Reading mode: Light Dark

NEX-5N for recreational photography - old D-SLR user

Go to last post
There is a EVF for the NEX-5n, and unlike the NEX7, it can be tilted up at any angle up to about 90deg. I have 3 DSLRS and 7 other cameras available to me, My Nikon D7000 is used mostly for long telephoto shots and faster moving subjects, but I always seem to have the NEX-5n with me most of the time. I can carry the NEX and 3 or 4 lens, the larger flash and spare batteries in the same amount of space that the D7000 with only one medium size lens will fit.

The EVF is expensive, but it's versatile and beats the LCD hands down, I won't go out without it.

I use my Leica, Canon and Nikon lens on it with adapters, when the need arises, even my Nikon 70-200mm/f2.8.

I also use the larger flash available for the NEX-5n series, and do bounce flash all the time inside with a -1.5 to a -2.0 flash compensation, and people ask me how I took such a nice shot without flash, that says it all.
 
Pocobear said:
There is a EVF for the NEX-5n, and unlike the NEX7, it can be tilted up at any angle up to about 90deg.
Click to expand...
If I owned the 5n I'd get the EVF, but owning neither, I vastly prefer the 7. I like the EVF that isn't sticking up precariously, and tri-navi is really nice. (Otherwise, I'd prefer the 16MP sensor in the 5n).
Pocobear said:
I also use the larger flash available for the NEX-5n series, and do bounce flash all the time inside with a -1.5 to a -2.0 flash compensation, and people ask me how I took such a nice shot without flash, that says it all.
Click to expand...
I haven't investigated flash options beyond the one included with the 5. I find the attachment method (I have the aux mic) very fiddly.
  • Dennis
--
Gallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com
 
I started out with a couple of DSLRs and added a NEX-5 to my kit over a year ago. Over the past year I've shot less and less with the DSLRs, to the point where I just don't use them.

I've moved on to the 5N and I love every minute of it, most of my DSLR equipment has been sold or passed onto family.

As a counter-point to the note below on the EVF, I tried it, and it is very nice indeed, but I've come to actually enjoy using live-view display for shooting versus an eye-level viewfinder. If the price was under $200 I'd consider it as an accessory for certain occasions, but I don't find it essential anymore and I'm very happy with the 5N as-is.

I guess you could say that I am one of those people who has 'promoted' mirrorless as their primary camera system. I didn't do it on purpose, its just that I always grabbed it and it just grew on me.

I do work with alot of other cameras and I hope to have hands-on with the NEX-7 soon, but at this point I can't justify the $600 premium over my 5N (more considering I would have to sell my 5N).
Pocobear said:
...

The EVF is expensive, but it's versatile and beats the LCD hands down, I won't go out without it.
Click to expand...
 
Pocobear said:
The EVF is expensive, but it's versatile and beats the LCD hands down, I won't go out without it.
Click to expand...
Too expensive for now - I'm already pushing it with the NEX-5N. Could be an interesting upgrade in the future though :)
Pocobear said:
I also use the larger flash available for the NEX-5n series, and do bounce flash all the time inside with a -1.5 to a -2.0 flash compensation, and people ask me how I took such a nice shot without flash, that says it all.
Click to expand...
Larger flash.. you mean the attach-able one provided in the box? Is it really practical to use? I used my K10D flash often and this is the second thing that worries me (besides the lack of a VF) about the 5N...
 
Dennis said:
Pocobear said:
There is a EVF for the NEX-5n, and unlike the NEX7, it can be tilted up at any angle up to about 90deg.
Click to expand...
If I owned the 5n I'd get the EVF, but owning neither, I vastly prefer the 7. I like the EVF that isn't sticking up precariously, and tri-navi is really nice. (Otherwise, I'd prefer the 16MP sensor in the 5n).
Click to expand...
The 7 looks awesome. Kinda what I'd like the 5N to be (built-in VF and Flash, better controls), only completely out of my current budget :P
 
 
I think you may love it.

