Sony introduces the FX3 Full Frame camera with cinematic looks and improved ease of use for content creators.
The most compact and lightest cinema camera, the FX3 is the first choice for content creators seeking new areas of cinematic freedom.
FX3 Product Summary
- 10.2 megapixel full-frame back-illuminated CMOS Exmor R™ sensor and BIONZ XR™ image processing engine
- Ultra-high sensitivity and 15+ stops of dynamic range with expandable ISO range up to 409,600 for very low light conditions
- S-Cinetone™ appearance profile inspired by the color science of digital cinema camera VENICE, also used in the FX9 and FX6, and 120p recording at 4K
- Compact and lightweight body design that provides high operational convenience during handheld, gimbal and drone-mounted shooting
- Multi-channel (1/4-20 UNC) body that allows easy attachment of accessories
- Detachable XLR arm unit with two XLR/TRS type audio inputs
- Handheld video shooting with “Active Mode” image stabilization
- Fast Hybrid Autofocus, Touch Tracking (real-time tracking) and Real-time Eye AF also used on other Alpha™ cameras
- Uninterrupted 4K 60p recording (Continuous) with effective heat dissipation structure and in-body cooling fan
Sony has introduced the FX3 (model ILME-FX3) camera, which combines the best of industry-leading digital cinema technology with the advanced imaging capabilities of Alpha™ mirrorless cameras to create a professional cinematic look.
FX3, the newest member of Sony Cinema Group; It combines cinematic looks, professional usability and reliability in a single device that meets the needs of young content creators looking for new ways to express their vision. The new model provides exceptional image quality and ease of use for small-scale and solo shooting. FX3 offers first-class focusing performance, optical image stabilization, handheld design and advanced heat dissipation infrastructure for long recording times. All these features come together in a compact and lightweight body with the performance and mobility capacity to meet the ever-increasing demands of today's content creators.
Sony Europe Digital Imaging Product Marketing Director Yann Salmon Legagneur said, "FX3 is designed to bring creative vision to reality. This machine allows content creators to bring their own visual expression to the world of cinema through immersive content. We will continue to support content creators around the world with Sony's Cinema Group Series."
Cinematic View
FX3 leverages Sony's image sensor technology to achieve fast processing speeds and outstanding image quality. The full-frame, back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor offers 10.2 megapixel (approximately effective) readouts in videos (and 12.1 effective megapixels in photos), while the BIONZ XR image processing engine supports it by achieving high sensitivity and low noise. The standard ISO range runs from 80 to 102,400 (expandable to 409,600 for movie shooting) and has a very wide dynamic range of 15+ stops.
Responding to the growing need for more immersive depth, the FX3, like the FX9 and FX6 Cinema Group cameras, allows users to create a cinematic look without post-production with S-Cinetone. With color science inspired by Sony's flagship camera VENICE, S-Cinetone achieves the natural mid-range tones, soft colors and subtle highlight transitions essential for a cinematic look.
Video can be shot with internal 4K recording at up to 120 frames per second. The incredibly successful slow motion feature with autofocus at QFHD (3840 x 2160) resolution opens the door to new forms of expression.
Designed for Comfortable Solo Shooting
The most compact and lightest of the Cinema Group cameras, the FX3 is ideal for both handheld shooting and gimbal and drone-mounted shooting. The machine, which weighs only 715 grams including battery and memory cards, has a body length of 77.8 mm, 129.7 mm width and a depth of 84.5 mm, excluding protrusions. The camera grip has been designed to provide optimum flexibility, stability and comfort during long shots.
Designed with mobility and efficiency as the basis, the body of the FX3 has five mounting holes (1/4-20 UNC) for easy installation of compatible accessories; This allows the camera to remain light enough for handheld shooting while also being easy to transport and set up. The bundled External monitors, recorders, wireless microphone receivers, accessory shoe kit (cold shoe plate) and other add-ons can be securely attached to the machine.
The XLR arm unit has two XLR/TRS audio inputs to achieve quality sound. With an optional XLR microphone, digital audio data can be transferred directly to the camera for exceptional audio quality. The camera settings include different audio recording formats, including 4-channel 24-bit recording. Since the XLR adapter is integrated into the arm and does not require additional cables or batteries, installation can be carried out effortlessly.
