The Alpha NEX-5 Photo Specialty Bundle from Sony sets you up with the NEX-5, an 18-55mm lens from the NEX-5 kit, along with the 16mm F2.8 Prime Lens, an 8GB SD card, and a camera case. Though small in size, the NEX-5 is not a simple point-and-shoot. This camera features a 14.2Mp APS-C sensor, the ability to change lens (with two included in this bundle!), a tilting LCD, and 1080/60i HD movie capture. The NEX-5 is a lightweight camera, ready and willing to follow you to the ends of the earth, while offering up more options than most cameras in its size range.
Sony's α (Alpha) NEX-5 takes mirror-less/finder-less, interchangeable-lens camera technology to the next level by integrating the resolving power of an APS-format imaging sensor in a camera body that's 48% smaller and 49% lighter than traditional compact DSLRs.
While the camera is physically smaller than a compact DSLR, it retains the imaging qualities of an APS imaging sensor, which contains 58% more surface area than a Four Thirds imaging sensor, and about 13 times the surface area of point-and-shoot imaging sensors. The end result is true pro-quality resolving power in a far smaller package. For still imaging, the NEX-5 captures JPEGs (Fine or Standard), RAW, or JPEG+RAW in a choice of sRGB or Adobe RGB color spaces. In addition to stills, the NEX-5 also captures HS 1080/60i video as well as Full-AVCHD video with Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 audio. For more precise audio there is an optional shoe-mounted shotgun mic that features 90°/120° tilt movement.
The NEX-5 is designed to use Sony E-series lenses, a compact line of optics designed to work with the reduced flange distance that resulted from the removal of the reflex viewing system. The new E-series optics are smaller than Sony's traditional DSLR optics while retaining the imaging qualities Sony is recognized for. In addition to Sony E-series optics, you can also use any of Sony's traditional DSLR lenses (as well as all Minolta AF-mount optics) on the NEX-5 by using the optional LA-EA1 lens adapter. (Note - Manual focus and full-open aperture metering only when using LA-EA1 lens adapter)
The Live View viewing system of the Sony NEX-5 consists of a hi-fidelity 3", 921,600-dot TFT TruBlack LCD that can be tilted downward 45° and upwards of 80° for composing still or video images from extreme angles and/or in tighter shooting quarters.
As for performance levels, the NEX-5's Contrast Auto Focus system has quick response times and can capture full-res stills at burst-rates up to 7 frames-per-second. Low-light shooters will appreciate the ability to increase ISO sensitivity up to 12800, not to mention the NEX-5's Anti-Motion Blur and Hand-held Twilight modes, which capture 6 rapid-sequence images of a subject, analyze the exposure and focusing details of each image, and layer the optimum portions of these exposures into a single optimized image.
Another cool feature found on the Sony NEX-5 is Sony's renowned Sweep Panorama mode, which captures up to 60 individual images and stitches them together in-camera to produce panoramic images up to 226° across by simply pressing the shutter and 'sweeping' the camera vertically or horizontally across the area you want to capture.
Other features found on the Sony NEX-5 include manual overrides for focus and exposure controls, Auto HDR capture and a Dynamic Range Optimizer for expanding shadow and highlight details, Advanced Anti-Dust technologies, 8 Scene modes and 6 Creative settings, Background Defocus, for in-camera selective-focus control, a 25-point AF system, HDMI connectivity, and up to 330 exposures per battery charge.
Because Sony NEX-series are designed with hand-held, low-light/high ISO imaging in mind, there is no built-in flash. But for times you want or need to use flash, a low-profile Sony HVL-F7S P-TTL flash (guide # 7m @ ISO 100) is included with each camera.
Included with this kit is a Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens (27-82.5mm equivalent), which contains 11 elements in 9 groups, 4 aspheric surfaces, a minimum focus of 0.82' (0.25 m), and Optical SteadyShot technology for up to 4-stops of vibration reduction.
The Sony LCS-U10 System Case, Small (Black) is primarily designed to fit a Sony alpha NEX 5 or NEX 3 camera with 18-55mm lens and accessories. It can also fit a Sony 2011 Handycam Flash/HDD camcorder and accessories. The case has a zippered front pocket for accessories; including a memory card. It is carried by carry handle or an attached shoulder strap with pad.
- Fits a Sony alpha NEX 5 or NEX 3 camera with 18-55mm lens and accessories
- Also fits Sony 2011 Handycam Flash/HDD camcorder and accessories
- Front pocket for accessories
- Holds memory card inside front pocket
- Carry handle
- Attached shoulder strap with pad
- With its pancake design, the lens only extends 0.9" from the mount, resulting in a compact and lightweight camera system.
- Designed for use on APS-C format cameras, this 16mm lens will provide a wide-angle perspective with a 35mm equivalent focal length of 24mm.
- Bright f/2.8 maximum aperture suits working in available lighting and also contributes to the sleek size and lightweight design.
- This lens is compatible with optical wide-angle and fisheye conversion lenses, which, when used, will convert this lens into an 18mm or 15mm lens, respectively.
- One aspherical element is incorporated in the lens design to reduce astigmatism, field curvature, coma, and other monochromatic aberrations.
- The lens uses an internal focusing design that contributes to faster autofocus performance as well as a minimum focus distance of 9.4".
- Rounded seven-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality when employing selective focus techniques.