Sony Alpha NEX-7 Digital Camera Review

Speed and Timing

Sony's interchangeable lens cameras are not known for being shy around the track. While the NEX-7 doesn't make use of the translucent mirror technology found in their full-size Alpha DSLRs, it does hang with them for shot-to-shot speed, making it one of the most potent action shooters on the market despite its high-resolution sensor.

The NEX-7 includes several different drive modes that will fire off shots at various speeds. The drive menu is easily accessed by pressing left on the rear control dial, allowing you to select from single, continuous, bracketing, self-timer, continuous self-timer, and speed priority shooting modes.

The most interesting mode for you speed junkies is going to be the speed priority continuous mode, which allows the NEX-7 to hit a blistering 10fps shot-to-shot rate. We tested the NEX-7 using an electronic timer and found that it hit a near perfect 10fps steadily throughout its burst. It accomplishes this by using an electronic first curtain, eliminating the need for a mechanical shutter to both cover and uncover the image sensor. This drastically reduces the shot-to-shot time in addition to making the camera more responsive as a result. If you need a camera for capturing fast-moving action, the NEX-7 is just about as good as you're going to find.

The NEX-7 includes several options for applying a delay before or in-between your photos. While it doesn't include a built-in intervalometer, it does allow you to select a self-timer delay of 10 or two seconds. You can also select a continuous self-timer, which will take a small burst of shots after a designated time delay.