Nex 7 or Nex 5n

[Longimanus1975 1]

I would like peoples thoughts on what to do please.

 

I am about to invest in a new camera system and am not sure whether to go for the Nex 7 or the Nex 5n?

 

The cash outlay difference in just the camera is approx £1000, just due to the fact that I can get a good deal on a Nex 5n. If I go for the nex 5n I could invest the saved money in a extra strobe and an extra lense for the camera. All other things for the system are literally the same price.

 

What would people do?

[jander4454 15]

I would go for the NEX-7 - a significantly better camera.

[Longimanus1975 1]

Thanks, anyone else any views?

[derway 2]

for the price of the nex7, you can get a nikon d7000, which will kill it, when it comes to autofocus.

 

The nex7 has too many pixels. What is the point of 24 mpix? Just means you have to store and process all those huge files. And the nex5n has better SNR and DR, which had to be sacrificed to get that many pixels on same size sensor for the nex7.

 

But the nex7 is a much more useable camera. I just wish they had put the 5n sensor in the nex7 body at a lower price.

[Deep6 7]

for the price of the nex7, you can get a nikon d7000, which will kill it, when it comes to autofocus.

 

The nex7 has too many pixels. What is the point of 24 mpix? Just means you have to store and process all those huge files. And the nex5n has better SNR and DR, which had to be sacrificed to get that many pixels on same size sensor for the nex7.

 

But the nex7 is a much more useable camera. I just wish they had put the 5n sensor in the nex7 body at a lower price.

Well at first blush I would agree with you. Check out MR's comparison. I think 12-16 Mp is plenty for a ASP-C size sensor. 16 or 24 really will not make a difference to me.

Bob

NR Nex-5 vs Nex-7

[DrMark 0]

And the nex5n has better SNR and DR, which had to be sacrificed to get that many pixels on same size sensor for the nex7.

You think so? http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/C...8brand2%29/Sony

 

--Mark

[Longimanus1975 1]

for the price of the nex7, you can get a nikon d7000, which will kill it, when it comes to autofocus.

 

The nex7 has too many pixels. What is the point of 24 mpix? Just means you have to store and process all those huge files. And the nex5n has better SNR and DR, which had to be sacrificed to get that many pixels on same size sensor for the nex7.

 

But the nex7 is a much more useable camera. I just wish they had put the 5n sensor in the nex7 body at a lower price.

 

I would love to have a Nikon d7000, but due to the overall size and cost I am looking at the mirror less cameras. I agree with the high pixel count, it also worries how my computer will cope with the large files.

[Longimanus1975 1]

Thanks for all the info, my head is telling me to go with the nex 5n and spend the money saved on other items.

 

It's good to see the discussion of the advantages of one over the other though, keep it coming

[Longimanus1975 1]

I would love to have a Nikon d7000, but due to the overall size, weight and cost I am looking at the mirror less cameras. I agree with the high pixel count, it also worries how miy computer will cope with the large files.

[Phil Rudin 461]

Regarding Derway's remarks about the D-7000 I would agree that it is a great mid-range DSLR as is the Canon 7D but I see no evidence to support a large difference in auto focus speed. In fact the image-resource reviews give the NEX-7 over-all better AF speed scores and the DPreview has the cameras performance about the same with a higher overall score for the NEX-7. At image-resource the Nikon D-7000 was tested with a prime F/2.8 lens while the NEX-7 was tested with the 18-55 F/3.5-5.6 "KIT" zoom hardly apples to apples and the NEX-7 still did quite well.

 

I also agree that most of the photographers at this and many other sites could get along fine with 12MP and never see the difference gained by higher MP sensors. I am sure however that when given the choice between the coming Nikon D-800 with the Sony 36 MP sensor and the coming full-frame Sony with the new Sony 24 MP sensor many will argue that they need the extra MP's and won't be worried about having to buy an extra T-bite of storage.

 

The 24 MP sensor in the NEX-7 only seems to be out done by the NEX-5n when you get above ISO-1600 to 3200. I don't see many U/W shooters using those ISO levels much.

