A blow for Canon? Sony FX5 cinema camera tipped to launch soon with a time-saving video feature fans have demanded for years | Tech Radar

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A blow for Canon? Sony FX5 cinema camera tipped to launch soon with a time-saving video feature fans have demanded for years

The FX5 could arrive with an all-new sensor and open gate, plus a neat accessory

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The Sony FX3 (above) has just been added to the Netflix approved cameras list. (Image credit: Sony)

Report claims Sony FX3 cinema camera replacement is launching later this month

FX5 will come with an all-new sensor offering a much-needed upgrade

Optional EVF add-on set to arrive alongside the camera

It's been over five years since Sony launched the FX3, and in that time it's become one of the most beloved small cinema cameras around. But it's always had one gap that pro filmmakers have grumbled about: no open gate recording.

According to a new report from Sony Alpha Rumors, that's about to change. A story on the site says Sony will officially announce the FX5 on July 22 at 3pm BST, and among the leaked specs is Open Gate 5K recording in a 3:2 aspect ratio.

If you're not familiar with the term, open gate simply means the camera records using the entire surface of the sensor, rather than cropping it down to the standard 16:9. That extra height in particular gives editors far more room to reframe, punch in or repurpose the same shot for square, vertical, or widescreen content in post. That can be a huge deal for anyone making videos for multiple platforms from a single shoot.

The FX3's lack of open gate recording has been a source of frustration for some users, but the FX5 looks likely to remedy this issue. (Image credit: Sony)

It's exactly what Tech Radar's Pete Sheath asked for back in 2025, alongside an increase in resolution, when he wrote up his wish list for a next-generation FX3.

That resolution bump is also rumored to be arriving in the FX5, in the form of a new 16.6MP fully stacked sensor. On the surface, 16MP might look modest for a 2026 cinema camera. But for a camera built around motion rather than stills, a lower pixel count may work in the FX5's favor: it can mean better dynamic range, cleaner low-light performance, and space for punchier frame rate options (don't be shocked if 4K at 240fps ends up on the spec sheet).

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The trade-off is that 8K recording seems to be off the table, which will likely disappoint anyone hoping the FX5 would leapfrog into that territory.

The Sony FX3 is a favorite among filmmakers, but does leave room for improvement in several areas. (Image credit: Sony)

There's also good news for anyone who's missed having a viewfinder on Sony's FX-series cameras. The report points to a new external tilting EVF, which should make a real difference for shooters working outdoors in bright sun or in dim, light-sensitive spaces like concerts and theaters, where a glowing rear screen isn't always welcome. It sounds optional rather than built-in, which may be the best of both worlds: skip it and keep the FX5 almost as compact as the FX3, or clip it on when you need it.

Other rumored additions include the BIONZ XR2 processor with AI autofocus (borrowed from the Sony A7R VI), a triple base ISO system, false color exposure tools, and a Venice-style menu overhaul.

Nothing is official yet, and Sony hasn't confirmed a single spec. But if the leak proves to be accurate, the Sony FX5 looks set to answer several of the loudest requests from the FX3 faithful in one go. We should know for certain in a couple of weeks.

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Sam has been writing about tech and digital culture for over 20 years, starting off in video games journalism before branching out into the wonderful worlds of consumer electronics, streaming entertainment and photography. Over the years he has written for Wired, Stuff, GQ, T3, Trusted Reviews and PC Zone, and now lives on the Kent coast in the UK – the ideal place for a camera reviewer to ply their trade.

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Unlock instant access to exclusive member features
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