Sony Alpha NEX-7 vs Leica M9

Sony NEX-7 with Zeiss 24mm Sonnar vs Leica M9 with 50mm Summilux

Combatants	Sony Alpha NEX-7	Leica M9
Number of effective pixels	24.3 million pixels	18 million pixels
CCD Sensor	APS-C CMOS Sensor 23.5 x 15.6 mm	Full Frame CCD Sensor 36 x 24 mm
Crop Factor	1.5x 50mm lens = 75mm FOV	1x 50mm lens = 50mm FOV
ISO Range	100 - 16000	80-2500
Lens Mount	Sony NEX E-mount	Leica M Bayonet Mount
Focusing	25 Point Contrast AF and Manual Focus	Manual Rangefinder Focusing
Image Stabilization	In Lens (Optical Steady Shot)	None
Shutter Speed	30s to 1/4000 with Bulb Mode	32s to 1/4000 with Bulb Mode
Continuous Shooting Speed	10 frames per sec.	2 frames per sec.
LCD	Tiltable 3" Diagonal 921,600 Pixels	2.5" TFT LCD 230,000 Pixels
Viewfinder	Electronic OLED 2.4m dot	Optical Viewfinder with Parallax Correction
Video Resolution	1920 x 1080 / 60p-24p	N/A
Dimensions	4.75 x 2.75 x 1.7 in. (119.9 x 66.9 x 42.8 mm)	5.5 x 3.1 x 1.5 in. (138 x 80 x 37 mm)
Weight	10.3 oz (291 g)	20.8 oz (589 g)
Price	$1199.99 Body Only	$6995.00 Body only

NEX-7 vs Leica M9 Rear LCD and Viewfinder

NEX-7 with Zeiss 24mm Sonnar (1.14 lb [516 g]) vs M9 with 35mm Summicron (2.05 lb [929 g])

NEX-7 24.3 Megapixel APS-C Sensor vs M9 18 MP Full Frame Sensor

Mockup of NEX-7 with Leica 35mm f/2.0 Summicron

NEX-5N NEX-C3 Adobe Camera Raw 6.5 Support

Adobe has Adobe Camera Raw 6.5 available for download. The Sony NEX-5N and NEX-C3 Raw files are now supported by ACR 6.5, which means the files can be manipulated in Photoshop CS5.

Camera Raw 6.5 update

This new version of the Camera Raw plug-in replaces the original Camera Raw plug-in that was installed with Adobe® Creative Suite® 5 or Adobe® Photoshop® CS5 software.

You can download ACR 6.5 RC from Adobe for Windows or Macintosh operating systems.

Sony NEX-7 Unboxing Video

Club Sonus has posted a video of the Sony NEX-7 unboxing. Let's see what comes with a Sony Alpha NEX-7 kit.

• Display Box
• Manuals and Software
• Microfiber Cloth
• Sony NEX-7
• Body Cap
• 18-55mm OSS in Black
• Rear lens cap
• Lens Hood
• NEX-7 Neck Strap
  
• Battery
• Charger
• Mini-USB to USB cable
  
• Eye Piece Pad or Eyecup

Sony Alpha NEX-7 Presentation Box

Danke Club Sonus!

NEX-7 Hands On Report from TheCameraStoreTV

TheCameraStoreTV has posted a video of a pre-production Sony NEX-7 with the Carl Zeiss 24mm Sonnar. They have nothing but good things to say about the camera. One minor issue they have was the eye-start sensor for the new viewfinder, but as they said in the video it can easily be fixed in the options menu.

In the video, he uses a Nikon to NEX E-mount lens adapter to show how versatile the NEX system is.

The best thing about the video is how good the NEX-7 looks in hand. It's larger than the previous NEX cameras but it still looks very compact. He looked very comfortable with the new Tri-Navi dials and electronic viewfinder. We also liked the sound of the shutter, a nice simple click.



Thanks TheCameraStoreTV!

Sony USA Responds To NEX-5N Clicking Noise

Sony eSupports Response to NEX-5N Video Clicking

Sony US posted a response to the Sony NEX-5N "clicking" noise during video, which we posted about here. Sony states that an adjustment has been made to reduce the "clicking" noise. Contact Sony support at 8888-868-7392 to get your NEX-5N serviced.

If you are not in the US, please call your local Sony Support.

