Sony expands cinema line with new 4K Super 35 camera for future filmmakers

Sony has announced the newest addition to the brand’s prestigious Cinema Line – the FX30 (model ILME-FX30).

The new FX30 is a 4K Super 35 compact cinema camera that offers many professional features of the Cinema Line, such as Dual Base ISO, Log shooting modes, and user-imported LUTs (Look Up Tables) at a price point that appeals to many aspiring filmmakers.

In addition to introducing the new FX30, Sony announced two new CFexpress Type A Memory Cards – CEA-G320T and CEA-G640T. Both are large capacity cards that support high-speed performance with high-speed performance in both reading and writing.

“The new FX30 is a great fit for anyone looking to get started in filmmaking,” said Yann Salmon Legagneur, Head of IP&S Marketing at Sony Europe. “It features many of the professional features of our high-end cameras at a price point that makes it easily accessible for filmmakers at any level. This camera is an excellent starting point to our full line-up of Cinema Line Cameras.”

Creating a Cinematic Look

The FX30 offers up-and-coming filmmakers’ cinematic expression with the latest imaging systems. It features a new back-illuminated 20.1 megapixels APS-C Exmor R™ CMOS sensor (Super 35 format) with a dual base ISO (800/2500) to deliver high sensitivity, low noise, and 14+ stops of latitude.

The ILME-FX30 supports a variety of video recording codecs. It can shoot 4K Super 35 (16:9) by oversampling from 6K at up to 60fps. The ILME-FX30B also features the ability to shoot in high frame rates, including 4K at 120fps and full HD at 240fps. Both16:9 recording modes can shoot at 10-bit 4:2:2 while an HDMI Type-A connector can be used to output 4K, 16-bit RAW to an external recorder.

Like the rest of the Cinema Line, the FX30 features Log shooting modes by enabling Cine El, Cine El Quick, and Flexible ISO modes for recording with the S-Log3 gamma curve, which allows more flexibility when colour grading. All three modes allow video shooting while monitoring with an appropriate LUT to preview the final image. In addition, the FX30 includes a selection of built-in cinematic looks, such as Sony’s S-Cinetone™, and can shoot single stills. The camera offers advanced image processing capabilities with the BIONZ XR processing engine for natural gradations and realistic colour reproduction.

Designed to Support the Creators’ Needs

The FX30 features Sony’s fast and reliable autofocus, with settings including:

• Real-time Eye AF (human, animal, or bird)
• Real-time Tracking
• Detailed AF settings
• AF Assist

Creatives also have more control when using the Focus Map, which makes it easy to visualise depth of field, and Breathing Compensation offers a stable angle of view when focusing. The camera also includes effective stabilisation for run and gun shoots using Active Mode thanks to the optical in-body 5-axis image stabilisation and time code sync.

The FX30 incorporates other features that retain the spirit of the Cinema Line, including:

• New customisable list-style main menu screen which provides quick access to frequently used items
• New standby movie screen that provides an unobstructed view of the subject
• Buttons and dials dedicated to movie shooting

The FX30 also includes added functionality to assist with the creative workflow, such as post-production editing using embedded LUT, and EI metadata. This metadata is available using the latest version of Sony’s Catalyst Prepare or Catalyst Browse applications. A new “Catalyst Prepare Plugin” for Adobe Premiere Pro was released in August.

Easy Operation and a Compact Form Factor

Compact and lightweight, the FX30 has a flat-top design with threaded accessory attachment points, making it easy to use for shooting handheld, capturing low-angle shots, mounting on a gimbal, or adding accessories. The FX30 also features an XLR handle unit, which can be used to capture low-angle shots and also allows filmmakers to capture crystal clear audio through various audio inputs, including two XLR audio inputs and a 3.5 mm stereo mini jack for 4-channel recording. External microphones can be connected directly to the camera via the Multi Interface Shoe or microphone jack. The FX30 also features an internal stereo microphone for audio recording.

The FX30 and FX30B are equipped with two memory card slots that are compatible with both CFexpress Type A cards and SDXC/SDHC cards, bringing wide range of shooting experiences to creators. The FX30 is also compatible with the newly announced large capacity CFexpress Type A memory cards.

The FX30 offers not only advanced performance but also outstanding reliability. It features an innovative heat dissipation structure for uninterrupted 4K/60p recording, reliable power for extended recording, and a durable magnesium alloy chassis. A comprehensive selection of E-mount lenses, high-performance microphones, and other essential components gives creators extraordinarily flexible systems for a broad range of creative needs.

Sony Future Filmmaker Awards

The new FX30 is an ideal choice for filmmakers that are actively working on or considering an entry into the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, a major new annual awards program for short films.  Sponsored by Sony and free to enter, the Awards set out to elevate original voices from around the globe with a fresh perspective on storytelling.

Pricing and Availability

The new FX30 will be available in late October for approximately £2,100/€2,300. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorised dealers throughout Europe.

The FX30 enables ultimate creative freedom and comes with an option to purchase with or without the XLR handle.

The new FX30B will also be available in late October for approximately £2,500/€2,800. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorised dealers throughout Europe.

The FX30 will also be compatible with the new version of Camera Remote SDK (Version 1.06), a development kit for software that enables remote operation and configuration changes.

CFexpress Type A Memory Cards: CEA-G320T and CEA-G640T

The compact and high-performance CFexpress Type A memory card CEA-G320T will be available in October for approximately £600/€710 (CEA-G320T), while the CFexpress Type A memory card CEA-G640T will be available in December for approximately £1,200/€1,350. In addition to the existing 80GB and 160GB cards, large capacity 320GB and 640GB cards will be added to the series.

These large capacity cards support high-speed performance with a maximum writing speed of up to 700MB/s and Video Performance Guarantee “VPG400”, which offers sustained writing speeds of up to 400MB/s and enables 4K 120p high bit rate video shooting.

The new large capacity cards have achieved TOUGH specification, which means they have been certified to be waterproof, dustproof, (IP57) and robust enough to support stable long-term shooting in various environments.