Diagnostics of a top-end mirrorless camera: checking SONY NEX-7

At one time, SONY NEX-7 was a real breakthrough - a premium flagship with an incredible 24.3 megapixel resolution for crop cameras and a unique Tri-Navi control system. This camera was often purchased by professionals as a lightweight alternative to heavy DSLRs for travel and commercial shooting. The status of a “camera for the pros” leaves its mark on the secondary market.

Commercial operation means crazy mileage. The NEX-7 could be used to shoot lookbooks, items or events. The highest resolution of the matrix is ​​very sensitive to microvibrations, so the condition of the shutter mechanism is critical for this model. Play in worn shutter guides will lead to irreparable “soap” in photographs.

How durable is the 24-megapixel flagship mechanism?

The status of a flagship requires you to have reliable hardware. The NEX-7 shutter was designed with an increased safety margin compared to younger models in the series. It provides shutter speeds up to 1/4000 second and flash sync at 1/160. It works with a noble, clear metallic click.

The estimated service life of this precision mechanism is about 150,000 operations. This is a very respectable indicator, but buying a camera with a mileage of over 100 thousand requires careful testing. Replacing the bolt assembly on a premium model will not be cheap, so saving money when buying a “worn-out” carcass can result in serious expenses.

Algorithm for obtaining the exact number of frames

Japanese engineers incorporated a transparent control system into the NEX-7. There is an independent program counter inside the camera that records each physical shutter release. The camera processor carefully puts this data into the depths of each file that is saved to a flash drive, be it a heavy RAW (ARW) or a compressed JPEG.

The information is located in the EXIF ​​service tag. Ordinary users do not see it, which often plays into the hands of unscrupulous resellers. But this counter cannot be twisted, which means that with the right tool, you can always find out the absolute truth about the age of the camera.