Sony Alpha5000 review

My favourite line of Sony cameras; the ‘NEX’ is now known simply as “alpha” as Sony has decided to drop the NEX prefix for all its interchangeable lens cameras.

My NEX affair started with the NEX series from the NEX-3, all of the NEX 5 series and NEX 6, NEX 7 and most recently the Sony Alpha 5000. Name change aside, the NEX series has been consistently:

1. Fool-proof
– You can be assured it’s rather hassle-free to use. Like I’ve told everyone who asked me about my obsession and loyalty to the NEX, “you don’t have to think too much, study arduously or try too hard“.
Auto mode (Superior or Intelligent) gets you a decent picture under low light and superb results under normal lighting conditions.
Else Program mode or Aperture with 2 basic controls – the EV (exposure) and the White Balance does the trick.

2. Stylish
Unisex appeal.
It looks good. Enough said.

3. Sturdy and reliable.
Long travels, harsh conditions and a bump here and there. I been there, done that. Have I dropped my cameras? Yes (unintentionally of course – oh duhh!).
Did it die on me? NOPE.
I have always made sure to keeps the lens clean and a screen protector in place for the camera screen so it doesn’t have any scratches.

4. Lightweight.
A mirrorless camera’s USP has always been “DSLR quality in a compact body”. The NEX series does live up to such claims.
For the Sony NEX series (now simply known as “Sony Alpha”), different NEX models caters for different levels of professionalism, but other than the Sony NEX 6 and Sony NEX 7, most NEX models and also the Sony Alpha 5000 falls into the entry-level, semi pro category.
Weighing only 210, (not including battery and memory card), the Alpha 5000 is a good everyday camera, that fits into a jacket pocket even with the 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens mounted.

4. Good battery life.
The battery life gets considerably shorter with the use of WIFI but other than that, all the NEX series and the Sony Alpha 5000 has great battery life. I could do with 2 days without charging during my travels sometimes.
We are talking about 500 -1000 images per charge.

5. Add-ons
Sony has also included a number of modes, tips and apps, such as free download Photo Retouch and the paid-for time-lapse application, to help inexperienced photographers and enthusiasts alike get the most out of the camera.
Example: Light Shaft and Motion Shot, are now available in the PlayMemories App Store for $4.99 each.
Example: PlayMemories Camera Apps is Sony’s application download service that allows functions to be downloaded and added to SOME of its NEX models and now inclusive of Sony Alpha 5000.
For the WIFI enabled models install the free PlayMemories Mobile App (iOS or Android) and you can transfer images directly from your camera to your smartphone or tablet and then share at will. You can also wirelessly transfer to compatible TVs and to a PC that has PlayMemories Home installed (SONY models of course).
PlayMemories also has some in-built features such as Picture Effect, Photo Retouch, Smart Remote Control, Bracket Pro, Multi Frame NR and more.

Let me show you some UNEDITED pictures that I took in the “lazy” settings  – Superior Auto, Aperture and Program mode. But first take a look yourself at the camera’s ability if you know how to use/set it to the best of its ability.

MANUAL mode:

Ok, now the entry level, amateur user – just Aperture or mostly program and Auto mode.

Fanning the fire over skewers of satay.

Details :
You can see how vividly detailed each image is. I use the Aperture mode a lot for my food pictures. I trust you do find these pictures droolworthy? 🙂

Low Light:

Pak Putra tandoori naan in Melaka.
I was trying to capture the details of the man preparing the skewers and the details of the gorgeous baked chicken in the Tandoor oven.

More Melaka food:  Laksa, Kuih keria, Nyonya chang, chendol.

Sports:
Deciding to use it during one of my Fast Fit class in Celebrity Fitness. I always like to test the speed of capture of a camera for moving objects.
The Sony Alpha 5000 did pretty well in Auto mode.

Low light. Singapore Flyer.
This was pretty dark as it was nightfall by then.

Last but not least, I actually prefer the old interface of the NEX than this Sony Alpha 5000. You see the difference?

Sony NEX 5T.

Sony Alpha 5000. 

I actually find it more of a hassle to navigate through this drop-down menu!

Well it was a good 2 weeks spent with the Sony Alpha 5000. This is the camera to get for anyone seeking an entry level mirrorless camera.

The price is RM1,999 for the body and a 16-50mm lens & RM2799 for twin lens.
For more details surf over to .