Kit check | toolkit
not a super-sharp option and it hampers AF performance in many cases. The 240fps in 4K will make this speed available to all and the leap in footage quality can’t be underestimated. For fans of super slow- motion, it’s the one big reason to buy the camera – despite the wait and crop. The firmware update will also unlock features such as 5K open gate X-OCN at 120fps, open gate recording in XAVC S-I, as well as a frame-grab option to take a still shot. The FX5 does not currently have any stills options, so this will be a welcome feature, even if just for YouTube thumbnails. In your face If you are used to the menu system of Sony mirrorless cameras or the FX3, then be prepared to learn a whole new menu system as this borrows much of the user interface from Sony’s flagship Cine Alta cameras. Burano or Venice shooters will love it and it brings a clear advantage in certain areas, making the FX5 feel like a far more serious cinema tool. The interface offers many more options than the FX3, which means new users may initially find it intimidating. Some settings are buried within cinema-specific menus that will be unfamiliar and the touchscreen can still feel less responsive than a modern smartphone. There are Cine EI modes and custom modes to deal with, and each major change of setting requires a reboot of the camera. But you can customise lots of things like frame rates, for super-slow
rates that create blurry effects, and remove noise reduction so you can apply it in post to suit your shot. And the new Big6 home screen puts the most important shooting settings, such as frame rate, shutter angle, exposure tools and LUTs, just a tap away, while dedicated false colour, waveform and focus assist displays make judging exposure and focus far quicker. There’s even a dedicated False Colour button. The larger, brighter, 3.5-inch touchscreen is another welcome upgrade. Its four-axis articulation makes it easier to compose from awkward angles, whether shooting handheld, on a gimbal or close to the ground. It’s large, bright and the menu items can be displayed around the edge during shooting. However, the large screen means there is no room for a traditional Sony-style touchpad on the back so you have to either use the touchscreen or navigate with the new multi-function command dial on the top of the camera. It takes some getting used to, but that’s mainly because it’s a different way of working. The EVF and XLR clash Lots of people are big fans of an EVF, despite so many content creators using a rear screen only. To answer this, Sony has launched an optional, detachable OLED electronic viewfinder that plugs into a port on the top-plate then screws into threaded holes for safety.
but it won’t be until at least August 2027. We have seen the results of the 4K⁄240p, albeit from beta firmware, and it’s incredible. The FX5, like several high-end Sony cameras, can already shoot 240fps in HD, but it is Grade escape Inside a dimly lit pit garage, Raw files came into their own for the ultimate in low noise and colour control
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