NEX-5T upgrade or keep using it?

[GaryW]

I still use NEX-5T and 16mp is sufficient for my needs, however absence of ViewFinder is sometimes bothering me in bright sun. (Don't want to lifehack viewfinder that same size of camera though, as it very awkward to use and carry wise takes as much space as camera, i really value the size of NEX-5T).

Was thinking to get another APS-C Sony with viewfinder, but only option for reasonable price is NEX-6 (16mp) or NEX-7 (24mp).

I have the FDA-EV1S viewfinder to use with the 5T. It is much smaller than the camera. The ability to tilt is nice. It is a bigger, better view than the built-in viewfinder on the A6x00 cameras, which don't work well for me at all. I had the A6000 for a year or so.

Oooh, this might be a good way to go, if IvankoPetro like the 5T enough.

Otherwise, the Nex-6 isn't a bad choice. It probably has better controls than the 5-series cameras, and a nice EVF. It is a budget choice, though, as, sure, newer cameras are better, and still limited to 16mp.

I used the Nex-6 for several years, and you can print large, so it's still a solid camera. But when I got the 6500, it felt better in a number of ways. But the size is noticeably larger than the 5-series, now.

 

[neilt3]

I still use NEX-5T and 16mp is sufficient for my needs, however absence of ViewFinder is sometimes bothering me in bright sun. (Don't want to lifehack viewfinder that same size of camera though, as it very awkward to use and carry wise takes as much space as camera, i really value the size of NEX-5T).

Was thinking to get another APS-C Sony with viewfinder, but only option for reasonable price is NEX-6 (16mp) or NEX-7 (24mp).

I have the FDA-EV1S viewfinder to use with the 5T. It is much smaller than the camera. The ability to tilt is nice. It is a bigger, better view than the built-in viewfinder on the A6x00 cameras, which don't work well for me at all. I had the A6000 for a year or so.

Oooh, this might be a good way to go, if IvankoPetro like the 5T enough.

Otherwise, the Nex-6 isn't a bad choice. It probably has better controls than the 5-series cameras, and a nice EVF. It is a budget choice, though, as, sure, newer cameras are better, and still limited to 16mp.
I used the Nex-6 for several years, and you can print large, so it's still a solid camera. But when I got the 6500, it felt better in a number of ways. But the size is noticeably larger than the 5-series, now.

 

[Raziel Orlando]

Have you considered the A7rII? Is a killer camera for it's current price, perfect for landscapes, and in APS-C mode you will get 18 mp with the option of using full frame glass.

And even in APS-C it have better dynamic range than the 5T.

Photographic Dynamic Range versus ISO Setting

 

[neilt3]

neilt3,

Thank you for clearing that up. I missed a viewfinder that would work with the various lenses because it did not exist for that camera, as had been my recollection.

That tiny flash is what impelled me to buy the @6300. The flash would not clear the 18-200mm lens barrel. I needed to be able to mount an esternal flash tall enough to clear that large lens. The @6300 enables that (if I an find my flash which has gone missing).

With the hvl-7s flash ( or whatever it's called ) that was supplied with the NEX 3 & 5 , it was low .

They also did a bigger screw in version , hvl-20s or something that was taller . That might have cleared the lens ( without hood ) .

With the 18-55mm lens on the Nex 5, the flash does clear the lens, so I can do fill-flash.

IIRC Sony offered a flash extender for the Nex 5, but by the time I was interested they were long gone.

That's correct , but it wasn't very high .

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[andrewD2]

A6000 and A6100 don't have a level which is why I only briefly had the A6000. Image quality is good on the A6000 except for rare PDAF striping.

5R/T are great, I have one of each for travel. It was a form factor that didn't work out mostly because of photographers' egos.

 

[QuietOC]

...I have the first generation Nex 5. It does not have a viewfinder, nor provision for one. I use the screen tilted, held at waist level, which I have found to be ideal. On the few occasions I might need a viewfinder I use a Hoodman loupe. But you don't want to carry an accessory the size of your camera, which I understand, but that precludes one workable option....

There was an OVF for the NEX-5 . An EVF was made for the NEX-5N .

It's a shame Sony gave up on the idea - they could have had an A6XXX that ended up convertable to an A7-type body, with ability to specify different quality / size of EVF...

That EVF works on the 5R and 5T too. I use it on a 5T as I already mentioned.

 

[isvana]

neilt3,

Thank you for clearing that up. I missed a viewfinder that would work with the various lenses because it did not exist for that camera, as had been my recollection.

That tiny flash is what impelled me to buy the @6300. The flash would not clear the 18-200mm lens barrel. I needed to be able to mount an esternal flash tall enough to clear that large lens. The @6300 enables that (if I an find my flash which has gone missing).

With the 18-55mm lens on the Nex 5, the flash does clear the lens, so I can do fill-flash.

IIRC Sony offered a flash extender for the Nex 5, but by the time I was interested they were long gone.

I remember the flash extender! I also went external flash with my NEX-6 to clear the large 18-200 (which I no longer have). The nice thing with the NEX-6 is the built in flash and EVF - the former is a feature I miss on my A6600 (indeed I have the NEX-6 on me right now for that reason)...

 

[IvankoPetro]

You will struggle finding comparisons of recent cameras with 10+ year old cameras , as there's not really a comparison .

Everything's moved on quite fast .

I heard massive improvement a lot but what exactly does not compare besides 16mp vs 24mp what's better in a6000 vs Nex-5T? if i had a list would be easy to make an educated decision if i need to switch or not.

You just need to look at what your needs really are .

All my needs are covered by Nex-5T really.

Maybe just get a folding hood for the NEX-5T screen?

I do have it and it does close to nothing in a bright sun.

 

[piticoto]

You will struggle finding comparisons of recent cameras with 10+ year old cameras , as there's not really a comparison .

Everything's moved on quite fast .

I heard massive improvement a lot but what exactly does not compare besides 16mp vs 24mp what's better in a6000 vs Nex-5T? if i had a list would be easy to make an educated decision if i need to switch or not.

You just need to look at what your needs really are .

All my needs are covered by Nex-5T really.

Maybe just get a folding hood for the NEX-5T screen?

I do have it and it does close to nothing in a bright sun.

Find sites to compare 5T to A6100, the least expensive of the APS-C released in 2019. And it's only 5 years difference between releases.

 

[neilt3]

You will struggle finding comparisons of recent cameras with 10+ year old cameras , as there's not really a comparison .

Everything's moved on quite fast .

I heard massive improvement a lot but what exactly does not compare besides 16mp vs 24mp what's better in a6000 vs Nex-5T? if i had a list would be easy to make an educated decision if i need to switch or not.

If your after information on older models, have a read of a few reviews here .

Read what they said about the 5T , then read the subsequent reviews to the model your looking at .

The improvements are typically stated in the reviews.

You'll probably have to read more than one review to come to a conclusion, but the information is out there .

You just need to look at what your needs really are .

All my needs are covered by Nex-5T really.

Then don't change it .

Except you said you wanted a viewfinder.

On a low budget your looking at the NEX 6 , NEX 7 or a6000 , depending on how much you can spare .

So you've not really got a lot of figuring out to do .

The latest camera are significantly better, though more expensive , but only you know if there within reach financially.

If the 5T is good enough for your needs except an EVF , there's not a lot to say.

Of the three earliest cameras with EVF's , are any beyond what you want to pay ?

If so , that narrows your choice down again .

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[IvankoPetro]

My upgrade for now was keeping NEX-5T and buying SELP1650 16-50mm pancake kit lens to have very compact pocket camera. Happy with quality of lens considering its size.