Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 Hands on and ISO Noise Test

Gratitude to Sony Wellington, New Zealand for letting me test out the new Sony NEX cameras.

The NEX series of Sony’s new mirror less interchangeable lens cameras equipped with APS-C sensor in a very tidy body. When I first put my hand on it, I can feel the build quality is top notch. The NEX-5 is a bit smaller in size and has a better grip than the NEX-3.

The auto focus is fast, in camera option menu and shutter are responsive. The shutter sound does sound like a real shutter.

The lenses are also very compact and with excellent build quality.

Let the images speak for them self, Enjoy

Size comparison with NEX-5 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 (Left) and NEX-3 with 16mm f/2.8 (Right)

Sony NEX APS-C sensor

 

Sony NEX-3 with 16mm f/2.8.

(Image taken with NEX-5 18-55mm @ f/3.5)

 

Sony NEX-5 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and Flash.

(Image taken with NEX-3 16mm @ f/2.8)

 

Sony NEX in camera menu

(Image taken with NEX-5 18-55mm @ f/3.5)

 

Articulated LCD on Sony NEX-5

(Image taken with NEX-3 16mm @ f/2.8)

 

Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 allow ISO setting up to 12800. Click image below to check out the ISO noise test (ISO 200-12800).

 

Where can I find the equipment seen on this site?

If you find this site useful and planning to purchase any of the equipment seen on this site, please show your support by purchasing your photo equipment at B&H Photo Video or through any of the affiliate links seen on this site.

• Sony NEX-5 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
• Sony NEX-5 with 16mm f/2.8
• Sony NEX-3 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
• Sony NEX-3 with 16mm f/2.8

Adobe Lightroom 3 - Noise Reduction (NR) Comparison

Adobe Lightroom 3 has added and improved many features to make Lightroom 3 a one complete workflow package. I have listed many of its new features, but one of its new improved feature is its noise reduction engine. This is what Adobe says about its superior noise reduction:

“Achieve amazing, natural-looking results from your high ISO images with all-new state-of-the-art noise reduction technology. You won't need more than what's built into Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® 3 to get the cleanest images at any ISO.”

There are many noise reduction (NR) packages out there that also claims to be number 1 in removing noise and grain from digital images.

Here, I present the images (100% crop) after applying some of the most common NR software. The test candidates are:

 

| Lightroom 2 | Lightroom 3 | Noise Ninja | Define 2 | Noiseware Professional | DxO Optics Pro |

 

Let’s first check out the test image -  An image of Hong Kong skyline taken with a Nikon D700 @ ISO1600, f/2.8. It has a lot of dark/shadow areas where noise is a lot less tolerant.

 

Here is a comparison of the NR results (100% crop 800x600) from the five different NR software. The NR settings used are as follows:

• Lightroom 2 – 70% luminance, 80% colour
• Lightroom 3 - 70% luminance, 80% colour
• Noise Ninja – Default settings, automatic profiling
• Noiseware Professional – Default settings, automatic profiling
• Define 2 - Default settings, automatic profiling
• DxO 6 - Default settings, automatic profiling

Click image for full resolution

My preferences

1. LR2 – Maintain a lot of details similar to the original, some noise still presence
2. Noiseware Professional – Similar results to LR2, but reduced contrast
3. DxO 6 – Still some noise especially chromatic noise, a bit smudged
4. LR3 – Very clean , but image became a bit soft. Perhaps a lower NR setting will help
5. Define 2 – Similar results to LR3, but losing contrast and details
6. NoiseNinja – Feels a bit smudged, image became a bit soft, losing contrast and details

Second test image - An image of Xiamen skyline taken with a Nikon D700 @ ISO5000, f/2.8. It also has a lot of dark/shadow areas where noise is a lot less tolerant.

