The wait for a compact DSLR camera with interchangeable lenses is over with the launch of the new Sony NEX-5, which is a 14.2 megapixel compact digital camera. It is also the world’s lightest and smallest, mirror-less digital camera with interchangeable lenses, with DSLR-like picture quality and responsive shooting.

Some Key Features of the NEX-5 are as follows:

• It has a 14.2 effective megapixels Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor for crisp pictures
• The BIONZ sensor built into this camera is the same as used by all Sony DSLR’s
• Its supports full 1080i HD video recording with stereo sound, fast and silent autofocus
• They use Sony’s new Alpha digital technology resulting in DSLR picture quality and responsive shooting
• Their E-mount lens system is compatible with all Sony DSLR lenses with an optional Mount Adaptor
• It has an Intuitive new interface with shooting tips and help guide. Sony’s Anti-Dust Technology helps keep the Exmor CMOS sensor clean, which results in consistently clear pictures
• It has Sweep Panorama with 3D imaging capability.
• The Nex has Anti Motion Blur mode for better pictures.

Sony has simultaneously launched another camera in the same series called the NEX-3 which is also a 14.2 megapixel camera with a few changes from the NEX-5. It supports only 720p video recording at a rate of 9MB/s. Most of the other features in both the cameras are more or less the same.

As of now only three E-mount lenses designed specifically for these 2 cameras are being announced. The first is a 16mm F2.8 pancake mostly for portraits, a standard 18-55mm with an aperture range of F3.5-5.6 image stabilized kit zoom lens, and an image stabilized 18-200mm with an aperture range of F3.5-6.3, super zoom lens. The company does talk a great deal about their shallow depth-of-field, but from the specification of these lenses it is difficult to see how that would be possible.

The NEX series of cameras boast an elegant, uncluttered user interface which featuring a new ‘never get lost’ menu makes the powerful creative possibilities of the NEX-5 and NEX-3 accessible to amateur photographers and step-up users alike. Shooting settings can be easily accessed via an intuitive control wheel and two soft keys. For example, turning the control dial would allow depth of focus changes to be previewed live on the LCD before capturing the final image, giving effortless control over immaculate professional styled portraits. Further help for amateur photographers and users is provided by on-screen shooting tips and a friendly help guide. The Sony NEX-5 would be priced in India for about Rs.30,000 and the NEX-3 would be priced at around Rs. 28,000.

More Images: