Sony NEX-7

[Andrew Roos]

In amongst the DSLR announcements, Sony has announced what looks to me like the most interesting (and expensive) mirrorless system camera so far, the NEX-7. A 24 MP APS-C sensor (which I would not be surprised to see in the forthcoming Nikon D400), 2.4 MP AOLED electronic view finder with eye detection built in (but without the prism-like "hump" found on some MSCs), and a reasonable number of configurable controls (two thumbwheels and a button) all in a body not much bigger than the NEX-5. Plus a new Zeiss Sonnar branded 24mm f/1.8 prime. Plus AVCHD 1080/60p for those who like moving pictures. This is the first MSC that really tempts me for landscape work (provided noise at base ISO is low, which I expect it will be despite the small pixel pitch). For pics, see http://news.cnet.com/2300-17938_105-...html?tag=mncol.

Kudos to Sony for raising the bar. I hope Nikon and Canon are concerned (there are credible rumours of a Nikon mirrorless to come soon, but with a significantly smaller sensor).

[Henk Coetzee]

Plus a new Zeiss Sonnar branded 24mm f/1.8 prime.

This sounds great. As if Sony are actually listening to photographers. Release your new all singing all dancing EVIL camera with a good lens at the right focal length!

(provided noise at base ISO is low, which I expect it will be despite the small pixel pitch).

The myth about noise and small pixel pitch raises its ugly head again. Read the section entitled "But Having Too Many MPixels Doesn't Hurt Either" here.

[Henk Coetzee]

Henk - I think my understanding of small pixel pitch and noise is a little more sophisticated than your dismissal of it as "myth" suggests.

I stand corrected. I've just seen too many people automatically confusing pixel-scale noise with image-scale noise. I didn't mean to sound dismissive.

As with all things, this is a trade-off. We all want pocket-sized cameras with 80MP sensors with f0.95 lenses. (I've chosen these as they all exist, just not in one package). We're not going to get them. I am mightily impressed by how much better sensors have got over the past few years.

However this is only an approximation.

My background is in physics, not engineering. What can I say?

I find it exciting that high-end cameras are finally being redefined into something which seems to have been designed from the bottom up as what a digital camera should be like, as opposed to trying to fit a digital sensor into a camera which owes its designs to a number of compromises needed to get film cameras to work.

The next thing they need to get right (and I read that the NEX-7 does a pretty good job of it) is an EVF which can approach the clarity and ease of use of a really good optical viewfinder (pentaprism or rangefinder).

[Andrew Roos]

This sounds great. As if Sony are actually listening to photographers. Release your new all singing all dancing EVIL camera with a good lens at the right focal length!



The myth about noise and small pixel pitch raises its ugly head again. Read the section entitled "But Having Too Many MPixels Doesn't Hurt Either" here.

Yes I'm pleasantly surprised - I had always seen Sony as more consumer oriented, and yet as you say they are actually listening to real photographers.

The noise question is more complex than the article makes it out to be since the article assumes (a) that shot noise dominates, and (b) that the fill factor remains constant as pixel pitch is reduced. Neither of these assumptions is correct as one pushes the boundaries of current manufacturing technology, which I would argue is the case for a 24 MP APS-C sized sensor. In this case the reduced pixel pitch may in fact result in increased noise (per unit area) although given Sony's recent innovations, especially back-illuminated sensors, I doubt that this is the case with the 24 MP sensor in the NEX-7.

[Henk Coetzee]

Andrew,

Did you just remove your post? I appreciated a bit more technical information than we usually see here regarding small (ish) high-res sensors. I apologise if I came across as one of the rude guys on ODP

[Andrew Roos]

Ah, I see you posted just as I deleted my original reply, which on reflection seemed a bit excessive in response to your quite reasonable assumption that I may have been confusing pixel noise with image noise. Sorry 'bout that.

Andrew

[Henk Coetzee]

Ah, I see you posted just as I deleted my original reply, which on reflection seemed a bit excessive in response to your quite reasonable assumption that I may have been confusing pixel noise with image noise. Sorry 'bout that.

Andrew

Hey. You could also join me as one of the rude boys.

[Andrew Roos]

Hey. You could also join me as one of the rude boys.

Haha not sure I enjoy ska music enough, although I wouldn't mind working on the ska telescope

[Henk Coetzee]

Discussed today on The Online Photographer.

[Henk Coetzee]

Another interesting take on the NEX-7 this time discussing diffraction and small high resolution sensors.

[nidri]

One of these bad boys just sold for $3,245 on eBay!

(http://www.ebay.com/itm/270874898995...#ht_500wt_1204)

That's insane.

[HiltonP]

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/re...g_review.shtml

[nidri]

Finally had the opportunity to play around with the NEX-7 yesterday.
What a lovely camera. It's pretty compact, though noticeably bigger and more substantial feeling than the 3/5 series.
Really well put together. The grip is fantastic too. Controls are solid, firm. Still not mad about the EVF, but it works.
With the Zeiss 24/1.8, it makes for an awesome (yet VERY expensive) hi-res, take-anywhere camera.
If I was a little bit crazy I'd sell some of my Nikon gear to get my hands on one of these.
Fortunately I'm not quite crazy enough yet.