Sony FX3 Full Frame Cine Camera Announced
😅This processor is claimed to be 4x faster than the one that was used in the FS5. With its many mounting points, you could attach a dozen of them for running shots. The camera also has the same Active Mode setting that is found in the a7S III. The list of MI-compatible accessories is large. It is claimed to offer twice the efficiency of XAVC S but with the same level of quality. The new FX3 is the most compact Cinema Line camera, blending Alpha 7S III-like form with FX6-like cinema performance. FX3 From Every Angle• 6 OSS lens attached 5 Axis In-Body Image Stabilization The FX3, just like the a7S III utilizes an enhanced 5. Reusing components from an existing camera makes a lot of economic sense. This feature is also compatible with any E-mount lens and allows for far faster processing than conventional NLE stabilization workflows. UHD 4K up to 120 1080p up to 240• The FX3 can shoot 4K footage with 10-bit 4:2:2 color sampling internally or output 16-bit RAW video over its full-sized HDMI port. If I had just purchased an a7S III primarily to use as a video camera I would probably be petty upset with Sony for releasing this camera. Just a week ago, Blackmagic Design released the with internal ND, an upgraded 1500 nit tilting screen, and an optional EVF. 94p XAVC Intra 422 10-bit Class 300 UHD up to 120p XAVC Intra 422 10-bit Class 300 HD up to 240p XAVC Intra 422 10-bit Class 100 UHD up to 59. Why buy one of these over an a7S III or an FX6? You can use a USB power delivery device via USB-C as well. S-Cinetone• I do understand why it is a one-piece design. 94p 3840 x 2160p up to 120p LongGOP 4:2:2 10-bit: HD up to 240p RAW: 6144 x 3456 at 23. There is no denying the small and powerful form factor has big advantages, and the Sony FX3 has taken on this exact form factor. The FX3 is expected to start shipping in March. You can also choose to utilize the same gyro stabilization metadata that can be done on the FX6 and FX9. According to Erik, many of the functions cross over when shooting stills. Even slow-motion footage can be captured in extreme low-light. 10-bit 4:2:2 Hybrid Log-Gamma HLG is also available in all recording formats. It makes zero sense for an FX3 to have the same form factor as an FX6, utilize the same sensor and have the same electronic variable ND. I have thrown the Z CAM E2-F6 in there as well. The LCD screen has the following brightness modes:• FX3 a7S III Sensor Full-Frame 10. I can somewhat understand the FX6 not having an EVF, but I personally think there was a place for one on the FX3. FX9• You may be familiar with XAVC and XAVC S, but the new flavors are XAVC, XAVC HS, and XAVC S-I. 5-stop effective 5-axis SteadyShot image stabilization system, which compensates for five different types of camera shake. Canon C70 Comparison Credit: Canon If you're already invested in Canon, the C70 is appealing, but the price point Sony has launched for the FX3 is clearly intended as a very aggressive move against the C70. If Sony had have given the FX3 is a similar body to the FX6 then what would have been the point? The AF system is also claimed to work really well in low light situations. It is more expensive than a BMPCC 6K and 6K Pro, but slightly cheaper than a Panasonic S1H. In response to a growing need for more expressive depth, the FX3, along with FX9 and FX6 Cinema Line cameras, allows users to create a cinematic look without post-production using e, something the recent also offers. Like what we do and want to support Newsshooter? Like with the FX6 and A7S III, there is also considerable user control over autofocus transition speed and subject shift sensitivity. All the key buttons are on the right-hand side of the camera where the user will grip the camera for handheld use. I like how light the FX3 is with the MI handle. 