by In recent years, Sony has become very popular among filmmakers, and Sony has also launched a number of cameras with impressive filmmaking capabilities, such as the A7S series. This time Sony launched the Cinema Line series FX30, which is justifiably well-known and aimed at the professional filming market. The camcorders launched by Cinema Line in the past are not too affordable for the professional market, but the net price of the new camera FX30 is only HKD$14,990, plus the handle set is HKD$17,990, compared to full-frame cameras The FX3 is priced at HKD$31,490, which is half the price. It is definitely suitable for use as a secondary machine, or for beginners.
▲FX30
Difference between FX3 and FX30
In terms of appearance, the FX30 is very similar to the FX3 of the same series. Both use gray as the main tone, with a black handle, which is low-key without losing its style, but the screw holes and strap holes have become black. The volume of FX30 is the same as that of FX3, 129.7 x 77.8 x 84.5 (mm), and the net weight of FX3 is 640g, while that of FX30 is only 562g. Perhaps the size of the photosensitive element has become the key to weight reduction. The FX30 cancels the mechanical shutter and only provides an electronic shutter, but the FX30, which is mainly used for recording, is believed to have no great impact.
▲The screw holes and strap holes unique to the camcorder have turned black
Basically, all the buttons of FX30 can be customized to meet the needs of users. The FX30 still has 6 shortcut keys, including aperture, white balance, and ISO. I think the most useful one is the video button set on the front of the fuselage. The fuselage has 3 dials, which are adjustable EI and custom. In addition, there is a focus rocker and a video button on the top of the camera. When the record button is pressed, the top of the camera, the front of the fuselage and the screen can be seen by users who are behind the camera and in front of the camera. The screens of the FX30 are normal specifications. Like the A7C and A74, they have rollover and multi-angle adjustment, which is convenient for shooting Vlogs. However, the screen size is not large, only 3 inches, but I believe most users will use the HDMI Type-A jack on the left side of the fuselage to connect an external monitor. Even if there is a 3-inch touch screen, it is not very practical. There are also 3.5mm sound input, headphone jack, Micro USB and USB Type-C on the left side for power supply.
▲Aperture, white balance, ISO button, focus rocker and video button
▲The video button on the front of the fuselage
▲When recording, there will be red lights at 4 places on the fuselage
▲ Rollover and multi-angle adjustment of the screen
▲ HDMI jack, 3.5mm sound input, headphone jack, Micro USB and USB Type-C on the left side of the fuselage
The FX30 does not have an independent exposure mode dial. If you want to switch to other modes, you can press the “MODE” button next to the power button to switch between shooting and video modes at any time.
▲“MODE” button
The hot shoe on the top of the camera can be equipped with Sony’s XLR handle, which can not only be used as a handle, but also can be installed with a radio microphone, killing two birds with one stone. Most importantly, the XLR handle and most other accessories are suitable for FX30 and FX3.
▲ XLR handle
FX30 also has 5 Multi-thread screw holes on the top and left and right sides of the fuselage, which is convenient for users to install external screens, stabilizers, radio equipment, etc. There is a zoom lever in front of the shutter button for quick zoom control. In terms of heat dissipation, the FX30 still has built-in side and bottom fans, which are unique to camcorders. Even if you shoot 4K videos for a long time, you will not worry about overheating.
▲The unique body and bottom fan of the camcorder
For the first time, Sony has a Cinema Line camcorder equipped with an APS-C back-illuminated sensor, with an effective pixel of 20.1 million for video shooting and about 26 million pixels for still images. With the latest BIONZ XR image processor, it is 8 times faster than the previous generation. FX30 also has S-Cinetone, Creative Look and user-defined LUTs, plus it can shoot 120p 4K video, and can be taught to 5x slow motion, which is absolutely convenient for post-production. The Due Base ISO of FX30 this time is 800 and 2500 respectively, the ISO is from 100 to 32000, the weight range has 14 levels, and the 10-bit 4:2:2 format, and the card can use CFExpress Type or SD card. Card.
▲Base ISO 800
▲Base ISO 2500
▲10-bit 4:2:2 format
▲ CFExpress Type or SD card
The new Manu of FX30 has two main menus this time, users can know the camera shooting settings more clearly, and the settings can be changed in the menus. The FX30 can record up to 4K 120p 280 Mbps 4:2:2 10bit video, but the picture will be reduced by 38%. I think the reduction ratio is a bit too much. If you use S&Q mode, you can shoot up to 240fps in 1080p format. If you use 4K video mode, it only supports up to 120fps. If you shoot in S&Q slow-motion format, live audio recording is not possible.
▲Add two main menus
New focus map is easy to use
This FX30 update adds the latest focus map, which I find very useful and easy to use. The image within the focus range will be clear, but the out-of-focus position will be blue or orange, which is different from the previous use of only peaking. Focus, providing users with another choice.
▲Focus map
Focus easily
The FX30’s focus tracking is not bad. It can track clearly and follow the target normally. Basically, it can keep up with it. With the latest focus map, it is more effective with less effort.
The jelly effect is quite obvious
The editor recorded a 4K 100P video and shook the fuselage greatly, and the resulting picture has an obvious jelly effect, and the same effect will be seen in 4K 25P and 50P.
▲The jelly effect is quite obvious
Good low-light shots
In order to cooperate with the test, this time I borrowed a Sony 15mm f/1.4 large aperture lens for low-light shooting. Open the f/1.4 aperture in low light environment, and then shoot with S-Log 3 Base ISO 800, 200EI, the picture has noise, but it is not unacceptable, always Base ISO 800 is not very suitable for night shooting, basically it is recommended Shoot at Base ISO 2500. The picture taken at Base ISO 2500, 640EI feels good and the picture is clear, but the performance is not bad when it is adjusted to 1250EI, but when it is adjusted to a higher EI, noise will start to appear, but I believe it can be removed in post-graduation.
▲Base ISO 800 200EI
▲Base ISO 2500 640EI
▲Base ISO 2500 1250EI
▲Base ISO 2500 3200EI
Custom LUTs can be added
Users can download LUTs from Sony or other websites, which can easily preview the color correction effect during the shooting process to ensure normal exposure. Users can import up to 16 LUTs.
▲S709
▲ Custom LUT can be loaded
▲Up to 16 LUTs can be imported
Battery life is better than expected
The editor shoots Full HD video and uses it in the normal video production mode. It takes about 2.5 hours to use up the capacity of one battery. If you want to use it all day, you may need to bring a few more batteries.
Summary: The lens is lighter and suitable for buying multiple units for use as a secondary camera
The FX30 has an APS-C sensor, and its biggest advantage is its lightness. Although there has not been a lot of weight loss on the fuselage, when an APS-C lens is installed, it must be lighter than the FX3. Although the APS-C sensor does not perform as well as a full-frame camcorder in low light, it can be remedied by post-production or lighting, and the accessories and FX3 can be interchanged, making the FX30 a competent sub-camera.