 

I have used both NEX-5 cameras and all the Olympus PEN cameras underwater. I have also used the NEX-7 out of the water and for me the NEX-7's upsides have nothing to do with the MP count. The thing that sets the NEX-7 apart and makes it the best mirrorless camera to date are the thing that you don't find on the other cameras. The OLED viewfinder is much larger than any other APS-C sensor camera on the market and is in fact just a hair under the size of a full frame camera. To date I know that Nauticam has released a back to allow use of a large 45 or 180 cameras on top of the already large camera finder and that Acquapazza has a like design in the CAD stage. The OLED is the best EVF to date and has a great deal more information in the display than does an optical viewfinder. The tradeoff of course is that it requires more power. The other big upside over the other mirrorless cameras and DSLR's as well is the Tri-Nav system which in manual gives one touch access to ISO, shutter speed and F/stop on three different dials. These dials can be set to any shooting combo to fit the shooting style. These two items alone make the NEX-7 a compelling choice against both mirrorless cameras and many DSLR's in the same price range.

 

While Canon, Nikon and Olympus/Panasonic M43 all have the more compelling lens range at this time it appears that many new NEX lenses will be coming sooner rather than later.

 

Phil Rudin

[TomR1 5]

I still vote for the D-700 because of the prime 105 lens. I pair this with a subsee wet diopter and get awesome macro shots. I understand the issue about size but just pay an extra overweight charge. It's usually only $50. each way.

 

Choosing between the 5 and the 7, I choose the 7 because macro requires a good viewfinder and eventually there will be a good macro lens. Also don't overlook Phil's poing about manual controls.

[derway 2]

Regarding Derway's remarks about the D-7000 I would agree that it is a great mid-range DSLR as is the Canon 7D but I see no evidence to support a large difference in auto focus speed. In fact the image-resource reviews give the NEX-7 over-all better AF speed scores and the DPreview has the cameras performance about the same with a higher overall score for the NEX-7. At image-resource the Nikon D-7000 was tested with a prime F/2.8 lens while the NEX-7 was tested with the 18-55 F/3.5-5.6 "KIT" zoom hardly apples to apples and the NEX-7 still did quite well.

 

The imaging resources tests are done with the lens already focused at the precise distance, and then just reshooting and reshooting. Their logic is that this tells us the fastest possible focus lag, with the lens not needing to move. But how realistic is this to underwater with moving subjects, moving backgrounds, moving photographer?

 

It is easy for a camera company to see what IR is doing, and rig their cameras to work extra fast that way. Does that tell us anything about focusing speed from one distance to another?

 

The DPR section on the nex7's AF is below. I thought it was clearly not up to DSLR, when it comes to continuous af mode, and so on. Also they say it really struggles, in dim light and contrast!

 

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonynex7/page13.asp

[Phil Rudin 461]

Don,

 

You forgot to add this to the bottom on the text you copied from Wetpixel

 

This article is Copyright 2011 and may NOT in part or in whole be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the author.

 

Phil Rudin

[Deep6 7]

While Canon, Nikon and Olympus/Panasonic M43 all have the more compelling lens range at this time it appears that many new NEX lenses will be coming sooner rather than later.

 

Phil Rudin

I have not had the good fortune to test drive the NEX-5 or NEX-7. While not ready to abandon the Nikon system, the NEX-7 and Sony A- mount cameras have many of the features I want. I use the older 105 macro mostly in MF, so using and adapter with the NEX peaking for MF should be no big deal.

Phil,

I think the NEX-7 (maybe the NEX-5) EFV has a 23 mm eye relief. Does this permit full view in housing with a mask?

 

Bob

[Aliens 3]

Thanks for all the info, my head is telling me to go with the nex 5n and spend the money saved on other items.

 

It's good to see the discussion of the advantages of one over the other though, keep it coming

 

Go the NEX7 and save up for the strobe and lens. get the better camera to grow with in the future. I have one in a Nauticam housing I love it. menu and controls MUCH better on 7 than 5N

[danny.hightower 0]

The NEX-5N can be purchased for $599 body only or $699 with a kit lens. An OEM UW style housing can be purchased on linkdelight.com for $81. i'm not kidding...

 

This hosing is of the same quality as the other OEM housings but by some miracle we are able to buy it direct from Hong Kong for a cheap price. At dpreview people have discussed and implemented a mod to make the housing work with the NEX-5N. I have purchased both versions of the housing for testing and believe this could be a great opportunity to get an APS-C camera in the hands of UW shooters for a ridiculously small price.

http://www.linkdelight.com/C5L-40M-Underwa...-F2.8-Lens.html

Within the next 10 days i should receive my units from HK and should learn quite a bit about its capabilities. What I could really use is the help and experience of others. Would you please consider joining me on this venture? I would love nothing more than to make a powerful & inexpensive UW solution available to users who cannot afford a higher end DSLR solution.

