Sony FX3 4K Full-Frame Cinema Camera (E-mount)

Sony FX3 Full-Frame Cinema Camera

With its full-frame sensor, the FX3 Cinema Line camera offers high sensitivity and wide dynamic range—for powerful expressive possibilities in an amazingly compact design. With enhanced mobility for easy solo hand-held shooting, alongside pro operability, it’s the ideal creative tool to capture a cinematic vision anywhere.

Full-Frame sensor with super-fast readout speed

The back-illuminated full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor boasts a blazingly fast data readout speed along with high sensitivity and wide dynamic range. An advanced colour filter array boosts colour reproduction accuracy, while focal plane phase-detection AF enables solid autofocus stability and excellent precision, all of which contribute to outstanding image quality.

The BIONZ XR image-processing engine is designed for high speed, minimising latency while providing impressive real-time processing capabilities. The engine performs real-time processing of AF, image recognition and image quality adjustments, while also handling data transfer, user interface and other camera operations.

High sensitivity, wide dynamic range

The full-frame sensor enables high sensitivity with low noise throughout the camera's range by optimising the sensor’s output. Capture clear motion even in low light conditions with an impressive ISO expanded range up to 409,600. It has an extended dynamic range of 15+ stops, without blown highlights. Together, the camera's high sensitivity and wide dynamic range expand your flexibility in post-production.

4K High Frame Rates up to 120fps and S-Cinetone

You can record full-frame 4K at up to 120fps with autofocus thanks to the high-speed readout capabilities of the image sensor and the powerful BIONZ XR processor. Even at high frame rates, 4K images are captured using full-pixel readout without binning, for clear post-produced slow motion (up to 5x slower than real time)3. The high-precision AF even allows beautiful full-frame bokeh to be achieved during slow motion shooting. The inclusion of Sony’s acclaimed S-Cinetone look, inherited from the development of the FX9, allows cinematic colour to be achieved directly in-camera. S-Cinetone is optimised for natural skin tones and mid-range colours, with gentle highlight roll-off, for impressive subject depiction even without post production grading.

HEVC and All-Intra Recording Options

In addition to Long-GOP inter-frame compression, internal intra-frame (All-Intra) recording is supported. XAVC S-I recording compresses each frame independently at a high bitrate, up to 600Mbps, so is ideal for capturing complex motion, and allowing maximum flexibility and playback performance during post-production. XAVC HS format recording, using the MPEG-H HEVC/H.265 codec, roughly doubles the compression efficiency. Compared to a normal 4K XAVC S format, XAVC HS allows for detailed 10-bit video with 4:2:2 colour sampling at comparable or lower data rates, delivering even better image quality as well as manageable file sizes.

10bit Recording and S-Log Profiles

An HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) HDR picture profile, complete with the wide-gamut BT.2020 colour space, can be used for direct HDR (HLG) playback on compatible TVs. The result is true-to-life imagery close to what the naked eye can see, with detailed shadows and highlights, less blackout and less whiteout, all without the need for colour grading. In particular, 10-bit recordings reproduce a level of fine gradation and detail for extraordinary realism.

Three modes are provided for recording with the S-Log3 gamma curve. Cine EI, used in Sony’s high-end Cinema Line models, offers wide latitude and the highest possible image quality. Eine EI Quick simplifies setup by automatically switching the camera’s base ISO according to the selected Exposure Index (EI). And Flexible ISO provides the greatest flexibility for exposure settings. In addition, Sony’s s709 has been added to the available LUT presets.

Fast Hybrid AF with reliable Real-time Tracking and Eye AF

Fast Hybrid AF combines focal plane phase-detection AF with contrast-detection AF. This results in highly precise, smooth tracking of fast-moving subjects even over a wide range with a shallow depth of field. AF Transition Speed and AF Subject Shift Sensitivity parameters allow more flexible focus control, as demanded by professional users.

Focus control is fast and intuitive, to ensure you have full creative control of the FX3’s powerful AF technology. Real-time Tracking greatly assists during solo shooting by analysing the subject's colour, patterns, and depth. When shooting people, Real-time Eye AF makes movie-making much easier, especially with gimbal-mounted shots and wherever you need to rely on AF.

In-body Image Stabilisation for Handheld Shooting

Relying on a new high-precision stabilisation unit, gyro sensors, and optimised image stabilisation algorithms, the camera's Optical SteadyShot Active Mode provides precise optical image compensation, for outstanding results for 4K video recording, even while walking. With this unprecedented level of stabilisation it's possible to shoot with the camera only, taking advantage of the compact size and mobility.

Continuous 4K/60p and full-size HDMI

With a durable and versatile HDMI Type-A jack, it is possible to simultaneously output video to the camera's LCD monitor, an HDMI-connected external recording or monitoring device. or uninterrupted 4K/60p recording, the FX3 features an innovative heat dissipation structure, including a unique Sony sigma shaped graphite-alloy heat sink. A complete internal redesign optimised airflow and placement of heat sinks. When required, a silent cooling fan provides ventilation for continuous recording at full resolution, with intake and exhaust air structurally isolated to maintain strong dust and moisture resistance.

Dual CFexpress Type A-compatible media slots

The camera's two media slots are compatible with CFexpress Type A cards as well as SDXC/SDHC cards supporting UHS-I and UHS-II speed classes. CFexpress Type A cards are the next standard for compact storage with fast write/read speeds suitable for 4K movie recording at high bit rates. Dual slots enable either relay or simultaneous recording.

Reliable, durable, and lightweight construction

For high durability and mobility, the main camera chassis, top, front, and rear covers are constructed from lightweight and robust magnesium alloy, with the lens mount secured by six screws for stable attachment of heavy lenses. A filter in front of the image sensor oscillates at an ultrasonic frequency of 70,000 cycles per second to remove dust from the sensor surface.

XLR adaptor and digital input for quality audio

The handle of the FX3 includes two independent full-size XLR connectors (XLR/TRS combo) to connect external professional microphones through a digital audio interface via the Multi Interface (MI) Shoe. Three recording formats can be selected, including 24-bit 4-channel.