What's This?
2014-01-07 01:00:41 UTC
LAS VEGAS — The Sony NEX brand of mirrorless cameras is no more. From now on, its NEX cameras are now part of its Alpha brand of DSLRs, the company announced at CES on Monday. Sony is also launching a new, ultra-lightweight Wi-Fi-connected model, the α5000.
Killing NEX is surprising, given that it's well-known among photographers, if not the general public. But it does put all of Sony's "advanced" (read: non point-and-shoot) cameras under a single umbrella, and it prevents any confusion with Samsung's line of NX cameras.
Sony claims the α5000 is the lightest mirrorless camera you can buy, with a body that weighs just 8 ounces. It has a 20.1-megapixel APS-C sensor, as well as Sony's BIONZ image-processing tech, which the company says can reduce noise in low-light photos. ISO goes up to 16,000.
With built-in Wi-Fi, the α5000 can pair with a smartphone (via NFC if you've got it), letting the user control the camera via the accompanying app. You can also transfer pics to your device for quick Instagramming of choice shots.
Sony actually offers 11 different PlayMemories apps that work with the camera's various functions. A Time Lapse app will automatically adjust exposure for time-lapse montages, and Sync to Smartphone automatically transfers shots to a smartphone or tablet that you've set up to accept them.
The camera's tiltable LCD screen flips upward up to 180 degrees for those hard-to-get shots, and of course, it is compatible with Sony's complete line of NEX ... er, Alpha mirrorless lenses.
The α5000 will be available in March for $600 as a kit with a 16-50 mm motorized zoom lens.
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Image: Sony
Topics: alpha, CES, Gadgets, mirrorless cameras, NEX, sony, Tech
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