FS7: Sony FX6 vs FX9

Joshua Milligan

Joshua Milligan

Well-known member
Hey fellas, I hope you all have been able to stay busy this year with work despite COVID. I know for me all of my jobs came to a crashing halt for about 6 months. It was tough! Thankfully my work has finally picked back up and I'm booked up through April of next year which is exciting. Let's just hope it stays that way!

I have been an FS7 shooter for nearly five years now. I started with a MK1 and then moved over to a MKII a couple years back as I really wanted the electronic variable ND as well as the locking E-mount. Both have been super useful in my work.

I've long paid off my FS7 cameras and am at the point now where I'm ready to move on. The FS7II served me very well, but there are a lot of things I want personally that I'm not getting from this camera. I do not have any unsatisfied clients that are begging me to have a different camera, so this upgrade is not for them. It's purely for me as an owner operator.

What I'm looking for are things that will make my life easier as a shooter. Autofocus for run & gun work, a much better LCD screen for pulling focus on, better lowlight performance for those event/documentary/wildlife projects, the ability to have a custom white balance in Cine EI mode, the ability to change ISO's in Cine EI mode (even if it's just changing the base ISO), better out-of-camera colors for projects where I'm either live-streaming or where I need to hand footage over to someone else. All of these things would help me in my work and would make my work just a little bit easier which to me is worth the upgrade.

Where I'm getting stuck is deciding which of these two cameras to get. I had originally planned on grabbing the FX9 as all of my FS7II accessories would work on it. Plus it's similar to the FS7II which is what I'm used to working with, so it would probably feel right at home in my hands. But when the FX6 was announced, I feel like Sony really muddied the water.

From where I'm sitting, the FX9 would give me a proper shoulder mounted camera (with a few tweaks using accessories I already have) that has a locking E-mount, a more detailed sensor, 4K in Super35 which I could use for my wildlife and my 18-110 lens, as well as four independent audio dials on the side of the body which is something I always wanted with the FS7 series. These five features are great, but are they enough to really justify a $5,000 premium?

What gets me is that the FX6 at almost half the price has twice the frame rates in 4K (120p vs 60p), more frame rates in HD (240p vs 180p) and can do raw directly to a recorder. It irks me that Sony charges a $5,000 premium to get the FX9 which doesn't have these features. I don't understand why they would do that. The FS7 came out in 2014 and yet 6 years later the new FX9 still requires raw with the extension unit and still is capped at the same frame rates as the now 6 year old FS7. Meanwhile their $6,000 FX6 and $3,500 A7SIII all have those things. I just don't get it.

So do you pay $11,000 to get a locking E-mount, four audio dials, a slightly more detailed sensor and 4K in Super35 in a body that's built for shoulder mounted work? Or do you spend $6,000 for a much smaller, much lighter body that would be easier to carry around and that has twice the frame rates in 4K, more frame rates in HD, and that can actually be used to shoot raw in a realistic manner? These are the questions I'm trying to answer. I'd love to see where you guys are with it.
 
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I think (as a FS5 owner operator currently considering a FX6) that the key things that I think you would miss hugely would be (my personal order below):

1. Shoulder Mount Design/Usability
2. Super35mm Shooting Options
3. Loop - for Shooting in Sunlight!
4. Locking Mount
5. Slightly More Detailed 4K Image
6 And 4 Channel Audio Controls

Those things are worth the extra. I sure understand the frustration some current (or potential FX9 owners like you) may have about the price differential and the Raw output design choices Sony have dictated - but those things must SURELY be worth the extra. It's just a tool, after all. Not boasting, but some jobs I've had over the last 12 years have literally paid for my various cameras (completely) in one or two projects (corporate stuff).

For me, small, light and being gimbal friendly is a key requirement - which is why I'm rather unhappy about the lack of any audio input on the stripped down FX6 body...I've looked hard at FS7s in the past and the FX9 (pre-COVID lockdown) but the size and weight put me off - but hey, no camera is perfect for everyone. One man's poison and all that!
 
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andykwilkinson said:
I think (as a FS5 owner operator currently considering a FX6) that the key things that I think you would miss hugely would be (my personal order below):

1. Shoulder Mount Design/Usability
2. Super35mm Shooting Options
3. Loop - for Shooting in Sunlight!
4. Locking Mount
5. Slightly More Detailed 4K Image
6 And 4 Channel Audio Controls

Those things are worth the extra. I sure understand the frustration some current (or potential FX9 owners like you) may have about the price differential and the Raw output design choices Sony have dictated - but those things must SURELY be worth the extra. It's just a tool, after all. Not boasting, but some jobs I've had over the last 12 years have literally paid for my various cameras (completely) in one or two projects (corporate stuff).

