Sony NEX-7 &alpha User manual

Professional quality in your pocket
Interchangeable-lens
Digital Camera

2 3
Actual size
Imagine the infinite potential
Envision all the power and flexibility of an interchangeable-lens camera in your pocket. Breathtaking image quality and
lightning-swift response previously reserved for high-end photography. Feature-rich flexibility and advanced movie-making
capabilities. Plus meticulous craftsmanship that inspires a sense of pride. Imagine the new one-of-a-kind A NEX-7 from Sony.
Now nothing can stop you from realizing your vision.
• 24.3 megapixel image resolution
• World's fastest8release time lag
• World’s first9XGA OLED Tru-Finder™viewfinder
• Intuitive TRINAVI operation
• AVCHD™ Ver. 2.0 (Progressive) Full HD 60p movies

Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA (SEL24F18Z), 1/80 sec., F2.5, ISO 200, Auto white balance

70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM (SAL70300G), Mount Adaptor LA-EA2, 1/160 sec., F5.6, ISO 200, Auto white balance

E 50mm F1.8 OSS (SEL50F18), 1/250 sec., F5.6, ISO 200, Auto white balance

Dramatically improved BIONZ®image processing engine
Blazing fast BIONZ®processor has been
optimized to bring out the full potential
of the new Exmor APS HD CMOS image
sensor. Utilizing powerful algorithms, it
transforms RAW data from the sensor
into beautiful images with extremely
accurate color and rich tonal gradations
throughout the entire dynamic range.
Even during ultra-high-speed continuous
shooting or Full HD movie shooting, it
effortlessly handles the vast information
generated by the 24.3 megapixel
CMOS sensor as well as other processor
intensive tasks such as advanced digital
compositing. Moreover, RAW image noise
reduction complements dual noise
reduction in the sensor to deliver images
of superb quality with extremely low noise.
New 24.3 megapixel Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor
Enjoy breathtaking image quality in
almost any lighting, thanks to Sony’s
new proprietary Exmor APS HD CMOS
sensor with astounding 24.3 megapixel
resolution. The sensor’s extra-large
surface area raises sensitivity in low-light
conditions and strengthens background
defocusing effects so you can add
depth and drama to virtually any scene.
Furthermore, dual noise reduction
significantly reduces noise during analog
and digital signal conversion to ensure
smooth, crystal-clear reproduction
even in low-light conditions. Discover
the dramatic difference that rich detail,
accurate color and smooth tonal
gradations can make.
Indulge in sophisticated imaging technology
High sensitivity and broad ISO range
Virtually any lighting conditions can be
mastered with NEX-7 thanks to extremely
high ISO sensitivity and wide-ranging
settings from 100 to 16000 — a range
of 7 1/3 EV steps. Even when shooting
in dimly lit conditions without a flash or
tripod, extremely low-noise, high-quality
image capturing and processing ensure
outstanding results.You can capture the
mood of a candlelit wedding ceremony
with a high sensitivity setting.
Use a low sensitivity setting and slow
shutter speed to photograph the flow
of a river. Or clearly shoot athletes
competing indoors with a high sensitivity
setting and high shutter speed. In regular
shooting conditions, the Auto ISO mode
can automatically choose the optimal
ISO setting between ISO 100 and 1600
or between any range you choose to
customize for creative results.
ISO 16000ISO 6400ISO 1600
E 50mm F1.8 OSS (SEL50F18), 1/5 sec., F8, ISO 3200, Auto white balance
Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor
23.5 x 15.6 mm
MICRO Four Thirds™ sensor
13.2 x 8.8 mm sensor
1/2.4 sensor
(common in compact digital cameras)
The APS-C size sensor is more than 13x larger than
1/2.4-size sensors, 3.1x larger than 13.2 x 8.8 mm sensors,
and 1.6x larger than MICRO Four Thirds™ sensors,
resulting in much higher image quality and sensitivity.
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Fast and precise autofocusing
Intelligent contrast-detection autofocusing
delivers precision focusing when shooting
virtually any type of subject in photos and
movies. Simply point and shoot for fast,
accurate results. You can also use DMF
(Direct Manual Focus)for more creative
control or instantly switch from DMF to MF
(Manual Focus), or between AF and MF, by
pressing the AF/MF button.
The AF system places 25 AF points over
a wide area of the frame, making it easy
to change the composition and track
moving subjects while maintaining focus.
Two autofocus modes (Single-shot AF
and Continuous AF)along with three
Autofocus Area settings (25-point Multi,
user-selectable Flexible Spot and Center)
utilize an advanced new AF algorithm for
outstanding performance and speed.
10 fps continuous shooting speed
Capture the decisive moment during fast-
breaking action by shooting continuously
at up to 10 frames per second. Powerful
BIONZ®processing combines with rapid
data readout to easily process the 24.3
megapixels of data from the Exmor™
sensor at accelerated speed.
New Tracking Focus function
Now it’s easy to keep moving subjects in
sharp focus. Once you select a subject
as your main target, new Tracking
Focus stays locked on that subject and
maintains focus even as the subject
moves.This hassle-free mode assures that
unpredictable subjects stay in focus even
while you are zooming or adjusting the
composition. It lets you concentrate on the
scene without worrying about the focus.
Intelligent Face Registration
Catch familiar faces at their best with
the new Face Registration function. This
intelligent technology based on Sony’s
renowned Face Detection lets you easily
register up to eight faces in memory.
Whenever you shoot, the camera instantly
recognizes and focuses on these faces
while also adjusting exposure, flash
output and more to capture them at their
beautiful best. Smile Shutter™ technology
can also be used concurrently for the
ultimate in automatic shooting ease.
Screen shown when registering faces
Capture every decisive moment
with confidence
E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS (SEL1855), 1/1000 sec., F6.3, ISO 400, Auto white balance
Lightning fast response
Don’t let special moments slip away in
the blink of an eye. The world’s fastest
release time lag8 — an astounding 0.02
sec. — virtually eliminates any delay
when pressing the shutter button. So you’ll
never miss another photo opportunity.This
amazing performance was accomplished
by adopting an electronic front curtain
shutter. Overall camera response was
further enhanced by improving AF
performance (via accelerated image
sensor readout)and increasing image
processing capabilities. Now it’s easier
than ever to capture high-quality shots in
dynamic, rapidly changing situations.
