Sony FS5 FAQ (Scroll Down for Index)
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Index: (Click to jump to selected topic)
What is the difference between the FS5 and the FS7?
What is the latest version of firmware for the FS5?
What type of media does the FS5 use?
What are the recording times?
What are the resolutions, bit depths, and frame rates available on the FS5?
How does the camera record slow motion?
What are the burst times and recording quality of the slow motion?
What is the difference between the XAVC-L codec on the FS5 and the XAVC-I available on the FS7?
What do the optional paid upgrades do and how much do they cost?
What is the battery run time?
Does the FS5 shoot Log?
Does the FS5 have LUTs?
Does the FS5 record RAW internally?
Does the FS5 support center scan (2K) mode?
What is Clear Image Zoom?
What is Hyper Log Gamma?
Why should I buy an FS7 instead of an FS5?
Why should I buy a FS5 instead of an a7S II?
Q: What is the difference between the FS5 and the FS7?
A: While the two cameras are similar in many ways, with an abundance of shared features and accessories, there are still quite a few differences. The FS5 is smaller and lighter, it uses cheaper SDXC cards, it records in XAVC-L codec instead of XAVC-I, it uses cache recording for slow motion, it only has a single SDI output, and the 4K recordings are more limited.
For more information, checkout our post that describes the PXW-FS5 in greater detail: https://zsyst.com/sony-4k-camera-page/Sony-FS5/
Q: What is the latest version of firmware for the FS5?
A: The latest firmware for the FS5 is version 4.02. For details and a download link please click here: Sony PXW-FS5 Version 4.02 Firmware Update.
If you bought your camera from Z Systems, you can bring it in and we will perform the upgrade for free.
Q: What type of media does the FS5 use?
A: The FS5 uses SDXC U3 cards to record 4k clips. These cards can be found at any pro photo store, and at most big box retailers like Best Buy and Target.
Q: What is the recording time?
Q: What are the resolutions, bit depths, and frame rates available on the FS5?
XAVC-L 8-bit 4:2:0
- UHD (3840×2160) 59.94p; 50p; 29.97p; 25p; 23.98p
XAVC-L 10-bit 4:2:2
- HD (1920×1080) 59.94p; 59.94i; 50p; 50i; 29.97p; 25p; 23.98p
MPEG-2 8-bit 4:2:2 with optional upgrade
- HD (1920×1080) 59.94i; 50i; 29.97p; 25p; 23.98p
- HD (1280×720) 59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 23.98p, 25p
RAW 12-bit linear with optional upgrade and external recorder
- 4K (4096×2160) 60p; 50p; 29.97p; 25p 23.98p
- 2K (2048×2160) 60p; 50p; 29.97p; 25p 23.98p
- 4K (4096×2160) 1 – 60 fps Slow and Quick Motion
- 2K (2048×2160) 120 and 240 fps Slow and Quick Motion
Q: How does the camera record slow motion?
A: The FS5 records slow motion in two ways. The first method utilizes the buffer inside the camera. The camera records between 8 and 20 seconds of footage (depending on resolution and frame rate) into the cameras buffer and then writes it off to the card.
The second method is continuous recording up to 120 frames per second directly to the SD cards. This method requires an optional paid upgrade.
Q: What are the burst times and recording quality of the slow motion?
A: At 120fps and 240fps the recordings are full high definition 10-bit 4:2:2 with 16 second and 8 second bursts respectively. At 480fps and 960fps the resolution and quality start dropping and at 960fps the image actually crops in. We do not recommend going above 240fps for professional work.
Q: What is the difference between the XAVC-L codec on the FS5 and the XAVC-I available on the FS7?
A: XAVC-L is a Long-GOP (Group of Pictures) codec. This means that the first frame is recorded in full, followed by a number of frames that only record the differences from the first frame, followed up by another full frame. Most digital video codecs utilize this type of recording.
XAVC-I on the other hand is what’s known as an Intraframe codec. In Intraframe recording each frame is recorded in full. This leaves less room for image artifacting, but also uses up more band width and storage space.
Q: What do the optional paid upgrades do and how much do they cost?
A: As of now there are three paid upgrades to the FS5. One upgrade allows the camera to record in MPEG HD 422 directly to the SD cards for use in workflows that require legacy XDCAM format. The second upgrade allows the FS5 to output 12-bit FS-RAW via the SDI output. The last upgrade allows the camera to record continuous 120fps HD internally.
All the paid upgrades cost around $500 each.
Q: What is the battery run time?
A: A BPU-60 battery will run the camera for 3-4 hours.
Q: Does the FS5 shoot Log?
A: Yes. The FS5 is capable of shooting in Slog-2 and Slog-3.
Q: Does the FS5 have LUTs?
A: No. The FS5 uses something called “Gamma Display Assist” which is a little like a generic LUT for the camera viewfinder, but you cannot load custom LUT’s or even output the “Gamma Display Assist” over any of the camera outputs.
Q: Does the FS5 record RAW internally?
A: No. Just like the FS7 and FS700, RAW recording requires an external recorder like the Convergent Design Odyssey 7q+ or the Atamos Shogun.
Q: Does the FS5 support center scan (2K) mode?
A: Yes.
Q: What is Clear Image Zoom?
A: Clear Image Zoom is a function on the FS5 that utilizes the high pixel count on the sensor to allow for an in camera doubling of the effective focal length of the lens without any loss of image quality or resolution in high definition. Since it is an in camera feature that uses the sensor, Clear Image Zoom works with any lens, even primes.
Q: What is Hyper Log Gamma?
A: Hyper Log Gamma is a special gamma curve developed by Sony and the BBC for broadcasting a single signal that works on both standard dynamic range screens as well as high dynamic range screens. On a SDR screen the highlights will look a little bit flatter than normal, but on an HDR screen you will see much brighter highlights (what actually makes HDR, HDR).
Q: Why should I buy an FS7 instead of an FS5?
A: We would recommend an FS7 over an FS5 in instances where the best color encoding is required, or for customers that often work with corporate or network clients, as the FS7 is one of the most requested cameras in the industry right now.
Q: Why should I buy an FS5 instead of an a7S II?
A: We would recommend an FS5 over an a7S II or other DSLR for professional video work for a number of reasons. Primary among them is that there are no compromises that need to be made when doing video with the FS5. It has industry standard professional inputs and outputs for audio and video. It will record continuously for as long as you have space on your media cards. It has built in tools specifically for video. It is designed ergonomically for video work and has many operator functions that make it easier to work with.
Z Systems is also your #1 source for video camera rentals and video accessory rentals in Minneapolis
Click here to browse are pro video rentals, including video camera rentals and video equipment rentals