The Sony NEX-5 Auto HDR workaround
Driskill Statue – Austin, Texas (An example of the built in HDR mode)
The Sony NEX-5 and other NEX cameras has a neat built-in HDR mode that makes it easy to create decent looking HDRs. Unfortunately, the user interface around this feature had some issues and frustrated me quite a bit. The good news is I stumbled on a workaround that makes using this feature a whole lot easier for me, so I wanted to share this information with you.
First, a little background. For those of you who do not know. HDR is short for High Dynamic Range photography which combines 3 or more photos of the same scene at different exposure levels to produce an image that give more detail and color than a typical photograph. This popular technique is a bit of a pain to do manually, requiring you to not only get the right settings in camera but requires a lot of post processing knowledge to do well. The NEX’s HDR mode does all this for you, so it is a quick and easy way to make HDRs. Unfortunately, there were a few interface issues that made accessing this mode a pain in the neck for me. Consequently, I didn’t use it as much as I wanted to. I wrote about this frustration in my detailed Sony NEX-5 review. I shoot my NEX-5 in RAW to get the highest possible quality. The built-in HDR function only works in JPEG — you can not even access the HDR settings when you are in RAW mode. Previously, I had so switch from RAW to JPEG, then get into the HDR mode, shoot the picture in HDR, then switch back to RAW again for my regular shots. Later on, when I wanted to shoot another HDR, I had to go through the same cumbersome process. After a while, I just didn’t bother.
So here is the work around. First start in JPEG mode. Click the menu button. Select “Image Size” from the menu. Scroll down to “Quality”. This is where you can set RAW or JPEG. I set my JPEG to Fine, which is the highest quality for JPEGs. Then I set the HDR mode. Hit the menu button again and this time select “Bightness/Color”. Under this submenu, select “DRO/Auto HDR”, and then select HDR. You can also adjust the level of HDR in this mode, which took me a while to find, the first time. Click the “options” button to the left and below the scroll wheel. This will allow you to choose from Auto-HDR to 6EV HDR modes by turning the scroll wheel. Choose the level of HDR you like. You can experiment with the level you personally like. I keep mine usually on Auto-HDR. Now, if you choose to shoot in JPEG all the time, then you are all set. Life is easier to do HDRs since you don’t have to switch back and forth between JPEG and RAW. I like to shoot in RAW, so I switch back to RAW through the “Image Size” menu. Here is the key part of the work around. When you are in RAW and what to take an HDR, just switch to JPEG. The camera remembers that you have set the HDR mode in JPEG. When you are finished, switch back to RAW.
The following “bug” has tripped me up, which probably added to the frustration.. When you are in RAW and you happen get into the “DRO/Auto HDR” menu, if you change the scroll wheel dial at all, even if you hit the cancel button, this takes the camera out of HDR mode in JPEG. If this happens you have to repeat all the steps above to get your camera back into HDR mode. So, as long as you don’t touch the scroll wheel, you are OK and can switch back and forth between JPEG HDR mode and normal RAW mode. I originally programmed my custom button as a short cut to the DRO/Auto HDR feature. This makes it easy to access HDR but also makes it easy to change the setting accidentally which unknowingly took me out of HDR mode. I’ve removed the HDR option off my custom button to prevent accidental changes. I wish I can program this custom button switch between RAW and JPEG but this is not available on the NEX-5.
I played around with a NEX-5n and a NEX-C3 and noticed that they act differently. Unfortunately, while there are a lot of improvements in the 5n, the switching behavior between the JPEG HDR mode and RAW is worse. Unlike the NEX-5, on the 5n, even when you set the HDR mode in JPEG, the act of switching to RAW will make use lose the HDR mode. All is not lost, however. The option button is more flexible in this newer model so that you can program on the buttons to quickly switch between JPEG and RAW. The net effect is that the behavior is different but the user interface pain level is about the same. The NEX-C3 seems to have a similar behavior as my NEX-5, though the options button is not nearly as flexible as its bigger brother.
