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.
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
XAVC HS
UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98p/25p/29.97p [30 to 100 Mb/s]
UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 50p/59.94p [45 to 200 Mb/s]
UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 100p/119.88p [200 to 280 Mb/s] XAVC S
UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98p/25p/29.97p [60 to 140 Mb/s]
UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 50p/59.94p [150 to 200 Mb/s]
Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.98p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p [16 to 50 Mb/s]
Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 100p/119.88p [60 to 100 Mb/s] XAVC S-I
UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98p/25p/29.97p [240 to 300 Mb/s]
UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 50p/59.94p [500 to 600 Mb/s]
Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.98p/25p/29.97p [60 to 111 Mb/s]
Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 50p/59.94p [185 to 222 Mb/s]
Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 100p/119.88p [200 to 280 Mb/s] XAVC Proxy
Full HD (1920 x 1080) [9 to 16 Mb/s]
HD (1280 x 720) [6 Mb/s]
Sensor Crop Modes
Super35 / APS-C
Variable Frame Rates
UHD: 1 Up to 119.88 fps
1080p (Windowed): 1 Up to 240 fps
Gamma Curve
HDR-HLG, S Cinetone, Sony S-Log 2, Sony S-Log 3, Standard
Dual Slot: CFexpress Type A
Dual Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC
Video I/O
1 x HDMI Output
Audio I/O
2 x XLR / 1/4″ TRS Combo Mic/Line Input on Included Handle 1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Microphone Input on Camera Body 1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Headphone Output on Camera Body
Power I/O
1 x USB Type-C Input
Other I/O
1 x USB Type-C (Ethernet, USB 3.2 / 3.1 Gen 1) (Shared with Power Input) 1 x Sony Multi/USB Micro-B
Wireless
2.4 / 5 GHz Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth, NFC
Global Positioning (GPS, GLONASS, etc.)
None
Monitor
Size
3″
Resolution
1,440,000 Dot
Display Type
Articulating Touchscreen LCD
Viewfinder
Type
Optional, Not Included
Focus
Focus Type
Auto and Manual Focus
Focus Mode
Automatic, Continuous-Servo AF, Manual Focus
Autofocus Points
Phase Detection: 627
Built-In Flash
No
Maximum Sync Speed
1/125 Second
Dedicated Flash System
TTL
External Flash Connection
Intelligent Hot Shoe
Environmental
Operating Temperature
32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C
Storage Temperature
-4 to 140°F / -20 to 60°C
General
Battery Type
Sony Z-Series
Power Consumption
≤7.3 W
Tripod Mounting Thread
1/4″-20 Female
Accessory Mount
1 x Intelligent Hot Shoe 5 x 1/4″-20 Female on Camera Body 3 x 1/4″-20 Female on Included Handle
Material of Construction
Magnesium Alloy
Dimensions (W x H x D)
5.1 x 3.3 x 3.1″ / 129.7 x 84.5 x 77.8 mm
Weight
1.4 lb / 640 g (Body Only)
1.6 lb / 715 g (With Battery, Recording Media)
