Ultra-responsive, compact, NEX-5N camera from Sony with 16.1 megapixels and Full HD 50p video

24 August 2011

World’s fastest release time lag and quick, responsive autofocus

16.1 effective megapixels Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor and new BIONZ processor enabling ISO 25600 high sensitivity
Full HD Movie with 50p/25p, manual focus, full P/A/S/M exposure control and improved audio
Tilt-angle 7.5cm (3”) Xtra Fine LCD touch-screen and easy-to-use Photo Creativity interface
10 fps continuous shooting (In Speed Priority Continuous mode)
Styled in magnesium, just 23.3mm slim (Distance from front of body to LCD monitor screen surface)

Drawing on the positive acceptance of the digital camera NEX-5, the new α NEX-5N from Sony has advanced further and offers the superb responsiveness, image quality, and creative possibilities of a DSLR camera with less to carry.

Styled in tough, light magnesium alloy and just 23.3mm at the slimmest point, the NEX-5N evolves the sleek, minimalist design of the acclaimed NEX-5. It’s also a step forward from its predecessor in terms of still image and HD video quality, powerful creative features and easy operation.

Responses are accelerated further by a release time lag of approx. 0.02 seconds1: the fastest of any interchangeable lens camera in the world. This, combined with an improved AF algorithm which doubled the readout speed from the image sensor and more efficient image processing, results in an AF that is significantly faster than the current NEX-5 model.

The camera’s Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor with 16.1 effective megapixel resolution is partnered by a specially-optimised version of the powerful BIONZ image processing engine. This combination of sensor and processor ensures exceptionally clean, low noise images. Maximum sensitivity is also boosted to ISO 25600, the highest among mirror-less interchangeable lens cameras, allowing very high quality handheld shooting in low light conditions.

At the touch of a button, the NEX-5N shoots smooth AVCHD ver. 2.0 (Progressive) Full HD movies with high-quality stereo sound at 50p - a world first for interchangeable lens cameras with an APS-C size sensor. Faster readout from the sensor increases the maximum frame rate to 60 fps over the previous 30 fps. When shooting at the 24p setting, movies achieve a beautifully expressive, artistic feel. As with stills shooting, Tracking Focus allows a target object to be selected via the touch-screen for accurate focusing, even when the subject is moving.

Photographers can also enjoy full control over exposure, when shooting video, with Programme, Aperture/Shutter Priority and all-Manual modes (PASM) – just like a DSLR camera. Stereo audio quality is improved, with revised circuitry that lowers wind noise levels, especially when shooting quiet scenes.

The NEX-5N is the first E-mount interchangeable lens camera from Sony that features an intuitive new Photo Creativity Touch interface. Background Defocus, Exposure, Picture Effect and other adjustments can be previewed, applied and combined in an instant via the LCD touch panel and control dial, with no photo jargon to confuse newcomers.

First introduced on the NEX-C3, Picture Effect simplifies the production of sophisticated artistic effects ‘in camera’, with no PC or post-processing needed. There are now 11 modes and 15 effects, including new HDR Painting, Soft Focus, Miniature, Rich-Tone Monochrome and Soft High-key. A generous palette of other artistic imaging functions includes 3D Sweep Panorama, Soft Skin, Auto HDR, Handheld Twilight and Anti Motion Blur Modes.

In Speed Priority Continuous mode, the NEX-5N captures fast-moving action at up to 10 fps (actual speed depends on shooting conditions and memory card performance). This represents the world’s fastest burst shooting speed of any mirrorless interchangeable lens camera2.

The camera’s 7.5 cm (3.0") Xtra Fine LCD angles up to 80° up or 45º down for easy viewing in any shooting position. TruBlack technology assures superb detail and contrast with dramatically reduces on-screen reflections. Enhanced by the new Photo Creativity Touch interface, the LCD makes composition, shot review and adjustment of camera settings easier and more flexible than ever.

Lenses and accessories
The growing choice of E-mount lenses compatible with all α NEX cameras now includes the new Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA, E 50mm F1.8 OSS and long-awaited Telephoto zoom E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS.

The world’s first mount adaptor with built-in Translucent Mirror Technology™, the optional Mount Adaptor LA-EA2 allows phase-detection AF with almost all of the A-mount lenses for both still image and video shooting. Also available, the optional Electronic Viewfinder FDA-EV1S, XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ offers high resolution/contrast and wide viewing angle.

Also new in the range of accessories, the stylish Body Case (LCS-EB50) and Lens Jacket (LCS-EL50) protect the camera and lens from scratches, the Shoulder Strap (STP-XS3) fits tightly to body with its quick fit structure and the Soft Carrying Case (LCS-EMF) holds the E-mount camera body with attached lens as well as an additional lens or other accessories.