I hope I explained this well enough so that you can follow along. The Sony menu interface is sill far from ideal but this workaround makes it better. I didn’t get a chance to test all the NEX models so please tell me what your experience is, especially if you have a NEX-7.
Here is a sample of my work using the Sony NEX-5. I’ve posted them on my one-photo-per-day photo blog, mostlyfotos. There are a lot of images so click the << Previous Photo link to see more. You can also hover over the photos to see the exposure information.
Why I’m not buying the Sony NEX-7 – Revisited
Sony NEX-7 (courtesy of the Sony website)
A little over a month ago I wrote a blog post Why I’m not buying the Sony NEX-7 where I discussed my personal reasons for not being excited about Sony’s high end EVIL Camera. Since then there have been some new reviews and I got to hold and use the camera for a short period. Therefore, I wanted to revisit some of my assumptions that I wrote down in my original post.
Precision Camera, the local Austin full service camera store, recently had a camera expo where I had a chance to play with the Sony NEX-7. As I expected and other people have mentioned, the NEX-7 is a beautifully crafted camera. Incredibly solid and oozes quality. I’ve always been a fan of the NEX-5 design and its fit and finish. Its bigger brother, the NEX-7 ups the game considerably. The camera is a bit larger and heavier than the NEX-5 but not to the detriment of making it too large. It is still about the size of the relatively compact Fujifilm X100, for example. The larger size gives it more real estate for better controls and the added weight adds to the feeling of quality. Also, because of its larger body, the NEX-7 seems a bit more in proportion with the lenses. The NEX-5 looks very lens heavy and its design seems more unconventional, though I like it personally. The NEX-7 still retains the modern and unique styling but seems more balanced. While some companies such as Fujifilm and Olympus are designing cameras that appeal to a retro aesthetic, Sony is boldly designing a camera for the 21st century. I applaud Sony for not trying to evoke a nostalgia for times past. We are 40 years past the range finder era with new technologies and functions, why put on a façade of nostalgia for a different kind of device? I’ve only used the camera for 10 – 15 minutes however, the tri-navi interface seems very usable and flexible. I believe there are enough physical controls and interface flexibility to address most of my NEX-5 interface concerns.
In terms of image quality, specifically noise levels, a new review at Luminous Landscape has some interesting details. Michael Reichmann has posted a series of rolling reviews on the NEX-7 which is well worth a read. Regarding high ISO noise, the review does confirm at the pixel level, the NEX-7 is indeed nosier than the NEX-5n. No surprises here, it is consistent with other results. However, the NEX-7 is a higher resolution camera than the 5n. If you scale the NEX-7′s image size down to the NEX-5n’s size, the noise levels seem about the same. So in real world terms, if you make prints at a certain size, both the NEX-7 and NEX-5n should show about the same level of noise. This should also work for on-screen viewing, as long as you don’t view the images at 100% magnification. Encouraging and positive results especially for people creating high resolutions prints. If you shoot at low ISO’s the increased resolution of the 7 should give you more detail over the 5, assuming the optics are able to resolve additional details.
Speaking of lenses, Michel Reichmann also has a review of the Zeiss 24mm f1.8 lens that has been designed specifically for the NEX line. This lens will work best on the NEX-7 with its high-resolution sensor but it will should also work on all NEX cameras including the NEX-3, NEX-5 and NEX-5n. In his review, He compares this Zeiss lens against a $6,500 Leica 24mm f1.4 Summilux. The Zeiss lens does quite well and appears to almost match in sharpness, an impressive feat considering the Zeiss costs $1,000. There are other image quality factors that need to be considered and Michael talks about them in the review. Therefore, while $1,000 is still an expensive lens it does seem to perform well in the Luminous Landscape tests.
