Taking the megapixel war to a whole new level is Sony’s lush new NEX-7 compact which comes with an Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor offering an outrageous 24.3 effective megapixels .
Quite why anyone would need such a preposterously high pixel count is beyond us, but the camera certainly packs in the high-end features, claiming to have the “world’s fastest” release time lag at 0.02 sec, backed by super-swift autofocus.
Sony also claim that the NEX-7 is also the world’s first compact camera to feature a super-sharp XGA OLED electronic viewfinder, which serves up an astonishing 3 million dot resolution.
The camera’s high end aspirations are further reflected by its tough magnesium alloy body and ability to record full HD Movies while rattling off stills at up to 10fps of continuous shooting.
The camera looks lovely, to be honest.
Here’s the stand out features:
- 24.3 effective megapixels Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor
- Quick, responsive autofocus and world’s fastest (0.02 sec) release time lag
- Quick, versatile new TRINAVI control
- High-resolution XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ and built-in flash
- Full HD Movie with 50p/25p, manual focus, full P/A/S/M exposure control and improved audio
- 10fps continuous shooting (Speed priority mode)
Articulated screen
The NEX-7 comes with a nifty hinged 3″ touchscreen LCD screen employing the Tri-Navi touch interface, supplemented by a salvo of physical controls.
The Sony NEX-7 will be available from November for about £1000/$1200, with a kit version bundling in a Sony E 18-55mm zoom lens costing £1100/$1350.
Full spec sheet:
Key technical specifications
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General
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Camera type
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Interchangeable lens digital camera with built-in flash
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Lens compatibility
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Sony E-mount lenses
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Image sensor
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Type
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APS-C type (23.5 x 15.6mm), “Exmor” APS HD CMOS sensor with primary color filters
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Number of pixels
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Approx. 24.3 megapixels (effective),
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Image sensor aspect ratio
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3:2
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Anti-dust system
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Charge protection coating on optical filter and ultrasonic vibration mechanism
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Recording system (still image)
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Recording format
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JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver.2.3, MPF Baseline compliant), RAW (Sony ARW 2.3 format), 3D MPO (MPF Extended compliant)
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Image size (pixels) 3:2
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L: 6000 x 4000 (24M), M: 4240×2832 (12M), S: 3008 x 2000 (6M)
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Image size (pixels) 16:9
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L: 6000 x 3376 (20M), M: 4240 x 2400 (10M), S: 3008 x 1688 (5.1M)
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Image size (pixels) Sweep Panorama
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Wide: horizontal 12416 x 1856 (23M), vertical 5536 x 2160 (12M), standard: horizontal 8192 x 1856 (15M), vertical 3872 x 2160 (8.4M)
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Image size (pixels) 3D Sweep Panorama
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Wide: 7152 x 1080 (7.7M), Standard: 4912 x 1080 (5.3M), 16:9: 1920 x 1080 (2.1M)
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Image quality modes
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RAW, RAW & JPEG, JPEG Fine , JPEG Standard
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Picture Effect
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11 types (15 variations): Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R, G, B, Y), High Contrast Mono, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Mono, Miniature
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Creative Style
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Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Autumn leaves, B/W, Sepia (Contrast (-3 to +3 steps), Saturation (-3 to +3 steps), Sharpness(-3 to +3 steps))
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Dynamic range functions
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Off, Dynamic Range Optimizer (Auto/Level), Auto High Dynamic Range: Off, Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1.0-6.0EV, 1.0EV step)
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Color space
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sRGB, Adobe RGB
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Recording system (movie)
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Recording format
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AVCHD Ver. 2.0 (Progressive) / MP4
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Video compression
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MPEG-4 AVC (H.264)
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Audio recording format
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Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC
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NTSC
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AVCHD Ver. 2.0, average bit rate
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1920 x 1080 60p: 28Mbps (PS), 60i: 24Mbps (FX), 17Mbps (FH) 24p: 24Mbps (FX), 17Mbps (FH)
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MP4 , average bit rate
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1440 x 1080 (12Mbps), VGA (3Mbps)
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PAL
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AVCHD Ver. 2.0, average bit rate
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1920 x 1080 50p: 28Mbps (PS), 50i: 24Mbps (FX), 17Mbps (FH) 25p: 24Mbps (FX), 17Mbps (FH)
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MP4 , average bit rate
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1440 x 1080 12Mbps VGA 3Mbps
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Media
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“Memory Stick PRO Duo” , “Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo”, SD memory card, SDHC memory card, SDXC memory card
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Noise reduction
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Long exposure NR: On/Off selectable, available of shutter speeds longer than 1 sec. High ISO NR: High/Normal/Low selectable
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White balance
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Modes
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Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, C.Tem<2500 to 9900K>, C.Filter<G7 to M7/A7 to B7>, Custom
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WB fine adjustment
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G7 to M7, 15-step / A7 to B7, 15-step