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Express your movie-making aspirations
Extra-large image sensor
Whenever you capture movies, the extra-
large dimensions of the Exmor™ APS HD
CMOS sensor empower you to express
your full creativity.The large size enables
beautiful background defocusing effects
for a cinematic sense of depth and
drama. It also contributes to extremely
high recording sensitivity for effective
shooting in very dim lighting.The large
sensor additionally lets you take full
advantage of P/A/S/M modes to
manually adjust exposure.
AVCHD™ Ver. 2.0 (Progressive)
Full HD 60p movies
Now you can capture HD movies at a
much higher frame rate for the ultimate
in smooth movie playback.Thanks to
the accelerated performance of the
large Exmor™ sensor and BIONZ®image
processing engine, as well as Sony’s
adoption of the new AVCHD Ver. 2.0
(Progressive) format, you can shoot Full HD
movies at 60 fps12. Moreover, image quality
is outstanding even at this accelerated
speed: the beautiful 1920 x 1080 pixel
movie footage is the same resolution as
HDTV broadcasts. 24p film-like expression
Cinematic films are traditionally
captured at 24 fps, creating a subtle
but unmistakable look that movie lovers
everywhere associate with the cinema.
Simply by capturing your movies at the
same frame rate, in the progressive 24p
format, you can recreate this look and
endow your movies with an added sense
of quality and drama.
Full manual movie shooting
NEX-7 expands your control over camera
settings so you can carefully craft each
scene for maximum impact. Using manual
focus and P/A/S/M modes (Program
Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and
Manual Exposure), you can flexibly adjust
background blur and manually control
exposure. On-screen prompts provide
assistance to make full manual operation
quick, easy and comfortable.
Clear audio recording quality
A built-in stereo microphone ensures
outstanding audio quality.Advanced
circuitry improves recording quality and
reduces noise to make a big difference
when shooting in quiet settings. Optional
Stereo Microphone ECM-ALST1 can be
attached to the camera’s Auto-lock
Accessory Shoe to provide directional
audio coverage from 90° to 120°.
Optional clip-on LCD monitor
For extra shooting and playback comfort,
as well as the most accurate manual
focusing possible, simply add the Clip-on
LCD Monitor CLM-V55.11 It boasts a 5.0"
WVGA LCD screen with a wide viewing
angle, pixel magnification and sunshade.
Heightened creative potential
Sony makes it easy to exaggerate the
mood or completely transform the look
of your movies by applying Creative Style
and Picture Effect10 modes, which are
digitally applied to your images in real-
time as you shoot. For example, the
Toy Camera mode creates a rough,
amateurish look, while Posterization
reduces the number of colors to make
a vivid, high-contrast statement.
One-touch movie access
With one press of the MOVIE button, NEX-7
is ready to roll.The camera immediately
enters movie recording mode regardless of
whether you were shooting photographs
continuously, in single-frame mode or
not at all. It’s the quick and easy way to
capture every movie-making opportunity.
Clip-on LCD Monitor
CLM-V55
Stereo Microphone
ECM-ALST1
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Control dial L
Control dial R
Navigation button
Control wheel
Dial your way to fine-tuned perfection
TRINAVI — Navigation made simple
Sony proudly introduces TRINAVI, an
innovative new approach to camera
operation that enables faster and more
intuitive fine-tuning of camera settings.
Through the use of a navigation button
and three easily accessible dials, it virtually
eliminates the need to hunt through menu
hierarchies to find desired settings.You
simply press the navigation button located
next to the shutter button to select a major
settings category (Exposure Settings, Focus
Settings, White Balance Settings, D-Range
Settings, Creative Style Settings, etc.).Then
use the three dials on the top and back
of the camera to quickly and easily adjust
parameters as desired. Only parameters
related to your chosen category are
displayed to ensure simple operation. With
TRINAVI, operation is always satisfying. You
spend less time searching for settings and
more time expressing your creative vision.
Customizable navigation button
NEX-7 makes it easy to customize what
categories are selectable with the
navigation button. By default, Exposure
Settings, Focus Settings, White Balance
Settings, D-Range Settings and Creative
Style Settings are selectable. But Picture
Effect Settings and Custom Settings —
which lets you assign parameters to
the three dials from a list of alternatives
including ISO and Metering Mode — can
be chosen to replace other categories
(except Exposure Settings). Moreover, the
categories can be customized to appear
in any order you like.
1
2
3
4
Focus Settings
White Balance Settings
D-Range Settings
Creative Style Settings
Exposure Settings
Picture Effect Settings
Custom Settings
Navigation button
Navigation button
Navigation button
Navigation button
The order of categories can be customized.
Focus
Settings
White Balance
Settings
D-Range
Settings
Creative Style
Settings
Picture Effect
Settings
Custom
Settings
P mode Program Shift
Exposure
compensation
ISO
A mode Aperture
S mode Shutter speed
M mode Shutter speed Aperture
AF mode AF area mode Focusing area
(horizontal)
Focusing area
(vertical)
MF mode Enlarging area
(vertical)
Enlarging area
(horizontal)
Enlarging area
(vertical)
Modes
(AWB, Daylight, Shade,
Cloudy, Incandescent,
Fluor.: Warm White,
Fluor.: Cool White,
Fluor.: Day White,
Fluor.: Daylight, Flash,
C.Temp./Filter, Custom)
Amber-blue
color tone
Green-magenta
color tone
Modes Option
adjustment No item assigned
DRO level/
HDR level
(incl. Auto)
Exposure
compensation
OFF
DRO
HDR
Image style
Adjustment
(contrast, saturation,
sharpness)
Contrast
Saturation
Sharpness
Control dial LControl dial RControl wheel
Exposure
Settings
Note: Pressing the center of the control wheel or bottom soft key
changes the magnification.
