I’m comparing two incredibly popular camera systems the Sony FX3 VS FX6 so you can understand the pros and cons and decide which one you want to buy.
If you’re thinking about picking up a camera like Sony FX6 and you are coming from the Sony FX3 user both of these cameras have their benefits both share the same sensor, and both feature very similar autofocus systems but the FX3 is a little bit easier to use because of its touch interface and menu system.
Table of Contents
What Are Similarities Between FX3 and FX6?
the Sony FX6 has the same incredible options as the Sony FX3 such as 4k 120, 4:2:2 10-bit, built-in xlr ports, it has a top handle with record capabilities, a side handles with record capabilities, each sensor is similar to the other, built-in SDI out, built-in time code, built-in nd, and three buttons dedicated to ISO, white balance and shutter.
This camera also has many features like a tally light, the built-in nd has presets that allow you to take control of your production when you’re going from indoor to outdoor.
Menu
the Sony FX6 menu structure is more like an FS style camera whereas the Sony FX3 is a mix of that and the alpha series menu systems.
Body
the FX6 body design is fantastic when it comes to shooting scenarios and when turning up to a shoe and a client FX6 will make you look more professional and allow you to charge more for your time than FX3 does.
the FX3 is a small and compact camera in comparison with the FX6 it has loads of physical buttons as well as dials for changing settings on the fly.
the top handle that the FX6 has is better than the FX3 it features a bunch of extra controls such as a record button, and a dual xlr input similar to the FX3.
Screen Type
the monitor that comes with the FX6 can easily be repositioned and comes with a little hood out of the box this makes it a lot more versatile than the FX3 and means you can really easily reposition it for different configurations.
Both the FX3 and FX6 feature internal fans for cooling the camera but the FX6 definitely has a more robust cooling system than the FX3.
Autofocus
Image Quality
the FX6 is a step up from FX3 which results in an improvement of image quality over the FX3 though recording externally on both cameras will bring the image quality differences closer together.
Video Features
the FX6 is better when it comes to video recording it features a few more video features than FX3 such as a waveform for exposure, the ability to use shutter angle and gain or DB for your shutter speed, and ISO settings for focus breathing compensation picture, cache recording, and bokeh control mode.
the FX6 has some more benefits than the FX3 you can also control the level of noise reduction happening in the fFX6 which isn’t possible on the FX3. Both cameras take the same media and record very similar formats apart from a couple of details.
the FX6 can capture DCI 4k while the FX3 is limited to just UHD 4k the fx6 uses xabc i with an mxf wrapper whereas the FX3 uses xavc-si with an mp4 wrapper.
Ports
FX6 like many other cameras has its advantages and disadvantages so one of the downsides, for example, the xlr inputs coming to be the only option for recording audio into the camera.
It means when removing the handle you can not record audio apart from the internal mic. the FX3 features a 3.5 millimeter mic input when the handle is removed so you can still get audio into the camera.
The FX6 is built with better inputs and outputs than the FX3 such as a 12g SDI and a dedicated BNC for time code whereas the FX3 requires a USB adapter for time code.
Another advantage FX6 has over FX3 is an automatic mode and its internal ND system which offers a range of 2 to 7 stops that can be controlled incredibly finely.
Battery
the FX6 uses a Sony BPU battery whereas the FX3 uses the smaller NPF-Z battery type and here is another advantage from FX6 you can get much larger native batteries for the FX6 than you can for the FX3.
Price
the FX6 is $2000 more than the FX3 the FX6 is priced at around $6,000 and the FX3 is around $4,000.
Why You Should Buy FX3?
the key difference between the FX3 and the FX6 comes to usability the FX3 is a more compact and light camera which may be better if you shoot still, and features internal 5-axis image stabilization which the FX6 does not.
Why You Should Buy FX6?
the FX6 is a powerhouse camera this camera has a lot of features such as SDI, time code, variable ND which adjusts automatically is phenomenal you don’t even see the flip or switch.
