The Sony NEX-5, one of the only two mini cams with a DSLR size sensor next to my Panasonic GH2, currently the top of the line M43 hybrid, my favorite “take anywhere” camera.
Looking at the two cameras side by side,
two things are noticeable right away: Sony’s body is smaller then the GH2 but not as much as one might have imagined and looking at the lenses the opposite is true. This is due to the fact that the larger sensor on the Sony requires larger lenses to cover the image circle. The multiplication factor for the DSLR sensor in the Sony is 1.5x and 2x for the M43 sensor in the GH2. Both cameras produce incredible images shooting raw and I can’t see a difference in practical situations thanks to the fantastic sensor Panasonic put in this baby. As a manual control freak I was disappointed to learn that the Sony only allows manual control in photo mode but not when shooting video. I really dig all the manual controls – knobs and buttons – on the Panasonic GH2 and am not a big fan of digging into the menu on the Sony to find what I need. Its there but buried. However, the real deal breaker for me when considering the NEX-5 is the extremely loud shutter (probably due to the small body and large mechanical shutter to cover the DSLR chip) and lack of manual video controls. If this doesn’t bother you, the Sony is great.
The GOOD (Sony NEX-5):
small body
snappy af
large DSLR Sensor
great results shooting high Iso
interchangeable lenses
incredible LCD screen
Raw shooting option
Jpegs until the card is full
The BAD (Sony NEX-5)
all controls and settings buried in menu, no direct access
No EVF
extremely loud shutter
buffer for shooting raw only 7 images
no manual video control
battery life is not great
relative to the body, very large lenses
The GOOD (Panasonic GH2)
Best EVF of any camera in this class.
Full manual controls via dials and buttons shooting photos and video
Raw shooting option
Jpegs until the card is full
tolerable shutter sound
very fast af in photo and video mode
interchangeable lenses
The BAD (Panasonic GH2)
LCD not as good as on the Sony (still pretty good)
buffer for shooting raw only 7 images
battery life is not great
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I think we’ll see an EOS mount proper video camera priced closely to the FS100. That could be exciting as I’m a Canon DSLR shooter.
But I did pick up an NEX 5N and it’s VASTLY superior to the original 5. I agree the shutter sound is much improved along with a host of other features. I, too tried the X100 but found the focus slow and in portrait view the Optical Viewfinder not accurate in framing. So gave up on it.
Sony is clearly got a winning game plan right now. They even have me contemplating their NEX to A mount adapter for my NEX 5 and some of their better tele glass.
Thanks again for the great site!
Since video is such a big part of my work now I was totally disappointed, and for candid photography the shutter sound was too loud, don’t know how Sony did it but it sounds much better now. The Fuji X100 would be ideal, but after shooting w it for a while I gave up, the AF speed just doesn’t cut it…too bad, this could have been the best street camera
I totally agree, Sony caught the the big boys w their pants down, lets wait and see what Nov 3rd and Canon has in store for us. But I am watching Sony very closely now, exciting times!
I have both. The Nex is easier to carry on trips. The video is clearly better on the GH2 but for stills, especially above ISO1600, the Nex is superior to my eye.
The biggest drawback to the NEX is the loud shutter. The GH2 is also louder than I’d like it to be. Wish they could do the Fuji X100 shutter sound.
But fun to see these two relatively new players pushing the ‘envelope’ on camera design. Canon and Nikon better take notice and act soon. They’re losing ground.