99 USD seems to be a reasonable price given its feature set. 5-axis in-body stabilization Concept Sony is pushing the FX3 as being a lightweight, compact mobile production camera that can be used by solo operators. Anybody complaining that they were expecting FX3 to be an FX6 in a smaller body with the same features for less money is living in a dream world. When using the supplied XLR handle, the FX3 offers 4-channel 24-bit audio recording. I feel sony expects the user to add a monitor or EVF. 4W As a comparison, the Sony FX6 draws 18W and the Canon C70 draws 14. VENICE has an E-mount nicely lurking underneath the removable PL mount. XAVC S-I XAVC S is a subset format, using many of the superlative techniques and technologies used in XAVC, but it is intended for consumer products and workflows. It is truly a hybrid camera that turned into a video camera full-on with some impressive stills options too. However, the body lacks a center hump, so it more closely resembles the , albeit with a larger handle and joystick on top. These are the two closest competitors in terms of the types of jobs and shooters they are aimed at, with Sony's price difference absolutely dramatic. The FX3 has S-Cinetone, something the A7S III doesn't currently offer. The FX3 body itself includes mic and headphone jacks and includes a built-in stereo mic as well. It also allows you to use touch AF directly on the screen. The work they've done with VENICE really shows in the rest of the lineup. The top handle includes an audio interface similar to the Sony XLR-K3M minus a built-in microphone. 5mm Mic Input Headphone Jack Yes Yes Included Battery Yes Yes Weight 640g Body only 614 g Body Only As you can see, on paper these cameras are quite similar. 5mm mic input If you go into the Quick Audio menu you can control and adjust all four channels of audio. Another CU from below, hands clenched on steering wheel. Despite offering the same sensor and a lot of similarities when it comes to frame rates and recording options, the FX3 arguably makes a lot more sense to me personally for video use than the a7S III. I think the main reason for sticking with HDMI is that most affordable monitors and other accessories tend to only have HDMI inputs. Besides, if you do need more than 4K then there are plenty of other cameras on the market that will meet your requirements. This can be an issue when using sleds or mounting to a teleprompter. We would be hard-pressed to suggest buying the Sigma fp over the Sony FX3. The BMPCC 6K Pro with the optional viewfinder draws 26W. The FX3 also has an internal fan, tally lights, video-friendly controls and additional expandability. 97p Full HD 1920 x 1080 at 23. 88p External Recording OVER HDMI 3840 x 2160p up to 59. 5mm jack is stereo, so technically, with a 3. 56 lb Body with Battery and Memory 1. Other noteworthy features include dedicated Photo Mode, IBIS with active mode, full-size HDMI, articualting LCD screen, and dual slot for CFexpress A and SD cards. 4K recording up to 120p frame rate• An audio module with gain controls and two XLR connectors are part of the handle and it comes with a mini shotgun mic. As promised and right on time, Sony has announced the brand new. Jello has been an issue with all CMOS cameras, and Sony addressed it with a better processor than a global shutter. 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. Now Sony is moving in on the territory with the and the previously released. If the leak is accurate, which certainly appears to be the case, it would be Sony's Cinema Line camera, by far. Full-Size HDMI• Whether you love Sony cameras or loathe them, the Japanese company has always priced its mid to lower-end cameras fairly aggressively. The new model provides, according to sony, outstanding image quality and usability for small scale and one-person shooting. Dedicated zoom rocker Sony FX3 In terms of video quality, the FX3 records 4K UHD video at up to 120 frames per second. 46 oz to the EVF and can power it for hours. Precise and smooth focus is maintained with Real-time Eye AF — technology that pinpoints eye even when subjects are looking down or up at steep angles. This makes it physically impossible to place this system in a small-sized camera. It is impressive that Sony has been able to make the FX3 so light and small, especially since they have included a cooling fan. 2MP back-illuminated CMOS Exmor R Full-Frame 10. Sony has made several changes to the design compared to the A7S III, including having a dedicated backlit record button on top, a top-mounted joystick, a zoom control around the shutter button, tally lights on the front and back, sliding power switch, and shortcut buttons optimized for video workflow. Sony Other headline features include in-body stabilization you can combine with an Active software mode for even more shake reduction, dual CFexpress card slots and plenty of mounting points to attach any accessories you might need. As I mentioned earlier in the article, the FX3 really does overlap with the a7S III to the point