Above: the thicker GF1 body is due to a longer flange back, which improves optical performance
The Sony NEX5 is a bomb. The build quality of the lenses and the overall styling is incredible. Never before has higher image quality from that size of body been possible, and never has a camera looked so futuristic and contained so much forward-pointing technology. And whilst the new Sony NEX mirrorless cameras are extremely exciting and set to sell like hot cakes, I have some concerns.
Already voiced, are my own regarding video. No 24p and manual controls on the NEX5 for example. Now it seems there are some very knowledgeable photographers who are beginning to speak out, having taken a look at the NEX system only to realise it’s compromised in many other ways.
First of these concerns seems to be the ultra short flange back of the new E mount. According to this thread Sony have compromised optical performance for style, whilst Micro 4/3rds does the opposite. On the GH1 for example, the flange back is longer than the minimum, and the body width is much chunkier than the E-mount NEX series. But Sony have taken the flange distance to the absolute minimum on the E-mount to make a sexy body. Either they think the trade off in image quality is worth it, or they have some future upgrades planned to get around the issue.
But currently, it introduces some nasty optical issues like corner softness and chromatic aberration at wide angles.
I hate to be Eeyore and to bring you this revelation, but at the high end of the market what matters most? A stylish, thin body or slightly chunkier one with better performance?
I think it’s an issue of what the customer needs most. The NEX cameras, though having issues caused by the thin body that Micro 4/3rds doesn’t, is still a big step up from compacts. So for this audience, whom value style and brand more than absolute top-notch image quality and pixel peeping, the camera is an extremely satisfying proposition.
And for the others, there is the chunky Alpha DSLRs.
By no means is EOSHD.com anti-Sony. I am buying an HX5 compact tomorrow for it’s innovative technology and cutting edge video mode (for a compact).
But I still believe that not only does Micro 4/3rds offer the best trade off in image quality versus size, the GH range is ahead of Sony by about a year.
The fact remains:
• The GH1 + 14-140mm is not surpassed by the NEX5 and 18-200mm, and yet has already been around for over a year.
• On the GH1 you have 24p and a built in EVF
Whilst the GF1 is a lot closer to NEX territory and I prefer the styling of the Sony, the 20mm F1.7 pancake is a far more appealing option than Sony 16mm F2.8 pancake in my opinion.
My advice is to wait and see what the Alpha HD range and NEX7 are like, before deciding to jump from Micro 4/3rds!
For video at least until September, my GH1 is staying put.
