Sony NEX-7 review

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Verdict:

All the usual NEX traits: outstanding image and video quality, lethargic autofocus, iffy focus from the kit lens. Sumptuous ergonomics only just help it to justify the high price

Review Date: 31 Jan 2012

Price when reviewed: £1,129

Buy it now for: £849
(see more store prices)

Supplier: http://www.jessops.com

Reviewed By: Ben Pitt

Our Rating 4 stars out of 5

User Rating

Basic Specifications
Part Code	NEX7KB.CEH
Review Date	31 Jan 2012
Rating
CCD effective megapixels	24.0 megapixels
CCD size	23.5x15.6mm
Viewfinder	electronic, 2.4 megapixels
Viewfinder magnification, coverage	1.07x, 100%
LCD screen size	3.0in
LCD screen resolution	921,600 pixels
Articulated screen
Live view
Optical zoom	3.0x
Zoom 35mm equivalent	27-82.5mm
Image stabilisation	optical, in kit lens
Maximum image resolution	6,000x4,000
Maximum movie resolution	1920x1080
Movie frame rate at max quality	50fps
File formats	JPEG, RAW; AVCHD, MPEG-4

Camera Controls
Exposure modes	program, shutter priority, aperture priority, manual
Shutter speed	30 to 1/4,000 seconds
Aperture range	f/3.5-22 (wide), f/5.6-32 (tele)
ISO range (at full resolution)	100 to 16000
Exposure compensation	+/-5 EV
White balance	auto, 9 presets with fine tuning, manual, Kelvin
Additional image controls	contrast, saturation, sharpness, noise reduction, dynamic range optimisation, lens compensation (peripheral shading, chromatic aberration, distortion), AF micro adjust
Manual focus
Closest macro focus	25cm
Auto-focus modes	multi, centre, flexible spot, face detect, tracking
Metering modes	multi, centre-weighted, centre, face detect
Flash	auto, forced, suppressed, slow synchro, rear curtain, red-eye reduction
Drive modes	single, continuous, self-timer, AE bracket, smile detect, HDR, panorama, 3D panorama

Physical
Memory slot	SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Mermory supplied	none
Battery type	Li-ion
Battery Life (tested)	335 shots
Connectivity	USB, mini HDMI, microphone, hotshoe
HDMI output resolution	1080i
Body material	magnesium alloy
Lens mount	Sony E mount
Focal length multiplier	1.5x
Kit lens model name	Sony SEL-1855
Accessories	USB cable, lens hood
Weight	544g
Size	66x119x106mm

Buying Information
Warranty	one year RTB
Price	£1,129
Supplier	http://www.jessops.com
Details	www.sony.co.uk

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User comments

A little unfair - worth 5 stars in my book

As photography tool, this blows the NEX 5N out of the water. The only way I could see any low light difference was by pixel peeping. The AF is much better described than in the review, at least as good as a recent Olympus PEN I tested in low light. It isn't as good as aDSLR at AF but it isn't competing with them. I disagree that noise is a problem, in 99% of conditions I shoot in this produces higher quality results than the 5n (particularly with the Zeiss 24mm lens).

The only downsides for me (I saw the lack of a touch screen as a real plus) were the position of the video button and the NEX refusal to implement a mode dial.

Having said that, 3 control wheels puts it up with the X100 for ease of use for photographers who shoot mainly (or delve into) in A, S, and M modes.

The TRI NAVI controls, improved image quality (over the already excellent nex 5n) and EVF easily make this worth twice the NEX 5n.

By Sgoldswo on 2 Feb 2012