For me, small, light and being gimbal friendly is a key requirement - which is why I'm rather unhappy about the lack of any audio input on the stripped down FX6 body...I've looked hard at FS7s in the past and the FX9 (pre-COVID lockdown) but the size and weight put me off - but hey, no camera is perfect for everyone. One man's poison and all that!
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I'm not worried about the price. As I said above, I have already owned an FS7 and FS7II and this purchase is for me to make my job easier, so I'm willing to pay for that. I agree that the shoulder design of the FX9 is something I like which is why I got the FS7 in the first place, plus the Super35 4K option would be huge for my wildlife work as well as my 18-110 lens. And the Locking E-mount is something I'm a big fan of. But, the FX6 is so small and so light which might make my life even easier. There definitely have been times where I've wanted to throw my FS7 off of a mountain (literally) because it was slowing me down and I cannot help but feel like the FX6 would make that part of my work much more enjoyable. Plus having 4K 120p and raw via a recorder would be great upgrades from the FS7.

So again, money isn't the driving factor here. It's just hard to imagine spending $11,000 to get a camera that replaces your six year old camera knowing that you're not gaining anything in terms of frame rates or raw whereas for $6,000 you do get a major upgrade in frame rates and raw along with a much smaller/lighter body. And I think with the right accessories (an LCD loupe, a shoulder pad and an extension arm), you could still run it on the shoulder. I already have a Zacuto LCD loupe which from what I read will work on the FX6, so I'd just need the extension arm and the shoulder pad. Hmmmm. Decisions, decisions.
 
This is why I actually have several cameras - some jobs I use all of them, some I just take the one that best suits the type of work. I guess we all crave that ONE camera which will do everything we want!
 
If you're looking at the gain of good AF as one of your reasons to upgrade you should note that the FX9 has object tracking, while the FX6 doesn't. I think that was one of Philip Bloom's main gripes and I can see his point.
 
andykwilkinson said:
This is why I actually have several cameras - some jobs I use all of them, some I just take the one that best suits the type of work. I guess we all crave that ONE camera which will do everything we want!
Click to expand...

That's a little harsh. I never said I was looking for ONE camera to do everything I want. I have several other cameras. I'm specifically talking about the feature set of one camera vs another. There's no need to for a comment like that.
 
Someone (Philip Bloom perhaps?) mentioned that for all their overlap the FX6 and FX9 do separate themselves when it comes to broadcast work—with the latter being much better suited to it. If broadcast work is a big part of your income that might tilt you toward the FX9.
 
Joshua Milligan said:
That's a little harsh. I never said I was looking for ONE camera to do everything I want. I have several other cameras. I'm specifically talking about the feature set of one camera vs another. There's no need to for a comment like that.
Click to expand...

Well, I’m sorry if you feel I’ve offended you. I apologise & will make no further contribution to this thread. Good luck with your choice.
 
Tim Sewell said:
If you're looking at the gain of good AF as one of your reasons to upgrade you should note that the FX9 has object tracking, while the FX6 doesn't. I think that was one of Philip Bloom's main gripes and I can see his point.
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Nope. It’s the A7siii which has object tracking.... neither
the FX9 or FX6 has this. They both have eye and face tracking.
However, if I was guessing, I’d say the FX6 has almost even odds
to have this added in a firmware upgrade (there is no real reason
it can’t do this as it has a similar/same sensor as the A7siii
and even more powerful processing.) The FX9 however has a 6k
sensor which is different from A7siii and FX6 so not sure if it
could ever do this or not. Of course this is just a guess and no
one should assume Sony will add anything in firmware. So
if you need object tracking, A7siii is the way to go.
 
There may be FX-9II in the works. Granted, Sony hasn't announced it and there's been no rumor expecting it. But it seems that it wouldn't be difficult to add some features that are currently lacking, while still maintaining the advantages of 9 over 6.
 
Advantages to the FX9:

- Locking E-mount (a BIG deal)
- Better I/O (dual SDI outputs is significant)
- Onboard audio inputs (so you can put a better top handle on than the nonsense Sony sends them out with)
- 6k downsample, this makes for a noticeably better resolving 4k.


