Pocketable picture powerhouse – Sony NEX-5T

Sony has been chipping away at the reasons why one should choose a DSLR over a CSC or compact system camera, and it looks like a big chunk has been dislodged with the NEX-5T. 

• You’ll tend to have more interesting shots with its 16-50mm stabilized power zoom kit lens due to its wider-to-normal focal range. It also has a more compact profile and even lighter weight.
• The NEX-5T’s IQ is superb. Focusing is faster and razor sharp. Color reproduction and light metering are accurate.  Choosing Auto mode for quick snaps now results in better photos.
• Its 3-inch 921.6K dot LCD touchscreen display could be tilted upwards to 180° for utmost “selfie-taking” convenience and nearly 90° downwards for properly framing head-above-the-crowd POV shots.
• Point-and-shoot has leveled up with the addition of a Superior Auto Mode. It automatically chooses the settings and effect (even its 3-shot high dynamic range mode) to enhance a photo’s quality.
• Its expanded ISO range goes all the way from 100 up to 25600. It offers better low light handling for more professional-level results on your photos and video.
• Aside from full control latitude it gives advanced users when in full Manual mode, it also provides for almost unlimited creativity with nine Scene modes to choose from.
• You’ll never want to go on a trip without it. It takes incredibly wide landscape photos via its Sweep Panorama Mode by stitching several shots together beautifully and automatically with nearly zero processing time.
• Its built-in Wi-Fi and near field communication (NFC) capabilities allows you to easily connect with your smartphone to serve as its remote viewfinder, to transfer photo/video content as well as post them directly on Facebook and other social media sharing sites.
• Its compact design has relegated a lot of its essential controls to the touch-screen interface, which takes a bit of getting used to.

The verdict:

The Sony NEX-5T ranks among the best mirrorless cameras you can get today. It makes getting a DSLR a less attractive proposition. It has a larger APSC-sized sensor that delivers DSLR-level image quality. It provides all the creative flexibility you’ll need with enhanced connectivity and intelligent features. Touchscreen issues aside, it’s a potent shooter you’ll find hard to outgrow.

Price: P32,999

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Spec sheet:

Body type: Mirrorless/interchangeable lens camera

Effective pixels/resolution: 16.1 megapixels / 4912×3264

Sensor size: APS-C Exmor (CMOS type)

Video format: MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264

Lens mount: Sony E-mount

Main interface: 3-inch 921.6K touchscreen tilting LCD

Storage: SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo

Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC, USB 2.0

Dimensions: 110.8 x 58.8 x 38.9mm, 276g