Sony Xperia 5 IV Introduced – 4K/120p On All Main Cameras, External Monitoring With Alpha Series

Smartphone Filmmaking

by Francesco AndreolaSeptember 2^nd, 2022

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The new Sony Xperia 5 IV features three main 12MP cameras (16mm/24mm/60mm), shoots 4K HDR slow-motion video up to 120fps, and can act as an external monitor for selected Sony Alpha series mirrorless cameras. It is now available for pre-order for $999. 

A few weeks ago, Sony released an update for their Xperia PRO (review here) and PRO-I flagship smartphones to enhance their integration with Sony Alpha mirrorless cameras. Now, they are introducing a new model in their Xperia 5 lineup, a high-end smartphone series that inherits some of the features of the Xperia 1 line and packs them into a more compact form factor.

Given our specialty here at CineD, this article will focus on the video-centric features of the new Xperia 5 IV. Still, you can find a list of the full specifications on the dedicated page on Sony’s website. So let’s take a closer look at it.

Sony Xperia 5 IV: camera module

The camera department of the new Sony Xperia 5 IV consists of three rear lenses (16, 24, and 60mm full-frame equivalent) as well as an improved front camera. All lenses are matched with a 12MP RS Exmor sensor and their front element is treated with ZEISS T* Coating to improve optical performance. The specs of the four cameras differ as follows:

• 16mm lens | f/2.2 | FOV: 124° | 1/2.5” Exmor RS sensor
• 24mm lens | f/1.7 | FOV: 82° |  1/1.7” Exmor RS sensor
• 60mm telephoto lens | f/2.4 | FOV: 40° | 1/3.5” Exmor RS sensor
• Front camera – f/2.0 | FOV: 83° | 1/2.9” Exmor RS sensor

All three main cameras can shoot 12MP JPEG or .dng RAW stills with bursts of up to 20fps. On the video side, 4K HDR recording is supported on all three lenses at 24, 25, 30, 60, and even 120fps. Video files are saved in a .mp4 wrapper and get encoded using H.264/H.265 codecs. The smartphone has an internal storage capacity of 128GB, but if you run out of space, you can expand it using a microSDXC card of up to 1TB.

The Xperia 5 IV inherits Real-time Eye AF (for people and animals) from the Sony Alpha series, and also gets Object Tracking. These two technologies work with all three main cameras and are available in both stills and video modes. Moreover, optical image stabilization (Optical SteadyShot with Flawless Eye) is also available on the 24 and 60mm lenses.

Monitoring with Alpha Cameras

Unlike the flagship Xperia PRO model, the new Xperia 5 IV lacks a professional HDMI port. However, users can still connect it to compatible Sony Alpha mirrorless cameras via USB-C to turn it into an on-camera monitor with live-streaming capabilities. The list of Sony cameras that currently support UVC (USB Video Capture) technology includes the a7 IV, a7C, RX-0 II, ZV-1, and ZV-E10.

This new model features a 6.1” 2520×1080 OLED display with HDR support (DCI-P3, REC.2020), which is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The screen has a 21:6 wide aspect ratio, a 120Hz refresh rate, as well as a 240Hz touch scanning rate. According to Sony, its brightness has increased by 50% compared to its Mark III predecessor.

Vlogging and Live Streaming

Of course, the front 12MP camera is the most straightforward solution for vlogging and selfie-style shooting. However, if you’re looking for a little more advanced setup, the Xperia 5 IV is compatible with existing vlogging accessories, such as the XQZ-IV01 external monitor and GP-VPT2BT wireless grip.

Moreover, using the Videography Pro app, users can take advantage of the 5G network to set up a direct live-streaming of the image feed from all four cameras, including the front one.

Design and battery life

The Xperia 5 IV features a light, sleek body that measures 156x67x8.2mm and weighs a little over 170g. The smartphone itself is built quite tough and its IP65/68 ratings guarantee a water-resistant and dust-proof construction.

The internal battery has a 5000mAh capacity, which should keep the smartphone running all day, Sony claims. Also, if your battery is nearly flat, you can rely on USB-C Power Delivery for 30W fast charging.

Price and availability

The new Sony Xperia 5 IV is now available to pre-order for about $1,000. According to the company, it should start shipping towards the end of October. 

The smartphone comes in three different finishes (black/ecru/green). The black version is already listed on B&H for $998, while the green variant is exclusively available through Sony’s website. Finally, Sony offers a dedicated stand case that retails for $34.99.

Do you often rely on your smartphone for content creation? What do you think of the new Sony Xperia 5 IV? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!