January 04, 2024 – Sony’s CES 2024 press conference, scheduled for January 9th at 9:00 AM Beijing time, is highly anticipated with rumors swirling around the company’s collaboration with Honda on the all-electric “AFEELA” car. While the invitation remains tight-lipped, speculation is ripe.
In other Sony news, rumors from SonyAlpharumors suggest that a new FX3Ⅱ camera could be unveiled in March. This model is rumored to sport a 12.9-megapixel global shutter sensor, boasting support for stunning 4K180P video recording. Notably, it’s said to lack an internal fan but offers an external EVF viewfinder.
Looking back, the Sony FX3 full-frame cinema camera, launched on February 23, 2021, and hitting the market in mid-March of the same year, made waves with its feature-packed design and a price tag of 32,000 yuan in China.
The FX3 is renowned for its compact size, lightweight build, and superior operability. It boasts impressive expandability, reliability, and autofocus capabilities. Furthermore, its optical image stabilization system facilitates handheld shooting, while its advanced cooling functions prolong recording times. Compatibility with Sony’s extensive line-up of 59 E-mount lenses adds to its versatility.
Among the FX3’s standout features are its approximately 10.2-megapixel full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor and BIONZ XR image processor. It supports 4.2K 16-bit Raw external recording and offers all in-camera selectable recording formats in 10-bit 4:2:2 mode. With high sensitivity expandable to ISO 409600, it excels in low-light conditions and boasts a 15+ stop dynamic range.
The S-Cinetone color profile, aligned with the color science of CineAltaV, FX9, and FX6, enables stunning 4K 120p recording. Its lightweight design, weighing just 640g (body only), facilitates handheld, gimbal, and drone shooting. The camera’s body and handle offer eight 1/4-20 UNC screw holes for direct attachment of accessories, eliminating the need for additional expansion kits.
Additionally, it features a removable XLR handle unit with two XLR/TRS audio inputs, supporting a 4-channel digital audio interface and housing a built-in stereo microphone. The FX3’s built-in 5-axis image stabilization and “Enhanced Mode” further ensure stable footage, even when shooting handheld. Moreover, its advanced fast hybrid autofocus technology, borrowed from Alpha mirrorless cameras, delivers touch tracking (real-time tracking) and real-time eye autofocus capabilities.
Lastly, the efficient cooling system, equipped with an internal cooling fan, enables extended and stable 4K 60p video recording sessions. As we await official announcements from Sony at CES 2024, excitement builds around what innovations the tech giant has in store.