Handheld Hollywood

Cinema Technology in a Creator-Ready Design

The Sony FX5 Cinema Camera brings the latest advancements from Sony's Cinema Line into a compact system built for today's hybrid productions. Featuring a newly developed 16.6MP full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor, the next-generation BIONZ XR2 image processor with an integrated AI processing unit, and professional recording options including Open Gate capture and internal X-OCN, the FX5 delivers exceptional speed, image quality, and production flexibility. Whether producing documentary films, commercial work, branded content, or independent cinema, the FX5 is designed for creators who demand the performance of a dedicated cinema camera without sacrificing mobility or efficiency.

From Manufacturer

08:30

Handheld Hollywood: Meet the Sony FX5!

Cinema Line FX5 Concept | Sony | a | All shot on FX5

03:12

Why Filmmakers Love X-OCN | Sony's Powerful 16-Bit Codec

Introducing Cinema Line FX5 | Sony | a

Expert Take: Sony Made the Cinema Camera You Always Wanted

For years, filmmakers have found themselves choosing between the portability of the FX3 and the production-ready workflow of the FX6. The FX5 bridges that gap with surprising capability. The internal X-OCN recording, Open Gate capture, three base ISO, improved stabilization, in addition to the stacked sensor, all solve real production challenges rather than simply adding specifications to a brochure. It responds quickly, adapts quietly, and easily became an extension of the self instead of a piece of gear.
 

What stands out the most is how balanced the camera feels, not only in terms of performance but in its physicality. Nothing appears included simply to inflate a feature list; instead, every improvement contributes to a smoother and more efficient shooting experience. Whether you're operating solo, working on a documentary, or building a commercial production, the FX5 feels less like another camera in the Cinema Line and more like the camera many current and future filmmakers have been waiting for.

— Rosemary Ryan, B&H Camera Expert

A New Place in the Cinema Line

The FX5 is a wholly new entry into Sony's ever-expanding Cinema Line. It fits neatly in between the compact FX3-with which the FX5 shares a form factor-and the more seriously equipped FX6. Each one has its own set of features and tools that make it better suited to different types of video production. The biggest change to note is that the FX5 has moved to a next-gen sensor technology with its 16.6MP 5K fully stacked CMOS compared to the 12MP BSI CMOS of the FX3 and FX6. Here's a closer look at how the FX3 and FX6 are positioned in relation to the FX5.

The FX3 was the ultimate handheld compact cinema camera from Sony when it first launched, and its performance remains among the best in the industry. Where the FX3 differs from the FX5 is that it borrows a lot from the Alpha series; the menu and controls are easier for users who also use mirrorless cameras like an a7R VI. Plus, the FX3 has a physical shutter and proper still image capture (including raw) for dual-purpose use.

Looking at the FX6, the FX5 is much closer in menu, features, and operation than the FX3. However, the FX6 still maintains many features expected of a traditional production cinema camera, including pro-quality connections (e.g., SDI), more physical controls, a built-in electronic ND filter (versus the stabilization of the FX5), and compatibility with Sony's larger BP-U series battery packs.

For a more detailed comparison of Sony's Cinema Line, please click here.

Essential Information—What You Need to Know

Sitting between the FX3 and FX6—and borrowing technology from the premier CineAlta system—the FX5 has a lot of new and repurposed features that make it special.

• Newly developed 16.6MP (5K) full-frame fully stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor
• BIONZ XR2 with integrated AI processing unit for improved AI-based subject recognition autofocus and AI-based auto white balance
• Internal recording up to 5K Open Gate (3:2) at 60 fps in X-OCN (LT/C1/C2)
• Three Base ISO (800/4000/12800) and Dual Gain option for 16+ stops of dynamic range

• Revamped user interface and BIG 6 menu with optimized control scheme and multifunction dial
• Large 3.5" widescreen (16:9) 4-axis multi-angle touchscreen LCD and optional dedicated electronic viewfinder
• Additional monitoring tools: false color, waveform, vectorscope, focus map, and built-in anamorphic de-squeeze options

• Enhanced connectivity with two USB-C ports, Ethernet, full-size HDMI, and headphone and mic jacks
• Dual CFexpress Type A/SD memory card slots
• High-capacity NP-SA100 battery pack with over two hours of recording time