26Aug Is the Sony NEX-5N the next Killer DSLR?
The Sony NEX-5N is now available for pre-order and looks to be a very tempting follow up to the less then perfect NEX-5. The two key features that make me salivate are 1080p at 60fps and the mirror less form factor . This thing is thin, it makes a slice of toast look fat, and all that thinness means you can fit just about any type of lens on this guy. 1080p at 60fps means you can get those slow motion shots without having to upscale your 720p footage and the low light performance still looks usable at 3200 ISO. You also have full manual control of your settings in video mode and auto focus in video mode with supported lenses. To top all of this off, early reports suggest that this camera doesn’t suffer from jello cam in high motion. All of this at a starting price of $599 seems to be a very good deal.
But as always there are downsides. First, no manual audio controls, which is a shame for such a lovely little camera. This problem could easily be fixed with a small software update. Canon refuses to update the 7d and Sony hasn’t learned anything from it. It’s very frustrating and unnecessary. I’ll admit I’m probably the only person complaining about this but the other problem is that there is no 1080p at 29.97. Sure Sony has included a 24p mode and if you want, you can record 1440 x 1080 at 29.97, but why not just include full 1080p at 29.97 in the line up?
I know James Cameron and I are alone on this one, but I don’t really like the choppy look of 24p. Many people love it and it’s a great selling point for a lot of filmmakers, but to me faster frame rates look better. If I want that motion blur look, I’m usually happier with 29.97 at 1/50 shutter speeds. It gives me just a hint without going overboard. I’m sure I’d be just as happy shooting at 1080p 60fps, but I would still like to have that option available in case I need it.
I think if Sony manages to fix the glaring audio issue by the time the NEX 5n is released, you’ll have a camera that will easily take over the sub $1000 portion of the market. Although I’m sure many of us who have already developed and adopted dual system sound work flows wont have a huge problem with this issue. Just add a Zoom H1 and you’re gold.
The Sony NEX-5n is $599 for the body pre-order on B&H and $699 pre-order on amazon.
August 26th, 2011 at 6:29 am
I’m with you on the whole 24p thing. I shoot everything at 30fps on my humble Canon HFS100 and like the fact that nothing strobes.
August 26th, 2011 at 8:48 am
honestly they should seriously release a firmware fix, because 30fps means broadcast standard and 24fps is for cinema style
will this camera record stereo or have mic input?
August 26th, 2011 at 9:13 am
Are there any editing programs that even handle the 60fps, yet?
I use a camcorder that seems to have some of the same issues. It’s best setting is a 1080p 60fps, but since I can’t edit at that speed, I have to record at 29.97 fps. However, it’s then at 1080i. To get that broadcast standard, you must have to pay out the nose :\
August 26th, 2011 at 11:43 am
As far as I know, you can edit 1080p 60pfs in CS5 and Sony Vegas 8 on up. 29.97 is a standard and it seems like they should include it with cameras sold in the states.
August 26th, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Its kinda stupid that they dont offer “standard” fps settings, we can only hope they release a firmware later on to offer a 29.97 fps option.
will this camera record stereo or have mic input?
August 26th, 2011 at 9:10 pm
I’m with the James Cameron opinion. I think he’s right, 48fps is the frame rate of desire. Concerning that NEX5n not shooting 29.97 that means we’re back to audio drift scenarios when using the Zoom H4N. Not are hard remedy, but a pain none-the-less.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:00 am
In the future i would like to have one of those when i am travelling. It would be awesome to carry than a dslr.