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Sony NEX-5N Twin Lens • $824 • Free Shipping

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This sale from VideoPro has been extended. It is $71 cheaper than Bing Lee's price (assuming $45p/h).

The sites of the two companies are very similar - perhaps they're associated.

I got this recently from VideoPro - very happy with their service (assigned a direct rep to deal with).

I definitely recommend buying the twin lens kit, as the 16mm (24mm equivalent) is supersmall and handy.

These cameras can use Nikon SLR and Leica Rangefinder lenses in manual when used with an adaptor (about $200 each), as well as the Sony Minolta lenses with autofocus with an adaptor.

It's so small and handy. Far more convenient than the D7000 for most circumstances.

It has the same sensor as the D7000, though lacks the degree of control available via D7000.

Some people prefer microfourthirds, and they currently have more native lenses, but low-light performance is not as strong, and Olympus's future is in doubt after the Yakuza scandal.

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  • +1

    +ve just for your username… welcome to OzB my good man (:

    • <blush>
      why, thank you!
      </blush>

      ^_^

  • wow. amazing deal :D

  • Good deal, but I don't think this is true: "It has the same sensor as the D7000"

    Also, do Videopro have stock?

    • They're almost the same size (23.4 × 15.6mm for the NEX, 23.6 × 15.6mm for the D7000) but they're certainly not the same sensor, different MP counts and production methods.

      • its the same sensor. Just the sony is cropped ever so slightly. noise and resolution tests prove also they are the same sensor. (not identical but near identical)

    • It's certainly widely reported to be the same sensor.

      Sony make a number of Nikon's sensors. The same sensor can be modified or utilised differently, though (anti-aliasing, firmware etc).

      It appears to be the best APS-C sensor available in terms of low light and dynamic range (ahead of NEX-7's 24mp sensor.)

      Either way, it is equivalent.


      It does say "check availability" rather than "no stock" so I guess they're covering their bases if stock runs out.

  • -2

    I think the best thing about this deal is you don't have to go down to Cabramatta for it.

    • And obviously some people can't take jokes… It's less about the suburb itself but the time to get there, and worse if you take public transport because of those surrounding suburbs that you pass.

      • Yeah, anonymous negs are problematic: too easy for people to spread ill-will; and they often don't actually downgrade inappropriate comments since (depending on the crowd on the day) such comments often get upvoted for appealing to base mentalities.

        Myself, I try not to take it too personally.

  • Is it $824 for the twin-lens kit? There's no mention of lenses in Videopro's title or description, although Googling the model number NEX5NDB would seem to indicate it is the twin-lens kit.

    • I bought this kit from them recently, and can confirm that it is the twin lens kit:

      • 16mm prime (nice and small)
      • 18-55mm zoom


      Regarding lenses: Apparently, Sony have stated that they'll focus on bringing out smaller lenses now. And the new 50mm prime for NEX mount is stated to be the sharpest 50mm available (except it isn't available until February).

      • +1

        The 50mm sounds like it will be a nice lens considering it has AF and stabilisation, though it does seem quite long in size.

        If Sony would bring out more small lenses, it might help my decision as to which camera to get.

        • This often comes up as a criticism. Yet, the NEX-5N with the larger 18-55mm kit lens is still vastly smaller and more discreet than the D7000.

          I'm very keen to use this camera with Voigtlaender adaptors for F-mount and M-mount lenses. In this usage scenario the lenses are third-party, so the criticism no longer applies.

          The smaller-lensed GX1 and GH2 Panasonic microfourthird cameras are very appealing, yet they are currently much more expensive and much bigger. I'd've considered them if they were cheaper.

          The NEX-5N has a feature called "focus-peaking" which makes manual focus faster and more reliable.

          If discretion or volume are truly imperative, the 16mm pancake lens is already available, and Sony have committed to smaller lenses.

        • +1

          The NEX-5N with kit zoom truly is much more compact than the D7000. It really depends on your point of view. Those who use DSLRs will find it small, while those who currently have point-and-shoots will find it a significant increase in size.

          I also find the GH2 fairly large and indiscreet and too reminiscent of SLRs. Panasonic, with the release of the GX1, seems to have squandered their early entry into the mirrorless market. Yes, there is a range of lenses to choose from, but they seem too afraid to take sales away from their G and GH series of cameras. Sony then comes along and implements many of those desirable elements into the NEX-7.

          I still think Sony lacks native small and fast prime lenses though. The NEX cameras can still manage to be fairly small with the M-mount adapter, but the F-mount adapter adds a significant amount to the protrusion of the lens. That the NEX have focus peaking is useful for those with lenses from previous camera systems. It seems that Sony has positioned itself closer to the DLSR crowd while the Nikon J1 and V1 are designed to appeal to those with point-and-shoots.

          I'm just majorly annoyed with Olympus at the moment. The NEX-5N is becoming more appealing day by day.

  • Good deal, are they gray import or local product so I can claim GST back?

    • Australian stock.

