The 16 Megapixel sensor produces excellent images, handles noise well at the higher ISO's, and gives us phase-detection autofocus which has been faster and more reliable than any other NEX I've owned (5N, F3, and 7).

Last negative is that Adobe Raw cannot yet process the RAW format pictures, even though it apparently works for the NEX-5N previous model.

One last thing that I found inconvenient is that I was able to work with the raw pics from the 5N in my existing raw programs, but not the 5R - its raw files wouldn't open in the program I use with my Canon and Panasonic cameras and with the 5N, so one must choose to buy a new raw program or use the supplied Sony software.

With the supplied 18-55mmm kit lens attached the NEX-5R also looks and feels top heavy, and that's without fitting an existing Alpha DSLR lens proper, compatibility offered with pre-existing optics via the LA-EA2 accessory adapter which allows phase-detection AF with almost all of the A-mount lenses.

After enjoying the NEX 3 with the 18-55 kit lens for 2 years I finally found a good reason to upgrade myself to the NEX 5R accompanying the newer 16-50mm powerzoom lens (SEL1650pz) which i have a separate review on the lens in amazon.com (and a separate review on NEX 3 in 2011).

Image stabilisation via the lens is a very useful feature that works well when hand-holding the NEX-5R in low-light conditions or when using the telephoto end of the zoom range.

But the thing I really don't like about my 5R is that it's always focusing, so if you focus a shot, it will refocus it.

Along with the release of the NEX-5N, Sony has also introduced a new accessory port-mounted electronic viewfinder, and an Alpha mount lens adapter that uses Sony's SLT technology to offer fast phase-detection auto focus with compatible lenses.

The NEX-5n further benefits from Sony’s current generation of BIONZ image processor, enabling it to crunch its way through data at a fair old pace with up to 10fps available in Speed Priority Continuous mode (whereby the AF and metering functions are only active for the first frame of the sequence) or 3fps with the AF constantly active in regular Continuous mode.

The biggest technology advance on the NEX-5R is the addition of a modified sensor with pixels devoted to performing phase-detection to provide a hybrid autofocus system.

The new hybrid auto-focusing is slightly faster and more accurate than on the older 5N model, but note that it only currently works with a few Sony lenses.

The NEX-5R is the first Sony to feature a Hybrid AF system.

body feels way too plasticy, though the metallic kit lens feels solid; while the grip is improved over the 5/5N, it still feels a bit awkward to me, handle too smooth; a rubberized grip like Nikon will be much better.2) you can't attach a flash and a view finder at the same time, though not a big problem for me, may be for some folks, and the view finder is like 350 usd.

The NEX 5N is a terrific camera that needs to be just a little bigger with a view finder and a menu system that is a lot better and more easily readable regarding font size.

Moreover, unlike cameras with built-in EVF (such as the X100, GH2 or the Sony NER-7), the optional external EVF in a Sony NEX-5N gives the owner an option to shoot with the EVF oriented 90-degrees upward.