Sony FX5 compact Cinema Camera pre-order price in PH: Open gate, Internal RAW, 15+ stops of dynamic range, PHP 318,000 starting price

Sony has released the FX5, the latest addition to its compact cinema camera lineup.

The Sony FX5

Compact cinema camera with Open Gate recording and Internal RAW

The camera introduces several upgrades that could appeal to both current and prospective FX3 users. It is built around a new 16.6MP full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor paired with a BIONZ XR2 processor featuring integrated AI processing. At launch, the FX5 supports recording at up to 5K 60fps and 4K 120fps, with 5K 120fps and 4K 240fps to be added via a future firmware update.

A key feature of the camera is open gate recording, which utilizes the full width and height of the sensor to capture video in a 3:2 aspect ratio. This allows for maximum use of the sensor's pixel area and is particularly useful for vertical video crops, since the full vertical pixel count is available.

The display and backview

The FX5 also supports 16-bit linear RAW recording internally, without requiring an external recorder. This enables full 3:2 sensor output in 5K at 60fps in RAW directly from the camera, with 120fps support planned for a later update. RAW recording uses Sony's professional X-OCN format, offered in LT, C1, and C2 codec variants at varying compression levels.

This is the first FX-series camera to include Sony's Dual Gain Shooting function, which merges output from low and high gain settings to improve dynamic range and reduce noise. The camera offers three base ISO settings—800, 4000, and 12800—for enhanced low-light performance, and is reported to deliver more than 15 stops of dynamic range.

The top view

Additional features include AI-based human pose estimation for autofocus, Auto Tracking White Balance that draws on both visible-light and infrared sensor data, an option to disable in-camera noise reduction, and a de-squeeze function for anamorphic lenses (which disables autofocus when active). 

The FX5 also has a larger 3.5-inch, 2.76-million-dot fully articulating touchscreen compared to the FX3, a built-in cooling fan, a larger NP-SA100 battery, dual USB ports for power and data, a wired LAN port, and a new menu interface adapted from Sony's CineAlta camera line.

The FX5 does not include a built-in viewfinder. However, Sony has introduced a new detachable DVF-EL1 viewfinder, along with an XLR-H2 handle unit, as optional accessories.

Sony FX5 key specs, features:

• 16.6MP full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor with BIONZ XR2 processor + built-in AI processing
• Records 5K at 60fps and 4K at 120fps now; 5K at 120fps and 4K at 240fps coming via firmware update
• Open gate recording (3:2 aspect ratio) using the full sensor area, useful for vertical crops
• Internal 16-bit linear RAW recording (no external recorder needed), using Sony's X-OCN format (LT, C1, C2 variants)
• Dual Gain Shooting for improved dynamic range and lower noise
• Three base ISOs: 800, 4000, and 12800
• Claimed 15+ stops of dynamic range
• AI-based human pose estimation for autofocus
• Auto Tracking White Balance using visible and IR sensor data
• Option to disable in-camera noise reduction
• De-squeeze function for anamorphic lenses (disables autofocus)
• 3.5-inch, 2.76-million-dot fully articulating touchscreen (larger than FX3)
• Built-in cooling fan
• Larger NP-SA100 battery
• Dual USB ports (power and data) plus wired LAN port
• New menu system based on Sony's CineAlta cameras

Price and availability

Sony FX5 Cinema Camera (Body only) - PHP 318,000

Sony FX5 Cinema Camera (Body + XLR handle) - PHP 349,000

Those who pre-order will receive a FREE NP-SA100 battery worth PHP 6,400.

You may click this link to pre-order. 

What do you guys think?