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3x price increase incoming

I was using this camera as a little street photography camera for a long time. Someone stole it out of my car (it was in the glove box) back in 2018. I was devastated. They were a little too expensive to replace as a hobby camera, but looking at eBay now, I might just have to grab one of these again...

My first interchangeable lens mirrorless camrera was a ZV-E10 that I got as an 18th birthday present at the end of 2022, my parents split the cost after looking into options from Sony and Canon, asking for my input, considering my dad's own experience as a photographer, and my needs as a film student. It's a solid video camera, and a solid photography camera too, I went all in on E-mount lenses, used it for college productions that I am really proud of, as well as photos I'm equally proud of. My next camera was an a5000 modded to full spectrum, which I use with various IR filters for infrared photography, and I love it. After that I spent my student loan (where I live this is not generally used to fund attending the college itself) on an FX30, which I'm not using for photography, but the video out of it is incredible and I couldn't be happier. All in all, 3 different Sony cameras, 1 lens mount, 3 very different use cases. My ZV-E10 is now my main workhorse for visible spectrum digital photograpy, my FX30 is what I'm using for almost all my video needs, and my a5000 is my IR workhorse.

My first digital camera I bought was the NEX-6 with its kit lens. Great little camera with mode dial, EVF, and a much better menu system than the previous iteration imo. It’s a great way to get into the E Mount, and mirrorless in general!

For years I was the main photographer and in charge of all the kayak Pilots here in San Francisco for a lot of our big Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge swims... early on, I got the Sony nex-5n and a very expensive underwater housing to shoot the swimmers from my kayak. Moved on in later years to big dslrs and also big underwater housings. I was forced to keep the Sony and it's underwater housing because of unbelievable price drop. I still have it, and dragged it out of its pouch the other day. Works great, I still have the kit lens that goes with underwater housing and an inexpensive Chinese lens that I bought years ago. As you noted in your KZfaq article it WAS a stepping stone to becoming a professional at least for me... These days I shoot the Nikon Z system (Z7) and Fuji X system ... ( XH2- Xe3 - Xt30)... thank you Sony!

I still own a NEX5 what I bought back in 2012 used. Took approx 20000 pictures with it, and still use many times nowdays. What I like in it is its small size, and relatively good picture quality. I use an Yongnuo 50F18 or a Sony 16F28 lens on it. My advise on this camera is that forget the kit lens, use a prime lens on it (with this camera the lens matters the most), and with a relative ease you can learn basics of photography and can shot beautiful pictures.

My wife is still using the Nex-5n I bought on release year. We have the 18-55 and the 55-210 lenses and it's still an excellent performer.

I got my Nex-5 way back when it came out, and it's still the only camera I have, I've just bought a variety of lenses over the years to augment its now rather archaic specs. I didn't mind the UI when I got it because I was only just learning DSLRs and the principles of photography, and seeing the myriad of buttons on other cameras of the time was a bit daunting to my untrained eyes, so having a more simplified menu system that explained what each thing did was rather helpful as I learned the ropes. The latest/last firmware update for this camera helps mitigate some of its UI quirks, like allowing you to customize the buttons on the back, which has helped its utility immensely over the years for me. That said, I am finally seriously entertaining the notion of upgrading (bouncing between the A7C and the ZV-E10), but I have no intention of getting rid of my Nex-5, because 1) They sell for so little now it just wouldn't be worth it in my eyes, and 2) It's always helpful to have a backup.

Lemme guess, it’s $500 now

Again love the video! Interesting, fun to watch and nice editing! It was quite relaxing to watch! Keep up the good work!

I had the Nex 5n with the optional viewfinder and was amazing to work with, the only issue I had was the overheating because I used it mainly for video. Using fast Nikon glasses I did two music videos and four TV commercials, cheap type of course :)

I bought a Nex-5R relatively soon after it came out, and did my first wedding video with it. Later I moved up to the A6300 when it released. The only reason I don't use the 5R today is the battery hold down and door broke after a cheap battery swole up and stretched/bent everything. Loved the form factor, I might just buy another one now!

I bought a Nex 5N many years ago for my underwater setup. Cheap underwater housings, cheap lenses. lightweight, huge image sensor, and really good at low light (good for cave diving and wrecks). Years later I took it on a few trips out of the country so I didn't have to lug my big DSLR gear with me, and it took amazing photos. Great camera! I figured if I ever flooded it from diving, I could get an endless supply of replacements for under $100.

