14 DAY TRIAL // A couple of days ago, the first press shots of the Sony NEX-3N made it to the Internet, and now the official launch has finally taken place, exposing the mirrorless camera in all its glory.
Interestingly enough, the NEX-3N is not the only photo and video capture device that the company has released this time.
Sony has also launched the A58, a mainstream DSLR model using the Sony translucent mirror technology. But we will get to that later.
The NEX-3N is an entry-level item, meaning that it favors affordability and simplicity over price-increasing perks.
While it does have a 180-degree titling screen (good for self-portraits) and a zoom level, it settles for a 16-megapixel sensor instead of anything stronger.
It is also very small. Sony describes it as the “world's smallest, lightest interchangeable-lens camera with a large APS-C sized sensor.”
Even so, the device gets pop-up flash and support for “Triluminos Color,” leading to an expanded gamut when displaying images or playing videos on Sony Triluminos Bravia displays.
In addition, the device supports an ISO range of 200 – 16,000 (still images) and 200 – 3,200 equivalent (movies), plus Multi/Micro USB and HDMI Type D.
The other camera, A58, has an APS-C sensor too, but because it is a mid-range device instead of a low-end one, it has 20-megapixel quality.
It also has an OLED Tru-Finder with 100% field coverage, Quick AF Full HD Movie recording (AVCHD 1920×1080, 50i/25p), 15-point phase detection Live View autofocus (3 cross sensors; with AF tracking in Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode) and adjustable light sensitivity (100 – 16,000 / 25,600 with Multi Frame NR).
Finally, the camera has HDMI, Multi Interface Shoe, Multi Terminal, and Memory Stick Duo / SD card slots.
Sony NEX-3N will launch in Europe next month (March 2013), for an unspecified price. The A58 will debut in April, and its price is equally unknown.
