Sony NEX-5

So I bit the bullet and bought the Sony NEX-5, and I'm happy. The camera was built for me.

It has the body of a compact, the sensor of a DSLR and allows me to switch lenses as needed. It provides point and shoot in an "intelligent automatic" configuration, and then provides all the DSLR features in software for when I can be bothered.

I don't want to list all the facts and features. There are plenty of sites that do that and I'll link to them. I'll just go over the few things that I'm really pleased with.

The camera can do Full HD at 1080i resolution and stereo sound. I bought the version that included two kit lenses, specifically a 16mm pancake (wide angle) and an 18-55mm zoom. There is a 200mm lens around for it that I'm secretly thinking about. The camera has hardly any buttons and all the core functionality is handled in software. Buttons are programable, so I can configure my favourite features to be one step rather than menu-driven. The camera features slide-panorama, adjustable background defocus (effect- rather than setting-driven behaviour), auto HDR and the list goes on. Mucking around with it, my happy-snaps all of a sudden look a whole hell of a lot better!

I managed to bargain in a 16GB memory card and carry bag when I purchased it, so I was ready to go immediately. The only thing I think I might need at this stage is a second battery.

For some more information on the camera see:

• Sony NEX-5 on Wikipedia
• Official Sony product page
• dpreview review of NEX-3/5 (must read if you're keen on this beast!)

Check out the following Sony advertisements. Specifically, the David McLain shorts are good clean fun.

• Sony NEX Preview
• Sony Asia Pacific Ad
• Sony UK Ad
• David McLain: Available Low Light
• David McLain: Sweep Panorama
• David McLain: Creative Control
• David McLain: HD Video
• David McLain: Overview

The day after I bought it I set myself a small assignment to try out as many features as I could throughout my normal day. I managed quite nicely and thought I'd put up some of the nicer shots (click to enlarge). I'm clearly no photographer.

The following shot was taken with the background defocus feature and the 55mm lens.

The following is a shot taken with the macro feature and the 55mm lens.

Finally, this shot was taken with the automatic panoramic sweep option that stitches the image together in the camera.

As I said, I'm no photographer, but this camera is a joy to use.

I'm trying to organize a "go to the zoo and play with camera's" day with some mates to really burn in this new toy. I need to hang around some guys who can remind me what ISO and aperture are all about again so I can make better use of the features. Looking forward to it!