While the BSI IMX410 sensor in the Z5 shows notable advancements over the Z5’s older IMX157 (also found in the a7ii), this seven-year-old technology has clearly reached its limits. The sensor’s potential has been fully tapped, leaving little room for differentiation—today’s competing models essentially repackage the same IMX410 with different lens mounts and minor tuning variations.
The irony is palpable when comparing the 2018 a7iii at ¥15K with the upcoming 2025 Z5ii at ¥10K—their static image quality remains virtually identical. Should Sony continue pushing marginal upgrades while rivals like Canon, Panasonic, and OVT struggle to introduce compelling alternatives, we might witness the IMX410’s remarkable endurance stretching well into 2030.
Isabella Campbell 
Mason Jensen 
Gemma King
It’s interesting to see how even a great sensor like the IMX410 can start to show its age after so many years. I wonder if Sony will focus more on lens improvements rather than sensor tech for future Z series models. The price drop compared to older models is pretty significant, but I hope that doesn’t come at the cost of quality. It’ll be tough for competitors to differentiate themselves if they’re all using the same base sensor.
It’s interesting to see how even a great sensor like the IMX410 can hit a wall after so many years. I wonder if Sony is holding back on new tech to keep their higher-end models competitive, but it seems unfair to charge more for what’s essentially the same thing. Still, the Z5ii might have some tricks up its sleeve with those lens mount tweaks. Time will tell if it really stands out.