Sony NEX-5R has fast phase-detect focusing, in-camera apps, WiFi (previewed)

Now in its third iteration, the very popular Sony NEX-5R doesn't get the usual updates people have come to expect. Like the NEX-5N before it, the NEX-5R still has a 16.1-megapixel sensor, a 3-inch tilting LCD, and is about the same shape and size. But there are a few new features that many will find compelling, including a fast hybrid autofocus system with 99 phase-detection AF points; a touch-shutter and touch-tracking feature; and a built-in WiFi radio that enables direct uploads to social media, as well as image transfer to tablets and cellphones. Downloadable apps are expected to bring more sophisticated in-camera Picture Effects to the Sony NEX-5R, plus Direct Upload features, and remote control via a smartphone, too. Not the usual updates indeed, but quite welcome nonetheless.

Also welcome is a slight tweak to the controls on the Sony NEX-5R that make better use of the limited real estate and arguably make the NEX-5R a more photographer-centric design without going as far as the NEX-7, with its Tri-Navi interface.

Slated to ship in October, the Sony NEX-5R is expected to fetch US$650 body-only, and $750 with an 18-55mm kit lens.

Want to know more about Sony's latest NEX-series camera? Read our hands-on Sony NEX-5R preview!

Sony Alpha NEX-5R

General

Camera Type Compact System Camera

Manufacturer North America: NEX-5R

Dimensions 4.4 x 2.3 x 1.5 in.
(111 x 59 x 39 mm)

Weight 16.4 oz (466 g)

Planned Price $750

Planned Availability October 2012

Image Capture

Sensor Type Sony Exmor APS HD CMOS
APS-C (approx. 1.11 in. diagonal)
16.70 megapixels (total)
16.10 megapixels (effective)

Filter Type RGBG

Focal Length Multiplier 1.50

Aspect Ratio 16:9, 4:3

Image Dimensions 4912 x 3264 (16.0 megapixels)
4912 x 2760 (13.6 megapixels)
3568 x 2368 (8.4 megapixels)
3568 x 2000 (7.1 megapixels)
2448 x 1624 (4.0 megapixels)
2448 x 1376 (3.4 megapixels)
12416 x 1856 (23.0 megapixels)
8192 x 1856 (15.2 megapixels)
2160 x 5536 (12.0 megapixels)
2160 x 3872 (8.4 megapixels)
7152 x 1080 (7.7 megapixels)
4912 x 1080 (5.3 megapixels)
1920 x 1080 (2.1 megapixels)

Capture Speed Continuous: 10.0 frames per second

Image Quality 2 levels

Image Preview / Review

LCD 3.0 in. diagonal921,600 dots

Playback Zoom 14.0

Touchscreen Yes

Lens

Image Stabilization Yes

Focal Length 18.0 - 55.0mm (actual)
27 - 83mm (35mm equivalent)

Aperture Range f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 34 (T)

Focusing System Hybrid AF (99-point phase detect; 25-point contrast detect): Multi-point, Center, Flexible Spot; with Face Detection and Predictive Tracking
Has AF assist lamp
Manual focus possible

Focusing Range Normal: 10" - 4,081" (25 cm - 9,999 cm)

Exposure

ISO Sensitivity Auto (100-3200), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600

Shutter Speed 30 - 1/4000 second

Exposure Modes Program, Aperture, Shutter, Manual

Metering Modes 1200-zone Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot

Exposure Compensation +/- 3.0EV in 1/3EV increments

White Balance Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temp./Filter, Custom

Internal Flash Guide Number: 7
Modes: Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear sync., Slow sync., Red-eye reduction
Range: Lens dependent

Flash Exposure Compensation +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments

Creative

Scene Modes Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Anti Motion Blur, Scene Selection (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Hand-held Twilight), Auto Portrait Framing

Digital Zoom 2x Clear Image zoom; up to 4x Precision zoom; up to 2x Smart zoom at reduced resolution

Self Timer Yes, 2, 10, 10 with 3/5 shots seconds

Movie Format AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC with audio

Movie Resolution / Frame Rate 1920x1080 @ 60p/28Mbps/PS or 60i/24Mbps/FX or 60i/17Mbps/FH or 24p/24Mbps/FX or 24p/17Mbps/FH, 1440x1080 @ 30p/12Mbps, 640x480 @ 30p/3Mbps

Storage

Recording Medium Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, SD/MMC including SDHC, SDXC

File System FAT16, FAT32, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)

File Format .ARW RAW (v2.3), RAW+JPEG, JPEG

Connectivity

Other Mini HDMI (Type C), Smart Accessory Terminal 2

Power

Battery Type Lithium-ion rechargeable

Battery Form Factor Proprietary InfoLithium NP-FW50

Product Bundle

Software Image Data Converter Ver. 4, PlayMemories Home

Battery / Charger 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger

Other

Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant Yes

PictBridge Compliant Yes

Internal Microphone Yes

Internal Speaker Yes

Tripod Mount Yes, Metal

Remote Control Yes, Optional RMT-DSLR1/2 IR Wireless

Waterproof No

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