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First Sony Xperia Z5 4K and 1080p video samples showcase its lightning-fast HybridAF focus tech

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By Chris P.

Updated: Sep 05, 2015, 7:08 AM

First Sony Xperia Z5 4K and 1080p video samples showcase its lightning-fast HybridAF focus tech

Updated design? Cool! A brand-new fingerprint scanner? Welcome! And yet, when we talk about Sony's Xperia Z line of devices, the conversation inevitably turns to camera performance, and that's not surprising — after all, the Japanese company's expertise in this area is beyond reproach. With a new, 1/2.3" Exmor RS sensor with 23 megapixels of its own making strapped on the back of its new Xperia Z5, Sony is once again going to battle for dominance with other flagships for the title of best cameraphone. And though it's too early to tell just how well the company has done this time around, nothing's stopping us from commenting on some preliminary video footage we recorded during IFA 2015 in Berlin.

As can be expected from any self-respecting 2015 flagship, the Sony Xperia Z5 is a full-fledged camcorder with the ability to shoot up to 4K video at 29 frames per second. If you don't fancy sacrificing all that internal storage to store those giant 4K files, or you simply don't have the proper equipment to view them in their full glory, there's still the option of 1080p video at both 30 and 60 frames per second. Unfortunately, the improved SteadyShot stabilization is only available with the 1080p@30FPS mode, so 4K and silky-smooth 1080p clips are shaky in comparison.

Beyond the specs regurgitation, we were pleasantly surprised to find that Sony's new super-fast HybridAF focusing tech lives up to the company's claims, and is particularly responsive when shooting video under continuous auto focus (CAF). The shooter is very quick to determine whether the action is happening in the background or foreground, and we've got the footage to prove it. Check it out!

NOTE: Please do keep in mind that the camera software available with the demo unit used to film these clips is not final.

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Chris Panayotov is a former mobile tech reviewer of phones, tablets and wearables at PhoneArena. However, his contribution to PhoneArena content includes not just reviews, but all kinds of regular and experimental features, such as news stories, buying guides, and an exclusive column on the most notable phones out of Asia.