Can Sony Xperia 1 IV replace a mirrorless camera?

Can Sony Xperia 1 IV replace a mirrorless camera?


Does the Sony Xperia 1 IV, which promises to be “a pocket camera”, really come close to the quality and versatility offered by a mirrorless camera?

The Sony Xperia 1 IV tries to be a professional camera in your pocket, but will the Japanese company’s mobile replace a mirrorless camera? It has a set of software and hardware that comes close, at least.



Can Sony Xperia 1 IV replace a mirrorless camera?

In addition to the full-bodied photography app, the smartphone has excellent image sensors, with 12 MP in the main, ultrawide and telephoto lenses. At the front, a sensor with the same resolution promises high-quality selfies.

Let’s see if all these features, which still include advanced shooting and Pro mode photography, are enough for the Sony Xperia 1 IV replace a professional mirrorless camera.

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professional camera operation

The Xperia 1 IV’s software controls are very reminiscent of a mirrorless camera from sony🇧🇷 You have some operating modes reminiscent of the rotary knob of professional cameras, with some letters and automatic mode.

While the selection process isn’t quite a spinner, the interface simulates it in a very interesting way. But you have to tap “Basic” in the camera app to open the other options.

There are five modes: Basic, Auto, Programmed Auto, Shutter Speed ​​Priority, and Manual Exposure. Some of them are self-explanatory, such as manual exposure, which allows for manual control of ISO and shutter speed.




Felipe Junqueira/Canaltech


Felipe Junqueira/Canaltech


Felipe Junqueira/Canaltech


Felipe Junqueira/Canaltech


Felipe Junqueira/Canaltech


Felipe Junqueira/Canaltech


Felipe Junqueira/Canaltech


Felipe Junqueira/Canaltech

Basically, you have a traditional cell phone camera app, with automatic adjustments for the click and shutter button on the screen. In others, the photo is recorded by pressing the physical button on the side of the mobile. It is the mode that differentiates it from a mirrorless camera.

And then there are small differences in the remaining modes. Auto uses scene detection to adjust ISO and exposure, reducing noise and blur. Auto programming already allows the user to control everything except the shutter speed.

Finally, Shutter Speed ​​Priority does the opposite: you choose the exposure time and the phone adjusts the rest to ensure you get the best possible shot. This mode is useful for taking pictures of moving objects, freezing them in the image or leaving a trail.

Similarities and differences between photos of Xperia 1 IV and mirrorless camera

The Xperia 1 IV has impressive autofocus speed, better than even a Sony mirrorless camera. But that’s pretty much the only thing that tops a device designed solely for capturing images.

But overall, the phone comes very close to the photo quality of a professional Sony camera. Even in the color processing, which values ​​realism, without exaggerating saturation. This does not mean dull colors, but more accurate ones.



A more natural color profile and a high level of detail are aspects that make the Xperia 1 IV look like a mirrorless camera (Image: Felipe Junqueira/Canaltech)

In addition, the device has a good AI system for adjusting the white balance and has an infrared RGB sensor. Together, they help simulate the look and feel and correspond to how the device “reads” the image to be recorded.

HDR is better than the previous generation of Sony mobile phones but still fails in some more demanding scenarios. It also lacks a dedicated night mode, and low-light shots tend to be blurry due to using too long an exposure. At least HDR manages to correct a bit in these cases.



The natural colors of the Xperia 1 IV don't mean dull colors (Image: Felipe Junqueira/Canaltech)

So far, the Xperia 1 IV isn’t much different from a mirrorless camera. The problem is image sharpness, which is inferior to other 24mm cameras on the market – and not just other smartphones, such as Sony’s mirrorless cameras.

On the plus side, Sony’s image processing is lighter than other mobile phones, which gives the image a more natural look. That is, in short, it is a smartphone with some weaknesses for taking photos, but the result of which is close, within limits, to a mirrorless camera.

Can Sony Xperia 1 IV replace a mirrorless camera?

Only up to a point. The Sony Xperia 1 IV works much like a mirrorless camera, but that’s about it. The photographic quality in the most common shots is very close, but the mobile lacks some sharpness.

The good news is that this is because the image processing isn’t as heavy as the Pixel or even the iPhone and Galaxy. That is, they are photos with a more natural look, and perhaps even the best for later editing among all the smartphones I tested.



Felipe Junqueira/Canaltech


Felipe Junqueira/Canaltech


Felipe Junqueira/Canaltech


Felipe Junqueira/Canaltech


Felipe Junqueira/Canaltech


Felipe Junqueira/Canaltech


Felipe Junqueira/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech


Bruno Bertonzin/Canaltech

On the other hand, it is not possible to change lenses. And this is a limitation that can get in the way a lot depending on the type of photographs you want to take. At least the Xperia 1 IV has a wide angle, a super wide angle and a telephoto, with 3.5x and 5.2x zoom.

So for studio work, yes, the Xperia 1 IV can replace a mirrorless camera. But it still doesn’t go much further. And it can be considered one of the best compact cameras on the market, as well as being a hybrid, with top smartphone functions.

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