Sony continues to recycle the same features over their phone lineup with a slightly dumbed down Xperia 1 phone which is their flagship with the same camera arrangement, screen, and main features. The 1080p 960fps mode is still here with a duration of 0.1 seconds and at 720p of 0.2 seconds. The resolution and quality are not real 1080p as we have discussed before and the reduced time makes it nearly unusable.
However, the feature many are calling a bad omen is the disappearance of the 3.5mm headphone jack. The phone is slimmer and smaller than the Xperia 1 but shares the best traits at a lower price. For many, it will not be enough to counter the popularity of other phones that are more full-featured and offer a vast array of video modes.
Sony Xperia 5 Camera Specs:
| CAMERA Specs | Triple | 12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/2.6″, 1.4µm, predictive Dual Pixel PDAF, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4″, 1.0µm, predictive PDAF, 2x optical zoom, 5-axis OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4″, 1.0µm |
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking | |
| Video | 2160p@24/30fps HDR, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@30fps (5-axis gyro-EIS), 1080p@960fps |
Sony Xperia 5 Hands-on Review | What’s Changed vs Xperia 1? by Tech Spurt:
The Xperia 5 also has the cinema pro app which made the Xperia 1 so coveted for video shooters. The AF with Eye AF also is here so this phone is probably a better deal than the Xperia 1 considering it has almost identical specs in just a smaller screen size.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPEPNYrycvM
So after looking at what the Xperia 5 is capable off we have no problem recommending it as the best Sony phone ever based on its price. However, we cannot recommend it as a slow motion solution due to the lower than expected quality and recording time of the 960fps mode.
Xperia 1 960fps Slowmotion test by kao winson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPltj327UrY
The sample above is from the Xperia 1 which shows the 6.4 seconds slow motion mode at 720p 960fps. Quality is ok but you can clearly see the jagged edges of lost line information.
In contrast, the sample below by McLarty Films shows the Xperia 1 at 1080p 960fps which equates to 3.2 seconds playback per clip. There is more resolution but also suffers from loss of resolution. Clarity is better but you cannot claim this is a professional-looking image and or worthy of using it for serious production work. It is a fun feature that could be bettered by a larger buffer and better resolution only if, Sony decides to give us that real performance upgrade.
Sony Xperia 1 – Slow Motion Camera Test – Taiwan Surfing by McLarty Films:
Conclusion:
When the phone is released in November 2019 with a retail price of $799.99, the Xperia 5 will become as far as we know the best performing Sony phone with a more reasonable price tag. The Xperia 1 is still better in Screen and other small isolated features but at a significantly higher cost. If you need a Sony Xperia phone this new Xperia 5 is the best you can get for your hard-earned cash without going ultra-expensive. That said phones like the OnePlus 7 and the Galaxy Note 10 or Galaxy S10 offer better slow motion recording times with comparable resolution. The Xperia, however, shoots other phones down with the Pro Video app which lets you use cinematic profiles and full manual control for video capture. Other Phones are still not as good as the Xperia 1 and Xperia 5 in r4egular video capture when matching larger production cameras. Sony is a leader in cinematic imagery and their video know-how even while limited, is transferring a lot of value to these phones. DOn’t expect to be the next Spielberg or Ron Howard with this phone but do expect to get excellent looking footage that was not easily achieved at the click of a button on these powerful phones.
If anything we would want you to wait for the new iPhones this month to see what Apple has in store with their new Camera line-up. Something tells us slow motion might not be as good as we expect but we would like to be surprised. -HSC
Press Release for the Xperia 5:
Xperia 5 joins Sony’s flagship series, bringing creative entertainment experiences in a sleek and compact design
- Triple camera array with critically acclaimed Eye AF technology from Sony’s Alpha™ cameras, continuous burst shooting at up to 10 fps AF/AE tracking (Auto Focus and Auto Exposure) with increased calculations up to 30 fps
- 21:9 CinemaWide™ 6.1 inch Full HD+ OLED display with BT.2020 color accuracy
- Sleek and compact body with a sophisticated pocket-friendly design
- Improved Game enhancer allows you to record your gameplay as well as change your voice
September 5, 2019 – Sony continues its smartphone evolution with the introduction of Xperia 5, the latest addition to the flagship series, bringing key technologies from Xperia 1 into a compact, stylish and sleek smartphone design.
“With Xperia 5 we’ve brought what our customers loved from Xperia 1 into a smaller design with the latest award-winning technology from Sony,” said Mitsuya Kishida, President, Sony Mobile Communications. “Xperia 5 continues to bring uncompromised performance and leading experiences to a smartphone, only possible with Sony.”
