Video summary

Sony FX5: A Highly Optimized Sensor (Tested)

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product reviewed

Sony FX5 — positioned as a video-focused evolution using a sensor derived from the a7R VI, with internal RAW and Open Gate.

Key features mentioned

Sensor relationship to a7R VI

  • The FX5’s sensor resolution is derived from the a7R VI:
    • Dividing the a7R VI resolution by 2 (horizontal & vertical) matches the FX5’s effective 5K basis.
  • 4K video is described as oversampled/read out from the same 5K-derived plane.

Video-oriented upgrades vs FX3 lineage

  • Internal RAW
  • Open Gate recording (full 3x2 aspect ratio of the sensor)
  • Improved readout bandwidth/faster read speeds, attributed to how the sensor is implemented in the body.
  • Firmware note: a 4K240 update is expected “sometime in the future,” and faster readout is framed as important for it.

Dual Native ISO behavior

  • FX5 uses 800 + 12800 (contrasted with a7R VI’s 800 + 5000)
  • Includes a third ISO (around 4000) to support intermediate tonal cleanup.

Noise Reduction control

  • The reviewer highlights the ability to turn noise reduction off.
    • They associate this with something “most FX3 type cameras” lack.

Codec modes

  • Uses:
    • X-OCN internal RAW (5K Open Gate)
    • XAVC S-I All-Intra (4K) for comparison
  • Mentions HS mode for H.265, with a limitation:
    • No 25/30p in H.265 modes
    • Must use H.264 for 25/30p

The issue is described as unresolved across parts of Sony’s Alpha/cinema-menu style lineage (frames not available as expected).

Menu/ergonomics approach

  • Uses a cinema-style menu system (not Alpha-style).
  • Changing certain settings may require navigating and rebooting.
  • The reviewer recommends setting up custom “My Menu.”

Screen

  • Praises Sony’s best screen: brightness/size.
  • Notes the flip/rotate mechanism is similar to the a7R VI.

Test results & numerical highlights (rolling shutter, dynamic range)

Rolling shutter / readout speed (ms)

  • 4K 16:9 full-frame mode (5K-derived): 5.7 ms
    • Claimed faster than a7R VI “~7 ms”
  • Dual Gain enabled: 14.2 ms
  • Open Gate + Dual Gain internal RAW: 18.4 ms (slowest “maxed out” case)
  • Open Gate without Dual Gain: 8.5 ms
    • Described as very strong for Open Gate internal RAW

Dynamic range (Xyla 21 + Imatest)

Measurements referenced as:

  • Total stops (slope-based DR)
  • “Medium” clean stops / noise tolerance (SNR = 2) and related values

FX5 at ISO 800 (5K Open Gate internal RAW)

FX5 at ISO 800, 5K Open Gate internal RAW (X-OCN), NR off:

  • 14 total stops
  • 11.5 medium clean stops

FX5 ISO 800, NR medium default:

  • 14 total stops
  • 11.9 medium clean stops

FX5 ISO 800, Dual Gain + NR medium:

  • 14.2 total stops (approx)
  • 14 clean/usable stops at medium

FX5 ISO 800, Dual Gain + NR off (still in 5K Open Gate X-OCN):

  • 13.9 medium clean stops
    • Total stated earlier: ~14.2

FX5 switching away from RAW to XAVC S-I All-Intra (4K), NR medium:

  • 14.9 total stops
  • 12.8 clean stops
    • Reviewer notes this pattern: non-RAW appears cleaner because RAW can be noisier.

FX5 ISO 12800 (top base ISO behavior)

  • 14.6 total stops
  • 12.7 medium clean stops

Comparison with FX3 at ISO 12800:

  • FX5 better: 12.7 (FX5) vs 12.3 (FX3)
  • Also stated:
    • FX3 total at ISO 12800: 14.2
    • FX5 total at ISO 12800: 14.6

FX5 Dual Gain ISO 800 + All-Intra 4K (NR medium):

  • 14.7 total stops
  • 14 medium clean stops

Image quality, color, and detail comparisons

Color consistency / LUTs

  • The speaker made updated LUTs for FX5 (and FX3, a7R VI).
  • Claim: FX5 color is very close to a7R VI
    • They suggest you could likely use a7R VI LUTs and get nearly identical results.
  • LUT goal:
    • Accurate, technically correct color
    • A neutral baseline for matching across Sony cameras and even other systems.

Sharpness / perceived softness comparisons

  • Disagrees with claims that a7R VI video is “soft”:
    • Explains a7R VI doesn’t behave like a true 7K→4K oversample in video mode.
    • Instead described as bending down to 5K and oversampling from there.
  • Comparison outcomes:
    • FX5 4K not softer than FX3; possibly slightly sharper
    • FX5 can be softer than some 7K/8K oversampled cameras, but those are framed as different trade-offs—especially read speed.
  • Practical recommendation:
    • Prefer FX5’s balanced performance over “ultra oversampled but too slow.”
    • For YouTube/workflow: higher-resolution oversampled sources may survive compression better, sometimes looking better after compression (potentially reducing the need for artificial sharpness).

Pros (as stated)

  • Strong rolling shutter/readout performance
    • Including very fast 16:9 4K
    • Strong Open Gate without Dual Gain (8.5 ms)
  • Excellent dynamic range
    • Especially in Dual Gain mode (up to ~14 clean stops in cited medium metric at ISO 800)
  • Internal RAW + Open Gate available without being treated as slow firmware catch-up
  • Noise reduction options
    • Including ability to turn NR off
  • Color closely matches a7R VI
    • LUT workflow supports consistent matching
  • Top-tier screen
    • Bigger, brighter, flexible

Cons / limitations mentioned

  • Menu/ergonomics differ from FX3
    • Cinema menu described as less intuitive, more cumbersome
    • Some settings changes may trigger reboots
    • Requires custom My Menu to be workable
  • H.265 limitation
    • No 25/30p in H.265 modes
    • Use H.264 for 25/30p
  • Not really “hybrid”
    • Implies it’s purely video and doesn’t operate like an FX3 ergonomically
  • Dual Gain/Open Gate increases readout time
    • Worst cited rolling shutter case: Open Gate + Dual Gain = 18.4 ms

Comparisons explicitly made

Sony a7R VI

  • Sensor similarity and 4K readout basis
  • Rolling shutter and dynamic range comparisons (FX5 described as faster in key modes)
  • Color matching: FX5 aligns closely with a7R VI

Sony FX3

  • Intended/desired low-light comparison:
    • FX5 performs better at ISO 12800 (12.7 vs 12.3 medium clean)
  • Detail/softness comparison:
    • FX5 4K is not softer and may be slightly sharper

7K/8K oversampled competitor approach

  • Trade-off framed as sharpness/detail vs read speed
  • Mentions YouTube compression advantage for oversampled higher-resolution sources

User experience / workflow notes (non-numerical)

  • The reviewer presents this as a “last chapter” in a Sony camera review period:
    • Focus is on what they were curious about, not an exhaustive review.
  • Mindset shift implied:
    • FX5 behaves more like an FX6/FX9/Burano-style tool (cinema UI/controls) than an FX3.
  • Best practical use case implied:
    • Sony shooters who want Open Gate + internal RAW without feeling “locked out” of Sony system features.

Overall verdict / recommendation

Recommended for video-first shooters who want strong rolling shutter performance, excellent dynamic range (especially with Dual Gain), and Open Gate/internal RAW in a Sony ecosystem. Be aware that menu navigation/ergonomics are less comfortable than the FX3, and there’s a notable H.265 25/30p limitation.

Speakers

  • Single speaker (no distinct additional contributors in the provided subtitles).

Original video