To anybody who is wondering about the oldest to newest model of this camera it goes - Sony NEX-5 < 5N < 5R < 5T < a5100 for the NEX-3 series its Sony NEX-3 < C3 < F3 < 3N < a5000. For the NEX-6 series its Sony NEX-6 < a6000 < a6300
Is it just me or does the NEX-5N have the best looking image when it comes to video on these small E-mount cameras? I mothballed my 5N when I bought the A6000 and then quickly sold the A6000 after the awful aliasing I saw. My friend has a NEX-7 and we both agree the 5N is better at video. I've read the NEX-6 is not too good in the video department too which is a shame as it has a great viewfinder. I'm sure the A6300 / A6500 are better due to the 4K but at that price I'd rather go for the pocket cinema with it's 10 bit codec. So for my small mirrorless camera I'm still using the NEX-5N and I bought it in 2012. It's a great little B camera.
I use a NEX-5R and a NEX-7 for video for about two years now and I love them both. I use the NEX-7 as my main cam and to get around the overheating issue I purchased a 32GB Sony Memorystick. Both cameras are good but the additional controls on the NEX-7 for ISO, Focal Etc are better than having to jump into the menus on the NEX-5. The NEX-7 also has auto-level for audio so I end up using an external audio recorder with a line in already leveled. I also had a NEX-6 and sold it because of the aliasing and severe over heating. I use Canon FD lenses and shoot in manual most of the time mainly with the Canon FD 50mm which gives a beautiful image.
Yes the camera does overheat if its inside a hot room or out on a hot day. Usually it's okay to record up to 20 min. After that you need to turn off the camera for 10 min. to cool off
I was considering getting this as a hybrid between a vlogging camera for the size and a dslr, which I've wanted to upgrade to a new DSLR for years. This camera is way more than I expected and just watching this video makes me so excited to get my hands on it. It will be my first mirrorless experience. By the way great video, I love your editing and how you interspersed your own footage, just gorgeous. Subscribed.
I wasn't really into Sony before but I decided to buy this camera after watching your video. Thanks Tom! I'm so exited about receiving it now! and your sister sang beautiful!
Battery that comes with it is great. I used it for 5 hours of shooting! But there is no external mic connection. Well there is a custom plug for just the Sony mic. Then again I would never recommend recording good audio on a DSLR. If you want better on camera audio I would recommend getting the Sony shotgun mic for this camera. Priced around $130 and does a decent job. Anything better I recommend recording audio to external recorder.
I loved this detailed review of the Sony NEX 5. I've been looking at various cameras for vlogging and now believe I have found what I need in the Sony NEX 5 or possibly newer. Thanks! Count me as a new sub! Love the detail description and really enjoy your real life film clips!
I bought this camera a couple years ago and have always thought about making some films, glad to see it comes recommended for that. it may be a bit out of date now but I'm happy with the quality it appears to produce. Great video.
Because of this awesome video, I end up buying a NEX-5R with a Nikon lens adapter. I also bought a Generic 16 Channels Flash Trigger+ Receive Compatible for SONY NEX3/NEX5N Camera. I can't wait to shoot some video with it.
Hi! i just watched your video and i was looking up this camera and noticed thta now SOny "replaced" the NEX5 series with the a6000. I was wondering if maybe later on you could do a comparison of the NEX5r and the a6000, i think being new their prices are close. And i've seen they have similar functions quality video and a few tings have changed but it'd be itneresting to see if it's worth it to buy the new camera. Greetings from México
Great review. I have the NEX 5N and I'm pretty happy with the results it's generating. I enjoy how easy it is to get good exposure, and the creative styles the camera has build in. My next camera investment will be the 5R. Thanks for helping me confirm my decision.
I would like to thanks you INCREDIBLY much for this video, i picked up the camera based on your recommendation (and other research afterwards) and so far I love it, keep up the great work
WoW, thanks very much for this tutorial. It helped me a lot to decide to go for it. I already had this camera but wasn't sure if I should be making films with this. Thanks, you rock!!!
Update... when using it indoors the camera did finally after 26min overheat when in 24fps mode. After turning it off for 5 min it was good to go for another 20min.
Im not a fan of the FS100 because of a few reasons, but mainly just the image quality out of it is very video like. Even after I played around with the settings. I did like the Sony FS700 though! Great slow motion and 4K recording etc. But just way too expensive to own. Great rental!
