Overview
With a compact design for solo shooters, travel applications, and to serve as an ideal B cam, the Sony FX3 borrows from both the Cinema Line and Alpha series of cameras to create an optimized portable cinema camera. The FX3 features all of the imaging attributes you'd expect from this class but sports a newly designed body that's hand-holdable, with a streamlined and minimal profile, and has a "cage-free" design, indicating the ability to secure various accessories directly to the camera body.
Its 12.1MP Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor (10.2MP effective in video mode) pairs with a BIONZ XR processor to achieve UHD 4K video capture with internal 10-bit 4:2:2 sampling or 16-bit raw output. The sensor's BSI design heightens clarity and sensitivity, with an expandable ISO 80-409600 range and greater-than 15-stop dynamic range for working in mixed lighting conditions. Benefitting color and tonal control, an S-Cinetone mode can be used for matching to VENICE, FX9, or FX6 sources and there is also S-Log3/2 gamut support and 10-bit HLG for simple HDR productions. The sensor and processor also work together to greatly reduce rolling shutter and the sensor's design incorporates a Fast Hybrid AF system for intelligent and quick focusing performance and subject tracking.
Beyond the physical design just being compact, it's also built to maximize efficiency and operability through the inclusion of an articulating 3.0" touchscreen LCD, a removable shoe-mounted top handle with dual XLR mic inputs, and 5-axis mechanical image stabilization for smoother handheld recording.
Note: The Sony ECM-XM1 Microphone is not included.
Most Compact Member of the Cinema Line Family
This compact addition to Sony's Cinema Line blends the full-frame, S-Cinetone capture of the FX6 with the UHD 4K capture, autofocus options, and body size of the a7S III camera. The video-forward design of the FX3 also shares several handling and audio features with the FX6 and the ISO range and battery of the a7S III.
Common FX3/FX6/a7S III Features
- Full-frame, back-illuminated 12.1MP Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ XR processor
- High-speed rates of 120p in 4K and 240p in HD
- Dynamic range of 15+ stops
Shared FX3/FX6 Attributes
- S-Cinetone, S-Log3, HLG, and Rec. 709 gamma options
- Tally lamps on the front, side, and rear
- Internal fan to prevent overheating
- Zoom lever
Shared FX3/A7S III Attributes
- 5-axis in-body image stabilization
- 16-bit raw output via HDMI
- S-Log2 gamma choice
- 80 to 409,6000 ISO range (expanded)
Improved FX3 Features
- Comfortable, cage-free, handheld operation
- Greater than 1.6x battery runtime compared to a7S II
- USB-PD power option for extended shooting times
4K Full-Frame CMOS Exmor R Sensor
The 12.1MP Exmor R sensor and BIONZ XR processor offer true cinematic expression with 10.2MP effective video and 12.1MP stills capture. The full-frame sensor provides shallow depth of field looks, impressive bokeh, and reduced rolling shutter artifacts.
S-Cinetone Color
- Default S-Cinetone color setting provides a softer-toned look with beautiful skin tone reproduction
- Complements your VENICE, FX9, or FX6 footage
- S-Log-3, S-Gamut3, S-Gamut3.Cine, and 10-bit 4:2:2: support help to maintain rich gradation and color compatible with the range of Sony Cinema Line cameras
Cinematic Recording / Frame Rate Options
- Up to 600 Mb/s XAVC S-I ALL-I H.264 codec recording
- XAVC HS codec recording with H.265 encoding for lower bit rates in Long GOP
- Internal 10-bit 4:2:2 recording to CFexpress Type A or SD memory cards
- External, 16-bit raw,10-bit 4:2:2 output via HDMI type-A port
- 8-bit XAVC S or 10-bit XAVC HS proxy capture
- 10-bit, 4:2:2 color available in all formats including HLG
- Full-frame UHD 4K high-speeds up to 120p
- S35 HD high-speed rates up to 240p
- Up to 5x slow-motion rates
Compact Design / Ergonomic Operation
- Flexible, streamlined, 5 x 3 x 3" form
- 3" LCD with 1,440,000-dot resolution tilts for optimal viewing
- Can be used with or without a cage
- Right-handed controls feature placement consistent with the rest of the Cinema Line
- Five 1/4"-20 accessory threads on the FX3 body plus two on the top handle
- Intuitive touchscreen menu
- Customizable buttons for assigning 15 controls and up to 140 menu items
- Tally (record) lights are easily viewable on the top, front, and rear of the camera
- Dual CFexpress Type A/SD slots
- Relay, simultaneous, and backup recording
- Customizable zoom setting plus Clear Image Zoom
Detachable XLR Adapter Handle
- Top handle with two XLR-1/4" TRS combo audio inputs
- Microphone holder and 3.5mm mic input
- Digital audio with up to 4-channel, 24-bit recording
- Contoured for comfortable low-angle shooting
Fast Hybrid / Phase Detection Autofocus
- Multiple autofocusing modes are designed for solo shooting
- Fast Hybrid AF uses 627 points to cover approximately 89% of the image frame
- Real-Time Eye AF, Eye and Face Detection, and subject Touch Tracking
Durable Build / Enhanced Operating
- An integrated cooling fan and a heat-dissipating design enable uninterrupted recording up to 4K60
- Magnesium-alloy chassis and shell
- Sealed against inclement weather and dust
Wireless Connectivity
- Dual-band 2.4/5 GHz wireless connectivity
- Wired LAN link using the USB Type-C port and a separate adapter
Post-Production Stabilization with E-Mount Lenses
- Sony's Catalyst Prepare/Browse software uses shake metadata to stabilize your image
- Adjustable balance between shake compensation and image area trimming
Sony FX3 Full-Frame Cinema Camera
Pixels
Actual: 12.1 Megapixel
Effective: 10.2 Megapixel
Sensor Size
35.6 x 23.8 mm (Full-Frame)
Bit Depth
10-Bit 4:2:2 XAVC S-I,16-Bit Raw Output
ISO Sensitivity
80 to 102,400 (Native)
80 to 409,600 (Expanded)
Shutter Speed
Rolling Shutter
Recording Modes
XAVC HS/XAVC S-I/XAVC S 4:2:2 10-Bit:
3840 x 2160p at 23.98/25/29.97/50/59.94/100/119.88 fps (600 Mb/s)
1920 x 1080p at 23.98/25/29.97/50/59.94/100/119.88/240 fps (600 Mb/s)
XAVC S 8-Bit:
1280 x 720p at 23.98/25/29.97/50/59.94/100/119.88/200/240 fps
External Recording Modes
HDMI In Raw Mode:
4264 x 2408 16-Bit at 24/25/30/50/60 fps
3840 x 2160 16-Bit at 24/25/30/50/60 fps
1920 x 1080 16-Bit at 24/25/30/50/60 fps
Viewfinder Type
Optional, Not Included
Memory Card Slot
Dual Slot: CFexpress Type A
Dual Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC
Operating Temperature
32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C
Dimensions (LxWxH)
9.6 x 9.1 x 5.8"
Sony FX3 Full-Frame Cinema Camera Q & A
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