I went from big Pentax K-7 with heavy Tamron 17-50mm lens, and I'm blown away by the performance and tricks of the NEX5N. I now prefer the results I'm seeing to my DSLR in many cases. In low light, like indoors there's no comparison. How happy were you at say ISO 1600 or more ... look at the NEX at high(er) ISO, very nice:





... the cat in very dark place, no flash high ISO. My Pentax died attempting to get anything handheld, and no quality.

I would add one critique to the review I just posted ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5WAA0-kHoQ&feature=youtu.be ), that is the FONT size is pretty small on the NEX, and a lot of information is shown. If ure vision is 20 20 no worries, if not just check you can manage easily.

I think you are more likely to take the NEX out, maybe everywhere you go whereas will you do that with a biggish DSLR like the 5100 you mention ... the end result with NEX is so impressive. So I can use my old nice lens I will buy a K adapter, but obviously I'll loose some automatic functions, like autofocus.
Overall, fear not ... you will be big time surprised.

--
Paul Bentley
 
You have to check at many reviews comparing NEX5n with other cameras by yourself.

Most reviewers and serious photomagazine stated that nex 5n IQ stand up with Nikon D7000 and Canon EOS 5D.
You can compare Nex scores vs other cameras on DXO marks website.

Bluejay statements aren't trustworthy. Just check at his forum history. You could see him comes around in every topic bashing NEX and tell you better get MFT.
This guy is a joke.
Nikon 5100 has no Better IQ than Nex, MFT has no faster CDAF.
This troll just making wrong statements again and again.
xxbluejay21 said:
The D5100 is a great camera, and the IQ out of both is about the same. With the 5N, you gain small size and a faster live view AF (so you don't always have to have your head mashed into the viewfinder). Also, it's a swivel screen to allow for creative composition. The battery life is worse and so is the selection of lenses, and the d5100's PDAF is more useful for moving subjects, but I'd take small size over all that. DSLR's get annoying to carry around. The NEX isn't as small as Micro four thirds (including lenses), but it's still dang small. If you want faster CDAF, look into four thirds cameras too. They're also a good choice.
Click to expand...
 
loicc said:
Bluejay statements aren't trustworthy. Just check at his forum history. You could see him comes around in every topic bashing NEX and tell you better get MFT.
This guy is a joke.
Nikon 5100 has no Better IQ than Nex, MFT has no faster CDAF.
This troll just making wrong statements again and again.
Click to expand...
Gosh, his post sounded perfectly fair and balanced to me, while I see you're hanging out at the Fuji forums today bashing their newly announced products ...
  • Dennis
--
Gallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com
 
wirednet said:
Jogger said:
I would get the NEX5n over an entry DSLR for sure (eg. d3100, t3i).

But, the d5100 is a different beast. I would get the D5100 if i wanted to shoot with quality Nikon lenses... of which there is a vastly superior line up.

But, if youre just getting the d5100 and only intend to use the kit lens or other entry level lens, then the 5n may be more worthwhile given its smaller.
Click to expand...
If the kit lens are good enough I'd probably stick to them.

I was pretty happy with the kit lens on my Pentax K10D, although I did consider buying some not-that-expensive zoom lens before it got stolen.

Size is not really an issue, all I care about is image quality with-in a reasonable price range - anything that shoots at least as well as my K10D did would make me happy. Of course if I'm to pay 600-700 euro these days I expect more than just that.
Click to expand...
In that case, i think it would come down to if you need the faster AF of the D5100.. e.g. kids, sports, action, etc. Otherwise, i would personally go for the NEX5N.. its got a comparable kit zoom and a growing range of lenses. The movie mode is better as well. They use the same sensor, so no substantial differences in image quality.
wirednet said:
Thanks for answering :)
Click to expand...
 
Dennis said:
loicc said:
Bluejay statements aren't trustworthy. Just check at his forum history. You could see him comes around in every topic bashing NEX and tell you better get MFT.
This guy is a joke.
Nikon 5100 has no Better IQ than Nex, MFT has no faster CDAF.
This troll just making wrong statements again and again.
Click to expand...
Gosh, his post sounded perfectly fair and balanced to me, while I see you're hanging out at the Fuji forums today bashing their newly announced products ...
  • Dennis
--
Gallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com
Click to expand...
I 'm not bashing on fuji forum, just giving my two cents.
Then you should read my post entirely and check at bluejays Nex forum history.

