23 July 2025 high-stakes boxing match at Wembley Stadium, which saw Usyk become two-time heavyweight champion after winning against Dubois, not only drew fans for its sporting drama but was the world’s first live broadcast deployment of Sony’s new HDC-F5500V camera. The “Serial Number 1” camera was used to capture emotion-filled cinematic visuals for DAZN’s production of the event.
   

A new cinematic standard for sports coverage

The HDC-F5500V builds on Sony’s successful HDC-F5500 platform, widely adopted across entertainment and live production markets. This next-generation live production system camera, incorporates a single Super 35mm global shutter CMOS sensor and introduces variable ND filter functionality, unlocking additional creative control for broadcast operators. After the operator sets the limit of the aperture, gain and the VND will emulate the iris' opening and closing outside that limit. The Variable ND filter therefore allows the operator to capture cinematic pictures with a shallow depth of field, bringing the thrill of sport, music and other live events even closer to viewing audiences.

For this broadcast production HDC-F5500V was used for high-impact entrance shots, where the cinematic image quality can best be showcased. In addition to the new model, broadcaster also upgraded three existing Sony HDC-F5500 cameras to the new "V" configuration, enabling more flexibility and consistency across their fleet.

“The Sony HDC-F5500V is a significant milestone for System Cameras” said Mike Thomas, Managing Director. “We are increasingly seeing the Super 35mm HDC-F5500 used in Live events where a more cinematic feel is required; the V version gives exposure controls that are normally specific to Sony’s Cinema Line making production much happier to use a System Camera rather than a Cine Camera with fibre attachment.”

“The shallow depth of field isolates subjects in a dramatic way—when boxers enter the ring, you want every eye to be on them. The HDC-F5500V brings a film-like intensity that heightens the atmosphere. Seeing the HDC-F5500V used on one of the highest stakes and most watched events in the year shows how trusted these products are”, added Daryl Bidewell, Vision Supervisor.