Sony flags mirrorless, wireless, NEX-5R

Sony Australia has announced November availability of the NEX-5R mirrorless interchangeable with built-in Wi-Fi.

It’s Sony’s first interchangeable-lens camera with integrated Wi-Fi capabilities, and the first Sony camera accompanied by a bunch of in-camera apps available for download.

The NEX-5R will be available from November, 2012. The new camera will have an RRP of $799 for body only or $999 for a single-lens kit. US pricing is US$648 and US$748 respectively.

Features include:
– Connectivity and PlayMemories Mobile Apps: Wi-fi enables easy image sharing, saving and viewing with photos and videos easily transferred to any PC, smartphone or tablet that’s running the free PlayMemories Mobile App (see sidebar story below);
– Resolution of 16 megapixels in an APS-C-sized sensor;
– Fast Hybrid AF: Combines phase and contrast detection autofocus methods to suit the demands of any shooting situation (supported by E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS; E 55-210mm F4-6.3 OSS; E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS; and E 24mm F1.8ZA Sonnar T*;
– 10 fps;
– Touch-screen LCD with 180 degree swivel (perfect for easy arm’s length self-portraits), touch shutter function;
– Switchable on-screen digital level gauge;
– Auto Slow Shutter for Full HD movie recording: adds extra sparkle to low-light clips and detects dim interiors ­­and night scenes, automatically switching to a slower shutter speed to brighten up your footage;
– Remote Control Application for Xperia smartphones;

PlayMemories Camera Apps:
– Multi Frame NR app, which captures a burst of images which are superimposed by the camera to create one low-noise photo at the selected ISO speed. Ideal for captuting night-time scenes without using flash.
– Photo Retouch enables in-camera adjustment of brightness, saturation and contrast plus Soft Skin, re-size and other post-shooting effects. Also available is the ‘Auto Portrait Framing’ feature which detects the faces in images captured and intelligently applies the recommended composition afterwards.
– Picture Effect+ expands the range of artistic treatments available in the camera’s standard picture effect mode.
– Bracket Pro automatically shoots a rapid burst of three images at different ‘bracketed’ settings, for shutter speed, aperture or focus, allowing you to choose the best shot.
– Two new utilities – Smart Remote Control and Direct Upload to Playmemories Online and Facebook.