Amazon has a sale on some Nex cameras. I've had my lowly Nex-5 since the beginning, almost 3 years ago! It's tough, as I'm not sure how to justify the cost for a modest improvement, but there are so many improvements, perhaps the sum is greater than the parts. Hmmmm...
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Amazon sale?
- Thread starter GaryW
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- sony alpha nex-5
I didn't see a sale on amazon, so not sure what you're looking for in the way of models/pricing.
IMO, the 16MP sensor is a good bit better than the 14 in terms of noise and color. I find the NEX-5 often produces shadows with a gray/green cast (that's shooting raw and adjusting WB in LR). Beyond that, the newer models have a more customizable interface (started with the NEX-5 with the famous firmware update, but much improved on newer models) and the option to attach an EVF (a huge deal IMO). The NEX-6 goes a couple steps further with an improved menu system and built in EVF.
Edit: forgot to mention AF speed. The '5' is ok by me (I know to prefocus when necessary) and the new models aren't quite DSLR fast (particularly with tracking) but there is a noticeable improvement that adds to the value of an upgrade.
If you're sticking with NEX, I see most of the newer models as fairly significant upgrades to the NEX-5 in terms of usability and image quality. Personally, I haven't bothered upgrading because I'd go to the NEX-6 for the EVF and can't justify the price given the lack of lenses that I'd want to use with it, so for now, I'm using my DSLR and bought an RX100 for most of my shooting. But I'd either do a cheap upgrade to the newest '3' series models or go to the 6 for the EVF.
- Dennis
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Gallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com
IMO, the 16MP sensor is a good bit better than the 14 in terms of noise and color. I find the NEX-5 often produces shadows with a gray/green cast (that's shooting raw and adjusting WB in LR). Beyond that, the newer models have a more customizable interface (started with the NEX-5 with the famous firmware update, but much improved on newer models) and the option to attach an EVF (a huge deal IMO). The NEX-6 goes a couple steps further with an improved menu system and built in EVF.
Edit: forgot to mention AF speed. The '5' is ok by me (I know to prefocus when necessary) and the new models aren't quite DSLR fast (particularly with tracking) but there is a noticeable improvement that adds to the value of an upgrade.
If you're sticking with NEX, I see most of the newer models as fairly significant upgrades to the NEX-5 in terms of usability and image quality. Personally, I haven't bothered upgrading because I'd go to the NEX-6 for the EVF and can't justify the price given the lack of lenses that I'd want to use with it, so for now, I'm using my DSLR and bought an RX100 for most of my shooting. But I'd either do a cheap upgrade to the newest '3' series models or go to the 6 for the EVF.
- Dennis
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Gallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com
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parallaxproblem
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S
Sonyshine
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Who you tryin' to convince Gary?
You or SWMBO ?
I find convincing myself easy - t'other person...... :-x
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Only recently I upgraded from the original 5 to the F3 (couldn't refuse Euro280 clear-out deal new in a local "white box" store!). It's plastic, bigger & ugly compared to the svelte metal 5, but has a better 16MP sensor (same as 5N & others?), better high ISO (1600 is clean), faster response & shutter lag with front-curtain, better battery life, more customisable button options, built-in & bounceable flash, better screen... not life-changingly better, but better! The 6 & 3N, even the 5N, are probably better again... ISO 100 would be nice.
If you consider the basic Nex lenses good.
really? It's 100 bucks off a couple of models, and 200 off the 7, I think.
:-(
Could be handy.
Yeah, I like the idea of another dial, in particular.
I have my eye on a couple of these apps. There is more potential here than people realize!
It would be nice to get good JPEGs out of the box.
That's too bad. I handled one briefly, and it seemed OK.
Wow! I know it's a bit larger, but I'm not sure how much would matter. I'm leaning towards the 5r...
You don't realize how cheap I am. ;-)Sonyshine wrote:
Who you tryin' to convince Gary?
You or SWMBO ?
I think I have buy-in to at least get the 5r. The 6 is tempting, though. Yeah, you can get the EVF for the 5r, but the 6 has a better flash shoe. Decisions, decisions....
I guess it's not worth it for me to go to the 5N, etc., even though there are improvements. I need a bit more substance. Of course, Sony will turn around and release new cameras in a couple of months....
I forgot about the front-curtain change -- that's significant too. Y'all are coming up with a long list of improvements.
I'm not sure that ISO 100 is needed for these cameras (I think the base ISO is supposed to be 200?), but at any rate, they're tuned for high-ISO, I imagine. If you really need ISO 100, try using raw and overexposing slightly, and fix it up in the RAW editor. As long as you don't blow out the highlights too badly, it should work. :-D I don't mind a tiny bit of noise, though, and would rather have the bandwidth, myself.
captura
Forum Pro
I posted this story yesterday, and included the link. Maybe the thread was removed.
That must be the Sony authorized discount ? (I think it's available at all Sony authorized dealers ?) I just had in mind a "Gold Box" deal that Amazon had on one of the NEX models a week or two ago, but now I understand what you're looking at.
