Testseek.co.uk have collected 139 expert reviews of the Sony NEX-5 and the average rating is 82%. Scroll down and see all reviews for Sony NEX-5.
June 2010
(82%)
139 Reviews
Average score from experts who have reviewed this product.
Users
(94%)
29 Reviews
Average score from owners of the product.
820100139
The editors liked
Tiny size
Solid build
Superb screen
Better than compact camera quality from (almost) compact camera proportions
Small
Tilting screen
Sweep panorama is fun and effective
Clip-on flash included but good in low-light anyway
Clipon flash included but good in lowlight anyway
Good image quality
Particularly at high ISOs
Handsome
Fast
Pluses
Excellent build and tiny size
Very attractive rotating screen
Quality of photos and noise handling
1080i HD video with continuous autofocus and stereo sound
Onthefly panoramas or long exposure shots with not tripod
Speedy autofocus. Sturdy magnesium alloy body steady in the hand. Built-in photo guides. Lens fits snuggly
The Sony NEX-5 feels really slim and tiny in the hand
But the magnesium alloy body also makes it feel reassuringly sturdy. The lens mount and lenses click snugly into place.The anti-reflective 3-inch screen is sharp and can be tilted for tricky angles
While button-wise
The lineup is very simple – three buttons and a control wheel next to the screen plus shutter
Video and playback up top. The
Small size
Excellent build quality and finish
Tilting
High-resolution display
APS-C sensor
Good high-ISO image quality
Great image quality
1080i HD movie
Compact design with digital SLR capabilities
Excellent burst mode
Solid image quality
The editors didn't like
Lack of buttons sometimes a problem
Battery drains quickly
Flash prevents use of other accessories
Oblong design resembles more prototype than finished item
Fiddly scroll wheel and function access requires period of familiarisation
Pricey if bought with zoom lens
No touchscreen
As expensive as a DSLR
Slow autofocus
Permanently-exposed sensor means nerve-shredding lens changes
Minuses
Useless flash port
Not enough direct access to key settings
Not easy for everybody to hold
A little slow to start up
Sluggish startup. Only three E lenses currently available. Mounting the flash is fiddly
There's no built-in optical viewfinder
Which might annoy some dedicated photography fans. ISO
Metering
Focus are all controlled vis menu screens
So there's via the menu screens and there's a little bit of a lag. The battery life is slightly disappointing
We found it powering down pretty quickly
Especially given the lack of physical controls.There’s no built-in flash
Abstract: The power of a D-SLR packed into one tiny digital camera, Sony's NEX-5 ($649.99 starting) packs a 14.2 megapixel resolution in a 16mm lens and a 3-inch LCD display. In other words, it's brother to the Alpha NEX-3 ($499.99 starting) in almost every way....
In short, I’m a big fan of the Sony NEX-5. I think it’s a solid option for an interchangeable lens camera. While it is more appropriately situated as an upgrade from a point and shoot camera due to the menu-based control scheme, it is also suitable a...
Abstract: More so than ever before, this rating comes with caveats. Read our full review. Understand the limitations of the interface and focusing system. Better still, try it for yourself. You may find the interface really disagrees with you, in which case consider the Micro Four Thirds models or alternatives from the likes of Samsung. But if the user interface is a non-issue or something you're willing to work with, we can whole-heartedly recommend the NEX-3 and NEX-5 to enthusiasts, along..
Abstract: The Sony Nex-5 is a great camera that I would consider buying and carrying with me at all times as a very good, compact alternative to my dSLR. I could pretty much just leave it there, but I want to tell you some of the great stuff and, despite what I...
Fantastic photos from a tiny camera, great build quality
We want more lenses to choose from, some features not available in auto mode
Interchangeable lens cameras are an exciting technology that brings direct focus, improved low light shooting and miniaturization to the high quality photography space. For years, you had to move up to an SLR to get better images and interchangeable l...
Abstract: Video Review: The Sony Alpha NEX-5 is the world's smallest interchangeable lens digital camera that takes DSLR quality photos with 14 mega pixels, full HD video recording and 7 fps continuous shooting. Kevin Pereira and Alison Haislip take a look at th...
Best in class in the “EVIL” camera category with excellent image quality and fast focusing; top-notch HD video with crisp stereo sound; relatively low noise at high ISOs; fine 16mm f/2.8 kit lens.
Menu-based interface is designed for consumers not professionals; 18-55mm kit lens adds significant size to camera while offering only so-so image quality; no optical viewfinder even as an accessory.
Last month in these pages I gave Canon’s SD4000 IS with its built-in f/2.0 lens a thumbs up as the perfect little pocket shooter. Though the Sony NEX-5 is too big to fit in your pants or shirt pocket, it’s quite portable when using it with the 16mm f/...
Compact design with DSLR capabilities, Excellent burst mode, Solid image quality, Innovative modes including Sweep Panorama, HD movie recording with stereo audio,
No built-in flash, Proprietary accessory mount and new lens mount
