Sony NEX-EA50 Cameraman's Review

[@rossmanngroup]

I got this camera, used, for a good price, after watching this video. I had 1100 subscribers at the time in early 2014. Now I have 1.1 million subscribers, and travel around the country recording hearings & lobbying with this very camera. It has been a fun journey. I remember viewing this video in my process when I found this camera available for sale cheaply. Thanks.

[@TheVideoWhisperer]

Wow! Well done!

[@HelamanGile]

You are here? Wow

[@arberdemiri]

Hey man!

[@streamvideouser]

You probably found this out by now. But to lock down you exposure put your camera in manual ( the switch is under the "4 Zebra" line button) then make sure that their is no "A" highlighted beside you ISO on the screen. If there is a "A" push the Gain/ISO button beside the white balance button. The "A" should go away and your camera would be fully manual. The same gos with the shutter speed (the button is on the other side of the white balance button). I accidentally push those buttons while shooting. Good review by the way.

[@TheVideoWhisperer]

Thanks. Yes I did find out, but yours is a very good explanation. It is obvious that it would behoove Sony to make this a one-step process as it is with most cameras. Ironically, though in the video I pointed out this problem, there were times when it seemed to me I had locked the exposure fully (but could never figure out exactly how I did it!)

[@tophtml1]

TheVideoWhisperer Don't forget that there is a ISO/Gain selection switch which stores three pre-sets (H,M,L) that you can use when in manual ISO/Gain mode. The pre-set values may be changed in the menu. Good review, you illustrated all of the reasons why I purchased this camera. It is good with the kit lens but it excels with an assortment of zooms and primes. Put a FF system and get some cine lenses for this baby and watch it take off.

[@jambon37074]

This camera is not a "Full frame " camera sensor but APS-C Camera sensor . 1.5 crop factor

[@StudioGalvan]

I purchased one of these used today in 2022 dirt cheap! (At $400, I think the owner felt it was old tech so ... ) However 8 years later and this still looks like an excellent camera for (non-4k) production. (I figure the camera and lens is still worth over a grand and is excellent for weddings, interviews etc.) Manual Exposure can be had buy sliding the Auto/Manual switch to manual (of course) and pressing the Iris button which toggles auto and one of 3/6 pre-programmed gain/ISO settings. (Aperture & shutter Speed manual settings are a lot more convenient & easier to figure out.)

[@billyboy647]

Last year I bought an NX70--and yes, no shallow depth of field---but practically speaking, for my educational videos and the other things I shoot just for the love of doing so--I'm very happy with it. Since I work both in controlled environments for business and ed. videos, and uncontrolled environments for fun, the NX70 seems ideal for me, and the super stabilization is great! I have your reviews to thank for helping me make the right decision for MY NEEDS. Let me emphasize to others: many things can be done---but you only need what you actually need. You don't need a Howitzer to dispatch a fly, but you don't want a pop gun landing on Omaha beach---if you get my drift. Get educated---then you'll get the right stuff--and won't buy more or less than your needs....need! In my experience, watching your GREAT reviews, you share the OBJECTIVE information that will help someone make the intelligent decision, and get the camera(s) that will most suit their needs. Thanks for being so generous with your time and knowledge. I'm a big fan! And I try to do the same on youtube on my site.

[@KylesDigitalLab]

Would this camera work with an overhead camera mount or is it too big and heavy? I just bought one of these from a government auction and I paid about $500 including the lens. I bought it over in the I bought it instead of a Handycam or a mirrorless because of the interchangeable lens mount, and professional features like XLR inputs.

[@xperience-media7396]

Very much like your presentation style - look forward to more reviews

[@sultanalmozan]

What is the difference Between ea50H And ea 50M And E. 50UH And which is better?

[@TheVideoWhisperer]

***** www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-nex-ea50-all-variants/512894-differences-between-nex-ea50uh-ea50eh-ea50h-ea50uk-ea50ek-ea50k.html

[@sultanalmozan]

TheVideoWhisperer understand now Thank you

[@KTHKUHNKK]

Very nice. I'm currently using the Sony NX 5U Are you familiar with it ? Keith

[@AlainHubert]

Nice demo. But why is it that we can see tons of stair stepping artifacts in many parts of this video (in Full HD on YT) ? Were some parts shot in 1080i instead of 1080p or what ? What's up with that ? Or is it the result of bad re-encoding in post editing ?

[@TheVideoWhisperer]

Not sure, but what I use is the direct upload to KZbin from FCPX which is supposed to be an optimum setting for KZbin and Vimeo. Not really sure what KZbin then does with it, but it obviously gets compressed along the way as the original ProRes files for that one are monstrous.

