FS7: Sony FX6 vs FX9

[Martin.G]

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

Aye, the FX6 came out lots better than expected. But theres something about the sharpness in the image coming from 6K that i have perceived in RED footage for nearly a decade, and found lacking in all my 4K Sony cameras. Until now.

The explanation was pretty simple, as a 4K sensor has electronics within the sensor, that blocks some of the light reaching it, so 4K is actually closer to 3K because it looses sharpness / definition. Capturing 6K > 4K gives true 4K resolution, aka sharper image.

I like that sharpness for my own sake, for the most of it. And its like buying a better car, better seats, better audio, better wheels... Its about you, and why you go to work in the morning. Why we work in this industry. Its not to get rich, theres easier businesses for that.

 

[mantas]

Aye, the FX6 came out lots better than expected. But theres something about the sharpness in the image coming from 6K that i have perceived in RED footage for nearly a decade, and found lacking in all my 4K Sony cameras. Until now.

The explanation was pretty simple, as a 4K sensor has electronics within the sensor, that blocks some of the light reaching it, so 4K is actually closer to 3K because it looses sharpness / definition. Capturing 6K > 4K gives true 4K resolution, aka sharper image.

I like that sharpness for my own sake, for the most of it. And its like buying a better car, better seats, better audio, better wheels... Its about you, and why you go to work in the morning. Why we work in this industry. Its not to get rich, theres easier businesses for that.

yes! not only the sharpness, there is more, it looks so organic. I'm still in love with my fx9. shot last month this short just for fun(and quarantine)
https://vimeo.com/mantas/blume

 

[Donny 123]

Aye, the FX6 came out lots better than expected. But theres something about the sharpness in the image coming from 6K that i have perceived in RED footage for nearly a decade, and found lacking in all my 4K Sony cameras. Until now.

The explanation was pretty simple, as a 4K sensor has electronics within the sensor, that blocks some of the light reaching it, so 4K is actually closer to 3K because it looses sharpness / definition. Capturing 6K > 4K gives true 4K resolution, aka sharper image.


The loss of resolution is due to debayer of the sensor not " electronic within the sensor " blocking light .. about 30% is lost .. thats why down sampling makes the fx9 a "true 4K ".. start from 6k in the first place ..

 

[Martin.G]

The loss of resolution is due to debayer of the sensor not " electronic within the sensor " blocking light .. about 30% is lost .. thats why down sampling makes the fx9 a "true 4K ".. start from 6k in the first place ..

You are correct Donny. I somehow remembered Alistairs explanation as pointing to electronics. But as im not really interested at all in the techincal aspects of the functioning of sensors, my mind probably simplified my memory of the explanation as such. The result is the same however, 4K=3K. And thats why i ponyed up for the FX9, its a Sony-poor-mans-RED of sorts, that works as a champion in the documentary/single operator world.

https://youtu.be/uPmA6LVFm9Y?t=2560

Anyone want to view the source, its available here at this timecode.

 

[Donny 123]

You are correct Donny. I somehow remembered Alistairs explanation as pointing to electronics. But as im not really interested at all in the techincal aspects of the functioning of sensors, my mind probably simplified my memory of the explanation as such. The result is the same however, 4K=3K. And thats why i ponyed up for the FX9, its a Sony-poor-mans-RED of sorts, that works as a champion in the documentary/single operator world.

https://youtu.be/uPmA6LVFm9Y?t=2560

Anyone want to view the source, its available here at this timecode.

You may be remembering the lower native ISO of the f55 to the f5.. that was due to the wiring for global shutter taking up sensor real estate and so a slower native ISOI.. 1250 compared to 2000..

 

[broughtonfilm]

Does anyone know Sony's reasoning behind making us have to buy the XDCA extensions to get TC and RAW output? I mean, what is in the damn box and why is it so big and expensive? I hated it when I needed to buy it for the FS7 when I owned it. The FS5 and now FX6 prove that it's possible to fit it into an even smaller camera body, so what the hell? Is it more about providing a proper powering solution which in turn influences the form factor? Is it because the RAW signal and TC processing is more complex than in FX6, FS5? Or is it simply to milk extra $2K from the users? Still the last reason would not be the Sony's reason given to the users, so what is it?

 

[drboffa]

Others may have better insight, but I was under the impression that the FX9 builds on the architecture of the FS7—which is why it needs the XDCA extension module to get raw out.

But—like you—I'm confused as to why they'd stick with this option.

 

[broughtonfilm]

Others may have better insight, but I was under the impression that the FX9 builds on the architecture of the FS7—which is why it needs the XDCA extension module to get raw out.

But—like you—I'm confused as to why they'd stick with this option.

Wow, just realized that my previous post was my 666th... I'm now convinced that XDCA and evil have lots in common.

 

[shemster]

Does anyone know Sony's reasoning behind making us have to buy the XDCA extensions to get TC and RAW output? I mean, what is in the damn box and why is it so big and expensive? I hated it when I needed to buy it for the FS7 when I owned it. The FS5 and now FX6 prove that it's possible to fit it into an even smaller camera body, so what the hell? Is it more about providing a proper powering solution which in turn influences the form factor? Is it because the RAW signal and TC processing is more complex than in FX6, FS5? Or is it simply to milk extra $2K from the users? Still the last reason would not be the Sony's reason given to the users, so what is it?

2 reasons.

1) FX6 is using newer and more powerful processor compared to FX9. It is simply technological advancement that happens to all things in life.
2) FX6 was born in an unprecedented pandemic period where worldwide video projects were cancelled and thus the demand for camera drop substantially. Sony needs to maintain profit thus upgraded FX6 specs to make it more enticing for the customers. Without the pandemic, we may not see such specs jump from Canon and Sony and be still within 4K 60P era. Let alone 4K 120P and even 8K.

 

[Donny 123]

2 reasons.

1) FX6 is using newer and more powerful processor compared to FX9. It is simply technological advancement that happens to all things in life.
2) FX6 was born in an unprecedented pandemic period where worldwide video projects were cancelled and thus the demand for camera drop substantially. Sony needs to maintain profit thus upgraded FX6 specs to make it more enticing for the customers. Without the pandemic, we may not see such specs jump from Canon and Sony and be still within 4K 60P era. Let alone 4K 120P and even 8K.

But these cameras are in R&D many years before they come out .. I don't think the pandemic had any effect of the features of the fx6 or any other camera recently released ..?

 

[broughtonfilm]

2 reasons.

1) FX6 is using newer and more powerful processor compared to FX9. It is simply technological advancement that happens to all things in life.
2) FX6 was born in an unprecedented pandemic period where worldwide video projects were cancelled and thus the demand for camera drop substantially. Sony needs to maintain profit thus upgraded FX6 specs to make it more enticing for the customers. Without the pandemic, we may not see such specs jump from Canon and Sony and be still within 4K 60P era. Let alone 4K 120P and even 8K.

Nah. Don't buy it.

 

[Martin.G]

1) FX6 is using newer and more powerful processor compared to FX9. It is simply technological advancement that happens to all things in life.

Thats not true.

FS700 had SDI raw out in 2012, at least after a firmware update. The footage was stunning, and in many ways i regretted selling it (but formfactor did not make me regret).

FS5 as stated above too.

And now the FX6, with FX9 DNA in it.

It looks suspicious, weird, or just plain market segment to have an extra doodle on the back there on the higher end camera.