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With the Xperia XZ2 Premium, Sony is jumping on the dual-camera bandwagon, but not in the way you would think. The main rear camera is the same 19-megapixel sensor you’ll find on the Xperia XZ2, and if you’ve watched that review, will know it’s capable of some pretty incredible imagery. The main camera is a Sony IMX400 sensor, which packs 1.22-micron sized pixels inside a large 1/2.3” sensor, nestled behind an upgraded f/1.8 81-degree angle lens. It’s capable of 12,800 ISO in video mode and 51,200 ISO in photo mode, something unheard of in the mobile industry when most phones don’t go above 3,000 ISO or so in most cases. Part of the reason Sony allows this is the new second image sensor, which is a 12-megapixel monochrome sensor with much larger 1.55-micron sized pixels, sitting behind an f/1.6 lens.
The Xperia XZ2 Premium utilizes Sony’s own AUBE fusion image signal processor, which fuses the images together in a way likely similar to Huawei’s method, as the black and white camera is automatically activated in lower light situations to enhanced lower light photography significantly. This black and white camera uses its larger pixels and monochrome colors to not only pull in more light than the main RGB camera can, but it also helps with dynamic range when it’s activated too. The new dual camera mode will have two new modes when the Xperia XZ2 Premium launches for consumers in the coming months: Bokeh Effect (portrait mode), and Black & White. We don’t have these available for the review though, so, unfortunately, we cannot judge their quality just yet.
On the video front, Sony continues the suite of exclusive features on its sensors for the Xperia XZ2 Premium, including 4K HDR recording, 960FPS super slow motion at fullHD 1080p resolution, and distortion correction baked right into the sensor. Dual camera mode is also usable in video, helping to significantly enhance low light video by utilizing both sensors at once to piece together a composite video with more light and sharper details. While it’s restricted to 1080p resolution, this dual camera mode can make or break low light videography, and quickly can become invaluable while using the phone. Check out our review below, and don’t forget to subscribe to us on YouTube for the latest as it drops!