Reviews |Sony FX3 Full-Frame Camera: price, specs, availability confirmed

Sony FX3 Full-Frame Camera: price, specs, availability confirmed

The Sony Full frame camera filmmakers have been waiting for

Sony_FX3
News

Sony has just announced the release of the FX3 full frame camera aimed at the video market and a direct competitor to the Canon EOS C70.

You can pre-order the Sony FX3 from Adorama

Here are just a few of the main highlights

  • 10.2 megapixel[i] full-frame back-illuminated CMOS Exmor R™ sensor and BIONZ XR™ image processing engine
  • Ultra-high sensitivity with ISO expandable to 409,600 for very low light conditions and 15+ stops of dynamic range[ii]
  • S-Cinetone™ look profile which is inspired by the digital motion picture camera VENICE’s colour science, also used in FX9 and FX6 Cinema Line cameras, and records up to 4K 120p[iii]
  • Compact and lightweight body design with high operability for hand-held shooting, gimbal and drone-mounted work
  • Multi-thread (1/4-20 UNC) body makes it easy to mount accessories
  • Detachable XLR handle unit with two of XLR/TRS audio input
  • “Active Mode” image stabilisation[iv] supports handheld movie shooting
  • Fast Hybrid Auto Focus, Touch Tracking (real-time tracking) and Real-time Eye AF, also used in other Alpha™ cameras
  • Uninterrupted 4K 60p recording (Continued)[v] by Effective heat dissipation and built-in cooling fan

The new Sony FX3 (ILME-FX3) combines Sony’s industry leading digital cinema technology with the advanced imaging features of the Alpha mirrorless cameras to create a unique cinematic look.

Sony FX3 lifestyle

Sony has hooked onto the one-person shooter trend and created this fully featured compact camera to meet the demand. The Sony FX3 features fast focus, optical image stabalisation, a design that lends itself to handheld shooting and most important advanced heat dissipation for long shooting times.

“The FX3 was designed to turn creative vision into reality,” said Yann Salmon Legagneur, Director of Product Marketing, Digital Imaging, Sony Europe. “It allows creators to bring their visual expression into the world of cinema through immersive content. We will continue to support the world’s creators through Sony’s Cinema Line Series.”

Cinematic Look

From the outset Sony are pushing the FX3 as a Cinematic look camera that features the companies industry leading imaging technology.

The full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor 10.2 megapixels is designed for movie shooting and is 12.1 effective megapixels for stills. Processing the image data is the latest BIONZ XR processing engine that enables low light performance with high sensitivity and low noise.

The standard ISO range for the FX3 is 80 to 102,400 (expandable to 409,600 when shooting a movie), more impressive is the dynamic range which Sony state is a wide 15+ stops.

Following the FX9 and FX6 the FX3 will enable users to use S-Cinetone to create the cinematic look in camera. The colour science is based on Sony’s flagship VENICS camera and produces natural mid-tone, soft colours and smooth highlights.

A feature that is really going to appeal is the ability to record 4K video at up to 120fps which is impressive.

Designed for Solo-Shooting

The Sony FX3 sits inbetween Sonys Camcorder and Mirrorless range with the new camera designed for hand held shooting as well as gimbal and drone work.

The camera weighs in at just 715g including the battery and memory cards and the body itself is only 77.8 x 129 x 84.5mm in size.

A feature that instantly appeals is the five 1/4-inch threads around the body that will make this camera extremely easy to mount. In the box along with the camera is the XLR handle unit that bolts to the top of the camera.

The XLR unit fits into the Multi Interface Shoe and adds a furter three thread holes for accessories.

High quality audio can be recorded through the units two XLR/TRS audio inputs directly to the FX3. The FX3 is capable of provideing 24-bit audio recording over 4-channels.

Autofocus is provide by the fast hybrid system with 627 points focal plane and phase-detection during movie shooting.

The camera also features touch tracking in real time by simply touching the subject of screen. This initiates the auto focus and subject tracking.

Building on the technology from the Alpha range of camera there’s also Real-time Eye AF this pinpoints eyes even when subjects are looking down or up at steep angles.

Other AF features included AF Transition Speed, AF Subject Shift Sensitivity, intuitive control and AF support when focusing manually.

Helping to keep things steady for those shooting single handed Sony has incorporated 5-axis optical in-body image stabilisation.

This in-body stabalisation unit and gyro sensors has enabled the inclusion of an Active Mode dedicated to movie shooting in each format, including 4K.

In-body image stabilisation means that E-mount lenses without built in stabilisation can still be stabilised

Image stabilisation metadata is recorded so advanced practical adjustment can be applied through the post-production process using Catalyst Browse/Prepare.

Expandability and Operability for Content Creators

The FX3 has been design with the single person film maker in mind with a carefully thoughtout layout that puts common buttons and options easily in reach.

ISO, IRIS and white balance are all located on the grip and top of the body to enable complete control with one hand. There are also 140 functions assignable to the 15 custom keys.

A zoom lever is located on the top of the grip to control power zooms such as the Sony FE 4/PZ 28-135 G OSS.

Two recording lamps, one at the upper front and the other upper rear of the camera enable the operator to easily see when that camera is rolling.

A welcome feature is the side opening vari-angle touch screen monitor. This is especially useful for gimbal mounted shot and awkward angles.

A flexible exposure mode enables FX3 operatyors to have similar control over the Auto/Manual operation of the IRIS, Shutter and ISO. These can all be set manually.

Short presses of the custom buttons enables the switching between locking the dial / manual and a long press on off switching for the auto settings.

Reliability

One of the major issues that videographers using mirrorless cameras have had to contend with is heat. The FX3 features a combination of fans for active cooling that will help ensure uniterrupted 4K 60p recording without thermal shutdown.

USB PD (Power Delivery) supports fast charging for uninterrupted recording.

The design of the camera also takes into consideration the need for the body to be dust and moisture-resistant design. Durable magnesium alloy has been used for the chassis.

Expandability

Inline with both Alpha and Cinema Line cameras the FX3 is fully compatible S-Log3 gamma with S-Gamut3 as well as several other recording functions.

In order to preserve rich colour and tonal graduation the Cine colour space is on offer with it’s high dynamic range and wide colour gamut.

Internal recording has come along way with the FX3 supportig 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 recorded 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.

Two slots CFExpress Type A slots offer ultra-fast storage media options, these can be configured to record simultaneously or as a relay.

High-speed wireless LAN functionality (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band) and wired LAN connection via a compatible USB-to-Ethernet adaptor are also included further increasing the abilities for single shooters.

Tethered shooting from FX3 through the Imaging Edge Desktop™ application “Remote” via Wi-Fi, or Superspeed USB 5Gbps connection over USB Type-C terminal will be of major interest to many.

Pricing and Availability

The new Sony FX3 full-frame Cinema Line camera will be available March 2021 and will be sold for approximately £4,200 and €4,700, at a variety of Sony’s authorised dealers.

Exclusive stories about Cinema Line, FX3 and Sony’s other imaging products can be found at https://www.sony.net/cinema-line and https://www.sony.co.uk/alphauniverse 

For more detail visit: https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/interchangeable-lens-cameras/ilme-fx3

 https://youtu.be/AXadUcPdCTo