Technology giant Sony has officially announced the expansion of its prestigious Cinema Line with the introduction of the new FX5 full-frame camera. Scheduled to hit the market in August, this professional video production tool brings advanced features, including a brand-new CMOS sensor and internal RAW recording capabilities, catering directly to independent filmmakers and professional videographers.
At the core of the FX5 is a stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor paired with the artificial intelligence-driven BIONZ XR2 image processor. According to company announcements, the camera delivers an impressive dynamic range exceeding fifteen stops when shooting in S-Log3 mode. It features three base ISO settings at eight hundred, four thousand, and twelve thousand eight hundred, ensuring exceptional performance in low-light environments. This advanced gain structure combined with the new dual gain shooting function significantly reduces digital noise in challenging lighting conditions.
For the first time in this lineup, the FX5 introduces Open Gate shooting functionality, allowing cinematographers to utilize the full sensor area. Furthermore, professionals can record sixteen-bit RAW video internally in X-OCN format without requiring an external recorder. The camera also supports LT versions alongside new C1 and C2 codecs. In terms of resolution, the device captures up to sixty frames per second in five-K, one hundred and twenty frames in four-K, and two hundred and forty frames per second in Full HD.
The physical body of the camera is lightweight and ergonomic, designed for seamless handheld operation or use with gimbals. To combat unwanted camera shake, Sony integrated five-axis optical image stabilization alongside a newly developed dynamic active mode. Additionally, users can acquire an optional XLR audio handle and an OLED electronic viewfinder that can be detached and tilted up to ninety degrees, offering immense flexibility during field production.
Advanced artificial intelligence powers the camera`s autofocus system, capable of precisely tracking human eyes, heads, and bodies even in pitch-dark conditions. The rear panel houses a three point five-inch touchscreen LCD monitor, providing intuitive menu navigation and touch focus control. Anamorphic lens shooters will appreciate the built-in de-squeeze feature, supporting squeeze ratios from one point three up to two point zero. To maintain optimal operating temperatures during extended shoots, a quiet internal cooling fan has been integrated into the weather-sealed magnesium alloy chassis.
Powering the system is Sony`s new high-capacity NP-SAone-hundred battery pack, while dual CFexpress Type-A card slots handle high-speed data storage. The body-only retail price is set at five thousand four hundred euros, with the optional XLR audio handle package priced at six thousand euros. As production workflows evolve, the FX5 establishes a powerful new benchmark for compact professional cinema cameras.
