The Sony FX5 is a Cinema Line full-frame ultra-compact camera, built around a 5K full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor and the BIONZ XR2 processor with integrated AI processing. This is the body-only version; the same camera is available with the XLR-H2 handle unit as the FX5 (ILME-FX5).

Internal RAW recording without an external recorder

The FX5 captures 16-bit scene-linear X-OCN internally, with LT, C1 and C2 codecs to balance image quality, file size and RAW workflow flexibility, removing the need for an external RAW recorder. Open Gate recording is available for X-OCN, alongside XAVC S-I recording.

Dual Gain Shooting and AI-based autofocus

Three base ISO settings — 800, 4000 and 12800 (ISO 320–409600 equivalent) — combine with Dual Gain Shooting, a first for the Cinema Line FX series, to keep noise controlled across varied lighting. A 759-point Fast Hybrid AF system with AI-based subject recognition tracks focus, backed by SteadyShot INSIDE in-body stabilisation and 4K HDR.

Monitoring and connectivity

A LUT Library brings look-up tables from Sony and third-party sources to the 3.5-type 16:9 touch-panel monitor for on-set monitoring and colour grading, with Wi-Fi, 2.5GBASE-T wired LAN, Bluetooth 5.3 and timecode sync support for networked workflows.

Handle unit available separately

The XLR-H2 handle unit — two XLR/TRS inputs, a 3.5mm stereo mini jack and up to 96kHz/32-bit float audio across up to four channels — is available on the same camera as the ILME-FX5, for crews that would rather add XLR audio as a separate purchase.

Planned firmware updates

Sony has confirmed further updates including HFR shooting up to 240fps in X-OCN, XAVC S-I recording in a 3:2 aspect ratio with full-sensor readout, an optimised interface for vertical shooting, and a frame-grab function; 5K 120fps and 4K 240fps X-OCN recording are due with V2.0 firmware, pencilled in for August 2027 or later.