Sony Xperia 5 IV test: the unenviable small format Xperia 1
Little change this year 2022 in terms of photography. The Xperia 5 IV drops the Xperia 5 III’s variable focal length on its telephoto lens and marks a return to a fixed focal length – the equivalent of 60mm (vs. 70-105mm on the previous model). On the other hand, the definition remains at 12 megapixels. Same for the wide-angle and extra-wide-angle units which on paper match those on Form III.
Main unit: 12 MP, f / 1.7, eq. 24 mm
During the day, the Xperia 5 IV provides a “flat” and somewhat natural shot, unlike the S22 Ultra which benefits from a slightly stronger exposure. The level of detail is good, but it’s a bit lagging due to the slightly obvious software smoothing in places.
The same at night: by providing a very natural result, the image is more blinking to the eye. Exposure is very strong on the S22 Ultra and contrast is very high. Sony’s sharpness is good, as is colorimetry.
Ultra wide angle module: 12 MP, f / 2.2, eq. 16 mm
During the day, the ultra-wide angle unit delivers a very good result, with much better clarity and color metering than the S22 Ultra. The exposure is also good, with a very natural exposure, as is the case with the main unit.
In low light, the result is quite similar to that of a wide angle unit. The level of detail is good, brightness is also managed, just like colorimetry. With the South Korean opponent, there is more forced variance, as well as a lot of exposure.
Telephoto: 12 MP, f/2.4, eq. 60 mm
During the day, the telephoto lens works well, but it’s a bit behind that of the Galaxy S22 Ultra. At night, the trend reverses. The Samsung shot becomes unusable because it’s mixed up, while the Xperia shot delivers a more satisfactory result – in particular thanks to moderate software processing interference.
Front unit, portrait and video position
On the front, it is the same unit that powers the Xperia 1 IV that we find in the Xperia 5 IV. The performance is, therefore, similar, with high-quality selfies and a natural display (as are the rear units). The same observation for the vertical position turned out to be very correct. The background blur is good and can be adjusted before being photographed.
In video, the smartphone is capable of shooting in 4K at 120 fps or 1080p at 240 fps. Take advantage of optical and electronic stabilization to reduce tremors.
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