Thank you for this informative video! :) I've had my eyes on this camera since last year and I finally got to order it today. After watching this video, it made me feel like I made the right decision.
Great camera. Specially the GH3, but more expensive and bigger. I was looking for the cheapest entry level cam for beginners that can also be used for paid work.
The NEX also has a full frame converter. You can get the quality and speed of a full frame for 1/6 of the price. Higher recording bitrate. Compatibility with a crapload of lenses and above all else portability. (then you have awesome focus peaking with phase detection). Being a DSLR user for 5 years, the weight and bulk really gets to you. D:
THANK YOU!! Most of the other videos that are up on TH-cam from this camera are from users who don't know how to use it correctly and have all kinds of grainy clips, had me questioning whether I wanted this camera as a back up or not. They are super cheap now in 2019, Im going to research if the NEX3 has the same sensor/video resolution. If it does I may get the NEX3, they are even cheaper. Thanks once again.
My plan is to attach an external recorder to my tripod head and connect it to a Rode shotgun mic which will attach to a hot shoe to NEX adapter and sync audio in post. I'll let you know how this works out.
Tom , I become a fan of yours..!! I ve been watching your videos..!! Great job..!! So professional and thank you for sharing your knowledge and talents; providing special skills and tools for all video maker , like me
I noticed you said the scene with the kids playing in the water is shot at 60FPS and then you play back at 24fps. I dont have a 60fps on my nex 5r only 50i 50p and 25p and then in mp4 i have 1440x1080 12m and vga 3m, where so you have this option? Any help would be great thanks! Great video
In the comparison shots between the sony and the 7D, I noticed the Sony had more moire in the pattern on the condenser microphone that Karoline was singing into.
Previously, there was the NEX-3, NEX-5 and NEX-7... it was pretty easy to understand and to figure out what we really wanted. But now, Sony also introduce the A5000 series, the A6000 series, the A7 series... as well as the RX Series with the RX10, the RX100 IV, etc... And several of them being sold under $1,000 price mark with several similar specs. Now it's soooo complicated to finally find what we really need.
Jairo José Martín Cabello Yep, I get that (but still thanks for the precision for other people that will read it). What's more confusing to me is that they have to decline several versions in each series then. A7, A7S, A7R, A7SII, A7RII... I mean: c'mon, stop beating around the bush and doing technology retention. Just release three damn models: 1) A entry price 2) A best ratio price/quality/features 3) A top of the line (best we can get). It seems like sometimes they just don't include some features that wouldn't cost them anything, just to be sure the higher or the newer model will have it, etc... I'm just getting tired of this "planned obsolescence" B.S. I know it's not specific to Sony, but I think it's worst and worst (or maybe, I just notice it more and more... I don't know).
Really video... I own a NEX-6 and uses some Contax lenses with it (in addition to the Sony Zeiss 24mm F/1.8 and the Zeiss Touit 32mm F/1.8) for some superb video capture.
I've got the 5R and find that it's most prone to OT in 60p mode. I typically get about 14 min. before warning. 24p I get a solid 25 min. before it shuts itself off.
I loved your review, thank you for taking the time to do it. I shopped AMAZON for it but found this review. Any feedback about these issues? "The onboard mics are not stellar to start with plus the metal rings on the neck strap cause an audible clicking sound when moving briskly. No input for an external mic.The mini-hot shoe uses a digital communication protocol, so there's no hack-a-modding a mic into the pins. One brave modder cut up his external mic but even it cannot support true stereo."
This little camera looks like it would be great to have. Do you know if it has live HDMI output so I can use it with a monitor? I couldn't find any info about that online.
One thing is when planning a shot, this camera will not shoot long sequences. It WILL overheat and stop. Especially in warm weather. Open the view screen from the back to allow more cooling. Do some tests on this.
dslrs have a bitrate of 45mb/s, and you're confused between codec and format you said in avchd for the sony and in mp4 for the canons, it's actually h264.. check your notes again !
