Reviews |Sony FX30: price, specs, release date revealed

Sony FX30: price, specs, release date revealed

Super 35mm cine camera to take on the indy film market

Sony FX30
News

Today the Sony FX30 (model ILME-FX30) has been announced. The new cine camera joins the Sony FX3 as part of the all-new compact line-up of professional cine cameras giving filmmakers an alternative to the larger format FX6, FX9 and professional cinema cameras.

Sony’s launch of the new camera marks an interesting development with the new Sony FX30 featuring an all-new back-illuminated 20.1 megapixels APS-C Exmor R™ CMOS sensor (Super 35 format) with a dual base ISO (800/2500) to deliver high sensitivity, low noise, and 14+ stops of latitude. This puts this new camera more in line with the Canon EOS C70 and will appeal to many videographers who prefer the creative control offered by the Super 35mm sensor size.

The FX30 looks to be aimed at semi-pro videographers who want the full cine experience. The new Super 35mm sensor enables 4K Super 35 (16:9) by oversampling from 6K at up to 60fps. The power of the camera also sees the ability to shoot high frame rates, including 4K at 120fps and full HD at 240fps.

When it comes to the 16:9 recording modes the Sony FX30 offers the ability to shoot at 10-bit 4:2:2, on the camera, there is an HDMI Type-A connector that can be attached to an external recorder to output 4K, 16-bit RAW. Further enhancing the look of footage the camera comes with a series of pre-installed cinematic looks such as Sony’s S-Cinetone. As with the FX3 the FX30 can also shoot still images.

Building on the success and features of the Sony Alpha cameras, the Sony FX30 will also pack in fast and autofocus, with options for Real-time Eye AF (human, animal, or bird), Real-time Tracking, Detailed AF settings , AF Assist.

Compact 4K Super 35 Camera for Future Filmmakers

Sony is pleased to announce the newest addition to the brand’s prestigious Cinema Line – the FX30 (model ILME-FX30). The new FX30 is a 4K Super 35 compact cinema camera that offers many professional features of the Cinema Line, such as Dual Base ISO, Log shooting modes, and user-imported LUTs (Look Up Tables) at a price point that appeals to many aspiring filmmakers.

In addition to introducing the new FX30, Sony announced two new CFexpress Type A Memory Cards – CEA-G320T and CEA-G640T. Both are large-capacity cards that support high-speed performance with high-speed performance in both reading and writing.

“The new FX30 is a great fit for anyone looking to get started in filmmaking,” said Yann Salmon Legagneur, Head of IP&S Marketing at Sony Europe. “It features many of the professional features of our high-end cameras at a price point that makes it easily accessible for filmmakers at any level. This camera is an excellent starting point to our full line-up of Cinema Line Cameras.”

Creating a Cinematic Look

The FX30 offers up-and-coming filmmakers’ cinematic expression with the latest imaging systems. It features a new back-illuminated 20.1 megapixels APS-C Exmor R™ CMOS sensor (Super 35 format) with a dual base ISO (800/2500) to deliver high sensitivity, low noise, and 14+ stops of latitude. 

Sony FX30 XLR

The ILME-FX30 supports a variety of video recording codecs. It can shoot 4K Super 35 (16:9) by oversampling from 6K at up to 60fps. The ILME-FX30B also features the ability to shoot in high frame rates, including 4K at 120fps and full HD at 240fps. Both16:9 recording modes can shoot at 10-bit 4:2:2 while an HDMI Type-A connector can be used to output 4K, 16-bit RAW to an external recorder.

Like the rest of the Cinema Line, the FX30 features Log shooting modes by enabling Cine El, Cine El Quick, and Flexible ISO modes for recording with the S-Log3 gamma curve, which allows more flexibility when colour grading. All three modes allow video shooting while monitoring with an appropriate LUT to preview the final image. In addition, the FX30 includes a selection of built-in cinematic looks, such as Sony’s S-Cinetone™, and can shoot single stills. The camera offers advanced image processing capabilities with the BIONZ XR processing engine for natural gradations and realistic colour reproduction. 

Designed to Support the Creators’ Needs

The FX30 features Sony’s fast and reliable autofocus, with settings including: 

  • Real-time Eye AF (human, animal, or bird)
  • Real-time Tracking
  • Detailed AF settings 
  • AF Assist

Creatives also have more control when using the Focus Map, which makes it easy to visualise depth of field, and Breathing Compensation offers a stable angle of view when focusing. The camera also includes effective stabilisation for run and gun shoots using Active Mode thanks to the optical in-body 5-axis image stabilisation and time code sync.

The FX30 incorporates other features that retain the spirit of the Cinema Line, including: 

  • New customisable list-style main menu screen which provides quick access to frequently used items  
  • New standby movie screen that provides an unobstructed view of the subject
  • Buttons and dials dedicated to movie shooting

The FX30 also includes added functionality to assist with the creative workflow, such as post-production editing using embedded LUT, and EI metadata.  This metadata is available using the latest version of Sony’s Catalyst Prepare or Catalyst Browse applications. A new “Catalyst Prepare Plugin” for Adobe Premiere Pro was released in August. 

Easy Operation and a Compact Form Factor

Compact and lightweight, the FX30 has a flat-top design with threaded accessory attachment points, making it easy to use for shooting handheld, capturing low-angle shots, mounting on a gimbal, or adding accessories. The FX30 also features an XLR handle unit, which can be used to capture low-angle shots and also allows filmmakers to capture crystal clear audio through various audio inputs, including two XLR audio inputs and a 3.5 mm stereo mini jack for 4-channel recording. External microphones can be connected directly to the camera via the Multi Interface Shoe or microphone jack. The FX30 also features an internal stereo microphone for audio recording.

Sony FX30 Lifestyle

The FX30 and FX30B are equipped with two memory card slots that are compatible with both CFexpress Type A cards and SDXC/SDHC cards, bringing wide range of shooting experiences to creators. The FX30 is also compatible with the newly announced large capacity CFexpress Type A memory cards.

Sony FX30 side handle

The FX30 offers not only advanced performance but also outstanding reliability. It features an innovative heat dissipation structure for uninterrupted 4K/60p recording, reliable power for extended recording, and a durable magnesium alloy chassis. A comprehensive selection of E-mount lenses, high-performance microphones, and other essential components gives creators extraordinarily flexible systems for a broad range of creative needs.

Pricing and Availability

The Sony FX30 will be available in late October for £2,100/€2,300.

The new FX30B will also be available in late October for £2,500/€2,800.

For detailed product information, please visit: https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/professional-video-cameras/ilme-fx30

A product video on the new FX30 can be viewed:  https://youtu.be/o6s-ejmSVIc

The FX30 will also be compatible with the new version of Camera Remote SDK (Version 1.06), a development kit for software that enables remote operation and configuration changes.