DSLR purists might snub at the thought of a micro four third camera being perfect, but for those keen on HD video and capturing quality shots without carrying around endless amounts of gear, the M4/3 is a godsend. The Panasonic Lumix GH1, once hacked, set the video bar with 50 Mbps+ AVCHD capture, rightfully earning the title ‘creative hybrid’. The Sony NEX-7 looks to up the ante on the imaging front.
An image leaked by a “close source” of the Sony Alpha Rumours website shows what is believed to be the first image of the Sony NEX-7 micro four thirds. As the successor to the highly praised NEX-5 and NEX-3, the new model is coming full throttle like Charlie’s Angels. The new design and textured grip along the sides of the camera immediately captured our interest as did the 3-million dot OLED electronic viewfinder.
To improve on imaging, Sony has used the 24-megapixel sensor inside the upcoming A77 to power the NEX-7. The jump in megapixels will be accompanied by 1080p/30fps, 720p/60fps and 720/30fps capture modes and in improved auto-focusing system. There’s no mention of a 24pfs mode which has us a little bumped and we can’t confirm the video bitrate of the 1080p capture.
In order to earn the title of ‘perfect micro four thirds’, we have a few requirements for the NEX-7. First, the hot shoe must support third party accessories. Second, the manual controls during video capture must support aperture and shutter speed. And finally, a 24 fps mode must be added to the list of capture modes if Sony wants to capture even a small percentage of the GH2 market.
Pricing for the Sony NEX-7 is set at £806 ($1,300 USD) with the kit lens. In the leaked image the Sony NEX-7 is believed to use a 24mm f/1.8 lens. Having owned the 20mm f/1.7 Lumix lens, I find this hard to believe. The sheer depth of the lens in the photo leads me to believe we’re really looking at a zoom lens with an aperture range of 1.8-2.4, likely a 20 to 42mm. Even if the kit lens is a 20-40mm zoom f/1.8-2.4, that level of optics will deliver an incredibly shallow depth of field and offer great low-light performance. Neither of which are usually offered in the glass of a kit lens.
Other than our requirements for the Sony NEX-7, what would you like to see added to this micro four thirds that will have rise to the top of your shortlist of camera considerations for 2011?
