Sony NEX-5TL Mirrorless Review

The Sony NEX-5TL is a classic. It's a tiny mirrorless camera that packs a big 16MP APS-C sensor, the same kind you'd find in a DSLR. That means your photos have great detail and nice, clean backgrounds when you blur them out. It's a camera that proves you don't need a big, heavy body to get serious image quality.

This thing is fast. The 10fps burst shooting is its party trick, landing in the 80th percentile. That's great for action or kids. The sensor quality is solid too, in the 74th percentile. But the autofocus is just okay, sitting in the 44th percentile, and the video features are a weak spot at 31st. It's a stills camera first.

At around $519, it's a good deal if you want a small, capable stills camera. You're getting that great APS-C sensor and fast shooting speed for a lot less than most modern mirrorless bodies. Just know you're buying a camera from a previous generation, so you miss out on newer video tech and the latest autofocus.

Compared to a modern Sony a6400, the NEX-5TL loses on autofocus and video, but it's cheaper and still delivers great photos. Against the Fujifilm X-S20, you give up stabilization, a flip screen, and much better video for a lower price. The Pentax K-3 Mark III is a DSLR, so it's bigger and heavier, but it's built like a tank and has a great viewfinder. The NEX-5TL's main draw is its unique combo of small size and big sensor.

Buy this if you're a photographer who wants a super portable second body, or if you're stepping up from a phone and want real camera quality without the bulk. Don't buy it if you plan to shoot a lot of video or need the absolute best autofocus. It's a specialist, not a jack-of-all-trades.