Advantages to the FX6:

- Crazy high-ISO performance
- Fantastic size and weight (lets you move around faster in general)
- Much more robust (and less irritating) framerate options
- Simple SDI output for raw recording
- Significantly better rolling shutter


For me personally, the FX9 has never held all that much appeal (as appealing as the colours and image quality are), because once rigged up for normal production, it ends up much messier than an F55 (with extension boxes hanging off the back).

With some sensibly designed accessories, the FX6 could tempt me though. Someone's going to have to come out with a genuinely robust, 360 degree PL-mount lens support (a la what Vocas have done for the Red Komodo), before I'd consider it seriously though.
 
Grug said:
Advantages to the FX9:

- Locking E-mount (a BIG deal)
Click to expand...

As an aside (though a related one): do we have any idea how strong the mount is on the FX6? This information was notoriously difficult to find for the Fs5 (I never got a clear answer). I don't expect to throw heavy PL zooms on the front of the FX6, but it'd be nice to know if, e.g., the Sony 28-135 will work unsupported without risk to the mount.
 
Grug said:
Advantages to the FX9:

- Locking E-mount (a BIG deal)
- Better I/O (dual SDI outputs is significant)
- Onboard audio inputs (so you can put a better top handle on than the nonsense Sony sends them out with)
- 6k downsample, this makes for a noticeably better resolving 4k.


Advantages to the FX6:

- Crazy high-ISO performance
- Fantastic size and weight (lets you move around faster in general)
- Much more robust (and less irritating) framerate options
- Simple SDI output for raw recording
- Significantly better rolling shutter


For me personally, the FX9 has never held all that much appeal (as appealing as the colours and image quality are), because once rigged up for normal production, it ends up much messier than an F55 (with extension boxes hanging off the back).

With some sensibly designed accessories, the FX6 could tempt me though. Someone's going to have to come out with a genuinely robust, 360 degree PL-mount lens support (a la what Vocas have done for the Red Komodo), before I'd consider it seriously though.
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https://woodencamera.com/collection...-mount-to-pl-mount-pro-sony-alpha-fs7mkii-fx9

This should cover most PL lenses with the base and rod supports ... these guys are 20 minutes from my home and
I use their accessories for every camera I have and have had in the last 5 years. I presently use their lens support
for Sigma Cine Primes on my 1DX III ...
 
drboffa said:
As an aside (though a related one): do we have any idea how strong the mount is on the FX6? This information was notoriously difficult to find for the Fs5 (I never got a clear answer). I don't expect to throw heavy PL zooms on the front of the FX6, but it'd be nice to know if, e.g., the Sony 28-135 will work unsupported without risk to the mount.
Click to expand...

I would expect it to be just as shitty and wiggly as any other stills photography mount. Without a locking lens mount, you're going to get wobble.

I believe Bright Tangerine have something in the works though. Fingers crossed.
 
I can't offer anything that would help in your situation. What i can say is i took delivery of my Fx9 on Jan 2nd (SN# 4), i'm very happy with it and despite this very "odd" year...the camera has paid for itself multiple times over.

I'm also an Fs7 owner so it was an easy transition as you would expect. I get the small form factor craze but i personally like a bigger camera...especially something i can throw on my shoulder. I like that i can "truly" shoot FF or S35...it keeps all my lenses in play. Its also gives my 28-135 new life after spending a couple years in a case and i can still use the 18-110 when needed. I'm warming up to the locking mount...and yes a PITA to change a lens when solo or not on sticks, but i'm getting better. I love the full frame, the dual ISO...the fx9 is no slouch in low light either. Its impressive.

Probably like many Fx9 owners, when i got a first look at the fx6 my #ss puckered a bit and i'd be lying if i didn't think "well that kinda sucks". But, that's the industry right now. One can drive themselves nuts chasing technology...or at the very least trying to make a good purchase/business decision. However, playing in that sub $12k price point...there are always compromises...what can you live with and what can't you live without.
Its tough.

I have no regrets in my decision to go with the Fx9. Its a great camera and i'm looking forward to future firmware updates to see where they take it. Anyway, good luck on whichever camera you choose!
 
