Sony NEX-5R Hands-on Preview

Preview based on a pre-production NEX-5R with firmware 01

The Alpha NEX-5R is Sony's seventh NEX camera and the third in its '5' series that aims to appeal to a more demanding customer than the point-and-shoot-upgrader-friendly '3' cameras. The 5R is a subtle upgrade over the existing 5N but the changes wrought suggests Sony has a clearer idea of who each camera is aimed at.
The NEX-5R isn't a NEX-7 by any means, but it's finally added a couple of features that make it more attractive to keen photographers - namely a dedicated function button and control dial. These may essentially be an extension of the level of control that the 5N already offered, but devoting more space to external controls shows that Sony expects the users to actually use these functions.
The biggest technology advance on the NEX-5R is the addition of a modified sensor with pixels devoted to performing phase-detection to provide a hybrid autofocus system. The phase-detection pixels are used to determine depth information about the focus target, which means the camera has to perform less hunting. Sony is the fourth manufacturer (following Fujifilm, Nikon and Canon) to go down this route, with the potential of faster focus, improved continuous focus performance and better autofocus in movie shooting. How well these advantages might be realised in practice, though, is unclear from the pre-production example we've used for this preview.
The other big advance on the 5R is the addition of DNLA-compliant Wi-Fi and on-camera apps. Unlike Nikon's recently-announced Coolpix 800c, the NEX can only run Sony-made apps, but the couple included on the camera do increase its capabilities. The Wi-Fi and apps combine to mean that the 5R can push images to an iOS or Android smartphone, push images straight to Facebook or Sony's own PlayMemories site across a Wi-Fi network, or allow the use of a smartphone as a remote viewfinder/trigger.

Sony NEX-5R specification highlights

• 16.1MP CMOS sensor
• ISO 100-25600
• Top-plate control dial
• Dedicated Fn button
• Wi-Fi for connection via Wi-Fi networks or to smartphones
• Proprietary in-camera apps
• Touch-screen display
• Electronic First Curtain shutter
• 1080p 60p HD movies in AVCHD (50p on PAL region models)

Compared to the NEX-5N

The NEX-5R's design shares a constancy with its predecessors that's becoming something of a tradition for the mid-range NEXs. Which is to say it looks essentially the same as the 5N and the 5 before it. The space taken up by the dial and the Fn button on the top plate mean the power switch now encircles the shutter button, NEX-7 style, but that's about all you get in terms of external clues.

Compared to NEX-5N

The NEX-5R is visually almost identical to its predecessor, the NEX-5N. There's no difference from the front...
...and on the back of the camera only the color of the buttons has changed from silver to black. The displays shown here also hint at another difference - the addition of proprietary camera apps.
However, when viewing the cameras from the top you can see that a new control dial has been added to the NEX-5R. The NEX-5N's on/off switch had to make space for it and has now been placed as a ring around the shutter button. The play and movie buttons had to be moved around a little as well to adapt to the new layout.

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions. Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the image, clicking on the image will display a larger (typically VGA) image in a new window. To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top. DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C.

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Sony Alpha NEX-5R specifications

