These cameras are now discontinued. Luckily, they have their successors and you can find them in this article where we present the best Sony EVILs.
Most of the cameras on the market are either very good but heavy and cumbersome, or very small and practical but of poor photographic quality. Most of the time the photographer has to make the difficult decision between quality or size. I say most of the time because there are exceptions. One of these exceptions are Sony NEX cameras.
As always, in today’s article you will not find a complete list with the technical characteristics of Sony NEX cameras, because that is something that you can find on any website or photography blog (search Google). I am simply going to stop at what would be the most outstanding advantages of this series of cameras for me, in an attempt to help you make the decision in case you are looking for a camera for yourself or for someone you love.
First, let’s situate ourselves a little
The Sony NEX are not compact cameras. They are also not SLR cameras. They are a middle ground between the two types. They offer a reduced size, manageable, easy to carry, as if it were a compact camera, but at the same time they incorporate a sensor as large as digital SLR cameras or almost, which, combined with their interchangeable lenses, gives them of a photographic quality quite similar to that of a reflex camera.
I don’t want to burden you with unnecessary technicalities, but if you ever come across the initials EVIL, CSC, MSC or DSLM, know that the Sony NEX belongs to this type of camera.
All Sony NEX models have interchangeable lenses. They are called “E” type lenses. Any Sony NEX camera you buy will be able to use any lens for the “E” mount. Additionally and thanks to a small adapter from Sony, the Sony NEX are capable of mounting even any normal Sony lens, from digital SLR cameras, the big ones come on.
Disadvantages of the Sony NEX
Let’s start with the drawbacks. The price, without a doubt, is one of the first barriers that put many suitors back. In some Sony NEX the price exceeded 1,000 Euros. Crazy. However, I think that for the advantages they present, their price is OVERLY justified, but it is still a slightly high price. Although today, when we update this article, its prices have dropped considerably and you can find some models from N/A euros.
The absence of an optical viewfinder is another drawback, at least for some users, including a server. I love shooting looking through the optical viewfinder, and the Sony NEX’s just don’t do that. What they do have is a digital viewfinder, which can do the trick.
Feature highlights of Sony NEX cameras
Now comes the good stuff. Let’s see:
- APS-C sensor: One of the most important elements in a photo camera is the sensor. If you push me, it’s the first thing that makes one camera better or worse than another. Generally, the larger the sensor size, the better the photo quality. Well, to give you an idea, the Sony NEX has a sensor the same size as any digital SLR camera, the same size as the Nikon D7000 for example, considered one of the best and most advanced amateur SLRs.
Although the following video is in English, watch it. Around minute 0:15 they show a very explanatory drawing in which you can see the resemblance in size between the sensor of the Sony NEX and that of a normal digital SLR.
- ISO: The Sony NEX are capable of handling very high ISO values, reaching up to 25,600 depending on the model. An atrocity. And always with reasonably decent noise-free results, at least up to ISO 1,000.
- Full HD video recording: at normal speed and slow motion.
- Battery duration: The Sony NEX come equipped with a particularly long-lasting battery. At full charge they usually hold about 470 photos. To give you an idea, its competitors like the Nikon 1 J2 last 230 photos or so. Something like half.
Would you buy a Sony NEX?
If I have the budget, definitely. Want it as a primary camera, or as a slight alternative to my huge, burly Nikon D7000 SLR, the Sony NEX in any of its models would be a perfect candidate.
available models
Sony is the brand, NEX is the series, within which we find various models and versions. Currently, you have the Sony NEX-5 or the Sony NEX-6L. So many models, numbers and letters can seem a bit confusing. Personally I am not able to decipher what each number or letter indicates, but I can tell you an approximate classification of the type of user for which each model is aimed, along with the approximate price of each one:
As you can see, the price difference is abysmal between one model and another. If you ask me for a recommendation of these two models, I might opt for the first one, the Sony NEX. I think it more than fulfills the mission. It takes great photos and its price is still right.
That’s all for now. I hope I have clarified the matter a bit and have helped you make a good decision.