I normally do not tend to spread my opinion the internet anywhere. However, I see myself obliged as the owner of a NEX 7 here but some times noted.
I suppose for me by no means to be able to serve as a reference to complete, nor am I a professional photographer, but rather a more advanced, ambitious "photographer", not to say clippers. But back to the topic NEX 7. I have the camera now for a few weeks and operate it with the Tamron 18-200 for Sony E-Mount.
The already created here Reviews I note a little. Here criticism was that the camera due to the size does not have the feel of an SLR. Moreover, criticism was that it was too expensive for what is offered. A NEX 5N would cost just half price.
As may be true so, then is not right yet. If you're not one of those people who just constantly order to things, to then briefly try to evaluate and send back after, you have probably already in advance busy what you would like / need have. I think that is so many, especially if one intends as much money to spend at a time.
Who is looking for a camera system, which is certainly from the outset aware that he would have no reflex camera. for whatever reason. For me it was clear the size and weight advantage. I guess you can not chalk up that it is smaller than a SLR camera a system. It should also be briefly mentioned that the balancing of a telephoto lens with absolutely no difficulties. Creates even my friend right away. If you naturally want to keep his NEX 7 with one hand, one should reconsider what kind of camera you really want.
So if you have now opted for a system camera, then the consideration of the manufacturer, or the format applies. Here probably for most APS-C against MFT. I opted for the larger APS-C sensor.
Now times provided one chooses Sony, the choice would be to actually meet between NEX 5N or NEX 7. And here we come to the argument of the price. Who, like me, appreciates an excellent viewfinder would be at a NEX 5N probably to struggle through this purchase as an accessory. Cost point about 300 euros. If you, like me, like to at least do not want to take pictures with the viewfinder or refrain from you raises the question: do you need a flash?
If I "once yes" answer this question with "yes" or I have at a NEX 5N, the problem that I have a flash (approximately 115 euros) must now also buy. But beyond that I can take pictures with the viewfinder or flash. Since you have a viewfinder but likely to be used when the display is not as much hergibt (darkness / twilight) that is in such a case not quite as low.
Here then is sometimes position relative to the criticism of the viewfinder noise. This noise comes from the fact that the viewfinder image brightens where I almost nothing or really do not see anything more with an optical viewfinder. Who intervenes in this situation, of course, prefer to a camera without a viewfinder (NEX 5N) then probably no image more creative possibilities.
For me it is a knock-out criterion.
In daylight, the viewfinder images are razor sharp! (And even sharper than on the display)
Now I am one of those people who like to make settings and to influence the picture. Therefore always it was clear to me: There is no camera, where I need to set the aperture in the menu. Why were revealed to me here at first the most obvious benefits of NEX 7: The dials. Here (and using the softkeys) I can adjust everything manually, without the menu. Or let's say only in exceptional cases.
For criticism of blind and poor menus, I would say that it is safe in almost any device a pleasure to wade through menus. But the menu of the NEX 7 is broadly understood, even if one or the other point is perhaps initially expected elsewhere. Who wants to work with his camera but longer, will get used to it. Whoever takes the trouble to read the manual, will quickly realize that you can put a lot of functions to the softkeys. Thus, an immersion in the menu structure is actually necessary only in exceptional cases. If I did not really test a camera, but only play around, I can not come to this result of course.
For criticism of too little available, good lenses, I would like to say that I agree with the at first glance. But you should also keep in mind that the MFT format lot longer on the market and also makes the NEX with its built-in help to focus the focus manually very easily. Thus, hardly anything speaks against the lenses adapt other (old). But I am in good spirits, which is still some descendants. After a while, I would like to take this opportunity now grudge that the 19mm and especially the 30mm Sigma Lens probably need attention. I'll probably put my 30mm as "normal" -Festbrennweite.
For image quality of the camera, I can only say that I would judge as very good to outstanding. But you should take pictures in RAW format, if you want the last to get out of his pictures. Otherwise makes eg the lens correction of camera even when foreign Tamron lens a good service. The high noise which is often addressed here is really negligible, especially if one does not intend to wallpaper his room with posters printing. Most of us are limited but rather on commercial formats. I would also like to point out that perhaps in fairness a lower resolution image (an example of the NEX 5N) at 100 percent should not compare 7 at 100 percent with the image of NEX. One should choose a magnification rate that results in the same display size as the image of the lower resolution. So NEX 5N 100 percent NEX 7 to about 75 percent. So you can actually compare whether one would really see the noise eg an A4 printout.
To the button for video recording, I can only say that it is true: Every now and then you come to it, but that decreases with increasing exercise from very strong. Here I also hope a firmware update. A drama is this little shortcoming but certainly not.
As I photographed G models prior to purchase my NEX 7 with Canon, I would note here that the way of the related with the NEX 7 folding screen has some advantages. One disadvantage I see only that I can not not take yourself and see the same in the display, as is the case with the swivel and rotary Canon displays. Positive on the display of the NEX 7 is that the camera is automatically moved to the optical axis, if you, for example, holds in front of belly or upside down. The Canon G-models with folding screen that is different because it's looking at the side unfolded display targeted (only go as overhead or gaining belly shots) and automatically moves the camera around the axis of the display. Because it lies outside the optical axis, leading the now and then to design difficulties. This advantage of the NEX displays against my previous Canon displays struck me as really only during use because there was suddenly a lot easier.
Finally, I would again clearly refer to "For what is offered, too expensive" position.
One has only the base price of a NEX 5N (ca.620) plus flash (120) pulse viewfinder count (approximately 280) and comes to about 1020 Euro for similar equipment with the already mentioned by me disadvantage that flash and seeker can not be used together. If one calculates the price of a NEX 7 of about 1250 euros, however the difference is not nearly as high as some here would have you believe. The difference of about 230 euros for the full and flexible adjustability of the NEX 7 against a 5N, together with the very good 24MP sensor was worth at least to me. Finally, everyone must decide for yourself!
I at least found it difficult such a large amount of "just" to fork out for a camera. But has the NEX 7 but much of what I missed before. And I did not want to back a compromise, because I probably regret later (no viewfinder, no flash) and as I said without direct manual control for me was a NO GO!
I hope one or the other helps this little note of a photo lay in his decision. Furthermore, I hope that they do one or the other makes some criticisms in a different light to see.
For me, and I'm sure not the scale, the NEX 7 is the best system camera on the market.
Addendum (21/06/2012):
Now, after a first holiday I can say that the camera is really worth their money. Even if it does not fit with the big travel telephoto in a jacket pocket, it's not a big hindrance and only slightly heavier than my previous features Canon G11 (about 400g) to NEX 7 with Tamron 18-200 (810g) plus pocket. That might be more difficult with a SLR. ;-)
The viewfinder I would never want to miss, either in darkness or in bright, vertical standing sun. There's pictures with the display that is a matter of luck.
The image quality has convinced me even after the holiday, and I still produce zugebener great abundance committee because my much smaller depth of field of an APS-C sensor has not yet passed into flesh and blood. However, even magnificent exemption effects result. Now on photos in which I wanted to see my girlfriend, even more sharply. Something is not possible with a small sensor as the G11 or other compact simple.