Custom Settings lets you assign any of the following parameters to the
control dials and control wheel: Exposure Comp., Autofocus Mode, ISO,
Metering Mode, White Balance, DRO/Auto HDR, Creative Style, Picture
Effect, Quality, Not Set.
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View every detail with astonishing clarity
Level HistogramDisplay Basic Info
Remarkably clear XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ EVF — A world first9
Every detail of your scene is displayed
with incredible contrast, clarity and color
accuracy on the amazing new XGA OLED
Tru-Finder display. Since you can see
exactly what will appear in your photo,
including defocusing effects that faithfully
reflect your aperture settings, you can
fine-tune every aspect of the foreground
and background to achieve the results you
desire. Moreover, viewing is supremely easy
in any type of lighting — an advantage
over LCD monitors that are difficult to view
in bright sunlight and optical viewfinders
that are difficult to view in the dark.
This viewing ease makes it simpler to
concentrate on the scene, adjust settings
and shoot without removing your eye from
the finder.
The backlight-free design of OLED
technology delivers incredible contrast
(10 times greater than high performance
LCD electronic viewfinders)and
dramatically broadens the dynamic
range.Accelerated OLED response also
virtually eliminates both motion blur and
residual images when tracking moving
objects or displaying recorded movies.
Slim unit dimensions gave Sony extra
freedom to achieve advances like a
wide 33.1° viewing angle, high 23.3mm
eye-point and 100% frame coverage. A
high-precision 2,359K dot resolution allows
fine-adjustment of focus via MF Assist.
Variable information display
The OLED viewfinder clearly displays
detailed shooting information at high XGA
resolution for quick and easy reading.
You can display the data in your choice
of three display modes (Display Basic
Info, Level or Histogram)by pressing DISP.
The level gauge indicates whether the
camera is level in the horizontal and front-
back directions.The histogram displays
the luminance distribution of pixels in the
image, which can be adjusted through
exposure compensation.
8 LCD display modes
When viewing the LCD, you can display
shooting information in your choice of
8 convenient display modes (Graphic
Display, Display All Info., Big Font Size
Disp., No Disp. Info., Live View Priority, Level,
Histogram, or For Viewfinder).The selection
process is simplified by narrowing down
the choices to your favorite modes with
the DISP Button (Monitor)menu.Thereafter,
selecting a mode is as simple as
pressing DISP.
Three handy grid displays
Whenever you desire assistance aligning
the horizon or achieving a balanced
composition, you can overlay one of
three types of grids in the viewfinder.
These include a 3x3 grid that follows the
rule of thirds, a 4x4 grid that includes two
45-degree lines passing through the center,
and a 6x4 grid that simplifies the alignment
of multiple visual elements.
Narrow down the number of selectable modes
Graphic Display Display All Info.
Live View Priority Level
Big Font Size Disp. No Disp. Info.
Histogram For Viewfinder
Tiltable Xtra Fine LCD™ monitor
with TruBlack™ technology
The big, bright LCD monitor is perfect for
shooting both movies and still images.
Featuring a crisp 921K dot resolution
and wide 16:9 aspect ratio, this 3.0" LCD
monitor incorporates Sony’s original
TruBlack technology to suppress light
reflections and deliver more vibrant colors,
deeper blacks and excellent contrast.
Monitor brightness can be adjusted
manually or automatically, and Sunny
Weather mode boosts brightness when
viewing under exceptionally bright light.
The monitor also angles approx. 90° up
and 45° down, allowing you to shoot from
unusual perspectives.
Anti-reflective film
Reinforced glass
Resin filling
Generic LCD monitor
with troublesome reflections
TruBlack display eliminates reflections
LCD
Clear protective cover
Tiltable display
Hold the camera high to shoot from above. Or place it
low to the ground for a startling view of life looking up.
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Savor the quality of precision craftsmanship
Rigid magnesium alloy body
You can depend on the ruggedness of
NEX-7. High-intensity magnesium alloy
panels on the top and front provide solid
protection of the lightweight body, which
offers a high degree of structural integrity
and long-lasting durability.
Elegantly crafted, intuitive controls
Beautifully refined dials and buttons are
crafted from solid metal for a feeling of
utmost quality and anodized for enhanced
toughness.The flat topmost panel further
contributes to a highly sophisticated,
unified design.
Slip-free rubberized grip
Confident handling is assured by
a compact camera body that fits
comfortably in your hand and a durable
grip covered in thick rubber to assure
slip-free usage no matter how you hold
the camera.
Meticulous attention to detail
Every minute detail of NEX-7 — from easy-
to-read button icons to anodized dials with
easy-to-grip ribbed rims — demonstrates
elegant craftsmanship and thorough
attention to detail.
Auto-lock Accessory Shoe
This is the first E-mount camera with an
Auto-lock Accessory Shoe, which provides
easy connection to options including
Flash HVL-F43AM, Macro Twin Flash Kit
HVL-MT24AM and Sync Terminal
Adaptor FA-ST1AM.
Built-in flash
When the lighting is dim, this built-in
flash unit with a Guide Number of 613
can provide the supplemental lighting
you need. Combined with high ISO
sensitivity, it enables shooting in nearly
any environment.
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Open the door to unlimited creativity
Final photo with highlights, mid tones and shadows
properly exposed
HDR Painting
High Contrast Monochrome
Partial Color (Blue)
Soft Focus
Posterization (Color)
Partial Color (Green)
Miniature
Posterization (B/W)
Pop Color
Rich-tone Monochrome
Retro Photo
Soft High-key
Partial Color (Red)
Toy Camera
Partial Color (Yellow)
Add character with Picture Effect
Realize your creative potential with Picture
Effect, a fun and simple way to convert
everyday scenes into exciting works of art.
11 modes with options give you a total of
15 effects for endless artistic possibilities.
Real-time preview is available for most
effects, letting you experiment to satisfy
your creative urges. New modes include
HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome,
Soft Focus, Soft High-key and Miniature, a
unique effect that transforms scenes to
look like photos of miniature models.