But if you thought his statement about Nikon 5100 better IQ than NEX5n and MFT faster AF is right, then stick with these wrong troll statements. Not a big issue to me .
Cheers
 
loicc said:
Dennis said:
loicc said:
Bluejay statements aren't trustworthy. Just check at his forum history. You could see him comes around in every topic bashing NEX and tell you better get MFT.
This guy is a joke.
Nikon 5100 has no Better IQ than Nex, MFT has no faster CDAF.
This troll just making wrong statements again and again.
Click to expand...
Gosh, his post sounded perfectly fair and balanced to me, while I see you're hanging out at the Fuji forums today bashing their newly announced products ...
Click to expand...
I 'm not bashing on fuji forum, just giving my two cents.
Click to expand...
Everybody is entitled to their opinion, whatever that may be :)

IMO, after going through a lot of test shots, I find that the NEX-5N has marginally better quality than the D5100.

It usually shows on higher ISO values, but thats what I see. It is my opinion, of course :)
 
loicc said:
But if you thought his statement about Nikon 5100 better IQ than NEX5n and MFT faster AF is right, then stick with these wrong troll statements. Not a big issue to me .
Click to expand...
Well, he said:
loicc said:
The D5100 is a great camera, and the IQ out of both is about the same.
Click to expand...
dxomark gives D5100 higher IQ rating overall than NEX-5n, so that hardly seem like trolling to me. (I certainly don't want to debate the differences between two excellent cameras or the merits of dxomark, just pointing out that saying the IQ out of both is an entirely reasonable position to hold).
loicc said:
With the 5N, you gain small size and a faster live view AF (so you don't always have to have your head mashed into the viewfinder).
Click to expand...
Doesn't sound like he's bashing Sony there.
loicc said:
Also, it's a swivel screen to allow for creative composition.
Click to expand...
Or there.
loicc said:
The battery life is worse and so is the selection of lenses, and the d5100's PDAF is more useful for moving subjects,
Click to expand...
Hard to argue with any of that.
loicc said:
but I'd take small size over all that.
Click to expand...
Again, doesn't sound like he's bashing Sony.
loicc said:
DSLR's get annoying to carry around. The NEX isn't as small as Micro four thirds (including lenses),
Click to expand...
That's obviously debatable, but depending on the kit you pick, I can see either side of the issue. Especially in light of the small primes (20 & 45) and the new compact kit zoom.
loicc said:
but it's still dang small.

If you want faster CDAF, look into four thirds cameras too. They're also a good choice.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I can't see how any of that constitutes "trolling". I've tried the 5n & 7 and find their AF quicker than that of my 5 (which is not terribly fast). I still don't consider them fast, but pretty decent. I'm under the impression from reviews I've read that the latest m43 cameras offer the fastest CDAF available. If that's incorrect, a lot of people probably hold that incorrect view and I don't think it's trolling. I have no interest in reviewing his past posting history as nothing in his post seems slightly unreasonable.
  • Dennis
--
Gallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com
 
For most of my photography (family stuff, landscapes, travel, etc...), the 5n is really all I need, and it does it in a small, well built package, with some very useful features (peaking for manual focus lenses, tilting screen, hand-held twilight, sweep panaorama). It's high ISO capabilities are excellent as well. And HD video is also excellent.

Even the little flash, which I have to admit I thought was a joke when I first saw it, has proven to work very well with the do-it-yourself flash deflector/bounce discussed on this forum - combine it with the good high ISO and you can shoot family/friend stuff in just about any lighting.

The only thing I can't use it for is my kids' sports. For that, I stick with my DSLR (although I suppose I could add the LA-EA2 and see how that works).

