NEX 5: Revised list of Pros and Cons

[felixhsieh]

I can't make a good comparison since I only have the 20/1.7 for the GF1 and only the 18-55 kit for the NEX5.

Very general impressions:

• GF1 autofocus (on the 20/1.7) is faster, but the AF motor is significantly louder. NEX5 autofocus (on the 18-55) is still pretty fast, but dead silent.
• In terms of ergonomics, it comes down to preference. If you like playing with buttons and knobs, you'll feel at home with the DSLR-like handling of the GF1. If you're more the "set and forget, just go take pictures", the simplified NEX handling is refreshing. But I'm still a little split on the NEX: Sony would have done everyone a disservice had they tried to cram a dozen buttons onto a tiny body, but I just wish they would have given us the option to customize the few buttons there are.
• In terms of performance, I think they're about even. Even though NEX has the questionable UI, it's not sluggish at all, and with a little practice, it's actually easy to memorize where all the settings are, and navigating is quite painless (for someone who doesn't mind the UI).
• For screen, NEX wins by a mile, no question.
• I'm not going to talk about image quality; if you're a pixel peeper, the reviews are there for you to check. But overall, NEX seems to handle high ISO pretty well, and I think most people will do fine leaving it on auto-ISO for all except rare situations. If you need to constantly change ISO, then the GF1 may be better for you.

Other thoughts:

MFT has been out longer and thus has more lens options (and many of them quite good). Of course with Sony's adapter you have access to A-mount lenses, but I think it only makes sense if you already have a collection of A-mount glass -- buying a Zeiss just to use on a NEX (which currently will not AF) is silly. And at the same rate, adapters for MFT are widely available.

If you need to shoot movies, NEX has a (ever so slight) edge. Two big steps forward with AVCHD (vs AVCHD Lite on the GF1) and with very silent lenses, but two big steps back with next to no video control. Then again, if movies is your main goal, you shouldn't be looking at this in the first place.

DPR talked about shot-to-shot times; the NEX has a small oddity where "holding" half-depress between shots will not cancel/supress review, and during the review, full-depress will not fire the shutter. If you fully release the button then half-depress again, the review will be canceled/supressed, and once live view comes up again you can fire off another shot. I think some people will find this unnatural (especially coming from a DSLR) and will have trouble getting used to it. It's possible Sony could remedy this in a firmware update, but I imagine most of Sony's "target market" may not notice this in the first place. The GF1 does not have this problem.

 

[Mario Mejia]

I currently have the Gf1 with the 20 mm lens and I love it, however, Ifind it too big and heavy.

I know they have different lens and I know that the NEX is better at high iso.

However, I am really interested in knowing if I would be able to get the same or better (sharp and well exposed) daylight pictures with this camera. Is the auto mode over exposing? You can adjut the 18/55 to close to 40mm and shoot ( daylight)

In other words, generaly speaking is Nex a camera with a similar or better IQ than the Gf1?

 

[jimb100]

I bet looking back at this jimb100, you feels a little silly?

if you want to continue to have a smart butt attitude and this time not look foolish in public feel free to e-mail me next time you wish to question what I say

i can also provide you with the other reviews you requested above

[email protected]

--
"Shoot in the mountains as often as you can, it will change your life"

If anyone feels silly I'd think it would be Sony for sending a bad camera out for review.

And I'll still take dpr's word for these things ahead of yours.

You really should expect your statements to be challenged when you review a camera you've never touched.

 

[Ehrik]

I can't make a good comparison since I only have the 20/1.7 for the GF1 and only the 18-55 kit for the NEX5.

Very general impressions:

• GF1 autofocus (on the 20/1.7) is faster

That's quite surprising, since the 20/1.7 has the slowest AF of all the seven lenses Panasonic have released for µ43 (the first two Oly lenses are probably slower). The 20/1.7 is unit focussing, moving all the elements as one unit, and I guess the mass of them cause AF to be slower and noisier.

• For screen, NEX wins by a mile, no question.

As the GF1 optional EVF isn't that great either (not near G1 EVF quality), the LCD quality is important.

If you need to shoot movies, NEX has a (ever so slight) edge. Two big steps forward with AVCHD (vs AVCHD Lite on the GF1)

There's a bright guy who has hacked the GH1 firmware to create output with very low compression and stunning quality in MJPEG. There are hopes he will be able to improve also the GF1 output.

and with very silent lenses,

As I understand it, all the other six Panny lenses are quieter than the 20, the 20 is not made for video use (which is a bit of a shame since it's the only AF prime that is both small and bright).

Thanks for posting your impressions. Nothing beats owning and using the cameras you compare.
--
Just my two öre,
Erik from Sweden