Sony · Reviewed by Philip Bloom · Published 2026-07-22
Based on a review by Philip Bloom (accessed 2026-07-22).
Based on this review alone: buy it if you care about internal raw recording (x-ocn c1/c2) with efficient compression — just accept user interface and menu design has quirks and irritations.
The reviewer expresses strong appreciation for many aspects of the FX5, particularly its hardware and excellent autofocus. However, he also points out several user interface quirks, confusing menu options, and significant irritations, with the complete lack of a stills photography function being identified as the "biggest disappointment."
This review by Philip Bloom introduces the Sony FX5, a new camera model positioned between the FX3 and FX6, highlighting its status as a highly anticipated upgrade reminiscent of an FX3 Mark II. The review covers the camera's pre-production features, including internal raw, open gate, triple base ISO, and 4K 240fps capabilities, alongside an analysis of its user interface and physical design.
The Sony FX5 is a highly anticipated camera that delivers on many fronts, packing advanced features into a familiar body, despite some notable quirks. Its internal raw capabilities, utilizing the efficient X-OCN C2 codec, offer bitrates comparable to the FX3's highest XAVC-S I, making high-quality recording more manageable. The 4K 240fps mode produces arguably the best-looking footage at this frame rate the reviewer has seen, far surpassing previous Sony offerings. However, the user interface presents numerous irritations, and critical features like the full 4K 240fps and open gate 120fps raw are contingent on a version 2 firmware update slated for a year away. If you prioritize cutting-edge cinema features, internal raw, and exceptional high frame rate performance in a compact form and are willing to navigate UI issues or wait for full feature implementation, this camera is a strong contender.
comparison_claimstrong
reviewer_claimmoderate
reviewer_claimstrong
reviewer_claimmoderate
reviewer_claimmoderate
reviewer_claimmoderate
reviewer_claimstrong
reviewer_claimmoderate
reviewer_claimmoderate
reviewer_claimmoderate
reviewer_claimpositivet=2:57–3:40
The FX5 is the first camera below the £25,000 Burano to feature internal raw recording using the X-OCN LT codec, also found in the Burano and Venice 2. It introduces two new compression modes, X-OCN C1 and C2, with C2 offering fantastic quality at a manageable bitrate.
comparisonpositivet=1:53–2:38
The 4K 240 frames per second mode on the FX5 is described as "glorious" and a "world away" from the "terrible 240 frames per second HD mode" of older Sony cameras like the FX6, a7S III, and FX3, which produced soft, heavily line-skipped 1080p footage.
reviewer_claimpositivet=0:59–1:12
The FX5 features a new triple base ISO of 800, 4,000, and 12,800, which is "most welcome" as it addresses the large gap between low and high base ISOs in previous Sony models, making the middle 4,000 ISO very nice for various lighting conditions.
reviewer_claimpositivet=1:21–1:36
Sony has finally added open gate 3x2, allowing shooting up to 5K 60p in raw with no crop. This feature will increase to 120 frames per second with version 2 firmware, and 4K open gate XAVC will also be added.
reviewer_claimpositivet=4:32–4:47
The camera features the BIONZ XR processor with integrated AI autofocus units, resulting in "superb" autofocus performance. It includes human, animal, and bird detection, which the FX3 lacks.
expert_opinionpositivet=4:24–4:29
Based on Gerald Undone's tests, the FX5's rolling shutter speed is "really impressive," even surpassing the already impressive performance of the FX6.
reviewer_claimnegativet=6:00–6:18
The reviewer finds the absence of a stills function to be one of the biggest disappointments, stating that the camera "cannot take photos in any way" despite having a shutter button.
reviewer_claimnegativet=5:04–5:16
When using anamorphic de-squeeze, the camera turns off all stabilization and autofocus, a limitation also present in the FX3. The reviewer hopes for a fix, especially with new autofocus anamorphic lenses available.