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Focus system
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Type
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Contrast-detection AF
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Focus point
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25 points
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Sensitivity range
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EV0 to EV20 (at ISO100 equivalent with F2.8 lens attached)
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Focus mode
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Autofocus, DMF (Direct Manual Focus), Manual Focus
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AF mode
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AF-S: Single-shot AF, AF-C: Continuous AF
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Focus area
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Multi Point (25 points) / Center-weighted / Flexible Spot selectable
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Other features
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Tracking focus , Predictive control, Eye-Start AF (with LA-EA2), Focus lock
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AF illuminator
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Built-in LED, Range: Approx. 0.5m – Approx. 3.0m (E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS)
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Exposure control
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Metering type
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1200-zone evaluative metering
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Metering sensor
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“Exmor” APS HD CMOS sensor
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Metering sensitivity
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EV0 to EV20 (at ISO100 equivalent with F2.8 lens attached)
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Modes
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Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
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Exposure modes
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iAUTO, Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M), Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Anti Motion Blur, Scene Selection
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Scene selection
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Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports action, Sunset, Night portrait, Night view, Hand-held Twilight
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Exposure compensation
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+/- 5EV (in 0.3EV steps)
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Bracketing
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3 continuous exposures in 0.3 or 0.7 EV steps
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AE lock
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AE is locked when focus is locked in multi-segment metering mode. AE lock button
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ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index)
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ISO100-16000、AUTO (ISO100-1600)
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Viewfinder
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Type
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1.3 cm (0.5 type) Electronic viewfinder
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Number of dots
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2359296 dots
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XGA OLED
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Yes
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Brightness control
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Auto, Manual (3 steps between -1 and +1)
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Field coverage
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Approx. 100%
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Magnification
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Approx. 1.09x with 50mm lens at infinity, -1m-1
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Diopter adjustment
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-4m-1 - +1.0m-1 (diopter)
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Eye point
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Approximately 23mm from the eyepiece, 21mm from the eyepiece frame at -1m-1
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Display Contents
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Disp. Basic Info, Level, Histogram
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Real-time image-adjustment
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ON/OFF
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LCD Monitor
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Type
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7.5cm (3.0-type) wide type TFT (Xtra Fine LCD with TruBlack technology)
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Number of dots (total)
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921,600 dots
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Brightness control
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Auto, Manual (5 steps between -2 and +2) Sunny Weather mode
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Field coverage
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Approx. 100%
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Adjustable angle
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Up by approx. 90 degrees, Down by approx. 45 degrees
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Display
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Graphic Display, Display All Info, Big Font Size Disp, No Disp. Info, Live View Priority, Level, Histogram, For viewfinder
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Real-time image-adjustment display
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ON/OFF
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Focus check
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MF assist (5.9x, 11.7x), Peaking (Level setting: High/Mid/Low/Off, Color: White/Red/Yellow)
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Face detection
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Modes
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On/On (Regist. Faces)/Off Face registration, Face selection; Max. number of detectable faces 8
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Other features
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Smile shutter (selectable from 3 steps), Shooting Tips, Help guide
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Digital zoom
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Precision digital zoom, 1.1x-10x
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Shutter
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Type
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Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type
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Shutter speed
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1/4000 to 30 sec, bulb
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Flash sync. speed
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1/160 sec.
