Testers and reviewers of the newly announced Sony FX30 have discovered some very noticeable rolling shutter artifacts. Thus, this affordable Run N’ Gun Cinema Line camera, is not recommended to be used in action cinematography scenarios. Explore the rolling shutter below.
Sony FX30 and rolling shutter
The Sony FX30 which was introduced yesterday incorporates solid features base for emerging filmmakers, packed with an affordable price tag. Nevertheless, the main difference between the FX30 and the FX3 (besides the size of the sensor), is the speed readout of the sensor. Reviewers and testers demonstrate very noticeable rolling shutter artifacts when panning. Have a look at some of the reviews below (marked on the rolling shutter tests):
“Straight lines wrapping pretty heavily”
As stated by CVP: “Rolling shutter perforce of the FX30 isn’t as good as I’ve hoped. With fast whip pans, you can clearly see straight lines wrapping pretty heavily. This is a bit of a shame. I really was hoping this would perform better. The FX3 sensor is much faster, and this could be why it doesn’t feature the crop that the FX30 has from recurring 4K in 120. You of course can film around this and you’re not going to be whip panning in every shot. I just wish the sensor was faster”. Watch the rolling shutter tests below:
“Better than the Sony a7 IV”
Another review made by Gerald Undone was more optimistic and said: “The biggest complaint about the Sony a7 IV was the rolling shutter. And thankfully this camera (FX30) has much better performance in that regard. It’s not quite as fast as the FX3 or the stacked APS-C sensor of the Fuji X-H2s, but it sits somewhere in between those, and the a7 IV. This is also a huge improvement from the previous APS-C cameras from Sony, which all had serious ‘Jello problems’. While I would have liked to see this match the XH2-S, this result is acceptable considering how much cheaper it is than the cameras that outperform it”. Check out his rolling shutter comparison below:
Summary
Although the FX30 seems like a bargain, the rolling shutter artifacts must be taken into consideration. This camera aims for junior filmmakers who will shoot mostly handheld with it. Hence, be delicate on the panning in order to mitigate and reduce the jello effect, especially when shooting fast objects.
Product List
Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers.
- Sony FX30 Digital Cinema Camera
Why bothering. For actions use a komodo. End of discussion.
I use a SteadyCam rig and sometimes a gimbal on it instead. I have older dslrs I have used up to the Sony a7siii I now use . Shooting live music on and off stage . I shoot festval events and make promo videos all while having cameras on the SteadyCam sled or a gimbal. Never have I seen rolling shutter in my shots . I’ve even done shots out the windows or doors open on vehicles. With none of the warping I see in these videos. But I don’t pan left to right most of the time or put the camera straight out but more forward maybe 45% angle or straight back . So I believe for most people even even action sports events the jello effect will never be seen in the videos. If it’s there it may be slight enough it’s not noticeable. Also videos much of the time are in short scene clips and before the tilt is noticed the scene has changed .
Just my thoughts on the sensor readout time and feel videographers shouldn’t freek out much and not buy the camera because of that .
These articles and videos scare off many new customers to a product and even more experienced that haven’t even ever taken their camera off a tripod. Just something bad or semi not “as good” stops some people . I’ve fallen into that trap before. This will be a very very solid video camera for beginners to pros .
Sony FX30 Rolling Shutter = 15.7 ms
BMPCC4K Rolling Shutter = 16 ms
BMPCC6k Rolling Shutter = 19.8 ms
Canon C70 Rolling Shutter = 15.6 ms
Panasonic S1H Rolling Shutter = 29.7 ms
Canon EOS R5 Rolling Shutter = 15.5 ms
Sony A7IV Rolling Shutter = 26.8 ms
Nikon Z9 Rolling Shutter = 14.5
Sony A1 Rolling Shutter = 16.6 ms
Is the FX30 as good as the FX3? No. Is it the horrific nightmare “SERIOUS ROLLING SHUTTER ARTIFACTS” that it is being made out to be? No, It’s about the same as most popular cameras.
It’s time to stop regurgitating the “rolling shutter is a concern if you shoot action” myth. It’s ALWAYS a concern. Rolling-shutter jello is worst with up-and-down movement, not side-to-side. Therefore if you’re shooting handheld while walking (a POV of a character, for example), it will be a rolling-shutter mess. And on a car mount? FORGET IT. Your footage will likely be unusable, unless you want to look like a rank amateur.
Sony needs to be taught that slow rolling shutter is a deal-breaker. And, while we’re at it, that a 4K Super-35 crop option is essential for video shooters.