Here is the full text from Sony eSupport.

Performance Improvement for Video Capture

Thank you for your support of Sony products.

We have received reports of a "clicking" sound which may be heard in the audio playback of movies recorded by the NEX-5N camera. This phenomenon occurs if the camera undergoes sudden motion while recording; motion generally inconsistent with smooth video recording. The video is unaffected by this sound.

In accordance with Sony's policy of continuous product improvement, an adjustment has been developed to reduce the clicking sound resulting from sudden motion during movie recording.

Sony will offer this performance improvement to NEX-5N end users during the period of its limited warranty accompanying the product. Please call 888-868-7392 to arrange for this improvement.

Thanks Sony!

Sony NEX-5N with Minolta 60 cm Rokkor Lens

Sony NEX-5N with Minolta 60cm Tele Rokkor TD

J L Smith wanted a telephoto lens for his Sony NEX-5N so he found a Minolta 60cm Tele Rokkor TD lens. He used a Minolta SR mount to Sony E-mount lens adapter and started shooting.

The Minolta 60cm Tele Rokkor translates to a 900mm FOV when used with the NEX-5N.

Egret vs Sony NEX-5N

The Moon vs Sony NEX-5N

Check out more photos from the NEX-5N at J L Smith's Flickr.

Sony NEX-5N vs Nikon V1 Camera

Sony NEX-5N vs Nikon V1 Size Comparison

Combatants	Sony Alpha NEX-5N	Nikon 1 V1
Number of effective pixels	16.1 million pixels	10.1 million pixels
CCD Sensor	APS-C CMOS Sensor 23.5 x 15.6 mm	CX CMOS Sensor 13.2 x 8.8 mm
Crop Factor	1.5x 50mm lens = 75mm FOV	2.7x 50mm lens = 135mm FOV
ISO Range	100 - 25600	100-6400
Lens	Sony NEX E-mount	Nikon 1 Mount
Image Stabilization	In Lens (Optical Steady Shot)	In Lens (Vibration Reduction)
Shutter Speed	30s to 1/4000 with Bulb Mode	30s to 1/4000 with Bulb Mode
Continuous Shooting Speed	10 frames per sec.	10 frames per sec.
LCD	Tiltable 3" Diagonal 921,600 Pixels Touchscreen	3" Diagonal 921,000 Pixels
Electronic Viewfinder	Optional OLED 2.4m dot	0.47 in TFT LCD 1.44m dot
Video Resolution	1920 x 1080 / 60p-24p	1920 x 1080 / 60i
Dimensions	4.4 x 2.4 x 1.6 in. (111 x 60 x 38 mm)	4.4 x 3.0 x 1.7 in. (112 x 76 x 43.5 mm)
Weight	9.5 oz (269 g)	13.5 oz (383 g)
Price	$699 with 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens	$899.95 with 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 VR Lens

Sony NEX-5N vs Nikon V1 Size Comparison (Top View)

Gravity Shots Takes the NEX-5N Flying

Sony NEX-5N on a Cinestar 6 Hexacopter UAV

Jeff from Gravity Shots emailed us about his new aerial video rig. Here is a test footage shot with the NEX-5N on a Cinestar 6 hexacopter unmanned aerial vehicle. We believe the 16mm pancake lens was used. The NEX-5N was set to shoot in 1080p/60p in Vivid mode.

So what is a Cinestar 6 hexacopter? See it being built below.

How To Build a Cinestar 6 Hexacopter UAV

Check out gravityshots.com for more information.

Thanks Jeff!

Initial Review of Sony NEX-7 at Luminous Landscapes

Sony NEX-7 with Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 Sonnar Lens

Luminous Landscapes was lucky enough to be invited to test out a pre-production model of the Sony NEX-7 with firmware V0.6. They had access to the new Sony NEX lenses and the new LA-EA2 lens adapter with Sony Alpha lenses.

Here are a few excerpts we found interesting:

• the NEX-7's user interface moves up (compared to the original NEX-3 and NEX-5) to a very high level of functionality
• built-in pop-up electronic flash that doubles as a wireless trigger for external flash units
• could make about a 20X30" print without any ressing up needed
• would appear to have a very week anti-aliasing filter
• Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 Lens: has the build and optical quality to justify its price
• major players are going to have to up their game if they want to hold on to their market share

It looks like they like the NEX-7. Read the full Luminous Landscape's Sony NEX-7 First Impression article.

