Art and Photography

Sony NEX/A Series - E Mount Mirrorless Interchangable Lens Camera

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  • Jan 23rd, 2016 8:14 am
Deal Fanatic
Dec 11, 2003
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Sony NEX/A Series - E Mount Mirrorless Interchangable Lens Camera

A7 II/A7r/A7s
- First full frame camera with native e mount
- Similar menu layout from RX1
- Weather sealed, supports vertical grip
- Existing e mount lens works in crop mode or full mode (with dark corners)
- A7: $1700 or $2000 with kit lens. 24MP with PDAF
- A7 II: Adds 5 axis sensor shift stabilization over A7
- A7r: $2300. 32MP, no AA filter
- A7s: $2500, 12MP, native 4K video capture, -4EV autofocus sensitivity, up to 409600 ISO.

A3000/3500
- DSLR shaped e mount camera
- Built in EVF, LCD
- 20MP sensor
- A3000 comes with black version of the old 18-55 OSS lens. A3500 only has a newer, cheaper 18-50mm non OSS lens.
- $399

A5100
- New 24MP sensor, same sensor as A6000
- Hybrid auto focus (179 phase detect, 25 contrast)
- Supports 1080/60p
- Built in flash, no accessory port, Zoom trigger (for power zoom lens), hand grip similar to the NEX 5 series
- WIFI, NFC and support apps
- Flip up LCD screen, touch screen

A6000
- New 24MP sensor with PDAF pixel. Claimed to have the world fastest AF.
- 11 fps with auto focus.
- 1 mode dial, 2 customizable dial, arranged like the NEX 7.
- WIFI, NFC and support apps
- $800 USD with kit lens, replaced both NEX 6 and 7

QX1
[IMG]http://3.static.img-dpreview.com/files/ ... 288263.jpg[/IMG]

- 20MP APS-C sensor, support E Mount lens
- Designed to be used with smartphone
- Looks even more ridiculous when mounted with a large lens

Generation 1 - NEX 3 / 5
- magnesium body for NEX 5, also better grip
- 720p video for NEX 3, 1080p for NEX 5. auto focus in video mode
- same 14 MP APS sensor currently used in A550, 100-12800 ISO
- Auto HDR, Panorama shot
- Uses external flash but one is included with the kit
- Tilting high res LCD

Generation 2 - NEX C3 / 5N
- 16MP sensor, same as the one in A55/A580
- Battery is now rated at ~400, up from ~330
- 2 more buttons is now user assignable for better control
- New body design for C3
- 5N supports auto image correction, EVF, touch screen

Generation 3 - NEX F3 / 5R
- 16MP sensor for F3 / 5R
- F3 now has built in flash and similar grip from the 5 series
- 5R/6 has WIFI and app support

Generation 4 - NEX 3N / 5T
- 16MP sensor
- 3N no grip, built in flash, zoom trigger

Generation 5 - A5000
- 20MP sensor, no accessory port, built in flash

Advance Models - NEX 6 / 7
- NEX 6 has 16MP sensor and phase detect pixel; NEX 7 has 24MP sensor
- NEX 6 has a dedicated mode dial and two customizable dial; NEX 7 has 3 customizable dials.
- NEX 6 has standard hotshoe; NEX 7 used the Alpha hotshoe.
- NEX 6 also support wifi and apps

Weird stuff

Hasselblad Lunar
- $5000, an external enclosure with a NEX 7 inside

Lens (Full function lens only, MSRP in Canada/USA, B&H ships to Canada)

Sony FE (Full Frame) Lens:
- New!28mm f/2 $???/$??? (Early 2015)
- New!35mm f/1.4 Zeiss $???/$??? (Early 2015)
- 35mm f/2.8 Zeiss $???/$799
- 55mm f/1.8 Zeiss $???/$999
- New!90mm f/2.8 Macro OSS $???/$??? (Early 2015)
- New!16-35mm f/4 $???/$1350 (2014)
- 24-70mm f/4 $???/$1199
- New!24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 $???/$??? (Early 2015)
- 28-70mm f/3.5-f/5.6 Kit lens only
- 28-135mm f/4 power zoom $???/???
- 70-200mm f/4 G $???/$1498

Sony Prime Lens:
- 16mm f/2.8 pancake $299/$249 (Discontinued)
- 20mm f/2.8 pancake $379/$349
- 24mm f/1.8 Zeiss $1099/$1099
- 30mm f/3.5 Macro $299/$279
- 35mm f/1.8 OSS $499/$449
- 50mm f/1.8 OSS $349/$299

