Sony FX3 vs FX6 vs FX9: Which One Is Best?

Whether you’re a filmmaker, producer or content creator, you’ve probably had that moment where you can’t decide which camera to choose for your next project.

In this post we’re comparing three of the most popular cameras that Sony has to offer: The FX3, FX6 and FX9. Hopefully by the end of this post you’ll be able to choose which one best suits you.

All three of these cameras are part of Sony’s Cinema Line range, which ranges from high-end, cinematic cameras to more compact, affordable ones.

“The Cinema Line look is optimally designed to create luxurious film-like video expression, with colour tones resembling those of film for skin textures and the like.” - Sony

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Sensor

The FX3 boasts a 4K full-frame 12.1MP, 10.2MP (effective) sensor. It can capture internal 10-bit 4:2:2 sampling or 16-bit raw output.

The FX6 utilises a 4K full-frame 12.9, 10.2MP (effective) sensor. It also captures the same sampling and output as the FX3.

Featuring a 6K full-frame 20.5MP, 19.0MP sensor, the FX9 is also capable of recording 10-bit 4:2:2 and 16-bit raw output. It can also shoot in a Super 35mm mode at 4K.

The FX9 has an advantage over its siblings here as it uses the full 6K area to produce the 4K image, however the other two use all that they have to reach 4K.

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Codecs

Recording footage at 4K, the FX3 utilises the XAVC S-I format. Both the FX6 and FX9 record 4K footage in the XAVC-I codec.

As mentioned above, all three cameras record at 10-bit 4:2:2 sampling or 16-bit raw output, making them similar in this regard.

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ISO Range

All three cameras have a dual base ISO, meaning it has two native ISOs, which are:

• FX3: 800 and 12,800
• FX6: 800 and 12,800
• FX9: 800 and 4,000

This means that the FX3 and FX6 perform better when put in low-light situations. This could contribute to a better workflow if you’re a professional wondering which one to use for your project.

Autofocus and Stabilisation

The FX3 offers two modes of autofocus, which are tracking and spot focus. It also has a 5-axis in-body image stabilisation sensor.

The FX6 lets you track the subject by using the built-in touchpad. Also, the camera’s AI has a ‘Face/Eye Priority AF’ mode that automatically detects and follows the subject's face.

Unfortunately, the FX6 doesn’t feature any sort of image stabilisation, however there are ways to improve camera shake. These would be to use a camera gimbal, use lenses that feature optical image stabilisation (SteadyShot), or to edit it in post production.

The FX9 offers 561 point phase detection, fast hybrid AF and eye AF, which also keeps track of the subject’s eyes.

It also has three different zones in which you can focus on. The first is a spot that can be chosen by touching the LCD screen, the second is a zonal area and third is the entire area.

Similar to the FX6, the FX9 doesn’t feature image stabilisation natively, however there are many ways around this as mentioned above.

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ND Filters

Both the FX6 & FX9 include Sony’s ‘Electronic Variable ND Filter’. According to them, it automatically adjusts the density so that the exposure will remain the same no matter how light levels change.

However, there is a drawback to this as Sony has said that it's impossible to have image stabilisation in a camera that uses a built-in mechanical ND.

On the other hand, the FX3 doesn’t include Sony’s ND filter. This allows it to have the built-in image stabilisation as mentioned above.

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Weight

Depending on what you’re using the camera for, it should be important for you to consider weight and whether that would affect your workflow. Here’s what each camera (body-only) weighs:

• FX3: 640g
• FX6: 890g
• FX9: 2kg

The compact and lightweight FX3 is the lightest cinema camera in the world, and at 2kg the FX9 is significantly heavier.

These weights are also body-only and with a battery, grip, handle, monitor, media and viewfinder the FX9 goes up to 4.8kg.

Timecode

Sony has recently introduced a timecode adapter for the FX3 and FX30 (the cheapest camera in the FX series), and that’s a game changer for the two.

Not having timecode compatibility might not be the biggest on your list, however it’s good to know that all three cameras have timecode.

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Conclusion

We think all three cameras are amazing and have used each one for years. Depending on what kind of filming you’re doing, we would recommend each camera for different uses:

• FX3: Vlogging and content creation
• FX6: Professional filmmakers and freelancers
• FX9: Documentaries and broadcast productions

If you still can’t decide, we would recommend that you contact us and we will help you decide which camera to use for your next production.

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