Thom Hogan about the NEX-5: best sensor but bad usability
Thom Hogan tested the four most popular compact mirrorless cameras (The Olympus E-PL1, Panasonic GF1, Samsung NX100 and the Sony NEX-5). The Sony has the best sensor of the four but because of the lack of lenses and a bad handling he cannot recommend the camera: “I can’t really recommend the Sony NEX-5 directly. It’s actually quite good in image quality, especially if you need higher ISO values, and the 16mm f/2.8 lens makes for a very compact wide angle walkaround camera. Sony’s problem is three-fold. First, like Samsung, the lenses just aren’t there yet. Second, many of the lenses just absolutely drawf the camera body, and that starts to make the camera less desirable as a “compact.” Finally, the non-standard user interface and simplified control system is either going to get you swearing at the camera or you’re going to learn to like it. But I can’t predict that last bit, so don’t buy the Sony without actually trying it at a store first. ”
Read the full review at bythom.com
Related Posts
Share
Recent comments
Comment from Jeff: Well, I've followed Thom from the Nikon ...
Comment from Brian: I meant to say the low light performance...- Comment from Brian: I don't know how people can disagree wit...
Comment from shu: Never mind the performance. The NEX3/5 a...
Mark
2 years ago |Why is there a Nex-3 picture in the article?:P
Akiva S.
2 years ago |Well Thom has his take, mine is different. The NEX blows the other cameras reviewed out of the water. Better IQ all around. With firmware 1.3 handling and interaction with the menus is a really streamlined. And in my opinion who cares about Sony’s lenses when I can use my Leica M Mount lenses. And they work better on the NEX then on my M6!!
Vlad
2 years ago |I am pretty sure you’ve never tried the GF1.
dk
2 years ago |O here comes the Mythmaker, yet again!
rob
2 years ago |Why do you continue to give this Nikon troll a platform when there are so many objective reviewers out there?
admin
2 years ago |Hi Rob!
A few rules:
1) I post reviews even if they are negative. I want to be as honest as possible
2) Thom Hogan is a well known reviewer. He is not Mr. nobody
3) If you don’t agree with him please argument why! Try to have a rational approach. Let me know what is wrong wis his review!
Bye
dk
2 years ago |I don’t mind negative reviews, but a downright troll like him? Sony dropping FF? Give me a break! His 2011 prediction on Sony is also full of bull crap.
dk
2 years ago |oops this is supposed to be the reply for Admin’s post above.
Klaas
2 years ago |I don’t think there’s much wrong with Thom’s conclusion when you keep in mind the way he’d use a camera like this. He seems mainly interested in this sort of camera because they offer a smaller and lighter alternative to a regular DSLR. He’s not looking for a point and shoot camera but for a system (camera). And you can argue all you want but the Nex simply isn’t a system yet.
Everyone will have different needs but imho a system would include (besides a 28-80 something kitlens)a wide angle zoom, a fast normal and some sort of telezoom. With the 3 current NEX lenses Sony doesn’t even come close…
Sky_walker
2 years ago |I’m just wondering why such a sudden interest in Sony lately from Hogan. In last 6 months he made more statements about sony-related stuff than he did in his entire life. o_O
Joel
2 years ago |Might have something to do with Sony finally putting out some new/interesting cameras :p
Joel
2 years ago |So Thom is called a troll because his predictions are often wrong and he frequently leans away from Sony? If it’s because of the predictions, there’s probably no one on the internet who isn’t a troll.
A troll is someone who just tries to incite argument/discussion. That’s not at all what I see going on here.
His anti-Sony bias can be expressed as “Sony doesn’t make anything I like,” which for the NEX basically comes down to handling. And I can’t blame him for putting a premium on that. Any pro photographer is going to be more at home with a limited tool they can use easily. They just know the use cases for that limited tool and use other tools when the current use doesn’t apply. For the Alpha, his criticisms rest more on Sony being a distant 3rd and therefore being less interesting to him.
