Published Feb 23, 2021
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Sony has formally announced the much-leaked FX3 full-frame video camera. The FX3 marks the entry point to the Cinema Line of video cameras, and wears Alpha branding, setting it between the FX6 and the a7S III.
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It’s built around the same 12MP full-frame BSI-CMOS sensor as the a7S III and promises the same UHD 4K capabilities, including 60p capture from the full sensor width and 4K/120p with a slight crop. It offers the same choice of bitrates and codecs as the a7S III, meaning 10-bit 4:2:2 in a choice of XAVC HS (H.265) or XAVC S (H.264) with matching bitrates. It can also shoot XAVC S-I, an All-I H.264 format. It doesn’t have the DCI (1.89:1 ratio) options of the FX6.
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The FX3 has a compact, dust and moisture sealed body with a cooling fan mounted outside the sealed area, immediately next to the sensor and processor, allowing longer recording times than the a7S III. Like the a7S III it includes both on-sensor phase detection and an image stabilization mechanism for the sensor, reinforcing its run-and-gun credentials.
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Unlike its stills/video sibling, the FX3 has no viewfinder and features an array of tripod mount style 1/4-20 UNC connectors along its top-plate and sides, allowing accessories to be directly mounted to the camera with the need for a cage.
Included with the camera is a top-mounting handle with built-in XLR / 1/4″ TRS adapter. This also allows up to four-channel audio to be fed into the camera.
This adapter, the camera’s tally lights and more video-focused ergonomics set it apart from the a7S III and go towards justifying a $400 premium in its list price, compared to that of the existing camera.
The a7S III will be available from mid March 2021 with a recommended selling price of $3899.