Price
MSRP	With 18-55mmm : $750/ £670/€749 ; Body Only: $650
Body type
Body type	Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Body material	Metal top/front plate, Polycarbonate
Sensor
Max resolution	4912 x 3264
Other resolutions	4912 x 2760, 3568 x 2368, 3568 x 2000, 2448 x 1624, 2448 x 1376
Image ratio w:h	3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	16.1 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	16.7 megapixels
Sensor size	APS-C (23.4 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor type	CMOS
Processor	Bionz
Color space	sRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter array	Primary color filter
Image
ISO	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600
White balance presets	6
Custom white balance	Yes
Image stabilization	No
Uncompressed format	RAW
JPEG quality levels	Fine, Standard
File format	RAW RAW+JPEG JPEG
Image parameters	Contrast -3 to +3 steps Saturation -3 to +3 steps Sharpness -3 to +3 steps
Optics & Focus
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi-area Selective single-point Single Continuous Live View
Digital zoom	No
Manual focus	Yes
Number of focus points	25
Lens mount	Sony E Mount
Focal length multiplier	1.5×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD	Tilting
Screen size	3"
Screen dots	920,000
Touch screen	Yes
Screen type	Tilt Up 180° Down 50° TFT LCD
Live view	Yes
Viewfinder type	Electronic (optional)
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed	30 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/4000 sec
Exposure modes	iAuto Program Aperture Priority Shutter Priority Manual
Scene modes	Portrait Landscape Macro Sports Action Sunset Night Portrait Night View Hand-held Twilight
Built-in flash	No
Flash range	12 m
External flash	Yes (Accessory Port)
Flash modes	Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Continuous drive	Yes (10 fps)
Self-timer	Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Metering modes	Multi Center-weighted Spot
Exposure compensation	±3 EV (at 1/3 EV steps)
WB Bracketing	No
Videography features
Format	AVCHD
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Resolutions	1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Storage
Storage types	SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage included	None
Connectivity
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI	Yes (Mini Type C)
Wireless	BuiltIn
Remote control	Yes (Yes, by optional RMT-DSLR1)
Physical
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	Lithium-Ion NPFW50 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	330
Weight (inc. batteries)	276 g (0.61 lb / 9.74 oz)
Dimensions	111 x 59 x 39 mm (4.37 x 2.32 x 1.54")
Other features
Orientation sensor	Yes
Timelapse recording	No
GPS	None	Design & Operation The Sony NEX-5R is almost indistinguishable from its predecessor the NEX-5N, aside from some modifications to the control interface on the camera's top-plate. With its magnesium alloy shell, reassuring weight and solid rubber grip the camera gives a good impression of quality. Like its predecessors the NEX-5R is only really 'compact' when paired with the E 16mm F2.8 Pancake lens. With the 18-55mm kit zoom attached, as pictured above, the camera is no longer pocketable, but arguably is a much more versatile lens/camera combination. Of course it's still much smaller than any DSLR. In terms of button layout, the 5R is nearly identical to the NEX-5N, with the most notable change being the addition of a control dial and Fn-button on the camera's top-plate. The Fn-button gives you access to the customizable function menu and the dial lets you, depending on which shooting mode you are in, change aperture, shutter speed or both (Program Shift). As a consequence of the addition of these new controls, the position of the movie and playback buttons has slightly changed as well. Although not immediately visible, another change relative to its predecessor is the hinging of the screen. On the new model the screen can be flipped up all the way as pictured below. The image then flips automatically which is a useful feature for framing self-portraits. And, unlike the NEX-F3 that also featured a flip-up screen, the NEX-5R's will also tilt down through 40 degrees, for overhead shooting. The one (slight) caveat about this design is that it's not really compatible with the bolt-on flash unit, which blocks the screen when it's flipped-up. Function-menu Rather than having to rededicate the lower button on the back of the camera (as you had to on the NEX-5 and NEX-5N), the NEX-5R has a dedicated function button. Press the Fn-button on the top of the camera to enter the NEX-5R's Function-menu. Here you have quick access to six shooting parameters which by default are AF/MF select, AF mode, AF Area Mode, White Balance, Metering mode and Picture Effect. However, the Function-menu is customizable and for each 'slot' you can choose out of the following 16 options: Functions that can be assigned to the Fn menu  • AF/MF select  • AF mode  • AF area  • Face Detection  • Smile Shutter  • Auto Portrait Framing  • Soft Skin effect  • Image quality  • ISO  • WB  • Metering Mode  • DRO/Auto HDR  • Picture Effect  • Creative Style  • Flash Mode  • Not set Control-dial The dial on the NEX-5R's top plate is a new addition to the camera's control interface. Its function depends on the shooting mode you are in. It can also be used to move through menu options or through images in review mode. After pressing the exposure compensation button you can adjust the exposure by turning the dial. The functions of the two dials, top and rear, in each mode are listed below. Mode Top Dial Function Rear Dial Function Program Program Shift – Aperture Priority Aperture – Shutter Speed Priority Shutter Speed – Manual Aperture Shutter Speed Panorama Panorama direction – Scene modes Cycles through scene modes Cycles through scene modes Intelligent Auto – – Superior Auto – – The problem here is that Sony hasn't really taken the opportunity to turn the NEX-5R into a 'proper' two dial camera, and in all modes except Manual the top dial simply takes over the function that used to be controlled by the rear dial, leaving the latter woefully under-used. This is unfortunate - we can't help but feel that it would make far more sense for the rear dial to change exposure compensation directly in the PAS modes. Instead you have to press the 'down' key on the 4-way controller. Applications and Wi-Fi connectivity We've seen connectivity and data-exchange with smartphones appear on more and more digital cameras over the last few months and the NEX-5R is the first Sony NEX camera to offer these features. Installing the PlayMemories Mobile app on your iOS or Android device lets you transfer photos from the camera and view them on the screen of your mobile device. Once transferred they can of course also be shared via the social network of your choice or posted to image hosting websites. The Sony also offers the possibility to install PlayMemories Camera Apps to expand the feature set of the NEX-5R. The choice of apps is fairly limited at the moment, but according to Sony more apps will be on the way soon: Picture Effect allows you to apply a range of digital filter effects to your images Direct upload lets you upload images to the PlayMemories Online service and Facebook via Wi-Fi Smart Remote Control lets you use a smartphone as a remote viewfinder and trigger Bracket pro brackets shutter speed, aperture, focus points and flash use Multi-Frame NR combines several frames to reduce image noise in low light Photo Retouch offers a range of in-camera editing tools Hybrid AF The NEX-5R is the first Sony to feature a Hybrid AF system. To achieve this, the company has become the fourth to adapt its imaging sensor to collect phase-difference information, from which the camera can ascertain not only the direction to move the lens to achieve focus, but also how far. This has a number of advantages over the contrast detection focus method traditionally used by compact and mirrorless cameras, which requires the lens to scan through its focus positions while the camera checks whether it is becoming more in or out of focus. The ability to collect this depth information not only means that focus can be performed faster (because the camera can push the lens straight to the right place, rather than having to scan through its whole range), but also brings advantages for continuous focus and for focusing during movies. In movies, for instance, because the camera has a good understanding of depth, it should reduce the risk of the camera suddenly losing a moving subject and scanning off to infinity and back looking for it (and ruining your movie by doing so). Sony's Hybrid AF system on the NEX-5R uses an array of 99 phase-detection points spread out across the center of the sensor. It covers a taller, slightly wider area than the system used by Canon in the EOS-M. However, in common with the system Canon has implemented, the on-sensor phase detection isn't used as a standalone system (it's unlikely to have the fidelity that the dedicated sensors used in DSLRs have), so it's used in combination with conventional contrast detection. As such the phase detection information is used to drive the lens near to the in-focus position, then contrast detection is used to scan for the optimal focus point, to fine-tune the focus. Following our rather disappointing experiences with Canon's implementation in the EOS 650D, we are hoping Sony will come closer to realizing the promise of this approach. Compared to Samsung NX210 Compared to Samsung's NX210 the Sony is a touch smaller in every dimensions but the difference is negligible. The rear layout of both cameras is very similar, with all controls to the right side of the large screen, but the Samsung offers a couple more buttons to play with. However the NX210's screen is fixed (as opposed to hinged). The shape of the two cameras's top plates is not too dissimilar, but the Samsung offers a more-conventional flash hotshoe vs the Sony's accessory port, and an exposure mode dial too.