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24th August 2011
Sony announces the new NEX-5N Camera
Introduction

New NEX-5N Camera from Sony With 16.1 Megapixels And Full HD 50p Video

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

Read Ian's blog: Sony Alpha new product launch live from Greece

  • 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 fantastic reception of the NEX-5, the new NEX-5N from Sony has advanced further still and offers the superb responsiveness, image quality, and creative possibilities of a DSLR camera in a compact body.

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 images, HD video quality, powerful creative features and easy operation.
Responses are accelerated further by a release time lag of approximately 0.02 seconds(1): the fastest of any interchangeable lens digital camera in the world. This, combined with an improved AF algorithm which doubled the readout speed from the image sensor and allowed for 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 25p 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 and 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 the 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 NEX-5N ultra-compact interchangeable lens digital camera from Sony will be available from September 2011.

1 CIPA(Camera & Imaging Products Association) measurement
2 Focus and exposure are fixed at the first frame

Paul Genge, Technical Field Sales Manager, will be available for a one-hour live video Q&A session on the Sony UK Facebook page from 7.30pm tonight to answer any questions about the range of new product releases. Visit www.facebook.com/SonyUK to participate

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
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
 
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