Sony introduces the FX30 which is its latest edition to the Cinema Line. However, this time the sensor is not full-frame, but Super 35. Hence, the definition of the Cinema Line has been changed. Read more about the FX30, and how it affects the Cinema Line.

Sony FX30

Sony has just announced its newest addition to the brand’s prestigious Cinema Line – the FX30 (model ILME-FX30). As stated by Sony: “The new FX30 is a 4K Super 35 compact cinema camera that offers many professional features of the Cinema Line, such as Dual Base ISO, Log shooting modes, and user-imported LUTs (Look Up Tables) at a price point that appeals to many aspiring filmmakers”.

The bottom line of the Cinema Line

“The new FX30 is a great fit for a wide range of filmmakers,” said Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “As part of our Cinema Line, it is an attractive addition for seamless integration into large productions. Additionally, by incorporating many professional features found in our flagship cinema cameras, it is a perfect camera for up-and-coming filmmakers that are working with tight budgets.”

A new back-illuminated 20.1 MP APS-C CMOS sensor

The FX30 features a new back-illuminated 20.1 megapixels APS-C Exmor R CMOS sensor (Super 35 format) with a dual base ISO (800/2500) to deliver high sensitivity, low noise, and 14+ stops of latitude. The FX30 supports a variety of video recording codecs. It can shoot in high frame rates, including 4K at 120fps and full HD at 240fps. The FX30 also features the ability to shoot 4K Super 35 (16:9) by oversampling from 6K at up to 60fps. Both 16:9 recording modes can shoot at 10-bit 4:2:2 while the HDMI Type-A port outputs 4K, 16-bit RAW for an external recorder.

A Cinema Line camera

As stated by the press release: “Like the rest of the Cinema Line, the FX30 features Log shooting modes by enabling Cine El, Cine El Quick, and Flexible ISO modes for recording with the S-Log3 gamma curve, which allows more flexibility when color grading. All three modes allow video shooting while monitoring with an appropriate LUT to preview the final image. In addition, the FX30 includes a selection of built-in cinematic looks, such as Sony’s S-Cinetone, and can shoot single stills. The camera offers advanced image processing capabilities with the BIONZ XR processing engine for natural gradations and realistic color reproduction”. 

Aims for Runners N’ gunners

Moreover, the camera includes effective stabilization for run and gun shoots using Active Mode thanks to the optical in-body 5-axis image stabilization. The FX30 also includes time code sync. Creatives also have more control when using the Focus Map, which makes it easy to visualize depth of field, and Breathing Compensation offers a stable angle of view when focusing.

Price and availability

The new FX30 (supplied with the XLR handle) will be available in late October for approximately $2,200.00 USD and $2,900.00 CAD. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America. digital cinema production – plus enhanced operability and reliability that respond to the wide variety of creators’ high demands. For more info, explore the Product List at the end of the article. 

Complementing the Cinema Line

It seems that every Cinema Line camera gets a release, and Sony makes the definition of the Cinema Line a bit more accurate. For now, here’s the definition of the Cinema Line by Sony: “Cinema Line is a series of cameras that have a cinematic look – cultivated from Sony’s long experience in digital cinema production – plus enhanced operability and reliability that respond to the wide variety of creators’ high demands. Cinema Line includes the flagship digital cinema cameras VENICE and VENICE 2, highly acclaimed in the feature and episodic production industry, the professional camera FX9, which is popular for documentary and drama production, and the FX6, for run-and-gun action and content creation”. Furthermore, Sony is now including the new FX30 into that definition by stating: “With the addition of the FX30, Sony offers a true line up of versatile creative tools for all types of visual storytellers”. Hence, you can understand how Sony’s strategy works on building an entire line/ecosystem of camera systems. BTW, notice that the two words “Full-Frame” were cut away from the definition…

Here are some videos Sony has published about the new FX30: 

Wrapping up

From the last paragraph, we can conclude that the goal of the FX30 is to allow junior filmmakers more options, especially when shooting tight-budget projects. Indeed, the FX30 is the most affordable camera within the Cinema Line. Think of it like an iPhone lineup — there’s the regular, the Pro, and Pro Max. That’s very similar to what RED is doing regarding DSMC3 – XL (Komodo – V-Raptor, and XL). From an R&D point of view, we can guess that developing the FX30 was a walk in the park for Sony. So why not? Offering a more affordable option (which most probably will be Netflix Approved) that can be merged and matched perfectly with the other cameras in the Cinema Line, is a very logical step for Sony.

Product List

Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers. 

• Sony FX30 Digital Cinema Camera
  • Buy on B&H
  • Buy on ADORAMA