The α NEX-5N ultra-compact interchangeable lens digital camera by Sony is available from September 2011.

Notes to editors

1 CIPA（Camera & Imaging Products Association) measurement

2 Focus and exposure are fixed at the first frame

Key technical specifications

General

Camera type

Interchangeable lens digital camera

Lens compatibility

Sony E-mount lenses

Image sensor

Type

APS-C type (23.5 x 15.6mm), "Exmor" APS HD CMOS sensor with primary color filters

Number of pixels

Approx. 16.1 megapixels (effective),
Approx. 16.7 megapixels (total)

Image sensor aspect ratio

3:2

Anti-dust system

Charge protection coating on optical filter and ultrasonic vibration mechanism

Recording system (still image)

Recording format

JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver.2.3, MPF Baseline compliant), RAW (Sony ARW 2.2 format), 3D MPO (MPF Extended compliant

Image size (pixels)

3:2

L: 4912 x 3264 (16M), M: 3568 x 2368 (8.4M), S: 2448 x 1624 (4M)

Image size (pixels)

16:9

L: 4912 x 2760 (14M), M: 3568 x 2000 (7.1M), S: 2448 x 1376 (3.4M)

Image size (pixels) Sweep Panorama

Wide: horizontal 12416 x 1856 (23M), vertical 5536 x 2160 (12M), standard: horizontal 8192 x 1856 (15M), vertical 3872 x 2160 (8.4M)

Image size (pixels)

3D Sweep Panorama

Wide: 7152 x 1080 (7.7M), Standard: 4912 x 1080 (5.3M), 16:9: 1920 x 1080 (2.1M)

Image quality modes

RAW, RAW & JPEG, JPEG Fine , JPEG Standard

Picture Effect

11 types (15 variations): Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Mono, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Mono, Miniature

Creative Style

Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, B/W (Contrast (-3 to +3 steps), Saturation (-3 to +3 steps), Sharpness (-3 to +3steps))

Dynamic range functions

Off, Dynamic Range Optimizer Auto/Level), Auto High Dynamic Range: Off, Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1.0-6.0 EV, 1.0EV step))

Color space

sRGB, Adobe RGB

Recording system (movie)

Recording format

AVCHD Ver. 2.0 (Progressive) / MP4

Video compression

MPEG-4 AVC (H.264)

Audio recording format

Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC

NTSC

AVCHD Ver. 2.0, average bit rate

1920 x 1080

60p: 28Mbps (PS),

60i: 24Mbps (FX), 17Mbps (FH)

24p: 24Mbps (FX), 17Mbps (FH)

MP4 , average bit rate

1440 x 1080 (12Mbps),

VGA (3Mbps)

PAL

AVCHD Ver. 2.0, average bit rate

1920 x 1080

50p: 28Mbps (PS),

50i: 24Mbps (FX), 17Mbps (FH)

25p: 24Mbps (FX), 17Mbps (FH)

MP4 , average bit rate

1440 x 1080 12Mbps

VGA 3Mbps

Media

"Memory Stick PRO Duo" , "Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo", SD memory card, SDHC memory card, SDXC memory card

Noise reduction

Long exposure NR: On/Off selectable, available of shutter speeds longer than 1 sec.

High ISO NR: High/Normal/Low selectable

White balance

Modes

Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, C.Tem・C.Filter<2500 to 9900K><G7 to M7/A7 to B7>, Custom

WB fine adjustment

G7 to M7,15-step / A7 to B7,15-step

Focus system

Type

Contrast-detection AF

Focus point

25 points

Sensitivity range

EV0 to EV20 (at ISO100 equivalent with F2.8 lens attached)

Focus mode

Autofocus, DMF (Direct Manual Focus), Manual Focus

AF mode

AF-S: Single-shot AF, AF-C: Continuous AF

Focus area

Multi Point (25 points) / Center-weighted / Flexible Spot selectable

Other features

Tracking focus , Predictive control, Eye-Start AF (with both FDA-EV1S and LA-EA2), Focus lock

AF illuminator

Built-in LED, Range: Approx. 0.3m - Approx. 4.0m (E 16mm F2.8)
Approx. 0.5m - Approx. 3.0m (E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS)

Exposure control

Metering type

1200-zone evaluative metering

Metering sensor

"Exmor" APS HD CMOS sensor

Metering sensitivity

EV0 to EV20 (at ISO100 equivalent with F2.8 lens attached)

Modes

Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot

Exposure modes

　iAUTO, Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M), Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Anti Motion Blur, Scene Selection

Scene selection

Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports action, Sunset, Night portrait, Night view, Hand-held Twilight

Exposure compensation

+/- 3EV (in 0.3 EV steps)

