Clicking sound when shooting video:
For me, the first time the most important thing (before unpacking), the camera has the multiple described clicking sound when shooting or not? In relevant forums I have the affected serial numbers found. In this model NEX-5NDB the numbers 5100001-5105101 affected. Great relief when my number was well over 5107 +++. Ie Amazon ships currently much higher serial numbers.
Nevertheless, I have tested out of the box: The housing shaken horizontally ear and back and forth and rotated a short clip with various hard pans. Again, nothing to hear. Nevertheless, you get even a little paranoia after the hype about this click, pointing every little noise as an error. That's why I recorded clips with similar movements with my video camera Panasonic HDC SD300 - result: the NEX 5N is quieter than the video camera, which was on the market 2 years ago one of the best models.
I would much sooner decided on the 5N, if I had known that before ...
Quality / materials:
The two kit lenses have a very high quality and are mostly made of metal. The adjustment rings can be infinitely, effortlessly but also not too easy to move. Everything seemed very valuable, also from a scratching noise no trace.
Aufsteckblitz in small plastic box, lens hood, unfortunately made of plastic and not metal like the lenses.
The camera itself is a gem. The housing Mangesium-Alloy is very noble. The quality is only marred by the slightly wobbly plastic cover for the flash and the small rotary knob that is also made of plastic.
In addition to fault the strap, this seems cheap and cuts after prolonged use in the neck. I have the Sony ordered STPXH1 belt made of leather. This adjusts to the high quality of the camera yet at most.
Firmware:
There was no need to install the latest firmware 1.01 the instrument was up to date. An indication that it is new product which went on sale after March 2012.
Service:
In the beginning you have it a little hard in the 'endless menus' to find the things you are looking for. There are 6 main categories and it also happens that one finds settings in menus where you would not expect.
It is good that you can assign any 2 buttons with a function and a button with 5 functions.
The touch screen responds reliably and without interruptions. To understand the many additional features and to find, I absolutely recommend to read the instruction manual. In addition, you should just try everything several times, which really fun with this camera. With the kit lenses 16mm + 18-55mm Camera is great in the hand.
I additionally bought the 18-200mm lens. Initially, the camera thus acts somewhat overloaded. But you get used to fast on this combination.
Image Quality:
In it all really been said, the image quality I really skin off your feet! I must say that I have always had very good compact cameras, so no experience with DSRL. But I have the pictures of the NEX-5N compared to the DSRL a friend and we did not notice any major differences.
We have both JPGŽs compared the highest quality as well as RAWs. The only truly recognizable difference is the sharpness in the corners, but what is less on the NEX, as to the 18-55mm.
The luminous intensity of the camera excels and exceeds the much more expensive NEX 7. Have the can test extensively.
Since I only if absolutely necessary use the flash, that was an essential criterion for the purchase decision for me. Up to ISO 1,600 images are to be used perfectly well and for an expression in poster size.
Flash:
That reminds me of the flash is not so important, I can live with that, this screwed in an emergency. He has for indoor shooting enough light intensity (guide number 7). Outdoors he encounters naturally quickly reaches its limits.
He also raises already in the 18-55mm slight shadow, which the low-lying hotshoe is. If one uses the 18-200mm telephoto zoom can be cast without the accompanying flash in the bin. Approximately Œ the image is shadowed. Therefore is highly recommended to use the optional accessory HVL-F20S. This solder the problem with the shadow and also has more power.
Autofocus / Speed:
The AF is very responsive and reliable. I can not confirm the impression that no snapshots are possible. Is sure the autofocus accelerated again also to the new firmware. In addition, it's awesome how easy this manually
is set using the touch screen or to change.
Even with the sequential shots succeed fast great results. The first 10 photos shoot just so out of the camera, then it goes more slowly.
Why NEX-5N?
I have tried, compared and read a lot. To select ultimately were:
Nikon V1 J1 +
Panasonic G3
NEX F3 / 5N / 7
The two Nikons have unique flaws in image quality or light intensity and therefore fell out quickly.
The Panasonic G3 is perhaps the best all-rounder with the viewfinder and built-in flash. However, one must also make this light sacrificing image quality. In addition, the processing effect of low quality. Very good is the guarantee of registering three years!
The new F3 was shortlisted because the quality of images that can keep up with the 5N almost the same sensor goodness. In addition, the flash is built here. However, the decor is a bit better at the 5N. In addition, the F3 has no touch screen (ok, you do not necessarily have) and the housing is completely made of plastic.
The NEX 7 is simply too expensive to me, also as mentioned above, neither the image quality nor the light intensity better than the 5N. For former SLR users it might be a better choice because of the three dials.
Ultimately, I have therefore decided to use the 5N and am very happy with it! This is of course my subjective opinion based on the things on which I value.
If you for example, the touch screen and the material of the housing not matter and you also can do without a few additional features, might be the NEX-F3 is the best choice.
Conclusion:
Thanks to the built-in APS-C sensor, the 5N does not hide behind the SLR cameras. Given the compact design of the NEX performance is actually incredible. Especially in low light conditions, in my opinion can keep no other system camera.
Top processing of precious material, a razor-sharp screen, a lot of useful additional functions, you will have noticed, I am thrilled ;-)
Small drawback is the lack of GPS sensor when using Aperture for me.