Sony Philippines recently launched the NEX-7 compact interchangeable lens camera among others as part of the company’s Summer is ON 2012 campaign. Following the NEX-3, NEX-5, NEX-5N, Sony achieves an upgrade in its NEX line with this new release that features better controls and than its predecessors along with some other very pleasant improvements.
In addition to the rear dial and the three soft keys from the previous models, the NEX-7 adds two new programmable dials on the top plate as well as a button beside the shutter for cycling through the camera’s functions. In manual mode, you get one dial dedicated to each of the main exposure parameters such as shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, which is an incredible upgrade in the functionality of the interface. Like the other cameras in the NEX line, the NEX-7 also has a tilt-able rear LCD.
The NEX-7 packs a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor, which is the same one seen on the Sony SLT-A77, and allows for true 1080p60 video recording. Despite its compact body, it now also has an electronic viewfinder that was nowhere to be found on the earlier NEX cameras. Another improvement is the quicker shutter lag of just 20ms from the previous 100ms, while its Carl Zeiss branded E 24mm F1.8 lens is also nice, as it supposedly offers the same field of view as a 35mm lens on full frame.
At first impression, the NEX-7 seems to have the right upgrades to appeal to more serious photographers, and it’s already available in the Philippines this month at a standard retail price of Php 59,999.