Sony has introduced the all new FX30, a 4K Super 35 compact cinema camera to its cinema line range.
The FX30 offers users many features of Sony’s cinema line range such as Dual Base ISO, log shooting modes, and user-imported LUTs at an affordable price for aspiring filmmakers. Although it is compact, the FX30 delivers many features.
We tested the FX30 on a real-world documentary shoot. Keep reading to find out how it went.
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Key features:
- 26.1MP APS-C BSI CMOS Sensor
- New customisable list-style main menu screen
- 10-Bit 4:2:2 XAVC S-I,16-Bit Raw Output
- S-Cinetone/S-Log3/HLG, 14+ Stops DR
- Phase Detection AF/Face Tracking/Eye AF
- Dual CFexpress Type A/SDXC Card Slots
- UHD 4K up to 120p
- Compact Form Design
Watch some snippets of the FX30 on a documentary shoot below:
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What we think
Lightweight and compact:
The FX30’s compact and lightweight design makes it great for travel. The weight factor is also a major plus when filming for longer periods. Compared to traditional filming cameras, you can use the FX30 to sustain filming quality as well as experiment with innovative shots. The flat-top design of the FX30 allows for filming accessories through various threaded attachment points, making it adaptable for shooting scenarios.
Uninterrupted Recording:
The FX30 comes with a heat dissipation system that allows for uninterrupted 4K 10 bit recording. The FX30 didn’t have any overheating issues even when recording in 4K 10 bit for two hours non-stop. The camera’s heat dissipation system was also silent when recording. I was very impressed with the performance of the FX30. The FX30 also delivered realistic and natural colour reproduction. The FX30 is a powerful unit for all types of video shoots.
Tile Menu:
Sony’s latest menu updates really help out with filming during shoots with enhancements in video specific menu selections. The tile-based customise menu makes adjustments to relevant filming selections quick and easy. The menu is fully customisable so users can import their own settings relevant to their shooting requirements.
Dynamic range and colour:
The FX30 performed very well even in extremely bright conditions. The camera’s high dynamic range of 14 stops as well as 10 bit filming capability made post editing easy as we were able to edit highlights and colour without losing any filmed detail.
Final Thoughts:
The FX30 is a great filming camera for aspiring film-makers and given its price point it is a great start for getting that filming camera feel and quality in content. For existing professionals the FX30 is a perfect choice as a camera b option when on shoot. Given the camera’s high performance in a small compact body the FX30 does have limited battery power so using as a standalone for longer shoots is not ideal. The value for money with this camera is incredible.
Sony Australia provided this publisher with devices for testing purposes. This did not affect our views of the device, and our review remains independent of the manufacturer.
7NEWS.com.au has not received any monetary benefit for this story.
