Sony NEX-5R review

Sony NEX camera gets apps

Sony NEX-5R review
The Sony NEX-5R is a compact system camera with apps and a touchscreen

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Sony NEX-5R review

Shot at ISO 100 at f/4.0 this macro shot shows good natural colour and sharpness fall off in the background. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Shot at ISO200 at f/4.0, the NEX-5R captures a good amount of tonal detail. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Shot in a relatively low light situation at ISO800 this image shows very low noise. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Auto exposure has avoided any burnt out highlights, but shadow detail in this JPEG image have been lost. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Despite the shallow depth of field at f/5.0, the kit 18-55mm lens produces good sharp image with a pleasing sharpness fall off. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Bright colour and detail is captured well using auto white balance. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Using ISO800 at f/11 captures the spinal shape of this bench with a high level of sharpness and little noise. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Despite overcast conditions, the auto white balance produces good natural colour. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Edge fringing is just about kept under control with only the faintest signs across the contrast edge. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

The tilting screen enables easy shooting at awkward angles. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

At 18mm at f/16 a good level of sharpness is seen across the image. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Switching to D-Range Optimizer Lv5 helps to recover shadow detail. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

An example of the High Contrast Mono effect. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

An example of the High Contrast Mono effect. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

High Dynamic Range picture effect example Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

High amounts of colour and detail have been captured at ISO160. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Sweep panorama example shot at ISO3200. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

High dynamic range picture effect example Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

High contrast mono picture effect example. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Natural colour and pleasant depth-of-field, shot at f/3.5. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

The new control dial gives easy control over depth-of-field whilst shooting. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Bright colours are captured well, producing images with plenty of tone and detail. Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Click here to see the full resolution image

Picture Effects

Sony NEX-5R review

HDR Picture Effect applied Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Soft Focus Picture Effect applied Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

High Contrast Mono Picture Effect applied Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Soft High-Key Effect applied Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Retro Photo Picture Effect applied Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Posterization Picture Effect applied Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Pop Color Picture Effect applied Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Illustration Picture Effect applied Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Watercolor Picture Effect applied Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Miniature Picture Effect applied Click here to see the full resolution image

Sony NEX-5R review

Rich-tone Mono Picture Effect applied Click here to see the full resolution image

Imaging Lab Manager

Ali Jennings is the imaging lab manager for Future Publishing's Photography portfolio. Using Imatest Master and DxO Analyser he produces the image quality tests for all new cameras and lenses review in TechRadar's cameras channel. Ali has been shooting digital since the early nineties and joined Future's Photography portfolio back in 2003.