I recommend the Nex 5T, it have two advantages: a dial on the top right corner that makes using the camera much easier, and a early attempt to phase detect autofocus that is far better than the contrast autofocus from earlier Sony cameras. It have better video too.

I still have my NEX5n biggest knock on the system is the lack of hot shoe for decent flash solutions. Both the included tiny flipup flash and the larger sony flash with the NEX5n screw thread accessory port is a real weakness to the system. But it did take stunning good 16mp photos during the day

I use an NEX 5r to this day and have shot Indy film projects with NEX cameras. And the low light on these are pretty good.

Had a NEX 5N for years, got it second hand and used it with manual lenses (m42 adapters are cheap too), and have since upgraded to a second hand a6000. They are unbeatable price/performance-wise.

I made a conscious decision to sell all my high tech /spec cameras and dial my photography back a decade or more. Photography has become fun again and I still use them for images for my work. I use a Sony NEX5n, Sony NEX6n and a Sony A5000. I only own 2 Sony lenses all the others are legacy lenses.

NEX-5r was my gateway

the OG Nex5! My first mirrorless! Still working today and I still shoot with it when I want to go "home" in photography. I learned a lot from with lil bastard.

my first camera was a Sony NEX 3 I bought it in 2011. I've been mirrorless ever since. at first I was scared that they weren't going to make lenses for the body but I would have never expected it to be what it is now. It didn't even have a standard hotshoe I just took a gamble with the tech and it worked out

I have an NEX3 and can confirm that the image quality is really good with the 16-50 kit lens. The menu is a little quirky but you soon get used to where the important stuff is. Surprisingly good even now :)

Started out with point-and-shoot cameras. Loved the portability and versatility. The Sony HX99 and Olympus TG were the last until the jump to APS-C cameras - Sony a6400 and Fujifilm X-S10. Even though APS-C bodies and lenses were supposed to be svelte, they can't match the compactness of the HX99. Even the Sony ZV-E10 wasn't compact enough. Stumbled upon NEX cameras and a5100 and bought the latter. Man, the a5100 reminds me so much of point-and-shooters. I wish the a5000 series lived on - imagine if it had a version that could shoot 4K...

great video, reminded me of my Nex 5n that I haven't used but since I am going for a dumb phone now let's get to real pictures without all the artifical colors and 'smart' settings.. Thanks for reminding me!

I worked at a camera store (part of the Ritz camera family) during 2010 and I bought one of these and still use it to this day.

i started with this one, it produced amazing pics. autofocus is slow, so not really usable for any fast action, but for everything else it's amazing. i used it with sony 16 pancake and then got the sigma 30 1.4. easily fits in your pocket. if you're on a budget, deffo get this. btw, these go for almost double the price in my country, which sucks, but i doubt you could get anything better for that money.

NEX-5 was my first mirrorless!

Just saw one today at my local photography store...This will be my vacation camera with my neewer 35mm 1.7 manual...just gonna have fun with it.

It was my first interchangeable lens camera!, very nice to use the lens was very crisp

When I wanted to get a smallish APS-C I bought a NEX-5 (about 3- or 4 years ago, for £50). For some reason I just didn't really like using it. It took perfectly good images and it felt solid and well made but I think it was the lack viewfinder that bugged me. So if that's not an issue for you this is probably a really good camera. I was subsequently much much happier when I discovered the Fujifilm X-E1 (which was a lot cheaper back then).

I had the original black NEX-5 bought on release. Not sure how I found out about it, but I didn't really take photos at the time (so 2:19 I was basically the perfect audience). I was quite a loyal Sony Ericsson camera phone user at the time, so maybe that's what sold me on it? Could barely afford it, but was so over the moon when I got it in time for a family trip of a lifetime. In Vegas and San Fran several people stopped to ask what I was shooting with - it felt for the first time I had a proper bit of cutting edge tech. Then we flew to Hawaii for the last leg of the trip and suddenly EVERYONE around me had one. It was like a parallel universe. Until I discovered Sony Japan were having annual company achievers trip at our hotel, and everyone in attendance had had been gifted one.

