We got a confirmation from a trusted sources that also a new NEX-5 is coming soon. It will be named “NEX-5T“. I don’t have reliable specs to share now. But this is the fourth new NEX camera we heard about:
The first (SR4) is the NEX with DSLR shape,
The second (SR4) is the NEX-5T
The third (SR3) is the NEX-7 successor
and fourth (SR4) is the NEX-FF
I don’t know yet if all of them will be released in September.
P.S: Deal Extended: $150 off on NEX cameras at Amazon US (Click here).
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Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!
69 Responses
I thought the Nex 7 successor was the sure thing…now only an SR3?
I also thought it. But I still have no final confirmation that they solved the preproduction issue.
I don’t see the point of all these nex cameras. They are never that much improved over the old model. That is why nex cameras loose there value so fast. In the end it works for me because I can normally get a body at a good price after the new one arrives but I still don’t see the point.
You could say the same for lower end CaNikon dSLRs.
I would have thought new models are released to lower manufacturing costs (using cheaper components and manufacturing processes) and to keep Sony in the media.
It’s good for people like us who buy the last generation of NEX at bargain prices.
The NEX-5N introduced a touch screen, better sensor, better battery life, better fps, better video, electronic first curtain shutter, etc. The NEX-5R brought one more dial, PDAF on sensor, wi-fi, Fn button. Those seem like better upgrades than what we see from many other companies.
Don’t forget the apps on the nex-5r. I wish I could add time-lapse to my 5n as easily.
I see a lot of improvements, especially in the NEX-5-range:
5N: Lens Compensation, Touch Screen, higher resolution Sensor, Slow Motion Video
5R: Hybrid AF, Flip Screen, additional Control Wheel, WiFi
So I’m expecting quite a similar development from the NEX-5T…
In the end this continued planned obsolescence, ala Apple of the late ’80s will prove to be a bad thing for Sony. Eventually they will drive a significant amount of their potential customer to simply keep putting of the purchase as they wait for the next version to come out and eventually realize that they are being used by Sony.
I’m all for upgrades to a product… but when they happen this quickly it sure look a lot less like any real evolution in the product and a whole lot like planned obsolescence…. I suppose at some point we’ll find that Sony already has the Nex-5x and Nex-5Z completed and are just waiting to release it to try and push more cameras to hard core fans.
Nonsense. That is absolutely no different from any company out there. Since 2010, there are 3 models of NEX-5s. Hardly that many. And NEX-7 was launched two years ago.
3 models in 3 years is a bit much. While the higher end nex has yet to be updated at all only a rumor.
For a mid if not entry-level model? Tell that to any other camera manufacturer.
Really? A SLR-shaped (!) NEX is more probable than a NEX-7 successor we wait for almost two years now?
Because of issues.
Glad to see Sony keeps the 5 series alive. In my opinion a nearly perfect combination of compactness and performance. I have four of these (2x NEX-5 + 2x NEX-5N). However, 5N is brilliant, so the 5T better have some really neat tricks up its sleeve for me to upgrade.
Andrea, any specs for the 5T? Would love new AF System, new Sensor, GPS tagging and (this would be the cherry on top) new hotshoe + mic input for 3rd party mics.
not yet sorry!
Come to think of it, the 5T might have the 20mp sensor from the A58 in it. Just add some fancy phase detection voodoo.
Yeah, a 3.5 mm mic input would be really great.
Just getting used to my pretty new 5R, so lets hope this new 5T does not have any tricks up its sleeve and makes me want to buy one. Please let it be a cheaper 5R with less features 😉
Hope so, too 😉
Nex 5T, please have 24 megapixels and no AA filter.
+1
Maybe it gets the 20 MP sensor form the A58, but the top of the line sensor will be reserved for the 7 series, I’m afraid.
NEX 5T to have NEX5Z around the corner
FUJI’s answer to SONY’s corporate crap business model:
Establish customer Respect and system awareness with free firmware upgrades consisting software evolution + 1st class Lenses
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/07/17/fujifilm-revises-upcoming-x-pro1-and-x-e1-firmware-updates-to-improve-focus-accuracy
Fuji do seem to be doing a great job, but let’s not forget that their cameras also have plenty of shortcomings.
Fuji’s answer to people who want to shoot video? none
I already updated the firmware on nex-5n after downloading it from Sony. So what are you talking about?
Fuji are notorious for producing cameras that only half work at the time of release and subsequently require firmware patching to be workable. Fuji do some good things, but it’s not a strategy for Sony to emulate.
Soooo true!
My first encounter with X-PRO1 (production version) was during one of the meetings with Fujifilm staff. I managed to CRASH firmware on TWO cameras in 5 minutes!!!!