      Last I checked this was even cheaper than DWI's grey imports (although, the NEX-C3 is still better value as a grey import.)

  • +1

    i ask them. you can claim GST
    but no stock until end Jan12

    • Bugger. May still be worth a call, of course.

      Bing Lee may be the go, then. It looks like DWI and BH Photo don't have the twin kit this low, either.


      DWI do have the NEX-C3 body only for $359, so that could be a good option combined with $250-300 on eBay for both the lenses (or get both the small 16mm and the praised 50mm for about $450-500).

      C3 lacks focus-peaking, touch screen and has only 720 video. But, it is noticeably cheaper (as an import), and the image quality is close to the 5N.

  • While this camera is good at high iso (for the low light) it struggles to autofocus at these conditions and focuses slower than the micro 4/3s in this range.

    • I understand that the full-sized DSLRs have far faster autofocus capability.

      Apparently, the Panasonic GX1 and Nikon V1 have very fast autofocus, but they're more expensive, and some traits are inferior (low-light etc).

  • +1

    I have this camera and love it so much. But I have to said that the 16mm pancake len is not as good as Panasonic GF/Gx one or you can say it is petty useless (compact and long battery life only). On the hand, the 1855 len is better than enough.
    Some people worry about af in low light condition. Yes, you have to use MF /DMF but it is not that difficult and the objects in this situation are usually still(you can't take good picture of fast move object in this situation without flash anyway). With this CMOS, you definately able to get better images than those 4/3s.

    • For me, the 16mm pancake lens is a must. Should notice that it's not only a lens but also an adaptor for wide angle and fisheye lens.

    • +1

      I think only a die hard fan boy would argue the sensors in 43's is as good as NEX-5N, but they've still got the edge on lenses with a good range of primes. Though, looks like Sony is statrting to address this with the new Zeiss 24 (for $1000+!) and the nifty fifty they've got coming out.

      On a recent holiday my friend and I we had a Nikon D700, a NEX-5N twin lens kit and a m43 Olympus E-PM1 with 3 primes. Results: D700 kills the rest in all features except size and weight - which is a big drag when on holiday. The NEX-5N was a great all rounder and I found myself grabbing it from my friend a few times… but could get more effects I wanted (such as shallow DOF) with the E-PM1 and the primes. This would be totally different if had the new Sony 50mm/1.8. The 16mm pancake never got used…

      Point of this: if you plan to stick to the kit lens for foreseeable future, this is a great (best?) value camera. Short comings: good value primes for it aren't available yet (but coming soon), and no standard hot shoe for strobe/3rd party flash. If you want something more for video and camera second, there's been good deals on importing Pansonic GH2's from USA recently @ B&H and Adorama. But personally, I feel the ergonomics of the NEX-5N much better than the GH2.

      I'm seriously tempted by this after I cancelled my NEX-7 pre-order, but, glad they don't have stock until end of Jan. Gonna wait and see what Fuji brings to table in Jan with the LX10/Pro X or whatever it's called. But will be more similar to NEX-7 in style and cost.

      Essay over - sorry, just really interested in range of mirrorless cameras these days.

      FWIW: the The NEX-5N twin lens kit was bought by my friend from Camera Action House on Swanston St Melbourne for $900 at end of October.

      • I too am waiting for the Fuji LX, but if it is not announced during CES this coming January, I will look into 4/3rds; I'm eyeing the Olympus EP3 - more lens options and love the retro-ish look. Let's hope Fuji doesn't disappoint us. But I need my camera before March, I wonder if the Fuji LX will be released before then.

        BTW, great deal OP :) Did make me think for a sec. Price-wise, can't go wrong with that. The Sony 5N is very tempting…

  • +3

    You can get the wide angle conversion lens for the 16mm at around $125 from B&H, as their current savings negate the $30 shipping fee (until 7th of Jan), and the Fisheye can be had for $133 free shipping at DWI. The conversion lenses have an RRP here for $229 and $249…….Go figure.

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/713118-REG/Sony_VCLECU…

    http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProd…

  • I recently bought this exact deal from Videopro. Great pricing, and they even match it with great service.

    Even their online web chat representative was a pro.

    Love this camera. I recommend it to anyone who wants to get better pic then those pocket cam.

  • DONE. THANKS.

    Also got a
    * wide angle adapter (eBay as above)
    * 32GB SanDisk Ultra SDHC 32GB $56 from Shopping Square
    * 49mm MC and CIP filter set $6.25 eBay

    Just need a 55-210 now. Help?

    Are those 30mm and 50mm fixed lenses worth it? Compared to the zoom? Sharper focus?

  • By the way, the duty free store in Adelaide has the C3 twin lens kit for $449 + GST. Not sure if the 5N was really worth $325 more, but what the hey.

  • Got a response from them regarding an ETA, they just found that they won't get stock till Apr! I shouldn't have waited, I ordered last night.

  • Anyone has update on delivery time frame? No one is going to drop the price similar to this one unless there are ample stocks in AUS. I might get one too.

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