- great resolution
- great low light sensitivity
- strong auto mode choices with fully manual operation if you need/want
- light (weight) - you can carry it all day
- 7frames per second in burst mode

- burst mode in raw mode can't do 7fps and ends up with a pretty long delay to recover before you can take another picture.

I was almost ready to by a DSLR (canon/nikon ...), but during my research was constantly running into the weight bulk issue and the multiple device to carry issue. I also wanted an all in one device with regards to digital camera/video camera. I considered the Olympus, Samsung and Panasonic micro four thirds. But the Sony Nex 5 was capturing my interest with it's multiple lens options, small body, APS-C sensor and HD 1080i video capability.

I bought the NEX5 with a 3.5-5.6/18-55 lens and went on vacation to south of France and Spain. After about 1200 pictures and about 15 videos, at the beach, indoors , at dusk, at night and even of fireworks, I have no buyer's remorse :-). I like my NEX-5 a lot. I don't need a viewfinder (although one can be mounted on it) and I have hardly used the flash since the camera works great in low light conditions. I took most of my initial pictures as jpgs, but switched over to raw, except for multi-frame action shots (more on this below). Here's a link that shows the quality of the raw images on the NEX-5: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/NEX5/NEX5RAW.HTM

I also used this camera at the Legg Mason tennis tournament in Washington DC a week or so ago. I have great shots of some top players. My favorites are the burst mode shots of serves, backhands and forehands. The NEX-5 can do 7fps. I am not a great photographer to time my shots (I also want to watch the match). But the burst mode shots are awesome.

Customer Service

- haven't had to use it. I upgraded the firmware, which improved start up time and added a 3D panoramic mode which I haven't tried. The upgrade was simple.

Similar Products Used:

- This is my first "DSLR"; In the past 15 years it has all been pro-sumer point and shoots - before that I used a Canon AE-1 and a Lica M5