The remote control works fine with the Sony Nex. 5 It can trigger the camera either directly or with 2s delay, the other buttons are unlikely to use in image reproduction, which I have not tried yet. Video recordings will not start so well to the camera settings, you can not change anything - shame where it has so many buttons on the remote.
Visual contact is required (infrared), when shooting outdoors, the range is considerably reduced by the sunlight, from 3-4m distance you have to expect restrictions.