Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification
The Sony NEX-5 has recently been given a new lease of life, with an updated firmware that adds creative filters introduced with the NEX-C3. We review the Sony NEX-5 to see how it performs.
Sony NEX-5 Features
The Sony NEX-5 features a large APS-C CMOS sensor, the same size that you find in nearly all Digital SLRs (unless you go to full frame). This gives it the ability to offer theoretically the same excellent image quality as Digital SLRs, but at a significantly reduced size.
New features introduced with the latest firmware, version: 04 (available here) are: Picture Effects such as Toy Camera, Red, Green, Blue, Yellow highlight, Pop Colour and more, as well as the the ability to set the Peaking level and colour in MF.
Key Features
- 14.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
- Sony E Mount
- 3 inch tilting screen, 921k dots (16:9)
- Metal body
- Seperate mini flash (included)
- 7fps continuous shooting
- 25 focus points
- Dust removal
- ISO200 - ISO12800
- Full HD video, stereo mics
Sony NEX-5 Handling
The Sony NEX-5 (3, and C3) are probably the mirrorless cameras with the least number of buttons and controls, especially considering they do not feature touch screens. Perhaps the Panasonic Lumix GF3 has fewer buttons (yes), but the GF3 tries to make up for this with a touch screen that works well.
Sony NEX-5
The size of the camera is tiny! However, as soon as you add a lens to the camera, you realise that the DSLR sized sensor, also means that the camera needs DSLR sized lenses, and this significantly increases the weight and bulk of the camera. There are a few options to keep the size down, either use the 16mm pancake lens, or use an adapter to use an alternative old lens.
Sony NEX-5
Menus: You can press the middle button on the back to change the shooting mode, and with the scroll wheel this is quite easy. Alternatively press the menu button and you get a choice of 6 options: shooting mode, camera options, image size, brightness / colour options, playback and setup. The brightness / colour options are where you can also find exposure compensation, ISO, white balance, metering, flash compensation, DRO / HDR, and creative style (colour options such as vivid, standard, black and white etc), which is not where I expected the options to be. Image size is where you set the image size for still, 3D, and panoramic shots, as well as video size. Camera options are where you can set the drive mode, flash setting, AF/MF, Face detection etc. Setup is where you can customise the buttons you use, as well as set further shooting options, main settings, and memory card tools. Finding your way around these menus may get easier over time.
Battery Life: Rated at 330 shots, we were able to take 330 photos before the battery was exhausted. The camera uses an Info-lithium ion rechargeable battery these are brilliant as they tell you precisely how many minutes are left before the battery will go flat.
Sony NEX-5 Pop up flash
Speed - we tested the Sony NEX-5 and compared it to the Panasonic Lumix GF3 and Samsung NX11. You can also compare the results to the new Panasonic Lumix G3, and Olympus PEN E-P3 as well.
| Sony NEX-5 | Panasonic GF3 | Samsung NX11 | |
| Shutter Response | 0.1 | <0.05 | 0.1 |
| Wide - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.4 | 0.2* | 0.3 |
| Full zoom - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.4 | 0.2* | 0.3 |
| Switch on Time to Taking a Photo | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.3 |
| Shot to Shot (without flash) | 0.8 | 0.6 | 1.0 |
| Shot to Shot with Flash | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Continuous Shooting (shots before slow down) |
6fps (18 shots) | 4fps (13 shots) | 3fps (15 shots) |
| Continuous Shooting (flash) | 2fps | N/A | 2fps (infinite shots) |
| Continuous Shooting (RAW) | 7fps (7 shots) | 4fps (6 shots) | 3fps (5 shots) |
* 14-42mm Olympus M Zuiko 14-42mm II R lens used for both m43rds cameras, tested with the new Samsung Class 10 memory card.
Performance was good with quick focusing, shutter response, and excellent shot to shot time even with flash. Continuous shooting is excellent at 6-7fps, and the using a high speed card it's possible to take 18 shots before slow down.
Sony NEX-5 Performance
Sample photos from the Sony NEX-5 and the E 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS (Optical Steady Shot) lens can be seen below, with additional sample photos in the equipment database.
Sony NEX-5 Lens test images
Sony NEX-5 Sample Photos
Sony NEX-5 White-balance test images
Sony NEX-5 ISO test images
Panoramic
Wide - 1/200 sec | f/10.0 | 18.0 mm | ISO 200
Standard - 1/200 sec | f/10.0 | 18.0 mm | ISO 200
The NEX-5 allows both vertical and horizontal panoramics. Options are wide or standard, depending on how much you want to capture.
Sony NEX-5 Digital filters
The camera features 8 scene modes, including a handheld twilight mode that takes a number of shots in quick succession and combines them for a better shot.
Lenses available: there are four lenses currently available (16mm, 18-55 OSS, 18-200 OSS, and a new 30mm Macro lens) with more on their way including a wide, portrait, and telephoto lens expected shotly. There are also wide-angle and fisheye converter add-on lenses available for the 16mm lens as well. Adapters to use Sony Alpha / Konica Minolta Alpha lenses are also available.
Video
The NEX-5 gives you Full HD video with stereo sound. The new picture effects can be used on videos with very little or no noticeable drop in frame rate. The video options are: AVCHD 1920x1080, MP4 1440x1080 or VGA.
Value for Money
The Sony NEX-5 is available for £480 with the 18-55 kit lens with OIS, or £430 with the 16mm pancake lens (without OIS). Alternatively you can find the Sony NEX-C3 for £430 with 18-55 kit lens.
Alternatives include the Olympus PEN E-P3, Panasonic Lumix G3, Panasonic Lumix GF3, Samsung NX11, as well as earlier models, the Panasonic Lumix GF2, and Olympus PEN EPL2. Of these, the Olympus PEN cameras feature a built in anti-shake sensor, and both the Panasonic and Olympus models use the micro four thirds mount, with the largest range of lenses available.
Sony NEX-5 Verdict
The Sony NEX-5 seems to have an over-reliance on the menus, and it can be a little time consuming trying to find some of the more advanced options. As the smallest mirrorless camera, it is very appealing, although the current lenses don't make the most of the small body as they are quite large. There are also a limited number of lenses, although new lenses are expected shortly. The improvements added with firmware v03 gave the ability to customise the buttons to provide quicker access to your favourite modes, and v04 adds creative modes bringing the NEX-5 up to date with the new C3 and mirrorless cameras from other manufacturers. The Sony NEX-5 produces DSLR image quality with extremely low noise, and Full HD video, performance is impressive with 7fps shooting, and this really is a camera that might make you think twice about taking your DSLR with you.
The Sony NEX-5 offers DSLR image quality in an ULTRA compact body.