Best Mirrorless Camera

Sony NEX 5N

Let's say this right up front. The Sony NEX-5N is sexy.

Wherever I take it, people stop and ask me about it, partially because I have the humongous 18-200mm silver zoom lens attached, which dwarfs the tiny 5N body.

Even with the hefty lens, the camera is physically comfortable in my hand and a welcome relief from the bulkier DSLRs that I have lugged around for years.

But more importantly, the NEX-5N is a helluva good camera.

The Good, the Bad and the So-so

I liked the first incarnation, the NEX-5, and Sony has performed an admirable job of improving the shortcomings of the original without screwing up the good bits.

For example, the time lapse between tripping the shutter and registering the shot has been notably accelerated in the 5N. No more missing that candid smile while waiting for the shutter to click. (Sony boasts that the 5N's lag time is the shortest of all the mirrorless cameras. I haven't tested that with a chronometer, but its responsiveness is notably quicker than its predecessor.)

And if you are trying to capture your fidgety, ants-in-his-pants child, the 5N can shoot at up to 10 frames per second. Or you can hit the Movie button and record Full HD 1920x1080 video in a variety of frame rates.

The image sensor is the heart of a digital camera. All things being equal, the bigger the sensor, the better. And this baby has a big one. The APS-C sensor in the NEX series is the largest in the mirrorless field.

Sony improved it too in the 5N. It's now more light sensitive, which allows you to better capture photos in dim situations. The images on a recent night shoot displayed some slight noise in the shadows, but you had to look for it.

So be ready to capture action after dark. That's many more hours in your day to pursue your money shot.

NYC Buildings at Night, Shot at ISO 3200

Even with an APS-C sensor, image quality does suffer as you shoot this Sony at higher ISOs. This PhotoScope link compares the NEX-5N with itself at different ISOs.

To start, the link is set to show the test scene shot at ISO 200 vs. ISO 3200. If you move the Scope across the scene, you will notice that the ISO 3200 image exhibits a loss of detail even though it is not showing much of the telltale noise artifacts that you would expect at this high ISO setting.

I'm not a big adherent of cramming more pixels onto a sensor, but Sony has increased the count from the original NEX-5 (16.1 MP from 14.2). The larger pixel count allows you to crop your ex from last month's party snaps but still leave behind plenty of detail for an 8x10 enlargement of your BFFs.

With all these big dimensions, it's a treat that the NEX-5N body is one of the smallest and lightest (less than 9.5 ounces with battery) in the mirrorless class, which makes it a welcome companion to pocket or purse - day or night, (as long as you leave the zoom lens at home).

Even with an oversized lens, the 5N handles well because of the ample hand grip.

The 3-inch LCD screen is bright and detailed, but in strong daylight, blinding sun reflections can keep you from seeing the menu or properly framing a shot. Luckily, the screen does flip out, giving you a chance to position it for better viewing.

Also, the tiltable flip screen adds to your stealth photo capability. (Are you as bored as I am by the pose-and-grin Pavlovian reflex when any kid spots a camera? Adults are worse.) Just bend down your head, fiddle, futz and flip the screen and no one will know how many shots you've stolen.

Of course, if you are like I am and still crave the flexibility and security that a dedicated viewfinder affords, Sony offers either an electronic or optical viewfinder that attaches to the hot shoe on top of the camera. Unfortunately, this accessory comes at a premium. The electronic version costs $350, the optical, $200.

While we're discussing accessories, a serviceable flash unit does come in the box. But some of the big zoom lenses will cast a flash shadow on your subjects. I suggest that you consider the $150 external flash.

The live-view touch screen is usable, logical, and adaptable. Complemented by wheels, buttons, bells and whistles, you can even customize your own arrangement of functions.

Especially helpful is the touch-focus function. Touch your subject on the screen and the camera focuses on it. Sometimes the process seems capricious and needs a little finger massaging to maneuver the focus where you want it. But with familiarity and practice, you can often avoid disappointing surprises.

For the techno-impaired, memory-challenged and far-sighted photographer, you can display, on the 3-inch screen, down-to-earth instructions, advice and explanations of the camera's modes and options. And the menu's pictorial icons simplify the often hazy hieroglyphics of some manufacturers. All of which make the 5N easier to learn and operate.

On the flip side, the Sony designers are not immune to what I consider the scourge of all technology - especially digital cameras - feature creep. Those gimmicks that all manufacturers use to seduce the market to their product, they are breeding like bunnies.

But, I will confess, I am a sucker for one feature on the NEX series. I love the panorama mode. In the past, to create that lovely long sinewy wide angle landscape, you had to take a series of shots and then stitch them together in an editing program like Photoshop.

Panorama of Central Park Ice Rink

In the 5N, you simply hold down the shutter while panning or tilting and the camera fires off a series of shots (with an accompanying machine gun noise). Then, in a matter of seconds, it automagically assembles them in the camera into one luxurious panorama image. Though the timing and swing movement can be finicky and tricky, when it works, it's worth it.

While more limited in use, there's even a 3D panorama mode, which is intriguing though quirky. If you have a 3D TV to display the images, it's definitely warrants experimentation. Don't expect to recreate James Cameron's Pandora, but the 3D effect can be striking. (Sometimes the 3D image appears turned inside-out, but it's still a hoot.)

Finally, when the NEX5 was first introduced, Sony only offered a few lenses to complement the camera. Since then, they have begun to fulfill their promise of expanding the lens line, including two fast prime lenses that give you even more flexibility in shooting in low light situations.

Once again, there is a price to be paid, with some of these lenses costing more than the camera body.

Conclusion

The combination of the lenses' good optics, the camera's sophisticated mechanics, the sensor's superior image quality and the ease of use and handling, make the Sony NEX-5N my top pick in the mirrorless camera category.

So who is the buyer and future fan of this camera? It's a great choice for the voracious and/or professional photographer who never leaves home without one, but is ready to lighten their DSLR bag without a major compromise in quality.

Or the periodic pick-up-and-shoot fun photographer who finds the easy on-screen advice and the logical layout a great memory refresher. Or the occasional photographer who sometimes needs a serious shot - at work, for example.

You can watch a Hands-on Video of the earlier, but quite similar, Sony NEX-5 below.

Sony NEX-5 Hands-on Video

Sony NEX-5N Photo Gallery

More about the Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N spec sheet

Compare the Sony NEX-5N to the Competition