ampguy
Veteran
Pop photo shows the NEX as having about 2 stops better high ISO performance than the Lumix G2 4/3.
Do any Lumix G2 users find that it is representative of u4/3 or is the G2 a bit lower than say the Olympus models?
Now that there are M adapters for the NEX, the NEX looks like it could be a great backup body for a primary M body, as it's small package without the lens, but has as large a sensor as the RD1.
What do you think?
Do any Lumix G2 users find that it is representative of u4/3 or is the G2 a bit lower than say the Olympus models?
Now that there are M adapters for the NEX, the NEX looks like it could be a great backup body for a primary M body, as it's small package without the lens, but has as large a sensor as the RD1.
What do you think?
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
Amp- I thought the NEX might be interesting but the UI is not something I'd enjoy from all I've read. Sounds a bit horrific when not used as in it's "auto mode". The GF1, for example, has an excellent interface from my experience with it.
That said I'll have a look at the NEX for myself when they're available locally.
Kent
That said I'll have a look at the NEX for myself when they're available locally.
Kent
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
On topic... I would expect the NEX to have a high ISO advantage due to sensor size. I believe i read that there are some issues with Sony's high ISO processing however that might detract from it's effectiveness a bit.
ampguy
Veteran
Thanks
Thanks
Yes, have read the many reviews of the NEX UI, that's a consideration, and I'd definitely need to try it for myself before jumping into it.
Not sure how accurate the pop photo article is, but I think it did the ISO comparisons with RAW, and actually mentioned that the G2 got better when looking at the JPGs because of the heavy in-camera reduction (at a loss of resolution, etc.).
I think it's a wait and see for now, maybe for even a while before I use a u4/3 or NEX for backup. Wish I still had my RD1, but the M6 with a fridge full of film that is getting older is a good backup for now. Thanks.
Thanks
Yes, have read the many reviews of the NEX UI, that's a consideration, and I'd definitely need to try it for myself before jumping into it.
Not sure how accurate the pop photo article is, but I think it did the ISO comparisons with RAW, and actually mentioned that the G2 got better when looking at the JPGs because of the heavy in-camera reduction (at a loss of resolution, etc.).
I think it's a wait and see for now, maybe for even a while before I use a u4/3 or NEX for backup. Wish I still had my RD1, but the M6 with a fridge full of film that is getting older is a good backup for now. Thanks.
mimaki
Member
I purchased a nex-5 twin lens kit a couple of days ago - it's a great little camera - the autostitching works very well. I'm looking forward to mounting some Leica glass to it, noise isn't massively improved over a m9 - iso1600 is pretty similar. Waiting for lightroom 3 support for more noise tests. The interface isn't a problem if shooting in aperture priority - or even manual.. Don't know what the fuss is over
PCB_RF
Established
To answer the OP, G2 high-ISO IQ should be as good as current m4/3 offerings. DXO ranks the GH1 highest, but they haven't posted G2 results yet. I don't think we've heard any real head-to-head results yet. I've played with the G2 and high ISO looked a little better than my G1, at least as good as my EP1.
So if Nex is 2 stops better than the G2 in RAW, it should be 2 stops better in RAW than most other m4/3 cameras. That's pretty compelling if you shoot in RAW, and like the rest of the package. If you shoot JPG, sounds like Nex JPG output isn't spectacular.
As for UI, they can be funny things, with individual experience hinging on what we're used to and what we want to do.
I've only briefly played with Nex 3/Nex 5 bodies, found them both better than I expected but still frustrating. Part of the frustration was design, part was just unfamiliarity.
I shoot most often in aperture priority, and need to do 4 or 5 things often, so I want to be able to do them easily and fast:
1. change aperture
2. bias exposure
3. change ISO
4. tweak white balance
5. magnify finder (when using legacy lenses)
I found aperture/exposure bias control easier than expected on the Nex. Just turn the wheel. I forget what you push to toggle between the two, but it was easy; maybe just click the wheel?
That said, I find a horizontal control wheel, like on the Panasonic, easier to use then a vertical wheel, like on the Nex and Oly Pen. I turn the vertical wheel too far and accidentally click it more often than the horizontal wheel. It also bothers me a bit that the aperture/exposure is overlaid on the image. I'd rather have it outside the image area.
