Alpha NEX-7

Released January 2012

Sony's NEX-7 pairs a 24.3 MP APS-C sensor with an OLED electronic viewfinder, three control dials, built-in flash and Full HD progressive video.

Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: APS-C
Megapixels: 24.3
Lens: Sony E-mount
Video: 1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Body weight: 291 g

What reviewers say

PhotographyBlog and CameraLabs praised the electronic viewfinder, configurable controls and detailed photographs, but both found autofocus weaker in low light. PhotographyBlog was more enthusiastic about high-ISO results; CameraLabs saw noise affecting detail earlier and preferred the NEX-5N for cleaner high-ISO images. Their launch reviews also criticised the limited selection of native lenses available at the time.

From photographyblog.com, cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com and cameralabs.com

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Mirrorless
Sensor format: APS-C
Sensor type: Exmor APS HD CMOS
Sensor dimensions: 23.5 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution: 24.3 MP
Largest image: 6000 × 4000
RAW recording: Yes
Standard ISO range: 100–16000
Sensor detail: 24.7 million total pixels; charge-protection coating and ultrasonic vibration for dust reduction
Image formats: JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; ARW 2.3; MPO for 3D Sweep Panorama
ISO detail: Standard ISO 100–16000; Auto ISO 100–1600
Image processor: BIONZ

Lens and shooting

Lens mount: Sony E-mount
Stabilisation: Optical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst: 10 fps
Lens detail: Sony E-mount; NEX-7K includes a black E 18–55mm F3.5–5.6 OSS lens; optional adapters support other mounts
Autofocus: Contrast detection with 25 points; single or continuous AF, direct manual focus and manual focus; object tracking and focus peaking
Shutter: Vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter with switchable electronic first curtain; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detail: Approximately 10 fps Speed Priority Continuous with focus and exposure fixed at the first frame; approximately 3 fps normal continuous advance. Sony lists buffers of 17 Fine JPEG, 18 Standard JPEG, 13 RAW or 11 RAW+JPEG images under its stated conditions.
Stabilisation detail: No sensor-shift stabilisation (PhotographyBlog and CameraLabs); optical correction requires a compatible OSS lens
Flash: Built-in pop-up flash; guide number 6 at ISO 100 in metres; approximately four-second recycle time; Auto-lock Accessory Shoe for compatible external flashes
Exposure controls: Intelligent Auto and PASM; Tri-Dial Navi uses two top control dials and the rear wheel; Picture Effects, Sweep Panorama, DRO, Auto HDR and multi-exposure low-light modes

Video

Highest video resolution: 1920 × 1080 at 60 fps
Video detail: Japanese model records AVCHD 2.0 Full HD at 60p up to 28 Mbps, 60i or 24p; PAL models offer 50p/25p (PhotographyBlog and CameraLabs). Manual exposure and continuous autofocus during recording. MP4 offers 1440 × 1080 or VGA; interlaced field rates are separate from full-frame rates.
Audio: Built-in stereo microphone, wind-noise reduction and external microphone input (PhotographyBlog and CameraLabs); Dolby Digital or AAC-LC audio

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Electronic
Screen size: 3″
Screen dots: 921,600
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: Yes
Display detail: TruBlack wide TFT; tilts approximately 90° up and 45° down; no touchscreen (PhotographyBlog and CameraLabs)
Viewfinder detail: 0.5-type XGA OLED Tru-Finder with 2,359,296 dots, approximately 100% coverage and 1.09× magnification with a 50mm lens at infinity; eye sensor, histogram and level display

Connections and design

Battery life (maker's claim): 430 photographs
Body weight: 291 g
Release detail: Sony's revised Japanese announcement gives 27 January 2012 for NEX-7 and NEX-7K. The camera was announced in August 2011; Sony Hong Kong subsequently postponed the planned November 2011 launch because of Thai flooding. The recorded date is the manufacturer-confirmed Japanese sale date, not a universal first-shipment claim.
Recording media: Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Ports: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, Mini HDMI Type C, Auto-lock Accessory Shoe and external microphone input
Battery life detail: NP-FW50; Sony specifies approximately 430 CIPA photographs using the LCD or 350 using the viewfinder. CameraLabs gives a lower 335-shot general figure; the manufacturer's explicitly separated claims are retained.
Charging: Supplied BC-VW1 external charger; optional AC-PW20AM power supply
Dimensions: Approximately 119.9 × 66.9 × 42.6 mm (width × height × depth); 25.3 mm thinnest section excludes grip and mount
Weight detail: Approximately 291 g camera only; 350 g including battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo; lens excluded
Materials: Magnesium-alloy front and top covers; rubber grip
Colours: Black
In the box: NP-FW50 battery, BC-VW1 charger, shoulder strap, cleaning cloth, body cap, accessory-shoe cap, eyepiece cup, USB cable and software CD; kit includes the specified lens

Pros and cons

Pros

Built-in OLED viewfinder and pop-up flash
Three control dials and customisable buttons
RAW recording and manual-focus peaking

Cons

No sensor-shift stabilisation
Screen is tilting rather than fully articulated

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyAlpha NEX-5R	Mirrorless	APS-C	16.1	Sony E-mount	1920 × 1080 at 60 fps	218 g	Oct 2012
SonyAlpha NEX-6	Mirrorless	APS-C	16.1	Sony E-mount	1920 × 1080 at 60 fps	287 g	Nov 2012
SonyAlpha NEX-F3	Mirrorless	APS-C	16.1	Sony E-mount	1920 × 1080 at 30 fps	255 g	Jun 2012

Sources

Photo: sony.jp

Sony NEX-7 front with attached lens and rear, in the complete supplied launch photograph: sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/201108/11-0824C/images/img_001.jpg

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