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Sony FX30 (S35 FX3)


Django
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Ok just thought I'd share that after long consideration of all the new cameras released these past few months (XH2/XH2S, R6II, S5II etc) I have decided to go with the lesser hyped FX30! It's kind of a weird decision because on paper the camera doesn't have any of the wow specs you expect today: full-frame, high resolution, open-gate etc. 

So why this choice? Well first off, I own an FS7 with some nice E-mount glass and an EF speedbooster. The FX30 is pretty much a baby FS7 so it will be the perfect B-cam or even A-cam for handheld shoots.

Then there is the form factor, ergonomics and build specs. For this price its the only camera with this type of cine oriented cageless design. With the top handle, XLR unit and active cooling this camera is ready for the most rugged run & gun. Dedicated video buttons (magnification, peaking, zebras, shutter). Zoom rocker. I also like the fact the industrial pro matte grey look, it doesn't scream consumer camera like all the alternative (non cine) options. This may seem trivial but looking the part matters when it comes to certain clients.

Finally of course the actual specs: 6K oversampled 4K up to 60p no crop in very chunky ALL-I 10-bit codecs. 4K120p. Cine EI. LUT support. Latest Sony AF. RAW output. Dual base ISO etc. Nothing crazy but overall solid video specs.

I like the idea that its a native S35 sensor. I like to shoot wide open and this gives more workable DoF. Also opens up plenty of affordable cine lenses, especially anamorphic. And I wanna go FF with my EF glass, just pop the speed booster.

The only real downside for me with this cam is the absence of an EVF and mechanical shutter. This is going to make stills shooting less pleasant, then again my phone has no EVF or mechanical shutter and I use that daily no problem so maybe the transition will be less difficult than I imagine. In any case this is a way more video oriented hybrid than lets say a Fuji XT/XH series.

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Nothing wrong with that.

In fact everything ‘right’.

If Panny had not brought out the S5ii when they did, I would have flipped to Sony and gone for a pair of FX30’s for video and an A7V for hybrid (but mainly stills).

No system is ‘perfect’ but if you can’t make any one of them work these days, it’s you, not the tools!

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6 hours ago, MrSMW said:

Nothing wrong with that.

In fact everything ‘right’.

If Panny had not brought out the S5ii when they did, I would have flipped to Sony and gone for a pair of FX30’s for video and an A7V for hybrid (but mainly stills).

No system is ‘perfect’ but if you can’t make any one of them work these days, it’s you, not the tools!

I would have done the same.

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2 hours ago, Thpriest said:

I would have done the same.

If I could wave a magic wand and do a zero fuss swap, ie, just wake up tomorrow with everything taken care of, it would be mighty tempting…

It would work for me, but only as a sideways step and I’m very happy with the kit I have.

But starting from scratch would be another matter!

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I should probably mention the FX30 for me is going to be mainly as a pro tool within a certain job category. Canon is still my preferred system but I'm still undecided which route to go with them so will postpone that purchase until later. That said I am pretty excited about the little FX30. Something about that compact body and the IQ. By the way, Youtubers usually don't influence me but this guy kinda did for some reason:

 

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lol, kids style is mega cringe but whatever the footage is what's interesting: camera never looses focus despite shooting fitness action subjects at f1.2 while doing dynamic shots. That's a pretty impressive stress test imo. And that's the way I like to shoot with mirrorless: handheld, wide open, up-close. Very clean IQ at 4K60p. IBIS is good, gets rid of micro jitters but no floaty look.

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10 hours ago, Django said:

lol.. I do find it interesting to see these younger cats see the light so to say. But sensor size aside, the FX30 does have a more detailed 6K oversampled IQ than A7S3/FX3 and the lower 3200 dual ISO can be more useful than 12800. Only in low-light does the FX30 suffer compared to the FF versions.

The dual base ISO's of the FX30 are 800 and 2500. As an FX6 user, I find the FX30's Base ISO's more usable than the FX6 unless I am shooting in complete darkness (which I never do because professionals use lights.)😉

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On 2/17/2023 at 5:55 PM, Django said:

I should probably mention the FX30 for me is going to be mainly as a pro tool within a certain job category. Canon is still my preferred system but I'm still undecided which route to go with them so will postpone that purchase until later. That said I am pretty excited about the little FX30. Something about that compact body and the IQ.

Me too, until I had to accept the noisy 4K 120fps lowlight outcome would really push me to the R5C fringes anyway. Costs the double unfortunately but it's not the same thing either.

EAG :- )

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2 hours ago, Emanuel said:

Me too, until I had to accept the noisy 4K 120fps lowlight outcome would really push me to the R5C fringes anyway. Costs the double unfortunately but it's not the same thing either.

EAG :- )

Yeah 4k120p seems to be the low point of the camera. It has a rather huge 1.62x crop on top of the 1.5x Super35 crop so that’s a really tiny sensor area that’s going to require tons of light not to be noisy! 
 

i don’t use 120p outside of short specialised shots so definitely not worth paying double for just better quality 120p. R5C also hasn’t got IBIS and has that terrible battery life. It’s an otherwise very impressive camera for its 8K60p RAW alone.

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On 2/21/2023 at 2:51 AM, Django said:

Surprisingly close (bit less detail and worst highlight rolloff) considering 6K RAW vs 4K 10-bit.

PS: A is BMPCC6K & B is FX30

I’m not disputing that the P6K may have better highlight rolloff. I have both the 6K Pro and the FX30 but haven’t done any side by side tests. 
I do wonder how accurate comparing two cameras can be when using a lut.

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  • 1 year later...

That said, I've just paid one unit (for now) of this temptation today... not only but also because of this:

Tests will probably lead to a 2nd unit a couple of years distant from the release year, it happens! : P

Let's play with a few comparisons then:

Why I DON'T Travel With a Camera Anymore

iPhone 15 BETTER than the SONY FX30?

IPhone 15 Pro Max VS Sony FX30 - Cinematic | Madrid

My Thoughts Comparing the Sony fx30 and the fx3

Nothing new to see here so yes, I bought it with the XLR-H1 Top Handle Unit as a fair bundle (new condition) for a hundred bucks more ($131 to be more precise) no matter what* : D for a fraction of the original price, yes.

Maybe it will actually be used for stereography 3D acquisition based on 4K 100fps coupled to proper native ISO ; )

The fact is the possibility of using my anamorphic sets MFT based, as well C mount bargains and all the PZ + Clear Image Zoom offers by Sony, have made something really unique to my eyes for same price I have bought a BMCC6K-FF the month before :- )

 

* with studio tests

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  • 2 weeks later...

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