Full review of Sony Nex-7

[DamenS]

DPReview have now completed their full review of the Sony Nex-7. It can be found here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonynex7/

 

[jsrockit]

Fairly positive review... sounds like its only bottleneck is lack of native lenses.

 

[bwcolor]

and they don't like the menu system, jpeg engine and a number of other things that can be fixed in firmware.

 

[NickTrop]

Sounds like a powerhouse. Lack of native lenses, however, is a significant drawback. Reviewers (to me) always overemphasize the menu system. Never encountered one so bad that didn't become second-nature in short order. Neat camera. Would be on the short list if I was in the market. Checks all my boxes, cept that lens issue.

 

[Paddy C]

Sounds like a powerhouse. Lack of native lenses, however, is a significant drawback. Reviewers (to me) always overemphasize the menu system. Never encountered one so bad that didn't become second-nature in short order. Neat camera. Would be on the short list if I was in the market. Checks all my boxes, cept that lens issue.

I think the NEX system is a good quality wide zoom and a standard length pancake (if possible) away from having a decent range.

 

[AlexanderR]

I'd love to get one. Got a few other priorities, but by the time the Nex-7n hits or there have been a few firmware revisions, it should be awesome.

The auto-sensing viewfinder/back screen function apparently can't be turned off ... that sort of blows. Anyone read anything different?

 

[HuubL]

sounds like a great body, but the lack of lens options is a definite deal breaker.

 

[Frank Petronio]

Seems a lot like the Fuji X100, nice camera but smarter to wait until v.2!

 

[Matus]

I hold my horses, I have just heard that the next version of the GXR M mount (yes, new A16 sensor) may be out soon (just a rumor as of now) and if Ricoh brings also new GXR body next year I may change my Mamiya 6 for GXR and a Rolleiflex T (again).

 

[celluloidprop]

Luminous Landscape has a solid rolling review as well. Noise seems quite acceptable when re-sized to 16MP, the EVF is getting rave reviews.

I'd really like to get my hands on one to get the feel for it ergonomically.

 

[Pablito]

Seems a lot like the Fuji X100, nice camera but smarter to wait until v.2!

Unless you need it now.
I shoot only RAW, so how the camera handles jpgs is of no consequence to me.
Lack of native lenses is undeniable. The kit zoom is just ok, the 24mm 2.8 is awful and the Zeiss is $1K. However, the 5n at least works beautifully with "legacy" lenses and when wide Leica lenses produce color shift in the corners, there is always SLR lenses. The Nex5 an 5n do very nicely with Nikon 24mm and 20mm lenses.
I also shoot mostly in manual exposure, so to be able to control aperture, shutter speed and ISO with 3 dials is, well, everything I ever wanted in a digicam. (well, I'll control aperture ON THE LENS)
So, this is the first camera I have ever in my life pre-ordered.
I passed on the x100, which looks like a Leica but does not have, for one thing, real manual focusing. The Nex7 design seems to embody the Leica (or Nikon FM) way of working...really direct, no fuss.... BUT WITH A NOD TO THE 21st CENTURY

 

[campbellcj]

Now if only we could actually buy the friggen thing!

 

[35mmdelux]

No VF is a deal breaker.

 

[celluloidprop]

The NEX-7 has a built-in EVF.

 

[tstermitz]

Menus. Ugh!

Menus. Ugh!

I'm not that old, but I am of the generation before TV remotes. I have issues figuring out how to set VCR vs Tape vs Satellite, and then find which channel has movies on it instead of Court TV. (Actually, I've dumped the TV entirely, and just watch movies on the computer!)

I like cameras with no menus at all (or minimal menus). Up to the late 90s, most analog cameras are pretty decent. Pentax is notable for logical, non-modal operation: P645N, MZ-S.

Nikon F-100 and N75 are also good. In my opinion, the Leica M9 isn't bad in that regard; basically one screen of menus.

Pentax K5 has menus like all the other recent DSLRs, but I'm happy that they are each less than one page (i.e. screen) long. On my K5 I use lenses with aperture rings so I can pretend the camera doesn't have the aperture mode.

...Reviewers (to me) always overemphasize the menu system. Never encountered one so bad that didn't become second-nature in short order...

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Perfect time for Cosina/Voigt. to step in with some NEX-native Skopars, Ultrons, and Noktons! 🙂

 

[Pablito]

Perfect time for Cosina/Voigt. to step in with some NEX-native Skopars, Ultrons, and Noktons! 🙂

especially at the wide end

 

[Athos6]

I'll need to try the NEX 7 out before I buy it. People said that the X100 EVF was good, but I can't stand it next to the OVF. I only use the EVF when forced to. Hopefully the X200 (or whatever) will have a quality OVF... However, I'm really interested in the system. I wonder if the high MP will be counter productive with legacy lenses...

 

[Kent]

Fairly positive review... sounds like its only bottleneck is lack of native lenses.

Not really. You can use almost any "vintage" or other MF lenses the NEX-7.
I do so with my NEX-3 (and can't wait to get my NEX-7!).