So do the new reviews and my personal handling of the NEX-7 change my opinion? Am I more exited about buying the Sony NEX-7? Well, maybe ever so slightly but ultimately no, not yet anyway. I like Sony products and I’m encouraged by what Sony is doing with its cameras. With the NEX-7, they are certainly creating a premium compact camera and it should appeal to the hobbyist what wants the “best” or the fanciest. However, for me, I have always considered price performance as the most important factor. Sure, I like expensive, premium products but only if there is a corresponding performance increase or something else, maybe less tangible, that makes me “lust” after a product for purely emotional reasons. The NEX-7 while being a beautiful camera just does not appeal to me on a performance or emotional level. Why is this? Well first, for all its resolution and features, I’m not very excited by the images it creates. This is true of the photos I shot as well as the images I see on the web. This camera, like the NEX-5 exposes on the darker side. The colors, while hopefully better than the NEX-5, still appear dull. There doesn’t seem to be that liveliness that I see in the Olympus images, for example. Second, while beautifully constructed, the camera is very expensive. Maybe, if I didn’t already own 3 cameras I’ll be more willing to shell out the bucks, but at this point, such an expensive camera must be able to do something tangibly better than what my other cameras are already doing. The NEX-7 may do some things better, but at this point I can’t think of what this might be. Third, the $1,000 Zeiss lens does appear to be very nice but it lacks image stabilization. For the type of things I like to shoot, at low light, this is a deal killer.
Ironically, while Michael Reichmann’s review of the Sony NEX-7 is very positive and he clearly likes it, he made this comment about the Zeiss lens at the end of the lens review.
Having said that, I currently do most of my shooting on the NEX-5n and NEX-7 with Sony’s other lenses, because of their light weight, autofocus and stabilization. For me convenience often trumps absolute image quality.
I agree wholeheartedly. I already have my Zeiss 24mm f1.8 lens it’s called the Lumix 20mm f1.7 lens that works on my Olympus E-PL1. This Olympus and Lumix combo can be had for about $550. Yes, there are certainly big differences. This Lumix is a fantastic lens but I’m not sure how it stack up against the Zeiss. Any of the NEX cameras are faster and have higher resolution than the old Olympus E-PL1. But here is the thing. I personally like the Olympus color and exposure better than my NEX-5. High ISO quality is definitely not as good but the Lumix 20mm with image stabilization more than compensates for the high ISO deficiency for the type of shooting that I do. As street cameras, both setups have a similar angle of view. When considering crop factors, the Sony with the 24mm is equivalent to 34.5mm and the Olympus with the 20mm lens is equivalent to 40mm. The key thing is, for my type of photography, the Olympus combo works well. Your photography requirements might be entirely different. Having image stabilization, for example, will do nothing if you need to capture fast action. So for now, I will save the $2,000+ and continue to use my Olympus as my carry around street camera and my Canon 7D for fast action and wide-angle landscapes. And, once in a while, especially when I want to do video, I will still use my Sony NEX-5, but without the expensive Zeiss lens.
The Sony NEX-5n Review: The Improvements
NYC Subway, 81st Street Station – New York, New York
I talked a bit about the Sony NEX-5n in my Sony NEX-5 review that I posted last week. In this post, I wanted to dive deeper into the improvements of the new model. I played with the NEX-5n at Precision Camera here in Austin and got a good feel for the changes Sony added ti this year’s NEX. There are some key, very useful improvements that I’m excited about — enough so that I’m thinking about upgrading to the new camera. Unfortunately, a trade-in will not be worth my while so even if I purchase the NEX-5n I’ll just keep the older NEX. The NEX-5 is still a fantastic camera and having it around will be useful. My wife and son also like the camera so I know it will get enough use.