However, I think his reviews are extremely useful because he’s actually using these cameras for an appreciable amount of time. It’s pretty clear he’s not simply a Nikon fanboy as he basically says you can ignore the Nikon mirrorless out of the gate because it won’t have lenses (a similar complaint for NEX which no one can argue with).
If you boil down his thoughts, it’s basically: NEX takes great images, but I hate using it. The weight/size isn’t balanced and simple controls require going through menus rather than pressing a button or flicking a switch. Oh, and more (small) lenses, Sony. However, if you are a auto snapshot shooter, it’s probably the camera for you because of its image quality and consumer features.
Is that opinion really controversial?
AVESTA
2 years ago |oh well, who really cares what this Thom Hogan says… the sales numbers speak for themselves.
Apparently, that streamlined menu isn’t as appealing as many think considering millions of consumers don’t seem to mind this one… and a lack of lenses is just words of a close minded photographer, considering that the NEX probably has more lens adapters than any other camera I have seen online.
Rostislav
2 years ago |Thoms review is very detailed and one of the best around, he is on the money
Vlad
2 years ago |Of course consumers don’t mind the menu. They just shoot in auto. The sales numbers are so big because the NEX is targeting the larger non-pro market.
For the lenses I agree.
AVESTA
2 years ago |yup, but as much as us PRO users like to think the camera companies care about “true” photographers, the only thing they really care about is MONEY coming in… and if that means cashing in on non-pro markets, then so be it.
If they don’t need to fix a menu in order to sell more cameras, then that’s what they’ll do.
Vlad
2 years ago |Well, here I must agree.
mochapaulo
2 years ago |I hope he used to test the camera with the latest firmware update.
The latest update just turns NEX into another camera. I always use
legacy lenses and working well with A mode and just need to adjust the
aperture on the lenses and control the EV+/-. The magnifying procedure
is also improved that is ease to use. Comparing with the Oly interface,
Sony NEX is in fact, 10 times better than it definitely. Just simple to
learn and with adequate options. The things should be blamed might not
be the operation now but some fundamental adjustment such as JPEG compression
rate. It is too high in my opinion. The other is the 16mm kit which performance
is just not satisfactory until f/5.6. I just keep using legacy lenses most of the time.
AVESTA
2 years ago |Also, the lack of video controls if you want to be picky, but other than that it’s the best camera in its class.
Vlad
2 years ago |I don’t see how it is better than Oly’s. And what about the GF1? Also worse in usability?
startowa13
2 years ago |For a “pro” like Thom the menu seems to be hard to navigate? With the new firmware? Really? I switched from A700(died) to Nex5 and I didn’t need a minute to get used to it and take pictures in M or A as fast as I did on A700. I mainly use Voigtlander lens and being a manual lens it takes some time to frame the shot, adjust the focus, etc. If Thom like to just shoot from the hip or use his pro equipment like a point and shoot camera then yet Nex5 is not so easy. Thom, please think before you write… lack of lenses? I have 20 years worth of lenses in various mounts, and I can use them all with the right adapter on my Nex5. What I care is the fact that I can get amazing IQ out of this little camera and not to worry about the bulk or weight of DSRL.
narci
2 years ago |Umm…he’s probably reviewing this from the wrong angle.
He’s probably comparing it from a DSLR point of view instead of a upgrade to P&S point of view which does make a difference.
The Nex-5 was never to meant to replace the DSLR, it was marketed to a P&S crowd upgrade.
Panny
Just look at the difference between the Panny GF1 and the newer GF2. The GF2 lost all it’s buttons and dials much like the Nex. Both GF2 and Nex are going for a amatuer crowd, not a alternative to pro DSLR crowd.
Joel
2 years ago |He says this specifically… the NEX is the best upgrade for P&S. He’s not writing to them but to a geek/pro audience.
Dave J
2 years ago |Actually, I agree with him with couple points.
When it comes to usuable focal length AND compactness, NEX sucks. The smallest body does not gurantee the compactness in ILCs. I went to Best Buy yesterday to check out all mirrorless cameras displayed. Here are my thoughts.