reviewer_claimmixedt=6:24–6:40
The fantastic tilting EVF is not included with the camera and is not cheap, but the reviewer considers it "essential" because only having the LCD is not enough, despite the LCD being brighter and bigger.
specification_claimneutralt=0:56–0:59
The FX5 features a new 16.6 megapixel 30-stack sensor with a native resolution of 5K.
reviewer_claimpositivet=1:12–1:16
The camera includes a dual gain mode that increases dynamic range in the shadows, though this feature is limited to the base ISO of 800.
reviewer_claimpositivet=5:50–5:55
The FX5 uses new batteries introduced with the a7R VI, and its battery life is described as "very good," with the reviewer not using up three batteries during a full day of filming.
reviewer_claimnegativet=0:38–6:00
The reviewer notes "quite a few quirks and some irritations" with the FX5, mostly centered around the user interface, such as hard-labeled shortcut buttons that most users will reprogram.
reviewer_claimnegativet=3:49–3:55
The HS H.265 version of the XAVC codec cannot be used in 25p or 30p, only in 24p, 50p, and higher frame rates, a limitation the reviewer finds baffling.
reviewer_claimneutralt=1:44–1:52
The "really important 4K 240 frames per second mode" is not available until the version 2 firmware, which is slated for release about a year away, causing a delay for a highly anticipated feature.
The reviewer describes the FX5's 4K 240 frames per second mode as "glorious" and a significant improvement over the "terrible" 1080p 240fps found in earlier Sony models like the FX6, a7S III, and FX3, which produced soft and line-skipped footage. The FX5's output in this mode looks as good as its normal frame rate footage, making it the "best looking footage" the reviewer has seen at this frame rate.
The FX5 is the first camera below the high-end Burano to offer internal raw recording. It uses the X-OCN LT codec, also found in the Burano and Venice 2, and introduces new, highly efficient compression modes (X-OCN C1 and C2). The C2 mode, in particular, offers fantastic quality at a bitrate comparable to the highest XAVC-S I mode on the FX3.
The camera utilizes Sony's BIONZ XR processor with integrated AI autofocus units, which results in "superb" autofocus performance. It effectively supports human, animal, and bird detection, a significant improvement over models like the FX3.
The reviewer identifies the complete absence of a stills function as one of the biggest disappointments of the FX5. Despite having a shutter button, the camera "cannot take photos in any way," limiting the shutter button's use to a third record button or shot marker. The reviewer hopes this can be rectified in a future firmware update.
The introduction of a triple base ISO (800, 4,000, and 12,800) is highly welcomed by the reviewer. This change significantly improves upon the previous dual base ISO systems in cameras like the FX3 and FX6, where the jump between the low and high base ISOs was often too large. The 4,000 ISO option provides much-needed flexibility.
The reviewer reports "very good" battery life for the FX5, which uses the newer battery type introduced with the a7R VI. They were able to film for a full day without exhausting all three batteries they were using, indicating strong endurance.
The reviewer confirms that Sony has added Open Gate 3x2, allowing users to shoot up to 5K 60p in raw without any crop. This feature is particularly useful for anamorphic shooting and offers greater flexibility in post-production for framing. With a future firmware update, this will extend to 120 frames per second and also include 4K open gate in XAVC.
75/100 source quality
The Sony FX5 is presented as a new camera offering many anticipated features, effectively acting as an FX3 Mark II in a similar body. Key highlights include internal raw recording, an open gate 3x2 sensor mode, triple base ISO, and a significantly improved 4K 240 frames per second mode compared to previous Sony cameras. While praising its hardware and excellent autofocus, the reviewer notes several user interface quirks, confusing menu options, and expresses disappointment over the absence of a stills function. The camera tested was a pre-production unit, with some features, like 4K 240fps, slated for a future firmware update.
Full transcript is not redistributed here to respect the original creator’s rights.
This page converts Philip Bloom's review of the Sony FX5 into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.
Brand relationship disclosed as: gifted