Sony
FX5
2026 Cinema Line full-frame camera with 16.6MP stacked Exmor RS, 5K Open Gate, internal 16-bit X-OCN RAW, triple base ISO, and FX3-class compact mobility.
$4,899
Launch priceReleased Aug 2026
Sony
PXW-Z90
Palm-sized XDCAM with 1-inch Exmor RS sensor, 12x Zeiss zoom, Fast Hybrid AF, 3G-SDI, dual XLR, and XAVC 4K up to 30p.
$2,799
Launch priceReleased Dec 2017
FX5 is 8.7 years newer.
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Wins
FX5
Wins
PXW-Z90
6 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BPXW-Z90 has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 0 fps)
- BPXW-Z90 has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 0 fps)
- BPXW-Z90 has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 800)
- BPXW-Z90 has higher ISO max (native) (25,600 vs 12,800)
- AFX5 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
FX5
132 × 79 × 87 mm
734 g (1.62 lb / 25.89 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
PXW-Z90
134 × 91 × 72 mm
580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)
FX5 is 2mm narrower and 12mm shorter than PXW-Z90 but it is also 15mm thicker.
FX5 is 154 g heavier than PXW-Z90.
Depth (front-to-back): 87mm FX5 · 72mm PXW-Z90
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
FX5
132 × 79 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
PXW-Z90
134 × 91 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
FX5
132 × 87 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
PXW-Z90
134 × 72 mm
Sensor size, to scale
FX5
35.7 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
850 mm² area
PXW-Z90
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
FX5
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
PXW-Z90: mount data unavailable
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
FX5
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 132.3, 79, 86.95
Codecs
Adds X-OCN LT, X-OCN C1, X-OCN C2…
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
EVF resolution
7,070,000 vs 3,690,000 — higher is better
Resolution
16.6 MP vs 14.2 MP — higher is better
EVF magnification
0.9 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose
PXW-Z90
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 91, 72
ISO min (native)
100 vs 800 — lower is better
ISO max (native)
25,600 vs 12,800 — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only PXW-Z90 supports it
Codecs
Adds ProRes
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 759
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓RAW buffer depth — Both 120 frames
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
FX5
Pros
- ✓5K Open Gate + internal X-OCN RAW (LT / C1 / C2)
- ✓Triple base ISO 800 / 4000 / 12800 + Dual Gain
- ✓15+ stops DR (S-Log3) + BIONZ XR2 AI AF
- ✓5K 60p / 4K 120p / FHD 240p at launch
- ✓Compact body with IBIS, cooling, dual card slots
Cons
- –Body-only $4,899 — XLR handle / OLED EVF optional
- –Open Gate X-OCN only at launch (XAVC Open Gate via FW)
- –4K 240p / 5K 120p planned for 2027 firmware
- –No built-in EVF (optional DVF-EL1)
PXW-Z90
Pros
- ✓1-inch stacked Exmor RS (14.2MP)
- ✓273-point Fast Hybrid AF
- ✓Built-in ND (1/4, 1/16, 1/64)
- ✓3G-SDI + dual XLR handle
- ✓S-Log3 / HLG / S-Cinetone
Cons
- –4K limited to 30p
- –Small palm body ergonomics
- –XAVC 100Mbps max in 4K
- –Superseded by newer NX800/Z200 line
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the FX5 and PXW-Z90 at major authorized retailers.
Sony PXW-Z90
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, FX5 or PXW-Z90?
PXW-Z90 scores 9.0/10 versus 5.0/10 for FX5 — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the FX5 and PXW-Z90?
FX5 is 16.6 MP and PXW-Z90 is 14.2 MP, so the FX5 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the FX5 and PXW-Z90 have in-body image stabilization?
FX5 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while PXW-Z90 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.
What's the weight difference between the FX5 and PXW-Z90?
FX5 weighs 734 g and PXW-Z90 weighs 580 g, so the PXW-Z90 is 154 g lighter.
Do the FX5 and PXW-Z90 record 4K video?
FX5: 4K up to 120p. PXW-Z90: 4K up to 60p.
Are the FX5 and PXW-Z90 weather sealed?
FX5: Yes. PXW-Z90: Yes.
How much does each cost?
FX5 launched at $4,899 and PXW-Z90 at $2,799. The PXW-Z90 is $2,100 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way FX5 vs PXW-Z90 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Sony press materials.