The FX3 offers Fast Hybrid autofocus (AF) using a 627-point focal plane phase detection system during video recording. The camera has also been further enhanced with Touch Tracking (Real-Time Tracking), which initiates autofocus and tracking on a desired subject by simply touching it on the monitor. Precise and smooth focusing is provided with Real Eye AF technology, which can detect the eye even when the person is looking down or looking up at right angles. In addition, in line with the feedback from professional users, other AF features such as AF Transition Speed, AF Object Switching Sensitivity, intuitive control and AF support when focusing manually have also been improved and included. These AF features have been added to the FX3 to ensure reliable, flexible and accurate focusing in all situations, making solo shooting easier.
The in-body 5-axis optical image stabilization in the FX3 offers great support in handheld shooting. The high-precision stabilization unit and gyro sensors enable Active Mode, which allows shooting video in any format, including 4K. Thanks to in-body image stabilization, effective stabilization can be achieved even with E-mount lenses that do not have their own stabilization feature. In addition, FX3 records image stabilization metadata for more convenient editing using Catalyst Browse/Prepare during post-production.
Ease of Use and Performance for Content Creators
Ease of Use
There are no elements in the design of the FX3 that would compromise professional control and ease of use. ISO, iris and white balance settings, which are frequently used in video shooting, are placed on the handle and on the upper part of the body. The design allows solo creators to control the buttons with one hand. Additionally, 140 functions can be assigned to 15 customizable buttons, allowing efficiency to be maximized.
The zoom lever placed on the handle not only enables control of motorized zoom lenses compatible with the FX3, but also allows Clear Image Zoom technology to be used with non-motorized zoom and fixed focal length lenses to obtain better quality images; thus reducing the number of lenses needed for different projects. This lever also enables smooth zooms that are difficult to control with the manual zoom ring.
In order for the user to easily distinguish that the machine is recording, there is a recording lamp (warning signal light) on the upper front and back of the body. The horizontally opening, vari-angle, touch panel LCD monitor provides ease of use and allows for many types of operations such as gimbal-mounted shooting, complex angles, and handheld shooting. Flexible Exposure Mode allows the aperture (iris), shutter speed and ISO to be adjusted independently to Auto/Manual mode in the FX3, as in other FX series cameras. The lock function, which is activated by briefly pressing the buttons assigned to the customized function, locks the dial/Manual mode, preventing accidental changes. A long press on the relevant buttons turns the Automatic adjustment mode on and off.
Reliability
Content creators need more than advanced features and performance—especially reliability and durability. FX3 combines the fan used for active cooling with effective heat dissipation, enabling uninterrupted 4K 60p recording without thermal shutdown. Efficient cooling is achieved thanks to the newly developed fan.
The design of the new camera is dust and moisture resistant, and its case is made of durable magnesium alloy. Additionally, USB PD (Power Supply) supports fast charging for uninterrupted recording.
Dynamic Range Extensibility
FX3 is compatible with many recording functions, including S-Log3 gamma, to achieve rich colors and gradations that can be recorded in high dynamic range and a wide color gamut with the S-Gamut3.Cine color gamut setting. It also supports internal recording in XAVC S™ and XAVC S-I formats in 4K (QFHD) and in FHD and XAVC HS™ (MPEG-H HEVC/H.265, 4K only). 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.
The FX3 also features two CFexpress Type A cards and a fast, future-proof media slot to add to unhindered shooting freedom. The same data can be saved to both cards simultaneously for backup. Additionally, if the first media card becomes full during recording, the “spare storage” mode automatically switches to the other media card.
To better support professional content creators, the new camera has been enhanced with advanced connectivity features such as high-speed wireless LAN function (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band) and wired LAN connection via a compatible USB-Ethernet adapter. FX3 also supports remote shooting from a PC with the Imaging Edge Desktop™ application via Wi-Fi with the “Remote” feature or via a Superspeed 5Gbps connection plugged into the USB Type-C® terminal.
About Cinema Group
The Cinema Group consists of a range of professional cameras with cinematic looks, enhanced ease of use and reliability, achieved through Sony's extensive experience in digital cinema production, meeting the high-end demands of the content producer.
Within the Cinema Group; VENICE, the digital cinema camera that has received great acclaim from the short and feature film production industry; the FX9 professional camera, which is especially preferred for documentary and drama production; and the FX6, which allows effortless instant shooting and content production. With the new FX3, the most compact camera in the series, Sony is expanding its range of versatile creative tools to suit different needs for visual storytellers of all types.
Stock Information
The new FX3 Full-Frame Cinema Group camera will be available from April 2021.
