Sony has introduced the FX5, a new full-frame camera in its Cinema Line series. The camera is equipped with a newly developed fully stacked CMOS image sensor and further enhances sensitivity performance through more than 15 stops of dynamic range, a Dual Gain Shooting mode and three base ISO settings.
For the first time in the Cinema Line FX series, it supports Open Gate shooting as well as in-camera recording in X-OCN, Sony’s proprietary RAW format. The camera is capable of shooting in 5K at up to 60 frames per second, 4K at up to 120 frames per second and Full HD at up to 240 frames per second.
These features bring together the Cinema Line look and operability designed to meet the needs of production environments within a compact, highly portable body.
The release also includes two new optional accessories: a detachable OLED viewfinder and an XLR handle that enables in-camera recording at up to 96kHz, 32-bit float.
The camera system incorporates expertise that Sony has developed through the creation of Cinema Line cameras, which have earned high praise from cinematographers and video creators around the world.
Claudio Miranda, ASC, cinematographer of films including Top Gun: Maverick and F1 the Movie, conducted a test shoot with the FX5.
“I felt that the FX5 is a camera that combines high-quality image expression and mobility in a compact body, enabling people to use it across a wide range of shooting environments.”
Director Gareth Edwards, whose credits include The Creator, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Jurassic World: Rebirth, also had an opportunity to shoot with the new camera on a project spanning Cambodia, Thailand and Nepal.
“Guerrilla filmmaking just went to the next level. The FX5 is the run-and-gun cinema camera to beat.”
FX5 Key Features
A Newly Developed Full-Frame Fully Stacked CMOS Image Sensor and the Latest High-Speed Image Processing Engine
The camera is equipped with a full-frame fully stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor and the latest high-speed BIONZ XR2 image processing engine, which includes a dedicated AI processing unit.
When shooting in S-Log3, the camera achieves more than 15 stops of dynamic range. The broad latitude and low-noise performance enable seamless roll-off from highlights to shadows and natural texture reproduction, even in high-contrast scenes.
Three base ISO settings of ISO 800, ISO 4000 and ISO 12800 enable low-noise image expression under a wide range of conditions.
The Dual Gain Shooting function, supported for the first time in the FX series, maximises the performance of the image sensor to enable smooth gradation reproduction with even wider latitude while effectively reducing noise without compromising shadow detail.
For the first time in the FX series, the camera supports 3:2 full-pixel readout across the entire image sensor area, or Open Gate shooting, as well as a wide range of image scan modes, including 17:9, 16:9 and Super 35mm.
This allows flexible angle-of-view selection according to creative intent and delivery format.
Support for in-camera recording in X-OCN, Sony’s proprietary 16-bit scene-linear RAW format, also enables high-quality recording without the need for an external recorder.
In addition to X-OCN LT, the camera supports the newly added X-OCN C1 and X-OCN C2 codecs. By reducing data size, these codecs enable high-speed transfer of high-quality images and reduce data volume, helping to streamline post-production workflows.
High-Precision AF Powered by AI and Detailed Settings That Support Intentional Shooting
Subject recognition using AI-based human-pose estimation technology allows the camera to detect accurately not only the position of a person’s eyes, but also the position of the body and head, delivering high autofocus performance even in dark scenes.
The camera also supports Real-time Tracking, which automatically tracks subjects and enables stable focus operation.
When shooting with Auto Tracing White Balance, the camera uses information from visible-light and infrared sensors, as well as deep-learning-based light-source estimation, to identify scenes with high accuracy.
It achieves more stable and natural white balance in shaded areas, indoor scenes and other situations.
The camera supports Noise Suppression settings that can be switched on or off, enabling flexible image creation according to shooting intent and post-production workflows.
The camera also features a de-squeeze function that supports anamorphic lenses, enabling shooting with 1.3x, 1.5x, 1.6x, 1.8x and 2.0x anamorphic lenses.
Excellent Operability and High Mobility in a Compact Body
The camera uses a compact, lightweight body with a flat-top design and supports a variety of shooting styles, including handheld shooting, gimbal operation and shooting in confined spaces.
It also features five-axis optical in-body image stabilisation. With the latest image-stabilisation unit, the roll-correction range has been expanded to approximately twice that of the previous system, effectively suppressing rotational blur.
In addition to optical image stabilisation and Active Mode, the camera features Dynamic Active Mode, enabling stable image expression during handheld shooting.
When combined with the newly developed XLR handle unit, the camera supports high-quality audio recording at up to 96kHz, 32-bit float and four audio channels.
It is also compatible with the optional 0.58-type tilting OLED viewfinder, which enables accurate monitoring even in bright environments.
The camera features a 3.5-type, approximately 2.76-million-dot, 16:9 touch-panel, four-axis multi-angle LCD monitor that is larger than the monitor on the FX3.
The fully articulating monitor tilts approximately 98 degrees upwards and approximately 40 degrees downwards, and opens approximately 180 degrees sideways. It uses a high-brightness panel with brightness adjustable across 15 steps.
Various shooting information can be displayed around the top, bottom, left and right sides of the screen so that it does not overlap with the shooting image.
The BIG6 home screen, which inherits operability developed through CineAlta cameras, consolidates key settings such as frame rate, exposure and LUTs, providing an operating environment that allows creators to focus on shooting.