Ive just purchased the NEX -3 for doing street photography

Interesting that they have implemented the nature of the menu into the new(ish) Zv-Ev1 full frame vlogging camera. From the aspect of not having to understand photographic ideas around depth of field, brightness, warmth etc. You can just use onscreen sliders in this fashion for aperture, shutter speed, white balance etc. You can however exit this and go to the traditional sony text menu. I had a couple of NEX cameras back when the came out. Bodies were tiny but decent lenses seemed very large by comparison and the 16-50 kit lens wasn’t great. We didn’t have that many lens choices on launch. Different now of course. Great video; thankyou.

A vintage 24mm or 35mm lens on this camera would make a great walk around camera. But the lens adapter will add a lot to the size in most cases. A modern Brightin Star 23mm F5.6 pancake lens would be a native mount and offer an effective 35mm-ish focal length on the NEX.

the nex-6 was my first camera, kindled my lifetime camera obsession

Hey George! Nice Vid! I just got this one and I am pleased with it. BUT: Which MFT with interchangeable lens by Lumix would you recommend for bargain? What about the GFxx i.e. GF6??? Is that same level quality as your shown Olympus or whatever??? Thanks for your help:)

the Sony Nex 5 is my first dabble on dedicated cameras. bought mine on ebay for $60 body only

Nice video. I picked up a used NEX3N, A5100, A6000, and GX85. Love them all.

my first camera was the NEX 5r which i bought in 2013 with the motorized kit lens for 330 usd. And oh my it has been a true work horse for the past 10 years doing everything and traveling around the globe. I never really felt the need to buy any other lense since that retractable 16-50mm f3,5 made it fit into my pocket (barely) allthough i would have liked som faster and wider glas but for me it didn't make sense to get new lenses for doubble what i paid for the camera. It produced some top of the line 1080/50p video at the time. But eventually the time came for me to upgrade to something newer mostly for better low light and 4k/60p video and i managed to get an amazing deal on a new from store Sony a7 iv with the kit lense and a tamaron 70-300 f4,5 for only 920 usd 2 months ago since the store made a huge pricing error. but i think i will still use the nex 5r for struff that i need to have a smaller more stealthy setup that i don't need to be affraid of breaking.

I'm holding my first Sony - a NEX-C3, purchased in May of 2012 - which was my first interchangeable lens camera (I grew up learning how to work with film cameras). I only just now decided to upgrade to the A6400 (don't have it yet!), but I still love my NEX-C3. It has its limitations, for sure, so I'm excited about the upgrade, but it really was/is such a great little camera for what it is. ...One thing to note is that it is looking like my SEL1855 lens (the kit lens that came with the C3) is not going to be compatible with the A4600 without a firmware update (and you can't do it with the C3). So, it's likely I'll get the SEL E 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 OSS lens for the A6400 and just keep the SEL1855 as a dedicated C3 lens.

I've been using my mother's old nex-3 for almost a year now and I have to say that I've taken some good photos with it. The only reason they are not incredible pictures is my own skill, as I'm not very good yet. I truly believe these are still very good cameras to this day.

I had a Sony nex3... and I now (very) occasionally sell prints. Soooo your logic holds up 😁. Went from that camera to an a5000 to an a6000 to an a7iii, so it was definitely a gateway into the Sony ecosystem.

Have this camera and love it. With the pancake wide-angle on you can put it in your pocket. I can throw it in a bag if I'm going somewhere, just in case I see a possible photo. And the pictures are great.

2:00 Ahh, so that's what it was, aperture... I always thought it's some digital filter and tuned it to crisp to keep it off. 🤯

I wanted a small camera to go with my full frame wildlife camera outfit, just in case I came upon a nice landscape view in my travels. I bought a used NEX7, which had two dials. I customised those to change aperture and shutter speed and the wheel on the back controlled iso, so I had full manual control. I was really happy with that aspect of my plan. The problem was, finding a small wide angle lens with low distortion. I tried a Sigma 19mm, but was unsatisfied with its flare control and nothing else fitted the concept of a pocketable size, high quality system and gave up in the end. I still have the camera, but just use it on my Celestron C8 telescope.

I have 3 of those NEX, they're perfect for a B cam and street photography. They are so simple and easy to disassemble that I converted one of them to full spectrum.

