Sony Xperia 1 IV, a dedicated smartphone for photographers


Scheduled for next month, Sony has unveiled its new Xperia 1 IV developed specifically for those looking for a smartphone with the latest cutting-edge technology in video and photography. Sony aims to target content creators. This new smartphone features very advanced video and photo features, including slow motion video recording in 4K at 120 fps on all its lenses. This smartphone is able to zoom optically between 85mm and 125mm.

Image sensor and optical zoom for high-level video and photography

The Xperia 1 IV features three lenses: a 16mm ultra-wide-angle lens, a 24mm wide-angle lens, and a new and unique 85-125mm optical true telephoto lens, to give creators the ability to capture a wide range of content.

All lenses feature a 12MP “Exmor RS for mobile” image sensor with a readout speed of up to 120 fps. This capability allows the device to record in 4K at 120 fps for up to 5x slow motion video. Real-time Eye AF and real-time tracking ensure steady shots with every lens. The Xperia 1 IV also combines distance and depth information, thanks to the iToF 3D sensor, and subject detection thanks to artificial intelligence for autofocus and precise and accurate subject tracking in low light.

In addition, the 3 ZEISS lenses have been calibrated specifically for this Xperia smartphone. The ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating contributes to sharper image rendering and higher contrast by reducing reflections on all rear camera optics.

The front camera is also equipped with a 12 MP “Exmor RS for mobile” image sensor, a sensor that performs better than on the previous model. It allows noise reduction in dark areas and taking selfies in 4K HDR.

A video creation

Sony has also developed its “Videography Pro” function which centralizes the video parameters. Users can easily adjust settings such as focus, exposure and white balance, even while shooting.

Additionally, they can capture and play back dynamic scenes and slow-motion video at up to 5x thanks to 4K HDR recording capabilities at 120fps on all of its lenses. Video capture stays smooth and shake-free thanks to Optical SteadyShot with FlawlessEye. The Xperia 1 IV also supports Eye AF technology and object tracking for video. This allows the user to maintain sharp focus on the subject and spend more time composing their scene.

This smartphone has a multi-frame video shooting function to record videos with a wider dynamic range without loss of resolution. In addition, the Xperia 1 IV enables smooth zooming from ultra wide-angle to telephoto.

Livestreaming

The Xperia 1 IV also improves the quality of live streaming, while simplifying the process. The device enables “Eye AF” and “Object Tracking” functions when live streaming with “Videography Pro”. This allows users to stream high-quality video from a compatible Alpha camera while using the Xperia 1 IV as an external monitor. Once paired with Sony’s Vlog monitor, users can stream live content to, for example, YouTube with even higher resolution thanks to the rear cameras.

Enriched photography with Alpha camera technology

The Xperia 1 IV combines an optical telephoto lens with bokeh effect and advanced autofocus technology. The Xperia 1 IV offers real-time Eye AF and 20fps burst mode with AE (automatic exposure) / AF in HDR on all three lenses to capture portraits of people and animals, even with fast-moving subjects and in difficult shooting conditions. Additionally, it uses AI white balance to capture and correct colors in challenging lighting conditions to produce ultra-realistic results.

Cinematography Pro powered by CineAlta

The Xperia 1 IV allows the user to easily create cinematic content. With Cinematography Pro’s “Powered by CineAlta” feature, creators can record movies with settings and color adjustments similar to those of professionals. All rear lenses enable high frame rate in 4K at 120 fps and up to 5x slow motion. In addition, the new multi-frame shootingx now available even for video recording enables video recording with a wider dynamic range without loss of resolution.

The mobile gaming experience

Advanced gaming features include a display with a 120Hz refresh rate, as well as motion blur reduction and a 240Hz touch refresh rate. Additionally, the game enhancer feature includes a Ly (low gamma) enhancer for low light adjustments, an audio equalizer and voice chat optimization to provide an immersive gaming experience. The Xperia 1 IV is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite chip to deliver enhanced performance for gaming. It also has a “Heat Suppression power control (HS power control)” function to prevent performance and battery deterioration due to the high temperature of the smartphone even during gaming and during charging. The Xperia 1 IV simplifies the game sharing thanks to the “RT record” function allowing you to record regarding 30 seconds before pressing the button. The Game Enhancer feature of the new Xperia 1 IV also allows gamers to live stream their gameplay to YouTube. A player can thus check the comments of his audience even during the live broadcast, and communicate with them in real time.

The new Xperia 1 IV also facilitates live streaming via a PC. It mixes all sound, including player voice, game music, and voice chat with other players, and sends it over a simple wired connection to a PC. The Xperia 1 IV has been chosen as the official device for the PUBG MOBILE Global E-sports Tournament 2022.

Improved sound

The Xperia 1 IV features new full-stage stereo speakers to enhance bass and kick drum sound. The speaker can also output sound in “360 Reality Audio (360RA)” format. Its unique hardware decoding optimizes sound quality when listening to properly encoded music on TIDAL and nugs.net. In addition, it is equipped with “360 Reality Audio Upmix” which converts stereo sound sources into multi-channel audio like the 360RA. It also supports DSEE Ultimate, which can convert audio from streaming services to near high-resolution sound quality. Finally, the Xperia 1 IV is compatible with the Bluetooth LE Audio format, via an upcoming software update, to reduce the delay in audio playback compared to a traditional Bluetooth connection.

Professional recording with Music Pro

The new “Music Pro” music recording feature enables professional-level recording with unique cloud processing. Music Pro upscales vocals recorded with the Xperia 1 IV as if they were recorded in a professional studio, allowing the user to record full-scale songs at home or on the go. Cloud processing removes unwanted noise from recorded audio using sound source separation technology. It then reproduces the frequency response of Sony’s high-performance condenser microphones while producing reverberation similar to that of a professional studio. When the user sings or plays acoustic guitar simultaneously, Music Pro can separate vocals and instruments, and mix them with any balance. Sound recording and editing is free, while cloud processing for high-quality sound is subject to a monthly fee.

It features a 4K HDR OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, with no notches to obstruct the view on the 6.5-inch widescreen in 21:9 aspect ratio. The Xperia 1 IV is able to improve the visibility of bright and dark areas, even in overexposed environments.

New “BRAVIA CORE for Xperia” service

Exclusive to the Xperia 1 IV, BRAVIA CORE for Xperia brings high-quality 4K movies to its 21:9 widescreen display. By choosing a movie from hundreds of Sony Pictures Entertainment new releases and classic favourites, the user goes behind the scenes with Studio Access and discovers IMAX Enhanced titles and DTS immersive sound thanks to the BRAVIA CORE offer for Xperia.

Performance

The Xperia 1 IV features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile platform, compatible with 5G and Wi-Fi 6E, 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of ROM, a 5,000 mAh battery with a lifespan of up to 3 years. The fast charge allows to have 50% of the battery in 30 minutes and the wireless charging function is also possible.

It boasts an IP65/68 water and dust resistance rating and is clad in Corning Gorilla Glass Victus front and back.

Price and availability

The Xperia 1 IV comes in three colors: black, white, purple and it will be available for sale from mid-June 2022 at a price of around €1399.

<!–

–>