Nikon may have preempted the blitz of digital cameras at IFA 2011, but not by much; Sony has just unveiled four new prosumer shooters, two EVIL and two Alpha. Like its younger brother the NEX-C3, the new 16-megapixel NEX-5N pictured above has a far more compact form factor than its predecessor, is 15mm thinner, and boasts a shutter lag of only 20ms -- “the fastest of any interchangeable lens digital camera.” Sony says the 5N focuses faster and shoots 1080p AVCHD video at 60fps, and you’ll find it bundled with a 18-55mm kit lens for $700 this September. But would you believe the NEX-5N isn’t the star of the show? Sony’s new NEX-7 does all that and more with a built-in XGA OLED digital viewfinder (in addition to the three-inch screen) and a 24.3-megapixel APS-C sensor to wow your friends and neighbors. It’ll arrive in November for $1,350. As you can see in the image above, the OLED viewfinder is also an optional accessory for the NEX-5N.
Sony NEX-5N, NEX-7, A77 and A65 revealed: OLED viewfinders, pricing and release dates
If you’re looking for something a little heftier, Sony’s new translucent mirror Alpha cameras might do the trick -- the new Alpha A65 is basically those same NEX-7 internals (including that OLED viewfinder) shoved into a DSLR frame, while lopping a chunk off the price -- a body-only package will run you $900 in October and get you a 15-point autofocus system with three cross-type sensors. Meanwhile, the Alpha A77 upgrades to 19-point AF with 11 cross-type sensors, a faster 50ms front shutter curtain and a 12fps burst shooting speed, though you’ll pay extra for haste: the A77 will arrive in October for a body-only price of $1,400.
Last but not least, there are plenty of new NEX lenses to be had -- a pair of fast f/1.8 24mm and 50mm primes (the latter with optical stabilization) and a 50-210mm optically stabilized zoom lens, not to mention a NEX-to-Alpha lens mount adapter with a built-in translucent mirror and a 15-point autofocus system. Theoretically, you could turn your NEX into a DSLT [digital single lens translucent] shooter. It sure sounds like Sony’s getting serious about cameras this year. More images below!
Update: Sony’s photographic overhaul has one more member: the NEX-VG20 camcorder. Announced a little later than its NEX family mates, the VG20 features the same 16-megapixel sensor as found in the 5N and C3, though it allies it to a sophisticated microphone system (capable of multi-channel audio recording) and a litany of other video capture optimizations. Priced at $1,599 body-only or $2,199 with an 18-200mm lens, this VG10 successor should be on sale in November.
Source: Sony (1), (2), (3), DPReview (1), (2)