where it is bound to upset people who bought that camera recently. XAVC S• 5 axis IBIS — In Body Image Stabilization with Active Mode. It is considerably smaller than the FX6. The true competition for the FX3 is the a7s III and the new BMD Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro with internal ND and an optional EVF. Its small size and low weight will also make the FX3 very suitable for anyone who wants to use it on a drone, a gimbal, or even a car mount. It has three mounting points—two on top and one in the back. UHD up to 120p• Social distancing is not a problem. If you want to use the FX3 as a b-cam you will have to add a TC device like a Tentacle Sync or record scratch audio and use a slate. this allows you to keep the camera powered up for extended periods of time. 0dB: Standard input level at -60 dBu Suitable for recording with a low-sensitivity microphone while amplifying sounds. 264 UHD 4K 3840 x 2160 at 23. Sony FX3 highlights The presentation of the new FX3 was one of the shortest online presentations, somehow reflecting the compact size of the new. They both share the exact same sensor, recording capabilities, and form factor. XAVC S-I If you are shooting in HD you can choose from:• Another reason to miss it is how the FX3 outputs the image to an external monitor. The FX3 looks to be an affordable camera for professional users who are shooting news, events, documentaries, and corporate productions. The internal structure of the FX3 is made out of magnesium alloy and the camera also features dust and moisture sealing. AF with face detection and Eye-AF• The last decade has seen Erik migrate into broadcast television and filmmaking, where he has discovered a passion for visual storytelling and production. Fan Intake on the bottom• At the heart of the FX3 is a full-frame 12. 94p XAVC Intra 422 10-bit Class 300 UHD up to 120p XAVC Intra 422 10-bit Class 300 HD up to 240P XAVC Intra 422 10-bit Class 100 External Recording 4K DCI up to 59. 10dB: Standard input level at -50 dBu Recommended input level for the supplied microphone. The handle's left side is seen here. This is physically attached to the included top handle and it allows the camera to be able to record up to 4 channels of audio. Sony may soon release the FX3, a cinema camera version of the full-frame A7S III mirrorless camera, according to several leaks. The FX3 uses S Cinetone Color Science like the rest of the Cinema Line; this ensures seamless footage integration with rich color and a professional aesthetic. The camera sports customizable buttons for assigning 15 controls and up to 140 menu items. This alone could be tempting for quite a lot of users. Again, the AF is the exact same system that is being used in the a7S III. Here we are in the frigid and bleak Southampton Long Island winter. No built-in ND Nothing to see here 😀 Actually, I wish the FX3 had the electronic ND that the FX6 has, but if it did, it would be much taller to make room for it. CineEI mode is something you will not find on the FX3. If you're a creator who prefers shooting CinemaDNG, then the Sigma fp has the edge, but as for features, it's beginning to look outdated. Other specs of the FX3:• Sony FX3 Sigma fp Panasonic S1H BMPCC 6K Pro Sensor Full-Frame 10. As you can see, the size is much smaller than the C70. Capture times are limited by the lack of a fan. Adding to that, the FX3 boasts full-frame bokeh with a shallow depth of field created by its full-frame sensor. Instead, you need to use Imaging Edge just like the Alpha series cameras. In my opinion, there is no such thing as future proof. I do believe that those issues have been solved with subsequent models, but it is worth keeping in mind. With All-I XAVC S encoding , the bitrate is up to 600Mbps. Media Options The FX3 uses the new CFexpress type A, as well as SDX SD cards. Below are some of the options you could use for recording four channels of audio:• The FX3 also supports Sony's post stabilizing software Catalyst Browse, which can produce. The 12MP sensor can also record still images at up to 10 frames per second. The camera has been designed to be modular and you can build it up or break it down depending on your needs. The handle includes XLR inputs, a built-in stereo mic and a 3. You do get a full-sized HDMI output just like the a7S III. So how does the price compare to some of the competition? Tally Lights The FX3 comes with three tally lights which are