Sony Fx2

If you don't need the really high frame rates for your work then it looks to be a perfectly serviceable camera.

Tilting EVF is handy for those that need it or want it and it keeps things very small on that front, as opposed to connecting a third party EVF.

Including better stills functionality makes sense with the recycled sensor I guess.

Not a terribly exciting camera in my opinion, but I'm sure they'll still sell a lot of them.
 
markfpv said:
Hmmm... Initial thoughts...Glad to see the tilting VF on this little baby... that's certainly progress... (as I'm in the camp that would never buy a camera that doesn't have a VF)
Specs are decent... but nothing too jaw dropping. Need to make a deeper dive into research on RS and the stills possibility.
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If it is the same sensor as the A7iv, as suggested, then it has a rolling shutter around 27 msec in FF 24p, and down to 9 msec in HD. In 4K 50 / 60p in crop mode, it runs out at about 13 msec, which puts it about 1 msec faster than an FS7. I can't ever recall having any rolling shutter issues with the FS7s, and I have shot a lot of fast moving sports with those cameras where a slow RS can cause problems.

I use the A7iv often. But mainly in crop mode for quick moving video, as most of my video lenses are S35 or APSC. For stills in FF with Sony's 24-105 mm F4 it delivers all I need when stills are required. I have used it in FF for video interviews where RS isn't an issue, with very decent results. The most impressive thing with this sensor is its dynamic range. Compared to the A7Siii and the FX6, it is a far more forgiving sensor when it comes to handling highlights in extreme lighting situations.

CVP's following video gives a pretty decent tech rundown with a reasonable selection of footage from the camera.

Chris Young

 

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I think it's an odd choice because Sony has been marketing the FX series as primarily cinema cameras with limited photo capabilities in a pinch. Now they're pitching a hybrid? Seems like someone at Sony had the idea of going after the R5C demographic (the movie/still switch is very Canon)...
 
If so, it would just be better if they both created half-ass prosumer products in that hybrid category so people can flip back and forth throughout the years as we always do, making both money.

I always mention this story but Blackmagic was such an inspiring company for me who indirectly enlightened me about world business. Just out of nowhere they had so much moxie and created a supercomputer of a camera in bumbleheck 2012 that cost pennies and completely undercut everyone.

Although I was still kind of young then, later 20s, I really up to that point thought everyone was trying their best with the tech they had for the less expensive cameras, lol.

Although it's moot now because we really got it all for little money, we could have had so much more earlier if more billionaires were interested in making cameras (I know 3 or 4 companies tried and failed but still).

But it's just an unappealing business...like no one wants to make computers with Microsoft and Apple around.
 
scorsesefan said:
I think it's an odd choice because Sony has been marketing the FX series as primarily cinema cameras with limited photo capabilities in a pinch. Now they're pitching a hybrid? Seems like someone at Sony had the idea of going after the R5C demographic (the movie/still switch is very Canon)...
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I guess I see the A7iv as a hybrid to begin with. So does the FX2 add to or dilute the FX brand? It is kind of a 'race to the bottom' type of product release anyway right? Not that it matters but I am not a huge fan of reusing sensors as in my mind that is standing still instead of progressing. Ahem, Panasonic CX-370 :(
 
The part I disagree with the slow read out is what a small form factor camera such as this excels at is gimbal work. 60p gives the flexibility to slow down to smooth movement. The crop makes it more telephoto making stabilizing that much harder and when you add active stabilization it incurs an additional crop.
scorsesefan said:
I think it's an odd choice because Sony has been marketing the FX series as primarily cinema cameras with limited photo capabilities in a pinch. Now they're pitching a hybrid? Seems like someone at Sony had the idea of going after the R5C demographic (the movie/still switch is very Canon)...
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Maybe this is Sony attempt to shift towards content creators who out numbered traditional film based users the FX was originally designed for.

Intentionally leaving off the EVF on Fx1 probably limits the pool of potential buyers.

Not sure if Sony should be congratulating for adding it or criticized for excluding it in the FX1 to begin with.
 
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DustinSchmidt said:
If you don't need the really high frame rates for your work then it looks to be a perfectly serviceable camera.

Tilting EVF is handy for those that need it or want it and it keeps things very small on that front, as opposed to connecting a third party EVF.