Bracketing

3 continuous exposures in 0.3 or 0.7 EV steps

AE lock

AE is locked when focus is locked

ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index)

ISO100 to 25600 (1 EV step),
AUTO (ISO100 to 3200）

Viewfinder

-
(Optional viewfinder FDA-EV1S or FDA-SV1 is necessary)

LCD Monitor

Type

7.5cm (3.0-type) wide type TFT (Xtra Fine LCD with TruBlack technology)

Touch panel

Electrostatic type

Number of dots (total)

921,600 dots

Brightness control

Auto, Manual (5 steps between -2 and +2)

Sunny Weather mode

Field coverage

Approx. 100%

Adjustable angle

Up by approx. 80 degrees, down by approx. 45 degrees

Display

Graphic Display, Display All Info, Big Font Size Disp, No Disp. Info, Histogram, For viewfinder

Real-time image-adjustment display

ON/OFF

Focus check

MF assist(4.8x, 9.5x), Peaking (Level setting: High/Mid/Low/Off, Color: White/Red/Yellow)

Face detection

Modes

On/On (Regist. Faces)/Off

Face registration, Face selection; Max. number of detectable faces 8

Other features

Smile shutter (selectable from 3 steps), Shooting Tips, Help guide

Digital zoom

Precision digital zoom, 1.1x-10x

Shutter

Type

Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type

Shutter speed

1/4000 to 30 sec, bulb

Flash sync. speed

1/160 sec.

Electronic front shutter curtain

Yes (ON/OFF)

SteadyShot INSIDE (image stabilization)

Type

Not supported (image stabilization supported on lens)

Flash

Type

External flash HVL-F7S (supplied) attachable to Smart Accessory Terminal 2

Guide No.

7 (in meters at ISO 100 equivalent)

Flash coverage

16mm (focal-length printed on the lens body)

Control

Pre-flash TTL

Flash compensation

+/- 2EV in 0.3 EV steps

Flash modes

Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.

Recycling time

Approx. 4 sec

External flash

Smart Accessory Terminal compatible flash HVL-F20S (optional)

Drive

Drive modes

Single-shot, Continuous shooting, Speed priority continuous shooting, Self-timer (10/2 sec delay selectable), Self-timer (Cont.) (with 10 sec delay 3/5 exposures selectable), Bracketing, Remote Cdr (with optional remote commander RMT-DSLR1)

Speed (max., approx.)

10fps in Speed priority continuous shooting, 3fps in standard continuous shooting

*Varies depending on shooting conditions and memory cards

No. of frame recordable (approx.)

Fine: 10 frames, Standard: 10 frames, RAW: 6 frames, RAW & JPG: 4 frames

*Varies depending on shooting conditions and memory cards

Playback

Single (with or without shooting information RGB histogram & highlight/shadow warning), 6/12-frame index view, Enlarged display mode (L: 14x, M: 11x, S: 7.3x, Panorama (Standard): 24x, Panorama (Wide): 34x), Auto Review (10/5/2 sec, Off) , Image orientation (On/Off selectable), Slideshow, Panorama scrolling, Folder selection (Still), Forward/Rewind (movie), Delete, Protect

Interface

PC interface

Hi-speed USB (USB2.0): Mass-storage, MTP

HD output

HDMI mini connector (Type-C) , BRAVIA Sync (link menu), PhotoTV HD

Smart Accessory Terminal 2

Yes

Compatible OS (USB connection)

Windows XP* SP3, Windows Vista** SP2 , Windows 7 SP1, Mac OS X (v10.3-v10.6)

*64-bit edition and starter edition not supported.

**Starter edition not supported.

Audio

Microphone

Built-in stereo microphone or ECM-SST1 (optional）

Speaker

Built-in, monaural, Volume settings in 8 steps between 0 and 7

Print

Compatible standards

Exif Print, Print Image Matching III, DPOF setting

Custom function

Custom key settings

Available

Power

Battery

One rechargeable battery pack NP-FW50

Still images

Approx. 430 images (CIPA standard)

Movies

Approx. 29 minutes, MP4 format movie for up to Approx. 2 GB.

External power

AC Adaptor AC-PW20 (optional)

Weight

With battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo included

Approx. 269 g
Approx. 9.5 oz

Body only

Approx. 210g
Approx. 7.4 oz

Dimensions

mm (W x H x D) excluding protrusions

Approx. 110.8mm x 58.8mm x 38.2 mm
Approx. 4 3/8 × 2 3/8 × 1 9/16 in.

Minimum thickness mm

Approx. 23.3mm / Approx. 15/16 in.
(without grip and mount)

Operating Temperature

Operating temperature

32 - 104 degrees F / 0 - 40 degrees C

For more information please contact

Sony Europe Press Centre

e: presscentre@sony.eu

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