[@RickErwinMedia]

Joe... Your take a deep breath, think it through share reviews are great. Your wisdom while looking through the lens is gold. Looking forward to the next one. Hope we stay in touch. Thanks for two wonderful reviews. Rick Erwin Erwin Media USA

[@JuliaDigitalCreations]

Thanks for the Excellent review. what about (IRIS/ Exposure) & (GAIN/ISO) Auto/manual push button, ( located next to the "Focus" Auto/Manual and white bal ) when Camera on Manual mode?

[@TheVideoWhisperer]

To be honest, it's been so long since I did that review and had that camera that I could even remember to answer your question. To be more honest, I didn't really like that camera--it's only real advantage being the interchangeability of lenses. Beyond that, I'm quite sure there are better cameras--Sony or otherwise. And the reason I didn't 'really like that camera' was that it was less user friendly than others I have reviewed (X70, NX30), which, though smaller, are far more user friendly as just as good quality-wise (particularly the X70) that I wouldn't recommend the EA50 over them. If you want a camera that takes different lenses and are willing to spend the money for quality glass on top of the price the camera, there are surely better cameras.

[@alcosound]

One more item: My own photo gear is Canon EF, with various "L" lenses, ranging from a 17-40mm to a 400mm. I was thinking about getting the Metabones EF adapter for the E-mount, but I have some reservations about the autofocus and the color differences with the other (Sony and Pentax) lenses currently in use. I wonder, how hard would be to unify the colors in so variable equipment when doing a 2-camera shot? Until now, we are mostly using cameras and lenses from the same maker, but I suspect that too many got bitten by this. Oh, and I forgot: how easy is to induce moire artifacts in cameras as the VG30 and the EA50? I have read many complaints about the VG900 and its high-resolution sensor, which seems rather unsuitable for video. Cheers, N.F.

[@britisheagle9776]

hi there video whisper i have a broadcast camera witch takes a mini tape it also as a sd card can you record on to the sd card as well as the mini tape please? the video camera im using is the JVC GY-750E PROHD.

[@TheVideoWhisperer]

Sorry, no idea.

[@Hotrodas]

I was impressed with its low light capability without much grain in the blacks.

[@Alexander-tj2dn]

I supose you prefer the PXW X70 than the NEX EA50 for run and gun shooting, but which of these two has better image quality in your opinion?

[@EduardoRamirez]

I haven't used a camera in a vey long time, I'm not that familiar with all the ins-and-outs of digital cameras. I recently purchased a this camera and I really like the lens it comes with but, I really would like a lens with a more shallow depth of field, but due to my lack of experience with digital cameras, I have no idea what type of lens I need to buy, I know is e-mount, but that's about it. Do you have any recommendations?

[@InVuCreative]

I have it on a rig with matte box (no ND's in the ea50).. Fits rails and FF FINE.

[@dysp9088]

Hi, what camera were you using to film yourself in this video please?

[@TheVideoWhisperer]

Sony HXR NX30

[@TheVideoWhisperer]

No wait, that looks like my Sony PXW X70. (I can tell by the shallow depth of field in the video's thumbnail )

[@Gulliveck]

Moire on the red flexi fence at 7:45, also on the benches at 10:55.

[@bartonhillschoir]

Joe, thx for the great review. I direct a choir and we do a lot of videos. We had two VG30s and a FS700. The FS700 was not matching well with the VG30s (even after long hours in post). Have you had any experience working with both cameras and do they match well? You use a sony 30 camera in this video but I don't believe it's the VG30. Thx!

[@TheVideoWhisperer]

Yes, that was shot with the HXR NX30, quite a small camera with a 2/3 inch sensor. I'm not familiar with the ones you mention. However, since this EA50 review, I've bought and reviewed what I consider a much better camera. Again, can't say how it will match to yours--which are pretty beefy cameras, but this seems to be a new class of 1" sensor camera which is '4K ready'. Doesn't mean much except to say that it's electronics are better, it shoots 50mbps (broadcast quality), costs less. and has an amazing 'clear zoom technology which makes digital zoom usable for the first time in my opinion. Also has the image stabilization characteristics of the NX30 which makes it a perfect camera for just about anything, especially hand-held work. It's small and light, but bigger than the NX30 and smaller than yours. You might consider it. I did a review on it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ap6pc6Klac-pgdE

[@loicdillen]

Hi, would it fit on a professional shoulder rig with follow focus?

[@TheVideoWhisperer]

I've seen pictures of this camera all kitted out with matte boxes and presumably follow-focus gear. It was a movie-type set-up. I've also seen special mounts for it including shoulder and hip mounts. Sony provides accessories for it specifically, but the movie industry can probably--with tripod mounted plates and rails and stuff, set up just about any camera of this size with cinematography kit. I'd just do a little research on accessories for the EA50 or universal follow-focus accessories.