I'm in a similar situation. Was pretty set on getting the FX9 when I first saw it had launched in September of 2019. I was an FS5 owner previously, and FS700R before that. I loved the FS700R at first, but slowly came to hate the bulky awkward form factor, and looked longingly at the FS5. So I bough the FS5 and sold the FS700. I will say that out of all of the cameras I've owned, the FS5 was the most fun to shoot with. I loved it. I loved it's small form factor, it made shooting run n' gun absolutely effortless. Shot with it for 2 whole years.

But then the FX9 came out in September of 2019, and I was set on getting it. I sold my FS5 way back in January and started saving. Then COVID hit and my side gig doing freelance video took a dive and I just stopped for all of 2020. I'm an editor and broadcast motion graphic designer at my current day job, so it wasn't imperative that I owned a camera at all times, I just did freelance videography every now and again before COVID hit for some cash on the side/weekends, but I am very fortunate that it isn't imperative to my income, especially now. I mainly did it because I enjoyed it. Now I am approaching the point where I can potentially start doing some freelance video gigs on the side again. I've pretty much saved enough to get the FX9, then the FX6 was revealed in September, and I thought nothing of it. Thought it would still be a crippled version of the FX9. But then when they finally revealed the specs 2 months later, it really threw a wrench into things. Here I was, set on getting the FX9 for an entire year, then the FX6 comes along and potentially changes those plans. It was much MUCH more powerful than I think anyone could have expected. I was certainly not expecting it to have CineEI, but lo and behold, it does.

So, I had the FS5 back in 2018-2019, and loved how easy it was to shoot with. I felt like I wasn't fighting it like I did with the FS700. And my at former day job, I shot quite a bit on an FS7II, and the images were undoubtedly better than my FS5. But now with the FX6 and FX9, I don't think that difference in image quality and capability is near as vast as it was between the FS5 and FS7.

In terms of form factor, I like both the handheld versatility of an FS5/FX6 type camera, but I ALSO like the shoulder mount stability of an FS7/FX9 type camera. The thing is, Sony has made both the FX6 and FX9 so damn complimentary to each other, that it makes it really really difficult for me to decide which one to go with. Part of me wants the experience of a "proper" shoulder mounted camera with a locking mount so I can use lenses like a Fuji 20-120 or Canon CN7, and still be able to use s35 lenses in 4K. But then part of me looks over at the FX6 and asks the same question that you are asking right now, "Is it really worth the extra $5,000+ to go with the FX9, seeing as how the FX6 is so damned close to it, and even better in certain regards (frame rates, raw out of SDI). But then another part of me is like, "is the FX6 really a true upgrade from the FS5? Or is it just more of a lateral move? I know it's better, but it's in that same low-mid-range cinema camera product tier, and I often wonder if clients will automatically shoot it down because it's just not in the same "tier" as an FS7 or FX9, even though it competes so well with it's bigger brother.

I'm sort of aiming to make the decision and pull the trigger on one of them at the end of January/early February, but I'm really having trouble deciding which one to go with. They both have features that are great.

I sort of view the FX9 as a nice, new, shiny, workhorse full-size SUV with 4 wheel drive and it's just flat out dependable in many situations. But I view the FX6 as a nice new shiny mid-size SUV that is faster, has better fuel economy, but is only 2 wheel drive.

It's a tough tough decision.
 
Being an FS7 owner it's a no brainer. I will get the FX6 to complement the FS7. To me the FX9 has always been to expensive and not worth it.
 
I got the FX9 recently, over the FX6 because:

a) shoulder work
b) audio work
c) image quality
d) i`ll get the FX6 stuff from my a7s iii anyway
e) a7s iii is smaller than fx6
 
For me it would come down to shoulder work vs holding the FX6 in front of you and client perception, if you view that as a potential issue. I wound picking up an a7siii to go with my FS7. I like to shoot from my shoulder but the a7siii can go incognito. Tbh if I had the $ for fs7 + fx6 I would have gone that direction...
 
FWIW I'm pretty sure the FX6 is a step up from the fs5, especially if you're recording internally. As far as IQ is concerned (although I havent done thorough research), I feel like the higher resolution sensor of the FX9 is the primary difference. which has implications for image clarity and obviously getting 4K in S35. But the FX6 will have advantages of faster RS and lower noise.

The main differences are in feature set and design IMO. Having uncropped slow-motion on FX6 seems like a big advantage. FX6 is smaller but lacks audio inputs on body.

I feel like the FX6 is on par with the FX9 and is a better buy. It's not that hard to put it on a shoulder mount
 
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