The VERY FIRST Sony Mirrorless Camera!

In the middle of 2010, Sony released the Nex-3 and the Nex-5, two APSC mirrorless cameras. Ten years later, they have some of the best mirrorless cameras on the market. How bad was the first-ever Sony mirrorless camera?
Find your Sony NEX-3 on eBay: geni.us/nex3
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[@rebeccamoore4177]

Everybody else: Let’s review the new Sony ZV-1. Arthur R: Let’s go back to 2010... love it. You continue to champion enthusiasts. Thanks!

[@VLOGbyTVNath]

I came here looking for a ZV-1 review :D

[@aklivn49]

I agree. Let's get back to 2020...

[@T-Slider]

Arthur only does APSC!

[@pspr33]

@@T-Slider untrue - he bought full frame not long ago..

[@mirrorlessny]

epic nostalgia 💪

[@djindoe]

The Nex-5n was actually my introduction to Sony mirrorless. I still keep it around for whenever I feel like I'm in a creative slump. Giving yourself limitations with your equipment forces you to exercise proper technique and finding/shaping light. I love that you review older gear.

[@TheAdamRawks]

Some of my best early work was from the 5N - great camera.

[@basvisuals348]

One of the reasons I picked up the Sony nex 6 recently! Cheap and just trying to see it’s full potential with it.

[@BeatKarbuReal]

I'm still using it till this afternoon, but now i need to find its replacement. Been using it from 2012. I got 7D, 60D, a5000, but somehow nex5n is my fave for my channel videos.

[@angelangelov2354]

8:14 I was not ready for this, damn!

[@preformingmonkey]

arthur's wife is beautiful

[@mohdzuhair90]

،🔥

[@CarlBergsdorf]

2:12 "Personally, I prefer pee" - Arthur R, 2020-05-27

[@BoserPSN]

THATS WHAT HE SAID ....wait

[@NanonerMcKologico]

8:14 This first Sony mirrorless camera is apparently great for lions and wild nature footage. 😲

[@Igorsfa]

I have a Nex-f3 for 2 years , and it's really good. I agree with the manual lens advice, I got a meike 35mm and the results are impressive!

[@miyabwah]

this seems like a good budget option for adapting manual vintage lenses to ! the small size is insane too

[@FrankZen]

Yup. It's small enough that I use an adapter with those old M42 lenses. It's like a cool carry street camera.

[@jub8891]

the MC/MD adaptors work well for old vintage Minolta lenses too

[@khoafish]

@@jub8891 I'm using the a5100 with a Minolta 55mm f1.7.

[@jub8891]

@@khoafish nice! funny how the old lenses weigh 10 times more than the camera itself!

[@khoafish]

@@jub8891 right. The old lenses were built like tanks.

[@Aditya-yg1ce]

Love it..! It brought me back to those precious times when taking pictures were pushing the thought process ☺️, back to how the man behind the tech can do well if not more. I'm going to give it another go. Thx AR.

[@betterideas]

Call me crazy but I like the skintones on the Nex more than the a6100

[@mcwaffles121593]

It looks like it had a skin softener on. But when he did mention colors his wife had a weird reddish hue that I constantly have issues with (on my 6100) when awb is set to auto. No idea why. But it makes skin look red/pink

[@trym2121]

@@mcwaffles121593 on the LCD, it's apparent but when you move it to pc, it's kinda subtly lessened. If only their LCD is more accurate in color.

[@garysunderland8433]

Keep up the grind!

[@misreb1]

NEX-5 was my first camera. Its simple interface eased me into photography. I had the 18-55 that came with it then I bought the 18-200mm which was my introduction to outdoor sport and Wildlife photography. I had it for 5 years before jumping to the a6500 then a7iii. I totally agree. It is the best first lens as it had a simple menu with intuitive settings like "speed" and "background defocuse" functions

[@whaleudder8453]

I had the NEX 5 and loved it to bits. I went from Canon to Sony, missed a lot of features but was still able to get some really great shots for the time. I’m excited to continue my journey with Sony with my soon to have A6400.

[@BrianTheCameraGuy]

Very nice review Arthur. Those pictures came out really nice.

[@jennythorpe777]

Really interesting history lesson Arthur--thank you! It's good to learn about the pedigree of my camera (a6400). I like that you demonstrate how someone can get into a good photography learning set up on a small budget. I have watched a lot of your video presentations now and come to the conclusion that you make any camera/lens combo look good because you are such a good photographer!

[@ArthurR]

I appreciate the compliment! Im a pretty harsh critic of my own photos, but I do know they are improving!

[@NickL0VIN]

Lol, love these retro comparisons! I hope you do full frame reviews someday!