Here is a comparison of the NR results (100% crop 800x600) from the five different NR software. The NR settings used are as follows:

• Lightroom 2 – 70% luminance, 80% colour
• Lightroom 3 - 70% luminance, 80% colour
• Noise Ninja – Default settings, automatic profiling
• Noiseware Professional – Default settings, automatic profiling
• Define 2 - Default settings, automatic profiling
• DxO 6 - Default settings, automatic profiling

Click image for full resolution

 

My preferences

1. NoiseNinja – Some noise remains, but maintained most details and contrast
2. DxO 6 – Some noise remains, a slightly soft
3. Define 2 – Some smudged and image became soft
4. LR3 – Very soft, but not as patchy as others
5. LR2 – Smudged and patchy, image became soft
6. Noiseware Professional – Smudged and appears to have halo effect

Remarks
LR3’s NR algorithm is capable of removing image noise very well without adding artifacts to the image. However, in the test results above,  the images became a bit soft. Perhaps the NR settings at 70% luminance and 80% colour were too strong. NR is a compromise really, you are prone to lose some of  image details (i.e. image becomes soft) when you remove too much noise.

Where can I find the equipment seen on this site?

If you find this site useful and planning to purchase any of the equipment seen on this site, please show your support by purchasing your photo equipment at B&H Photo Video or through any of the affiliate links seen on this site.

• Adobe Lightroom 3
• Niksoftware Define 2
• DxO Optics Pro

Sony α NEX-3/NEX-5 mirror less interchangeable lens cameras

While Micro Four Third has been steadily building its market and trying to become a standard for mirror less interchangeable lens camera system, Sony has responded with an announcement of  its own mirror less interchangeable lens camera system – α NEX in May 2010. Two NEX models are available – NEX-3 (Right) and NEX-5 (Left). source: dpreview and mobile01

Here are the specs:

Image Sensor: 14.2 million effective pixels.
Metering: 49-segment Multi pattern, centre-weighted and spot.
Sensor Size: APS-C-sized CMOS (23.4×15.6mm).
Lens: Sony E Series mount.
Shutter Speed: 30 to 1/4000 second. Flash sync: 1/160 sec.
Continuous Shooting: seven fps.
Memory: Memory Stick PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo, SD, SDHC, SDXC cards.
Image Sizes (pixels): 4592×3056, 4592×2576, 3344×2224, 3344×1872, 2288×1520, 2288×1280.
Movies: 1280×720, 848×480, 640×480 at 30 fps. (NEX5 has 1920x1080i at 60fps)
Colour Space: sRGB, Adobe RGB.
LCD Screen: 3" LCD (921,600 pixels).
File Formats: JPEG, RAW, JPEG+RAW, MPEG4.
ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 200 to 12,800.
Interface: USB 2.0, HDMNI, AV.
Power: Rechargeable lithium ion battery, DC input.
Dimensions: 117.2×62.6×33.4mm WHDmm.
Weight: 297 g (inc battery and card)/239 g (body only).

Sony’s α NEX incorporates a APS-C sensor into a compact frame, producing an interchangeable lens digital still camera that makes it possible to capture professional-grade pictures without the extra size and weight of standard DSLR cameras. Full HD 1080/60i video is also available on αNEX-5 (720/30p HD on NEX-3). 

 α NEX is equipped with APS-C sensor - an image sensor that is 13 times the size of the typical compact camera’s sensor (1/2.5”-1/1.6”) or an equivalent sensor size of non full frame DSLR such as Nikon D90, Canon 550D. Compared to Micro Four Thirds, APS-C sensor size is approximately 30-40% bigger. The bigger sensor means images with softer backgrounds (DoF) that make your subject stand out and better ISO noise performance. Here is a comparison of the different sensor sizes.

What might take you by a surprise is the size of the camera body, in particular the α NEX-5. It is rather tiny that even the lens mount is taller than the camera body. The α NEX-5 gets a slightly smaller magnesium alloy body.

Here is a size comparison between Samsun NX10, Sony NEX-5 and Panasonic GF1. The NEX-5 is noticeably smaller than the already compact GF1.

Another important aspect of the  α NEX is the ability to interchange lenses. Three E-mount lenses are being announced alongside the cameras - an 16mm F2.8 pancake, a standard 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 stabilized kit zoom and a stabilized 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 superzoom.

16mm F2.8

18-55mm F3.5-5.6

18-200mm F3.5-6.3

It is also possible to use A-mount lenses via a LA-EA1 Alpha-mount to E-mount adapter

α NEX-5 with a 24-70mm f/2.8 via a LA-EA1 Alpha-mount to E-mount adapter

What about Image Quality? Can we expect the α NEXs produce better image quality than Micro Four Thirds? Here are some image samples.

