When the Sony FS5 was released back in 2015, it felt like a major step forward for professional videographers. It was compact, flexible, and capable of impressive image quality. It changed how many production companies, including ours, approached filming.
We have now retired the FS5 from our kit. This article looks back at the features that made it useful and the role it played in our production work.
The Features That Made It Stand Out
- 4K recording: One of the first compact Sony cameras to record 4K internally to SD cards, making it easier to crop, reframe, and deliver multiple versions in post.
- Mobility: With a body weight of approximately 0.8kg, before adding a lens and accessories, it offered a compact starting point for handheld work and camera-support rigs.
- Variable ND filter: The electronic ND filter allowed smooth exposure control without changing aperture or swapping physical filters.
- Slow motion: The FS5 could record Full HD slow motion internally in short bursts, including approximately eight seconds at 240fps. Available frame rates depended on the recording mode; continuous high-frame-rate RAW recording required the RAW upgrade and a compatible external recorder.
- RAW output: With the CBKZ-FS5RIF RAW upgrade licence and firmware version 2.0 or later, the FS5 could output 12-bit RAW video to a compatible external recorder.
The FS5 at Dream Engine
The FS5 was a useful part of our kit at Dream Engine. Its ergonomic design, built-in ND and flexibility suited work such as multi-camera live streams and media training sessions. We have now retired the camera, but its practical design made it a valuable production tool during its time with us.
Final Thoughts
The Sony FS5 helped shape a generation of professional video cameras. It bridged the gap between large production rigs and lightweight filmmaking tools. Although we have now retired ours, it remains a notable part of our production history.
Sony FS5 – Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sony FS5 still a viable option today?
The FS5 can still suit some production setups, but Dream Engine has now retired it from our kit. This article looks back at its features and the role it played in our work.
Can the Sony FS5 record in 4K?
Yes. The FS5 records 4K internally to SD cards. Outputting 12-bit RAW 4K to a compatible external recorder requires the CBKZ-FS5RIF RAW upgrade licence and firmware version 2.0 or later.
What makes the FS5 different from newer Sony cameras like the FX3?
The FX3 offers better low-light performance and autofocus. However, the FS5 still has unique features such as its variable electronic ND filter and modular design, which can make it useful for specific production setups.
Ryan Spanger is the founder and managing director of Dream Engine, a Melbourne video production company established in 2002. Over the past two decades, he’s produced hundreds of videos for businesses, government departments, universities and healthcare organisations across Australia. Ryan specialises in helping organisations explain complex ideas through clear, engaging video content, with particular experience in corporate communications, training and education.