I can't answer that, having tried 3 NEX models at shows or stores, but not having tried them in practice (or with a variety of lenses). All I can say is that my sense is that they've achieved focus more quickly than the 5. The thing is, I believe that's true of the 5n which IIRC does not have PDAF, and I could not say whether the 6 feels faster than the 5n (I've done nothing like a direct comparison).
Yes. The non-EVF models, to me, are compact cameras that I might carry when my DSLR is too big. The EVF models are cameras that could (one day ... when I don't need to shoot so much with a 70-200/2.8 !) replace a DSLR.
- Dennis
OK, I see that WorstBuy has the sale as well, but I can't find it at all on Fry's. Maybe if I show up in person... With Wolf/Ritz gone, that takes away a nice local option.
The EVF doesn't matter to me except in those cases where I really wish I had it. :-|
Thanks for the comments, everyone.
captura
Forum Pro
captura
Forum Pro
OK, this was the link I posted about the sale, a few hours before this thread.
Amazon.com: : All Departments
Online shopping for from a great selection at All Departments Store.
www.amazon.com
parallaxproblem
Veteran Member
Yes, it's great. There's also an option for having the shutter go directly when you touch the screen, but I find that a bit risky and would myself rather 'focus' and then f'ire'
The user interface has quite a few small improvements that are nice - a great shame these were never added back to the original NEX firmware
But there is one *big* mistake on the NEX-5R... the rear buttons are coloured black which means you simply don't see them, particularly if the screen is tilted up, and so you have to spend a short second looking for them which is annoying and makes you miss shots! When I get the camera back from repairs I'm tempted to pull it apart and fit the silver buttons from the NEX 5! They may not look as 'cool' in silver but not being able to see the black rear buttons is pretty impractical!
Yes, there is some nice stuff there
I think it's more for the 16-50 and the ultra-wide zooms. The distortion on the 16/2.8 and 18-55 (which I have) don't bother me too much and the non Sony lenses I use obviously aren't impacted. I only use JPEG on the NEX, but only use RAW on my A900... horses for courses
Yes, it's 'OK', but feel the top plate again and you will notice it is a little more delicate than the top plate on the original 5 and 5n. Only the front plate is metal on the 5R. Not a dealbreaker but sad to see Sony dropping quality standards and makes one wonder if they also tried to save a bit of money inside...
I was maybe overstating it - it's not so bad. The NEX 6 has a metal topplate and a plastic body. The NEX 5 has a plastic topplate and a metal front to the body. I have small fingers and am used to handling delicate equipment so the NEX 5 is comfortable to me. The bigger surface area vs platic surface of the NEX 6 makes it feel plasticy *to me* (though maybe not to others) and the extra spacing on the dials actually makes it feel a little clumsy compared to the 'small jewel' of the original NEX 5 to me (though maybe not to others). In fact the only real bad point of the NEX 6 is that the lcd isn't a touch screen and so doesn't allow the point-and-focus option (a dealkiller for me)
Strangely, if the NEX 6 had a full frame sensor inside then I would consider it a 'real rangefinder' and would be all over it, hoping to use it with my Contax primes: hower in it's current state it seems to me like a rather sad diversion 'into conventionality' from the pretty radical original NEX 5 design
With the new Contax adapter, it would almost be like FF. :-D
I don't know what is conventional about the Nex-6 except it's got the newer, more standard hot-shoe and a mode dial.
I don't find the distortion in the 16 to be significant, but the18-55 can sometimes use a bit of adjustment. This can be done in post, so it's not that it needs to be one in-camera, but there are also some other things that seem improved about the JPEGs. I think the "look" of the JPEGs is better for some reason -- perhaps it's the noise reduction -- it just looks better in the newer cameras.
The Nex-5r appeals to me in size, but the Nex-6 seems like a better value. One thing I miss in the Nex-5 are good flash options, and I think I might get that back with the Nex-6. The touch screen in the 5r would be nice, as I find touch-to-focus handy in my phone. The 5r is not available with the new PZ lens.
Why can't one camera have everything? ;-)
parallaxproblem
Veteran Member
Would like to see some reviews (maybe I missed them?)... but cash is tight at the moment so I probably can't afford. I can twist my own focus dial anyway without too much trouble
The original NEX-5 was radical. There was nothing else like it. An attempt to be minimal (though maybe they overdid it) but with excellent build for the price and a surprisingly open architecture. The NEX-6 is a somewhat standard mirrorless body with standard knobs/dials, some features deliberately missing (eg. touchscreen) and a rather ordinary build quality for a slightly high price :-\ . Just my opinion
Maybe if the EV on my 5R comes back corrected it might agree with you
Yes, flash is a huge weakness in NEX... if only they would let us disable pre-flash in manual mode!
For my purposes it's not too much of an issue as I use MFNR in low light and I have a larger flash which I hand-hold that allows me to 'dial-in' pre-flashes for remote triggering. Anything 'serious' requiring remote flash I use the A900 and remote Sony flash units
Again, horses for courses and I don't find NEX a replacement for all photographic situations
It's a massive plus to be able to select exact focus point so quickly, in my book. Killer feature IMHO
Lens doesn't really appeal to me. Small is good, but that weird electronic zoom, nasty build and dodgy IQ really put me off. I'm happier with the 18-55
Because the marketing dept will now allow it to be that way :-(
davect01
Veteran Member
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