[@questionthis4417]

Great video really liked the way you out the review together very clear and perfectly explained. Id really like to see a 2020 review of the old Canon 50D as it holds its own and has since 2008 when it was released

[@nadjib23]

i just enjoy watching your video , keep it rolling pal 🤍🤍

[@_mgiles]

I bought a Sony NEX 5R as a second camera when I didn't feel like bringing my full frame with me. It's amazing for such an old camera.

[@paigecfrancis]

I still shoot on my nex-5 every now and then. Still works like a charm

[@Zuzzanna]

Me too, I have a Nex5R 😊

[@anatolyivanov890]

I'm using nex 6. Evf is very helpful thing. And I want to switch to A7 because buying lens for old apsc doesn't feel great.

[@blurayffan66]

@@Zuzzanna me too :-) In fact, just picked up the F1.8 50MM lens for it recently.

[@Zuzzanna]

@@blurayffan66 I had the F1.8 50mm but sold it again, bought the 1.8 35 mm instead, both great lenses

[@project-overland]

Nex 5 with a pancake lens. Banging rig.. still use it

[@tpickles]

Started on an NEX-5N which was sort of the A6000 of its time - really held its popularity & was pretty popular for video as I remember. If I was on an extreme budget, would definitely be looking at one of those plus some of the new budget lenses. Great video!

[@SamFisherRocks]

My first mirrorless was the NEX-3N. I just love the sizes of these cameras. They do feel good in the hands in that they are small. They really are high quality point and shoots in your pockets. For basic photography, you don't need all the bells and whistles.

[@davect01]

I bought one of the NEX-3's new and loved it. Graduated through the line-up with the F3, NEX-6, A6000 and now the A6400. The AF focus tracking was useless but the image quality of stills was great. I love the focus peaking with manual focus older lenses that Sony developed. And the price. It was incredibly affordable for a beginning photographer

[@danmiddle2]

Thanks for the video. I still have my original NEX5, purchased at launch. I converted it to photograph IR, the contrast detetction AF is perfect for converted cameras. Its so small even compared to the a6000 series, it's a nice thing to throw in the bag for different shots. Of course, it doesn't compare to my A1 or A6600 in most any other way.

[@fjzapatap]

I just bought a NEX-3 two weeks ago. Nice little camera, I'm just having fun with it. Thinking on paring it with the E 50mm F/1.8 prime lens and keep'em as my B kit

[@jimhood1202]

Nice to see someone who acknowledges that as far as image quality is concerned a ten year old apsc camera still produces very respectable results. Nice video

[@terrystarr3012]

Thankyou love the info regards Terry Australia 🇦🇺

[@gabithemagyar]

The Nex 3 and Nex 5 were released at the same time. My first ILC camera was the NEX 5 which I bought shortly after they came out and still have. The only lenses available at that time were the 16mm pancake, the 18-55 kit and the silver 18-200 zoom, all three of which I bought at the time. Still works like a charm although I usually use the a6300 nowadays. For a walkaround outside, it's actually quite hard to tell the difference in photos vs those from the a6000 unless you pixel peep. The silver 18-200 is still my favourite travel lens even though I also have the 18-105, the 16-70 and the 16-50 pancake kit lens.

[@rasulsulaiman2457]

Nex 3 was my first mirrorless, bought it when it first came out. still kicking to this day. Using as point and shoot now. Its so simple my 2 years old can use it. Still loving it.

[@snax_4820]

I appreciate this video much more than a review of the latest gear. Stay retro!

[@edc5338]

I still have the Nex 7 which was the last one in that series I believe. It still works really well. I have the A6500 now. Keep the videos coming!

[@tomscameras]

Can't believe it's 10 years already!! I remember my NEX-5. It was my first mirrorless camera and it was SOOOO much smaller than my Nikon D2x that I still had at the time (and loved).

[@thebeerbaron2758]

Love your channel!! Can you do a NEX7 since that seems to be the same sensor as even the 6600?

[@jeffreynunya4716]

The NEX 3 was my first interchangeable lens camera. Can't believe that was 10 years ago. I bought it right before I went on vacation, and those pictures still look great.

[@joeljrichards]

Had one. The interface was the biggest limit. The NEX-5N was really the revolutionary model IMO. It had features and speed that really did start to rival DSLRs of the era and a video quality that (for the most part) still holds up today.

[@16-bit-trip5]

I almost got one of these but ended up picking up a NEX-5 instead, which I quickly swapped out for NEX-5N. Both were great and were the camera that really got me into photography.