handy if you are using the camera in multi-camera scenarios or just as a B camera. The FX3 is not unlike the , which is Canon's first cinema camera with an RF mount, in that both are video-specific cameras with mirrorless-like form factors. Sony stated the FX3 has a cageless design due to the mounting points they added around the body. S-Cinetone is a real step forward to crafting pleasing images straight from the camera. The main reasons for this are undoubtedly due to lack of space and to maintain product differentiation. The only trouble with CFexpress Type A cards is that they are expensive and at the moment capacities are limited to just 160GB. The majority of the content you consume is either HD or UHD, and that is unlikely to change anytime soon. If you are planning on using the FX3 in a bigger setup, you'll need a wireless video extender or an HDMI signal booster to get the image to a faraway monitor over HDMI. The sensor in the FX3 will allow you to comfortably shoot in very low light environments without generating a lot of image noise. S-Cinetone is included in Alpha One, but as of yet is not in any other mirrorless Alpha cameras. This alone makes the much more expensive FX9 a more appealing proposition for certain shooting scenarios. Sony is probably a little behind the 8 ball with this announcement as a lot of potential buyers of a FX3 have probably already bought an a7S III. 5mm Headphone 1x HDMI A Full Size 1 x PC Sync Socket 1x 2. The bigger issue is robustness and surviving life on set. Maybe an articulating arm would fit or a cold shoe. You do need to have the battery in the camera when you do this. He is the Editor of Newsshooter. Internal cooling fan provides unlimited recording time. Better yet, the FX3 has the same touchscreen autofocus as the. Shooting off a small LCD is not easy. But if video is going to be your only use case, and if you value features like S-Cinetone and the supplied audio interface then the FX3 might be a better option. 2MP back-illuminated CMOS Exmor R Full-Frame 12. Create movies with in-camera 4K recording at up to 120 frames per second. Four channels of audio recording• Sony FX6 Comparison Credit: Sony So, with all those amazing features in the FX3, what is left in the FX6 to push users to that upgrade? These are the following codec choices that are available in UHD:• The full-frame FX3 uses the Sony E-mount, giving it access to nearly 60 Sony-made lenses Autofocus performance is driven by Sony's Hybrid AF technology. I think most users would have preferred to have seen the audio module be detachable from the camera handle. This marks the first time Sony has included I. It looks like a fatter a7 type camera. That stronger E-mount is also handy for using heavier-long cine-zooms without having to add additional lens support. You can also use Catalyst Browse and Catalyst Prepare software to utilize the gyro's data stored in the metadata of recorded clips. [Movie] Approx. This, plus the 15 stops of wide dynamic range, ensure subjects and scenery stand out as the filmmaker envisioned. Standard ISO range of 80-102,400, expandable up to 409,600• 5 to 20 VDC Input 1 x 2-Pin LEMO 7 to 17 VDC Input WiFi Yes 2. 94p 4:2:2 10-bit 16-bit linear RAW output over SDI UHD up to 59. In some ways this makes the FX3 seem like it's not really intended to be an A camera in larger setups, but working with HDMI is something a lot of us have gotten used to, and all the mounting points provide plenty of places to mount a wireless follow focus. The nice thing for consumers is that we do have a big choice and it is becoming increasingly easier to find the right camera for your individual needs. It appears to have a flip-out display but supposedly lacks the ND filter found in other Sony Cinema Line cameras. Historically, Sony always stayed away from offering features in mirrorless cameras and lower-end digital cinema cameras that you would find in their more expensive offerings. While I think they have managed to do that, it looks like they squarely stomped on the feet of the a7S III. 5mm headphone jack for audio monitoring. The camera includes Sony's S-Cinetone Picture Profile, promising a beautiful, cinematic look with soft tones. Initial thoughts The FX3 is an intriguing if not slightly confusing camera. Inside the camera, the FX3 features a 5-axis in-body image stabilization system. I did not have an a7S III on hand but do have a similarly-sized a7R IV to