For a while It seemed as if Sony’s advanced digital film cameras were on a collision course with the Alpha mirrorless cameras, as those photographers became increasingly capable of recording video. Today the inevitable was confirmed: Sony has officially unveiled its FX3 with features from both the company’s digital cinema and Alpha lines, creators a more affordable way to view Hollywoodcaliber content.
An image of the FX3 leaked for a few weeks ago sparked speculation that Sony’s compact cinematography tool could record video at 8K resolutions, but the full-frame, backlit Exmor R CMOS sensor the camera uses is limited to resolutions up to 4K, or 16: 9 QFHD at up to 120 frames per second. Although even with a cooling fan and vent design that promotes natural heat dissipation, the FX3 can only record continuously at 4K, 60P. Shots with a higher frame rate are limited so that the camera does not overheat. Skipping 8K is a choice Sony has made to either keep the FX3’s price tag low, or make sure it doesn’t compete with the more expensive digital cinema cameras-or both.
When recording video, the FX3’s ISO settings can be pushed to an impressive 409600, which can come in handy the next time you’re filming on the dark side of the moon and can’t see the sun. T.The camera’s 627-point autofocus system includes features such as AF transition speed, which ensures automatic focus changes run smoothly so as not to shock the audience, and Touch Tracking, which allows Operators just need to tap an object on the FX3’s flip-out touchscreen to tell the camera where to stay in view, even if the subject moves.
With the battery and memory cards installed (both dual CFexpress Type A and SDXC cards are supported), the FX3 weighs just 1.58 pounds and includes a hot shoe mounted handgrip, making it easier to hold, operate and maneuver the camera at low angles. Keeping a lightweight camera steady while shooting handheld is a real challenge, which is why the FX3 uses five-axis image stabilization in the body for smooth videos, even when filming with a lens that doesn’t have its own stabilization. The stabilization applied is also recorded as metadata during filming, allowing for adjustment during post-production.
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Most filmmakers will want to keep the optional handle, because it doesn’t just offer quick access to various controls, including ISO, iris, white balance and zoom, it also features 15 custom buttons that can be programmed as shortcuts to 140 different functions normally hidden in a software menu. The grip has too a microphone holder, a pair of balanced XLR / TRS audio inputs and a 3.5mm stereo two-channel connection, while the camera can capture four-channel 24-bit audio when multiple microphones are connected.
The FX3 will be officially available sometime in March with a price tag of around $ 3,900. That’s not pocket money, but it’s also $ 2,600 cheaper than the new one $ 6,500 Sony Alpha 1 which many people will consider as their next video shooter. However, it is $ 1,400 more expensive than the recently announced $ 2,500 Blackmagic Design BMPCC 6K Pro which offers 6K recording and an HDR rear display, although 120fps high-speed recording is limited to 2K. But for video content creators who already have a bag full of Sony E-mount lenses, or already have a workflow with Sony’s more expensive digital cinema cameras, the FX3 sounds like an easy choice.