Sony NEX-5T review

The Sony NEX-5T replaces the award-winning Sony NEX-5R – one of our top recommendations throughout 2013, thanks to its svelte magnesium alloy body and stunning photo and video quality. The outgoing 5R has had some strong competition to contend with, but no other CSC at this price has beaten it for photo quality. The NEX-5T is simply a minor update, simply taking the excellent camera and adding NFC for easier Wi-Fi connections.

The Sony NEX-5T is otherwise identical. There’s the same Function button and command dial for quicker access to photographic settings. Pressing the button reveals six customisable functions, which can be picked from a list of 15. With ISO speed, drive mode and exposure compensation available separately via the navigation pad, there’s little reason to visit the main menu in normal use.

The controls on the 5T are excellent

The centre button brings up a virtual mode dial on the screen, which is adjusted by spinning the wheel on the back of the camera. It’s not quite as effective as a dedicated physical mode dial but it’s a big improvement on the 5N.

The 3in wide-aspect screen tilts up and down as before, but now it can tilt upwards by 180 degrees for self-portraits. Doing so automatically enables a three-second self-timer, so you have plenty of time to steady your arm and gurn before the shutter goes. Various other CSCs have articulated screens, but none are as petite as this one.

The articulated screen is great for self portraits

It’s an extremely handsome camera, and surprisingly comfortable to hold and use considering its diminutive design. Our only lingering concern is the detachable flash unit, which isn’t as tidy as an integrated flash and is likely to be left at home as a result.

Sony has improved autofocus performance by incorporating phase-detect autofocus sensors into the main imaging sensor. It’s an increasingly common technique, but as with previous examples, it only brings marginal improvements. Testing side by side with the older 5N, we found that the average time between pressing the shutter button and taking a photo fell from 0.6 to 0.4 seconds in bright conditions. This improvement felt more significant than the numbers might suggest, though. This isn’t the fastest CSC to focus but it’s quick enough for it not to be a concern. Burst shooting with continuous autofocus remains slow at 1.3fps, though. Meanwhile, the new sensor appears to take its toll on battery life. The 5T and 5N use the same battery but its quoted life has fallen from 410 to 330 shots.

Start-up and shot-to-shot times aren’t stellar, taking 2.2 seconds to the first shot and 0.8 seconds between subsequent shots. These hardly count as bad results, though. One big improvement is that the 10fps burst rate now lasts for 13 frames before slowing to around 3fps.

Wi-Fi control via an app is no longer a novelty, but it’s still very handy

The Sony NEX-5T includes the Wi-Fi functions that we first saw in the Sony NEX-6. Having seen a glut of Wi-Fi cameras in the last couple of months, we’re forced to conclude that this isn’t our favourite implementation. Still, the ability to transfer a photo to an iPhone for instant online sharing is enough in itself to make this a valuable feature. The iOS app also has a remote shooting mode, complete with live view on the iPhone or iPad. Control over photographic settings in the app is extremely limited but it’s perfect for group self-portraits.

Wi-Fi also brings the ability to download apps (see www.sony.net/pmca for details). It’s a novel idea but we’re not particularly tempted to pay between £4 and £8 for functions such as advanced bracketing and time-lapse when other cameras include them for free. Then again, it’s packed with advanced shooting modes out of the box, so the apps are just an extra that people can take or leave. Ultimately, these Wi-Fi functions are welcome, and will hopefully get even better over time.

The addition of NFC to the camera isn’t a huge upgrade, but if you have an NFC-capable phone it’s a nice extra: you can simply tap the two together and it will connect and launch the app automatically.

The superior 16-50mm lens kit looks like a good idea, but it does move the 5T close to NEX-6 prices

Another significant change is the growing number of E Mount lenses, including two particularly fine examples. The 16-50mm lens which is bundled here (replacing the bulky old 18-55mm) is much smaller, lighter and sharper than the standard kit lens. The 35mm prime lens (part code SEL-35F18) is similarly small and light, has a useful 52mm equivalent focal length and excels in low light with its f1/.8 maximum aperture and optical stabilisation.

Photo and video quality appear to be virtually identical to the old NEX-5N, but that’s certainly not a criticism. We’re delighted that Sony has stuck with a 16-megapixel sensor, which delivers plenty of detail and the lowest noise of any CSC.

The sensor has had no problem capturing details in the brightest and darkest parts of this scene – click to enlarge

The sensor is the same size as those used in SLRs and bigger than the ones in most other CSCs, and it excels for smooth, crisp details. Its size also helps to produce a shallow depth of field, blurring the background to draw the eye to the main subject. Focus from the 18-55mm kit lens deteriorates a little towards the edges of frames at wide apertures, but it’s rarely a concern in practice.

JPEGs are crisp and detailed, but raw mode really shows what this camera is capable of – click to enlarge

There’s a hint of noise in these skin tones at ISO 800, but indoor image quality is as good as we’ve seen from a CSC – click to enlarge

The video mode is one of the best around too, with sharp details, low noise and high quality soundtracks that aren’t spoiled by whirring lens motors. Keen videographers will appreciate the choice of 25p, 25i or 50p frame rates, as well as full control over exposure settings.

The NEX-5T is surrounded by some very strong competitors. The Fujifilm X-M1 beats it for image quality, with razor-sharp details and incredible low noise, but it’s bulkier and pricier. The Panasonic GF6 costs less and is just as rewarding to use, but it can’t quite match the Sony for image quality. The NEX-5T occupies a comfortable middle ground, with superb quality on virtually every front and a reasonable price. It’s an obvious Best Buy.