The camera is equipped with a new menu system, enabling similar operability when it is used alongside CineAlta cameras or the FX6.
High Reliability and Expandability to Support Professional Production Environments
A high-efficiency cooling fan with enhanced cooling performance and an optimised heat-dissipation design enables stable operation during long-duration video recording.
The cooling fan is placed in an independent air chamber. Together with a dust- and moisture-resistant design, this enhances reliability in outdoor and demanding shooting environments.
The lightweight, highly rigid body includes screw holes in various locations for attaching accessories directly, allowing flexible shooting systems to be configured without the use of a cage.
Through integration with the Monitor & Control application, the camera supports video monitoring and remote operation from smartphones, tablets and Mac computers.
Output from the HDMI terminal on the camera body can display different information on the camera monitor and an external monitor, or the same information on both.
The camera is compatible with the high-capacity rechargeable NP-SA100 battery pack, rated at 2670mAh.
With approximately 1.3 times the power capacity of the Z-series NP-FZ100 battery, it supports long-duration shooting. Battery life has also been improved through power management coordinated with the camera, and the camera supports display of the battery pack’s deterioration status.
The camera is equipped with two USB Type-C ports. In addition to supporting timecode input through an optional timecode adaptor cable, it supports external power through USB Power Delivery, enabling stable long-duration video shooting.
The camera also features a wired LAN terminal, enabling remote camera operation and a stable network connection. It provides the expandability required in professional production network environments.
Planned Version 2.0 Update
A version 2.0 update is planned for August 2027 or later.
The update is expected to add support for high-frame-rate shooting at up to 240 frames per second in X-OCN, XAVC S-I recording in a 3:2 aspect ratio for Open Gate shooting, an optimised user interface for vertical shooting and a frame-grab function.
Accessibility and Environmental Considerations
The camera is equipped with accessibility features that support visual recognition and camera operation, including a screen-reader function that reads menus aloud and an enlarged menu-display function.
The mount index, multi-function dial and buttons are also designed for ease of use through their shape and tactile feel, without relying solely on visual confirmation.
At least 30 per cent of the parts used in the camera are made from recycled plastic.
The production sites in Thailand and China that manufacture the camera operate using 100 per cent renewable energy.
Sony also uses plant-derived nonwoven fabric for bags that wrap products and other items, reducing the amount of plastic used in packaging and helping to lower environmental impact.
Optional Accessories
0.58-Type OLED Detachable Viewfinder DVF-EL1
This detachable viewfinder is equipped with a 0.58-type, approximately 7.07-million-dot, high-resolution OLED panel.
It supports HDR display with a colour gamut equivalent to DCI-P3 and 10-bit gradation.
The wide colour gamut enables accurate confirmation of subject colours, while HDR display allows precise confirmation of details when shooting and playing back landscapes or subjects with high contrast.
The viewfinder provides approximately 0.9x magnification and supports switching between display modes that prioritise resolution or eye point.
It also features a tilt mechanism that moves from zero degrees to approximately 90 degrees upwards, enabling flexible and comfortable monitoring during low-angle, high-angle and handheld shooting.
XLR Handle Unit XLR-H2
This XLR handle unit is equipped with two XLR/TRS combination terminals and supports up to four-channel audio input.
It features dual analogue-to-digital converters that digitally convert audio signals from microphones with high precision and wide dynamic range, enabling in-camera recording at up to 96kHz, 32-bit float.
By connecting directly to the camera body through the Multi Interface Shoe, the unit digitises audio signals and enables stable transmission.
Mounting the handle also enhances stability and operability during handheld shooting, supporting production styles that require both mobility and audio quality, such as documentary and news-gathering work.
Timecode Adaptor Cable VMC-BNCU1
Using the optional USB-C to BNC timecode adaptor cable, the camera supports timecode input from external timecode devices.
This enables accurate synchronisation with multiple cameras and external audio devices, supporting professional production workflows based on timecode operation, including multicamera shooting, broadcasting and filmmaking.
Applications Supporting Production with FX5
Monitor & Control Version 3.0
Monitor & Control version 3.0 is scheduled to be available from July 2026 or later.
Monitor & Control is an application that enables wired and wireless video monitoring and camera control.
Version 3.0 expands multicamera control and monitoring functions for vertical video shooting and also supports EL Zone for accurate exposure confirmation.
It supports more reliable and efficient video production in response to diversifying shooting needs, including production for social media and other distribution channels.
Catalyst Prepare Version 3.0
Catalyst Prepare version 3.0 is scheduled to be available from August 2026 or later.
Catalyst Prepare and Catalyst Browse, applications that enable high-precision video image stabilisation and colour editing, will be integrated into Catalyst Prepare version 3.0, offering an enhanced user experience.
In addition to playback and image stabilisation of footage shot in the newly supported X-OCN C1 and X-OCN C2 formats on the FX5, the software enables users to select and adjust footage while viewing metadata recorded during shooting.
Availability
The Cinema Line FX5 will be available in Australia from early August 2026.
- Cinema Line FX5, body only: AU$7,849.
- Cinema Line FX5 with XLR handle: AU$8,849.
Accessories will be available in Australia as follows:
- XLR Handle Unit XLR-H2: AU$1,099, available from early September.
- Detachable Viewfinder DVF-EL1: AU$999, available from early August.
- Timecode Adaptor Cable VMC-BNCU1: AU$129, available from mid-August.
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