Sony’s NEX series of cameras has been popular with casual photographers, mostly because point-and-shoot cameras are preferred for being inexpensive and easy to use. Everyone would like to own a DSLR camera but the learning curve is a deterrent. Companies such as Olympus and Panasonic tried to bring the best of both worlds together by introducing micro four thirds cameras, which are somewhere between a DSLR and a point-and-shoot. Sony is now bridging the gap even further with their NEX series of cameras, which uses the exact same size sensor as a standard DSLR.
An Indonesian agency has leaked two new models of the NEX series of cameras. The listed cameras, the NEX-5R and NEX-6, are listed as having Wi-Fi support. Users can now upload a photograph directly to Facebook or Flickr as soon as they take it. The cameras will probably be announced in September right before the Photokina show. There may also be three new NEX lenses, a 16-50mm pancake, a 11-18mm pancake and a fast prime lens.
According to SonyAlpha Rumors, the NEX-5R will have the same partial flip screen as higher-end models, while the NEX-6 adds an EVF (Electronic ViewFinder) to the camera.
Last year, Sony had unveiled the NEX-7, the interchangeable lens camera. Prior to the announcement, there was very little information as to what this flagship model from the Japan-based company would possess. There were a couple of image leaks and few specifications to go by.
The NEX-7 features a new Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor with 24.3 effective megapixel resolution, which is the highest in its class. This is said to compliment the latest generation of Sony’s BIONZ image processing engine. Sony claims that this unique combination of sensor and processor technology delivers flawless image and HD video quality with very low noise and exceptionally fast shooting responses. The ISO sensitivity of this camera ranges from 100-16,000. Response is accelerated even further by a shutter release lag of approximately 20 milliseconds making it the fastest of any interchangeable lens digital camera as of August 2011. In speed priority continuous mode, the NEX-7 camera captures fast-moving action at up to 10fps (AF/ AE is fixed).
The NEX-7 model was the world's first interchangeable lens camera that features an integrated XGA OLED TruFinder viewfinder for precision framing and focusing. The XGA OLED Tru-Finder viewfinder is complemented by a three-inch Xtra Fine LCD display that can be angled up to 90 degrees up or 45 degrees down for easy viewing in any shooting position. TruBlack technology assures superb detail and contrast, while dramatically reducing on-screen reflections. The NEX-7 camera shoots smooth AVCHD Full HD movies with high-quality stereo sound. Support for the new AVCHD Progressive (Ver. 2.0) format allows users to capture Full HD video at 60p (progressive) frame rates.