In my view you cannot claim to have seen something until you have photographed it.
– Emile Zola
It’s probably redundant to say that I love to take photos. If you’ve ever met me in person, than you know that I likely have at least one, if not two cameras in hand. Andrew Harvey once said that “your best camera is the one you have with you.” Some of my best photos live on my iPhone, because in those moments, I did not have my SLR with me.
About a week ago, I went on a shooting adventure with Sony and Klout. As I read the details for the day, I almost couldn’t believe it. Food, photography, and paragliding? Sign me up!
Several years ago, the IT item on my Christmas, Birthday, Mother’s Day, Fill-In-The-Blank list was an SLR camera. I wanted to take photos and I wanted them to look good! So, after months of research, I purchased my very first camera. And then the learning curve began, and boy was it steep. I don’t honestly think I realized how much learning I would have to undertake in order to get the kind of photos I wanted out of it.
Every day, millions of people are capturing and sharing billions of images – Sony
The evolution of social media and smart phones have created “a behavior of visual communication.” I often tell people that I am “instagramming my way through life.” If you follow me on Twitter, Facebook or any of the other 500+ social media channels, you know that most of my sharing is done visually. According to Sony, this “image-centric lifestyle” is creating a demand for advanced cameras and camcorders. I personally know that despite my iPhone’s 8 megapixel camera, there are serious limitations when it comes to shooting distance or in low light atmospheres. So what if you want to take really great photos on the fly, but don’t want to think about things like F-Stop or Shutter Speed? This is where Sony’s Compact Interchangeable Lens Cameras such as the NEX-3N come in, which pack all of the quality and performance of an SLR at about half the weight and size.
How can this be?
The image sensor is the key to spectacular photos. “The bigger the sensor, the better the picture.” Since the sensor in the Sony NEX-3N is the same size as most SLR cameras on the market, photographers can capture great images, even in low light!
So, the NEX-3N looks good on paper…but how does it perform? Sony brilliantly planned a day filled with shooting adventures. I sincerely appreciate the fact that Sony was on-hand throughout the day to teach us how to shoot with these cameras. I have been taking pictures with my SLR for so many years, that it took a bit of relearning. By the end of the day, I felt like a pro (well, at least on my way to becoming one) and captured some spectacular photos, all of which are completely unedited.
Our shooting adventure began at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. My last visit was two years ago during the launch event for the 2011 Honda Odyssey. This was a perfect place to begin since the grounds are picturesque, filled with vivid trees and flowers.
After a brief walking tour, we headed to the Birch Aquarium which boasts a beautiful sweeping view of the coast at the cove. Here is where I tried some of the camera’s more advanced features such as the anti-motion blur for the marine life and the panorama function.
Created with Picture Effects
Created With Picture Effects
I could have taken hundreds of photos at the aquarium…there was an abundance of beauty and color! But alas, it was time for the ultimate shooting adventure of the day and it would require one more piece of photographic equipment…Sony’s Action Cam! After signing about 15 waivers (I wish I were exaggerating), I wasn’t entirely sure I would have the courage to go paragliding at Torrey Pines Glider Port. But an experience like this only comes around once in a lifetime so I gave myself several pep talks, geared up, and went for it!
So I’d be lying if I didn’t say how seriously freaked out I was. But this was the most exhilarating thing I’ve ever done and I don’t regret a single moment of it. It’s the closest thing to flying and the views are breathtaking. And, since I wanted documented proof that I had done this, I attached the Action Cam to my helmet so I could capture all the action in real time. With built-in WiFi and crisp HD resolution, the videos I captured were crisp, although a bit shaky, considering I was flying! The one thing I do wish is that I could see what I was shooting or at least play it back.
As you can see, I was almost kissed the ground when we returned! What a rush!
Our day concluded at back at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa with a delightful gourmet dinner fit, perfect for my inner foodie! I practiced some food photography and tried to get some shots in low light using the NEX-3N’s anti-motion blur function.
You can learn more about Sony’s cameras on their website via the links above.
A huge thank you to Sony and Klout for a memorable, action-filled day doing what I love…taking photos!
No compensation was received for this post. I was invited to an influencer event with Sony and Klout and provided the cameras and admission to the experiences listed above.
Images: Rockin’ Mama.
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Thank you for this personal review. I am in need of a new camera and this is definitely a possibility. I’d love to hear more about your experiences.
Hi Susan! I will email you b/c I’d love to answer any questions you may have about the camera : )
sounds like fun! I’m a HUGE Sony fan… and I’ve owned the NEX-5n before my new one. Thanks for sharing the pictures!
Aw Pattie I know you take amazing photos and videos!!! I can’t wait to see what you shoot with your new one : )