SINGAPORE — Smartphones are the image-capturing device of choice for many at gatherings, parties, concerts and sports events due to their portability, while DSLR cameras capture images of the highest quality.

The Sony Nex-5T, however, combines the best of both worlds to give users the option of capturing DSLR-quality images on a camera that is almost as portable as a smartphone.

The camera was my companion during the recent Singapore Grand Prix and I was impressed with how easy it was to take top-quality pictures on such a small device.

The Nex-5T features the same 16.1 million pixel APS-C sensor and fast hybrid Auto Focus system as its predecessor, the Nex-5R. However Wi-Fi connectivity and NFC (near field communications) have been added, allowing users to easily transfer pictures from the camera to their personal smartphones.

I tried out the new connectivity features on the Sony Xperia Z smartphone and found it extremely easy to connect the devices via both NFC and Wi-Fi. Transferring pictures from the camera to the smartphone was also a breeze, allowing me to share great photos from the Marina Bay circuit on my social media accounts.

The camera’s respectable rate of 10 frames per second also allowed me to capture great shots of speeding Formula 1 cars, something that my peers could not do on their smartphones or compact cameras.

The Nex-5T comes with a Smart Remote Control feature that allows you to use your smartphone or tablet as a remote control for the Nex-5T. This was supposed to make the art of taking selfies easier but I found the function sluggish. You would get better results by simply asking someone to help you take the picture.

I also was not a fan of the camera’s touch-screen, which was too small and unresponsive at times. Thankfully, the Nex-5T has physical buttons and dials which work perfectly and are much easier to master than those on a DSLR camera.

The Nex-5T does not offer anything new or revolutionary to the market but, like the rest of Sony’s Nex series, it is an impressive device. Those looking to step up from their smartphones or compact cameras would be wise to include this camera in their shortlist.

The Sony Nex-5T, which comes in white, black and silver, is now available at all authorised retailers. The single lens kit, which comes with 16-50mm lens, will cost S$999 while the dual lens kit, which comes with the 16-50mm and 55-210mm lenses, will cost S$1,299. Hiranand Sunny