When Sony first introduced its range of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras , the company was very clear about who it thought would buy the NEX-5 and its near-identical-twin NEX-7. Small cameras with APS-C sensors, we were told, would appeal to compact camera users who wanted to upgrade but would be intimidated by the bulk and perceived complexity of an SLR.
The cameras were a sales success (especially in Japan), and their influence on this sector of the market has become increasingly clear, with Olympus's PEN E-PL3 paying extensive homage to their key design features, and Panasonic stripping-down its GF line from the enthusiast-friendly...