Sony Zoom Lens:
- 10-18mm f/4 OSS wide angle zoom $899/$850
- 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS pancake power standard zoom $369/$350
- 16-70mm f/4 Carl Zeiss OSS zoom $999/$999
- 18-50mm f/4-5.6 zoom (A3500 kit lens)
- 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS standard zoom $349/$299
- 18-105mm f/4 G OSS zoom $599/$599
- 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS travel zoom $949/$899
- 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS travel zoom $899/$849
- 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS power travel zoom $???/1200
- 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS $399/$349

Third Party Lens
- Sigma 19mm f/2.8 $269/$199 (Discontinued)
- Sigma Art 19mm f/2.8 $219/$199
- Sigma 30mm f/2.8 $269/$199 (Discontinued)
- Sigma Art 30mm f/2.8 $219/$199
- Sigma Art 60mm f/2.8 $219/$239
- Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 VR travel zoom $799/$739
- Zeiss 12 f/2.8 $1249/$1250
- Zeiss 32 f/1.8 $899/$900
- New! Zeiss 50 f/2.8 Macro $??? (November 2013)

Flash and Accessories
- HVL-F20S Flash: GN20, no battery required, adjustable head
- ECM-SST1 Compact Stereo Microphone
- VCL-ECU1 Wide Angle Conversion Lens (for 16mm lens, effective 10mm)
- VCL-ECF1 Fisheye Conversion Lens (for 16mm lens, effective 10mm)
- LA-EA1: Alpha lens mount adapter (auto focus with SAM/SSM lens)
- LA-EA2: Alpha lens mount with focusing unit and screw drive (phase detect auto focus with all lens)
- LA-EA3: Alpha lens mount adapter, cover full frame (auto focus with SAM/SSM lens)
- LA-EA4: Alpha lens mount with focusing unit and screw drive, cover full frame (phase detect auto focus with all lens)

Video Camera
Amateur (APS-C): VG10, VG20, VG30 (~$2000)
Amateur (Full Frame): VG900 (~$3000)
Semi Professional (APS-C): EA50 (~$4500)
Professional (Super 35mm): FS100, FS700 (~$6000)
a
696 replies
Deal Fanatic
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Jun 29, 2009
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wow, that 18-200 setup looks like it's gonna put a lot of torsional strain on the body if it was mounted on a tripod :o

even the 18-55 f3.5-5.6 has a 62mm filter size O_o
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Feb 19, 2004
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BC
the lenses look large for an EVIL camera ??
insert witty comment
Deal Expert
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Nov 7, 2003
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manixc wrote: the lenses look large for an EVIL camera ??
That's because Sony is sticking with their APS-C sensor, which means the lenses will naturally be bigger than micro-4/3rd. However, I think Sony made the right move here.

If they went with a smaller sensor then they would have have smaller lenses, but at the same time have issues in maintaining high image quality.

Another reason why Sony is using this format is just simply economic reasons. Designing a new format with new specs cost money. By utilizing their existing supply of sensors, they can ramp up production and further cut cost.

I'm convinced the Sony NEX will have better ISO quality than micro-4/3rds. I was going to buy a Panasonic GF-1, but now I'm going to hold out because not only will the GF-1's price will go down, but also it seems the NEX's pricing will be lower.

By sticking with micro-4/3rds, Panasonic and Olympus are stuck in a corner. By cramming even more pixels into that sensor size, then pixel quality will decrease and pictures will get noisier. It's going to be like using P&S cameras but with interchangeable lenses. I think Sony has more room to maneuver, but nonetheless, they risk ending up in a similar situation by cramming more pixels into their sensors.
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Nov 7, 2003
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One thing that disappoints me is how Sony is using grey colour for their lenses. The shade of grey they're using doesn't even match the grey colour camera that they have.

I wished they went all black here.
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May 25, 2009
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Sgt_Strider wrote: One thing that disappoints me is how Sony is using grey colour for their lenses. The shade of grey they're using doesn't even match the grey colour camera that they have.

I wished they went all black here.
I think they're trying to distingush themselves from the rest of the market, at the same time they don't want to introduce crazily-coloured lenses like orange or red or blue...

That 18-200 looks redonkulous on that thing and utterly uncomfortable to use.
"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
Deal Fanatic
Dec 11, 2003
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It doesn't look that big compared to other m43.

It feels kind of weird to me. It certainly looks great (small, thin, metal body and lens), it probably has good PQ (with their latest sensor, auto HDR, 1080 video, stereo mic), and for once it doesn't come with a Sony premium price tag (NEX 3 + 16 is cheaper than EPL1, other kit is cheaper than a GF1) and I am surprised they give you the flash instead of charging $100 for it.

But, it looks like manual control won't be easy without a dial (I used Ap mode mostly so not really a huge concern). It has no flash hotshoe so existing Sony flash won't work and the included flash is a bit weak (would be nice to snap on a F20M, still small but more powerful). I guess it targets the point and shoot crowd that want something better instead of the DSLR users that want something smaller.

