
Sony’s Xperia 1 III – the smartphone billed as a tool for photographers, cinematographers and other creative professionals – is now available for pre-order. But the reviews are already pouring in, and we’ve seen enough.
The Xperia 1 III is Videomaker’s new best video smartphone camera.
Here’s a look at what makes the Xperia 1 III our top choice for shooting video with a smartphone:
It’s got the right tools for the job
Sony says the Xperia 1 III was developed with help from the minds that engineered the company’s latest Alpha 9 series cameras. Because of this, the new smartphone comes with fast AF in each of its three cameras. It also comes with what Sony calls “Real-Time Tracking Technology,” meant to capture accurate portrayals on subjects on the go.
The Xperia’s trio of cameras – including a 12MP f/1.7 aperture 24mm wide-angle shooter, a 12MP f/2.2 16mm ultra-wide, and an adaptive telephoto camera – feature four different lenses. The aforementioned telephoto camera has a 12MP sensor and two of the phone’s four lenses: an f/2.3 70mm telephoto lens and an f/2.8 105mm lens.
It’s capable of recording incredibly detailed video
The Xperia 1 III can record in 4K HDR at 24, 25, 30, 60, and 120 fps. Beyond that, it offers eight different color settings, audio separation technology meant to pair clear sound with great video, and some helpful new UI improvements. The Xperia 1 III lets you check on how much time you have left to record. It also tells you how much free memory you have left. Beyond that, it gives you streamlined access to parameters you used on certain clips, including FPS, Look, lens, stabilizer, WB, ISO, Shutter angle/speed, focus and audio level. And, to make sure the audio in your content always hits the mark, an audio level meter lets you monitor your sound at all times.
It’s…not available yet
The one downside to this new Xperia is that it’s not actually available yet. It will be soon, however. Sony’s $1,300 smartphone is currently available for pre-order, with a scheduled August 19 release date.
While it’ll be a little while until we see the phone in action, it’s hard to deny that the Xperia 1 III’s specs make it an ideal companion to anyone hoping to record and create great video content.