Including better stills functionality makes sense with the recycled sensor I guess.

Not a terribly exciting camera in my opinion, but I'm sure they'll still sell a lot of them.
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Many said Sony wouldn't sell many A7iv models because of it rolling shutter issues. Wrong! On BH Photo the A7iv has garnered 535 reviews with an average 4.5 stars rating. To get a 4.5 means the bulk of ratings are 5 *****. Sony hit a good market sweet spot with the A7iv, as for many it obviously represents good $$$ value for a camera that can produce decent stills and video. There are many other users out there who do not get carried away with rolling shutter speeds on tests. Users who haven't become as myopic as those of us who work in the production trade, reading every review and nit-picking though the minutia.

For a Sony A series camera that was announced late 2021 and released Feb 2024 and that is still going strong four years later indicates that the specs of the A7iv is still meeting the requirements for a lot of general users. Sony normally revamps their A series lineup every couple of years or so. For an A series to run for four years is pretty unusual. I guess Sony's market research indicates an FX specced / uprated A7iv may continue that trend cycle. And when you get sites like Techrader in 2024 still punting good reviews on a model three years after its release, you know Sony hit the market sweet spot with their A7iv.

Chris Young

https://www.techradar.com/reviews/sony-a7-iv
 
cyvideo said:
Many said Sony wouldn't sell many A7iv models because of it rolling shutter issues. Wrong! On BH Photo the A7iv has garnered 535 reviews with an average 4.5 stars rating. To get a 4.5 means the bulk of ratings are 5 *****. Sony hit a good market sweet spot with the A7iv, as for many it obviously represents good $$$ value for a camera that can produce decent stills and video. There are many other users out there who do not get carried away with rolling shutter speeds on tests. Users who haven't become as myopic as those of us who work in the production trade, reading every review and nit-picking though the minutia.

For a Sony A series camera that was announced late 2021 and released Feb 2024 and that is still going strong four years later indicates that the specs of the A7iv is still meeting the requirements for a lot of general users. Sony normally revamps their A series lineup every couple of years or so. For an A series to run for four years is pretty unusual. I guess Sony's market research indicates an FX specced / uprated A7iv may continue that trend cycle. And when you get sites like Techrader in 2024 still punting good reviews on a model three years after its release, you know Sony hit the market sweet spot with their A7iv.

Chris Young

https://www.techradar.com/reviews/sony-a7-iv
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You def know this, but you can't always go by reviews or their amounts...the a7SIII doesn't even have 300 and it was one of Sony's best-selling cameras.

And if you compared the IV's amount (on B&H) to the III's, it has only half. So does that mean it sold less than the III, maybe, but reviews shouldn't be the source for the numbers, plus there are always a handful of invalid, nonsensical writings (although they've cleaned those up).

In general, as someone who has lived on B&H's site for 15+ years - seriously, I'm obsessed with the front-end development and would email them to tell them I like or don't like something, lol - reviews have generally decreased or are very random all across the board, across products.

With that said, I do agree that fast read-out speeds are a lower feature on the list for many people, including myself.

Sony's a6300's has, IIRC, the worst rolling shutter in camera history at around 40ms in 4K/24p and I loved that camera. Also a best-seller for a long time but also infamously known for insane heat/shutting-down issues (way before Canon's R5 was on the drawing board and became known as the worst heat/shutting-down camera).
 
cyvideo said:
Many said Sony wouldn't sell many A7iv models because of it rolling shutter issues. Wrong! On BH Photo the A7iv has garnered 535 reviews with an average 4.5 stars rating. To get a 4.5 means the bulk of ratings are 5 *****. Sony hit a good market sweet spot with the A7iv, as for many it obviously represents good $$$ value for a camera that can produce decent stills and video. There are many other users out there who do not get carried away with rolling shutter speeds on tests. Users who haven't become as myopic as those of us who work in the production trade, reading every review and nit-picking though the minutia.

For a Sony A series camera that was announced late 2021 and released Feb 2024 and that is still going strong four years later indicates that the specs of the A7iv is still meeting the requirements for a lot of general users. Sony normally revamps their A series lineup every couple of years or so. For an A series to run for four years is pretty unusual. I guess Sony's market research indicates an FX specced / uprated A7iv may continue that trend cycle. And when you get sites like Techrader in 2024 still punting good reviews on a model three years after its release, you know Sony hit the market sweet spot with their A7iv.