Overall, the feel of the NEX-5n remains the same — which is a good thing. In addition to the new improvements, Sony has added a few subtle changes to the feel of the camera. Before getting into the detail, you may want to read my comprehensive review on the NEX-5. That will give you a good basis of comparison when I talk about the changes. Let’s start with the physical feel of the camera. The solid magnesium alloy body of the pervious model remains but with a slightly different shape. In actual usage I really didn’t notice a difference. The scroll wheel is the same size but had a different more precise feel. The shutter button is more responsive and the sound of the shutter is sharper but quieter. I aways thought the shutter sound of the NEX-5 was too loud and the NEX-5n’s sound is certainly more pleasant. It is not quiet by any means but the sound is, ahem, noticeably less noticeable. The focus speed has also been improved. Not quite the speed of the new Olympus EP3 but pleasantly faster. On separate note, I was just blown away by how fast the new Olympus cameras focused. It focused so fast that I thought it wasn’t working properly — it was that fast, nearly instantaneous. Olympus has really upped their game and has further closed that gap with DSLRs. The Sony is no slouch either. It is certainly fast enough for most any photographic purpose. I’m not quite sure I’ll be shooting fast action sports but everything else should be fine.
A Touch Screen
The NEX-5n now sports a touch screen. This is something that I hoped for and mentioned in my NEX-5 review. You can use the touch screen to navigate the interface and more importantly it can be used select and track focus. This focus feature is really key and particularly important for video, which I will talk about later. The touch screen is not quite Apple iPhone quality. It works fine but the response lags and scrolling through the interface is not a precise affair. However, it is usable and it can be useful as an alternate way to scroll through menus. The interface on screen looks about the same as the previous model. The top level is an icon view that works well with touch but the sub-menus work better with the scroll wheel. In that sense, the Sony interface is a bit of a hodge-podge and is not truly optimized for the scoll wheel or touch in my opinion. Touch has been added on but the interface has not been altered or improved.
Chandelier, Grand Central Station – New York, New York
You can also use the touch screen to focus on part of the frame. This, I believe, is the more significant use for the new touch feature. I can also double-tap on object on-screen and the Sony now tracks the selected item. This potentially can improve focus tracking and allow more keepers during faster action. I have not tested this feature in real world conditions so I can not comment on how well it works.
Video
My biggest disappointment with the NEX-5 has been the video. The quality is great but the lack of manual controls and the sometimes poor focusing really limited my enjoyment and use of this feature. I’m thrilled to report that the NEX-5n has tremendously improved in this area. It now allows for full manual controls of the shutter speed, aperture and ISO. Perfect. Now, I can drop my shutter speed down and lower my ISO to improve video quality and smoothness. Sony has also added 1080p video – progressive scan video at full HDR quality at 60 frames per second, instead of the previous interlaced video. There is also 24p video for that more cinematic feel. I’m not really a video person, at least not yet. But now with these options, I have everything I need to use a NEX-5 as a combined still photograph and video taking device. The quest for a single device to do both functions may finally be a reality, at least at the amateur level.
My other frustration with the Sony NEX-5 video is the focusing. At times, when I have my subject in frame, the focus will be “tricked” into locking on to the background instead of my foreground subject. The NEX-5n improves this situation tremendously with the touch screen double-tap to focus and follow feature. Once locked on my subject, I can move the subject to the extreme edges of the screen and the focus will still remain locked on the subject. This is fantastic. It seems to address all the problems I had with the previous model. Like I mentioned earlier, I haven’t been able to use the NEX-5n is real world conditions (only in the store) but things look very promising so far. I did notice that if I double tapped to focus-follow on the subject and then start the video, the subject may lose focus after a bit. However, when I start the video recording first and then do the double-tap focus-follow, then the focus tracking seemed to work more consistently. I’m not sure if this was just dumb luck or a real behavior. I will need more testing to find out its true performance.
The improvements in the video feature, by itself, has gotten my excited about getting this new camera. As I mentioned in my NEX-5 review, the video implementation was disappointing and I did not use it. My in-store tests seem promising enough that I’m dreaming of getting the new NEX-5n and doing a whole lot more video. As the family camera, I might be able to chuck the camcorder and use the NEX full-time. For the artistic videos, I’m thinking of adding those old manual focus, large aperture lenses with an adapter so that I can do those cool cinematic feeling videos.
