Introduction

The Sony NEX-5N is the midrange model of Sony's 2011 NEX lineup, with an overall design similar to 2010's NEX-5 but with a number of smart additions that streamline operation. The most notable addition is the touchscreen interface, which adds an extra layer of fine control to NEX series.

The changes may not be cosmetic, but they work to better differentiate the NEX-5N from the NEX-C3 and the recently announced NEX-7 cameras. The end result is a camera that—with the addition of a phase detection autofocus lens adapter and an OLED viewfinder—feels more like a fleshed out compact system camera than a proof of concept experiment. The 5N comes kitted with an 18-55mm lens. Read on to find our first impressions of shooting with the camera.