 

Thank you,

 

Danny

Edited February 6, 2012 by danny.hightower

[Longimanus1975 1]

Go the NEX7 and save up for the strobe and lens. get the better camera to grow with in the future. I have one in a Nauticam housing I love it. menu and controls MUCH better on 7 than 5N

 

 

Thanks for the info on this, have you managed to get it wet yet? What lenses are you using with it?

Edited February 6, 2012 by Longimanus1975

[Longimanus1975 1]

The NEX-5N can be purchased for $599 body only or $699 with a kit lens. An OEM UW style housing can be purchased on linkdelight.com for $81. i'm not kidding...

 

This hosing is of the same quality as the other OEM housings but by some miracle we are able to buy it direct from Hong Kong for a cheap price. At dpreview people have discussed and implemented a mod to make the housing work with the NEX-5N. I have purchased both versions of the housing for testing and believe this could be a great opportunity to get an APS-C camera in the hands of UW shooters for a ridiculously small price.

http://www.linkdelight.com/C5L-40M-Underwa...-F2.8-Lens.html

Within the next 10 days i should receive my units from HK and should learn quite a bit about its capabilities. What I could really use is the help and experience of others. Would you please consider joining me on this venture? I would love nothing more than to make a powerful & inexpensive UW solution available to users who cannot afford a higher end DSLR solution.

 

Thank you,

 

Danny

 

Danny

 

I can see where you are coming from on this, but you may be limited to ports, add ons etc, also without any sort of support. I would prefer to invest in this system so that it will last me a fair amount of time, hoping that I will get the support from the manufacturer of the housing that I choose and from other users on this forum

[Aliens 3]

I have not had the good fortune to test drive the NEX-5 or NEX-7. While not ready to abandon the Nikon system, the NEX-7 and Sony A- mount cameras have many of the features I want. I use the older 105 macro mostly in MF, so using and adapter with the NEX peaking for MF should be no big deal.

Phil,

I think the NEX-7 (maybe the NEX-5) EFV has a 23 mm eye relief. Does this permit full view in housing with a mask?

 

Bob

Will try out this Saturday. So far when using camera on land the viewfinder only comes on when you stick your eye up close and it detects this. Sure it can be turned on all the time (battery drain?) for use underwater

[Phil Rudin 461]

Will try out this Saturday. So far when using camera on land the viewfinder only comes on when you stick your eye up close and it detects this. Sure it can be turned on all the time (battery drain?) for use underwater

 

 

The new Nauticam NA-NEX7 housing has a control on the rear of the housing to switch between VF and LCD, this allows you to switch between the two and reduce battery drain.

 

Regarding the eye relief, the pickup finder on the housing allows you to see all the way into the corners of the OLED viewfinder. It can also be replaced with a 45 or 180 degree finder.

 

Phil Rudin

[Aliens 3]

Hi Phil

More questions for you as a fountain of knowledge. Tried to get my kit all together last night. Had trouble getting the zoom gear to work properly with the 18:55 inside the housing. The turning of the lens seems to get stuck at the small lever that works the Lens release button on the bottom of the port/body. I could only get the zoom to turn all the way if I pushed the lens release button. But this will release the lens/port from the body.

Edited February 9, 2012 by Aliens

[Phil Rudin 461]

The zoom gear should not hit the lens release control it I understand the problem. Try taking the port off and get the alignment correct so you will know where the gear needs to fit on the lens. The lens release on the front of the housing allows you to change lenses and ports without needing to remove the camera from the housing.

 

Phil Rudin

[Ryan 48]

More questions for you as a fountain of knowledge. Tried to get my kit all together last night. Had trouble getting the zoom gear to work properly with the 18:55 inside the housing. The turning of the lens seems to get stuck at the small lever that works the Lens release button on the bottom of the port/body. I could only get the zoom to turn all the way if I pushed the lens release button. But this will release the lens/port from the body.

 

The gear shouldn't interfere if oriented correctly. There is a cutout in the lens gear that needs to be over the index mark (white dot) on the lens when set at the 18mm position.

 

This is the best photo I have handy, not a very good angle, but you get the idea.

 

Edited February 9, 2012 by Ryan