According to a report from TheNewCamera, Sony is testing a 16-megapixel partially stacked CMOS sensor designed with video performance in mind. While this is still at the prototype stage, the rumored specifications suggest Sony is prioritizing speed and low-light performance over sheer resolution, a move that would make sense for successors to cameras like the Sony FX3 and the long-awaited Sony A7S III refresh.
What “partially stacked” actually means
Sony has used fully stacked sensors in high-end models like the Sony A1, which offer extremely fast readout speeds but come at a higher cost. A partially stacked design sits somewhere in between.
In simple terms, some of the circuitry, including analog-to-digital components, is placed beneath the photodiodes. That improves readout speed compared to traditional backside-illuminated sensors, without the full expense of a fully stacked architecture.
The result should be faster video performance with fewer rolling shutter artifacts, but at a more realistic price point.
The most eye-catching rumor is support for oversampling from nearly 5K down to 4K, combined with readout speeds reportedly capable of up to 240 frames per second.
If accurate, that could mean 4K 240fps recording in certain modes, a significant jump from the 4K 60fps limits on the current FX3. For filmmakers and hybrid shooters, that kind of frame rate opens up new slow-motion possibilities without relying on external recorders or workarounds.
The sensor is also said to feature large 7.2μm pixels, which would naturally benefit low-light performance. That’s in line with Sony’s A7S philosophy: fewer megapixels, but better high-ISO results and cleaner video output.
Other rumored features include full-pixel dual-phase detection autofocus, potentially operating at high frame rates, along with DCG-HDR support for improved dynamic range. Active stabilization with minimal crop is also mentioned.
When could we see it?
Timeline speculation points to a possible cinema-line update in Q2 2026, with a potential A7S IV arriving later in the year or slipping into early 2027. Pricing rumors place a new FX3 II in the $3,500–$4,000 range, with the A7S IV potentially targeting around $3,000.
For now, it’s one to watch, especially for shooters who prioritize low-light performance and slow motion over megapixel counts.
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