Sony NEX-5N Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

San Diego, CA—Sony enhanced its line of ultracompact E-mount interchangeable-lens cameras with the α NEX-5N model. Housed in a light magnesium alloy body with an intuitive touch screen, the camera is 23.3mm at its slimmest point.

“The NEX-5N camera extends the sleek, minimalist design of the acclaimed NEX-5,” said Ernesto Bravo , senior business manager, Alpha, Sony Electronics. “But it’s also a giant step forward from its predecessor in terms of still image and HD video quality, autofocus and speed-of-capture performance.”

The camera is said to have a release time lag of 20 milliseconds, which combines with an improved autofocus (AF) algorithm and more efficient image processing to provide an AF system that is significantly faster than the NEX-5.

The NEX-5N’s Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor with 16.1 effective megapixels is complemented by a specially optimized Bionz image-processing engine to produce low-noise images. Maximum sensitivity is boosted to ISO 25,600, allowing for handheld shooting in low light.

Added to the camera’s repertoire is the ability to shoot AVCHD Progressive (v2.0) Full HD movies with stereo sound at 60p—the same resolution and frame rate as Blu-ray media. Faster readout from the sensor doubles the maximum frame rate to 60 fps, and a cinematic 24p setting is included. Continuous autofocus occurs while recording video along with object tracking focus, which allows a target object to be selected and tracked via the touch screen.

Photographers can also control exposure with program, aperture/shutter priority and all-manual modes. And the NEX-5N is the first E-mount interchangeable-lens camera from Sony with a photo creativity touch interface. Background defocus, exposure, picture effect and other adjustments can be previewed, applied and combined via the 3.0-inch tilting LCD touch panel and control dial, with “photo jargon” simplified for beginners…

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