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Difference between SLR and the Sony nex-7 camera

Nov 17, 2011 10:40AM PST

So i want to know the difference, such as, what control differences does the nex-7 camera not have? (ISO, white balance, ect.) Which is better?

Discussion is locked

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Mirrorless
Nov 17, 2011 1:42PM PST

The primary difference is that the NEX is a mirrorless camera. By getting rid of the mirror, the camera can be much smaller. Instead of an optical viewfinder like on an SLR, the NEX-7 has an electronic viewfinder. Another major difference is in the focusing. Most SLR's use phase detection AF, while the NEX relies on contrast detection AF. Generally speaking, phase detection is faster but less accurate, while contrast detection is slower but more accurate. Otherwise, the NEX-7 pretty much has just as many controls as a DSLR, they are just accessed differently. Mostly what the NEX system is currently lacking is a wide selection of native lenses, which may or may not be important to you.

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what does mirrorless do?
Nov 18, 2011 1:59PM PST

What is the difference between the picture quality of a camera that has an mirror and one that does not?

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SLR vs. Mirrorless
Nov 18, 2011 3:26PM PST

The purpose of the mirror in an SLR is to allow you to look directly through the lens. Some people prefer an optical viewfinder over an electronic one. It makes no difference in image quality; the mirror flips up out of the way when the shutter is opened.

From early testing of the NEX-7 and the Sony's that share the same sensor, 24 megapixels is very high resolution, but it requires shooting in RAW and processing the images to get the best quality. The out-of-the-camera JPEG's are reportedly just okay. Put another way, a lower resolution camera might have better looking JPEG's than the NEX-7.

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Thanks!
Nov 19, 2011 1:41AM PST

Thank you have been very helpful!