Sony NEX Mirrorless Cameras
Looking for tons of tech in a portable camera body? A Sony NEX mirrorless camera may be just what you need.
 Sony NEX-5R Sony announced their line of mirrorless system cameras during the 2010 PMA Conference (an annual trade show for photographers).
At that time, the prototypes of the NEX cameras were under glass, but they soon became a reality and the first ones became available in June of 2010.
Since then, Sony has continued to innovate and expand their mirrorless camera line, offering cameras with an increasing array of features aimed to please photographers of all types.
Sensor Size
Like Samsung, Sony likes large sensors.
The sensors inside the Sony NEX mirrorless cameras are the same size as digital SLR sensors (also called APS-C) and measure 23.4 x 15.6mm (as compared to the smaller 17.3 x 13mm sensor in Panasonic and Olympus mirrorless cameras).
A larger sensor provides two distinct advantages over a smaller one:
- Better Noise Control — as you increase the ISO setting on a camera, it absorbs light faster which is a necessity for low-light photography. However, high ISOs also result in reduced image quality due to visible image speckling (also called "grain" or "image noise"). Larger sensors produce less image noise even at very high ISO settings.
- Reduced Depth — want your photos to have a sharp foreground and a smooth, out-of-focus background? This effect is easier to achieve with larger sensors and is important for anyone who wants to use a mirrorless camera for portraits.
Released in 2012
Release Date: November 2012
NEX-6
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The NEX-6 borrows its built-in WiFi from the NEX-5R and its exceptional OLED viewfinder from the NEX-7. It also includes a swift hybrid autofocus system more often found in Sony DSLRs.
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Release Date: October 2012
NEX-5R
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The NEX-5R is Sony's first mirrorless camera with built-in WiFi. You can upload images to the web straight from the camera and download "extension" apps to add more functionality.
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Release Date: June 2012
NEX-F3
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Sony's "entry-level" mirrorless camera does not have a built-in viewfinder, but it does have a built-in flash. The NEX-F3 also has an LCD that can be flipped all the way up to be visible from the front of the camera.
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Release Date: March 2012
NEX-7
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The NEX-7 is not really a camera for beginners, but is aimed more at advanced photographers looking for a camera with capability in a very small package. Simply put, the NEX-7 shares many features with cameras that are significantly larger and heavier.
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Released in 2011
Release Date: November 2011
NEX-5N
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If you'd like your mirrorless camera to have a touch screen, then this is the Sony for you. As of late 2011, this is the only Sony mirrorless camera to include a 3 inch touch screen, providing you with quick access to the camera's menus and settings.
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Release Date: August 2011
NEX-C3
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The Sony NEX-C3 is for those who want DSLR-like image quality without having to tote around the weight of an SLR. The sensor inside is the exact same one that's included in the much larger and bulkier Sony SLT-A35.
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Released in 2010
Release Date: June 2010
NEX-3
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The NEX-3 is an exceptionally compact camera that sacrifices a few features - like a viewfinder and built-in flash - to trim off excess size and weight. Camera control is as simple as it gets with virtually no buttons cluttering the back.
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Release Date: June 2010
NEX-5
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The NEX-5 shares almost all of its features with the NEX-3 with one exception: the video quality. With the NEX-5 you can capture Full HD 1080i video clips as compared to the 720p video on the NEX-3.
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Available at: Amazon •
Adorama •
B&H Photo Video
List Price: $700 USD
Page current as of: August 2012
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