By the way, I don't think the 18-200 is the production version as it doesn't share the same look with the 18-55.
a
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Sep 11, 2008
379 posts
2 upvotes
Toronto
Current Sony users, myself included, are going nuts right now on Dyxum. The question that everyone is asking is whether the new cameras are capable of autofocusing existing Sony/Minolta lenses via adapter. I hope they do, in which case, one could technically mount them to the legendary Minolta 600/f4 HS :twisted: .
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Jan 14, 2005
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Genetics2009 wrote: Current Sony users, myself included, are going nuts right now on Dyxum.
Not me :razz: . I'm a very loyal Minolta/Alpha shooter but I was never into the EVIL market so I could care less. Bring on the A700 replacement already!

The question that everyone is asking is whether the new cameras are capable of autofocusing existing Sony/Minolta lenses via adapter. I hope they do, in which case, one could technically mount them to the legendary Minolta 600/f4 HS :twisted: .
According to dpreview, AF will not work with A-mount lenses.
Sr. Member
Mar 31, 2010
832 posts
453 upvotes
Cowgary
It's interesting to see that Sony tried to offset the larger lenses with a thinner body while still retaining a large enough hand grip to be comfortable. I think the NEX cameras look very promising. There's a significant improvement in IQ with an APS-C sensor over the 4/3 sensor on m4/3. That alone is enough for me to consider switching but I will wait until the initial hype has passed before deciding what to do. This is coming from someone who owns both an E-PL1 and GF1. :)
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Feb 19, 2004
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BC
oh yeah, forgot about the sensor size
insert witty comment
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Jun 11, 2007
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Brampton
so what exactly is the difference between the 3 and the 5? beside the AVCHD?


so this camera would open up a new market for the Carl Zesis?

I am still waiting for Canon to come up with something compact like this, so i can keep my lense.
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Dec 11, 2003
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mk5gti wrote: so what exactly is the difference between the 3 and the 5? beside the AVCHD?


so this camera would open up a new market for the Carl Zesis?

I am still waiting for Canon to come up with something compact like this, so i can keep my lense.
NEX 5 has better grip and is made with magnesium.
a
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Sep 3, 2003
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Interesting idea, but the menus seem too dumbed down for my tastes. There's space for more buttons - forcing us to go into the menus to do everything just doesn't work that well.

The e-mount camcorder is more interesting, I think.
Deal with it.
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Jun 16, 2007
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not to rain on anyones parade, but where is everyone getting the pricing, or the idea that these will be cheap(er)??? First of all the "prices" are in Euros, 650 Euros is around $840 CDN. Plus the Sony name (kinda like Apple) and in Canadian prices, the NEX5 with zoom lens will probably be atleast $899 CDN! That's not exactly cheap! How am I "guessing" this price range? Right now, only the E-PL1 is within the same dollar value as the US pricing, everything else is cheaper in the US (Panasonic/Nikon/Canon). So if this thing sells for $700 US, slap on another $100-200 for the privilege of living in this great country.

I am very curious in seeing one of these... I wonder how it will feel in my hands. The zoom lenses look almost too big for the body. Too bad they won't have these at the Henrys Photography show to look at.
Deal Fanatic
Dec 11, 2003
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Circuit wrote: First of all the "prices" are in Euros, 650 Euros is around $840 CDN. Plus the Sony name (kinda like Apple) and in Canadian prices, the NEX5 with zoom lens will probably be atleast $899 CDN!
Euro price include VAT, so it is always inflated.

Not as bad as you think, but there is still a $100 Canada Tax. $800 for the NEX 5 zoom kit. $650 for NEX 3 + 16mm.
a
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Feb 1, 2004
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Markham
Here's the Canadian Release.

http://www.sony.ca/view/press_900.htm

The NEX-5 and NEX-3 cameras, which come with the camera body and SEL16F28 lens will cost about $750 and $650 respectively. With the camera body and 1855 lens, they will cost about $800 and $700 respectively. The NEX-3 will be available in silver, black and red, and the NEX-5 will come in silver and black.

The SEL16F28 and SEL1855 lenses will be available for about $300 and $350. (The SEL18200 zoom lens will be available this fall for about $950.)

The cameras, lenses and a range of accessories will be available in July at Sony Style® retail stores (www.Sonystyle.ca/retail) and at authorized dealers nationwide.
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Nov 7, 2003
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N_Raged wrote:
According to dpreview, AF will not work with A-mount lenses.
That's what I read too and I'm disappointed if it's true. I think there's a bit of conflicting information posted on the internet. I'm pretty bad a manual focusing and I don't think it'll be easy to do even on the NEX cameras.

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