Note: Some Picture Effect modes cannot be
applied to movies.
Hand-held Twilight
Discover how easy it is to produce night
shots with all the vibrancy of the original
scene. In Hand-held Twilight mode, NEX-7
fires off six photos at high speed and
composites them to create one low-noise
photo.Thanks to the excellent performance
of the Exmor™ sensor and BIONZ®image
processing engine, your night shots will
sparkle with markedly reduced noise even
when shooting without a tripod.
Creative Style
Thirteen Creative Style modes let you add
distinctive looks and moods to photos
and movies while you shoot. Choose from
Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset,
Black & White, Clear, Deep and other
modes depending on the scene. Contrast,
saturation15 and sharpness can also be
fine-tuned to get just the right look.
Scene Selection
When you select one of eight Scene
Selection modes to match the type of
scene, NEX-7 will automatically adjust
basic shooting parameters like aperture,
shutter speed, white balance and others
to match the scene.The wide range of
settings — Portrait, Sports Action, Macro,
Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Night
Portrait and Hand-held Twilight — cover
just about any shooting situation.
Anti Motion Blur
It’s easy to prevent blurry results when
shooting in dimly lit settings or at
telephoto focal lengths. Simply shoot in
the Anti Motion Blur mode. After taking
six shots at high speed, NEX-7 aligns and
combines them into a single photo by
fully leveraging Sony’s image analysis and
compositing technologies.This mode also
improves portraits by eliminating the need
for a flash.
D-Range Optimizer (DRO)
In tricky lighting conditions, DRO produces
natural-looking images with optimal
brightness and tonal gradation. If a backlit
subject’s face is dark, for example, DRO
recovers details hidden in the shadows
and delivers a naturally bright image.
DRO can even be used effectively during
continuous shooting and when capturing
moving subjects.You can shoot in Auto
mode or manually select from five levels
of compensation.
Manage difficult lighting with
Auto HDR
Delight in the remarkable depth and
realism that Auto HDR mode lends
photos.This mode is ideal for capturing
dramatically lit scenes that are difficult
to record conventionally due to great
variances in light and shadow. NEX-7
takes three shots at different exposures —
one each for highlights, mid tones and
shadows — then digitally combines them
into a single high dynamic range (HDR)
photo with rich shadow and highlight
detail. For enhanced creative control, you
can set the HDR exposure range to cover
six steps, from 1 EV to 6 EV.
Sweep Panorama™ mode in 2D or captivating 3D
Simply press the shutter button and
sweep the camera in a smooth arc, either
horizontally or vertically. NEX-7 takes a
series of shots then stitches them together
into a seamless, high-resolution panoramic
photo ready for large-format printing
or HDTV playback. And now there’s 3D
Sweep Panorama mode, which produces
dynamic 3D panoramas for playback on
3D-compatible HDTVs.14
Exposure for mid tones
Exposure for highlights
Exposure for shadows
Landscape
Sunset
With D-Range
Optimizer (Auto)
Without D-Range
Optimizer
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Discover unrivaled freedom and flexibility
MF Assist on
(5.9x magnification)
Fast and precise MF Assist
When your creative vision demands
extremely fine-tuned focusing, the MF
Assist function delivers all the precision
of manual focusing at a magnified
view. Simply press the AF/MF button to
select the MF mode. Or choose the DMF
(Direct Manual Focus)mode and start
by letting the sophisticated AF system
achieve nearly the focusing results you
desire.Then fine-tune the focus with the
focusing ring in either mode.As soon as
you adjust the ring, the MF Assist function
lends a helping hand by enlarging the
portion of the composition on which
focus is being performed, making it a
snap to obtain razor-sharp focus. Choose
from two magnifications — 5.9x or 11.7x
— depending on the subject you are
shooting. The remarkably convenient MF
Assist function is an especially big help
during macro photography or when
shooting at large apertures.
1200-zone metering
Advanced 1200-zone metering delivers
precise exposures, deftly handling the
most difficult lighting situations with ease.
Employing a sophisticated scene analysis
algorithm and BIONZ®image processing,
the system evaluates light levels and color
distribution, then calculates exposure to
suit each image.You can also lock the
exposure by simply pressing the AEL button.
Anti-dust system
Advanced dust resistance helps minimize
photo blemishes. A special static-free
coating on the image sensor’s optical
filter helps prevent dust from adhering.The
filter is vibrated ultrasonically every time
the camera is switched off to dislodge any
dust particles that settled on its surface.
Ultrasonic vibration can also be activated
manually at any time.
Bundled software and connectivity
A full software suite — including PMB
(Picture Motion Browser)18 and new Image
Data Converter — simplifies content
management, photo editing and more
on your personal computer.
You can also enjoy watching your photos
and movies on various types of connected
devices, including Sony BRAVIA® HDTVs,
Blu-ray Disc™ players, VAIO®computers
and Sony PlayStation®systems which
lets you navigate with speed and ease
via PlayMemories™ software (for regular
photos, panoramic images and 3D
images) or Filmy™19 software (for
AVCHD™ movies).
Daylight white balance
Peaking function on
Finely focused image Precision Digital Zoom at 10x magnification
Peaking function for focus
confirmation
Make sure your subject is properly focused
with the Peaking function.This detects
the most sharply reproduced area of the
image and highlights it for confirmation.
Both the level of sensitivity and highlight
color are adjustable.
Precision Digital Zoom
Even when you’ve maxed out the reach
of a telephoto zoom lens, you can still
get closer with Precision Digital Zoom.
Delivering up to 10x magnification of the
central area of the frame, this convenient
feature works with any E-mount or A-mount
lens16, including fixed-focal length lenses.
Auto/manual white balance
Easily control the colors of your photos
and movies with auto or manual white
balance adjustment. Select Auto or one
of nine presets for lifelike colors no matter
what kind of scene you are shooting.Then
manually adjust amber-blue or green-
magenta color tones on a color chart to
further tweak the color. Or switch to the
C.Temp./Filter mode and select a desired
color temperature.All adjustments change
the color of the displayed image in real-
time, making it easy to add a charming
warmth to a candlelit moment, pump up
the violet in a brilliant sunset, or inject a
soothing blue calm to a mountain lake.
