DSLR vs NEX-7

[upbraid]

nex-7 uses aps-c sensor, which should be on-par with nikon aps-c sensors since sony makes sensors for nikon. image quality should be very good

however for the price i think you are better off with either a canon 7d or nikon d7000, both of which will provide better build quality, access to more accessories etc.

 

[Edge100]

however for the price i think you are better off with either a canon 7d or nikon d7000, both of which will provide better build quality, access to more accessories etc.

No question that the 7D or D7000 are more capable cameras than the NEX-7.

But then this misses the point of why one buys a camera like the NEX-7. Small APS-C cameras (and to some extent m4/3 cameras) offer DSLR-like IQ in a very small package; this is something that used to be reserved for very expensive cameras like the Leica M8/8.2/9 rangefinders.

While my X100, for example, is far more expensive than an mid-entry level DSLR, the fact that I can get DSLR-like IQ from a camera that I can toss into my satchel everyday is, frankly, amazing.

It's akin to the question of laptop vs. desktop. There's no question that dektops offer more power and expandibility than laptops per dollar spent. But then, I can't easily bring an iMac or Mac Pro with me when I go to Europe, can I?

 

[maflynn]

But then this misses the point of why one buys a camera like the NEX-7.

And that's the rub, get(or use) a DSLR and have high IQ images. Use a smaller camera and sacrifice some level of IQ; noise, or dynamic range.

My needs are that I wanted to a smaller camera and my Nikon 1 shoots better then a P&S but less then a DSLR. I'm a little disappointed in the noise at high-ish ISO.

The NEX-7 having a larger sensor has better dynamic range, DOF and noise but the larger sensor requires larger lenses which start to defeat the purpose of small cameras.

 

[Edge100]

The NEX-7 having a larger sensor has better dynamic range, DOF and noise but the larger sensor requires larger lenses which start to defeat the purpose of small cameras.

Use M-mount glass with an adapter; rangefinder lenses are tiny. There are some excellent M-mount lenses from Cosina-Voigtlander that wont cost you a fortune (CV 15 f/4.5, CV 35 f/1.2 or f/1.4, CV 40 f/1.4).