[@shirokuro73]

I still have a NEX-5 that I got in Japan when it was brand new in 2010. It came with the flash, and kit lenses SEL16F28 and SEL1855. It definitely takes more work to get results from it IMO than modern cameras, but it's surprisingly capable I feel. As mine is a Japanese unit, all the menus are locked to Japanese, so I have fun remembering and deciphering all the options. My command of Japanese is not the best, but I get by!

[@StephanWahlen]

I hustled my way up from a Sony NEX-5 to the NEX-6, A7 and now A7r2. Honestly, they were all great cameras and i enjoyed using them! I still have a NEX-5n and 5r in my photo-booth(s), where they are doing an excellent job :)

[@streetlegends]

i purchased the nex 5t. im in love with that little beast.

[@Zapruderfilm1963]

This would still work great for street photography. The flippy screen would work great for candids. Use manual focus lenses and use zone focusing and Taa Daa, a street machine is born.👍

[@jenesuispasbavard]

Another great use for these early E-mount cameras is with adapted lenses. I recently bought one (ok, primarily to update the firmware on my LA-EA1) and gave it to my wife's uncle who collects old cameras and lenses. I also gave him two adapters to adapt his old Contax/Yashica and Nikon F-mount lenses to the E-mount camera, and he says this is a great way to use and try out his old lenses without wasting film and having to lug around multiple cameras.

[@Pharesm]

I bought this right when it came out. And I still have two of them and an RX100V. With the 16mm pancake lens, it fit comfortably into my jeans pocket. I still get more pictures with the early ones, because its not a hassle to bring along. No embarrassing camera geek bag. No fumbling. One of them is mounted on an arm over my desk, to photograph text or pictures on paper. I appreciate the beefy handle on the 6700, but its definitely half way to full frame bulk...

[@EvanNakagawa]

My first Sony was the NEX 5T and it was great for learning on!

[@dubaigeek1988]

Nice information

[@mikldude9376]

One of the things I like about Sony's camera family , is the way designs and parts are not wasted , for example the battery in that camera that was also used on later models , Looking at today's and recent year Sony mirrorless , many parts and accessories are shared , for example I can buy a battery grip from an A9 and put it on my A73 or a7r3 , among other things , aps lenses can be used on full frame and vice versa with some adjustments , just like batteries are common between some models..

[@CreativeHAQ]

I used a Nex F3 and Nex 5N and they performed very well.

[@lemmontree1]

NEX 6 was my entry drug after the Sony HX9VB, the first compact camera to record 1080p. And the NEX6 was then the first mirrorless with phase detect autofocus. I had a blast with both of them.

[@thehypertrophyscientist4348]

The quality is great for such a compact camera

[@TexpatOTG]

I really enjoyed this video ... I have been looking at one of Sony's older cameras for a spare ... a Nex 7. Can get one really cheap. I just need a 2nd camera for outdoor video.

[@GabrielGGabGattringer]

Oh these memories. I remember me deciding if I should get this camera or the Olympus Pen E-PL3 in 2012. Went with Olympus for 7 years. Then went with Sony A6300.

[@kedb]

I loved my Nex-5, and although I haven't used it in quite a while (I own an a6400 these days), I haven't been able to part with it. I never used it for video, so autofocus speed wasn't an issue, and it spent most of its time in "Auto" as I knew almost nothing about apertures and shutter speeds and ISOs in those days, but some of my favorite pictures of my kids when they were younger were taken with it, so... it's staying in my office drawer! 😀

[@dionisissyr4171]

Nice review. How about the last DSLT? Sony a99 or maybe Sony a77?Maybe they are a good alternative (especially older models) cause the price of the A mount lenses is really low.

[@chileheadcraig]

The nex5n as my gateway cam. Went to a-mount a77 and then came back to an a6300. Still loved that nex5n.

[@Pharesm]

I bought this right when it came out. And I still have two of them and an RX100V. With the 16mm pancake lens, it fit comfortably into my jeans pocket. I still get more pictures with the early ones, because its not a hassle to bring along. No embarrassing camera geek bag No fumbling. One of them is mounted on an arm over my desk, to photograph text or pictures on paper.

[@tysonator5433]

I still own my NEX5R and it is a wonderful little camera. I also purchased a sigma mc-11 adapter to use my canon L lenses on the NEX5R and the results are amazing for an old camera ! I am trying to source the LVF for this camera which will give sony A6xxx capabilities for focusing in bright sunlight. The Sony 70-210 zoom is a cheap telephone zoom for E mount which is a small light lens.