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Electronic front shutter curtain
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Yes (ON/OFF)
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SteadyShot INSIDE (image stabilization)
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Type
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Not supported (image stabilization supported on lens)
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Flash
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Type
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Built-in flash
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Guide No.
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6 (in meters at ISO 100 equivalent)
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Flash coverage
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18mm (focal-length printed on the lens body)
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Control
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Pre-flash TTL
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Flash compensation
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+/- 3EV in 0.3 EV steps
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Flash modes
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Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
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Recycling time
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Approx. 4 sec
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External flash
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Compatible with Auto-lock Accessory shoe
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Wireless control
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Supported on External flash
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Drive
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Drive modes
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Single-shot, Continuous shooting, Speed priority continuous shooting, Self-timer (10/2 sec delay selectable), Self-timer (Cont.) (with 10 sec delay 3/5 exposures selectable), Bracketing, Remote Cdr (with separately sold remote commander RMT-DSLR1)
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Speed (max., approx.)
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10fps in Speed priority continuous shooting,3fps in standard continuous shooting *Varies depending on shooting conditions and memory cards
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No. of frame recordable (approx.)
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Fine: 10 frames, Standard: 10 frames, RAW: 6 frames, RAW & JPG: 4 frames *Varies depending on shooting conditions and memory cards
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Playback
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Single (with or without shooting information RGB histogram & highlight/shadow warning), 6/12-frame index view, Enlarged display mode (L: 11.8x, M: 8.8x, S: 6x, Enlarged display mode (L: 16.7x, M: 11.8x, S: 8.3x, Panorama (Standard): 25.6x, Panorama (Wide): 38.8x), Auto Review (10/5/2 sec, Off) ,Image orientation (On/Off selectable), Slideshow, Panorama scrolling, Folder selection (Still), Forward/Rewind (movie), Delete, Protect
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Interface
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PC interface
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Hi-speed USB (USB2.0): Mass-storage, MTP
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HD output
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HDMI mini connector (Type-C) , BRAVIA Sync (link menu), PhotoTV HD
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Auto-lock Accessory shoe
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Yes
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Compatible OS (USB connection)
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Windows XP* SP3, Windows Vista** SP2 , Windows 7 SP1, Mac OS X (v10.3-v10.6) *64-bit edition and starter edition not supported. **Starter edition not supported.
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Audio
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Microphone
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Built-in stereo microphone or ECM-SST1 (optional）
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Speaker
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Built-in, monaural, Volume settings in 8 steps between 0 and 7
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Compatible standards
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Exif Print, Print Image Matching III, DPOF setting
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Custom function
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Custom key settings
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Available
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Power
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Battery
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One rechargeable battery pack NP-FW50
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Still images
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Viewfinder :Approx. 350 images LCD Monitor :Approx. 430 images （CIPA standard）
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Movies
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Approx. 29 min., MP4 format movie for up to Approx. 2 GB.
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External power
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AC Adaptor AC-PW20 (optional)
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Weight
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With battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo included
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Approx. 350 g
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Body only
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Approx. 291 g
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Dimensions
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mm (W x H x D) excluding protrusions
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Approx. 119.9mm x 69.9mm x 42.6mm
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Minimum thickness mm
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Approx. 25.3mm / Approx. 1 in.
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Operating Temperature
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Operating temperature
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32 – 104 degrees F / 0 – 40 degrees C |
Sony Press Release
Sony introduces the NEX-7: all-in-one compact interchangeable lens camera with 24.3 megapixel resolution
Supreme imaging plus pro performance and handling coupled with creative options
24.3 effective megapixels Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor
Quick, responsive autofocus and world’s fastest (0.02 sec) release time lag
Quick, versatile new TRINAVI control
High-resolution XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ and built-in flash
Full HD Movie with 50p/25p, manual focus, full P/A/S/M exposure control and improved audio
10fps continuous shooting (Speed priority mode)Sony takes pro-quality imaging and creative options to new extremes with the easy to use α NEX-7. Styled in magnesium alloy for strength and premium looks, the NEX-7 weighs a travel-friendly approx. 291g (camera body only).
