Sony announced the Version 2.0 firmware for the FX9 which will allow some significant feature improvements that include the capability of recording RAW. However, you will need some expensive accessories to make it happen. Read below.

Sony PXW-FX9 Version 2.0 firmware

First, let’s elaborate a bit about the new FX9 firmware update announced yesterday. This “FS7 on steroids”, or as Sony defines it, “Venice’s little sister”, is indeed a combination between the good old FS7 and the mighty Venice which is extensively being used on Hollywood. Head over the article Sony PXW-FX9 Announced: 6K Full-Frame With Venice’s Color Science to read more about this camera. One of the major strengths regarding the FX9 is the S-Cinetone which is the default look of the camera. The S-Cinetone is characterized by rich mid-range colors, alluring facial tones, and a softer tonal look, and was developed with the same expertise as the VENICE. Sony has just released an updated video of the S-Cinetone capabilities. Have a look: 

Ver2.0 updates

Sony has announced FX9 Ver2.0 updates. The update is free of charge and available in October 2020. New Features & Improvements are full-frame 4K 60p/50p recording with oversampling (image sensor scan size is around 5K), FHD 180fps shooting, DCI 4K recording, 16-bit RAW output (with XDCA-FX9), Eye-AF, touch screen operation, User 3D LUT, and HLG. 

FX9 Version 2.3 firmware highlights

1. Full-frame 4K 60p/50p recording with oversampling
2. FHD 180fps shooting
3. DCI 4K recording
4. 16-bit RAW output (we’ll talk about this later)
5. Support DWX digital wireless audio receiver
6. Eye-AF capability 
7. Support 6G-SDI
8. Adds user 3D LUT function
9. Adds HDR shooting function with Hybrid Log-Gamma
10. Support touch screen operation
11. The increased upper limit of the Gain setting
12. Support XLR-K3M with digital l/F

Check out the video below which demonstrates Ver2.0 features:

Although this list contains some really cool updates, we’ll focus on the most important which is 16-bit RAW output. It’s important to mention that outputting 16-bit RAW is not like recording it, which makes this capability a bit strange to be announced. Sony doesn’t have a technological solution for this. However, Atomos came to the rescue with its new development, allowing the 16-bit RAW output to be recorded on the Atomos Shogun 7. Nevertheless, it won’t be 16-bit but converted to ProRes RAW 12-bit. Additionally, it going to cost you 35% of the whole camera itself. Scroll down to learn more. 

Atomos allows RAW recording on the Sony FX9

Today, Atomos announced the RAW recording support for the Sony PXW-FX9 with a full-frame sensor, which will output RAW over SDI in a variety of frame rates up to DCI 4Kp60 and up to DCI 2Kp180. Initially, the Atomos Shogun 7 will record Apple ProRes RAW images at up to DCI 4Kp60, or in 2K up to DCI 2Kp180 continuous from the FX9 and XDCA-FX9 Extension Unit (Sony XDCA-FX9). Jeromy Young, Atomos CEO, said: “I’m thrilled to be working with the team at Sony to bring this to life. It’s great to add the Sony FX9 to the large and expanding ProRes RAW ecosystem. The flexibility and convenience of ProRes RAW make the FX9 and Shogun 7 an awesome combination for any filmmaker seeking perfect colors and amazing latitude in post. Initially, we will have 4Kp60 and 2Kp180 ProRes RAW recording options and we’re constantly developing more capability in our product to support our partners like Sony.” The FX9 camera’s RAW output (via XDCA-FX9) will be enabled via a V2.0 firmware update for the FX9 from Sony planned in October 2020. At the same time, there will be a free AtomOS firmware download for the Shogun 7 to allow FX9 RAW recording”.

The FX9 camera’s RAW output (via XDCA-FX9) will be enabled via a V2.0 firmware update for the FX9 from Sony planned in October 2020. At the same time, there will be a free AtomOS firmware download for the Shogun 7 to allow FX9 RAW recording

Jeromy Young, Atomos CEO

ProRes RAW advantage

Atomos is responsible for spreading the ProRes RAW technology by allowing this new codec to be acquired via Atomos recorders. Besides, the ProRes RAW technology was implemented in newly announced Kinefinity MAVO Edge, which allows the privilege of acquiring ProRes RAW even in full-frame 8K resolution. Make sure to check out our article about this new camera: Kinefinity MAVO Edge 8K Cinema Camera Announced: Large Format and ProRes RAW, Inside a Carbon Fiber Body. Also, head over Y.M.Cinema Magazine articles to learn more about How ProRes RAW is being spread and elevates camera outputs and post capabilities.

PXW-FX9 metadata

According to Atomos, each frame recorded in ProRes RAW has metadata supplied by the FX9. Apple’s Final Cut Pro X and other NLEs will automatically recognize ProRes RAW files recorded by the Shogun 7 from the FX9’s RAW output and set them up for editing and display in either SDR or HDR projects automatically. Additional information will also allow other software to perform extensive parameter adjustments.

Catch-22: $3,800 to capture RAW on the FX9

In order to get ProRes RAW from the Sony FX9, you need to purchase the Atomos Shogun 7 as the recorder, and the Sony XDCA-FX9 extension unit as the acquirer. That will cost you $3,800 which is approximately 35% of the whole camera itself ($14,800 in total).

In addition, keep in mind that this apparatus will allow external recording, which is quite an old-school approach, especially when there are so many RAW internal alternatives like Canon, Blackmagic, ARRI, RED, and the forthcoming Kinefinity MAVO Edge. The question is, should filmmakers invest that money and absorb this complexity to get that ProRes RAW out of the FX9? That’s a good question. Feel free to answer it.