Triple camera system with Eye Autofocus
Xperia 5 features an advanced triple camera system with 12 MP sensors on each module, as well as Sony’s powerful BIONZ X™ image processor for mobile and Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization. With a 16mm lens for super-wide-angle shots, a versatile 26mm lens and a 52mm portrait and tele lens (35mm equiv.), you can capture great moments in any occasion.
Additionally, the new Xperia 5 includes Sony’s acclaimed Eye AF technology, plus continuous burst shooting at up to 10 fps with AF/AE tracking (Auto Focus and Auto Exposure) calculations happening at up to 30 fps, allowing it to capture moving subjects with precision focus and optimal exposure. The main 26mm camera features a bright F1.6 lens and Dual Photo Diode image sensor with extremely large 1.4μm pixel pitch, enabling it to produce beautifully sharp low-light images.
For mobile cinematography, the new Xperia 5 features Cinema Pro “powered by CineAlta” application. Developed in partnership with engineers from Sony’s professional digital cinema camera division, Cinema Pro “powered by CineAlta” allows users to create multiple video projects with different settings or looks, as well as offering more flexibility and customizability for video shooting by adjusting white balance, manual focus and audio recording levels. Individual clips can also trimmed and merged together. These powerful capabilities complement the ability of the Xperia 5 to record video in multiple high-resolution formats including full native 4K resolution.
Xperia 5 is also compatible with Sony’s ‘Imaging Edge™ Mobile’ application, for easy transfer and social sharing of images and video from compatible Alpha or Cyber-shot™ camera.
Experience superb content immersion with a 21:9 CinemaWide display and Dolby Atmos sound
Xperia 5 brings the 21:9 cinematic aspect ratio to a smaller form factor, for a viewing experience that is true to creators’ intent.
The 21:9 CinemaWide 6.1-inch Full HD+ OLED display is powered by Sony’s award-winning BRAVIA® TV technologies with X1™ for mobile engine bringing HDR (High Dynamic Range) remastering technologies for more contrast, color and clarity.
Xperia 5 also has Creator mode inspired by Master Monitor color reproduction bringing precise color accuracy in your hands. As with Xperia 1, Xperia 5 also has 10-bit tonal gradation representing a myriad of colors and delivering deeper blacks, while colors appear more natural. The display, together with originally developed image processing, supports wide color space ITU-R BT.2020 as well as DCI-P3 with Illuminant D65.
The entertainment factor is further enhanced by Dolby Atmos, tuned in collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment, for an immersive entertainment experience that flows all around you with breath-taking realism when using headphones or Xperia 5’s built-in stereo speakers. While Sony’s audio technologies, Hi-Res audio for both wired and wireless, DSEE HX and Stereo speakers empowers you to hear music in its purest form.
The expansive 21:9 display also takes mobile gaming to the next level by offering a deeper unrestricted field-of-view of all your gameplay, while Game Enhancer optimizes the performance and blocks unwanted notifications, as well as enables you to record gameplay and find game tips online. In addition, you can now power up your gaming with improved Game enhancer allowing you to record your game play with burst screen capture at 20fps and synthesize your voice with Game enhancer’s voice changer feature.
Advanced technology in a sleek and compact design
Xperia 5 brings the best of Xperia 1 into a smaller footprint while keeping the 21:9 CinemaWide display. The sleek metal frame is protected with the help of durable Corning® Gorilla® Glass 6 on the front and back, while Xperia 5’s IP68/IP65 certified water resistance guards against the elements. The device will have Android™ 9 Pie pre-installed.
Stay connected and entertained all day
Xperia 5 features ‘Smart connectivity’ to make sure you’re connected to the most optimal network. It uses Sony’s deep learning engine (Neural Network Libraries) to analyze Wi-Fi signals and predict near-future connectivity issues. Smart connectivity will automatically switch to LTE when it predicts any compromise in Wi-Fi connection to ensure you always have optimal connectivity.
Xperia 5 has the latest flagship Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 855 Mobile Platform with the integrated X24 LTE Modem for enhanced performance with gigabit LTE connectivity. It features 4 x 4 MIMO technology supporting all LTE bands, uniquely including low-bands, so you’re connected even in areas with weak signal coverage.
Xperia 5 also features Smart Stamina, USB PD fast charging and a 3140mAh battery to keep your device running all day.
Availability
Xperia 5 will be available in the United States at Best Buy, Amazon, B&H Photo & Video, and other participating retail outlets on November 2019 with a retail price of $799.99. Xperia 5 is operable on GSM networks and certified to work on Verizon’s 4G LTE network. For more information on all technology and features contained in Xperia 5 please visit https://www.sonymobile.com/us/products/phones/xperia-5/