Chris Young

https://www.techradar.com/reviews/sony-a7-iv
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But are you saying the A74 33mp in the FX2 is better than the FX3 12mp? If so why does the FX3 sell for more? I'm also confused by the naming scheme like the A1 had a lower number because it's better than the A7 but in the FX line 9 is the best, so FX2 is a lower end model. How come there is no FX1? They skipped over that and went to 3 but now going back to follow up to FX2.
 
Model numbers do not necessarily indicate one camera is supposed to be superior to another. But in this case, yes, the FX2 is definitely a higher-end camera than the ancient FX1.
 
Peter C. said:
But are you saying the A74 33mp in the FX2 is better than the FX3 12mp? If so why does the FX3 sell for more? I'm also confused by the naming scheme like the A1 had a lower number because it's better than the A7 but in the FX line 9 is the best, so FX2 is a lower end model. How come there is no FX1? They skipped over that and went to 3 but now going back to follow up to FX2.
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Who knows how Sony arrives at the names and model numbers they use. Or how they decide on pricing structure. Re naming. There are some cultural reasons for not using certain numbers. Not that it really has much to do with this discussion, but traditionally, 4 is unlucky because it is sometimes pronounced shi, which is the word for death. Sometimes levels or rooms with 4 do not exist in hospitals or hotels. Particularly in the maternity section of a hospital, the room number 43 is avoided because it can literally mean "stillbirth".

Getting back to the FX3. The FX3, the FX6 and the A7Siii ostensibly have the same 12MP sensor. (It is actually a 48MP sensor that uses 2 x 2 binning.)

https://landingfield.wordpress.com/...ii-has-a-2x2-pixel-binning-imx510-bsi-sensor/

Compared to an A7iv which has a 33MP sensor, one would think the binned "12MP" of the FX3, FX6 etc should absolutely be way ahead of the 33MP sensor in the A7iv and this new FX2. In the real world though, up to around 12800 ISO I find the A7iv holds up very well against its 12MP cousins. One video that explored this was one that originally made me check out an A7iv. Link below.

When it comes to dynamic range as CineD stated, quote:

"The A7iv shows overall very strong results in the lab test – really good dynamic range, 12.9 stops at SNR = 2! Rather good exposure latitude with 7 stops. But the rolling shutter falls a bit short unfortunately, it is on the high end at 26.8ms."

They further went on to say that it had the highest dynamic range of ANY Sony mirrorless camera, top to bottom. They placed the A7iv in the top 10 dynamic range cameras they have tested. See CineD's chart, attached. For me, dynamic range is one of the most desirable performance attributes in a camera. When you look at the attached chart, you will see, as probably is to be expected, is that the ARRI ALEXA 35 is still the top of the pile in regard to dynamic range. For a low budget mirrorless to be sitting only 6 positions below the likes of three ARRIs a Venice and a Canon EOS C500 in tested dynamic range is quite an achievement.

Chris Young

A7Siii and A7iv

 

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NorBro said:
You def know this, but you can't always go by reviews or their amounts...the a7SIII doesn't even have 300 and it was one of Sony's best-selling cameras.

Sony's a6300's has, IIRC, the worst rolling shutter in camera history at around 40ms in 4K/24p and I loved that camera. Also a best-seller for a long time but also infamously known for insane heat/shutting-down issues (way before Canon's R5 was on the drawing board and became known as the worst heat/shutting-down camera).
Click to expand...

I have been extremely happy with every single frame of footage I've shot with my a7sIII.
And am also an a6300 owner / user as well and also still use that & like that camera (after all these years, heck yeah). It's similar to this release in that the 4K RS is "bad" but then if shooting in HD, it becomes much faster and certainly better than "ok".

The biggest thing keeping me from buying this FX2 right now... is whether or not I "need" the better specs of the A1 II... that's really rhetorical... as I'm not getting demands for 4K 120 or 8K but have been patient and since the II's release, it keeps making me look at it. :)
 
There is something mental about having better specs...I could never get over it at the time, always wanted the best (of course in a certain price range usually at most $8K-$9K, not like a $50K RED).

It would be good if top models stayed top models and not get undercut a little bit by some lower-end models with new/cool additions and features.
 
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