Sony Xperia 1 V review

Video recording

The Xperia 1 V records video up to 4K30 with all four cameras via the default Auto Video mode within the Photo app. If you want a higher frame rate, there's the 1080p/60fps option, too. For any other resolution and frame rate, you need to switch apps.

Using the Cinema Pro app, you can unlock a host of other frame rates on all rear cameras - you get 4K at 24, 25, 30, 60, and 120fps, though that's not the full 16:9 UHD type of 4K, but 21:9 3840x1644px instead. The Pro in the name implies a better understanding of video capture parameters and workflow from the user. It requires a certain level of ability (and willingness) to post-process the footage - you likely won't be shooting casual 4K60 clips using the Camera Pro app.

Using the Video Pro app also unlocks 4K mode up to 120fps on all rear cameras too (4K60 for selfie), and it's easy shooting with this app if you want a point and shoot 4K at 60fps or 120fps clip that doesn't necessarily need to be processed later.

SteadyShot stabilization is available for all cameras, and its a combination of optical (where available) and electronic stabilization. It can be High Quality, Standard Quality, and OFF.

And we want to praise the High Quality SteadyShot for not reducing the video quality. While the field of view is narrower because of the crop, there is no drop in the resolved detail and sharpness.

You can also see how much FoV you'd be using with the stabilization.

SS OFF main cam • SS HQ main cam

SS OFF UW cam • SS HQ UW cam

The 4K footage has a video bit rate of about 55Mbps, while audio is captured stereo with 156 kbps bit rate. You can enable Intelligent Wind Reduction, a real-time filter that eliminates wind noise if present. And all clips we shot have outstanding audio quality with rich and deep sound.

The option for Wide Dynamic Range is here to stay. This is done by combining multiple frames, but it's not your default setting for a reason - when shooting in WDR, the video stabilization and 60fps capturing are disabled.

The WDR video is available on all cameras, and, as promised, it widens the dynamic range by keeping the highlights from clipping. It also deepens the shadows and increases the contrast. It may also be responsible for somewhat sharper footage and a slight drop in the color saturation (to a more natural one).

SDR main cam • WDR main cam

SDR UW cam • WDR UW cam

WDR are not suitable for night shooting, as the videos are way darker than they should be and largely unusable.

SDR main cam • WDR main cam

SDR UW cam • WDR UW cam

We found the daylight WDR videos slightly more pleasant than the Standard ones. But SteadyShot stabilization is not available, and we consider it essential.

Main camera

All videos you are about to see were shot with the default Photo app and the default Auto Video mode. You can achieve better video quality by using the other camera apps, but you need to be familiar with their advanced options and terminology.

The 4K daylight videos from the main camera are good - the noise is kept low, the colors are realistic, and the dynamic range is wide. The contrast is okay, though if you like videos of higher contrast and a bit sharper footage, you could try the Wide Dynamic Range options.

The resolved detail is enough, though you can see areas of smeared foliage or other random detail. But, once again, we are fond of Sony's natural processing in both photos and videos.

And here is the 4K WDR footage.

Surprisingly, the 2x zoomed videos are quite nice, with enough resolved detail, great sharpness, and they excel in color rendition, dynamic range, and present the same natural look. They are definitely not cropped and upscaled, so that was a nice surprise.

The 4K low-light videos from the main camera are usable but nothing impressive really. The detail is alright, the noise is tolerable, but the dynamic range is very narrow with many blown highlights and completely black shadows. The videos are darker than they should have been given the high-quality sensor, lens, and software.

Ultrawide camera

The 4K videos from the ultrawide camera are superb - they are plenty detailed even in the corners, with great noise reduction, and notably wide dynamic range. The colors are quite nice.

The footage is pleasantly natural and balanced, and the ultrawide camera definitely provides flagship-worthy videos in good light.

The low-light videos from the ultrawide camera are not bad, but they are pretty noisy, and we doubt many would use this camera at night.

Telephoto camera

The 3.5x zoomed videos from the telephoto camera are solid - they offer a good amount of resolved detail, the noise is low, and the rendition is natural. The dynamic range is once again wide, the contrast is enough, and the colors are accurate and lively.

The 5.2x zoom leads to a drop in the detail and the absolute sharpness and introduction of some noise. The footage is a bit shakier, too. Other than the detail and the noise, the clips offer the same video quality as the 3.5x zoom.

The low-light videos from the telephoto camera are pretty usable, especially the 3.5x zoomed one. The detail of good amount, the color saturation is true to life, and the noise reduction is gentle, but the noise itself doesn't get much in the way. The dynamic range is not that wide, but not too narrow either.

The 5.2x zoomed video is less detailed and noisier, as expected.

Selfie camera

The selfie camera shoots excellent 4K videos, and the SteadyShot stabilization does a great job, too. The footage is detailed and sharp, with natural rendition, accurate colors, and high contrast, and the subject was always well exposed. The dynamic range isn't that impressive, though.

If you'd like a boost in the dynamic range but you can live without stabilization, then the Wide Dynamic Range option is for you. Just don't expect miracles.

Stabilization

The SteadyShot stabilization does an excellent job of stabilizing the videos shot on the main and ultrawide cameras. It works well on the selfie (as we've demonstrated above), and it's not bad on the telephoto camera (if you don't plan on walking).

Finally, the Sony Xperia 1 V in our video comparison database.

2160p: Sony Xperia 1 V against the Xiaomi 13 Ultra and the vivo X90 Pro in our Video compare tool