If you're a Sony fan, you probably already watched MKBHD's review of the Xperia 1V. One of the key takeaways from that video is that Sony should improve their basic camera app... and I have to echo that sentiment. 

However, interestingly enough, on receiving an Xperia 1 Mark 5 to test, I seems as though they have done it... so I'm going to show you all the 'upgrades.' compared to the Xperia 1 Mark 4 basic camera app. 

At the end of this, let me know in the comments section what further improvements you would like to see.

And to make this video even more interesting for you. I'll show you guys some side-by-side photos—a quick camera comparison of the Xperia 1IV vs Xperia 1V.

Photo Pro - BASIC upgrades

1. change to the BOKEH mode

So let's start with the changes to the quick settings scroll bar. The first change is partly cosmetic to bring the icons in line with Sony's Alpha & ZV camera range. The Bokeh feature now appears like this and works in the same way as before.

Although one significant user upgrade is that now when you want to take a portrait selfie, by flipping the camera to the selfie. You don't have to hit more in the top right corner and open the selfie portrait app. It's much more seamless now, and the quality is far better now.

And the primary camera hardware has been improved from the ground up. New sensor type, sensor size, optics and a new blue Zeiss T* lens coating, and let's not forget the improved digital signal image processing that the SD8 GEN 2 brings. What do you think of the results here with the rear camera BOKEH?

2. Additional shooting mode Hi+ Mode

So here is a significant upgrade. There is a new shooting mode available in the basic app. Just like before, you can set timers and enable burst shooting modes. Low mode is ten frames per second, High 20 frames per second & all the way at the end are HDR Hi & Low burst shooting modes. 10 and 20 FPS. But in the middle on the MARK 5 is the new Hi+ burst mode 30 FPS per second.  

3. Creative Looks

And right next to the shooting modes is new creative looks with six presets to choose from. So this is great to see on the mark 5. In the past, the only way to do something like this was to tap on the top left corner & go to the creative look option there. But this operated like an app in itself. But it does feel a bit disconnected and a bit clunky and not that easy to use.

Sony has kept it simple with the new creative looks and again in line with what you see on Alpha and Sony ZV cameras.The looks consist of standard, neutral, vivid, fluorescent, incandescent, shade.

4. Night Mode

Ok, here's the big one. This is our first time seeing a dedicated night mode setting on Xperia. It's always just been working in the background. But the fact that this shortcut is available suggests that the night mode is more powerful than ever before because now you can switch it off.

Let me know what you think of the night photography upgrades.

5. Menu Additions

That's the surface settings. Now, let's dive a little deeper into the menu settings. In the drive mode you'll see the new 'continuous shooting hi+' mode.

And here's a setting that I have overlooked in the past. It's not a new one, but it is new to me. Let me know if you know about this. In the 'Digital zoom settings', there is an AI super-resolution zoom mode which is off by default.

Anyway, scroll down. The night shooting mode is also present here.

And here's a brand new hidden upgrade. In the Face / Eye autofocus settings, there's a new mode: face AF, not the usual face & eye AF. My guess is that it is going to be a better option for shooting from longer distances. For example from the sidelines of a football match.

Photo Pro / Video - BASIC Upgrades

6. BOKEH for video 

Now the basic video mode has seen some improvements to. You'll notice that the BOKEH mode is present for video now. It wasn't available before. It works across all three lenses, too.

7. Moved Video Resolution settings 

Next, you'll notice the option to switch between resolutions from 720p to 4K 30FPS. There is no option for 120FPS here, you only access that in THE slow mo. So you'll miss out on 4K 120FPS if you don't learn to use video pro or cinema pro. 

But this quick access is still an upgrade, as on the MK4, you have to go to the menu and then the video size.

8. Creative looks for video

Creative looks are also available in basic video mode too & now the new CINE-TONE feature is also present. All of these are new additions to the basic video app.

Options to switch between Dynamic range standard & wide are also here. Now one thing you’ll notice on the Xperia 1IV is that you can toggle between HDR to SDR from the quick settings, which is convenient. On the Xperia 1IV, it's hidden away in the menu settings.

9. Product Showcase mode 

Here's another brand new feature, its 'product showcase'. This is where the camera will focus on whatever is closest to the camera, even if there's a face and eyes in the frame. 

Again this is in line with Sony's vlog camera range & I think the new Alpha cameras will also get this feature and use the same icon.

10. Upgraded Video Stabilisation 

Now you know that the primary has been upgraded to a 52MP Exmor T sensor, but interestingly only 48MP of that is used & that's because the space around the 48MP can be used to help stabilise the picture. 

And check out his new setting hidden in the menu. You can set' Video Stabilisation' to high quality, standard or off. This was not available on the Mark 4. I do think this should be accessible on the main screen but at least now you can do it.

11. Rear Mic / Stereo Mic options

Another massive upgrade for video is the ability to turn on the rear mic that's built into the camera module. It's nice that Sony has made this option available in the basic video app because it will significantly boost audio if you're filming people talking to the camera and will help eliminate background sounds.

Final Thoughts

So that's the improvements so far. We may see more improvements to the basic camera app in the future as software updates roll out. I personally would like to see some more tools like a spirit level and top down spirit level, as well as HDR and Stabilisation quick settings available on the main camera screen & of course a proper Ai camera mode. Maybe Sony can borrow some of that Google pixel software…that could be next level.

The Sony Xperia 1V hardware is on point, the problem is that the person pointing the camera may not be. 

If you're not familiar with how to use Sony’s 'photo pro' in its various pro modes and the 'video pro' and 'cinema pro apps, then the reality is you're only going to be using a small percentage of Xperia's 1V’s capabilities.

So let me know in the comments, what features & upgrades do you think Sony needs to make to help more people unlock the full potential of what could be potentially one of the best camera phones out there today.

And here’s a final thought for you.

Maybe human eyes are as good as they will ever be, It’s quite likely that they have peaked. And maybe even on the decline based on the screens we are all constantly placing closer & closer to our faces. 

And now think about this, AI eyes are getting better & continue to evolve and see more clearly…right now many phones have sight and one day AI may have vision…Who knows what that could look like, for now in 2023, we’ll just have to wait and see.