Just wanted you to know that I just bought the Sony Nex-5r tonight via Facebook Market. Your video gave me all the information I needed to do so... Thank you 😊
I bought the sony NEX 5N back in 2012 when it first came out for a 3 month vacation, really beautiful shots, light and easy to learn and control, very fast shooting, I could knock out 2 minutes of constant shooting in fine or raw (a bit slower but consistent in raw) for a casual time lapse approach. Great video quality...However... I used it to do a lot of filming as well, and unfortunately every 5 to 6 minutes it would get a battery overheat message, and this was even while using it in an air-conditioned carriage. So I had to keep opening the back display (pull it away from the main body to cool down the body) and turn it off, take out the battery and blow inside the battery holder to release the hot air build up every 6 minutes on average... this made it hard to film long journeys on the bullet train. Quite disappointed in it form that experience for filming. still, for short recordings, really nice image stabilization, and for what you get for the price, fantastic, I bought its 300mm lens and 16 mm lens as well, both good prices for this camera. 4 batteries and a waterproof case. does the 5R offer any improvements in the overheating issue?
Thank you so much for doing this review! I own this Camera but I did not live up to its potential at all! Thank you for showing the setting you used, I learned so much from it! Now I just have to figure out what all the different record settings mean (like the 24 frames in FH or FX? O.O)
Hi Tom, great video! I just have 2 questions: 1. How did you pan the camera so smoothly? 2. Does the NEX-5R overheat during video recording like the 5N?
Are the files easy to edit on a computer? Or do you have to do any file conversion first? I'm able to edit Sony AVCHD, just not from the current line of Sony cameras in stores (I tried out the new RX100 but it saves a strange file that makes my computer choke). Never had issues with older Sony AVCHD files.
I have this camera too... love it! Have you figured out how to take clear night shots? Like shots of the stars or something? Mine are always blurry. :(
To anybody who is wondering about the oldest to newest model of this camera it goes - Sony NEX-5 < 5N < 5R < 5T < a5100 for the NEX-3 series its Sony NEX-3 < C3 < F3 < 3N < a5000. For the NEX-6 series its Sony NEX-6 < a6000 < a6300
Thank you so much! I had believed the a5000 was continuing the NEX 5 line, which led me to lots of confusion as to the camera quality...lol
Is it just me or does the NEX-5N have the best looking image when it comes to video on these small E-mount cameras? I mothballed my 5N when I bought the A6000 and then quickly sold the A6000 after the awful aliasing I saw. My friend has a NEX-7 and we both agree the 5N is better at video. I've read the NEX-6 is not too good in the video department too which is a shame as it has a great viewfinder. I'm sure the A6300 / A6500 are better due to the 4K but at that price I'd rather go for the pocket cinema with it's 10 bit codec. So for my small mirrorless camera I'm still using the NEX-5N and I bought it in 2012. It's a great little B camera.
I use a NEX-5R and a NEX-7 for video for about two years now and I love them both. I use the NEX-7 as my main cam and to get around the overheating issue I purchased a 32GB Sony Memorystick. Both cameras are good but the additional controls on the NEX-7 for ISO, Focal Etc are better than having to jump into the menus on the NEX-5. The NEX-7 also has auto-level for audio so I end up using an external audio recorder with a line in already leveled.
I also had a NEX-6 and sold it because of the aliasing and severe over heating. I use Canon FD lenses and shoot in manual most of the time mainly with the Canon FD 50mm which gives a beautiful image.
Basic:
A5100 = Nex 3, nex F3, Nex 3N
Inter:
Nex 5R= Nex 5R
High:
A6000 = Nex 7
Jaw dropped…
I had this camera for years, and I had no idea of its capabilities…
thank you
you are welcome
Tom, i have the NEX 3N, i was wondering whether i should swap it for a 5r. Is there much of a difference ?
Check out my website for more info on all those questions. Link is in the description of the video.
Yes the camera does overheat if its inside a hot room or out on a hot day. Usually it's okay to record up to 20 min. After that you need to turn off the camera for 10 min. to cool off
That shot at 2:53 is awesome, looks like the beginning of a production company intro on a movie (like disney's castle)
Wow, the sequence of video clips taken at the cottage look amazing!
If you can buy also the $80 sony mic for this camera. It really works great and turns this camera into a handy little camcorder
Is there a link for this?
I was considering getting this as a hybrid between a vlogging camera for the size and a dslr, which I've wanted to upgrade to a new DSLR for years. This camera is way more than I expected and just watching this video makes me so excited to get my hands on it. It will be my first mirrorless experience. By the way great video, I love your editing and how you interspersed your own footage, just gorgeous. Subscribed.
