Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver)

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

Great camera

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

Amazing image quality at 400 to 3200 iso. Very light weight. High quality video, but no "real" microphone input. I do have the optional microphone, which is excellent, but you can't position it off the camera. Autofocus is weak, but does work in video mode. Having to go to menus to control is very annoying. Shutter is noiser then I expected. The 7, which I own is a better camera, but this one is king in low light. HDR is not what I would call true HDR, but it really works great. Wish it worked in the RAW mode... Needs a microphone input and a headphone jack, then I could give it an unqualified endorsement.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

I mostly shoot wildlife and other outdoor scenes. I replaced a Nikon SLR with it. Camera seems fine with one huge exception, the LCD screen in bright light is next to useless, I took 5 shots of birds in flight, missed 3 out of 5 totally, no comments on the focus since I have not played around with the settings. The salesman suggested a should have bought a 7n with a viewfinder, or explore 3 add on options, one being a [$]+ viewfinder, which in my mind totally defeats the purpose of going to a compact camera. There are 3 hoods available for the LCD screen which I will evaluate. They may be the solution. But I never would have bought the camera had I realized this was an issue. If your only shooting indoors, no complaints

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

This camera is nothing short of breathtaking. This little Sony has great image quality, rivaling some DSLRs I've owned. The 5N isn't a speedy performer. In fact, if you primarily shoot action shots or sports, I would advise steering clear of this camera, at least until they offer faster lenses. I would like to test faster lenses but the fastest lens available with this system without an adapter (the 50mm 1.8) is on back order. I took the 5N to a track meet and tried to initially go full auto so I could enjoy the meet instead of worrying about camera settings. Despite it being a bright sunny day, I still lost several action shots to motion blur, including the high hurdles and baton hand offs, I had to switch to manual to adjust the shutter speed to get acceptable results. If you take action photos in full auto mode, you will get motion blur, sometimes even in the so-called sports or action mode. Action photos aside, using the 18-55mm kit lens, photos taken with the 5N have great clarity and sharpness. Colors are nicely saturated and vibrant. The best part is that you can crop them way down and they remain crystal clear. There is little to no noise, even in low light situations where this camera especially excels. This camera has taken totally clear shots in low light situations where other cameras have produced very noisy results unless the flash was used. I would like to test faster lenses but the fastest lens available with this system without an adapter (the 50mm 1.8) is on back order. I can't wait to give it a try. An attachable flash is included but I'm not crazy about it. Despite its small size it is quite overpowering and most of the photos taken with it are overexposed or look like you're shining a million candlepower spot light in the subjects face. However, with enough distance or in really dim shooting conditions, the flash can produce nice pictures. There is a more versatile optional flash you can buy for $[@].Video is absolutely phenomenal on this thing. No kidding, it completely blows away my three-year-old AVCHD hard drive video camera. My wife and I both agree, the life-like video seems like broadcast quality. stunningly sharp, beautiful colors and the tiny on board mic actually sounds pretty good. It is not terrible like most built-in mics. I'm not shooting documentaries or anything, so for my needs (family events, vacations, etc) it is more than sufficient. This is truly the first camera that I feel 100% comfortable using for both video and photos regardless of the importance of the event. At my daughter's graduation last year, I hauled a dedicated AVCHD camcorder along with a Canon DSLR because I wanted to ensure the best video quality possible. This full 1080P video has eliminated the need to ever do that again. On a side note, I have not encountered the dreaded clicking sound reported by many other users. That was the first thing I checked immediately after unboxing.Although it has its merits, I'm not a huge fan of the touchscreen menu system. Things can get a little confusing when you want a quick setting change. However, it does allow programming shortcuts to the most often used features, so much like my original love/hate relationship with Microsoft Office's ribbon, it just takes a little getting used to but I'm sure it will be great once I master navigating it. I still prefer more dials as opposed to all touchscreen. The best part about the menu is it can help beginners achieve pro-like results (like adjusting depth of field for creative background blur) As for battery life, so far, I've had no problems getting a full day worth of shots on one charge. That's around a hundred or so photos and less than 30 minutes of video. I don't really shoot more than that on a regular basis. Battery life should satisfy most casual shooters (everyday people, not pro photographers).All in all, I'm very happy with this camera. I wanted DSLR quality in a smaller size. Although the lenses add considerable size to the diminutive body of the 5n, it is still much easier to carry around all day than a full-sized DSLR camera and comparable lenses. In fact, a bag containing the 5N body, 50MM lens, 18-55 lens and zoom lens would be roughly half the size of a comparable DSLR rig. Beautiful photos, small size, and excellent video. The only negatives are the overpowering kit flash, moderate learning curve of touch-screen and high-price of factory lenses.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

I use this camera mostly for my photography hobby and love the fact that compact size with the same feature as a mormal SLR camera and a small powerfull on camera flash light. The real bonus is HD video camera. I can not ask for anything more. Just LOVE it.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

Personal use for work and pleasure

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

I am a professional wedding photographer and I bought this camera do travel shot, I am amazed with IQ.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

I have stepped up from a point and shoot camera and I am so glad I did. This Sony camera is great. It is very easy to use and takes great pictures with ease. I wish Sony would have included a body cap and rear lens cap. Other then that I am happy with my purchase. B&H Photo is great and I plan to keep purchasing from them.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

I am an amateur photographer and shooting sports photos, 10 fps helped a lot.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