Custom settings can also be saved in
memory for later use.
Precise exposure even in difficult lighting
NP-FW50
Multi-slot memory card support
NEX-7's media card slot supports Memory
Stick DuoTM and Memory Stick Pro HG
DuoTM as well as SD, SDHC, SDXC and
Eye-Fi media.
New lens shading and aberration
compensation
NEX-7 automatically compensates for
the shading and aberration char-
acteristics of the particular lens you
mount, ensuring optimal shooting
results. Utilizing embedded data within
the camera on every E-mount lens, it
provides optimal compensation every
time for peripheral shading, chromatic
aberration and distortion — each of which
can be activated or deactivated through
the menu.
A host of playback features
Enjoy your photos and movies to the max
with NEX-7’s playback features. You can
enlarge images for closer inspection, view
Sweep Panorama™ images, and listen
to movie sound with the built-in speaker.
Other features include index view for
viewing content by date and various
slideshow styles.18
Long-lasting powerful battery
Improved battery performance lets you
take up to 430 (approx.)still images17 and
enjoy longer shooting and playback times
on a single charge.
Image sensor
Optical filter
with anti-static
coating
Dust particles
dislodged by
vibration
Image Data Converter
PlayStation®3
BRAVIA HDTV
24 25

Achieve your creative vision
with Sony lenses
Mount Adaptor
LA-EA2
NEW
Interchangeable lens flexibility
Open the door to your creativity with with
compact, high-performance Sony E-mount
and A-mount lenses.16 The superb optical
performance of these lenses makes them
ideal for shooting both photos and movies.
Sony A-mount lenses
All the power of over 30 A-mount lenses —
from fisheye and ultra wide-angle to
macro and super telephoto models — is
yours to enjoy once you add an optional
LA-EA2 or LA-EA1 mount adaptor. The
new Mount Adaptor LA-EA2 even features
Translucent Mirror Technology that enables
super-fast, high-performance full-time
phase-detection AF during still and
movie shooting.
A selection of fine optics for
any situation or subject
E 16mm F2.8 (SEL16F28)
Only compatible with SEL16F28.
Ultra Wide Converter (VCL-ECU1)
Only compatible with SEL16F28.
Fisheye Converter (VCL-ECF1)
E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS (SEL1820 0)
E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS (SEL1855)
This ultra lightweight macro lens offers a minimum focus distance of 3.7"
(9.5cm).The quiet autofocus drive and rugged aluminum-alloy body make it
an outstanding choice for nature photography.
1/2500 sec., F3.5, ISO 100, Daylight white balance
E 30mm F3.5 Macro
(SEL30M35)
A fast mid-range telephoto model well suited for portraits, this lens creates
lovely defocused backgrounds through an ideal combination of focal length
and circular aperture. Built-in image stabilization and a wide maximum
aperture deliver exceptional low-light performance.
1/1000 sec., F1.8, ISO 200, Auto white balance
E 50mm F1.8 OSS
(SEL50F18)
NEW
This slim telephoto zoom lens weighs only 12.2 ounces (345g)and beautifully
complements the SEL1855. With outstanding optical performance over the entire
zoom range, it’s an excellent choice for portraits, sports and nature photography.
E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS
(SEL55210)
NEW
1/1250 sec., F8, ISO 400, Daylight white balance
This fast, wide-angle Carl Zeiss®lens is ideal for landscapes, cityscapes and
group photos.The wide maximum aperture and superb optics also make it
suitable for shooting in dimly lit settings. A minimum focus distance of 6.3"
(16cm)provides close-up capability as well.
1/2000 sec., F8, ISO 400, Auto white balance
Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA
(SEL24F18Z)
NEW
26 27

Give your photography a professional edge
Planar T* 85mm F1.4 ZA (SAL85F14Z), Mount Adaptor LA-EA2, 1/640 sec., F9, ISO 400, Auto white balance
Translucent Mirror Technology
delivers super-fast phase-
detection AF during both still
and movie shooting.
New mount adaptor for Sony
A-mount lenses
It’s easy to combine all the power of
A-mount lenses with all the convenience
of the compact NEX-7. Simply add the new
Mount Adaptor LA-EA2, which incredibly
includes award-winning Translucent Mirror
Technology. It lets you take full advantage
of most A-mount lenses from fisheye
and ultra wide-angle to super telephoto,
including our acclaimed G Lens series
and Carl Zeiss®lenses.
Notes:
• Compatible with NEX-5, NEX-3, NEX-C3, NEX-VG10
and NEX-FS100 after firmware update.
• Not compatible with teleconverters. AF not
supported with the STF lens.
• Guide Number of 24
(combined, 24mm, ISO100, meters).
• Filter Diameter: 49mm, 55mm
Macro Twin Flash Kit
HVL-MT24AM
90° 90°
• Guide Number of 43 (105mm, ISO100, meters)
• Quick Shift Bounce for optimum angle at various camera orientations
• Wireless ratio control
• 22-step power level switching
Flash
HVL-F43AM
• Compact body
• Guide Number of 20
(50mm, ISO100, meters)
• Easy operation
• Switching between bounce
and direct flash settings
• Raising the body turns the
power on
• Guide Number of 58
(105mm, ISO100, meters)
• Quick Shift Bounce for
optimum angle at various
camera orientations
• Wireless ratio control
• Large LCD panel
Flash
HVL-F20AM
Flash
HVL-F58AM
Shotgun Microphone
ECM-CG50
Clip-on LCD Monitor
CLM-V55
Bracket
VCT-55LH
150°
8°
Hot Shoe Adapter
FA-HS1AM
Stereo Microphone
ECM-ALST1
• Filter Diameter: 49mm, 55mm
Ring Light
HVL-RLAM
Expand your possibilities
As the first E-mount camera with an Auto-
lock Accessory Shoe, NEX-7 opens up new
possibilities by providing a fast and secure
connection to a wide range of advanced
accessories including Ring Light HVL-RLAM,
Macro Twin Flash Kit HVL-MT24AM,
5" Clip-on LCD monitor CLM-V55 and
Stereo Microphone ECM-ALST1.
