Sony NEX-7 review

Does Sony's new CSC hit the NEX level?

Sony Alpha NEX-7
Sony's flagship mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses promises professional quality in a compact form

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.

Images straight from the camera have good dynamic range

Images straight from the camera have good dynamic range

Images straight from the camera have good dynamic range (see full image)

The neutral colour setting produces more subdued images

The neutral colour setting produces more subdued images

The neutral colour setting produces more subdued images (see full image)

The large aps-c sensor results in reduced depth of field, so narrower apertures are required for landscapes than with smaller sensor cameras to get everything in focus

The large aps-c sensor results in reduced depth of field, so narrower apertures are required for landscapes than with smaller sensor cameras to get everything in focus

The large APS-C sensor results in reduced depth of field, so narrower apertures are required for landscapes than with smaller sensor cameras to get everything in focus (see full image)

An automatic hdr mode takes multiple shots at different exposures and merges them in-camera, retaining more detail in highlights and shadows

An automatic hdr mode takes multiple shots at different exposures and merges them in-camera, retaining more detail in highlights and shadows

The automatic HDR mode takes multiple shots at different exposures and merges them in-camera, retaining more detail in highlights and shadows (see full image)

The standard 18-55mm kit lens is quite prone to flare, even when using the supplied hood

The standard 18-55mm kit lens is quite prone to flare, even when using the supplied hood

The standard 18-55mm kit lens is quite prone to flare, even when using the supplied hood (see full image)

The 24.3mp files are sharp and contain plenty of detail

The 24.3mp files are sharp and contain plenty of detail

The 24.3Mp files are sharp and contain plenty of detail (see full image)

The aps-c sensor enables the background to be defocused more easily than with a smaller sensor camera

The aps-c sensor enables the background to be defocused more easily than with a smaller sensor camera

The APS-C sensor enables the background to be defocused more easily than with a smaller sensor (see full image)

ISO sensitivities up to iso16000 are great for low-light shooting, although the af system struggles to keep up in dark conditions

ISO sensitivities up to iso16000 are great for low-light shooting, although the af system struggles to keep up in dark conditions

ISO sensitivities up to ISO16000 are great for low-light shooting, although the AF system struggles to keep up in dark conditions (see full image)

With care, the camera can take good images in quite challenging conditions

With care, the camera can take good images in quite challenging conditions

With care, the camera can take good images in quite challenging conditions (see full image)

The built in flash is useful for fill-in at close quarters, but the articulated arm appears quite fragile

The built in flash is useful for fill-in at close quarters, but the articulated arm appears quite fragile

The built in flash is useful for fill-in at close quarters, but the articulated arm appears quite fragile (see full image)

TOPICS
Latest in Mirrorless Cameras
Sigma BF silver camera in the hand at The Photography Show, UK
I tried the Sigma BF camera everyone is talking about – it's truly stunning, but has one fundamental flaw
Nikon Z5 mirrorless camera on green background with lowest price text overlay
These record-low Nikon Z5 prices suggest the cheap full-frame camera’s Z5 II upgrade could land soon
Panasonic Lumix S1R II alongside Panasonic Lumix S5 II on a split green / orange background
Panasonic Lumix S1R II vs Lumix S5 II: time to upgrade?
Panasonic LUMIX S1RII
Preorder the Panasonic Lumix S1RII and get a free memory card or solid state drive
Panasonic Lumix S1R II mirrorless camera held up to user's eye, 24-70mm lens attached
Flagship Panasonic Lumix S1R II unveiled: here's why the 8K hybrid beats its Sony, Canon and Nikon rivals for video
Panasonic Lumix S1R II
I've tested the Panasonic Lumix S1R II, and it beats its bulky predecessor in almost every respect
Latest in Reviews
An AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D on its retail packaging
I've reviewed three generations of 3D V-cache processors, and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the best there is
Mac Studio on a desk
Apple Mac Studio (M3 Ultra): the ultimate creative workstation
Apple iPad Air 11-inch M3 (2025) Review
I tested the 11-inch iPad Air with M3 for five days, and it stretches the value even further with more power for the same price
Moiraine using her magic in The Wheel of Time season 3
The Wheel of Time season 3 proves that Amazon's Lord of the Rings TV show isn't the only high fantasy heavyweight worth watching on Prime Video
The Honor Pad V9 on a bronze table.
The Honor Pad V9 is the mid-range, Android-powered iPad rival you've been looking for
Cricut Maker 4 cutting machine making projects with basswood and cardstock
After a month with Cricut Maker 4 I’ve pushed my crafting past its limit, and past the limit of the machine