Because I am not too tech knowledgeable, even though I have always been a photograoher, it has taken me a bit of manual reading to figure out how to use the different features, but as I figure it out , it is pretty easy to remember and use and the results are wonderful so far. I really love playing with the in camera special effects, especially the black and whites with one color that look like the hand colored photos I used to spen hours on. I love the quality and the low light features. i have not tried to use video yet, but every other feature is very impressive. No lagtime in shutter. I have been a wedding photographer and photojournalist and still do photos for people. First small camera I have owned and the touch screen is interesting.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

My primary reason for buying this was the good picture quality in a small-size package. Image quality is great up to ISO 1600, decent and usable at ISO 3200. Camera is a little awkward for me to hold (I have average-size man hands), but I can get used to it. Battery life is poor... forums say this will improve with time; I'm skeptical. Was relieved that the camera does not exhibit the famous clicking problem. Would like to get the SEL24F18Z, but will probably get the more affordable SEL50F18 instead.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

Low light performance excelent, as promised. In Camera HDR is subttle, very little control, but often beautiful. Cannot shoot RAW when in any of it's "Special" modes. Native lenses are limited.
Auto focus in video mode is worse then useless. Should be an edge over T2i, but it searchs constantly and I have to go to manual. (Autofocus is good in still mode.) Camera is not noisey, but I'm not sure why it makes as much noise as it does. I purchased to do interiors, didn't find it that good at that, but the landscapes are fabulous. Low Light better then anything else at the moment.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

The quality is amazing for such a compact high-quality camera. I love it.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

So far so good a lot of a camera in a small package

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

-Extremely crisp images; amazing color balance in all kinds of different lighting conditions, including high ISO
-Intuitive controls, minimal need for manual adjustment (though this is possible if desired)

Essentially this is the best point and shoot camera I've ever owned, while still having plenty of robustness for enthusiasts who want more tinkering with less bulk.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

Very easy to use and very smart. Versatile and easy to hold. Nice to have a camera with large format capabilities and small size

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

Love the size of the camera. Much much better than any p and s camera. Just learing about all of the features but very pleased the first few hundred pictures.

I guess I must have big hands so my thumb touches the play and record often by accident but that could just be me.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

I use this camera as a alternative to my Canon 7D when I don't want to carry a lot.

I do a lot of surfing shots on the North Shore of Hawaii. Recently bought telephototo go with the NEX-5N

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

The Sony NEX 5N has good price and very good pictures. I have Canon 7D now and I think the pictures from Sony better then pictures from Canon on high ISO.

Comments about Sony Alpha NEX-5N Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver):

By chance, I sat on a plane next to the camera reviewer from PCMag.com. I'd been in the market for an enthusiast point-and-shoot, and was leaning towards the Canon S100. He pulled a NEX-5n out of his bag and completely changed my mind. He was using an adaptor with a Leica lens, and I immediately thought of my old Canon FD lenses, my Canon bellows, etc., and realized I could put all that glass back to work. With an inexpensive Fotodiox adapter, I've got a great range of primes, plus the Sony kit zoom.

I do a lot of close-up and macro photography for my business and my old digital camera was intolerably slow, with unattractive barrel distortion in the macro shots. The old Canon glass or a Schneider Componon enlarger lens on the bellows give me perfect macro shots.

The 18-55 lens is sharp, but has the distortions you'd expect with an inexpensive zoom. They're easy to correct in Lightroom or AfterShot Pro, however. The lens is incredibly light, as is the body, but aluminum and magnesium instead of plastic make for a sturdy-feeling unit. It's a bit bulky for a grab-and-go, too big for a pocket, but the picture quality and system capabilites far outweigh that.

Two things I like best about the NEX-5n's operation are the touch screen and the customizable buttons. I did not expect to like the touch screen, but it's an excellent feature. I could quibble with the location of some of the items, whether they're under "Camera" or "Setup," but overall, it's easy to get to the features you want. Even better, you can assign almost any function you want to two of the buttons, and one of them lets you scroll through five additional choices. So you customize the camera to work the way you use it most.

If you touch the screen in some modes, the camera will follow-focus on whatever you pointed at.

I have not used the smile detector, face tracker, or the scene modes, but all those features are there for convenience shooting.

The other excellent feature of the screen is that it flips up horizontally, for looking down, waist-level or tripod shooting; it also folds to a down-facing position, so you can look up at the screen when you're shooting over heads in a crowd.

The quality of the photos from RAW or fine JPEG is stunning, the equal of many full-size DSLRs. With or without onboard noise reduction, you can use the higher ISO settings with excellent results. Night shots or high f-number shots are surprisingly good.

I haven't shot much video yet, but what I've done so far is quite good.

I would probably trade off a slightly larger body for anti-shake in the camera instead of the lens. It would make my old primes more useful. But I can save my pennies for some of the fine E-mount lenses being offered.

So far I have not missed having a flash/accessory shoe.

The viewfinder is an expensive accessory. It's probably necessary for sports or action photography, but I haven't found a need yet.

I got the HVL20 high-power flash, which fits into a small, hidden socket on top of the NEX body. It is kind of fiddly to attach, but is secure once mounted. The flash is absurdly powerful; In tele mode, it gives you adequate light 25-30 feet away. Along with the minimalist NEX body, the flash gives the camera that I'm-from-the-future look and feel.

Overall, this is a great enthusiast camera with a handy zoom range and reasonable apertures. The wide variety of available lens adapters make it a wonderfully small digital back for manual shooting.