Image Quality
The NEX-5n also appears to have greatly improved its image quality. Not only has it increased its resolution from 14.2MP to 16.1MP, but the high ISO image quality looks really impressive. I based these comments, not on my testing but on results published on-line from imaging resource. The JPEG photos at ISO 3200 and ISO 6400 look really impressive. Much better than the NEX-5 and it also seems to be better than the Canon 7D, which is what I own and use to get my best quality high ISO images. If the imaging resource photos are to believed, the new NEX also gives the highly regarded Fujifilm X100 a run for its money. All the more impressive given that the Sony is now 16.1MP vs the Fuji’s 12MP. Usually when the megapixels go up, the high ISO image quality goes down. Sony looks like they really improved their JPEG processing. The colors are livelier, the details are sharper without less smearing and the noise is decreased. I’m not sure if this image quality increase is the result of better JPEG processing or if the sensor performance has also been improved. I’m sure future on-line tests results with RAW output will answer this question soon enough.
Tunnel, Grand Central Station – New York, New York
High ISO performance is really important to me since I seem to take much of my photos indoors or in dark areas. The much improved high ISO performance is the second reason the NEX-5n is tugging at my wallet. Sony also announced the pro-sumer NEX 7D at the same time. At 24MP, I’m really wary if this more expensive NEX can match the 5n for high ISO quality. Time will tell but I have my doubts. Unless Sony has created the ultimate sensor or some magic computer algorithm, I leaning towards the 5n rather than the 7. 16.1MP is good enough for me without making the jump to 24mp.
Miscellaneous
I quickly tested two user interface items I specifically did not like on the NEX-5. I mentioned these in my NEX-5 review. They are the switching out of RAW to use the HDR mode and playback of photos and videos. Unfortunately, these interface annoyances have not been fixed and in one case, it is actually worse.
First, I find it annoying that I need to get out of RAW mode just to use the HDR feature. While the NEX-5n now warns the user that you have to be in JPEG to use the HDR feature, it did not go far enough to fix the interface. It works the same as the previous model. You have to navigate through the annoying menu structure to switch to JPEG mode when you want to use the HDR feature.
Second, when viewing your photos and videos in the playback mode, the NEX-5 has two buckets that you have to look at separately. You either view your photos in the still photo payback mode or you can look at the videos in the video playback mode. Most cameras I know allow you to see both photos and videos together but not the NEX. Well, in the NEX-5n, there are now 3 buckets. This is crazy and stupid. There is now a photos mode, a AVCHD video mode and MPEG video mode. This is a step in the wrong direction. Why can’t I view all my media in one playback function. Why would I care if I took the video in MPEG or AVCHD? This should just be an attribute that is displayed on screen when you preview the video. Maybe in the next NEX version, they will have 4 modes? They can also separate out photos taken in JPEG vs RAW. Sony seriously needs some interface help in this area.
Conclusion
Other than the media playback mode issue, there are several, very tangible improvements with the NEX-5n. That little “n” at the end of the name packs a lot of improvements. Very unexpected and I’m thrilled. So much so that I’m seriously considering getting this camera upgrade. I’m not usually one that jumps at every technology upgrade. I wait a good deal between model changes so that I get a whole lot of improvements between my purchases. Maybe it is because the mirrorless camera market is so hot and rapidly improving, but the usual calculus of waiting for a few model changes before upgrading may be turned on its head. The improvements by the other mirrorless manufacturers are also significant. The DSLR market but comparison seems glacial. One could argue that the DSLR feature set is already mature and there isn’t much to improve. But the mirrorless (I prefer the term EVIL, Electronic Viewfinder, Interchangeable Lens) market is rapidly improving and I predict will eclipse the DSLR market in the near future. That, is a topic for another blog post. If I do end up buying the NEX-5n I will certainly do a followup post. In the mean time, I have several perfectly good cameras that I’ll use to keep on plugging away at my photography.
NOTE: I took the images on this post with the NEX-5 since I do not own the 5n. Please click on the photos to see a larger version. Also if you like to see more of my photographs taken with the NEX-5, please click here.
