Sony just unveiled the Sony FX5 cinema camera, a compact full-frame Cinema Line body that finally brings open gate capture and internal RAW to the FX series. It slots between the FX3 and FX6. Meanwhile, Sony targets creators who want Venice-style tools without a full production chassis.
Therefore the headline is the new stacked sensor stack. Sony pairs a 16.6-megapixel full-frame sensor with internal X-OCN 5K recording, three base ISO settings, and Dual Gain mode that Sony rates up to 16 stops. As a result, the FX5 aims at hybrid teams that need cinema codecs in a run-and-gun form factor.
Open gate, 5K, and X-OCN RAW
Open gate is the feature many FX owners waited on. The camera records a 3:2 area that uses the full sensor height. That path yields 5K at 4992 x 3328 and helps crops for horizontal or vertical deliverables. However, launch open gate currently rides X-OCN, not every XAVC mode.
Sony records internal 16-bit linear RAW with its X-OCN codec – Extended tonal range Original Camera Negative. The company claims far denser color data than typical 12-bit ProRes RAW or Canon C-RAW streams. Dual CFexpress Type A slots take those heavy files on Sony-validated cards. In addition, the camera lists 5K at up to 60 fps, 4.5K at up to 120 fps, and 4K at up to 240 fps among its high-frame-rate options, depending on mode.
Triple base ISO and Dual Gain
Sony outfits the FX5 with three base ISO values: 800, 4000, and 12800. That design targets cleaner shadows and sharper detail than dual-base bodies in similar lighting. For night work, base 12800 can keep gain lower before noise climbs. Dual Gain mode then stretches dynamic range further, though rolling shutter trade-offs still apply.
Stabilization also gets a bigger role than on many cinema boxes. Five-axis in-body correction pairs with Dynamic Active electronic help when a lens supports it. Interestingly, Sony still offers an irreversible locked-sensor service for crews that refuse IBIS.
Body, EVF, and ports
The body stays compact. Sony lists about 1.62 pounds for the chassis and sprinkles quarter-inch mounts for cages and handles. A large grip echoes Alpha stills cameras, while numbered buttons speed set work. The removable OLED EVF packs 3.68 million dots and 2,500-nit brightness. Meanwhile, the 3.5-inch rear panel uses a four-axis articulating hinge with a dense 2.76-million-dot panel.
Connectivity covers dual CFexpress Type A plus dual SDXC UHS-II slots, full-size HDMI, Ethernet, tri-band Wi-Fi, mic, and headphone jacks. The new NPSA100 battery – shared with recent Alpha flagships – delivers roughly 130 minutes of recording. An optional XLR handle adds pro audio inputs when the kit does not already include it.
Firmware roadmap and competitive context
Sony already maps more performance for later. Firmware 2.0, expected around August 2027, should add 4K 240p in X-OCN, open gate 3:2 in XAVC-I, a vertical-shooting UI pass, and still frame grabs from clips. Until then, crews plan around the launch mode set.
The FX5 also lands in a crowded hybrid market. Tech My Money previously covered how Canon shaped the EOS R6 V for full-frame video creators. Similarly, Sony keeps pushing computational capture on phones with tools like the Xperia 1 VIII AI camera assistant. The FX5, however, is a true Cinema Line tool first.
Price and availability
Sony opened preorders now. Body-only pricing starts at $4,898, while the XLR handle kit lists at $5,498. The handle alone costs $798. Sony plans mid-August availability, and specialty retailers cite roughly August 18 shipping windows. Therefore buyers who need open gate and internal RAW now have a compact Sony answer – if the launch kit and firmware timeline match their jobs.
