Sony NEX-7: Worth Buying In 2023?

The Sony NEX-7 was released in 2011 and was Sony's first mirrorless camera targeted at higher end users. This camera has a lot of great aspects to it, but there are some significant reasons why you might want to consider other options in the NEX/A6000 lineup.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - NEX-7 In 2023
0:34 - Viewfinder
1:10 - Sensor Performance
2:21 - 2 Control Dials
3:07 - Body Design
4:46 - Price Point
6:22 - Microphone Input
7:07 - Alpha hot shoe
7:36 - Older Technology
9:12 - Is it worth it in 2023?
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[@earlfenwick]

I got the NEX 5 when it came out and it was a revelation. The speed and image quality amazed me. I made a living with it shooting video and some stills. I never had any complaints, but I need a viewfinder desperately. I sold it and got the OMD-EM5. It handled much better, but the IQ never wowed me like the NEX. Nice video! Subbed.

[@edc5338]

I like the compactness of this camera. I attached a 23mm 1.4 Viltrox lens to it and use it for street work. Although I have other cameras, I enjoy using the Nex-7 and I get good results.

[@nsis_13]

Finally a video update that talk about the sony nex 7, thank for this review that help me to see a better option.

[@kraigpruett]

Happy to help!

[@user-yl2qw1my5m]

I bought the nex 7 because of the hot shoe I found a mint one for under 400. I love it i use my Hasselblad lens on it. perfect camping camera and general use. I dont do video so it was not a concern for me. thanks for the review, great job

[@rwilifeandtravel1854]

I've bought my NEX 7 about a year after launch and to this day I still love shooting with it. It's great for photography. Video wise it is weak. There is not manual audio adjustment although (thankfully) the auto audio gain control is not harsh. For me the weakest aspect of the audio is that the camera's mic preamps are noisy (hissy). Also I think the camera uses line skipping for the video which lead to moiré artifacts. In the era the camera was launched (along with the a77) video was very much a second feature. The NEX 7 is very much a photography tool. I have a6500 and a6400 cameras but I still enjoy the NEX 7 where I'm not shooting fast moving subjects. It's lack of PDAF can be a limitation. The hotshoe is outdated but Sony did have an adapter available so non Minolta flashguns could be used with the camera.

[@markbernhardt6281]

I still have mine too and am bringing it to Vietnam for my work trips this year. Nice camera but if it gets destroyed it's not my new Fuji. A good combo is the Nex-7 with the Spider Holster - BlackWidow Camera Holster making it very easy to forget you even have it with you. Fantastic travel camera, even with the kit lens.

[@tageauferden]

using the NEX7 since market appearance. the only down side is the auto focus speed. functionality is amazing. in manual every spec is accessible via dials, amazing. For mic use DJI mic.

[@ckl33]

just bought one with

[@nomading_in]

Just picked one up for $210 dollars (hoping its not an eBay too good to be true!). Thanks for the balanced view, the "if its this price it's (not) worth it" is a valuable nuance. Avoided delving into the dedicated camera game for years really, but I'm at that stage of my KZbin channel fooling around where I want to give it a go, as the modern action cameras always leave me feeling a little wanting.

[@hiroakitakagi7724]

I bought NEX7 in the year of 2012 as my the first mirrorless SLR digicam and have it now beside NEX3 and NEX5.

[@cameraprepper7938]

I do not care about video and never will, I only do still photography, the Sony NAEX-7 is a very fine Camera for still photography in 2023 and the years to come ! I hope that Sony will make a A7000 Camera with the 40 megapixels sensor, 5.8+ mega dots EVF and improved IBIS, I will buy it !

[@kraigpruett]

I agree, it is solid for photography. Great camera for most people just interested in taking photos.

[@-MrEVIL-]

That would definitely hit fuji hard

[@Airamerica2012]

I agree ….i have a NEX5N myself (bought it new) and love the still pictures, it’s a good companion to my Z7 ….

[@dejan.]

Bought the NEX-7 along with the CZ 24/1.8 lens back in 2012 and used it on many trips up until 2019. I've been researching now whether to replace the body or the entire setup with something more portable like a Ricoh GR III but it seems not worthwhile considering it still performs as well as I need it. I have been using an old GoPro for time lapses and my iPhone for videos, sometimes all three setup simultaneously however am looking to simplify this setup on future trips. The NEX-7 has held up well it seems and you'd need to spend good coin to replicate it with modern equivalents. It might stay in my small arsenal for years to come at this rate, I think my early investment into the 24/1.8 lens paid off though as they're selling new ones for significantly more nowadays.

[@mattcero1]

A mic jack is a great way to get audio baked into your video. Fuji is the only brand I know so far that allows for mic level and line level audio selection in their menu.

[@esppics21]

I bought one last year and wasn't impressed. I drooled over it when it was released but couldn't afford it at the time. In my opinion I like the picture quality out of the 5N better then the NEX-7. I sold the Nex7 and kept the 5N for it's amazing picture quality. I'm glad you are covering these old NEX cameras. They pack lots of punch for the price. They are over looked by the newer cameras.