Requirements for my shopping were as following.
- Compact
- Good ISO performance
- Versatility (reads “I want to use a standard zoom”)
- Price (up to $700ish)
- Possiblity of using lens collections I have (Extra point for NEX5 but I have to add extra $200 for this)
If all you want is a compact camera that produces good photo in all situation in terms of available light, NEX5 with 16 pancake is the clear winner as it is the smallest of all. m4/3 are just a plain pain on ISO performance. NX100 was remained in consideration at this point because it has acceptable ISO and compactness.
If you want above plus versatilities, saying you want a standard zoom, forget it. NEX5 is the longest of all I tested if I measure from front element to the lcd with a standard zoom on attached. NX100 is smaller at this point, although you would not call it Compact. If the extra point on NEX5 wasn’t there, I would buy NX100.
At the end, no matter what I choose, I still need to carry a small bag for my comfort. If I need to carry a bag, I will just go ahead and buy A33 and call it a day.
This is the end of my “shopping failed” story
Myst
2 years ago |thom is spot on, the nex isn’t really ment for someone who is using a dslr or who wants to buy a mirroress that mimics a dslr, no the nex is meant for amateurs who want very shallow DOF )compared to compacts) at a normal price, and the 3 lenses already available is exactly what they need.
hopefully sony will direct some attention towards the dslr users who want a mirrorless camera namely with more lenses and a body with more direct controls.
The sales speak for themselves and honestly as a dslr used i wouldn’t buy a nex in the current form no matter how good the lenses might be a panasonic, oly, samsung is a lot more user friendly for me, but given the size of the a55 i wouldn’t mind not buying a mirrorless camera after all, besides the lenses are already there.
Edgars
2 years ago |I didn’t bought NEX because I couldn’t get it with 30mm and 70mm pancake AF lenses or at least one of them. You could say anything about size of 18-55mm lens, but it is huge compared to NEX extremely tiny body. I also don’t need any manual focus lens. Unfortunately, it seems this will not change any time soon.
rUY
2 years ago |I have both and I agree with Thom comments, I actually using more manual lens with the EVIL systems, I really like the low ISO performance of NEX, however, GF-1 is not as good but also not that far. One more thing that need to mention is the battery life of NEX is relatively short. I need to have 2 batteries standby. which GF-1, I don’t really need an extra battery.
The Killing problem of GF-1 is the crop factor that made it less friendly to the old glass. Therefore, I got the NEX 5 too.
shu
2 years ago |Never mind the performance. The NEX3/5 are made for those high end compact camera users. If you are very unsatisfied with this control system, I think the next version, maybe NEX7 is suit for you.
so, please wait, actually me too
Brian
2 years ago |I don’t know how people can disagree with his review. It seems like he was respectfully noting his dislikes and faults of the NEX. Nothing wrong with that. I know the faults of the EP2… I know it’s not as good as the NEX. It doesn’t make me angry or make negative comments when it’s mentioned in a review. The NEX system has it’s issues and they need to be made aware… which the vast majority of NEX reviews seem to do.
Brian
2 years ago |I meant to say the low light performance of the EP2 is not as good as the NEX.
Jeff
12 months ago |Well, I’ve followed Thom from the Nikon film days and love his insight, but when Canon went to digital SLRs, I knew Thom wouldn’t be happy. You could almost hear his discontent with Nikon being so slow to market than Canon. The future was always going to be full frame and now with video capability in full gear, the future is being rewritten as well. It’s true, it may not be full frame, but with adapters and such, the market will experience an incredible upheaval. The SLR may be overkill for most everyday tasks, but the image quality may not necessitate an SLR anymore. With video capabilities, something that was not primarily a priority for photographers, the camera world is experiencing another turn. The mirror box may become a thing of the past. I knew live view was coming and then video and eventually the end of the mirror box. Those may be left to professional photographers as viewing screens become better and better. With the Sony Nex, it is possible to start from scratch and the results are amazing.