| Model: | Sony α NEX-5 |
| Kind: | Mirrorless interchangeable lens camera |
| Sensor: | 23.4 × 15.6 mm Exmor APS-C HD CMOS Sensor |
| Res: | 4592 × 3056 (14.2 megapixels) |
| Lens: | Sony E-mount |
| Shutterrange: | 1/4000 - 30 sec, BULB |
| Metering: | Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot |
| Emode: | Intelligent Auto, Program, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual, Scene modes |
| Mmode: | Multi-segment, Centre-weighted, Spot |
| Fmode: | Contrast-detection auto-focus, 25 multi-point, Centre-weighted, Flexible Spot |
| Cont: | 2.3 frame/s, 7 frame/s in speed priority mode |
| Viewfinder: | Optional external optical viewfinder |
| Speedrange: | Auto, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 |
| Flash: | External flash (bundled) |
| Rearlcd: | 3inches XtraFine TruBlack LCD, 920,000 pixels |
| Storage: | Memory Stick Pro Duo, Pro-HG Duo, SD, SDHC, SDXC |
| Battery: | NP-FW50, InfoLITHIUM, 7.2 V, 1080 mAh, 7.7 Wh, Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery |
| Dimensions: | 111 mm × 59 mm × 38 mm |
| Weight: | Approx. 287g (camera body, card and battery) |
| Madein: | Japan |
| Price: | $649.99 (with 16mm f2.8 lens) $699.99 (with 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 lens) |
The Sony α NEX-5 is a digital camera launched on 11 May 2010.[1] It is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera with the body size of a larger model fairly compact point-and-shoot camera with a larger sensor size (APS-C) comparable to that of some digital single-lens reflex cameras. Its major competitors in the market are the cameras based on the micro 4/3 standard created by Panasonic and Olympus, and a few low end Canon, Nikon, and even Sony α DSLRs.[2] The NEX-5 shoots 14.2 megapixel stills and has a 7 frame/s continuous shotmode.[3] It has the capability to shoot 1920×1080i at 60 frame/s in AVCHD or 1440×1080p at 30 frame/s in MPEG4. The NEX-5 was replaced by the 16 megapixel NEX-5N in August 2011.
The α NEX-5 has features found in SLR cameras but also some that are normally found in point and shoots. The body of the α NEX-5 is made of magnesium alloy that separates the NEX-5 from the less expensive polymer NEX-3. Also different from the NEX-3 is video quality. The NEX-5 can shoot in AVCHD 1080/60i HD. There is a 7 frame/s continuous shot mode, with autofocus disabled after the first frame. The APS-C sized sensor has an ISO sensitivity up to 12,800.[3] The camera software has special features like twilight mode and sweep panorama. The latter lets the photographer sweep across a city-sky line or similar long view and have the photos automatically stitched into a JPEG image on camera.[4]
The NEX-5 along with its sister, the NEX-3, and also the Sony Handycam NEX-VG10 use a new lens mount system developed by Sony for NEX series and known as the Sony E-mount. Initially, there were three available lenses: an all-purpose 18–55 mm lens, an ultra wide pancake 16 mm lens, and a wide range 18–200 mm E-mount lens.[5]
With the post-November 2010 firmware version 3 installed, and by using the (roughly US$200) Sony LA-EA1 adapter, the NEX series of cameras is able to electronically control the aperture and autofocus of Sony SSM/SAM A-mount lenses, and control the aperture of the other Sony/Minolta A-mount lenses with manual focus only. The (roughly US$400) Sony LA-EA2 adapter also supports autofocus with screw-drive A-mount lenses, firmware version 5 is required for this adapter.Other third-party mechanical tube adapters are also available. These adapters enable the use of Canon FD-mount, Canon EF-mount (without aperture control), Contax G, M42 screw mount, Konica Hexanon AR-mount, Minolta SR-mount (MC/MD), Leica M and screw mount, Nikon F-mount (non-G), Pentax K-mount (non-DA), Olympus OM mount, T2 screw mount and Minolta/Konica Minolta/Sony A-mount lenses. The E-mount flange register is so short that it is possible to mount 45 mm or longer-focal-length non-focusing enlarging lenses on the NEX body, with the use of an intermediate focusing helicoid behind them.
Certain third-party mechanical adapters also provide circular control rings that provide some mechanical control of the aperture of Nikon G, Pentax DA and Canon EF lenses, as these do not have a mechanical aperture control ring on their lens barrels.
The incomplete model number of NEX-3/NEX-5 series may include letter(s) at end. The definitions are:
For example, NEX-5CK/B 50i is a NEX-5 supplied with E 18–55 mm zoom lens, not compatible with Eye-Fi function, body color black, and with 50i (not 60i) video support.