Sony’s new Sony FX2 camera is coming to bring professional filmmaking to the masses. It takes the amazing image quality of Sony’s professional VENICE cinema cameras and puts it in a smaller, more accessible body, similar to their popular Alpha mirrorless cameras like the a7 IV and FX3. The FX2 is perfect for solo shooters, independent filmmakers, and online creators who want their video to feel and look like actual cinema, with solid performance and the ability to shoot incredible stills as well, all in a camera you can easily carry around. It’s designed to fit into various ways of working, whether you’re shooting a frenzied doc or setting up a more formalized scene in a studio.
Amazing Image Quality: The Sensor and Brains
The key to the Sony FX2’s excellent picture is its 33-megapixel full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor. It’s the same fast sensor used in Sony’s highly praised a7 IV camera. The “full-frame” part is significant because it allows you to produce that fuzzy background effect (known as bokeh) that makes films look so good. Bigger sensors can also admit more light in, so your videos will be cleaner and less noisy, particularly when you’re recording indoors. This sensor is supported by two very intelligent processors: the BIONZ XR image processing engine and a special AI processing unit. The BIONZ XR is kind of the camera’s quick brain, handling video fast and getting the colors correct. The AI processor is even brighter, assisting with things like keeping your subject in focus and making your videos seem stable. Together, they ensure the FX2 records very clear videos with plenty of detail and smooth color transitions, even when the lighting conditions aren’t ideal.
For video, the FX2 uses all of those megapixels to make its 4K video even better. It takes all the detail of the 7K picture and squeezes it down to DCI 4K at up to 30 frames per second, making your 4K movies incredibly sharp and realistic. You can also shoot regular 4K at up to 60 frames per second, but it will use a crop from the sensor (an APS-C crop). Even cropped, the video is stunning and can be useful for shooting fast action or getting in tight on something. The camera is able to record a huge amount of light, over 15 stops of dynamic range when you use its own proprietary Log mode. This ensures you don’t lose details in the very light or dark parts of your scene, which is extremely useful to have for later editing. And the FX2 also contains two “sweet spots” for minimal noise, called Dual Base ISO (800/4000) when shooting S-Log3. This enables you to have the cleanest possible video in light or dark situations without adding a ton of grain-iness.
Movie Magic: Color and Special Recording Modes
The Sony FX2 features Sony’s unique S-Cinetone color look, so skin tones are natural and the colors generally soft and pleasing, just like in the films. This is so your videos look fantastic straight from the camera without requiring lots of color grading. This color look is also shared by Sony’s more expensive cinema cameras like the VENICE and FX9, so if you shoot on other Sony cameras, your footage will all match nicely. If you prefer to have more control over the colors in edit, the FX2 has other Log recording modes like Flexible ISO, Cine EI, and Cine EI Quick. These modes capture a lot more information, allowing you more freedom to adjust the colors and brightness just the way you want in edit. You can also import your own LUTs (Look Up Tables) into the camera. These are like color presets that you can monitor as you shoot to see the finished picture, and you can even apply them to your stills to have more consistent looks.
Super Sharp Focus, Powered by AI
One of the most groundbreaking new features of the FX2 is its extremely smart autofocus system that uses a dedicated AI processing unit. This allows the camera to leverage Real-time Recognition AF to track and follow anything, from people and animals to birds, cars, and even insects! This means the camera is smart enough to understand what’s most important in your frame and keep that in focus, even if there’s moving stuff in the way. The eye autofocus is also significantly improved (30% better than the FX3 and FX30), so if you’re shooting people or animals, their eyes will be sharp, which is very convenient for giving your vids a professional touch. For instance, if you’re shooting an interview and the subject moves a little, their eyes will remain in focus. The AI also assists with intelligent auto-framing, which can automatically reframe the shot so your subject remains in the center, although this will crop the shot slightly. The touchscreen can just choose what you want to focus on and alter how the focus moves, so you can smoothly pull focus or rapidly switch focus between subjects. You can even adjust the speed and smoothness of the focus shift to suit the look of your vid.
