Sony has introduced the Sony FX5, a new full-frame camera within its Cinema Line series that pairs a freshly developed sensor with professional-grade recording tools in a compact, mobile body. The Sony FX5 is the first camera in the FX line to support Open Gate shooting and internal RAW recording, bridging cinema-grade image quality with the flexibility filmmakers need on location.
A New Full-Frame Sensor for Low-Light Work
At the heart of the Sony FX5 sits a full-frame, fully stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor paired with the latest BIONZ XR2 processor and a dedicated AI-processing unit. In S-Log3 the camera delivers a dynamic range of more than 15 stops, preserving detail in both highlights and shadows. Three Base ISO settings (800, 4,000 and 12,800) keep performance consistent across lighting conditions, while a new Dual Gain Shooting mode maximises sensor output for cleaner, more detailed footage with less noise.
For the first time in the FX-series, the Sony FX5 supports Open Gate recording with full sensor readout in 3:2, alongside 17:9, 16:9 and Super 35mm aspect ratios. Internal X-OCN (16-bit RAW) recording removes the need for external recorders, and two new codecs, X-OCN C1 and C2, reduce file sizes for faster, smoother post-production workflows.
AI-Driven Autofocus and a Flexible Touchscreen
AI-based human pose estimation lets the Sony FX5 track not just eyes but body and head position for reliable autofocus, even in dim conditions, with Real-time Tracking keeping subjects locked in. Auto Tracing White Balance combines visible-light and infrared sensor data with deep-learning-based light-source estimation for more natural colour in mixed and shaded scenes. A 3.5-type, roughly 2.76-million-pixel touchscreen with a 4-axis multi-angle hinge tilts up to 98 degrees up, 40 degrees down and rotates around 180 degrees sideways, borrowing the BIG6 home screen layout from Sony’s CineAlta cameras for faster access to frame rate, exposure and LUT settings.
New XLR Handgrip and Detachable OLED Viewfinder
Two optional accessories launch alongside the camera. The XLR-H2 handgrip adds two XLR/TRS combo inputs with a dual AD converter for internal recording up to 96kHz, 32-bit float across four audio channels, aimed at documentary and ENG-style shooting. The detachable DVF-EL1 OLED viewfinder uses a 0.58-type, roughly 7.07-million-pixel panel with DCI-P3 colour coverage and 10-bit HDR display, tilting up to 90 degrees for low- or high-angle work.
Built-in 5-axis optical stabilisation doubles the roll-correction range compared with the previous system, and a Dynamic Active Mode adds further stability for handheld shooting. The Sony FX5 also introduces a redesigned cooling fan in its own air chamber, dust- and moisture-resistant construction, dual USB-C ports with USB Power Delivery, and a wired LAN connection for remote control in networked production environments.
Pricing and availability
The Sony FX5 (ILME-FX5, bundled with the XLR handgrip) and the FX5B body-only version are available for pre-order from 22 July 2026, shipping from August. The ILME-FX5 is priced at €6,000, the ILME-FX5B at €5,400. The optional DVF-EL1 viewfinder costs €750, the XLR-H2 handgrip €900, and the VMC-BNCU1 timecode adapter cable €100. Prices may vary by country and region.
The Sony FX5 follows on from the Sony FX2, extending the Cinema Line further up-market for filmmakers who need cinema-grade colour science without stepping up to a full CineAlta rig. Full specifications are available on the Sony Cinema Line website.
Key specifications
- Sensor: full-frame, fully stacked Exmor RS CMOS with BIONZ XR2 processor and AI unit
- Dynamic range: 15+ stops in S-Log3; Three Base ISO (800/4,000/12,800)
- Recording: Open Gate 3:2, internal X-OCN (LT/C1/C2) RAW, up to 5K/60p, 4K/120p, Full HD/240p
- Stabilisation: 5-axis optical IS with Active and Dynamic Active Mode
- Monitor: 3.5-type multi-angle touchscreen, ~2.76 million dots
- Audio (with XLR-H2): 2x XLR/TRS combo, up to 96kHz/32-bit float, 4 channels
- Viewfinder (optional DVF-EL1): 0.58-type OLED, ~7.07 million dots, DCI-P3/HDR
- Connectivity: 2x USB-C (PD-capable), wired LAN, MI Shoe
- Price: €6,000 (ILME-FX5) / €5,400 (ILME-FX5B), pre-order from 22 July 2026