2928

Controls and dials
Remote sensor
AF illuminator/
Self-timer lamp/
Smile Shutter™ lamp
Microphone
Lens release button
Tripod receptacle
Battery/Memory card cover
Number of recordable still images
(Memory card formatted with this camera, image size L 24M,
aspect ratio 3:2)
2 GB 4 GB 8 GB 16 GB 32 GB
Standard 335 680 1350 2750 5500
Fine 205 410 830 1650 3300
Extra Fine 100 200 405 820 16 00
RAW & JPEG 54 105 220 440 880
RAW 74 145 300 600 1200
Recording time for movies
(Memory card formatted with this camera, in hours
and minutes)
2 GB 4 GB 8 GB 16 GB 32 GB
60i 24M (FH)10 m 20 m 40 m 90 m 180 m
60i 17M (FH)10 m 30 m 60 m 12 0 m 245 m
60p 28M (PS)9 m 15 m 35 m 75 m 150 m
24p 24M (FX)10 m 20 m 40 m 90 m 180 m
24p 17M (FH)10 m 30 m 60 m 12 0 m 245 m
1440 x 1080 12M 20 m 40 m 80 m 165 m 330 m
640 x 480 (VGA)3M 70 m 14 5 m 295 m 600 m 12 0 5 m
• Recommended memory card for movie recording: Memory Stick
PRO Duo™ (Mark2), Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™, SD memory
card/SDHC memory card/SDXC memory card (Class 4 or more).
• The numbers in the table above show the approximate maximum
recordable time obtained by totaling all movie files.
• The size of a movie file is limited to approx. 2 GB.
• The maximum length of time you can shoot continuously is
about 29 min.
• Capacity will vary based on image recorded.
Accessories System Chart
HDMI®Cable
DLC-HEM15/30
Accessory Kit
ACC-HDFW
HDMI®Cable
Accessory Kit
HDMI Cable (Mini)
Approx. 6.5"
DLC-HEM20
Rechargeable
Battery Pack
NP-FW50
Microphones / Monitor
Clip-on LCD
Monitor
CLM-V55
Stereo
Microphone
ECM-ALST1
Shotgun
Microphone
ECM-CG50
Bracket
VCT-55LH
Lens Accessories
Circular
PL Filters
VF-49CPAM /
67CPAM
ND Filters [8x]
VF-49NDAM /
67NDAM
MC Protectors
VF-49MPAM /
67MPAM
Rear Lens
Cap
ALC-R1EM
Battery / Charger / Adaptor LCD Protect Semi Hard Sheet
PCK-LM1EA
Remote
Commander
RMT-DSLR1
(still images
only)
LCD Protect
Sheet
PCK-LS1EM
Eyepiece Cup
FDA-EP10
Body Cap
ALC-B1EM
Shooting Accessories
Rechargeable Battery Pack
NP-FW50
AC Adaptor
AC-PW20
Flashes / Flash Accessories
Flash
HVL-F58AM
Ring Light
HVL-RLAM
External Battery
Adaptor for Flash
FA-EB1AM
Multi Flash Cable
FA-MC1AM
Off-camera
Cable for Flash
FA-CC1AM
Extension Cable
for Flash
FA-EC1AM
Triple Connector
for Flash
FA-TC1AM
Sync Terminal
Adaptor
FA-ST1AM
Hot Shoe
Adaptor
FA-HS1AM
Macro Light Adaptor
FA-MA1AM
Off-camera Shoe
for Flash
FA-CS1AM
Macro Twin Flash Kit
HVL-MT24AM
Flash
HVL-F43AM Flash
HVL-F20AM
Memory Stick
PRO-HG Duo™ "HX"/
Memory Stick PRO
Duo Mark 2
SD Memory
Card
Memory Cards
Mount
Adaptor
LA-EA2
Mount
Adaptor
LA-EA1
USB terminal
Hook for
shoulder
strap
HDMI®
terminal
Microphone
jack
Control wheel
Soft keys
Flash pop-up button
MOVIE button
AF/MF & AEL button
AF/MF & AEL switch lever
Playback button
LCD monitor
Diopter-adjustment
dial
Eyepiece sensor
Viewfinder
Light sensor
Flash
Auto-lock Accessory Shoe
Control dial L
Control dial R
Navigation button
Shutter button
Image sensor position mark
ON/OFF (Power)switch
Cases & Straps
Soft Carrying
Case
LCS-SC21
Back Pack
LCS-BP2
Shoulder
Strap
STP-XH70
Shoulder Strap
STP-XS3
Soft Carrying
Case
LCS-ELC7
Lens Case
LCL-140AM /
90AM/60AM
Soft Carrying
Case
LCS-EMC
Soft Carrying Case
LCS-ELC7
Lens
Jacket
Body Case
Shoulder Strap
STP-XH70
Shoulder Strap
STP-XS3
NEW
NEW NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
Front Lens Cap
ALC-F49S /
ALC-F67S
NEW
Battery Charger
BC-VW1
Soft Carrying
Case
LCS-BBF
Soft Carrying
Case
LCS-EMF
Soft Carrying
Case
LCS-SC8
NEW
NEW
Meet every need with
wide-ranging accessories
30 31

General
Camera type Interchangeable-lens digital camera with built-in flash
Lens compatibility Sony E-mount lenses
Image sensor
Type APS-C size (23.5 x 15.6 mm), Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor with primary color filters
Number of pixels (approx.)24.3 megapixels (effective),24.7 megapixels (total)
Image sensor aspect ratio 3:2
Anti-dust system Charge protection coating on optical filter and ultrasonic vibration mechanism
Recording system (still image)
Recording format JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver. 2.3, MPF Baseline compliant), R AW (Sony ARW 2.3 format), 3D MPO (MPF Extended
compliant)
Image size
(pixels)
3:2 aspect ratio L: 6000 x 4000 (24M),M:4240 x 2832 (12M), S:3008 x 2000 (6M)
16:9 aspect ratio L:6000 x 3376 (20M), M:4240 x 2400 (10M),S: 3008 x 1688 (5.1M)
Sweep Panorama Wide:horizontal 12416 x 1856 (23M),vertical 2160 x 5536 (12M), Standard:horizontal 8192 x 1856 (15M),
