Sony has introduced the FX5 as the latest addition to its compact cinema camera lineup, arriving five years after the FX3 and positioning itself as a more capable, higher-priced option while the earlier model remains available. The new camera targets filmmakers who need flexible framing options and stronger internal recording without relying heavily on external recorders.
At the center of the FX5 is a 16.6-megapixel full-frame fully stacked Exmor RS sensor paired with the BIONZ XR2 processor that includes dedicated AI processing. Current recording limits reach 5K at 60 frames per second and 4K at 120 frames per second, with a promised firmware update later unlocking 5K at 120 frames and 4K at 240 frames. The standout capability is open-gate recording, which captures the full 3:2 sensor area rather than cropping to traditional video ratios. This approach preserves maximum resolution for both horizontal and vertical crops, a practical response to the growing demand for content that must work across cinema screens and social platforms.
Internal 16-bit linear RAW recording in Sony’s X-OCN format further distinguishes the camera. Users can capture the complete 3:2 open-gate output at 5K 60 frames per second without an external recorder, with higher frame rates expected later. Multiple compression variants (LT, C1, C2) offer different efficiency trade-offs. Dual Gain Shooting, appearing for the first time in an FX-series body, combines high- and low-gain signals to improve dynamic range and reduce noise. Three base ISO values—800, 4000, and 12800—support varied lighting conditions, and Sony claims more than 15 stops of dynamic range.
Additional refinements include AI-driven human pose estimation for autofocus, white-balance tracking that draws on both visible and infrared data, the option to disable in-camera noise reduction, and a de-squeeze function for anamorphic lenses that turns off autofocus. The rear screen grows to a 3.5-inch fully articulating 2.76-million-dot panel, a clear improvement over the FX3. A built-in cooling fan, larger NP-SA100 battery, dual USB ports, wired LAN, and a menu system borrowed from higher-end CineAlta cameras round out the body. No viewfinder is included; Sony offers an optional detachable DVF-EL1 electronic viewfinder and an XLR-H2 handle.
Priced at $4,900 for the body or $5,500 with the handle, the FX5 sits well above the FX3 and enters a competitive mid-range cinema market that already includes capable options from Blackmagic and others. The combination of open-gate flexibility and internal high-bit-depth RAW addresses real workflow needs, yet the higher price and continued availability of the older model raise questions about how clearly the upgrade path is defined for existing FX3 owners. Sales begin in mid-August.