That’s ridiculous. No wonder that they release firmware patches every few weeks. These cameras ain’t even half-ready when they go to the stores.
I am also quite impressed by NEX 5N, and still use it.
Nex-5R seems to have the less quality touch screen (resistive), which mean a need for harder pressing in operations. This makes the new features (like autofocus+shot) less effective due to the camera shake.
Though the on-matrix PDAF is a plus of the camera. The PDAF eventually was not impressively effective.
If sony already have the next-gen sensor with on-matrix PDAF of the better quality. In fact this alone would make already very good camera the perfect camera for almost every kind of shooting.
Keep in mind that now with apps and that tiny keyboard, capacitive would be impossible. You must use a stylus, pencil eraser, or similar to actually type. Scrolling to each letter and enter like you have to do on the 6 is ludicrous.
Sounds like a minimal upgrade to me.
Notice that betweem 5N and 5R there are 3 letters and between 5R and 5T only 1.
On a serious note, I sure hope it will be substantial. What sony needs is a sensor which can top Fuji’s X-trans image quality and video AF which can at least compare to Canon’s 70D. Though i’m certain much of this will be reserved to the top tier, it really makes no sense to release a lesser model.
glad Sony is working but I’m not sure this shotgun approach is the best idea… just seems to scatter-brained and makes people wonder if they should buy or wait 6-months for the next thing… pardon the analogy but they should be thinking more apple and less android (system coherence and not throw @#$! at the wall and see what sticks). That said, put the FF NEX out.. it’ll stick 😉 They only reason I could see for all these upgrades now is if they are going to deploy IBIS across the full NEX spectrum
IBIS (that works with legacy glass) without considerable addition of bulk, that is one trick that would make me upgrade from 5N! Stacked or backlit sensor tech with increased low light performance too. I use my five NEX’s as digital backs so all that AF talk does not affect me much.
“but I’m not sure this shotgun approach is the best idea”
You must be new to Sony cameras. They’ve done exactly that for years.
It is likely that Sony decide how many of a new model they expect to sell, and order all the parts for that number.
By the time they need to order more parts, they have a few improvements to add. So it is a new model.
Nowadays, you can’t rely on an electronic component being available in a few months time – often these too are made in a fixed number according to expected demand. So it makes sense to order all the parts you need for a run.
What may vary is how long they plan the supply to last. It looks as though they made enough NEX-7s to last for a couple of years, while the supply of 5s is planned to last for a few months.
AlphaGuy, most camera makers cover the same range of cameras of each type–mirrorless e-mount, slr a-mount format–except that Sony works in more formats. What I don’t get is that people actually complain about this. It’s Sony’s strength, not weakness.
What are you talking about? It is 2013, the first NEX-5 was launched in 2010 and there were 3 models of it. That’s it. The NEX-7 is already more than 2 years old.
Hopefully they put the capacitive screen back in. I hated the resistive screen of the 5R compared to the 5N.
Something about a new NEX 6, too? Beacause that would be my favorite for now: Integrated VF and not so pricey as the NEX 7.
Nex-6 is still for sale, so go for it!
Did they stop NEX-7 in the last minute because they realized that the top model for aps-c need IBIS? =)
The DSLR-like NEX rumor actually worries me a little bit, because it makes me think they’re working towards scrapping the A-mount DSLT line. If I have to switch from A-mount to E-mount, then I may as well just switch to Canikon. Hopefully this isn’t the case…
I wouldn’t worry about that even if they stoppe making low-end SLTs and instead did the DSLR-bodied- E-mount camera as you can keep using your A-mount lenses on E-mount cameras.
Since it was rumoured here early June the NEX-5R production would end that month, the NEX-5T should be just around the corner. Very much looking forward to this, hopefully everything from the NEX-5R plus GPS and especially video improvements…
new nex already? value crusher!!! 🙁
No, value increase for e-mount lenses. 🙂
Releasing new cameras doesn’t instantly reduce the value of current cameras, time does that anyway, regardless. If Sony slows down updates while other manufacturers continue their annual updates, then Sony as a brand loses value.
People should stop worrying about their cameras losing value anyway, this is mid range electronics, not antique buying. Nobody is buying a camera as an investment and just because a new model comes out, the previous model doesn’t suddenly become useless. The desire to own every latest model is absolutely pointless.
I find it hard to imagine of what could still be improved compared with the N and R models. Looking forwards to getting more detailed information.
