FX30 Cinema Camera

The Sony FX30 Compact Cinema Line Camera brings cinematic image quality, efficient workflows, and flexible recording options into a compact body. It is available as a body or with an XLR handle unit.

Cinematic Image Quality

The back-illuminated Exmor R™ APS-C CMOS sensor uses a Super 35 format with 20.1 megapixels and wide latitude. It records 4K imagery with expressive depth of field, bokeh, and cinematic detail. S-Cinetone™ creates natural mid-tones, soft colors, and smooth highlights directly in-camera. S-Log3 and S-Gamut3.Cine support smooth gradations and high-quality color reproduction for post-production grading.

Dual Base ISO provides ISO 800 and ISO 2500 settings for selecting a suitable noise floor in bright and low-light conditions. The camera offers 14+ stops of latitude to help minimize blown highlights and blocked shadows. Three S-Log3 shooting modes include Cine EI, Cine EI Quick, and Flexible ISO. The camera also includes the s709 LUT preset.

Advanced Recording Features

The FX30 records internal 10-bit 4:2:2 video with Long GOP or All-Intra compression. XAVC HS provides roughly twice the compression efficiency while maintaining detailed 10-bit 4:2:2 video at comparable or lower data rates. XAVC S-I DCI 4K records at 4096 x 2160, with true 24p available from software version 2.00 or later.

Record 4K at up to 120fps for smooth slow motion up to 5x. The Fixed/Variable mode and S&Q Motion support slow and quick motion recording. The camera also provides 16-bit RAW output through HDMI at 4672 x 2628 [16:9] to compatible external recorders, with support for formats such as ProRes RAW and Blackmagic RAW8.

User LUTs can preview the final image on the LCD monitor and HDMI output, and they can be embedded in clips for post-production. Up to 16 user LUTs can be imported through a memory card. Anamorphic shooting supports 1.3x, 1.5x, 1.6x, and 2.0x de-squeeze display ratios. Proxy recording can capture low-bitrate HD files alongside nearly all recording formats.

Autofocus & Stabilization

Wide-area AF with intelligent tracking uses focal-plane phase detection to track subjects across almost the entire frame. Real-time Eye AF supports humans, birds, and animals, while Real-time Tracking uses Sony’s AI-based subject recognition. AF Assist supports smooth switching between auto and manual focus and helps with rack focusing. Focus Map visualises depth of field, while Breathing Compensation helps minimize changes in field of view during rack focusing.

Active Mode provides optical in-body 5-axis image stabilization for movie shooting. A precision gyroscope measures camera shake and provides optical compensation for handheld shooting, including walking and 4K recording without a gimbal.

Flexible Cinema Operation

The BIG6 Home screen places FPS, ISO, shutter speed or angle, aperture or ND Filter, look, and white balance in one view. The movie standby screen keeps only essential information visible around the image area. Tally lamps on the front and rear, an illuminated REC button, and a red monitor frame clearly show when recording is active.

The side-opening vari-angle 3.0-type 2.36-million-dot touch LCD supports flexible framing for gimbal, handheld, and low-angle shooting. Vertical aspect markers help check framing for social media ads and vertical movies. Five 1/4-20 UNC thread holes are built into the camera body, reducing the need for a cage. The XLR handle unit adds three more thread holes.

Professional Audio & Connectivity

The XLR handle unit provides two XLR audio inputs for external audio and supports direct digital audio transfer with an optional XLR microphone. A 3.5mm stereo mini jack supports 4-channel recording. The HDMI Type-A connector can output 4K, 16-bit RAW, and other movie formats to an external recorder or display, with optional status overlays.

Additional connections include USB Type-C®, Multi/Micro-USB, microphone, headphone, and a Multi Interface Shoe with a built-in digital audio interface. UVC and UAC support allows the FX30 to work as a streaming camera or webcam. Two CFexpress Type A-compatible slots also support SDXC/SDHC cards with UHS-I and UHS-II speed classes, with relay or simultaneous recording available.

• 20.1MP Exmor R™ APS-C CMOS Super 35 sensor
• S-Cinetone™ and S-Log3 recording
• 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording
• 4K recording up to 120fps
• 16-bit RAW output via HDMI
• Dual Base ISO at 800 and 2500
• 14+ stops of latitude
• Active Mode 5-axis image stabilization