The Sony FX30 is the latest addition to Sony’s Cinema Line and is for all intents and purposes, a smaller version of their FX3 Cinema Camera only with an APS-C sized, rather than full-frame sensor.
It’s important to note right off the bat, that despite the difference in sensor size, the FX30 includes many of the same recording options, codecs, framerates, etc. as found on its larger sibling.
The FX30 utilizes a new back-illuminated 4K Exmor R APS-C CMOS sensor that is capable of capturing 20.1 MP video footage, and interestingly, 26.0 MP still images.
The FX30 also features the same BIONZ XR processor as found in the Alpha a7S III, and Cinema Line Alpha FX3 and FX6 cameras.
View Sony FX30 Pricing and Availability at Vistek
Video footage is recorded in 4K UHD video at up to 60p from an oversampled 6K image with no pixel binning or line skipping.
The FX30 can also record 4K 100/120p footage, however, it is done so with an additional 1.6x crop.
10-bit 4:2:2 (when using Long GOP or All-Intra compression) footage can be recorded internally to the camera’s dual card slots.
Both slots are backwards compatible and can accept high-speed CFexpress Type A cards as well as SDXC/SDHC cards that support UHS-I and UHS-II speed classes.
The FX30 can also output 4.6K 16-bit RAW up to 60p footage over HDMI (Type-A connector) to a compatible external recorder such as the Atomos Ninja V / Atomos Ninja V+.
It also features a native dual base ISO of 800/2500 and a wide dynamic range with 14+ stops of latitude to minimize the risk of overblown highlights or blocked shadows.
The FX30 utilizes Sony’s S-Cinetone colour science to deliver natural looking mid-tones, essential to capturing healthy-looking skin, in addition to soft colours and beautiful highlights and to capture the cinematic look, footage can be recorded in both S-Log3 and S-Gamut3 Log formats.
When recording in S-Log3, there are three new recording modes to choose from, Cine EI, Cine EI Quick and Flexible ISO.
- Cine EI – offers wide latitude and the highest possible image quality
- Cine EI Quick – automatically switches Base ISO according to the selected Exposure Index (EI)
- Flexible ISO – provides the greatest flexibility for exposure settings
Autofocus features include focal-plane phase-detection Wide-area AF, with intelligent tracking, Real-time eye AF that works with humans, birds and animals and Real-time Tracking that uses Sony’s unique, AI-based subject recognition.
Active Mode is an optical in-body 5-axis image stabilization mode for movie shooting that uses a precision gyroscope sensor to measure camera shake and compensates optically stabilizing the footage when shooting hand-held without a gimbal even while walking.
The FX30 features an innovative heat dissipation structure, including a unique Sony Σ (sigma) shaped graphite-alloy heatsink and a complete internal redesign that optimizes the camera’s airflow and heatsink placement.
The result of this is that when required, the silent cooling fan provides enough ventilation to allow for continuous recording at full 4K 60p resolution while keeping the intake and exhaust air structurally isolated, maintaining dust and moisture resistance.
There is one feature however, that the FX30 lacks, and that is an electronic variable neutral density (ND) system or in fact, any built-in ND at all.
This is most likely due to there not being enough room due to the small form factor of the camera.
On the back of the camera, there is a large side-opening 3.0 type vari-angle LCD touchscreen monitor that allows access to settings, focus adjustments and more.
The body of the FX30 also features five (1/4-20 UNC) thread holes located on the top and sides, allowing for various accessories to be mounted, and according to Sony, making an external cage system unnecessary.
An XLR Handle Unit adds two XLR audio inputs and three additional three holes that provide a stable and secure platform for additional accessories and add-ons.
Other connections located on the camera body include, a USB Type-C port, Multi/Micro-USB port, separate mic and headphone ports, and a Multi Interface Shoe with built-in digital audio interface.
Key Features
- 4K 20.1MP Back Illuminated APS-C sensor
- UHD up to 120p
- Claimed 14+ stops of DR
- AF with face detection and Eye-AF
- UHD 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording
- S-Cinetone
- External RAW recording with Atomos Ninja V/V+
- HD up to 240 fps
- Four channels of audio recording
- Full-Size HDMI
- 5-axis in-body stabilization
Image Credits: Sony