Seeing Chicago in a New Light With the Sony NEX {Review} #SonyNEX

Disclosure:  I received the product below to review in exchange for sharing my honest opinion as well as a day with Sony experts.  

Until I had kids I never really cared about photography and when I had my first child we bought this huge DSLR camera.  Honestly after owning it for four years now I still have no idea really how to work it.  I’ve had good intentions to learn but I’ve just never had time and really who has time to read instruction manuals?

So when I got the chance to have a “hands-on” experience with the new Sony Alpha NEX-3N and the Action Cam POV camera I was intrigued.  Then finding out that I would hear from Sony experts, go through a private shooting tour of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry and drive in a custom go-kart experience cinched the deal for me.  Honestly before my day with Sony I always thought Sony was an arrogant brand with complicated products.  Now I absolutely love my new Sony products and couldn’t go a day without them and love them more that they are compatible with my MacBook.

Sony Alpha NEX-3N

Now I could go through all the technical features but you can read about that, I’d rather tell you what I love.  First off this camera is perfect for beginners and experts as it has so many features in it but its still easy to use.  Rather than just an “Auto” setting it has an “Intelligent Auto” setting which is pretty amazing.  When you turn the camera in different directions it automatically changes the setting to what your shooting.  So yes if you are an “Auto-shooter” like me then your pictures can still come out like you know what your doing!

While I have played around with the other settings, I hoenstly leave it on Intelligent-Auto most of the time but my next favorite setting is changing the picture effects at the push of a button.  Not only can you change it to black and white, but also change the picture to Toy Camera, Retro, Partial Color and more!

Here are some pics with me using the different settings:

 

Really this camera has everything I want.  A good size, not bulky but still powerful.  Easy to figure out settings.  Good battery life (up to 480 photos per charge.)  Anti-Motion Blur mode – with kids need I say more.  Built-in pop up flash built into the compact body.  Full HD capability for movie recording.  Tilting LCD screen flips up to 180 degrees to make shooting self-portraits a snap!  Oh and the secret feature I found out about is you can buy a third-party convertor so you can use any lenses you may already have at home.  So for example if you already have a Nikon or Cannon DSLR, you can snap those lenses on the Sony NEX!  I thought that was a pretty cool feature and a plus for someone who wants a compact DSLR camera but wants the ability to add a bigger lens if needed.

Here are some more pictures I took during my Chicago visit:

    

Overall, I highly recommend this camera.  It is now my everyday camera that goes everywhere with me.  I haven’t had any problems with it and the pictures I take constantly surprise me.  For the price of less than $500 it is a great deal too for both beginners and experts.  The size too is great for a purse or diaper bag, which is where I keep it.

Stay tuned for my review of the Sony Action Cam POV camera!

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BUY IT:  The Sony Alpha NEX-3N can be purchased for $499.99 direct through Sony or look for it at your nearby electronics store.