Scout Images

For all of you that were waiting eagerly for more news on Sony’s E-mount based NEX3 and NEX5 I was lucky enough to attend the launch roadshow here in Australia. This event was held at Luna Park and enabled the attendee’s a proper play with these cameras. There were plenty of NEX5′s to go around, each equipped with the 18-55mm lens. There wasn’t a single 16mm pancake in sight though.

What did I think? My first impression was that this thing is pretty well built. It feels solid and reassuring with its generous grip and metal lens body. However as you started to dig deeper and try to use the camera it’s flaws really start to show.

As someone what uses DSLR I naturally was interested to see how Sony had delivered the promise of control. Quite simply they didn’t. The external controls were not ideally positioned with the rear real estated dominated by the nice 920K dot 3″ LCD, leaving the main controls to sit on the far right, right where your thumb rests. This meant that whenever you went for a secure grip (especially in portrait orientation) you inadvertently pressed some buttons. As for actual manual controls….they were frustrating. Using the CyberShot style D-pad to control aperture and shutter speed is neither comfortable, nor easy as unlike most systems scrolling up does not do the opposite of scrolling down when you are trying to switch between shutter and aperture. I definitely prefer the implementation on the Lumix LX-3 and similar compact cameras, or better still, the SLR-like controls found on the EP1/EP2, NX10 and G1/GH1/GF1.

The accessory flash is a nice touch, being small enough to be attached permanently, but at the same time it is incredibly fiddly to mount and remove, and there is no option to mount a larger flash unlike the NEX3/NEX5′s competition. The availability of a dedicated microphone (for video) is a nice touch, as are the lens converters for the 16mm pancake.

Unfortunately we didn’t get the chance to take home any photos taken with the NEX5 so I cannot comment on image quality. However, with it’s 14.2MP Exmor CMOS sensor it should be close to that of the Alpha A550 (which may be the source of this sensor).

Here are a few snaps of the event (taken with my Sony TX5 compact which has a backlit Exmor R CMOS).

Although Samsung is not the first brand that we think of when we think camera they have given us the first APS-C sensor EVIL (Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens) camera. Whilst at work today I had the pleasure of handling one under the watchful eye of the Samsung rep.

I have been following this camera quietly since it first broke news as a announcement at CES 2009, now that I have played with a pre-production prototype (with production firmware) I am impressed enough to admit that Micro 4/3rds has something to worry about.

Small and lightweight, but at the same time very comfortable to grip the NX10 will definitely appeal to those who want something smaller than a SLR but with the same performance. The NX10 delivers most of the benefits of an entry DSLR with its APS-C sized 14MP CMOS, although not focusing quite as fast. The combination of a 3″ AMOLED and a high resolution EVF works well. The ability to shoot 720p HD video at 30fps  in 25min clips means the NX10 can challenge the EP-1/EP-2 and the GH1/GF1.

Initially only 3 lenses will be available. A pancake lens (30mm f/2), a standard zoom (18-55mm OIS) and a telephoto zoom (55-200mm OIS). I handled the first two of this trio and did not find anything amiss with these Samsung designed/built lenses. However proper testing is needed.

I was also lucky enough to play with Samsung’s K-mount adaptor, which employs an aperture ring compatibility is maximised. Novoflex has also promised EOS and Nikon F adaptors, so if you want to use your precious Canon and Nikon glass you can.

I only had a short play with this camera, but I am sufficiently impressed by it to consider further examination in the future. Maybe it can replace my D60, or be a candidate for IR conversion.

How much?

NX10 + 30mm f/2 Pancake – expected rrp AUD899.

NX10 + 18-55mm OIS – expected rrp AUD849.