vertical 2160 x 3872 (8.4M)
3D Sweep
Panorama™ mode Wide:7152 x 1080 (7.7M), Standard:4912 x 1080 (5.3M), 16:9:1920 x 1080 (2.1M)
Image quality modes RAW,RAW & JPEG,JPEG Fine, JPEG Standard
Picture Effect 11 modes (15 effects):Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color,Retro Photo,Partial Color (R,G,B,Y),High Contrast
Mono,Toy Camera, Soft High-key,Soft Focus,HDR Painting,Rich-tone Mono,Miniature
Creative Style Standard,Vivid, Neutral,Clear,Deep,Light, Portrait,Landscape,Sunset, Night Scene,Autumn leaves,Black &
White,Sepia (Contrast -3 to +3 steps,Saturation -3 to +3 steps,Sharpness -3 to +3 steps)
Dynamic range functions Off,Dynamic Range Optimizer (Auto/Level),Auto High Dynamic Range: Off,Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure
Difference Level (1-6 EV, 1 EV step)
Color space sRGB,Adobe RGB
Recording system (movie)
Recording format AVCHD™ Ver.2.0 (Progressive)/MP4
Video compression MPEG-4 AVC (H.264)
Audio recording format Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC
Image size
(pixels) NTSC AVCHD:1920 x 1080 (60p/28 Mbps/PS,60i/24 Mbps/FX, 60i/17 Mbps/FH,24p/24 Mbps/FX, 24p/17 Mbps/FH)
MP4:1440 x 1080 (30 fps/12 Mbps), 640 x 480 (30 fps/3 Mbps)
Media
Media Memory Stick PRO Duo™, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™,SD memory card,SDHC memory card,
SDXC memory card
Slot Multi slot for Memory Stick Duo/SD memory card
Noise reduction
Long exposure NR:On/Off,available at shutter speeds longer than 1 sec., High ISO NR:High/Normal/Low
White balance
Modes Auto WB,Daylight, Shade,Cloudy,Incandescent,Fluorescent, Flash, C.Temp 2500 to 9900K,C.Filter (G7 to
M7 15-step,A7 to B7 15-step),Custom,WB micro adjustment
Focus system
Type Contrast-detection AF
Focus point 25 points
Sensitivity range EV 0 to EV 20 (at ISO 100 equivalent with F2.8 lens attached)
Focus modes Autofocus,DMF (Direct Manual Focus),Manual Focus
AF modes AF-S:Single-shot AF,AF-C: Continuous AF
Focus area Multi Point (25 points)/Center-weighted/Flexible Spot
Other features Tracking Focus,Predictive control,Focus lock,AF micro adjustment, Eye-start AF (only available with optional
LA-EA2)
AF illuminator Built-in LED
AF illuminator range (approx.) 0.5 m - 3.0 m (E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS)
Exposure control
Metering type 1200-zone evaluative metering
Metering sensor ExmorAPS HD CMOS sensor
Metering sensitivity EV 0 to EV 20 (at ISO 100 equivalent with F2.8 lens attached)
Metering modes Multi-segment,Center-weighted,Spot
Exposure modes iAUTO,Programmed AE (P),Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S),Manual (M), Sweep Panorama, 3D
Sweep Panorama,Anti Motion Blur,Scene Selection
Scene Selection Portrait,Landscape, Macro,Sports Action,Sunset, Night Portrait,Night Scene,Hand-held Twilight
Exposure compensation +/- 5.0 EV (in 0.3 EV steps)
Bracketing 3 continuous exposures in 0.3 or 0.7 EV steps
AE lock AE is locked when focus is locked.
ISO sensitivity
(Recommended Exposure Index) ISO 100-16000,AUTO (ISO 100-1600)
Viewfinder
Type 0.5" XGA OLED,electronic viewfinder
Total number of dots (approx.) 2,359,296 dots
Brightness control Auto/Manual (3 steps between -1 and +1)
Field coverage Approx.100%
Magnification Approx.1.09x (with 50 mm lens at infinity,-1 m-1)
Diopter adjustment -4.0 m-1 ~ +1.0 m-1
Eye point Approx.23 mm from the eyepiece lens,21 mm from the eyepiece frame at -1 m-1 diopter (CIPA standard)
Display Disp.Basic Info,Level,Histogram
Real-time image adjustment display Exposure Comp.,White Balance,Creative Style
LCD monitor
Type 3.0" wide,TFT,Xtra Fine LCD™ monitor with TruBlack™ technology
Number of dots (approx.total) 921,600 dots
Brightness control Auto,Manual (5 steps between -2 and +2),Sunny Weather mode
Field coverage Approx.100%
Adjustable angle Up approx.90 degrees,down approx. 45 degrees
Display contents Graphic Display,Display All Info.,Big Font Size Disp.,No Disp.Info.,Live View Priority, Level,Histogram,
For viewfinder
Real-time image adjustment display Exposure Comp.,White Balance,Creative Style
Focus check MF Assist (5.9x, 11.7x)
Peaking (Level:High/Mid/Low/Off, Color:White/Red/Yellow)
Other features
Smile Shutter™ technology Smile Shutter (selectable from 3 steps),Help Guide
Digitial zoom
Type Precision Digital Zoom,1.1x-10x
Shutter
Type Electronically controlled,vertical-traverse,focal-plane type
Shutter speed 1/4000 to 30 sec., Bulb
Flash sync.speed 1/160 sec.