Do you know a good where to buy a telephoto 55-210 lens?

Had the NEX 5 and i loved this thing, sent me on my whole alpha journey. I AM ALPHA because of that camera.

The NEX line was how I got introduced to Sony and ultimately left Canon. I LOVED my little cameras. They took my vlogs to the next level back in the early/mid 2010s

My first camera was an used Nex 3n, the display broke after a fall and getting it fixed basically was the same as buying another used sony Nex 3F, so I did that. I've been using those two + another used sony Nex 5 for most of my work and it gets really good results. It doesnt have the best low light performance but if you use some fast lenses, its all good. I mostly still stick with these cameras + old manual glass because I live in a poor country, and buying a 1000usd camera is out of the question when you earn 150usd a month.

i bought a NEX-5 new and it still works! I bought 3 other sony APS-C cameras since then. I totally didn't understand photography so "background defocus" was perfectly fine to me. I sometimes still use my original 18-55 kitlens (which is far superiour to that 16-50 pancake POS you get on newer cameras) on my A6700

Never purchased a new camera. Traded used ones along the way. Had Nex 5 and loved it. Have an Nex 5n that came with 400 clicks. The 18-55mm lens is way better than the 16-50. Can come with either. Only ever use the latter if storage space is limited.

Great camera, I got it new years ago with the kit lens, and later bought the pancake and the 18x200 lens too with the bigger flash unit, all you need really. put the latest software in it that Sony released for it, and your good to go.

Thanks for sharing!

I bought one back in 2010 because I wanted the panoramic feature to be able to replace my film panoramic cameras ( now I wish I had kept them 😵‍💫). I currently own a 6001 . I do know what you mean about their mixed up thoughts and thinking about trying micro 4/3 camera again.

Honestly these days they could sell this with a higher res sensor for $2k as an “ultimate pocketable street photography camera” and people wouldn’t bat an eye

I was about to buy this camera but the price set by the seller was too high for this specific model, I found another used Sony A6000 in super great condition on december, and even when it was just a little bit more expensive, I decided to get the A6000. I bought a 7 artisans 25mm f/1.8mm (a manual lens) and I loved the combination, it's super small, it's discrete, I can use it on the street or the beach and people won't feel stressed, not to mention how great it feels in the hands, compared to my Canon 6D (which is super bulky and heavy), the A6000 just feels so comfortable. When you use it, you are not distracted by the weight, or if other people are going to be looking at you, you just take it out and start shooting, it's super fun to use, like if it was an old Leica/Fuji. I want to get the Sony 16mm f/2.8, but the used ones are still pricey here in Mexico, I hope to find a good price soon.

My first non-Point-to-Shoot was the NEX 3. I've kept it even after getting the Sony A7ii.

Spend a little more and get the Nex 6 if only for the EVF which is actually quite good.

I bought a NEX-6 I guess in 2013 and I'm still using it. A very capable stills camera.

I make street photography with a Sony NEX 3N with a 16mm f2.8 lens, it's very small and you will get unnoticed most of the time for such small size camera.

I use EF lenses and just get different lenses adapters depending on the mount my mirrorless camera uses I have a eos m running magic lantern and a Sony nex 5 I run a canon 2000d a canon 5ds nex 5 and canon m camera all with the same lenses

I had some great results with the NEX 5 especially in street photography

Got NEX 3 from EBay a month back for $132( $89 plus shipping). Absolutely love the images❤❤❤

Hello. I think that in the "NEX" range, the Nex 6 is a better choice than the Nex 5 and more valuable, with better menus and direct access, as well as a more flexible and discreet EVF. Regards

NEX 5 has served my photography needs well. You just have to get over the design language of the UI

The camera with the kit lens got me through my college art school photography class without a hitch!

I shook on this camera. It’s so good for how cheap it is

Sony Nex 5n was the first mirrorless camera I owned. And I have never regretted the purchase. I still use it sometimes. The image quality is great for it's price tag. Especially when you ditch the kit lens and buy some prime lenses.

Beginners going cheap is wise. One thing you brought up was that the NEX cameras were fun to use. I feel photographers should not take their hobby too seriously. Have fun, do things that are silly especially when photographing or recording videos of your children or even grandchildren. Parents and family are also fun subjects. One thing these digital cameras do is make cameras like the Nikon F2 and Canon F1 seem simplistic.

