The new telephoto camera in the Xperia 1 VIII is equipped with a 1/1.56-inch image sensor, approximately four times larger than that used in the Xperia 1 VII, marking a drastic change from previous models.

The Sony Xperia 1 VIII arrives without many surprises. Sony continues to have its own philosophy in terms of smartphones, so this model keeps the microSD slot and 3.5mm headphone jack,  as previous  Xperia models, and that alone is enough to make some people pick a smartphone from Sony instead of models from brands that have ditched both.

The Sony Xperia 1 VIII continues to be built with industry-leading Alpha technology and features Creative Look and S-Cinetone for mobile that gives your photos and videos the professional colour and tone of a camera. Specifications are as usual, with up to 30 frames per second with AF/AE burst for photography and up to 4K 120 fps HDR video recording.

What’s new in terms of hardware is the telephoto camera. In 2024, with the Sony Xperia 1 VI, Sony introduced a telephoto optical zoom, with a range, 85-170mm, a step further from the 85-125mm zoom introduced with the Sony Xperia 1 V, from 2023, a new focal range that made the model very appealing for photographers and filmmakers.

We wrote here at ProVideo Coalition, then, that, “The new telephoto lens expands your creative possibilities with unique tele-macro capability for photos and videos. Unlike other devices that use the wide-angle for macro shots, requiring you to get very close to the subject, the Xperia 1 VI uses the telephoto, so you don’t need to get too close, and, Sony claims, “in addition it brings a beautiful bokeh, a solution that’s unique to Xperia 1 VI.” The telephoto macro photography offers a maximum magnification of approximately 2x and a minimum focus distance of 4cm, even without a dedicated macro lens.”

Apparently, the telephoto zoom is not working as intended, and now Sony drops it, going for a more classic solution, stating that “the Telephoto camera has been completely revamped with a larger, more advanced sensor. With improved light‑gathering performance, it delivers clearer, brighter images — even in low‑light scenes — so you can capture your best shots at any distance, in any scenario.

Sony claims that “the new 48 MP 1/1.56″ Exmor RS for mobile sensor is almost four times larger than the previous Telephoto sensor, significantly increasing light sensitivity for superior low‑light performance. To accommodate the larger sensor, the Telephoto camera module was completely redesigned, delivering enhanced optical performance while maintaining the device’s slim form factor.”

So, no more telephoto zoom, what you get now are three dedicated focal lengths of 16 mm, 24 mm (that doubles as a 48mm), and 70 mm, with a 140mm zoom that adds digital cropping to the mix. There is also a 24 mm front camera for selfies. Sony adds that “all three of its cameras (16mm / 24mm / 70mm) deliver low-light performance comparable to that of a full-frame sensor in terms of noise reduction and dynamic range, allowing for clear imaging even in dark environments.

Telemacro photos and videos can be taken using the 140mm focal length, focusing as close as 15cm, according to Sony, which is less than Xperia 1 V’s telephoto zoom,  which offers a maximum magnification of approximately 2x and a minimum focus distance of 4cm, even without a dedicated macro lens. Fortunately, the ultra-wide lens on the Sony Xperia 1 VIII allows you to get close-up photos and videos, with a minimum focusing distance of 5cm.

Another new feature of this model is the AI Camera Assistant powered by Xperia Intelligence, which, Sony claims, leverages AI technology to enhance photography by suggesting helpful camera settings such as colour tones, lens selection, and bokeh effects which are optimized depending on the scene and subject. These recommendations are based on Creative Look that reflect Sony’s unique imaging philosophy cultivated through the Alpha series of cameras. With a simple tap on the suggestion, you can effortlessly achieve your desired creative expression. Or you can go Pro and just shoot the way you want…

The Pro Photo and Pro Video camera interfaces in the Sony Xperia 1 VIII are inherited directly from Alpha cameras for professional flexibility, allowing you to capture RAW photographs, and leverage full manual control over shutter, exposure, and much more. The sensors used for the three cameras are all 48MP, making for a consistent look, and RAW multi-frame processing is applied to all lenses, simultaneously expanding dynamic range (HDR) and performing noise reduction in low-light conditions.

This method, Sony says, “effectively suppresses highlight clipping and shadow crushing, improving color reproduction accuracy in high-contrast scenes. Fine details with clear, sharp edges are faithfully preserved in both bright and dark areas. In addition, noise is reduced even in low-light environments, ensuring clear and crisp images.”

The Xperia 1 VIII retains the famous dedicated camera shutter button which offers a photography experience similar to a dedicated camera, while the 3.5mm audio jack continues to support high-quality audio using wired headphones, and the microSD slot allowing users to expand from the original capacity.

Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor,  and able to run for two days on a battery charge, according to Sony, available in four distinctive colours – Graphite Black, Iolite Silver, Garnet Red, and Native Gold – the smartphone is available for pre-order, with a price around $1,499 for the 256GB model, with a 1TB version priced at $1,999. The 1TB Native Gold version is available exclusively from Sony online for $1,999.