Updated: Sony NEX Cameras Announced

Hello everyone!

Today Sony introduced a new type of camera to compete against Olympus and Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds cameras and Samsung's NX series, the NEX camera. Sony introduced two similar cameras to this new category, the NEX-3 and NEX-5. The NEX cameras feature a 14.2 megapixel APS HD CMOS sensor, high resolution tilt/flip LCD screens, various video recording styles, DSLR image quality photos and a whole bunch of shooting options in this tiny body. 

Here are the specs of the cameras. Taken from the Sony site.

Model	NEX-5	NEX-3
Resolution	14.2 effective megapixels (approx.)	14.2 effective megapixels (approx.)
Image sensor	Exmor APS HD CMOS (23.4x15.6mm)	Exmor APS HD CMOS (23.4x15.6mm)
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

Sony NEX Demo Video

Sony also announced three lenses using a new mount (E-mount) with the camera, the 16mm f2.8 pancake lens, 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 and the 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 (to be released at a later date) lens. There is also an adapter to use Sony Alpha DSLR cameras but these won't support auto-focus.

NEX Camera attached with Optional Viewfinder

 NEX Camera attached with flash (supplied)

 NEX Camera attached with microphone

NEX Camera attached with Alpha Mount Adapter

The cameras are expected to begin shipping next month and following FIFA a firmware update will be released enabling the camera to achieve 3D panoramic photos with Sony's Bravia televisions.

There is more tech news and news on photo shoots that I've been organizing with Marione and hopefully we can get them off the ground soon. I'll update on this soon.