[@_indrax]

Sony Nex-5T (released 2013, bought 2015) is my first mirrorless camera, it has a flip screen, WiFi, and NFC. I just sold that camera 2 months ago since I have a new a6400 :D

[@snaprifice]

My first digital camera was a Canon PowerShot A40. I had a whole 2 megapixels to use, and no raw. Lol. I'm quite impressed with the stills quality of this little NEX. I appreciate your reviews a lot, really liking your look at the predessors, I'm more interested in your videos than the hype-train going around right now.

[@8bitofit359]

Glas over sensor. The lens makes the image the camera just captures it. Those shots look great with that combo

[@abdulraufabdulrauf5298]

Wow amazing

[@kourch1]

I am from indonesia, i like your content. You show low budget can do good job

[@aksikanal6507]

Looking forward to doing the same for A7iii, only gotta wait for 10 years:) I am a patient guy:)

[@victorcarmelo8606]

I have the NEX-3n bought brand new when i was looking for the 16/50mm lens for my NEX-7 years ago. The combo was on sale for the price of the full lens price lens only less £12. I sent £250 and had it converted to IR and its ideal for travel with my other cameras as I can carry it in my pocket its so light.

[@MrYamazaky]

ohh I remember this bad boy, it was in my highschool parkour times and people were using it to do some sick reels, I wanted one so bad for some time ahah

[@azhaganvivekanandhan2089]

He sounds and looks a lot like Tyler hoover of hoovies garage.

[@kinglumpy6145]

Azhagan Vivekanandhan I was just thinking that lol

[@tpolarbeart]

This is a great alternative to a new point and shoot camera that would be much more expensive. Definitely thinking about getting a combo like that for my niece.

[@thecommenter578]

Man, I remember the Nex series. The Nex 7 was the peak of human development XD

[@QuietOC]

The first full-frame E-mount camera was the VG900 camcorder in 2012. The A7/A7R were released in December 2013 (not 2014). The A7S and A7II came out in 2014.

[@blurayffan66]

I have the NEX-5R which does 1080P, has 16.1 Megapixels and a higher res rear touchscreen which tilts up completely for self portraits. I also purchased the high quality OLED viewfinder which takes the camera to a whole other level. I'd love to see a comparison of the 5R vs. the NEX,3 rather than the standard 5. The NEX 7 was a also a very cool camera when released. We all knew Sony was onto something huge when that came out.

[@unusualcomment9731]

With your video the price will go up! 😄 But whoa with a zero removed from my personnal setup price you can take decent pictures for sure!

[@MrYamazaky]

Btw, you said you sold your Osmo in your last video, but your link in the description still directs to the osmo

[@henri.witteveen]

Actually the first Sony mirrorless camera was a Sony Mavica that stored images on 3.5" floppy discs. The first Mavica's were analog camera's but starting around the year 2000 the Mavica camera's became digital. The sensors where around 640 × 480 pixels.

[@FrankZen]

I have a few of those old Mavicas. Some with memory stick

[@japrogsch]

I guess it's fair to assume that the current use of "mirrorless" implies exchangeable lenses. Otherwise the overwhelming amount of digital cameras, phones, analog compact cameras etc. would qualify.

[@sythanh14]

I'm getting one today for a collection. Couldn't find a better deal than 80 euros in France. Will have a lot of fun with it ;)

[@Inubis9]

The port for the external flash could actually be used for an electronic viewfinder as well - at least that was the case with the Nex 5. I learned on a Nex 5R which has a bigger 16.1 MP sensor and was really happy with the quality. Bought it used in 2014 for 250 $ including the 18-55 kit. The autofocus isn't that good either, however with the Samyang 12mm that doesn't matter. It made for a pretty compact outdoor sports camera, especially for mountaineering and climbing. I guess for someone who is starting photography this could be a good deal as well. Also this has a flip up touch screen and WiFi connectivity.

[@kalef1234]

That video footage is almost retro, looks like it's straight out of 2008 I like it

[@GinoFoto]

Sony back then also offer prosumer camcorder Sony NEX-VG10, which was also pretty revolutionary as one of the first interchangeable lenses video camera, while lackluster in terms of usability.

[@MichaelTapel]

8:13 oh my...lol

[@thienlo]

This and Sony 16mm f2.8 are my best pocket combo.

[@amermeleitor]

One thing that is interesting is that the manual focus magnification is huge (with the latest firmware), more than other sony nex. Is like 14X or something like this. I have the Nex3 and i think i can give it a new life with a ttartisan 50mm 1.2 or something like this

[@survivorfan2260]

Seriously considering a Nex 5t for talking head KZbin videos. Also, the thumbnail is really good.👍🏼

[@JustNel]

I have the Nex-5. Bought it on craigslist few years ago

[@N0rdman]

High five! I did also pick up this little nifty camera with the 18-55mm for a song, I think it was less than $150 back in 2016 or so, it did have great fun and it was easy to carry it. Now I still sort of "retro" of sorts replacing the NEX-3 with a NEX-7, still not the autofocus of more modern cameras but a whole lot more capable still, but I have strengthened my hand with an A7RII for all my manual focus lenses.

