Sony Alpha NEX-5 review

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Verdict:

Impressive miniaturisation, fantastic photo and video quality and much improved controls make this the best carry-everywhere camera for those with high expectations.

Review Date: 22 Jul 2010

Price when reviewed: £399

Buy it now for: £458
(see more store prices)

Supplier: http://www.jessops.com

Reviewed By: Tim Smalley

Our Rating 5 stars out of 5

User Rating

ExpertReviews Award

Alpha NEX-5

330 shots

Reference (shots)

+100%

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User comments

Step down from 350d?

Tim - will a dSLR user feel "hobbled" by the NEX-5? I'm fed up with carrying around a 2kg camera and want something less brain intensive.

By RSwinburne on 25 Jul 2010

I think you probably will in some ways, yeah, but it depends how you use it. The high ISO performance will be particularly welcome for you, I'm sure.

It verges on brilliance in the Program Auto mode and it's a beautiful camera to hold, take pictures with and carry around. However, it's quite annoying to use in the ASM and intelligent auto modes for one reason or another. The ASM modes are clunky because of the lack of buttons (and, consequently, the inconsistent button mapping). The IA mode lacks even basic exposure compensation, which is a feature on virtually every respectable P&S camera, while auto ISO (which IA is forced to use) is limited to ISO 1600, which kinda defeats the point of having such a large sensor that can produce very usable images at ISO 3200.

It's a great camera to carry around like a P&S with limited controls (ISO, exposure compensation) and manual controls for those times when you *really* need them, but the manual controls are about as frustrating to use as trying to pluck your nostril hair with a pair of pliers.

By Tim_S on 28 Jul 2010

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