The Sony FX5 is here and could be Sony’s most important cinema camera in a very long time. The new camera features an all-new image sensor, the latest Sony processor and a host of new features that directly address user needs.
The new Sony FX5 combines the compact and lightweight form factor of the Sony FX3 with some of the features and performance of the FX6, and introduces entirely new concepts to the Sony FX series.
Sony FX5 Introduces All-New 16.6MP Multi-Layer Sensor
At the heart of the FX5’s promising capabilities is an all-new 16.6-megapixel Exmor RS full-frame image sensor. The interesting thing is that if you multiply the FX5’s pixel count by four, the total is the same number of megapixels as the a7R VI’s new 66.8-megapixel image sensor. PetaPixelJournalist Jordan Drake discusses this “coincidence” in more detail in his Hands-on First Impressions.
This new sensor, up from the 12 megapixels in the FX3 and FX6, allows for higher resolution 5K video recording. Additionally, thanks in part to Sony’s latest Bionz XR2 image processor, which debuted in the Sony a7 V late last year, the FX5 has a host of new video features, many of which users have been clamoring for for years. Sony claims the new 16.6-megapixel sensor offers the best balance of resolution and speed among the FX series to date.
Bionz XR2 processor provides sought-after features such as Open Gate and internal RAW
The new processor adds a dedicated AI processing unit that promises to improve autofocus performance and subject tracking, as is the case with the Bionz XR2-based a7 V and the newer a7R VI, but it also allows for significantly improved video performance. Brand new to the Sony FX series, the FX5 features open-gate recording (3:2), internal RAW X-OCN recording, three base ISOs, and bi-amplification recording that delivers up to 16 stops of dynamic range.
As for internal RAW, it depends on the X-OCN file type. This means E(x)directional tonal range (O)original (C)dimensional (N)negative. While that’s a big word, it promises 16-bit linear RAW recording with 280 trillion colors. This RAW codec, developed by Sony, provides 1000 times more color data than a 12-bit RAW file. It’s a fairly lightweight RAW file, although FX5 requires VPG400-verified cards to ensure guaranteed performance.
Open Gate and internal RAW recording are certainly standout additions, but it’s also worth noting that the FX5 also adds 4.5Kp120 and 5Kp60 recording to the FX family for the first time. FX5 also introduces a new user interface to the FX series, including false color, waveform and vectorscope monitoring. These aids complement existing zebra, spike, and histogram monitoring tools.
With the addition of Open Gate recording, anamorphic lenses are much more usable on the FX5 than on other Sony FX series cameras. So the FX5 has anamorphic compression.
The three basic camera ISO settings are also worth discussing in more detail. The FX5’s three base ISO settings are 800, 4000 and 12800. As Sony explains, these promise cleaner shadows, wider exposure and improved clarity compared to previous cameras with two base ISOs.
The camera’s dual-amplification feature promises better overall dynamic range, although it comes at the cost of slower readout speeds. As always, image quality must be balanced with performance, although as recent Sony Alpha cameras like the a7 V and a7R VI have shown, the company is very adept at extracting the maximum possible dynamic range from its image sensors.
FX3 form factor with new capabilities
There are plenty of other improvements on offer, including improved Dynamic Active Mode stabilization, improved In-Built Image Stabilization (IBIS), the aforementioned AI-based subject recognition, improved low-light autofocus, Clear Image zoom, and more indicators.
The Sony FX5 takes the FX3’s compact form factor, but makes some notable changes to the formula to make it more convenient for a wider range of video users and filmmakers. Among the biggest changes is the introduction of an all-new detachable electronic viewfinder (EVF).
The detachable OLED electronic viewfinder has 3.68 million dots, 2500 nits brightness, high frame rate support and wide color gamut. It connects to the FX5 via a dedicated port on the top of the camera, which unfortunately blocks direct access to the multi-interface jack. The FX5 supports 32-bit audio recording via XLR via the hot shoe, but using the EVF disables this capability. By the way, Sony’s new XLR grip for the FX5 doesn’t come with the camera, unlike what Canon does with its C50 cinema camera.
The Sony FX5 has a pair of dual UHS-II SD and CFexpress Type A card slots. It also has separate microphone and headphone ports, two USB Type-C ports, a full-size HDMI Type A port, an Ethernet port, multiple 1/4-20 screw holes, and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Wi-Fi is tri-band, meaning it supports 6GHz in addition to the 2.4GHz and 5GHz wavelengths that the FX3 and FX6 support. Sony notes that the FX5 works wirelessly with its Monitor and Control smartphone app, allowing users to connect a compatible Xperia smartphone to the top of the camera and use it as an external monitor.
The FX5 also uses Sony’s latest NPSA100 battery, which the company introduced a couple of months ago in the new Sony a7R VI. The battery provides 130 minutes of recording time, compared to 113 minutes on the FX3A.
In terms of controls, the FX5 inherits the multi-function dial from Sony’s expensive flagship cinema camera Venice 2. It can be used to quickly set up controls by rotating and navigating through menus thanks to the click function. It’s like a beefed up version of the control dial seen on Sony Alpha cameras and other FX models. The FX5 features six assignable function buttons and a host of new buttons for workflow convenience.
The FX5 features a new 3.5-inch rear display with a 16:9 aspect ratio. It features Sony’s proven four-axis gimbal design. The screen has approximately 2.76 million dots, and Sony says it offers a significantly larger viewable area than the FX3’s 3-inch panel. The usefulness of this new screen is further enhanced by Sony’s move to a Venice-style user interface rather than the Alpha-style interface on the FX3.
Despite all these changes, the camera is about the same size as the FX3, and the FX5 weighs only about five percent more. The camera measures 5.2 x 3.1 x 3.4 inches (132 x 79 x 87 millimeters) and weighs 1.62 pounds (734 grams).
Like the FX3 and unlike the FX6, the new Sony FX5 does not have a built-in electronic neutral density (ND) filter.
Even more features coming to FX5 with post-launch support
Sony is already thinking about how many new features the FX5 will have at launch. Sony says that with firmware version 2.0 (or later), the FX5 will gain various new features, including 4Kp240 recording in X-OCN, Open Gate 3:2 in XAVC-I, a user interface optimized for vertical shooting, and the ability to capture still frames from video clips. Sony expects firmware 2.0 to be released in August 2027.
Prices and Availability
The Sony FX5 will go on sale in mid-August for $4,898. A kit with an XLR handle will also be available for $5,498. The pen costs $798 separately. Pre-orders start now.
The optional Sony DVF-EL1 electronic viewfinder costs $698. A new time code adapter cable costs $98.
Image creditsProduct photos by Erin Thomson for PetaPixel