The NEX-7 features a newly-developed Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor with 24.3 effective megapixel resolution that’s teamed with the latest revision of Sony’s BIONZ image processing engine.
This unique combination of sensor and processor assures ultra-rapid shooting responses, plus flawless image quality with ultra-low noise when shooting still images or Full HD video. Extending from ISO 100-16000, the ultra-high sensitivity range makes it easy to capture clean, low-noise images in dimly lit interiors or at dusk.
Responses are accelerated further by a shutter release lag of just 0.02 seconds – the fastest of any interchangeable lens digital camera in the world. Quick, precise AF is enhanced by new Object Tracking that keeps accurate focus lock on a selected target, even when it’s moving in the frame.
The NEX-7 offers quick, easy control over creative settings via an intuitive new TRINAVI control. Two control dials on the top of the camera are complemented by a control wheel. Pushing the navigation button cycles quickly through various shooting modes, allowing enthusiasts to make custom adjustments and control images with the flexibility of a DSLR camera.
The NEX-7 is also the world’s first compact camera that features an XGA OLED TruFinder™ for precision framing and focusing. This precision electronic viewfinder gives a bright, detail-packed, high contrast view of still images and video, with approximately 100% frame coverage and a wide field of view to rival pro-grade optical viewfinders. On-screen grid lines and a level gauge can be displayed to assist with accurate framing.
The XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ is complemented by a 7.5 cm (3.0”) Xtra Fine LCD that can be angled up to 90° up or 45º down for easy viewing in any shooting position. TruBlack technology assures superb detail and contrast with dramatically reduces on-screen reflections.
At the touch of a button, the NEX-7 shoots smooth AVCHD Full HD movies with high-quality stereo sound. Support for the new AVCHD Progressive (Ver. 2.0)* format also allows users to select 50p or 25p frame rates for beautifully smooth, detailed video footage. As with stills shooting, Object Tracking allows a target object to be selected for accurate tracking AF, even when the subject is moving.
Manual focus is now possible during video shooting. Enthusiasts can also enjoy full control over creating the perfect video image with Programme, Aperture/Shutter Priority and all-Manual modes (PASM). Stereo audio quality is improved, with revised circuitry that lowers noise levels, especially when shooting quiet scenes.
In speed priority mode, the NEX-7 captures fast-moving action at up to 10fps – the world’s fastest burst shooting speed of any mirrorless interchangeable lens camera.
First introduced on the NEX-C3, Picture Effect simplifies the production of sophisticated artistic effects ‘in camera’, with no PC or post-processing needed. There are now 11 modes and 15 effects, including new HDR Painting, Soft Focus, Miniature and Rich-Tone Mono. A generous palette of other artistic imaging functions includes 3D Sweep Panorama, Soft Skin, Auto HDR, Handheld Twilight and Anti Motion Blur Modes.
The NEX-7 introduces an Auto-lock Accessory Shoe, a first for E-mount cameras. Widening opportunities for advanced shooting applications, the shoe supports accessories including HVL-F58AM, F43AM and F20AM Flash, the HVL-MT24AM Macro Twin Flash Kit and CLM-V55 Clip-on LCD Monitor.
Lenses and accessories
The world’s first mount adaptor with built-in Translucent Mirror Technology™, the optional Mount Adaptor LA-EA2 allows phase-detection AF with almost all of the A-mount lenses for both still image and video shooting.The LCS-ELC7 Soft Carrying Case combines a closely-fitting body case and lens jacket in genuine leather to protect camera body and lens from scratches and dust, is released exclusively for NEX-7. It’s complemented by the STP-XH70 shoulder strap in the same material.
The α NEX-7 ultra-compact interchangeable lens digital camera by Sony is available from November 2011.
