Impressive package in an unassuming exterior

Anew mirrorless, interchangeable lens digital camera offering excellent image quality and an impressive performance, the Sony Alpha NEX-5N is a step up from the already good NEX-5.

Among the improvements: 16.1 million pixel resolution compared to the NEX-5’s 14.2 and highest sensitivity of ISO 25,600 (the NEX-5’s highest ISO is 12,800).

The NEX-5N also has a touch-screen, making it convenient to select various functions and precisely select the object of focus.

Maximum shooting rate is 10 frames per second, faster than the NEX-5’s 7 FPS.

I also like that the NEX-5N can be equipped with an optional electronic viewfinder and SLT mount adapter, allowing the camera to use Sony Alpha A-mount lens.

The NEX-5N is ideal for those wanting the quality and performance of a digital SLR camera with a more compact body. The beauty of a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera is that it can be further upgraded with a huge selection of accessories, such as an electronic view finder and Sony A-mount lenses, in addition to the E-mount lens of the NEX system.

The camera performs well thanks to its Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor and powerful BIONZ image processing engine. The sensor has the same surface area as those found in larger advanced-class DSLRs.

NEX-5N took less than two seconds from the power-on to capturing the first shot and the auto focus system is quick. The shutter release time lag is just 0.02 seconds, five times faster than the NEX-5.

The image quality of NEX-5N is excellent. During the test, it captured sharp, clean shots with well-saturated colours both indoors and outdoors.

Portraits captured by NEX-5N are really beautiful, especially when the Soft Skin Effect is applied. The effect uses Sony’s Face Detection technology to identify distinctive facial characteristics and then reduce or completely remove fine wrinkles and freckles.

And the NEX-5 captured very beautiful colours of the nightlife, using its Hand-held Twilight mode. Usually, to capture beautiful lights at night, you need to a certain amount of skill and must use a tripod. 

But the Hand-held Twilight mode eliminates all of those requirements, allowing you to point and shoot and capture professional photos.

I tested the mode capturing the Christmas scene at a Bangkok shopping mall and was really impressed with the image quality. The pictures look sharp, clean and colourful.

In Hand-held Twilight mode, NEX-5N fires off six shots at high speed and composites them to create one low-noise photo. Do note though that in this mode, the shot will take some time to process after the shutter is released.

NEX-5N is very easy and intuitive to use. My 15-year-old tester could comfortably use it after a brief demonstration. And the touch-screen added more convenience.

Its iAuto mode makes it even easier with Intelligent Scene Recognition, Face Detection technology and Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation to ensure that you always get the best shot. 

The test found that the iAuto mode correctly selected scene modes according to the lighting environment. 

We were especially impressed with the back-lit shots captured with the iAuto mode. The subjects’ faces were well lit while the background was not overly burned.

And if you want more control and to improve your photo skills, NEX-5N also offers the same advanced modes as a DSLR. They are Manual Exposure, Shutter Priority and Aperture Priority.

Moreover, even when you’re using full iAuto mode, you can further select and amplify several effects at the same time to further enhance your photo creativity.

Using touch-screen control, you can change the level of brightness, the warmth of colours, the intensity and the level of background blurring as well as applying one of fun picture effects.

The fun picture effects available include partial colours (red, yellow, blue or green, pop colour, toy camera, miniature and posterization).

NEX-5N also has good battery life. One charge allowed me to take more than 300 shots.

It recorded good quality Full HD video and has an HDMI port for watching the video on a full HD TV.

The test was done with 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 lens kit. Sony Alpha NEX-5N with 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 lens and 16mm f2.8 lens retails for Bt27,990.

 

        Key specs

_ Sensor: Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor (23.5 X 15.6mm)

_ Effective resolution: Approximately 16.1 megapixels

_ Lens Mount : Sony E-mount

_ LCD display: 3.0-inch TFT Xtra Fine LCD (921,600 pixels) w/TruBlack technology

_ Shutter speed: 1/4000 to 30 seconds, bulb

_ ISO: Auto (ISO 100-3200), Selectable (ISO 100 to 25600

_ Video modes: 1080 60p/60i/24p

_ Media Type : Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo/PRO-HG HX Duo media SD, SDHC 

and SDXC memory card

_ Dimension: 110.8 x 58.8 x 38.2mm (W/H/D)

_ Weight: 269g with battery and memory card