The NEX-5 has features found in SLR cameras but also some that are normally found in point and shoots. The body of the NEX-5 is made of magnesium alloy that separates the NEX-5 from the less expensive polymer NEX-3. Also different from the NEX-3 is video quality. The NEX-5 can shoot in AVCHD 1080/60i HD. There is a 7 frame/s continuous shot mode, with autofocus disabled after the first frame. The APS-C sized sensor has an ISO sensitivity up to 12,800. The camera software has special features like twilight mode and sweep panorama. The latter lets the photographer sweep across a city-sky line or similar long view and have the photos automatically stitched into a JPEG image on camera.
Lenses
The NEX-5 along with its sister, the NEX-3, and also the Sony Handycam NEX-VG10 use a new lens mount system developed by Sony for NEX series and known as the Sony E-mount. Initially, there were three available lenses: an all-purpose 18–55 mm lens, an ultra wide pancake 16 mm lens, and a wide range 18–200 mm E-mount lens. With the post-November 2010 firmware version 3 installed, and by using the Sony LA-EA1 adapter, the NEX series of cameras is able to electronically control the aperture and autofocus of Sony SSM/SAM A-mount lenses, and control the aperture of the other Sony/Minolta A-mount lenses with manual focus only. The Sony LA-EA2 adapter also supports autofocus with screw-drive A-mount lenses, firmware version 5 is required for this adapter. Other third-party mechanical tube adapters are also available. These adapters enable the use of Canon FD-mount, Canon EF-mount, Contax G, M42 screw mount, Konica Hexanon AR-mount, Minolta SR-mount, Leica M and screw mount, Nikon F-mount, Pentax K-mount, T2 screw mount and Minolta/Konica Minolta/Sony A-mount lenses. The E-mount flange register is so short that it is possible to mount 45 mm or longer-focal-length non-focusing enlarging lenses on the NEX body, with the use of an intermediate focusing helicoid behind them. Certain third-party mechanical adapters also provide circular control rings that provide some mechanical control of the aperture of Nikon G, Pentax DA and Canon EF lenses, as these do not have a mechanical aperture control ring on their lens barrels.
Model definitions
The incomplete model number of NEX-3/NEX-5 series may include letter at end. The definitions are:
D: Supplied with E 2.8/16mm and E 3,5-5,6/18-55mm OSS
H: Supplied with E 3.5-6.3/18-200mm OSS
K: Supplied with E 3.5-5.6/18-55mm OSS
L: Supplied with E 3.5-5.6/16-50mm OSS
B: Body color is black
/N: Body color is gold
/P: Body color is pink
R: Body color is red
S: Body color is silver
/T: Body color is brown
50i: 50 frames interlaced model
60i: 60 frames interlaced model
For example, NEX-5CK/B 50i is a NEX-5 supplied with E 18-55 mm zoom lens, not compatible with Eye-Fi function, body color black, and with 50i video support.