Sony NEX-7

Sony launched the NEX-7 in 2011 as a mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor. It uses the Sony E mount, so lens choices come from that system.

The body is small and light at 120 x 67 x 43 mm and 400 g, yet it includes a 2.36-million-dot electronic viewfinder. That combination makes it easy to carry while still previewing exposure before each shot.

It suits photographers who want resolution and portability together. Its 2011 release means a feature set from that era, so some modern conveniences are absent.

Optics is the strongest area here, scoring 64 and sitting around the middle of cameras in our database for Optics. The 24.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, read by the Bionz processor, produces large files with plenty of room to crop or print big.

The maximum burst rate of 10 fps suits short action moments, though a maximum figure is not a promise for long sequences. The ISO range spans 100 to 16000, giving sensitivity settings for dim light as well as daylight.

Autofocus offers 25 points for aiming. The maximum shutter speed of 1/4000s can restrict wide aperture shooting in bright light, since sensitivity bottoms out at ISO 100 and cannot go lower to compensate.

There is no in-body stabilisation. Without it, camera shake is on you: use faster shutter speeds, brace against something solid or work from a tripod as the light drops.

Video is a modest proposition on this camera, matching a score of 56. Full HD is the maximum recording resolution, with footage captured in the MP4 file format. That combination covers everyday clips and web use.

The resolution ceiling rules out 4K capture, which matters if you crop footage heavily or deliver to platforms that expect higher detail. Frame rates reach 60 fps, though the supplied figures do not confirm that the top resolution and top speed combine in a single mode.

There is no built-in timelapse function, so sequence work means shooting individual frames and assembling them in software afterwards. The tilting LCD screen helps frame video at high or low angles.

The features score of 41 reflects a modest toolkit. The 3-inch LCD flips out and offers a reasonably sharp 921,000-dot view, which helps when shooting at waist level or framing yourself. It is not a touchscreen, so there is no touch input for focusing or menus.

Lighting is covered two ways. A built-in flash handles quick fill light, and support for external flash units gives you a path to more power when you need it.

Wi-Fi is built in for wireless connection. Bluetooth and GPS are absent, so the camera itself cannot tag files with location data.

There is no weather sealing, so keep the camera dry and shelter it from dust on rough days out.

Storage and battery earn a limited score of 24, and the reasons are plain to see. There is one memory card slot, so no second card exists for in-camera copying. The slot accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards plus Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo, covering the common formats.

The NP-FW50 battery is rated at 430 shots. That figure comes without stated measurement conditions, so treat it as an estimate rather than a promise. Heavy screen or viewfinder use will drain it faster, so a charged spare is sensible for long days.

The battery cannot be charged over USB. You will need a separate charger and access to mains power, which calls for a little planning on trips away from home.