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Introduction
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01.Sample Photos
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02.Design
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03.Product Tour
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04.Hardware
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05.Durability
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06.Photo Gallery
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07.Image Quality
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08.Sharpness
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09.Color
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10.Noise Reduction
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11.Dynamic Range
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12.Low Light
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13.Distortion
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14.Video
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15.Usability
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16.Ease of Use
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17.Handling
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18.Controls
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19.Speed
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20.Features
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21.Extras
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22.Video Features
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23.Specs & Ratings
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24.Conclusion
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25.Comments
Sony Alpha NEX-5
Previous: Page 7
Image QualityNext: Page 9
ColorSharpness
High-contrast dynamic range was very wide, yet sharpness and chromatic aberration were so-so, and the kit zoom lens caused major distortion.
Sharpness (11.66)
Image sharpness wasn’t low enough to raise red flags about the camera, but it certainly wasn’t impressive. In fact, only the Sony A550 posted lower sharpness results among the comparison cameras. More on how we test sharpness.
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Image Stabilization (1.68)
Unlike Sony SLRs, the compact NEX cameras do not have in-camera image stabilization systems, relying instead on stabilized lenses. When we tested the kit 18-55mm zoom, though, we found it was much less effective than the in-camera stabilization we tested in the Sony A550. In fact, when the camera was shaken fairly aggressively, there was only a slight sharpness improvement at two shutter speeds, with no significant difference at all at 1/60 second or slower, where stabilization is most needed. With a lower shake intensity, there were minor improvements when shooting at 1/125 second and again at 1/15 second, but overall this new lens-based stabilization system made very little difference.
| Image Stabilization Comparison Table | Expand | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Low Shake
IS Off |
Low Shake
IS On |
High Shake
IS Off |
High Shake
IS On |
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| 1/500 |  |
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| 1/250 |  |
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| 1/125 |  |
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| 1/60 |  |
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| 1/30 |  |
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| 1/15 |  |
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| 1/8 |  |
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The stabilization system in the kit zoom lens proved less effective than any of the other cameras in our comparison group, including the in-camera system used in the Sony A550.
Shop for the Sony NEX-5
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