Sony Xperia Pro review

The Sony Xperia Pro is absolutely one of the most impressive phones I’ve tried in many years. It’s not the best choice intended for all. The $2500 phone is the latest step in Sony’s shift away from smartphones specifically designed for a mass user base and is firmly moving toward phones for video and photography avid users. (UK and Australian launch dates are not yet been confirmed however, the US cost is roughly PS1,830 or AU$3,250.) In the past, we received the stunning Xperia 1 II and the Xperia 5 II, which was the most impressive phone Sony created in the last few years. This year’s Xperia Pro takes this narrow-appeal method to the higher stage. It’s not designed to be a competitor to iPhone 12 Pro Max or the Galaxy S21 Ultra. iPhone 12 Pro Max and Galaxy S21 Ultra. Galaxy S21 Ultra. In actual fact, there isn’t a comparable device that has the same capabilities.

An 6.5-inch screen in 4K, connectivity to 5G, and HDMI input turn the Xperia Pro into a variety options of high-end tools for filmmakers and video editors. Even if you’re of them, it may not be the best choice suitable for you.

LIKE

• Professional level video monitor features
• Robust, utilitarian design
• Live broadcasts streaming live over 5G
• As an phone it is an exact copy of it’s the Xperia 1 II

DON’T LIKE

• The price is prohibitive, limiting its appeal to a small extent.
• 2020 specifications and Android 10
• I would like to record video using HDMI input.

The Xperia Pro is essentially an Xperia 1 II repackaged into an even larger body, with an micro-HDMI port. It’s unassuming and functional that is perfect for a serious piece equipment. It comes with a shutter button and a power button that is mounted on the side which also functions as an RFID reader, as well as the new shortcut button on hardware.

It comes with the same simple-to-open dual-SIM tray that can be used in conjunction with a microSD card as additional storage. It also has identical cameras, and appears to be capable of taking the same high-quality images and videos similar to that of the Xperia 1 II. This Xperia Pro also has last year’s Snapdragon 865 chip , and is running Android 10. However, it has a bump in RAM, which is now 12GB. The majority of features on the Pro features are the same as it’s predecessor, the Xperia 1 II, I suggest you go through the Xperia 1 II review for a thorough review of the various features. Note that I reviewed an unreleased version that was a preproduction model of the Sony Xperia Pro, which is the reason I didn’t give the device a complete, rated review.

You may be thinking that even if it’s true that the Pro is so much like it’s predecessor, the Xperia 1 II, why the Pro costs $1,400 more? That’s when things get intriguing and quite unique. The Xperia Pro is a phone, a camera monitor, a speedy photo file-transfer device and a 5G broadcast/livestreaming machine. I was awestruck by how it streamlines the workflow of creative photographers or videographers, as well as live broadcasters. However, after an entire week of testing I realize that it’s not suitable for all photographers, videographers or live broadcasters.

Apart from the fact that its capabilities are above the norm and beyond the norm, the price of $2,500 is sure to create sticker shock for a lot of people. When you consider the features of the Xperia PRO (phone with 4K display and 5G cell modem) the cost becomes more manageable. But the real question is, do you think this phone suitable for you?

The Xperia Pro as a 4K field monitor

When you record videos using an individual camera, you’ll need an extra large screen on which to view the video to verify things like the focus and exposure. The screens built into cameras are severely restricted by their dimensions. There are numerous 4K external monitors available to buy that range in prices from just a few hundred dollars all the way to $7000.

One of the most appealing features for the Xperia Pro is that you can make it a 4K field monitor. Simply connect your camera and Xperia Pro using an HDMI cable (one with an HDMI connector that is micro-HDMI compatible to this Pro). After that, you switch on your camera and then open the appropriately called External Monitor app on the Xperia Pro. Based on the settings of your camera as well as output settings, you’ll get an overview of the footage you’re recording from your phone.

It’s absolutely amazing to use this Xperia Pro as a camera monitor. First, it is advantageous in the form of the size and weight. The camera that I use to shoot CNET videos is heavy and heavy. In actual fact, it’s heavier than the Xperia Pro weighs 75 grams less, and that’s not even considering how much weight the massive battery my monitor uses to run. When it comes to batteries they’re this Xperia Pro and its 4,000-mAh battery lasts for hours as a display, as opposed against the 45 minute display I had using my 4K camera monitor. If I have to recharge the phone when it’s mounted to my camera, then I could connect in the USB-C cable along with an external battery.

Another advantage is that I can communicate via my Xperia Pro like a phone instead of operating it using the early 2000s display buttons on computers and a an uninspiring menu interface. I can use the pinch feature to make the preview image to make it larger or smaller. This Pro External Monitor app also comes with tools to lock the screen as well as the control of brightness, zooming grid lines frame lines, as well as the ability to flip images 180 degrees.

Well, Sony hasn’t made any of the functions exclusive to them. I tested the Pro to use as a monitor for both the Sony A7SIII as well as an Panasonic S1H, a mirrorless digital camera. The majority of the time the app performed flawlessly but there were times when it stopped showing the preview. I did not encounter any major issues in External Monitor. External Monitor app, but I wasn’t able to tell whether the few instances when the connection stopped working was due to that the HDMI cables were loose, or the fact that it was a test phone. It is my hope that this issue will be addressed in the version that is final.

If the video preview appears on your phone there’s a lot of black space either side. I’d like to move the video feed to either the right or left side of the display , and also have the other half of the display to look at menus and controls. The only issue I have with making use of this Xperia Pro as a preview monitor is that outside in sunlight , the brightness of the display struggled. If I were to purchase the Xperia Pro to use as an actual monitor, I would definitely consider adding some shading when filming outside.

Also, I’d like an option to allow this Xperia Pro to record a video signal that comes in via HDMI just like other top-end monitors are able to. Such a feature would be appealing to me as well as the type of video work I perform.

The Xperia Pro is the perfect Zoom Teleprompter monitor

The fun doesn’t stop here; the Xperia’s HDMI input isn’t restricted to cameras. This is why it proved to be the perfect choice in Skype calls. In the normal course of a Zoom call, you could utilize your computer’s built in camera. However, as a lot of us discovered when we were battling the epidemic that having an external camera to Zoom will work better. The only drawback to using an external camera to Zoom can be that the user is watching your computer’s screen to be able to see the person that you’re talking to.

For my camera that is external I have the Panasonic S1H which plugs into my computer via an adapter. I can also use an adapter to connect my PC to the USB port of the Xperia Pro. This basically turns the phone transform into an 6.5-inch external computer monitor , so what’s visible on my computer’s screen shows through the smartphone’s display.