Sony has unveiled a new FX3 full-frame camera, which is the most compact and lightweight model in its Cinema Line camera and is designed for content creators.
The new Sony FX3 camera set up for shooting video. (Source: Sony.)
Combining features from the Alpha mirrorless cameras with industry-leading digital cinema technology, the FX3 sports a 10.2 megapixel (12.1 effective megapixels for stills) full-frame back-illuminated CMOS Exmor R sensor and BIONZ XR image processing engine. It is capable of recording a dynamic range in excess of 15 stops and supports sensitivity settings with a native ISO range from 80 to 102,400, which is expandable up to ISO 409,600 for movies to enable shooting in very low light conditions. The new model is also configured to allow one-person shooting, thanks to its small size, light weight, optical image stabilisation, handheld shooting design and advanced heat dissipation for extended recording times. Its Fast Hybrid Autofocus system uses 627 points of focal plane phase-detection, which operate system during movie recording. Features include Touch Tracking (with real-time tracking) and Real-time Eye AF, similar to the systems used in other Alpha cameras. The AF features have been refined in response to feedback from professional users to include adjustments for AF Transition Speed, AF Subject Shift Sensitivity, intuitive control and AF support when focusing manually.
Like the FX9 and FX6 Cinema Line cameras, the FX3 allows users to create a cinematic look without post-production, using S-Cinetone, which is based on the colour science inspired by Sony’s flagship VENICE camera. Users can record movies with in-camera 4K recording at up to 120 frames per second and also create slow-motion imagery (up to 5x) at QFHD (3840 x 2160) resolution with autofocus engaged. The FX3 is also compatible with S-Log3 gamma with S-Gamut3.Cine colour space and supports internal recording in XAVC S and XAVC S-I formats in 4K (QFHD) and FHD, and XAVC HS (MPEG-H HEVC/H.265, 4K only) format. 4K 60p video in 10-bit 4:2:2 or 16-bit RAW format can be output to an external device via the FX3 HDMI Type-A jack.
Front, back and top views of the Sony FX3 camera body. (Source: Sony.)
The FX3’s body features five thread holes (1/4-20 UNC) for attaching compatible accessories. The supplied XLR handle unit securely attaches to the body via the Multi Interface Shoe without any special tools, and provides three additional thread holes for accessories: two on the top and one on the end. External monitors, recorders, wireless microphone receivers can be fitted via the accessory shoe kit (cold shoe plate). The body design has been tailored to provide professional control and operability. Frequently used buttons, such as ISO, iris and white balance adjustment, are located on the grip, and on the top of the body. In addition, 140 functions are assignable to 15 custom keys provide high efficiency. The zoom lever on the top of the grip controls compatible powered zoom lenses, and also allows Clear Image Zoom to also be used with unpowered zoom and prime lenses, with less image degradation – reducing the number of lenses required for many projects. This lever also enables smooth zooming that is difficult for manual zoom-ring control. Tally lamps are provided on the upper front and rear of the camera and the side-opening vari-angle touch-panel LCD monitor ensures the camera is suitable for gimbal-mounted shots.
The FX3 combines a fan for active cooling with effective heat dissipation enabling uninterrupted 4K 60p recording without thermal shutdown . The camera body is also dust and moisture resistant and boasts a durable magnesium alloy chassis. USB PD (Power Delivery) supports fast charging for uninterrupted recording. The camera is equipped with dual media slots that accept CFexpress Type A cards. It also includes high-speed wireless LAN functionality (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band) and wired LAN connection via a compatible USB-to-Ethernet adaptor and supports remote shooting from PC via the Imaging Edge Desktop application “Remote” via Wi-Fi, or Superspeed USB 5Gbps connection over USB Type-C terminal.
The FX3 will be available in Australia from mid-March 2021 for SRP $6,699. A product video on the new FX3 can be viewed here while detailed product information is available here.