We can't wait to get our hands on a NEX-7 after reading that.

Refurbished Sony NEX-3 Kit $370

Here's an easy way to receive a 38% discount on the Sony NEX-3. Sony is selling refurbished NEX-3 Kits with the 18-55mm OSS for $370. The standard price is $600. We are not certain but read that refurbished items receive a 90 day warranty. Please check the documentation when you receive your NEX-3

• Silver Sony NEX-3 with 18-55mm OSS $370.

• Black Sony NEX-3 with 18-55mm OSS $370

NEX-5N Clicking Noise in Video Mode?

Update: Sony USA will fix clicking noise.

Have you noticed clicking in your NEX-5N videos? If you haven't, don't worry yourself. But if you have, JogBird has some suggestions in keeping the clicking noise at bay.

• Keep the camera steady and pan smoothly. Shaky videos are not easy to watch so this should be easy to practice.
• Use the ECM-SST1 External Microphone. This will not amplify sounds coming from inside the NEX-5N's body.
  

Sony NEX-5N with ECM-SST1 External Microphone

Panasonic GF3 Also Clicking During Video.

Thanks to Tom H, JogBird, and snapperbox for the videos.

Sony NEX Discount on Bundles

Sony NEX Twin Lens Bundle $150 Discount

Sony is offering a nice deal on NEX cameras and camcorders. $150 is taken of the price when the 16mm Pancake is purchased with a NEX camera and the 18-55mm OSS kit lens. The deal applies to the NEX-5N, and NEX-C3 cameras, and NEX-VG10 Camcorder.

The NEX-5 twin lens bundle also adds the LCS-U10 case and an 8GB SD Card.

$150 off Sony NEX bundles

NEX with Zeiss Tele Superachromat 300mm Lens

NEX with 300mm Tele-Superachromat T* by Kaisern Chen

Kaisern Chen posted three images of his Sony NEX-5 and his Carl Zeiss 300mm f/2.8 Tele-Superachromat T* lens made for the Hasselblad 200 Series cameras. Here are some features of the Zeiss Telephoto Power Pack (Zeiss 300mm lens and 1.7x teleconverter):

• Fastest telephoto lens in professional medium format with an outstanding optical performance.
• Carl Zeiss teleconverter Apo-Mutar® 1.7x T* and polarizing filter included with the lens.
• Lens can be focused down to 2.5m – even with the teleconverter in use – thus opening unique creative opportunities.

The Zeiss 300mm was adapted to the NEX via a Hasselblad V mount to Canon EOS adapter then an EOS to Sony E-mount adapter. Unfortunately there are not sample images yet from the combo.

Read more about the NEX and the Carl Zeiss Tele-Superachromat T* 2.8/300 lens at Kaisern Chen's blog.

Thanks K.C.!

Sony NEX-5N Video Overheating Test

Sony NEX-5N Video Overheating Test

JogBird tortured his Sony NEX-5N to see how long before it overheats while shooting a video. The NEX-5N is set to shoot 1080p at 60p with the kit 18-55mm OSS lens. The LCD is out from the body around 5mm and the ambient temperature is 86° F or 30° C.

The NEX-5N did well lasting 22 minutes and 23 seconds before preserving itself and shutting off. The high temperature indicator came on at 12 minutes and 23 seconds. This would be a good time to give the NEX-5N a bit of a cool down before shooting the next footage.

The NP-FW50 battery went from 29% to 7% for the 22:23 footage.

Sony NEX-5N Lasted for 22 min 23 secs

NEX-5N with Carl Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 Sonnar

Thanks for performing the test JogBird!

Sony NEX 30mm Macro Lens Samples

Sony NEX-C3 with 30mm f/3.5 Macro Lens

Here are some samples from the Sony NEX-C3 and the new E-mount 30mm f/3.5 Macro Lens. These are from Impress.Co.Jp.

The 30mm Macro lens, Sony part number SEL30M35, is a native E-mount lens which can take full advantage of the NEX system. The cameras can control the aperture and focusing of the lens. It provides an equivalent FOV of 45mm when used with the NEX's APS-C sensor. The "normal" FOV and macro feature of the lens means you can use this lens for almost all situations.