+ Better touchscreen
+ Better implementation of Wifi features (most of the time it simply doesn’t work)
+ Use wheel on the back for exposure compensation directly
+ Always use one button to turn on/off magnification
+ Better on-sensor PDAF
+ Add GPS
+ IBIS
+ Improved image quality in general / better high ISO quality
IBIS.. I don’t think so. Adding IBIS requires significant mod to the current model. It won’t be call NEX-Nx(minor changes). But who knows.
I would definitely like to see the in-built flash on the 5T as on the 3N!
Exciting. Wonder if it will be worthy of replacing my 5N!
NEX with DSLR body – LOL; so first, they introduce cameras with removed mirrors to gain portability and size down the bodies. Then they keep the tech but size up the body, for no reason other than to make amateurs look like pros when they hold the camera. Why not re-introducing the mirror?
Novelty: first mirrorless with a mirror!
Well, DSLR-shape does not imply DSLR-weight and size. There are many DSLR-shaped compact camera’s out there, for example bridge-camera’s. So why get excited when another one is added to the list?
There’s nothing novel to that. Remember the Samsung NX10/20, Panasonic GH3 and siblings, Nikon V2 and Olympus OMD EM-5? Mirrorless camera’s with DSLR style are quite old already. Quite understandable that Sony provides an option in that market segment.
From a Sony system standpoint it may seem rediculous, but there are legions of people wanting a DSLR styled camera without the size and weight. In addition, I believe Sony may succeed to make a very good camera in that segment. After all, isn’t the OMD a succes?
A few things I wish for in a firmware update (nevermind a new body):
– Ability to use AF-assist lamp on external flashes on my Nex 6.
– More traditional menu instead of the awful 6 icon theme they have right now.
– Ability to change the default amount of zoom when you go into manual focus assist view.
– Ability to choose an ISO range on all modes. Also, independent ISO setting with each mode.
A few things from a new body:
– More dials and with a more tactile feel (the dial at the back on the Nex 6 moves too freely).
– Buttons need to be more “clicky”
– Switches for things like focus mode.
– Faster processor for going through photos, menus and apps (!!)
– Some change to the on/off switch, which right now is hard to turn if you have slippy fingers.
– In-camera image stabalization and focus motor.
– Mic jack
– Viewfinder focus dial moved slightly to the right so that you dont have to bring your thumb right up to your eye to adjust it.
Also more pancake lenses (same size as the 16mm) would be great!
I hope someone from Sony could pass along this feedback 🙂
I really wonder what the NEX-5T can bring. I suppose even better PDAF and a new sensor. Maybe BSI technology ? (don’t think so). Maybe scre w the “Sony Apps” and bring the Android as operating system ? (it would be great) 🙂
But the 20MP sensor from the A58 seems to be inferior to the sensor from the NEX-5R in all areas, so I’m not sure it would be an improvement.
I am glad I got out of the NEX bandwagon. I am an upgrade addict and I would have to upgrade every 8 months or so…not financially sane 🙂
NEX-5R + Honami, hahaha.
Oh, what camera/system are you on now?
Will Sony move into the 21st century and put an actual capacitative touchscreen on these? They do it on sub-$200 phones…
The SLR shape evolved not just for what it might hold, but because it’s a reliable way to help prevent motion blur. A number of shapes were tried and did not do as well in this but did contain OVF, film loading and so on, and lost out to SLR. More than half a century of continual improvement in design is represented by the SLR shape. The NEX is a consumer camera design with no such goal or history of improvement and is not as good at dealing with handheld motion blur. That Sony might go to the SLR design to improve motion blur prevention seems to be a unknown among consumer camera shape lovers. But just maybe that’s connected with their bringing out a DSLR shaped NEX.
one you remove pentaprism OVF and film channel, the need for “SLR-like” shape completely disappears
The only thing that has evolved is the grip. That is all. Also, a “consumer camera shape” is a ridiculous term. Some pros need portability.
Some pros do need portability. Majority of them needs a lot of other things, like ergonomic design, wide range of high-quality lenses, reliable bodies, VGs, flash system, reliable fast AF, large and clear viewfinders, etc. etc.
As it was said by Andrea in earlier SR5 – NEX == entry level, A-mount == pro.
Uhmmm, your point being? Do you think the DSLR shape is a “pro shape” and everything else is “consumer”? Because that is what we are discussing, not lenses, not flash systems, not AF and not Sony’s lineup.
If we were discussing them, I’d agree, though.
I love my 5n. If the 5t is an upgrade in the areas it is a pain to use (crap UI, bracketing, no 720p video) then I am in. Actually, just a better UI and I would probably spring for one.
I actually preferred the less sensitive screen because my face kept touching and selecting something on the screen when viewing through the electronic viewfinder. It made sense to me. Now it doesn’t happen on my 5r as where I have to turn off the 5ns touch screen.