Sony NEX range vs the A---- range

[twhite87]

Can any one tell me the comparison between the Sony NEX range against the A---- range.

I have a Sony A5000 for which I am looking to buy an underwater housing. However when I Google this I have find housings for the NEX 6. Are these just different names for cameras (Like Canon with the Rebel T3i vs 600D etc). Or are the NEX cameras totally different to the A5000, etc?

 

[JYC]

Different models, the Axxx models used to be called NEX

 

[Faldrax]

Sony initially started making DSLR by taking over part of Minolta, which used the A-Mount.
Sony brought out a number of DSLR using that mount, and refered to them as 'Alpha' cameras - they moved to a DSLT design (IE they switched from a moving mirror to a fixed translucent mirror) but continued to use the A-Mount and Alpha name - camera models were named Axxx (A + 3 digit number).
Sony also started a new range of cameras with a new mount - the E-Mount, which had APS-C sized sensors but used on-sensor auto focus so no mirror or any type. These were marketed as 'Nex'.
Then some bright spark in Sony's marketing department decided it woudl be a good idea to call ALL their interchangeable lens cameras (both E and A mount) 'Alpha', so the next models in the Nex range became Axxxx (IE A + 4 digit number).
Then they added 'Full Fame' E-Mount models, just to add further confusion - these also use the same E-Mount.

Anyway, to get back to your original question, an Axxxx (A+4 digit number) camera is just a newer model in than a Nex camera - but something like an underwater housing needs to be matched up to a specific model (and possibly lens), so you need to make sure anything you get is designed to fit the A5000, as there a differences in size, shape and control layout between models.

 

[twhite87]

Sony initially started making DSLR by taking over part of Minolta, which used the A-Mount.
Sony brought out a number of DSLR using that mount, and refered to them as 'Alpha' cameras - they moved to a DSLT design (IE they switched from a moving mirror to a fixed translucent mirror) but continued to use the A-Mount and Alpha name - camera models were named Axxx (A + 3 digit number).
Sony also started a new range of cameras with a new mount - the E-Mount, which had APS-C sized sensors but used on-sensor auto focus so no mirror or any type. These were marketed as 'Nex'.
Then some bright spark in Sony's marketing department decided it woudl be a good idea to call ALL their interchangeable lens cameras (both E and A mount) 'Alpha', so the next models in the Nex range became Axxxx (IE A + 4 digit number).
Then they added 'Full Fame' E-Mount models, just to add further confusion - these also use the same E-Mount.

Anyway, to get back to your original question, an Axxxx (A+4 digit number) camera is just a newer model in than a Nex camera - but something like an underwater housing needs to be matched up to a specific model (and possibly lens), so you need to make sure anything you get is designed to fit the A5000, as there a differences in size, shape and control layout between models.

That is a perfect answer for me. Thanks a bunch!