Pricewar: MicroFourThirds vs Sony NEX
We expected the Sony NEX cameras to be cheaper than MicroFourThirds so we compared the current prices with other (compact!) mirrorless cameras:
Camera+prime lens combos (cheapest on top / click on the product name to visit the dedicated shop page):
Sony NEX3 + 16mm Lens ($549 on Adorama)
Sony NEX5 + 16mm Lens ($649 on Adorama)
Panasonic GF1 + 20mm Lens ($844.16 on Amazon)
Olympus E-P2 + 17mm Lens ($1,029.95 on Amazon)
Camera+kit-zoom
Olympus E-PL1 + 14-42mm Lens ($549 on Amazon)
Sony NEX3 + 18-55 Lens ($599 on Adorama)
Sony NEX5 + 18-55 Lens ($699 on Adorama)
Panasonic GF1 + 14-45mm Lens ($749.99 on Amazon)
Olympus E-P2 + 14-42mm Lens ($899.99 on Amazon)
ggweci
4 years ago |Sony really went aggressive here. I think they want to try to own the market before the Big Two decide to join.
And now that m43 isn’t the only game, it’s time for them to drop their prices… big time!
chris
4 years ago |I am still a little disappointed that they didn´t come out with a 35-50mm fullframe equivalent. 24mm is too wide for me and the zoom is too big.
But I think this camera will be very successful anyways, maybe not for the semi pros but for point and shoot people.
But I am sure they will come out with more lenses and more pro cameras within the next 12 months.. it is good to have more competition in the mirrorless section, I dont really care which brand it is : )
Will
4 years ago |The zoom is only 2.4 inches long, it just looks big relative to the tiny body. But for me the zoom is problematic because the image quality is poor, judging by most samples and most initial reviews of it. And it is slow.
The 16mm has better quality, so is really the only option. I wish the zoom has been better quality.
ew
4 years ago |I love NEX body’s size+weight+features package, but disappointed in lenses. Wide pancake is useful, but narrower one is a must have. (who needs that expensive 18-200mm on a compact camera?)
mortmain
4 years ago |I agree entirely with Chris — I’m disappointed that Sony went with a 24mm as their only prime. I guess they didn’t want it to overlap with the zoom lens’ range so folks would feel compelled to buy both? Aside from this and the lack of in-body IS, this looks like the perfect camera. It hits all my other camera desires: small flange distance to use vintage lenses; full HD video; excellent high ISO sensor; high-res tilting LCD; external mic input; and a highly competitive price.
And the Sony zoom is quite large compared to m4/3 zooms — it dwarfs the Olympus 14-42 kit zoom; take a look at the side-by-side shots on DPReview.
Sony, if you’re listening, please release the NEX system as a kit with something closer to a 50mm (equiv) pancake and you’ve got my money!
Pixie
4 years ago |Don’t worry about the size and focus length. More are coming
rvabbott25
4 years ago |I still prefer M43. Both Olympus and Panny offer compact primes with a useful focal range. Both cameras fit in a coat pocket with the prime attached.
As far as I’m concerned, the 24mm is too wide, and since the NEX5 cannot fit in a coat pocket with the zoom attached, the camera as a package is too big. Although Sony has successfully shrunk the size of the camera, I don’t think they can shrink the size of the zoom any more due to the larger sensor. The best they can do is offer is a useful prime.
I agree with ew regarding the zoom lens. The NEX5 with zoom is a large camera, and the zoom itself is overpriced, especially since Sony lenses are normally not particularly good. If I want a zoom, I’ll use my dSLR. A massive zoom on a tiny camera defeats the point of having a compact camera.