Check out my 5n gallery for examples:

http://keithinsp.smugmug.com/Family/Sony-NEX-5N-random-photos/19370563_k9t2DF# !i=1514614692&k=j3F9ZHM

--
Keith
http://keithinsp.smugmug.com/
http://www.pbase.com/themitty/
http://www.picasaweb.google.com/themitty
 
The NEX-5(n) has the same size sensor as a DSLR so there's not really going to be any IQ difference inherent between the two classes.

The NEX-5(n) has a few big advantages over a traditional DSLR type camera:
1. Size
2. Weight
3. Adapters for just about any legacy lens.
4. (debated) Articulated "live view" LCD screen. Some love it, some hate it.

The "traditional" DSLR has a few big advantages over the NEX
1. PD auto focus (faster and often more accurate)
2. "free" viewfinder
3. Less shutter lag
4. Longer battery life

You've already said, you don't care about size, weight, or legacy lenses and your preference is to use a viewfinder. So I don't see how the NEX offers you any benefits over a DSLR.
 
You should just check at his past trolling history on NEX forum.
I agree that this post is softer than his others Nex bashing posts.
Call it "thin bashing" if you please.
Dennis said:
loicc said:
But if you thought his statement about Nikon 5100 better IQ than NEX5n and MFT faster AF is right, then stick with these wrong troll statements. Not a big issue to me .
Click to expand...
Well, he said:
Dennis said:
The D5100 is a great camera, and the IQ out of both is about the same.
Click to expand...
dxomark gives D5100 higher IQ rating overall than NEX-5n, so that hardly seem like trolling to me. (I certainly don't want to debate the differences between two excellent cameras or the merits of dxomark, just pointing out that saying the IQ out of both is an entirely reasonable position to hold).
Dennis said:
With the 5N, you gain small size and a faster live view AF (so you don't always have to have your head mashed into the viewfinder).
Click to expand...
Doesn't sound like he's bashing Sony there.
Dennis said:
Also, it's a swivel screen to allow for creative composition.
Click to expand...
Or there.
Dennis said:
The battery life is worse and so is the selection of lenses, and the d5100's PDAF is more useful for moving subjects,
Click to expand...
Hard to argue with any of that.
Dennis said:
but I'd take small size over all that.
Click to expand...
Again, doesn't sound like he's bashing Sony.
Dennis said:
DSLR's get annoying to carry around. The NEX isn't as small as Micro four thirds (including lenses),
Click to expand...
That's obviously debatable, but depending on the kit you pick, I can see either side of the issue. Especially in light of the small primes (20 & 45) and the new compact kit zoom.
Dennis said:
but it's still dang small.

If you want faster CDAF, look into four thirds cameras too. They're also a good choice.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I can't see how any of that constitutes "trolling". I've tried the 5n & 7 and find their AF quicker than that of my 5 (which is not terribly fast). I still don't consider them fast, but pretty decent. I'm under the impression from reviews I've read that the latest m43 cameras offer the fastest CDAF available. If that's incorrect, a lot of people probably hold that incorrect view and I don't think it's trolling. I have no interest in reviewing his past posting history as nothing in his post seems slightly unreasonable.
  • Dennis
--
Gallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com
Click to expand...
 
I've just sold my D5100 and all my Nikon stuff (an extra lens or two). I will get the 5n when available again. I want a camera as small as possible but with a decent sensor and some control over aperture and such. I'm excited about going smaller. The D5100 with the 18-200 was large and heavy. Bring on the 5n!
 
loicc said:
You have to check at many reviews comparing NEX5n with other cameras by yourself.

Most reviewers and serious photomagazine stated that nex 5n IQ stand up with Nikon D7000 and Canon EOS 5D.
You can compare Nex scores vs other cameras on DXO marks website.

Bluejay statements aren't trustworthy. Just check at his forum history. You could see him comes around in every topic bashing NEX and tell you better get MFT.
This guy is a joke.
Nikon 5100 has no Better IQ than Nex, MFT has no faster CDAF.
This troll just making wrong statements again and again.
Click to expand...
lol funny guy. Everything I said was true and yet you still call me a troll xD A troll calling other people trolls. How hypocritical.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top