Jasvox To be fair, the NEX-c3 and the NEX-7 are apples and oranges when it comes to form factor as well as specs (and most probably UI). I say wait until the 7 hits the shelves in October and try again. (Also, comparing to K-5 is also like apples and pine cones...no similarity at all) Jason True - but I can't imagine paying the price of a K5 for an EVIL. And there is not much difference in the form factor. If I had to pay that much then I'd rather buy another K5 .... or a used D700.