Super Steady Shots
Advanced Image Stabilization If you’re handheld or shooting without a gimbal or tripod, the FX2 boasts a great 5-axis in-body optical image stabilization (IBIS) system. That is, the camera body will shift slightly to counteract any camera shake from your hands, and your footage is very smooth. The AI processor takes it a step higher with a Dynamic Active Mode. This mode not only stabilizes the image as you’re shooting but also records information about the shake so that your editing software can make it even smoother later. This is a complete lifesaver for anyone doing run-and-gun shoots, walk-and-talks, or even shooting with longer lenses without a tripod, and your videos will look much more pro and less shaky. Having the capability to shoot smooth footage without extra gear saves you time and makes it easier to get creative on set.
Easy to Use: Created by Filmmakers
The FX2 is also flat and compact like the FX3 and FX30, making it easy to grip, gimbal mount, or drone mount. It also comes with lots of 1/4\”-20 mounting points integrated into the camera body so you can mount items such as monitors, mics, and lights without a full camera cage. This makes the camera light and portable, which is excellent when shooting on the move.
One of the most important additions from the FX3 is the tilting electronic viewfinder (EVF). It’s a little screen you look through, similar to on regular cameras, and it’s actually really useful when it’s extremely sunny outside and you can’t see the main screen clearly, or when you want to get absolutely precise with your framing. The EVF tilts 90 degrees, so you can use it conveniently even when the camera’s at awkward angles. The FX2 has a screen that’s not just flip-out but also rotates (a fully articulating 3-inch LCD touchscreen) that you can use to view your shot from any direction and easily adjust the camera settings. There’s also a large, easy-to-locate record button and a switch to easily switch between recording video and taking photos.
Great Sound and Easy Connections
Good audio is just as valuable as good image, and the FX2 will not disappoint. You can add an optional XLR-H1 handle unit with two professional XLR/TRS microphone inputs and phantom power. You can plug in high-end microphones to capture pure, professional audio. The handle can even capture sound from all four channels at once, perfect for more elaborate rigs. The audio inputs on the FX2 are easy to use, too, with no rubber covers that get in your way when you’re in a hurry to plug in.
For sharing with other cameras, the FX2 has two memory card slots that accept fast CFexpress Type A cards and standard SDXC cards, giving you flexibility in speed and price. You can even record to the two cards simultaneously as a backup. There is even a full-size HDMI port to output the highest quality video to external recorders. A USB-C port allows you to power the camera for extended shoots and can be used to access the internet with an adapter for live streaming. The FX2 even streams live video over the internet in 4K quality using multiple streaming protocols, making it perfect for live events or online content.
Movies and Photos
A Hybrid in Reality The FX2 is perfect for capturing both video and stills. With its 33-megapixel full-frame sensor, you can capture very high-quality images that you can use for marketing or behind-the-scenes footage. You can even capture photos while recording video or reviewing. And just like with video, you can apply your own custom color looks (LUTs) to your images to maintain consistency. Unlike some other cameras in the category, the FX2 does have a mechanical shutter for stills, which prevents some of the strange image distortions that occur with electronic shutters if you’re capturing something that’s moving rapidly. This makes the FX2 an extremely convenient tool for content creators that do video and photography. Conclusion: Your First Step in Pro Filmmaking The Sony FX2 is an inspiring new camera that puts professional filmmaking within reach. It combines a robust full-frame sensor, intelligent AI autofocus and stabilization, stunning cinematic color, and excellent sound quality in a tiny and intuitive body. It’s made to be adaptable, whether you’re a solo shooter or a whole production crew. With its excellent image quality, intelligent features, and affordable price, the FX2 is an excellent way for anyone to get started making really cinematic videos and high-quality photos. It closes the gap between entry-level cameras and professional cinema equipment, making professional storytelling more accessible and easier for creators today.
Sony Fx2
https://www.sony.com/pk/electronics/interchangeable-lens-cameras/ilme-fx2