Tech Blog

[#1]

At a press event in Toronto today, Sony showed off its Alpha NEX-3 and NEX-5 digital cameras, which follow along the path of cameras with interchangeable lenses in smaller form factors. The key difference in this case is that these cameras are pretty much as small as your average point-and-shoot.

Sony spokesmen claim that these models have bigger image sensors than you would typically see in Micro Four-Thirds cameras like Panasonic’s GF1, Olympus’s EP-2 and Samsung’s NX10. A bigger image sensor and decent lens should translate to some great shots without the bulk of a DSLR. I got the chance to shoot a few images of a mock wedding couple they hired for the event.

The basic specs are 14.2-megapixel sensors and HD video recording (1080p AVCHD for the NEX-5 and 720p MP4 for the NEX-3), with autofocus and several shooting modes that are already common in Alpha DSLRs. Sony even added a 3D sweeping panoramic mode that automatically stitches together multiple shots so you can view them on a 3D-capable TV or monitor.

The widescreen LCD on the back is 3”, though I was a bit surprised Sony didn’t go for broke with an OLED display. It tilts up and down, and Sony claims that there’s enough anti-reflective coating on it to see under sunlight. Given that it was overcast today, I couldn’t really see for myself. Another minor gripe is that the display doesn’t have an accelerometer built-in, so there’s no way to automatically change the orientation when playing back vertical images.

All that aside, from what I’ve seen so far, this thing takes solid photos. The depth of field seems to be a bit short, but until I truly give this a whirl, I can’t say that for sure. Truth be told, these little guys have more in common with Sony’s CyberShot line than they do with the company’s Alpha line of DSLRs.

Both models are expected to be available by the end of June. Pricing starts at $649 for the NEX-3 with a smaller 16mm wide-angle lens. The NEX-5 starts at $749 with a 18-55mm lens.

[#2]

To confirm, can I use regular Alpha lenses? Or do I need to buy new lenses?

[#3]

Thanks for the question, XL. You can definitely use Alpha lenses, but they will only fit with an adapter, which I can confirm will cost in the $250 range. Hope that helps!

[#4]

If I stick a 50mm on the NEX-5.... will it be a 50mm lens, 75mm, or some other magnification.

[#5]

I checked this out for you with my contacts at Sony and they said that the APSC-sized sensor translates to a 1.5x magnification.

[#6]

Ok to clarify... The A-mount A330 has a APS-C sensor that is 1.5 cropped.  If I stick the 50mm A-mount lens with the a E-mount adaptor, there is a telephoto effect of 1.5.  As a result is a 3.0 magnification (1.5 * 2) compared to film?

[#7]

BTW.... just did some research.... it appears using the LA-EA1 A-mount converter means losing auto-focus.

[#8]

Yes, sorry I forgot to mention that. The use of a converter will negate the auto-focus features on any lens attached to it.