[@borispradel1037]

I still have my Nex 3C (16.2 MB and improved AF) and it's a slow fun camera. It still works OK but the internal battery died so it just keeps basic settings but the date changes back to 2011 each time I turn it off. Not much of a problem though. Still takes acceptably good pictures in RAW. The good thing is that I think the Nex 3C was the first Sony to include focus peaking, so using manual lenses is quite easy.

[@Duststorm01]

It's only just a tad newer, but I still use the Nex 3N with modern lenses to capture portraits :) You should check it out. You can find it for a similar price used and it offers a lot of improvements over the original nex 3, including 1080p video.

[@xXMOoOHDXx]

please make video on nex-7 first 24 megapixel crop sensor camera

[@LofiWurld]

I miss my Sony nex 3n with 18-55 kit Lens - Such memories

[@mikldude9376]

Cool little camera , and that Sony old school interface , how cool is that ! Are you looking at this Sony ?

[@stampydragon2739]

That socket for the flash can also be used for a view finder

[@ubacow7109]

Can you do a review on the cheapest AF M4/3 lens the Yongnuo 42.5mm f1.7?

[@FrankMoreiraV]

I still own the Sony NEX-5N, does 1080p 24FPS avchd at 28mbps, and 60fps 24mbps (no crop) and actually still holds up even today for professional work.

[@Not_Lactoselntolerant]

I still have my Nex 5 which came with 16mm and 18-55mm in the box. It was around usd 1K back then if I'm not mistaken...

[@youreperfectstudio4789]

Ive had an NEX3 since day 1. Just recently upgraded to a a6400. Nex3 has some limitations for sure but i still carry it as a backup and use it for second camera footage. Now as a backup/2nd camera its great - its small AF and weighs almost nothing, uses same lenses and batteries as my main and its easy to use which is great if im working with a random person like if the flower girl at the wedding wants to take some photos - she gets the NEX3. 16mm lens sucks i still have it. One of the only sony lenses without sofrware update for hybrid autofocus One thing with the nex3, for me anyway, is above 1000 ISO grain starts to get where you need to spend time removing it in post and much above that can get pretty bad. Compare to my a6400 which is good up to 6400

[@isonny2010]

My first sony mirrorless was NEX6. 16MP. It can produce very decent image in low light situation.

[@ukelilly]

Hi. Thanks for the review. Glad it's still a good usable camera because I still have the NEX-3 & will be taking it on vacation after not having touch it for 5 years. I plan to take many pictures of stilllife as well as my family (candidly instead of stopping and posing ). I am a terrible photographer. I played with the 18-55 lens turning it left and right. I don't know where "neutral" should be so that I can select "Auto" and not change anything. Will choosing Auto over Manual override where I left the camera lens at ? I just want good pictures from my vacation as I will probably not get to go there again Thanks :)

[@97nelsn]

I bought a NEX-5T with a kit lens for $12. Set me up for my future purchase of the A7III since I was able to focus on buying a used FE 50mm F1.8 without paying too much for a body.

[@Michaeljamieson10]

I want to place the sigma 1.4f 16mm on this camera.. any thoughts for using it for vlogging with that setup??

[@KazehayaKhai]

I have one since 2012, using it from then till 2019, until the dial broke. awesome camera, the UI is great and simple, the color photo is vibrant and i love it. back then people were confused and thought me that im using digital compact with big lens 😂

[@astroimagers]

I like the NEX-3N extra features and the build feel of the NEX-5N. I wish Sony had continued down this form factor for APSC. NEX-6 I regret selling.

[@aksuen]

Hi, could you please do review on old camera like nex6 and a3000... Thanks 😊

[@khoafish]

I gave my a3000 away. I did not know better.

[@PhotoMarion2011]

You're a unique content maker. You did a 360 degrees from other reviewer, and it's really a nice move because am kinda tired of the ZV-1 reviews. By the way, do you have a review about the Meike MK-85mm F/1.8 Full Frame E SONY? If none, I love to watch your review about this lens. want to buy one or the Viltrox 85mm 1.8 but am still confused if it's worth it. Thanks

[@Lorenzo_Melocchi]

I use an a5000 as a travel backup camera and it's still very good

[@Princeton_James]

I have the Nex 3n. To this day I'm still surprised how good it is with regards to image quality. Features are somewhat limited, but overall its very good.