ISSUE 124
36 / GEAR
Specifications
Sensor 35.9x23.9mm full-frame CMOS, 33 megapixels Storage 1x CFexpress Type A, 1x SD Shutter Focal plane mechanical, plus rolling electronic, 30 secs to 1/8000
sec. 1/160 sec sync speed Drive modes Up to 10fps
ISO Dual Base 800/4000. Photo 100 to 51,200 (50 to 204,800 extended). Video 100 to 51,200 (100 to 102,400 extended) Lens mount Sony E Still image formats 14-bit Raw, JPEG, HEIF Video H.265 XAVC HS All-Intra 4:2:2 10-bit or Long GOP 4:2:0 8-bit for 4K to 30p full-frame or 60p with APS-C crop. H.264 XAVC HS All-Intra 4:2:2 10-bit or Long GOP 4:2:0 8-bit for C4K to 30p full-frame or 60p with APS-C crop. FHD to 120p full-frame Video output 4:2:2 8/10-bit DCI 4K to 60p, Raw 16-bit 4.7K via HDMI Autofocus Phase detection AF with 759 points for photo, 627 for video Image stabilisation Sensor shift with AI autoframing Connectivity HDMI, USB-C, 3.5mm headphone socket and mic in, MI shoe, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Live streaming RTMP, RTMPS, SRT Screen 3in articulating touchscreen, 1.036 million dots Viewfinder OLED, 3.69m dots
The FX2 offers 4K recording up to 60p, oversampled from 7K in full- frame mode or from 4.6K in Super 35 crop, with 10-bit 4:2:2 colour and support for S-Log 3 and S-Cinetone profiles. However, stills shooters will be more drawn to the camera’s tonal depth and notable highlight control, which mirror Sony’s photographic DNA more than its cinematic heritage. Other photographer-friendly touches include a physical photo/ video mode switch, dual card slots – one for CFexpress Type A and the other for SD – a comfortable handgrip and the use of the familiar NP-FZ100 battery for over an hour of recording or a full day of stills work. The body-integrated image stabilisation, available in Active and Dynamic Active modes, proves particularly helpful when shooting handheld with primes or compact
zooms. It’s not the most powerful IBIS on the market, but it adds welcome stability without a gimbal. In stills use, the FX2 feels fast, deliberate and confidence-inspiring. The files are crisp, with rich detail and plenty of latitude for post-processing. The sensor handles noise beautifully even at high ISOs, while the deep dynamic range preserves highlight texture and shadow depth. A few compromises remain. The LCD resolution is not the sharpest, making critical focus harder outdoors, and the EVF’s tilt mechanism may be blocked by top-mounted accessories. Full-frame 4K recording tops out at 30p, and slow-motion capture applies a crop, but for hybrid shooters these limitations are minor trade-offs for the camera’s versatility. Ultimately, the new FX2 signifies a genuine progression in Sony’s hybrid
Verdict The FX2 sits between the full-frame £3359 FX3 and crop-sensor £1599 FX30 in price/spec, with a similar cine-style body and controls, so it comes down to its unique features to really make it stand out. The great stills performance, tilting EVF and stills-from-video mode are fantastic. But the crop at higher frame rates is not great for video. The FX2 is more capable for stills than the FX3/FX30, although less optimised for extreme video-only use, but some Sony-based creators may find this balance compelling. Features 23/25 Has pretty much everything apart from internal Raw and fast video frame rates Handling 23/25 The tilting EVF is a great addition for stills and video work. Big 6 menu is welcome Performance : 23/25 Great stills and video quality, if you don’t need super slow-motion action footage Value for money 23/25 The price of top-quality hybrids continues to be more attainable and this is one of the best Overall rating : 92/100 A great hybrid that bridges the chasm between full-frame cinema bodies and hybrid mirrorless tools, with a unique tilting EVF Pros Tilting EVF, stills-and-video together feature Cons Crop in 4K/60p and no 120fps higher than HD philosophy. This is not a cinema camera that just happens to take photos – but a true stills and video tool, equally comfortable capturing portraits, events or documentaries. For those photographers who regularly shoot video as part of their workflow, it provides the best of both worlds in a rugged, compact package that ensures it will stay cool, connected and creative all day.
SIX OF THE BEST The Big 6 menu allows quick access to half a dozen key settings
AS YOU WERE If you are used to controls on Sony cameras, you’ll take to the FX2 very quickly
Dimensions (wxhxd) 129.7x77.8x103.7mm Weight 594g
Sony shrinks the shotgun
Sony’s new ECM-778 XLR shotgun mic is a perfect match for the new FX2 if you pair it with the Sony XLR top handle. Costing £930, the professional-grade ECM-778 is 176mm long and weighs 102g. Yet it retains strong forward directivity and studio-grade clarity. Sony has equipped the ECM- 778 with a new-design electret capsule in a precision-machined brass acoustic tube. The frequency response is from 40Hz to 40kHz, a sensitivity of -31 dB (1kHz, 1V/Pa), signal-to-noise of 78dB A-weighted, and a dynamic range of 117dB, with a maximum SPL handling around 133dB or more. Its tonal response is smooth and clean, with a controlled bass presence and great consistency across distance. A recessed high- pass/low-cut filter switch reduces rumble, wind and handling noise. As it’s XLR and requires phantom power (44-52V), you will need compatible recording gear. It’s not cheap, but for high quality in a compact form, it’s a strong contender.
Photographer-friendly touches include a physical photo/video mode switch, dual card slots and a comfortable handgrip
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