Who is the FX3 really for?
So, in my opinion, because of the abilities and capabilities and so many different ways if you are a freelance videographer this camera is great for production houses but also works great for individuals for just about anyone making videos.
Wrapping Up
the FX3 is smaller lighter and cheaper than FX6 it sounds $2,000 more to spend for FX6 and it will be able to produce images close to the FX6 which makes it a perfect camera alongside the FX6.
If you are not wiled to buy the FX6 you can go with the FX3 because it can do a lot of what the FX6 can do because of its internal ND system, inputs and outputs, improved battery and mains options is the perfect choice for you.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | 23 February 2021 | December 2020 |
| Body Type | SLR Style Mirrorless | Cinema Camera |
| Sensor type | Full Frame Back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS | Full Frame CMOS |
| Sensor size | 36 x 24mm | N/A |
| Sensor pixel | 10.2 | 12.9 |
| Sensor resolution | 4264 x 2408 | 1420 x 802 |
| Crop Factor | 1x | N/A |
| Lens Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Processor | Bionz XR | N/A |
| Image Stabilization | 5 axis 5.5 stops | Supplies stabilization metadata |
| Viewfinder type | Not Included | |
| Viewfinder resolution | ||
| Magnification | ||
| Screen Type | Fully Articulate touch | |
| Screen Size | 3.0″ | |
| Screen Resolution | 1.44 million dots | |
| Battery type | NP-FZ100 | |
| Battery Life | 580 shots | |
| Storage type | 2 slots Both CFexpress Type A | |
| Autofocus Type | Fast Hybrid AF | Auto and Manual Focus |
| Focus Points | 759 | 627 |
| Tracking | Real-Time Tracking, Eye-tracking, Subjects, Humans, Animals | |
| Manual Focus | Yes | |
| Image Format | RAW, JPEG, HEIF | |
| Image bitrate | 14 | |
| Continuous shooting | 10fps | |
| Shutter type | Mechanical & Electronic | Electronic rolling |
| Shutter Speed | 30-1/8000 | 1/8000 to 1 sec |
| Sync Speed | 1/250 | N/A |
| Build in Flash | NO | N/A |
| Exposure compensation | +/- 5 EV, 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV | N/A |
| Self Timer | 10sec | N/A |
| Silent Shooting | Yes | |
| ISO | Auto 80-102400 Extended 40-409600 | 800 to 12,800 Extended 409,600 |
| Log Profile | S-Log3 | S-Log 3 |
| Dynamic Range | 15 stops | 15 Stops |
| Video Format | XAVC S, XAVC HS | XAVC-I, XAVC-L |
| Video Compression | MPEG-H HEVC/H.265 10bit MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 8/10bit HLG, S-Log2, S-Log3 10bit | |
| Video resolution | 4K 120p60p30p25p FHD 120/60/30/25p24p 4:2:2 10bit internal recording 1420 x 804 at 240 or 200fps | DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 23.98p/24.00p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p [240 to 600 Mb/s VBR] UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p [240 to 600 Mb/s VBR] Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.98p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p [89 to 223 Mb/s VBR] |
| Audio format | LPCM 4ch 48 kHz 24bit AAC | |
| Ports | Microphone Headphone | Microphone HDMI |
| USB | Type C | Type C |
| Build in Bluetooth | Yes | |
| Build in WI-FI | Yes | Yes |
| Water/Dust Resistance | Yes | |
| Weight | 715g | 890 g |
| Dimensions | 130 x 78 x 85 mm | 15.29 x 11.61 x 11.4 cm |
Which Camera is Best for Video FX3 or FX6?
the Sony FX3 is built for video it comes with a handle that has xlr outputs built-in fan a big red tally light so you can see it recording from a distance and quarter inch thread holes all around to allow you to rig it up whichever way you want, the features that are in this camera are absolutely phenomenal for making videos.
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