Sony has officially launched two new model NEX-3 and NEX-5 with the NEX-5 carrying the large boast of being the world’s smallest and lightest camera with interchangeable lenses.
According to Sony’s news release both have 14.2MPs, Exmor APS HD SMOS sensors, an ISO range of 200 – 12800 and are compatible with all E-mount lenses.
Video is where they differ however. The NEX-5 (above) can shoot 1080i, but the NEX-3 stops at 720p. Both have HDMI outputs and USB 2.0 for connecting to PCs, and they thankfully take SD, SDHC, SDXC cars as well as Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo.
They’ll be available in June, with rumored pricing tipping the NEX-3 (below) at $900.
Key technical specifications
Model |
NEX-5 | NEX-3 |
| Resolution | 14.2 effective mega pixels (approx.) | 14.2 effective mega pixels (approx.) |
| Image sensor | Exmor APS HD CMOS (23.4×15.6mm) | Exmor APS HD CMOS (23.4×15.6mm) |
| Processor | BIONZ™ image processor | BIONZ™ image processor |
| Lens compatibility | E-mount; (with adaptor, MF only, exclude power zoom lenses) Sony α lens, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lens | E-mount; (with adaptor, MF only, exclude power zoom lenses) Sony α lens, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lens |
| ISO Range | ISO 200 – 12800 | ISO 200 – 12800 |
| Video shooting | AVCHD: max. 1920 x 1080i, 17Mbps
MP4: max. 1440 x 1080i, 12Mbps |
MP4: max. 1280 x 720 p, 9Mbps |
| Continuous advance shooting | Up to 2.3 fps / 7 fps in speed priority mode (AF/AE fixed) | Up to 2.3 fps / 7 fps in speed priority mode (AF/AE fixed) |
| Precision digital zoom | 10x | 10x |
| Autofocus system | Contrast AF (25 multi-point
/Centre-weighted/Flexible Spot) |
Contrast AF (25 multi-point
/Centre-weighted/Flexible Spot) |
| Metering system | Metering by main image sensor (49-segment Multi light metering, Centre-weighted, Spot) | Metering by main image sensor (49-segment Multi light metering, Centre-weighted, Spot) |
| Shooting functions | Face Detection; Smile Shutter; Sweep Panorama (3D ready); iAUTO; Auto HDR; Anti Motion Blur Mode; Hand-held Night Shot | Face Detection; Smile Shutter; Sweep Panorama (3D ready); iAUTO; Auto HDR; Anti Motion Blur Mode; Hand-held Night Shot |
| Creative styles | Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, B/W | Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, B/W |
| Display | 7.5cm (3”) Wide type XtraFine TruBlack LCD (921k dot resolution), angle adjustable 80◦ up/45◦ down | 7.5cm (3”) Wide type XtraFine TruBlack LCD (921k dot resolution), angle adjustable 80◦ up/45◦ down |
| Weight & size | 287g (10.1oz) with battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo; 110.8×58.8×38.2mm (WxHxD) – Min. Depth 24.2mm (without grip & mount) | 297g with battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo; 117.2×62.6×33.4mm (WxHxD) – Min. Depth 25.4mm (without grip & mount) |
| Anti-dust system | Coating on low pass filter, plus image-sensor shift | Coating on low pass filter, plus image-sensor shift |
| Interfaces | HDMI out (with PhotoTV HD and BRAVIA Sync); USB 2.0 Hi-Speed | HDMI out (with PhotoTV HD and BRAVIA Sync); USB 2.0 Hi-Speed |
| Shooting stamina | 330 shots approx. (CIPA standard) | 330 shots approx. (CIPA standard) |
| Media | Memory Stick Pro Duo, Pro-HG Duo; SD memory card, SDHC memory card, SDXC memory card | Memory Stick Pro Duo, Pro-HG Duo; SD memory card, SDHC memory card, SDXC memory card |
| Supplied accessories | Shoulder strap; Battery; Charger; USB cable; CD‑ROM; Flash | Shoulder strap; Battery; Charger; USB cable; CD‑ROM; Flash |
| Colours | Black, silver | Black, silver, red |