show the size comparison between an FX3. Image Credit: Sony An integrated cooling fan and a heat-dissipating design enable uninterrupted 4K recording up to 60fps. It blocks your hand from the grip, so if you are using a tripod and not handholding the FX3, that will work. In a lot of ways, the FX3 is an a7S III in a slightly different body with a handle and an XLR module. The added internal fan system is the key to keeping it cool. Rumor has it the a7s III will have S-Cinetone soon, and that makes the FX3 a little less enticing. The three standard tripod screws and large recording button on the top show that the FX3 is designed to take accessories like displays, microphones, etc. External RAW recording With patent issues prohibiting internal compressed RAW recording, the FX3 is only capable of recording RAW externally. Below are some of the possible setups for audio. You can do a 50 foot run of SDI and get a signal. Better autofocus, IBIS, and ergonomics than the. We'd gladly trade off internal RAW for Sony's low-light performance. Why did I not include the FX3 top handle in the Cinema Line at the top of the page? 2MP back-illuminated CMOS Exmor R 35. One of the primary differences is in the design. 1 Megapixel stills similar to the a7s III. 5x S35 shooting mode you are limited to recording in HD. With a locking mount, it reduces lens play and allows you to use most 35mm lenses including PL, EF, Leica, and Nikon via optional adapters. It is considerably more affordable than a RED KOMODO or a Canon C70. Once you do this the menus will change. You can utilize the rear Vari-angle touchscreen to enable touch tracking and enable autofocus when manually focusing. On the FX3 there is no space to put this mechanism. 16-bit RAW via full-size HDMI output• Phase Detection Auto Focus with face and eye tracking. There are five-level AF transition speeds from fast-switching between subjects as quickly as possible to slow, where speed is reduced to fit a more measured shooting style. On the front is a mini zoom rocker for compatible lenses. That's where the FX6 really messed things up. To switch the function, a simple push of the MODE button brings up the options. You could literally buy an FX6 and an FX3 for less than the price of an FX9. Final Thoughts Sony created a camera that, for the most part, is all alone in its space. The LCD screen can fully articulate and flip into a selfie position without obstruction; however, if an HDMI cable or other ports are used, they will block the view. There is obviously not enough space for both HDMI and SDI, so like it or not, HDMI is probably the better option for the target audience of this camera. Conclusion While Sony still receives criticism for its color science, it's something that can be adjusted in post. Though the Sigma fp and BMPCCs offer multiple RAW recording formats, neither of them is going to match Sony for autofocus. VENICE, FX9, FX6, and now — FX3. In-body image stabilisation means that effective stabilisation can be achieved with a wide range of lenses, including E-mount lenses that do not include stabilisation of their own. What about if we compare the FX3 against the Sigma fp, Panasonic S1H, and BMPCC 6K? The FX3 supports numerous accessories, including mics, lights, grip, wireless mics and more. FX3 Design Credit: Sony The FX3 likely wouldn't exist if it weren't for the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera. If you have shot with a Sony mirrorless camera before, you will be right at home with the FX3. The camera includes a full-size Type A HDMI slot, which supports 16-bit RAW output. Based on the A7S III, the FX3 incorporates some features found on the more expensive cinema cameras in a smaller and lighter body. With the FX3 you can output the exact same 4. Here you can control the Shutter Speed, enter a Playback mode, and Delete clips. Camera settings provide audio recording formats, including 4-channel 24-bit recording. You still have access to the dials since the cover allows a little gap for access. One area where competitors like the C70, fp, and FX3 are leaving behind the BMPCC line is the lens mount. You can also record HD proxies on the FX3 On paper, the FX3 offers you higher frame rates in UHD than the more expensive FX9. I think it comes down to the cost savings and keeping the price down for the kit. You can also power the camera via a USB-PD.。 。 。
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