Click the image for full resolution. source: 山田久美夫

Day image - α NEX-5 E 16mm f/2.8 | f/11 | 1/250s| ISO 200

Night image - α NEX-5 E 16mm f/2.8 | f/2.8 | 1/2s| ISO 200

DOF image  - α NEX-5 E 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | f/5.6 | 1/40s | ISO 1600

Here we compare some high ISO images between  Sony α NEX-5, Olympus E-PL1, Canon EOS 550D and Panasonic DMC-GF1.

Click the image for full resolution. source: 山田久美夫

NEX-5 / E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

NEX-5 ISO800

NEX-5 ISO1600

NEX-5 ISO3200

E-PL1 / M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED-14-42mm F3.5-5.6 L

E-PL1 ISO800

E-PL1 ISO1600

E-PL1 ISO3200

EOS 550D / EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 USM

EOS Kiss X4 ISO800

EOS Kiss X4 ISO1600

EOS Kiss X4 ISO3200

DMC-GF1 / LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S.

DMC-GF1 ISO800

DMC-GF1 ISO1600

DMC-GF1 ISO3200

What about extra high ISO from α NEX-5? Is it useable? Let’s have a look……….

NEX-5 ISO6400

NEX-5 ISO12800

My thoughts…

Now that Sony has done it – Fitting an APS-C sensor in an extremely tiny body, even smaller than the Micro Four thirds, it will become a new standard and I am pretty sure that’s where Canon and Nikon are heading. The choice of lenses may not be much compare to DSLR lenses, but perhaps there needn’t be for its purpose. As expected, the high ISO performance from α NEXs  is more superior than the Micro Four Thirds and close to the Canon 550D. The α NEX has truly combined DSLR image quality with half of the DSLR body size.

Full articles from dpreview and 山田久美夫

Where can I find the equipment seen on this site?

If you find this site useful and planning to purchase any of the equipment seen on this site, please show your support by purchasing your photo equipment at B&H Photo Video or through any of the affiliate links seen on this site.

• Sony Alpha NEX-3
• Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sodium light in the dark

I think this is Sodium lamp which used to light up the alley.

Old St. Paul’s

I had the opportunity to visit Old St Paul’s Wellington this week (formerly known as Cathedral Church of St. Paul). St. Paul’s was consecrated in 1866. Two years after Wellington became the capital of New Zealand.

Over the years, considerable restoration work was carried out and today Old St. Paul’s is owned by the Crown and managed for the nation by the NZ Historic Places Trust.

Images taken with Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 @ ~ISO6400

Old St. Paul’s viewed from the nave

Chancel of Old St. Paul’s

The lectern, which holds the Bible, is a brass eagle with outstretched wings. Symbolically, the eagle brings the Word of God to earth on outstretched wings.

The stained glass windows commemorate former parishioners and depict scenes from the Bible.

Happy Birthday Grace

We went to Lone Star to celebrate Grace’s birthday on Sunday. The candle light inside was perfect for the occasion, but difficult to take photos. Pretty much all the photos were taken at ISO6400, f/2.8. The colour of the lighting didn't help either.

The food were nice, there were a lot of variety to choose from. And our pick of the night were ……………..

GOOD GROPER

LASSOO OF HOG

 

Happy Birthday Grace !!

On Valentine’s

We started off the night with a pre-drink at StarBucks

Then the night's dinner at the General Practitioner which is well known for its New Zealand Wild Food. The General Practitioner was originally constructed for Dr. Henry Pollen in 1902. Dr Pollen Conducted his consultations and surgery on the ground floor and resided with his family on the top floors.

Award Winner in Wild Food. Themed deco

Surgical tools in the restaurant....Ouch

Certainly a very nice place

Let the tasting begins…

Garlic Bread
grilled with mozzarella cheese

Braised Roast Duck leg and wild chicken

Half Roast Duck
confit till tender then roasted and served on potato rosti with pickled cabbage and cranberry chutney

Let’s eat !!!!

Present opening ceremony

Off to Strawberry Fare for dessert

A long list of desserts and more desserts

Thinking hard and careful

Still deciding after 20 mins

WARM RASPBERRY DRENCHED CHOCOLATE CAKE
A traditional French recipe, so moist it resembles a sunken souffle. An intriguing mixture of raspberries and chocolate served warm with vanilla ice cream

The combination of taste is brilliant. First you feel cold, then warm, then sour, then sweet and crispy at the end.