[@kraigpruett]

Thanks for the comment! Yeah, the NEX-7 really isn’t the best value NEX camera out there. I’d have to look closer at my files to determine if the NEX-5N has better sensor performance wise than the 7…. Nevertheless, the 5N is great.

[@laaven]

This is my first and only camera that I own. Got it May 2013. This camera is what got me started into photography. This camera can take damage and keep going. From falling off my $20 tripod onto the soft sand of the beach as wave covers the camera, to me loosing my footing and sliding down hill with the camera in what was basically my school bag, it survived. The EVF dose not work anymore, the screen has seen better days. All that to say, it is really well made. I am still using it today.

[@kraigpruett]

Thanks for sharing. I love hearing these stories!

[@Armbrust210]

A few months ago i saw this camera for 50€ with the 16-50 kit lens even but only had in mind that Kraig wasn't too positive about it. Forgot that was mainly because of the price. But yeah that still haunts me

[@alexanderthomas542]

I loved the idiosyncratic design and twin jog wheels,I thought the video was incredible and sound,24mm Zeiss lens was good but I traded mine in because it regularly overheated allied to poor battery life but the battery percentage was a good implement that not many use even to this day

[@joszefspitefull9319]

Bought today one locally with a 16-50 lens... hope I don't regret it

[@Ranveer_Singh_Kahani]

Hi sir...nex 5t and nex 7...which one...did you prefer?

[@babarghias]

The two Dails are on the top, and one at the back was introduced by Sony to use one thumb 👍 operation to change three main settings. Aperture, shutter speed, and the ISO. SONY named it Tri navi. I bought this camera for £1300 when it was released in August 2011. It was a big hit in that time. To be honest, I loved tri navi feature as you could see changes happening in real time on the screen. I moved from DSLR, so to me, it was a big thing. Now a days all mirrorless cameras have this feature.

[@kraigpruett]

Thanks for your insight!!

[@Tuhueleamierda1991]

The autofocus is pretty iffy. Especially during video, or atleast for me. Also when I use an external microphone (a røde SVM) I get so much hiss in my audio, does anyone have an issue like this?

[@Webcastering]

I bought a NEX7 in 2023 for 450 bucks (everything is much more expensive where I live). It is my first professional digital camera. There is some issues about it, but I love it. It is thinner than the 6000 body series and has a extra knob instead of a dumb modes selection.

[@kraigpruett]

I definitely need to spend some more time with my Sony NEX-7. I like it... but I just think it is a little expensive for what it is in 2024.

[@jdcatabas2260]

The NEX cameras were so slim and sleek at the time! I remember wanting the NEX-7 so badly when it came out but being a broke college student I couldn't afford it. Now I have an A7RV which I adore, but I still get curious about having a rangefinder-style E-mount camera that was slim. Sadly I doubt they could go back to that small size w/o omitting in-body image stabilization. The proprietary hotshoe is an "iISO" flash shoe, a relic of Minolta cameras that Sony decided to carry over before they switched to the more friendlier Multi-Interface hotshoe.

[@kraigpruett]

Yeah I doubt they could go back to that style without sacrificing a lot.

[@gillesmatheronpro]

... and you can find, still today, many adapters to convert that Minolta hotshoe to a more standard one. You may not get all the functions, but most will be usable. First, check in the Sony catalog, then turn to independant manufacturers as some offer really great solutions.

[@freshandsaltyjohnny]

Think sony a5000 near mint for $300 is a good deal? As a first camera for product photography?

[@angelopastorini1711]

It's really impressive how these older NEX / a APS-C Sony cameras are holding up today. I'm a happy a6000 owner and it's incredible what you can still create with it. Grab some good Sony optics, or even some good cheap vintage lenses if you don't mind manual focus, as I do. You won't have the equipment for filming the latest and greatest Hollywood production, nor ready for shooting at the highest standards. But with a good eye you can make astonishing photos and pretty solid videos as well. One might say older aps c sensors don't shoot very well at high ISOs, and that's true. But proper noise reduction softwares literally make miracles these days, even at 8000 or 10000 ISO the RAW comes out rather usable. Not a heck of a file, but totally usable. Thank you for your insight into these older gears!

[@kraigpruett]

It really is incredible what you can make with this older cameras. It is such a great entry point for beginners, so you don't have to go out and drop $2K on a body just to try things out.

[@wilcojansen8019]

I bought this Sony only because I want to use the 10mm pancake Laowa lens, not available for my cheap Canon M3. Result are very good, I dont need image stabilisation with a 10mm lens , no AF needed. I like the Oled finder, much better then Sony A6000. Fine camera for this use and only Euro 250.

[@anbar5675]

Would like to know if a focus magnification control (like α7 series cameras), is available.

[@kraigpruett]

Hi there. Yes it does. You can cycle between 1x, 5.8x and 11.7x views and move the area of interest freely around the frame using either the dials or the 4-way controller

[@anbar5675]

@@kraigpruett, thanks a lot.

