Sony introduces its most compact and lightweight cinema line camera yet: the Sony FX3 full-frame camera.
The FX3 (model ILME-FX3) combines the best of Sony’s industry-leading digital cinema technology with advanced imaging features from Alpha mirrorless cameras. It’s an all-in-one device that answers the needs of young creators who are looking for new ways to express their creative vision.
The new model provides outstanding image quality and usability for small scale and one-person shooting. The FX3 boasts first-class focus performance, optical image stabilization, handheld shooting design and advanced heat dissipation for extended recording times. All this in a compact, lightweight body that provides the performance and mobility to content creators.
Cinematic look
The FX3 flaunts Sony’s industry-leading image sensor technology to achieve high processing speeds and outstanding image quality. The full-frame, back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor full-frame 10.2-megapixel count for movie recording (and 12.1 effective megapixels for stills) and the BIONZ XR image processing engine team up to ensure high sensitivity with low noise. The standard ISO range is 80 to 102,400 (expandable to 409,600 when shooting a movie). Meanwhile, the dynamic range is an impressively wide 15+ stops.
Additionally, the FX3 (along with FX9 and FX6 Cinema Line cameras) allows users to create a cinematic look without post-production using S-Cinetone. Based on the color science inspired by Sony’s flagship VENICE camera, S-Cinetone delivers natural mid-tones. It also gives soft colors and smooth highlights that are essential to cinematic look.
Create movies with in-camera 4K recording at up to 120 frames per second. Extraordinarily smooth slow-motion imagery (up to 5x) at QFHD (3840 x 2160) resolution with autofocus provides new expressive capability.
Designed for comfortable solo-shooting
The most compact and lightweight Cinema Line camera is ideal for handheld shooting, gimbal and drone-mounted work. It weighs just 715 grams, including the battery and memory cards. The body is 77.8 mm high, 129.7 mm wide and 84.5 mm deep–without protrusions. The camera grip’s design provides optimum flexibility, stability and comfort for long shoots.
Designed for mobility and efficiency, the FX3’s body features five thread holes to easily attach compatible accessories. Still, it remains light enough for handheld shooting and easy to carry and set up. The supplied XLR handle unit securely attaches to the body via the Multi Interface Shoe without any special tools. It provides three additional thread holes for accessories: two on the top and one on the end.
To enable high quality audio, the XLR handle unit includes two XLR/TRS audio inputs to the FX3. With an optional XLR microphone, digital audio data transfers directly to the camera for outstanding audio quality. Users get a stress-free setup with the XLR adaptor integrated into the handle, not requiring any additional cables or batteries.
The FX3 offers Fast Hybrid autofocus (AF) by using the 627 points focal plane phase-detection system during movie recording. The Touch Tracking (Real-time Tracking) initiates auto focus and tracking on the subject with a simple touch. The Real-time Eye AF – technology maintains precise and smooth focus. Additionally, other AF features are available. These include AF Transition Speed, AF Subject Shift Sensitivity, intuitive control and AF support when focusing manually.
The FX3 features 5-axis optical in-body image stabilization–highly effective for handheld shooting. A high precision stabilization unit and gyro sensors make it possible to provide an Active Mode dedicated to movie shooting in each format, including 4K.
Expandability and operability for content creators
There are no compromises in the Sony FX3’s design in terms of professional control and operability. The buttons frequently used in movie shooting such as ISO, iris, and white balance adjustment sits on the grip and on the top of the body. In addition, 140 functions assignable to 15 custom keys allow for ultimate efficiency.
The zoom lever located on the top of the grip not only controls compatible powered zoom lenses, but also allows Clear Image Zoom to be also used with unpowered zoom and prime lenses with less image degradation. This lever also enables smooth zooming that is difficult for manual zoom-ring control.
Recording lamps (tally) on the upper front and rear of the camera allow the operator to easily distinguish when the camera is rolling. A side-opening vari-angle touch-panel LCD monitor allows for easy operation and is suitable for gimbal-mounted shots, complicated angles, handheld operation and more.
Creators need more than just refined features and performance; they also need reliability and durability. The FX3 combines a fan for active cooling with effective heat dissipation resulting in uninterrupted 4K 60p recording without thermal shutdown.
The new camera also features a dust and moisture resistant design and durable magnesium alloy chassis. Moreover, USB PD (Power Delivery) supports fast charging for uninterrupted recording. The FX3 also offers fast, future-oriented media slots with two CFexpress Type A cards. The same data can be simultaneously recorded to both cards for backup.
The new camera has been developed with advanced connectivity features to better assist professional creators. There’s a high-speed wireless LAN functionality (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band) and a wired LAN connection via compatible USB-to-Ethernet adaptor. This FX3 also supports remote shooting from PC by Imaging Edge Desktop application “Remote” via Wi-Fi, or Superspeed USB 5Gbps connection over USB Type-C terminal.
Pricing & Availability
The Sony FX3 will be available in the Philippines soon. For detailed product information, visit https://www.sony.com.ph/electronics/interchangeable-lens-cameras/ilme-fx3.