Now photographers can enjoy the superlative picture quality and shooting responses prized by DSLR users in two beautifully compact new cameras from Sony that are brilliantly easy to use. Joining the α family, the Sony NEX-5 and Sony NEX-3 team DSLR-quality imaging with the convenience of interchangeable lenses in a sleek new design that slips easily into a jacket pocket or bag. In contrast with conventional DSLR models, the mirrorless construction shrinks the thickness of both cameras to just 24.2mm (NEX-5) at their slimmest point. As a luxurious extra refinement, the Sony NEX-5 features a tough yet light-weight magnesium body, making it the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens digital camera.
At the heart of both Sony cameras is a newly-developed Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor with a resolution of 14.2 effective megapixels. Far larger than the sensor inside conventional compact cameras, its key to the extremely low image noise and creative defocus effects that are familiar to DSLR users. Still and video image quality is further refined by the powerful BIONZ processor that ensures speedy DSLR-style shooting reflexes with quick, precise autofocus and minimal shutter lag.
The Sony NEX-5 and Sony NEX-3 are also the first α cameras to offer the extra convenience of HD video recording. At the touch of a dedicated Movie REC button, the NEX-3 shoots HD video with stereo sound as compact MPEG4 files that are ideal for PC storage and web sharing. Full HD (1920 x 1080i) video captured by the NEX-5 as high-quality AVCHD files can be enjoyed on a connected HD television. As an option, the smart accessory terminal on both cameras accepts the compact ECM-SST1 Stereo Microphone that captures a high-quality soundtrack for your HD videos.
Images and camera settings are displayed on the big, bright 7.5cm, Xtra Fine LCD with TruBlack technology that tilts up or down for comfortable viewing in any shooting position. The screen features an auto-brightness function for excellent visibility, even when you’re outdoors. TruBlack screen technology enables an even more vivid, high-contrast view of images and camera settings.
The Sony NEX-5 and Sony NEX-3 are the first α cameras featuring Sweep Panorama. Just press the shutter button and swing the camera side-to-side or up and down. A high-speed burst of frames is stitched together automatically to create detail-packed 23 megapixel panoramas with a 226 degree effective angle of view. Panoramic files can also be enjoyed in stunning 3D on compatible BRAVIA 3D televisions.
The Sony NEX-5 and NEX-3 are available in kit form with either lens, or as a double-lens kit that provides even greater shooting versatility. The NEX-5 can also be specified as a kit with the optional E 18-200 F/3.5-6.3 zoom that offers a powerful 11x magnification range plus Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation with Active Mode at wide angle for steadier movie shooting.
