Article ID : 00408025 / Last Modified : 28/07/2026Print

    FAQ on E-mount Lens Distortion Compensation for X-OCN Clips

    Q1. Why isn't in-camera distortion compensation applied to X-OCN clips?
    A. For clips in the X-OCN format, lens distortion compensation is not applied by the camera itself so that as much information as possible from the image sensor can be retained.
    Q2. Why do clips look natural during shooting but distorted during playback on the camera?
    A. Distortion compensation is not applied to previews (playback) of recorded X-OCN clips.
    *On the ILME-FX5, a future update will enable clip previews with lens distortion compensation applied when using E-mount lenses made by Sony or license partners.
    Q3. How can I apply distortion compensation?
    A. Use this feature in Catalyst Browse, Catalyst Prepare, or Catalyst Prepare Plugin.
    *Catalyst Prepare is not available in Mainland China.
    *Distortion compensation is not available for X-OCN clips recorded in the S&Q or Interval Rec mode on BURANO cameras or for all clips recorded on VENICE/VENICE 2 cameras. Before use, check how any distortion will look.
    Q4. Does Catalyst Browse, Catalyst Prepare, or Catalyst Prepare Plugin automatically apply distortion compensation to X-OCN clips?
    A. No, it must be applied manually.
    *Catalyst Prepare is not available in Mainland China.
    Q5. Where is the compensation data stored for E-mount lenses made by Sony or license partners?
    A. Data required for distortion compensation is stored in clips themselves as metadata.
    Q6. Why is [Distortion Comp.] locked to [Auto] for some Sony E-mount lenses?
    A. On lenses for which [Distortion Comp.] is locked to [Auto], this enables an optimal balance of performance, size, and weight.
    Q7. When using Sony E-mount lenses with [Distortion Comp.] locked to [Auto] to record X-OCN video, should I apply distortion compensation in post-production?
    A. Yes, apply lens distortion compensation during editing in Catalyst Browse, Catalyst Prepare, or Catalyst Prepare Plugin.
    *Catalyst Prepare is not available in Mainland China.
    *Distortion compensation is not available for X-OCN clips recorded in the S&Q or Interval Rec mode on BURANO cameras or for all clips recorded on VENICE/VENICE 2 cameras. Before use, check how any distortion will look.
    Q8. Does setting [Distortion Comp.] to [Auto] in X-OCN video recording with E-mount lenses made by Sony or license partners that can be set to [Auto] or [Off] eliminate the need to apply distortion compensation in post-production?
    A. [Distortion Comp.] settings are not applied to X-OCN clips recorded by the camera. To apply lens distortion compensation to them, use this feature in Catalyst Browse, Catalyst Prepare, or Catalyst Prepare Plugin during editing.
    *Catalyst Prepare is not available in Mainland China.
    *Distortion compensation is not available for X-OCN clips recorded in the S&Q or Interval Rec mode on BURANO cameras or for all clips recorded on VENICE/VENICE 2 cameras. Before use, check how any distortion will look.
    Q9. Can I apply distortion compensation in post-production if I have set [Distortion Comp.] to [Off] in X-OCN video recording with E-mount lenses made by Sony or license partners for which [Auto] or [Off] can be set?
    A. Yes. Metadata required for distortion compensation is saved regardless of whether [Distortion Comp.] is set to [Auto] or [Off], so distortion compensation can be applied to X-OCN clips using Catalyst Browse, Catalyst Prepare, or Catalyst Prepare Plugin.
    *Catalyst Prepare is not available in Mainland China.
    *Distortion compensation is not available for X-OCN clips recorded in the S&Q or Interval Rec mode on BURANO cameras or for all clips recorded on VENICE/VENICE 2 cameras. Before use, check how any distortion will look.
    Q10. What’s the difference between [Auto] and [Off] in X-OCN video recording with E-mount lenses made by Sony or license partners for which [Distortion Comp.] can be set to [Auto] or [Off]?
    A. By selecting [Auto], ILME-FX5 users can preview on the LCD screen how software-based distortion compensation will look as they shoot.
    *There is no difference between [Auto] and [Off] on a BURANO camera. Also note that distortion compensation is not available for X-OCN clips recorded in the S&Q or Interval Rec mode on BURANO cameras or for all clips recorded on VENICE/VENICE 2 cameras. Before use, check how any distortion will look.
    Q11. Can distortion compensation also be applied for third-party E-mount lenses using Catalyst Browse, Catalyst Prepare, or Catalyst Prepare Plugin?
    A. Yes. With E-mount lenses made by license partners, distortion compensation can be applied using data from the lens.
    For details, contact the manufacturer.
    *Catalyst Prepare is not available in Mainland China.
    Q12. Is distortion compensation not available in some cases?
    A. Distortion compensation is not available for X-OCN clips recorded in the S&Q or Interval Rec mode on BURANO cameras or for all clips recorded on VENICE/VENICE 2 cameras.

    Note: For information on license partners, see the following page.
    E-mount License Partners