New FX-Series Camera Expected in July
Sony is reportedly preparing to launch a new compact cinema camera that could bring major professional features to its FX lineup.
The rumored camera is being referred to as the Sony FX5 by some reports. Other sources suggest it may launch as the Sony FX4.
Sony has not officially confirmed the camera, its name, or its full specifications.
However, industry leaks suggest that the new model could be announced in the second half of July.
If the reports are accurate, the camera may offer several features never seen before in a Sony body. These include 5K open-gate recording, triple-base ISO, and internal X-OCN RAW recording.
Such features would make the camera a serious competitor to recent compact cinema models from Canon and Nikon.
Triple-Base ISO and Internal RAW Could Be Major Upgrades
One of the most important rumored features is triple-base ISO.
According to reports, three sources have claimed that the camera will support three native ISO levels.
This would allow filmmakers to choose the best sensitivity setting for different lighting conditions.
The feature can help reduce noise and protect dynamic range in bright, low-light, and mixed lighting environments.
If confirmed, this would be the first Sony camera to use triple-base ISO.
Canon already offers similar technology in cinema cameras such as the EOS C400 and EOS C80.
The rumored Sony camera is also expected to support internal X-OCN recording.
X-OCN stands for extended tonal range Original Camera Negative. It is Sony’s 16-bit linear RAW format.
The format is currently used in higher-end Sony cinema cameras, including the Venice, Venice 2, and Burano.
Bringing internal X-OCN to a compact FX-series camera would be a major step.
It would give smaller productions access to a professional workflow usually found in more expensive cinema systems.
Open-Gate Recording and Sensor Details Remain Unclear
The new camera is also rumored to support 5K open-gate recording in a 3:2 aspect ratio.
Open-gate recording uses the full width and height of the sensor.
This gives creators more flexibility in post-production.
The same footage can be cropped for cinema, YouTube, vertical video, social media, and other formats.
Canon already offers open-gate recording in cameras such as the EOS C50.
This makes the feature important for Sony if it wants to compete more strongly in the compact cinema market.
Sensor details remain uncertain.
Early reports claimed the camera could use a new global-shutter sensor. However, later updates suggested that this is not confirmed.
Some discussions have mentioned Sony’s IMX01A sensor as a possible option. It is described as an approximately 16-megapixel stacked sensor with support for 5K recording at up to 240 frames per second.
However, there is no confirmation that this sensor will be used.
Reports also suggest the camera may keep an FX3-style compact body while offering a more professional design.
It could include a better button layout and support for accessories such as XLR handles, external viewfinders, and SDI connections.
If the leaks are correct, Sony’s next FX camera could become a powerful “mini Venice” for filmmakers.
For now, the camera remains unconfirmed. But the rumored specifications have already created strong excitement in the cinema camera market.