How good is Nex 5 compare to Canon EOS M2?? Is it better than Canon EOS M2??

was early adopter of Sony NEX-5n, was a good camera to learn on, there was an issue with recording video with some clicking noises.

After all these years I'm still using my Nex5, with the 16-200 lens kit and also a 30mm Macro and a 50mm/1.8f Portrait lens.

All I know is In 2023, I kept my Sony NEX 5n with lens kit in the mix. That small body with a pancake lens is impossibly small, crazy capable, and fits in my hoodie pocket! Also @ 1:25 - I totally made money off that camera, but eventually I needed a couple dslr key features like a hot shoe and tether abilities, still didn't retire even after buying my Canon 70d, 80d. The nex 5n eventually led me to pull the trigger on a sony fx3 when it became time to take on video...

For a while over the last year I was watching eBay and got two NEX5’s and one NEXF3 for $45-$60 each. You just gotta watch. I use those three cameras in combination with my main 6400 for video podcasting and live concert videos 😎 If you already have a camera with E Mount lenses these make great B and C cameras

How fitting would this camera be for vintage shenanigans? Being mirrorless, it is easy to adapt anything to it. However, I do not know if it has manual mode which allows to shoot without "lens".

The Nex-3N was the first camera I converted to full spectrum.

I appreciate your reviews due to their down to earh break downs and point of views. I haven't owned or shot an actual camera in 25 years and so much has changed since. With that said, can you or anyone give any good recommendations on any solid cameras Specifically something compact or close to the size of this NEX, that I can shoot day to day street photos, take on vacation, shoot landscapes , but also have good enough specs to capture speeding cars, trains in motion, birds in flight. I guess a hybrid of sorts , emphasis on compact, haha. Does a camera like this even exist?? Thank you in advance.

I've had a few of the nex cameras. They are fantastic. I ended up with an slt just because it has more features and an ibis. But if you want a good hiking buddy, those little cameras are fantastic. Great for outdoors and with a light. Low light isn't that great, so if you need to shoot in the dark, buy a new camera xD

I still have my nex5. Still works great 💪🏽🤙🏽

what lent you used for make photos of portrait? with nex5

I used to have this camera and was now looking for a a5100. How would those compare?

had NEX-5T, had weird issue with high shutter speed ~1/1000 or shorter where exposure looks severely underexposed

I just snagged a Nex6. I love it

where do I find this $100 camera?

is this camera has focus peaking feature?

I get the feeling the people are starting to understand the base rule of photography - the gear doesn't mean squat, all the megapixels and autofocus speeds don't mean nothing if you are using it wrong - it's a tool - learn how to use it and have fun in the process.

You forgot to mention the wonderful shutter sound.

I just bought one for a cheap dslr setup. Seems nice

I got the Nex 3N with kit lens and bag for 100 euros. Paired w/ sigma 30mm f1.4 is an absurd little machine for street and daily use.

hello is best the next f3?

Try sony nex5 R or T series. I have one and i m still using it more often than my sony A7RII due to the small size factor. Hope sony can come with new camera in the same size with view finder.

I hooked up my Nex 5 with a Carl Zeiss Sonnar 1.8 135mm lens and you cant see the camera at all lol

Same kind of a camera that I have that they didn't know who to market it to was the Nikon 1 J1 with a 10 megapixel came out in 2011

I started a successful real estate photography business with this camera.

Well, this is/was/whatever still my one and only "expensive dedicated camera" as an amateur, and I have to say that it did indeed take fairly decent shots for a time. I say that, because over the years the dial buttons have stopped responding, the LCD screen is half dead, and the camera can't focus well on what I need photographed anymore, so I can't even use it (I could push it as an idiot-proof point-and-shoot on auto mode, but this means I can't). So, I have to use my iphone 7 instead, and the camera is half-dead on that one too. At least, it works part of the time. I didn't even use the Sony Nex much and stored it back in its dedicated soft carry bag once I was done. No ill treatment here. That's all for my two cents' worth regarding this camera.

where can i buy that? price?

Man I gave this camera to my friend for free when I left. I wonder if she's still using it.

can this camera take photos of the night sky such as astrophotography?