It's at ISO/WB that I hit a wall. No dedicated buttons on the Nex. Maybe I hit Menu? Maybe I hit one of the two unlabeled buttons? Then I wondered why Sony would have unlabeled controls, especially on a camera targeted at non-technical beginners. Didn't see a screen prompt.
At that point I shrugged my shoulders and surrendered the camera. I'll be more interested if/when a Nex 7 with more buttons debuts. I also don't think I'll buy any Nex unless they make one with a good eyelevel EVF. I have trouble using my EP1 outdoors, and mainly bought it for indoor use and video. I'll eventually sell both my G1 and EP1 and replace both with a G2.
So if Nex is 2 stops better than the G2 in RAW, it should be 2 stops better in RAW than most other m4/3 cameras. That's pretty compelling if you shoot in RAW, and like the rest of the package. If you shoot JPG, sounds like Nex JPG output isn't spectacular.
As for UI, they can be funny things, with individual experience hinging on what we're used to and what we want to do.
I've only briefly played with Nex 3/Nex 5 bodies, found them both better than I expected but still frustrating. Part of the frustration was design, part was just unfamiliarity.
I shoot most often in aperture priority, and need to do 4 or 5 things often, so I want to be able to do them easily and fast:
1. change aperture
2. bias exposure
3. change ISO
4. tweak white balance
5. magnify finder (when using legacy lenses)
I found aperture/exposure bias control easier than expected on the Nex. Just turn the wheel. I forget what you push to toggle between the two, but it was easy; maybe just click the wheel?
That said, I find a horizontal control wheel, like on the Panasonic, easier to use then a vertical wheel, like on the Nex and Oly Pen. I turn the vertical wheel too far and accidentally click it more often than the horizontal wheel. It also bothers me a bit that the aperture/exposure is overlaid on the image. I'd rather have it outside the image area.
It's at ISO/WB that I hit a wall. No dedicated buttons on the Nex. Maybe I hit Menu? Maybe I hit one of the two unlabeled buttons? Then I wondered why Sony would have unlabeled controls, especially on a camera targeted at non-technical beginners. Didn't see a screen prompt.
At that point I shrugged my shoulders and surrendered the camera. I'll be more interested if/when a Nex 7 with more buttons debuts. I also don't think I'll buy any Nex unless they make one with a good eyelevel EVF. I have trouble using my EP1 outdoors, and mainly bought it for indoor use and video. I'll eventually sell both my G1 and EP1 and replace both with a G2.
PCB_RF
Established
Forgot to mention that both G1/EP1 have analog Exposure Mode dials, so changing between P/A/S/M is easy, and one glance at the dial reminds you what mode is selected, whether the camera is on or off. Nex 3/5 requires camera power and button pushes to change "Shoot Mode:"
1. Turn camera on
2. Push Menu
3. Select Shoot Mode
4. Turn wheel to select desired mode
5. Click wheel or push shutter release to save selection
I'm sure there's a screen prompt to show selected mode, but you wouldn't know if the camera or screen were turned off.
A dedicated dial lets you change modes in one step, with/without power. Nex 3/5 is a 4-5 step process. I think this is fine for the intended buyer, who will likely seldom change Shoot Mode. But it's slower and less intuitive for enthusiasts...
1. Turn camera on
2. Push Menu
3. Select Shoot Mode
4. Turn wheel to select desired mode
5. Click wheel or push shutter release to save selection
I'm sure there's a screen prompt to show selected mode, but you wouldn't know if the camera or screen were turned off.
A dedicated dial lets you change modes in one step, with/without power. Nex 3/5 is a 4-5 step process. I think this is fine for the intended buyer, who will likely seldom change Shoot Mode. But it's slower and less intuitive for enthusiasts...
ampguy
Veteran
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks, this is very helpful.
I think I could probably live with one of these. I've gotten used to menu buttons vs dedicated dials on the P&S's and even the M8.
The RD1 has physical settings for ISO and WB, but I've not really found them quicker, as I always wanted to gently change the ISO to not scratch up the shutter dial, and the WB takes both hands and deciphering of the images on the gauge.
Thanks!
Thanks, this is very helpful.
I think I could probably live with one of these. I've gotten used to menu buttons vs dedicated dials on the P&S's and even the M8.
The RD1 has physical settings for ISO and WB, but I've not really found them quicker, as I always wanted to gently change the ISO to not scratch up the shutter dial, and the WB takes both hands and deciphering of the images on the gauge.