[@loicdillen]

TheVideoWhisperer Great! Thanks

[@tophtml1]

TheVideoWhisperer I agree with your assessment of the extendable shoulder pad, however, it can prove to be useful when extended. You can screw 1/4-20 stuff into the receptacles on the top. I use mine to mount a wireless microphone receiver and battery. This improves the balance immensely and acts as a very useful mounting point. There is even a cottage industry manufacturing weights for this mounting point to improve the balance.

[@LA6NPA]

Thank you for this! Definitely a few dealbreakers for me that you highlighted! Subscribing and checking out your other stuff!

[@alcosound]

Very nice and useful review. It seems this camera is a better match than a VG30 for some upcoming projects (we have a VG10 and a NEX-5R sharing various lenses) I see that you used the motorized zoom lens - did you have any trouble with the smoothness of the zoom function? (I have read complaints in Adorama about jerky zooming). Or is a wired remote control necessary? Regards from Athens, N.F.

[@TheVideoWhisperer]

H Nick, thanks. No, that's a pretty smooth and easy-to-operate zoom control. I don't really use zooms much and--going back to my cinematography days, the piezoelectric zoom controllers that worked on pressure were are probably still are state-of-the-art for total zoom control. The problem with zoom controls mounted on cameras, of course, is that you have to apply pressure whilst holding the camera steady. But still, I'd say it's about as good as it gets for an on-camera zoom controller because it's still fairly easy to feather in and out. Not as good as a proper remote, but usable considering it's built-in.

[@alcosound]

TheVideoWhisperer Thanks. Since we are on the subject of remotes, am I the only one irritated by the proliferation of multiple types by Sony? The EA50 seems to have a 1/4" LANC jack , while the VG20 has a semicircular jack and my CX330 has a HDMI-like "multi" jack. It seems that the only solution is to buy the big Sony tripod with multiple cables for all types (VCT-VPR100) - the amateur ones are limited to one type of remote, and God help you if you buy the wrong one.

[@TheVideoWhisperer]

Nick Fotis That's how the big guys rake in the dough!

[@pavaz21]

Nice video. What is the difference between the EA50M and the EA50U?

[@TheVideoWhisperer]

Probably the EU (pal) designation (U), the other being US (NTSC). However, doesn't matter much because it can do both no matter where you buy it.

[@pavaz21]

TheVideoWhisperer Would you still recommend this camera in 2018 to shoot weddings?

[@TheVideoWhisperer]

No, to be honest, I'd recommend the update of the PXW X70 which is called the Z90. Wish I had one!

[@TheVideoWhisperer]

Yes, 2 XLR inputs.

[@HWolfeIII]

Great review! I'm taking a serious look at this camera again, thanks to your review. Some of the footage I've seen taken with the NEX EA50 previously did not impress me especially in low light.

[@matejuzel1572]

Great video!

[@TheVideoWhisperer]

Thanks Matej. I appreciate it.

[@LuisSanchez2]

Thank you

[@billyboy647]

Joe---what can I say. Your reviews are the best--they tell the very things people really want to know, and dispense with the things any moron can look up on the internet. Duh!!!

[@TheVideoWhisperer]

Thanks William, by the way, on the subject of stuff you won't really find on the internet--subscribe to the blog (linked in the description above) if you haven't already. Almost finished with an ebook entitled "Run 'N Gun Videography--the Sole Shooters Survival Guide" and news on that will be there. Cheers!

[@Simone92081]

I've owned this camera for about a year now. I absolutely love it for the shallow depth of field you can get. For this very reason however, I do not like to take this one in the field for a run and gun sort of shoot. Focussing takes some time, and I've found the autofocus somewhat unreliable and stupid (selects whatever is dead-center of the shot, even if there is a talking head much closer to the lens but slightly off center.) I agree this camera is best suited for shooting staged scenes. I bought a 50 mm 1.8 prime lens for it for some of my interviews. Looks great. I posted a sample of an interview shot with it on KZbin a while ago. If interested, you can find it by searching for "NEX EA-50 footage sample interview". As pointed out in this review, the shoulder mount is useless by itself but I have found it works very well in combination with a cheapo little monopod. Basically, you turn yourself into a tripod that way. Rock-steady handheld interviews on the street! The one thing that bugs me about this camera is that it needs a ton of light. Even in well-lit situations I find myself shooting at 9 or even 12 dB. I was very surprised that this sample footage here in the dark showed so little noise. Maybe I can relax then about shooting at 12 dB.

[@TheVideoWhisperer]

I agree with you. As to the sample dark footage in the video, you're probably right--the camera probably switched to higher gain. My guess is 12db is clean. Any higher, not so much. Now Sony has the VG900 which is also full frame but a smaller camera (not shoulder mount). I'd like to test it. I have a feeling it's better on its controls and improved over the few faults of the EA50. About same price range, maybe cheaper. I'm also hoping it has the intelligent auto system my NX30 has which is absolutely brilliant.