The Sony FX3 camera announced earlier this week is the smallest, most compact and lightest addition in its line, designed for videographers whose shooting style generally requires mobility and agility. While the FX3 may be thought of as an a7S III adapted for cinematography, that’s not a bad thing. Given the a7S III’s excellent image quality and low-light capabilities, we can logically expect the same level of output from the FX3, which is built around a full-frame, back-illuminated Exmore R CMOS sensor. The megapixel count for video is 10.2 while still images come in at 12.1, like the a7S III. And Sony just issued a firmware update for the a7S III that includes the same S-Cinetone as the FX and VENICE cameras, further enhancing the similarities between the FX3 and the a7S III.

[Read: Sony Alpha 7C Review: The Lab Test Results Are In]

With the Sony FX3 announced, it’s important to note where it differs from the a7s III, especially since the FX3’s $3,900 price point is about $400 more than the a7S III. There are features that, not surprisingly, make capturing video with the FX3 easier and more efficient. While the FX3 is as capable of shooting stills as the a7S III, it’s clear that this model targets cinematographers.

Measuring 5.11 x 3.33 x 3.06 inches and weighing a mere 1.58 pounds, the FX3 is designed for a variety of shooting styles—from run-and-gun to navigating small spaces or even mounting the camera on a drone. To keep the FX3 highly mobile, the body (which lacks a viewfinder) is equipped with five ¼-20 UNC threaded mounts, not including the tripod mount on the bottom of the camera. This allows videographers to directly mount accessories while maintaining a small overall size than, say, a cage.

Along with the camera you’ll get a detachable XLR handle with two XLR/TRS audio inputs and a 3.5mm stereo 2-channel jack for 4-channel 24-bit audio recording. The camera body is also equipped with a 3.5mm stereo mic input. Perfect for low angle shooting, the unit easily attaches to the camera body (no tools needed) and has a trio of ¼-20 UNC threaded mounts right on the handle.

[Read: The Sony GP-VPT2BT Wireless Shooting Grip]

A zoom lever is available for power zoom lenses. It also works with other lenses using Sony’s Clear Image Zoom, which provides a 2x zoom without cropping. You’ll also find a trio of tally lamps on the top, front and back of the camera that light when recording.

Other notable features include 5-axis in-body image stabilization and an ISO range of 80 to 102,400 ISO, which is expandable to 409,600. And, according to Sony, the FX3 delivers 15+ stops of dynamic range. In addition to 4K recording (up to 120p) and five codecs, the FX3 promises fast, accurate autofocus along with Eye AF (human and animal).

A fully articulated LCD with touch focus and dual card slots that support SDXC or CFexpress Type A also add to this camera’s usability. There’s also a built-in, virtually silent fan to help ensure no overheating. (You’ll get unlimited 4K 60p recording.)

There’s a lot more to this weather-resistant camera. Full specifications can be found at on the company’s web site. The FX3 is slated to ship in March for an estimated retail price of $3,900.
sony.com