Joshua Milligan
Well-known member
Wow! Sony just announced a massive firmware update for the FX6 that gives it nearly every single feature I thought it was missing and then some. This is a huge update.
Coming in late January, firmware version 2.0 gives you the following: Advanced AI-based AF (including touch tracking from the Alpha line usable by either the joystick or the touchscreen), Focus Breathing Compensation to virtually eliminate focus breathing when using their native lenses, 16-bit raw output from HDMI making it the only camera in the world to offer raw out from both an SDI output (which it could already do) as well as an HMDI output (according to Newsshooter), Bokeh Control Mode so you can change the depth of field using an iris ring while the camera maintains a consistent exposure for you, Picture Cache Recording when in S&Q mode for a maximum of 31 seconds of pre-recording so you don’t miss that wildlife shot that just happened when you weren’t yet recording, a 4-channel audio level meter on the main screen (I’ve been wanting this since the FS7), as well as enhanced FTP transfer speeds, the recording media can now be selected by using the rec button and handle rec button for simultaneous recording mode, the multi-function dial function can now be assigned to the grip’s assignable dial, proxy files with 4-channels of audio in the metadata, and HDR and SDR dual production for SR Live.
Whew! That’s was a ton of stuff to list! This update is gigantic and brings so many great things to the FX6. Audio meters for the 4-channels of audio on the main screen is something I’ve wanted for so long. The Focus Breathing Compensation that was first announced in the A7IV will solve the focus breathing issues found in some of Sony’s newer primes (like the 24 1.4, 35 1.4, & 50 1.2) making those lenses pretty much perfect now. Touch tracking via the screen or joystick makes the FX6’s AF as good as the A7/A1 line now. Arguably even better in fact because you have modes like Face Only AF which the Alpha line doesn’t have. Touch tracking is a huge update in my opinion and was one of the biggest missing features from the FX6 up until now.
Picture Cache Recording was something many wildlife videographers were frustrated that the FX6 was missing. Now that’s no longer the case. The Bokeh Control Mode that uses the camera’s electronic variable ND plus ISO/gain to maintain exposure for you when making depth of field changes is a cool feature that will allow you to make really creative shots.
Having 16-bit raw out from the HDMI port means that now you can use the same raw recorder for your FX6 that you were using on your A7SIII or A1. Previously raw out on the FX6 was via the SDI port only making in a pain in the butt to go from recording raw on the FX6 to raw on a Sony mirrorless camera as mirrorless cameras don’t have SDI ports. Now that you can use the HDMI port in addition to SDI, you can easily go back and forth from the FX6 to say a Sony A7SIII when wanting to shoot raw on both. SDI is still a more secure connection because the cable locks and cannot accidentally slip out, plus 4K 120p raw is only available via SDI whereas the HDMI is limited to 4K 60p, but these are minor details. Having the ability to use both is huge.
This is amazing. The Sony FX6 was already one of the most useful cameras on the market and now with the version 2.0 firmware update that’s coming in just a couple weeks, it’s pretty much been perfected. I can’t really think of hardly anything this camera is missing. I believe it’s one of the best cinema/video cameras you can buy today that works great for virtually any project you could throw at it. An FX6 paired with an A7SIII or A1 makes for a killer combo that will do just about anything you could ever need to do video wise and would serve you well for the next 5-10 years.
I couldn’t be more stoked for this update!
Article Link: https://www.cined.com/sony-fx6-firmw...tion-and-more/
Coming in late January, firmware version 2.0 gives you the following: Advanced AI-based AF (including touch tracking from the Alpha line usable by either the joystick or the touchscreen), Focus Breathing Compensation to virtually eliminate focus breathing when using their native lenses, 16-bit raw output from HDMI making it the only camera in the world to offer raw out from both an SDI output (which it could already do) as well as an HMDI output (according to Newsshooter), Bokeh Control Mode so you can change the depth of field using an iris ring while the camera maintains a consistent exposure for you, Picture Cache Recording when in S&Q mode for a maximum of 31 seconds of pre-recording so you don’t miss that wildlife shot that just happened when you weren’t yet recording, a 4-channel audio level meter on the main screen (I’ve been wanting this since the FS7), as well as enhanced FTP transfer speeds, the recording media can now be selected by using the rec button and handle rec button for simultaneous recording mode, the multi-function dial function can now be assigned to the grip’s assignable dial, proxy files with 4-channels of audio in the metadata, and HDR and SDR dual production for SR Live.
Whew! That’s was a ton of stuff to list! This update is gigantic and brings so many great things to the FX6. Audio meters for the 4-channels of audio on the main screen is something I’ve wanted for so long. The Focus Breathing Compensation that was first announced in the A7IV will solve the focus breathing issues found in some of Sony’s newer primes (like the 24 1.4, 35 1.4, & 50 1.2) making those lenses pretty much perfect now. Touch tracking via the screen or joystick makes the FX6’s AF as good as the A7/A1 line now. Arguably even better in fact because you have modes like Face Only AF which the Alpha line doesn’t have. Touch tracking is a huge update in my opinion and was one of the biggest missing features from the FX6 up until now.
Picture Cache Recording was something many wildlife videographers were frustrated that the FX6 was missing. Now that’s no longer the case. The Bokeh Control Mode that uses the camera’s electronic variable ND plus ISO/gain to maintain exposure for you when making depth of field changes is a cool feature that will allow you to make really creative shots.
Having 16-bit raw out from the HDMI port means that now you can use the same raw recorder for your FX6 that you were using on your A7SIII or A1. Previously raw out on the FX6 was via the SDI port only making in a pain in the butt to go from recording raw on the FX6 to raw on a Sony mirrorless camera as mirrorless cameras don’t have SDI ports. Now that you can use the HDMI port in addition to SDI, you can easily go back and forth from the FX6 to say a Sony A7SIII when wanting to shoot raw on both. SDI is still a more secure connection because the cable locks and cannot accidentally slip out, plus 4K 120p raw is only available via SDI whereas the HDMI is limited to 4K 60p, but these are minor details. Having the ability to use both is huge.
This is amazing. The Sony FX6 was already one of the most useful cameras on the market and now with the version 2.0 firmware update that’s coming in just a couple weeks, it’s pretty much been perfected. I can’t really think of hardly anything this camera is missing. I believe it’s one of the best cinema/video cameras you can buy today that works great for virtually any project you could throw at it. An FX6 paired with an A7SIII or A1 makes for a killer combo that will do just about anything you could ever need to do video wise and would serve you well for the next 5-10 years.
I couldn’t be more stoked for this update!
Article Link: https://www.cined.com/sony-fx6-firmw...tion-and-more/