We took 100% crops from the full size samples posted, which were resized to provide perspective. The results below look very good to us, sharp, smooth out of focus area, and great colors.





















Go to Impress.Co.Jp for full resolution samples from the NEX-C3 and the 30mm Macro SEL30M35 Lens. Thanks Impress.Co.Jp!

Sony NEX-5N vs NEX-5 Distortion Correction

NEX-5N, ISO 100, 1/640 s, -0.7 EV, 18-55@30mm, f/8

NEX-5, ISO 200, 1/800 s, -0.7 EV, 18-55mm @29mm, f/8

Tom H. took the Sony NEX-5N and the NEX-5 for a stroll and came back with these comparison photos. The lens used was the kit 18-55mm OSS lens. The camera settings were P Mode, Auto ISO, and Auto White Balance. The samples are JPGs with minor editing.

The NEX-5N has the new lens correction feature which adjusts Lens Distortion, Vignetting, and Chromatic Aberration. This was used in the sample photos from the NEX-5N. The NEX-5N also has a minimum ISO of 100 compared to 200 for the NEX-5.

NEX-5N, ISO 100, 1/4 s, 18-55 @18mm, f/3.5

Sony NEX-5, ISO 200, 1/6 s, -0.7 EV, 18-55mm @18mm, f/3.5

See more sample photos from the NEX-5N vs NEX-5 at dpreview by Tom H!

Sony NEX-7 Video Footage and Specs

First footage from NEX-7 1080p @ 25 frames per second.

ronydzcp posted footage from a Sony NEX-7 at the IFA Electronics Show. The following details about the video was also posted. Let us know if there's something special about the specs listed below.

General
ID : 0 (0x0)
Format : BDAV
Format/Info : Blu-ray Video
File size : 247 MiB
Duration : 2mn 6s
Overall bit rate : 16.4 Mbps
Maximum Overall bit rate : 18.0 Mbps

Video
ID : 4113 (0x1011)
Menu ID : 1 (0x1)
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.0
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 2 frames
Format settings, GOP : M=2, N=13
Codec ID : 27
Duration : 2mn 5s
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 15.5 Mbps
Maximum bit rate : 16.0 Mbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate : 25.000 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Interlaced
Scan order : Top Field First
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.298
Stream size : 232 MiB (94%)

Audio
ID : 4352 (0x1100)
Menu ID : 1 (0x1)
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Mode extension : CM (complete main)
Codec ID : 129
Duration : 2mn 5s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 256 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Delay relative to video : -80ms
Stream size : 3.84 MiB (2%)

Text
ID : 4608 (0x1200)
Menu ID : 1 (0x1)
Format : PGS
Codec ID : 144
Duration : 2mn 5s
Delay relative to video : -80ms

Sony NEX-7 with Carl Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 Sonnar ZA

Thanks ronydzcp!

Sony NEX-5N with LA-EA2 Lens Adapter

Here is a Sony NEX-5N with the LA-EA2 lens adapter with phase detection autofocus and the 18-50mm f/2.8 lens from the Sony SLT a77.

As the video shows, the LA-EA2 adapter allows the NEX camera to autofocus almost all of Sony Alpha / Minolta A mount lenses. This is possible since the LA-EA2 has a built in motor and uses the translucent mirror technology from the Sony Alpha SLT line of cameras. The 15 point Phase Detection AF provides fast focusing speeds. The only exception are the Minolta xi lenses and teleconverters.

The LA-EA1 lens adapter will only autofocus Sony SAM and SSM lenses.

The LA-EA2 A mount to E mount lens adapter will be available on October 14, 2011 and will cost $399.99

Sony NEX-5n with LA-EA2 and Carl Zeiss 85mm ZA Lens

The video is by Imaging Resource. Thanks!

Sony NEX-5N Footage at 24 FPS 1080p

NEX-5N Low Light Footage and Touchscreen Demo

Here's a couple of videos from jpac83 showing NEX-5N footage at 1080p and 24 frames per second. The video above shows footage at ISOs from 100 to 3200 to demonstrate the NEX-5N's low light capability. The video below was shot at 24 frames per second for that cinematic feel. The NEX-5N is the first NEX camera that allows for 24 fps video.

NEX-5N with ECM-SST1 Microphone

Thanks jpac83!