Saw this review, added it to my list of possible cameras, and ended up buying this one. Love it so far, thanks for the review!
I wasn't really into Sony before but I decided to buy this camera after watching your video. Thanks Tom! I'm so exited about receiving it now! and your sister sang beautiful!
I was already pretty much sold on this camera, but then I watched this and DAMN! Look at that quality! Thanks for the setting tips too.
The AF is amazing. for both video and photo.
Battery that comes with it is great. I used it for 5 hours of shooting! But there is no external mic connection. Well there is a custom plug for just the Sony mic. Then again I would never recommend recording good audio on a DSLR. If you want better on camera audio I would recommend getting the Sony shotgun mic for this camera. Priced around $130 and does a decent job. Anything better I recommend recording audio to external recorder.
I loved this detailed review of the Sony NEX 5. I've been looking at various cameras for vlogging and now believe I have found what I need in the Sony NEX 5 or possibly newer. Thanks! Count me as a new sub! Love the detail description and really enjoy your real life film clips!
I bought this camera a couple years ago and have always thought about making some films, glad to see it comes recommended for that. it may be a bit out of date now but I'm happy with the quality it appears to produce. Great video.
Because of this awesome video, I end up buying a NEX-5R with a Nikon lens adapter. I also bought a Generic 16 Channels Flash Trigger+ Receive Compatible for SONY NEX3/NEX5N Camera. I can't wait to shoot some video with it.
Bought the camera after watching it and i don't regret this AT ALL.
Love it.
Hi! i just watched your video and i was looking up this camera and noticed thta now SOny "replaced" the NEX5 series with the a6000. I was wondering if maybe later on you could do a comparison of the NEX5r and the a6000, i think being new their prices are close. And i've seen they have similar functions quality video and a few tings have changed but it'd be itneresting to see if it's worth it to buy the new camera. Greetings from México
Not sure. Never used the 5N. So far I haven't had any overheating issues with the 5R
good review, thanks! the sharpness of the sony with just the kit lens is impressive.
Great review. I have the NEX 5N and I'm pretty happy with the results it's generating. I enjoy how easy it is to get good exposure, and the creative styles the camera has build in. My next camera investment will be the 5R. Thanks for helping me confirm my decision.
Awsome Tom. Not only great beginner camera but good enough for a prefessional like yourself.
I would like to thanks you INCREDIBLY much for this video, i picked up the camera based on your recommendation (and other research afterwards) and so far I love it, keep up the great work
WoW, thanks very much for this tutorial. It helped me a lot to decide to go for it. I already had this camera but wasn't sure if I should be making films with this. Thanks, you rock!!!
Thank you for an informative review. I can't wait to get this camera!
hey Tom! Thanks for your video. I've using the 5R for almost a year and your advices are quite good.
Thanks Again
Update... when using it indoors the camera did finally after 26min overheat when in 24fps mode. After turning it off for 5 min it was good to go for another 20min.
Haha, you're right! I never thought of it this way since I see that island so often.
That sequence was amazing!
Stunning footage (especially the forest stuff), looks like shots from a big budget feature film! Thanks for the info.
Fabelhaft, nicht nur die Technik, deine ruhige Hand . Tolle Motive.
Its not just tech, its final keep quiet hand, view and music , i like !
Im not a fan of the FS100 because of a few reasons, but mainly just the image quality out of it is very video like. Even after I played around with the settings. I did like the Sony FS700 though! Great slow motion and 4K recording etc. But just way too expensive to own. Great rental!
Thank you for this informative video! :) I've had my eyes on this camera since last year and I finally got to order it today. After watching this video, it made me feel like I made the right decision.
What slider did he use?
forget ps4 or gtx 780, this is my new top priority.
Great video for showing the use of a product.
Thank you very much for the video.
there is a cooling area under the lcd screen,you can work on that.
something called Compact Cine Systems (for nex) if you see fit.it a fan+battery set
thanks Tom, excellent video.
Great camera. Specially the GH3, but more expensive and bigger. I was looking for the cheapest entry level cam for beginners that can also be used for paid work.
I have th 5n, love it. This camera is so much fun to use and easy to adapt legacy glass.
