Sony Xperia 1 IV smartphone offers optical 85-125 mm telephoto zoom via periscope for the first time
[16:39 Wed,11.May 2022 by Thomas Richter]
Sony&s Xperia smartphone lineup has always been strongly aimed at filmmakers with its camera-heavy features - including the freshly unveiled Sony Xperia 1 IV, which also features a periscope lens as a big innovation, and thus a true stepless optical zoom with a focal length range of 85-125 mm Kb-equivalent.
Sony Xperia 1 IV
The three camera modules. Built into the back are a total of three camera modules from Zeiss: in addition to the zoom periscope camera with a 1/3.5" Sony Exmor RS for mobile sensor, the 24mm module offers a large 1/1.7" sensor, and a 1/2.5" sensor sits behind the 16mm ultra-wide-angle lens. It lets you zoom seamlessly from ultra-wide to telephoto perspective. The resolution is 12MP for all three, and the readout speed goes up to 120bps. This means the Xperia 1 IV supports up to five times slow-motion shooting in 4K at 120 BpS, real-time eye-detection autofocus, and real-time tracking for photos with any lens.
The 24mm and 85-125mm lenses feature the latest SteadyShot optical version with FlawlessEye image stabilization for blur-free video. In addition, the Xperia 1 IV supports eye AF and object tracking for videos. A so-called multiframe function for video recording is also available, which makes it possible to record videos with a wider dynamic range without sacrificing resolution (available resolution 4K with 30 BpS).
Sony Xperia 1 IV camera modules
The front camera is also equipped with a 12-megapixel Exmor RS for mobile image sensor, which is larger than that of the predecessor. The sensor minimizes image noise in low light and enables selfie shots in 4K HDR.
The periscope trick
. Periscope lenses use a simple trick to get around the fact that a telephoto lens with a longer focal length also has to be longer structurally than desired for smartphone modules. The principle is similar to that of periscopes used in submarines, for example: in periscope lenses, the focal length (i.e. distance of the light) is divided into two segments by a mirror, which are arranged at a 90° angle to each other. This allows the zoom lens to cover the longest part of this distance horizontally in the smartphone&s casing before it then hits the image sensor on the side.
Sony Xperia 1 IV periscope lens
A periscope lens was first used in Huawei&s P30 Pro back in 2019, and since then it has also been installed in other Android smartphones - Apple will probably not introduce a periscope zoom lens until 2023 with the iPhone 14.
Setting options and autofocus. On the Xperia 1 IV, you have access to a wide range of settings when filming videos, which are centrally combined in the "Videography Pro" function. This makes it easy to adjust settings such as focus, exposure and white balance, even while recording. Cinematography Pro "Powered by CineAlta", on the other hand, allows movies to be recorded with parameters and color settings similar to those used by professionals - various presets as well as free design options are available for this purpose.
Sony Xperia 1 IV Cinematography Pro Powered by CineAlta
The Xperia 1 IV continuously calculates the autofocus and exposure up to 60 times per second. The AF algorithms have been revised, and a combination of a 3D-iToF sensor for depth measurement and artificial intelligence (AI)-based scene recognition should also make it possible to focus and track subjects precisely even in low-light conditions. There are also 247 phase detection points on the main sensor (24mm).
Livestreaming, Monitor Monitor for Alpha Cameras. Using the Sony Videography Pro app, videos can be streamed to streaming services directly from the smartphone with the Xperia 1 IV. When using Videography Pro for live streams, the device supports AF with eye detection and object tracking.
Sony Xperia 1 IV Videography Pro
If the smartphone is connected to Sony&s vlog monitor, which is available as an accessory, then content can be transmitted in even higher resolution by using the main camera instead of the front camera. Alternatively, videos can also be streamed from a compatible Alpha camera and the Xperia IV can be used as an external monitor. However, the Sony does not have an HDMI input; the monitor function uses the USB-C port instead.
Sony Xperia 1 IV as preview monitor
Professional recording with Music Pro
With the help of the new music production application Music Pro and its cloud-processing AI capabilities, it should be possible to produce professional audio recordings with the Xperia 1 IV. Voices recorded with the new smartphone should be able to be converted as if they were recorded in a professional studio using Music Pro, according to Sony. Using sound separation technology like that used in Peter Jackson&s Beatles documentary "Let it Be" www.slashcam.de/news/single/Wie-Peter-Jacksons-Beatles-Doku--Get-Back--erst-du-16962.html, the cloud application eliminates unwanted noise, then reproduces the frequency response of Sony&s powerful condenser microphones and creates a reverb similar to the reverb effects found in professional studios. If singing and acoustic guitar are played at the same time, Music Pro can separate the vocal and guitar sounds into different tracks and mix them in any balance.
Sony Xperia 1 IV
Music recording and editing as well as a trial version of Studio Tuning (up to 100 MB in the first month) are free. A paid subscription is required for the Studio Tuning feature, which is only available for vocals. Monthly subscription costs and availability may vary by market.
Other features. The 10-bit (8-bit plus 2-bit smoothing) 4K HDR OLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate is said to be 50% brighter than the previous model&s and features real-time HDR for better visibility in bright and dark areas. It measures 6.5" (16.5 cm / diagonal) in 21:9 format and supports ITU-R BT.2020 color space and DCI-P3 with standard illuminant D65.
The Xperia 1 IV is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile platform, which supports 5G and Wi-Fi 6E, and offers 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of ROM. The 5,000 mAh battery with up to 3 years of life features Qi charging as well as a fast charging feature that charges the battery to 50% in 30 minutes. Thanks to Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back as well as IP65/68 (water and dust resistant), the Xperia 1 IV is robust.
Sony Xperia 1 IV
As a rarity in smartphones, a shutter button for photo/video is available. For gamers, a "game optimizer" is on board as a game control center that allows customizing functions and settings. Games can also be streamed live.
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