The two camera brands have previously taken different approaches when it comes to video quality. The S5 II offers 6K / 30p uncropped video with 10-bit recording in MOV format, LONG GOP compression, and a 200Mbps bitrate, while the A7 IV has a lesser 4K resolution in 16:9 aspect ratio, but superior ALL-Intra (ALL-I) compression and 600Mbps bitrate. The S5 IIX has gone to new heights and settled the score.
Recording to an external SSD via the USB-C port is now possible in the S5 IIX in addition to the SD memory card, and the camera offers many improved video qualities. This includes Apple ProRes raw, with the 422 HQ 5.8K setting having a whopping 1.6Gbps bitrate, and Blackmagic raw (BRAW) when the S5 IIX is connected to an external monitor like an Atomos Ninja V. It’s also possible to shoot ALL-I compression with the same bitrate to an SD card.