1. I used a slider.
2. Yes it overheats but not as often as the 5N.
Great review! I have one laying around at home and I was wondering if it is good enough to shoot YT videos. I will definitely give it a try. Thanks!
The NEX also has a full frame converter. You can get the quality and speed of a full frame for 1/6 of the price. Higher recording bitrate. Compatibility with a crapload of lenses and above all else portability. (then you have awesome focus peaking with phase detection). Being a DSLR user for 5 years, the weight and bulk really gets to you. D:
Great video! I've been looking at buying this camera and I didn't really give video any thought. It just keeps looking like a better and better buy.
THANK YOU!! Most of the other videos that are up on TH-cam from this camera are from users who don't know how to use it correctly and have all kinds of grainy clips, had me questioning whether I wanted this camera as a back up or not. They are super cheap now in 2019, Im going to research if the NEX3 has the same sensor/video resolution. If it does I may get the NEX3, they are even cheaper. Thanks once again.
I just discovered this video, what a great surprise! Thanks!
My plan is to attach an external recorder to my tripod head and connect it to a Rode shotgun mic which will attach to a hot shoe to NEX adapter and sync audio in post. I'll let you know how this works out.
Great video! Thank you for makeing this! I will definitly look in to this camera.
What do you think about the Sony A5000 for video? For 300 dollars it seem like a good deal.
I gotta get this camera for practice, The Quakity is dope
Yup... I got the mic that's for these cameras. Check out the link in the description of the video
The Hauge or the Flycam works great with this camera
I just bought the Nex 5t ! Charging and ansious to try it! Great movies you have!
Tom , I become a fan of yours..!! I ve been watching your videos..!! Great job..!! So professional and thank you for sharing your knowledge and talents; providing special skills and tools for all video maker , like me
That footage looks pretty nice actually.
What a great video. So much effort and professional. Thank you , very helpful
Wow! I am considering the Canon 60d for my next camera, but may now consider this one.
I noticed you said the scene with the kids playing in the water is shot at 60FPS and then you play back at 24fps. I dont have a 60fps on my nex 5r only 50i 50p and 25p and then in mp4 i have 1440x1080 12m and vga 3m, where so you have this option? Any help would be great thanks! Great video
That music was done by Christopher Charles. Check out his youtube channel
In the comparison shots between the sony and the 7D, I noticed the Sony had more moire in the pattern on the condenser microphone that Karoline was singing into.
wow! This is looks awesome! Thanks so much for the review! will definitely be checkin this out.
Previously, there was the NEX-3, NEX-5 and NEX-7... it was pretty easy to understand and to figure out what we really wanted. But now, Sony also introduce the A5000 series, the A6000 series, the A7 series... as well as the RX Series with the RX10, the RX100 IV, etc... And several of them being sold under $1,000 price mark with several similar specs. Now it's soooo complicated to finally find what we really need.
+Phil Smith a5xxx = nex5 replacement, a6xxx = nex6 replacement, A7XX = overpower nex 7 Replacement. RX series = Cameras WITHOUT interchangeable lenses.
Seems easy for me.
Jairo José Martín Cabello Yep, I get that (but still thanks for the precision for other people that will read it). What's more confusing to me is that they have to decline several versions in each series then. A7, A7S, A7R, A7SII, A7RII...
I mean: c'mon, stop beating around the bush and doing technology retention. Just release three damn models:
1) A entry price
2) A best ratio price/quality/features
3) A top of the line (best we can get).
It seems like sometimes they just don't include some features that wouldn't cost them anything, just to be sure the higher or the newer model will have it, etc... I'm just getting tired of this "planned obsolescence" B.S.
I know it's not specific to Sony, but I think it's worst and worst (or maybe, I just notice it more and more... I don't know).
I tried it, it's alright but annoying to use. Not as good as the magic lantern for other Canon DSLRs
Awesome shots.
Yes
great tip on the portait setting...game changer...thanx
thank you just got this sony and was gonna chuck it but now after watching this gonna give it a 2nd thought. thanks.
Very good video.. really enjoyed watching it!
Really video... I own a NEX-6 and uses some Contax lenses with it (in addition to the Sony Zeiss 24mm F/1.8 and the Zeiss Touit 32mm F/1.8) for some superb video capture.