Electronic front curtain shutter Yes,On/Off
SteadyShot INSIDE (image stabilization)
Type Not supported (image stabilization supported by lens)
Flash
Type Built-in flash
Guide No. 6 (in meters at ISO 100 equivalent)
Flash coverage Field of view up to 18mm (indicated on the lens),27mm (35mm format equivalent)
Control Pre-flash TTL
Flash compensation +/- 3.0 EV
Flash modes Flash off,Autoflash,Fill-flash, Slow Sync.,Rear Sync.
Recycling time Approx.4 sec.
External flash Sony System Flash compatible with Auto-lock Accessory Shoe
Wireless control Supported on external flash
Drive
Modes Single-shot,Continuous, Speed Priority Continuous,Self-timer (10/2 sec. delay), Self-timer (Cont.)(with 10
sec. delay; 3/5 exposures),Bracketing,Remote Cdr (with optional Remote Commander RMT-DSLR1)
Speed (approx.,max.)1Continuous mode: 3 fps,Speed Priority Continuous mode: 10 fps
No.of recordable frames (approx.)2Fine:17 frames,Standard:18 frames, RAW:13 frames,RAW & JPG: 11 frames
Playback
Modes
Single (with or without shooting information),RGB histogram and highlight/shadow warning,6/12-frame index
view,Enlarged display mode (L:16.7x, M: 11.8x, S:8.3x), Auto Review (10/5/2 sec.,Off), Image orientation
(On/Off),Slideshow,Panorama scrolling,Folder selection (Still), Forward/Rewind (movie),Delete,Protect
Interface
PC interface Hi-speed USB (USB 2.0):Mass-storage,MTP
HD output HDMI®mini connector (Type-C),BRAVIA Sync (link menu),PhotoTV HD
Others Auto-lock Accessory Shoe,Microphone jack,Remote sensor
Compatible OS (USB connection)Windows®XP3SP3,Windows Vista®4SP2,Windows 7 SP1, Mac OS®X (10.3-10.6)
Audio
Microphone Built-in stereo microphone or ECM-ALST1 / ECM-CG50 (sold separately).
Speaker Built-in,monaural, volume settings in 8 steps
Print
Compatible standards Exif Print,Print Image Matching III, DPOF setting
Custom function
Type Custom key settings
Power
Battery Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-FW50
Still images Approx.up to 350 images with viewfinder and up to 430 images with LCD monitor (CIPA standard)
Actual performance varies based on settings,environmental conditions and usage.
Movies
Approx.up to 90 min. with viewfinder and up to 100 min.with LCD monitor (1920 x 1080,Approx.17 Mbps)
Actual performance varies based on settings,environmental conditions and usage.Battery capacity decreases
over time and use.
External power AC Adaptor AC-PW20 (sold separately)
Weight
With battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo Approx.12.3 oz (350 g)
Body only Approx.10.3 oz (291 g)
Dimensions
W x H x D (excluding protrusions)Approx.4 3/4 x 2 3/4 x 1 11/16 in. (119.9 x 66.9 x 42.6 mm)
Operating Temperature
Range 32°-104° F/0-40° C
Main specifications
* is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
* Exmor , BIONZ , BRAVIA , SteadyShot, VAIO , InfoLithium , Memory Stick , Translucent Mirror Technology , Tru-Finder ,
Memory Stick PRO Duo , and Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation.
* PLAYSTATION and PS3 are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
* Blu-ray Disc and are trademarks.
* AVCHD and AVCHD Progressive , and their respective logos, are trademarks of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.
* SD Logo, SDHC Logo and SDXC Logo are trademarks of SD-3C, LLC.
* HDMI, HDMI Logo, and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC in the United States and other countries.
* iMovie is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. The Works with iMovie logo is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
* All other company and product names mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
* InfoLithium is a lithium battery pack which can exchange data with compatible electronic equipment about its energy consumption.
Sony recommends that you use the battery pack with electronic equipment bearing the mark.
• Screen displays are simulated.
• Simulated effects are used to illustrate some functions.
Trademarks & Remarks
System requirements of bundled software
Image Data Converter SR/Image Data Lightbox SR PMB
OS5
Microsoft®Windows®Macintosh®Microsoft Windows®
Windows®XP SP36/Windows Vista®
SP27/Windows 7 SP1
Mac OS®X
(10.3 - 10.6)
Windows®XP SP36/Windows Vista®
SP27/Windows 7 SP1
CPU Pentium®III 800 MHz or faster
Power PC G4/G5 series
(1.0 GHz or faster recommended)
Intel®Core™ Solo/Core Duo/Core
2 Duo,or faster recommended
Pentium III 800 MHz or faster
(For playing/editing HD movies:
Intel Core Duo 1.66 GHz or faste/
Intel Core 2 Duo 1.66 GHz or faster)
Memory 512 MB or more 1 GB or more 512 MB or more/for HD movies,
1 GB or more
The 2012 Sony World Photography Awards is now accepting entries until January 4, 2012. For more details, visit the website
at www.worldphoto.org.
© 2011 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
All other trademarks are trademarks of trademarks of their respective owners. Features and specifications are subject to
change without notice.
Specifications and features are based on information available at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice.
1Speed may vary depending on shooting conditions and memory card in use.
2When drive mode is set to continuous shooting “Hi” mode.
364-bit and Starter Editions are not supported.
4Starter Edition is not supported.
5 Compatible operating system: factory preinstalled only.
6 64-bit edition and starter edition not supported. Windows Image Mastering API (IMAPI) v2.0 or later required to create discs.
7 Starter edition not supported.
8 Among consumer cameras as of October 2011.
9 Among compact interchangeable lens cameras.
10 Some Picture Effect modes cannot be applied to movies.
11 Requires Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-FM500H or AC Adaptor AC-PW10AM (all sold separately).
12 Records in 29 minute segments.
13 In meters at ISO 100 equivalent.
14 Requires 3D HDTV, HDMI® cable (at least 10.2 Gbps) and active 3D glasses sold separately.
15 Not available when B/W mode or Sepia mode is selected.
16 Adaptor is required for A-mount lenses.
17 Actual performance varies based on settings, environmental conditions and usage. Battery capacity decreases over time and use.
18 Not compatible with mac software.
19 Not compatible with 60p movies.
DI11013