Sony cinema camera with Super 35mm CMOS sensor, 4K recording, 14 stops dynamic range, and variable frame rates up to 120fps in 2K.
Technical Details
The Super 35mm CMOS sensor measures 24.7 x 13.1mm and operates with an effective pixel count of 11.6 megapixels. The F55 records internally onto XQD memory cards in XAVC (50/100/200 Mbps), and externally via 3G/HD-SDI with up to 444 RGB at 4:4:4 color sampling. The camera body weighs 2.6kg without a lens and features a PL mount as well as an optional FZ mount. The dynamic range reaches 14 stops, and the color resolution utilizes 16-bit processing. Variable frame rates from 1-60fps in 4K and up to 120fps in 2K enable slow-motion and time-lapse recording.
History & Development
Sony introduced the F55 at NAB in October 2012, and it became available in February 2013 as the successor to the successful F35. Development was driven by the growing demand for affordable 4K productions starting in 2012. A firmware update in 2014 expanded its capabilities with S-Log3 and Hypergamma modes. In 2017, production was discontinued in favor of the Venice series, after the F55 had served as Sony's 4K flagship for four years.
Practical Use in Film
The F55 was used in productions such as "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" (2014), "Elysium" (2013), and numerous Netflix series. Typical workflows combined internal 4K recording with external recorders like the Odyssey 7Q for ProRes formats. S-Log2 and S-Log3 gamma curves allowed for extensive color correction in post-production. The high frame rates proved particularly useful for action sequences and VFX shots, while its compact design facilitated handheld and gimbal use.
Comparison & Alternatives
In 2013, the F55 was positioned between the more expensive Alexa and the more affordable C300, but it was the first camera in its price class to offer native 4K recording. Its direct competitor, the RED Scarlet, surpassed it in resolution, but the F55 excelled with a more reliable workflow and better low-light performance. Modern alternatives include the Sony FX9, Canon C500 Mark II, or the Alexa Mini LF. The F55 is still suitable today for budget productions requiring 4K quality without current camera rentals.