[@Popeye54321]

👍👍

[@ren3691]

Your video came out 1 day after I bought the NEX 7 😅

[@kraigpruett]

Hey, it is still a great camera! You will love using it. And it should hold its value if you decide to sell

[@ren3691]

@@kraigpruett I've been playing around with and I'm pretty satisfied! Plus, I'm glad mine was below the average price range, around 240$ 👍👍

[@videlvidel9783]

i've question. Is it same device for the sony nex 7 and the sony alpha nex 7 ?? ty in advance !!!

[@TheMisterNomad]

Yes, same camera.

[@krisvirgildelgado7133]

If you can have both nex 5r and nex 7 in the same price what cam would you pick?

[@kraigpruett]

NEX 7 for sure

[@e14ph]

I bought NEX-7 for 232 USD :D i think this is justified selling price for an old camera.

[@calistovictor1303]

I bought the Sony NEX 7 about 3 years ago with the kit lens for 200 euros. I use it most of the time for photography and i like it. Great results in my opinion. Because I am on a budged I have been buying along the last 3 years used lenses like the Sony 50mm ,1.8 OSS ,a Sigma 30mm ,2.8 and a Sony 55-210mm OSS. I have spend about 350 euros in lenses and 200 euros with the camera (550 euros in total). I like the results that i am getting with this setup. What some sellers are asking for this camera (body only) is high, considering other sony camera options but sometimes there are great deals on Marketplace . It is so easy to manual focus whit this camera because of the 3 weels(2 top wheels for aperture and shutterspeed and the back scrool wheel is for ISO) , that no other Sony Apsc (5000 and 6000 series )camera has, if i am not wrong. Looking now for some vintage Minolta prime lenses .

[@user-eb9gx6uy8g]

If Nex7 is $20 more expensive than Nex6, which of the two should I buy?

[@timryan894]

I disagree on the 2 dials. The NEX7 has a much more friendly UE vs the typical a6000 series. I sold my 6000 and 6500 vs keeping the 7. Just a matter of opinion

[@kraigpruett]

That’s fair for sure. To each their own. I don’t hate the 2 dial system, just feels fairly unconventional and I don’t love to rethink the way I shoot when I use it.

[@rsheaney]

On mpb they got a couple in good condition for between $214 and $229, is that a good deal?

[@Tuhueleamierda1991]

sounds pretty good.

[@hahahihi486]

This or RX100v? Thanks!

[@kraigpruett]

Definitely, the RX 100V. That’s one of my favorite cameras of all time. I only sold it because I upgraded to the m RX100MVii, and in some ways the MV is even better than MVII.

[@dubanhernandocastanedamora7196]

In my opinion the two dial is the best of the sony nex

[@kraigpruett]

Totally fair. To each their own!

[@ralphaaa80]

Is a " price point " a price?

[@pauldeutsch2044]

I had one for a while but found it too big and bulky. Sold it and returned to my a5100.

[@lshowitt]

I don’t think the price here is particularly representative of the truth, I bought one for £145 ($180) without a lens but with a few vintage lens adapters.

[@kraigpruett]

I think it definitely depends. There are some good deals which are great. But if you filter on eBay by “sold items” you can see what they typically sell for. You have to scroll for a long ways to see an NEX-7 that’s in good condition sold for under $200. They are typically higher than that. This is particularly easy to see on eBay because we can see the actual receipts of sold items.

[@stefancastrolanda419]

You should have more views. Thx for the video. I’m saying hi from cuba, I’m almost Poor 😅 so I’m checking the best camera under 200$ for my your Chanel. Stefan Castro. 1:11

[@ulicadluga]

Thanks for this great review. I especially love the way you praise this camera to the heavens - then drag it to hell. 😻>😈. Can you please do a review of the best mirrorless body to lens combos, using adapters? I love my Nikkor AI-s and Minolta MD and MC Prime lenses. I don't really mind the 1.5x or 1.6x cropping on DX, as it even reduces vignetting - once you're used to the focal length gain. I'd really like to know which body gives the best price/performance ratio - especially for video. Personally, I hate AF for video.

[@kahfigitar]

$250 for a mint one with kit lens, should I?

[@kraigpruett]

I would for sure!

[@QuattroYT4]

nex 7 still worth it tho

[@durraniafiqah1493]

HELP ME GUYS ! I'M CONFUSED SONY NEX 5N OR 5R !!!!

[@Tuhueleamierda1991]

The 5R is better because it have phase detect af

[@durraniafiqah1493]

@@Tuhueleamierda1991 aaa thankyouuu

[@durraniafiqah1493]

@@Tuhueleamierda1991 do you know either lens sony e mount pz 16-50mm or Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens is good for sony nex 5r ? please let me know your opinion 🥹

[@stampydragon2739]

Get the a 5000

[@kraigpruett]

I will see if I can hunt one down.

[@chinenko7741]

This camera was a huge disappointment to me. If someone read this comment I highly recommend the Lumix LX100 great lens and 4K video for only 250 USD.

[@typicalomar7373]

I just bought a nex 5r for 300 📉 should I return it for a nex 7 😖