I've got the 5R and find that it's most prone to OT in 60p mode. I typically get about 14 min. before warning. 24p I get a solid 25 min. before it shuts itself off.
wow great video Tom
just got yourself a subscriber Ive been looking into sonys cameras because kind of got tired of canon quality
If you look closely you can see aliasing and moire on the microphone from the NEX 5r, however the 7D does not have the same issue
That's your choice. I don't know when the next one is coming out and what it will be.
I loved your review, thank you for taking the time to do it. I shopped AMAZON for it but found this review. Any feedback about these issues? "The onboard mics are not stellar to start with plus the metal rings on the neck strap cause an audible clicking sound when moving briskly. No input for an external mic.The mini-hot shoe uses a digital communication protocol, so there's no hack-a-modding a mic into the pins. One brave modder cut up his external mic but even it cannot support true stereo."
Great video! Brought up exactly the things I needed to know and see :) Thanks!
Beautiful Quality!!! Thanks for sharing
Hey Tom,
You were incorrect when stating that the Sony had the higher bit rate @ 24Mbps because Canon stock DSLR bit rate is @ 45Mbps.
This little camera looks like it would be great to have. Do you know if it has live HDMI output so I can use it with a monitor? I couldn't find any info about that online.
Can the NEX 3n do similar stuff?
One thing is when planning a shot, this camera will not shoot long sequences. It WILL overheat and stop. Especially in warm weather. Open the view screen from the back to allow more cooling. Do some tests on this.
dslrs have a bitrate of 45mb/s, and you're confused between codec and format you said in avchd for the sony and in mp4 for the canons, it's actually h264.. check your notes again !
Absolutely wonderful 👏 Love it!!! Great job 👏
Just wanted you to know that I just bought the Sony Nex-5r tonight via Facebook Market. Your video gave me all the information I needed to do so... Thank you 😊
I bought the sony NEX 5N back in 2012 when it first came out for a 3 month vacation, really beautiful shots, light and easy to learn and control, very fast shooting, I could knock out 2 minutes of constant shooting in fine or raw (a bit slower but consistent in raw) for a casual time lapse approach. Great video quality...However... I used it to do a lot of filming as well, and unfortunately every 5 to 6 minutes it would get a battery overheat message, and this was even while using it in an air-conditioned carriage. So I had to keep opening the back display (pull it away from the main body to cool down the body) and turn it off, take out the battery and blow inside the battery holder to release the hot air build up every 6 minutes on average... this made it hard to film long journeys on the bullet train. Quite disappointed in it form that experience for filming. still, for short recordings, really nice image stabilization, and for what you get for the price, fantastic, I bought its 300mm lens and 16 mm lens as well, both good prices for this camera. 4 batteries and a waterproof case. does the 5R offer any improvements in the overheating issue?
Thank you! Amazing work my friend!
Thank you so much for doing this review! I own this Camera but I did not live up to its potential at all! Thank you for showing the setting you used, I learned so much from it! Now I just have to figure out what all the different record settings mean (like the 24 frames in FH or FX? O.O)
Hi Tom, great video!
I just have 2 questions:
1. How did you pan the camera so smoothly?
2. Does the NEX-5R overheat during video recording like the 5N?
Thank you sooo much you really helped me out. Good description and comparison i think youre doing a fantastic job thank you take care.
6:51 LOL... so hilarious. Great video!!!
Thanks for the great informative video!
Awesome video. Very informative. Thank you!
Bravo!! I have now found MY camera!! ---> Hey, what software/settings did you use for post-editing?
Very informative thanks!
Tripod and some shot were done on a slider
Are the files easy to edit on a computer? Or do you have to do any file conversion first? I'm able to edit Sony AVCHD, just not from the current line of Sony cameras in stores (I tried out the new RX100 but it saves a strange file that makes my computer choke). Never had issues with older Sony AVCHD files.
Great video man...how is the 5N different?
Tom Antos Thanks for the tips! Just got a 3n and will be trying out those flatter settings for video recording. Hope they work on the 3n as well :-)
Why does the Cannon 7D look worse than the NEX 5R?
I have this camera too... love it! Have you figured out how to take clear night shots? Like shots of the stars or something? Mine are always blurry. :(
Do you have any advice on how to keep the footage as steady as possible without using a tripod? Any tips or tricks would be appreciated.
Good video any overheating issues