Use Your Phone As An External Camera Monitor With The Sony Xperia Pro.

Sony released a brand new Smartphone geared towards both Photographers and videographers. The phone is called Sony Xperia Pro.

Although it seems like the average phone, it comes with some useful features. On the hardware side, you’ll find a “Snapdragon 865” and a 4K HDR OLED (3840×1644) display with a triple-lens camera on the back, modified in a few key ways:

-All three rear cameras have a resolution of 12MP with an aperture ranging from F1.7 – F2.2 – F2.4.

The New Xperia® PRO Communication Device from Sony Electronics

-The focal length goes from 16mm – 24mm – 60mm

– The field of views goes from 34° – 82° – 124°

– You can record 4K HDR Movie recording 24, 25, 30, and 60fps

– It comes equipped with hybrid OIS/EIS video stabilization and SteadyShot™ with Intelligent Active Mode (5-axis stabilization) and an Intelligent wind filter. You can also use the Slow motion feature at 120fps.

The front camera features an 8MP resolution, an 84° field of view with an f2.4 aperture.

-Pro Features & Functionality of the Sony Xperia Pro:

This phone could be considered a professional videographer tool for multiple reasons and features.

At the bottom, you find a real HDMI port (Micro HDMI), allowing for a direct connection to a mirrorless camera, alongside a USB Type-C.

Instead of a glass or metal body, it is coated in a black polycarbonate material all the way around.

There is no camera bump on the phone like you find on other brands, so the phone sits perfectly flat. You probably do not need a case for the phone since it is so rugged.

This phone has an array of 5G antennas. It offers high data speeds and even higher bandwidth.

The Sony Xperia Pro is compatible with 5G and 5GmmWave technology. That is what allows broadcasting live content such as sports or news because of how fast the connection is.

The 5G workflow pieces built-in will let you Livestream with this 4K full-frame quality to sites like Twitch and Youtube, and many more.

Note that the live stream can be started from the camera with no connection to a computer since the phone already has a fast 5G connection. The 5G ability guarantees a clean 4K feed as well.

So if you’re live blogging or taking high-resolution photos, they can go straight to the phone and can be sent online from the phone’s 5G connection.

Sony built custom software and hardware into the phone to make it all happen. As mentioned before, the phone connects to the camera via the HDMI port. It comes with a custom app, controlled by a custom button on the side of the phone. Once pushed in, the software activates and immediately gets you the 4K feed.

You can also connect the USB-C cable from the phone to the camera, and the phone’s battery will act as a power bank to the camera since the phone has a 4000 mAh battery.

It is also compatible with the optional UCH32C Fast Charger.

-A Couple of things to note about the Sony Xperia Pro

Since you’re using the phone and the camera simultaneously, you will need a cage to attach the phone to any camera.

Once set up, the HDMI output renders the touchscreen on the camera useless since it’s off and it only outputs one feed at a time (Just like most cameras). You still get the controls on the camera, though limited.

Some of the controls are disabled, but you still get to Zoom in and out, though not as powerful as focus peaking or false colors, which are built-in options you’ll find in some pro monitors.

The HDMI feed also does not take up the whole display on the phone. The phone’s ratio is 21×9, with a 6.5″ CinemaWide screen. Unless you’re shooting in that ratio, it looks like there is a lot of unused space.

In conclusion, this phone is the most comprehensive, durable, and professional pro tool as a phone. At $2500, the price seems wildly high when viewed as a phone but worth it when used as an external camera monitor.

If you’re a professional or a creator and ever shopped for an extra monitor for your mirrorless camera, you do know and understand how hard it is to find:

-A 4K and OLED display that is thin enough to not get in the way,

-With all-day battery life,

-That can charge your camera,

-Have 5G built-in

-Has custom software for transcoding and uploading large video files and photos straight to the internet.

For all the reasons mentioned above, the price seems to be justifiable, and the Sony Xperia Pro might be the only phone that deserves the word Pro in the name.

You can purchase the Xperia Pro here. (This is an affiliate link)