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Sony officially announced the FX3 Cinema Camera (model ILME-FX3) camera today. The new Sony video camera combines technologies from the field of digital cinema production with many functions of the mirrorless Alpha cameras and enables users to use a wide range of cinematic expressions.
As the newest member of the Cinema Line, the Sony FX3 offers the coveted film look, professional usability, and reliability in one camera. It is tailored for young content creators who are looking for new ways to implement their creative ideas. The new Sony FX 3 model is designed for high image quality and ease of use for recordings by smaller film crews or solo filmmakers. The camera has a fast-focus function, optical image stabilization, support for hand-held recordings, and efficient heat dissipation for longer recordings. Also, it is presented in a compact, lightweight device with the necessary performance and mobility to meet the growing demands of video producers.
The FX3 is equipped with the latest image sensor technology from Sony, which enables high processing speeds and image quality. The back-exposed Exmor R CMOS full-frame sensor with 10.2 effective megapixels for film recordings (12.1 effective megapixels for photos) and the BIONZ XR image processor ensures low noise over the entire light-sensitivity range of the camera, even with high sensitivity. The ISO range extends in the standard-setting from 80 to 102,400 (expandable to 409,600 for film recordings) and the dynamic range is extremely large with 15+ levels.
Like the cameras FX9 and FX6 from the Cinema Line, the FX3 S-Cinetone also ensures a film look without additional post-processing. Based on the color settings of the flagship camera “Venice” from Sony, S-Cinetone offers natural mid-tones, soft colors, and intense highlights, which are essential for a cinematic expression. The FX3 Sony enables internal 4K recordings at up to 120 frames per second. Smooth 5x (maximum) slow-motion recordings in 4K UHD resolution (3840 x 2160) with autofocus open up new possibilities for expression.
The most compact and lightest camera in the Cinema Line is tailored for greater mobility and weighs just 715 grams including battery and memory cards. The housing is 77.8 millimeters high, 129.7 millimeters wide, and 84.5 millimeters deep – including protruding parts. The mirrorless camera design is suitable for both handheld recordings and gimbals. The camera grip is designed for optimal flexibility, stability, and comfort for long recordings.
For audio recordings, the XLR handle of the FX3 digital cinema camera has been expanded to include two XLR / TRS audio inputs. With an optional XLR microphone, digital audio data can be transmitted directly to the camera. The audio recording formats that can be selected via the camera settings include 24-bit recordings with four channels. Since the XLR adapter is integrated into the handle and does not require any additional cables or batteries, maximum flexibility in recording, low noise (audio), and easy setup and dismantling are possible.
The FX3 has fast hybrid autofocus (AF) with 627-point phase-detection when shooting movies. Also, it enables touch tracking in real-time: the user only has to touch the desired subject on the display to start the autofocus and real-time tracking for this subject. It is also equipped with an integrated optical 5-axis image stabilization, which is very practical for hand-held recordings. The high-precision image stabilization unit and gyro sensors enable the implementation of an active mode for film recordings in any format, including 4K. Finally, the FX3 also records image stabilization metadata to simplify post-processing in Catalyst Browse / Prepare.
Content creators need tools that are not only characterized by innovative features and high performance, but also by reliability and robustness. The FX3 combines a fan for active cooling with effective heat dissipation to enable continuous 4K recordings at 60 frames per second without thermal shutdown. The newly developed fan ensures highly efficient cooling. The Sony FX3 has a dust and moisture-resistant design and a robust magnesium alloy housing. USB PD (Power Delivery) ensures fast charging for uninterrupted recordings.
The FX3 is compatible with several recording functions, including S-Log3-Gamma with S-Gamut3. Cine for recordings with a high dynamic range and a large color gamut, rich colors, and fine gradations. The camera also supports internal recordings in the formats XAVC S and XAVC SI in 4K UHD and FHD as well as XAVC HS (MPEG-H HEVC / H.265, 4K only). 4K UHD videos with 60 frames per second 10-bit 4: 2: 2 or 16-bit RAW format can be output to an external recorder via the HDMI type A socket of the FX3.
In addition, the new Sony video camera also has state-of-the-art connection options, as are necessary for professional workflows when recording. High-speed WiFi (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz connections) is supported; Wired LAN connections are possible with a compatible USB to Ethernet adapter (optional).
Sony FX3 price availability
The Sony FX3 full-frame Digital Cinema Camera is now available to pre-order from the authorized Bhphotovideo.com website for $3,898.
Last month, Sony has introduced the Alpha A1 professional camera with a 35mm full-format sensor, a resolution of 50 Mpx, takes up to 30 photos per second without a blackout-free viewfinder, and is priced at $6,498.
