FS5: Sony PXW-FX6

J

J.Brown

Well-known member
In about seventeen days Sony will introduce specs for their new camcorder PXW-FX6. What to expect then?

fx6_1.jpg

The PXW-FX6 is at the low end of their FX-series and follows the FS7/FS5 route by making a lower cost and smaller camera with reduced features than the bigger brother. As of now there's a bunch of cameras out with influencers and the camera is in full production with a built up of inventory. It was delayed a bit and should have been available this fall rather than in the beginning of 2021.

The key features is that it does use a full frame sensor with excellent AF and a useful range of S&Q modes. To set it apart from the FX9 it's based around a different circuit and operation system. The camera body is improved over the FS5 and follows the FX-line colours and buttons. One thing missing compared to the FS5 is no EVF. Instead Sony does provide a view finder piece that attaches to the touch LCD-screen. Recording modes is 10-bit 4:2:2 in both LONG-GOP and Intra depending on resolution and frame rate. It provides two XLR in, SDI and HDMI out, 2-7 stops of variable ND, S-log curves with view assist and it has a very nice grip improved over the one on the FS5 and FS7.
 
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Sounds good! I probably shouldve gone with an FX6. It sounds like its just as good as FX9, but with less fancy smanchy bells and whistles aimed at bigger sets.

But i needed it now rather than later, so what can you do.
 
J.Brown said:
In about seventeen days Sony will introduce specs for their new camcorder PXW-FX6. What to expect then?

The PXW-FX6 is at the low end of their FX-series and follows the FS7/FS5 route by making a lower cost and smaller camera with reduced features than the bigger brother. As of now there's a bunch of cameras out with influencers and the camera is in full production with a built up of inventory. It was delayed a bit and should have been available this fall rather than in the beginning of 2021.

The key features is that it does use a full frame sensor with excellent AF and a useful range of S&Q modes. To set it apart from the FX9 it's based around a different circuit and operation system. The camera body is improved over the FS5 and follows the FX-line colours and buttons. One thing missing compared to the FS5 is no EVF. Instead Sony does provide a view finder piece that attaches to the touch LCD-screen. Recording modes is 10-bit 4:2:2 in both LONG-GOP and Intra depending on resolution and frame rate. It provides two XLR in, SDI and HDMI out, 2-7 stops of variable ND, S-log curves with view assist and it has a very nice grip improved over the one on the FS5 and FS7.
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No EVF is a glaring omission IMO. The EVF on the FS5 was not great but extremely useful... Any word on $ point?
 
scorsesefan said:
No EVF is a glaring omission IMO. The EVF on the FS5 was not great but extremely useful...
Click to expand...

I agree.

But I still hope that they are going to develop an optional viewfinder piece that is small and integrated into the whole design, something that doesn’t make the camera bulky. And I’m not talking about a viewfinder loupe. Canon’s EOS C300 MKIII viewfinder solution is a good example how to do it: https://i1.adis.ws/i/canon/oled_electronic_viewfinder_evf-v50_313898831331809

Those who don’t need it don’t buy it.
 
No chance. You think they are trying to make a usable tool? No. Just a random set of specs - need an evf? .. FX9 for you.

The loony thing is to me without any crippling the 6 would be more valuable than the 9 being smaller and lighter.
 
morgan_moore said:
No chance. You think they are trying to make a usable tool? No. Just a random set of specs - need an evf? .. FX9 for you.

The loony thing is to me without any crippling the 6 would be more valuable than the 9 being smaller and lighter.
Click to expand...

EVF? FX9 has an LCD screen with a clip on loupe....
I used it for 2 months shooting a comedy series.
Also used a Ninja V but certainly had no built in EVF.
I certainly agree that a FX6 sized camera would be MORE
valuable. I actually bought an A7siii but ended up selling
it as I want the built in variable nd and xlr inputs. I will
almost certainly be purchasing the FX6.
 
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The fs5/fx6 are different than the fs7/fx9 in that the former are truly handheld cams while the latter are shoulder shooters. No evf on the fx6 means a point of contact has been taken away. When I shot handheld with my fs5 it was either high on my chest or with the evf against my eye in bright conditions. The cheapest consumer cameras have evfs, so why can't Sony put one on the fx6?...
 
Did you really use the FS5 evf.. I found it just poked INTO my eye being too small.

I think dropping the EVF is becoming more common since the EVA1 and the blogeratti think they dont need one. Its only people who actually work, which may involve sunny days that need one :(

Ive got my nikon Z6 and the EVF is constantly useful because of sunny days. (its way better than the FS5 though)
 
Lately I have even managed to look into my A7SIII evf without making contact while flying it on my Ronin-S. Hugely useful. And I can pretty much judge focus by eye with my GH5 EVF whereas I can't with its lcd screen. Evf beats no evf
 
Leaked image and possible specs for the FX6:

https://www.sonyalpharumors.com/leak...unt-camcorder/

FX6-Sony.jpg

PXW-FX6 Specs:
- 10.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Full Frame 4K-class Sensor with 15+ stop Dynamic Range
- Full Frame 10bit 4:2:2 DCI 4K Up to 120fps
- Dual Base ISO 800 & 12800
- BIONZ XR Processor
- 2ch Audio Input
- SD Card / CF Express Type-A Card
- S-log 3 & S-Cinetone
- V-ND in body
- High Speed 4D AF System
- LCD Touch screen

Seems almost like it may be the same sensor as the A7SIII, but we'll know for sure on Nov. 17th
 
Wow this is exactly what we all prayed for. A proper video camera version of the A7SIII. This thing will probably be incredible, although I wish it took xqd cards...but i suppose it's nice that you can use SD cards.

Depending on what the outputs are like, maybe I'll replace my FS7 with this...
 
No EVF, while no so high quality on the FS5, it was useful. Here you'll have to buy one.

No IBIS?

Have notice the dial in the top back of the camera?
 
Teddy_Dem said:
PXW-FX6 Specs:
- 10.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Full Frame 4K-class Sensor with 15+ stop Dynamic Range
- Full Frame 10bit 4:2:2 DCI 4K Up to 120fps
- Dual Base ISO 800 & 12800
- BIONZ XR Processor
- 2ch Audio Input
- SD Card / CF Express Type-A Card
- S-log 3 & S-Cinetone
- V-ND in body
- High Speed 4D AF System
- LCD Touch screen

Seems almost like it may be the same sensor as the A7SIII, but we'll know for sure on Nov. 17th
Click to expand...

Only 2 channel audio rules out this cam for me, i often work with 2 lavaliers and a shotun at the same time.

Looks like FX9+A7s III was the best option for me after all, im fine with that. Absolutely loving the image quality coming from the 6K sensor in the big bro.
 
If it's like the FS5, the MI shoe on the handle has the communication connector so you can put the Sony dual wireless receiver (URX-P03D), which give you two additional channels.
 
Atobit said:
If it's like the FS5, the MI shoe on the handle has the communication connector so you can put the Sony dual wireless receiver (URX-P03D), which give you two additional channels.
Click to expand...

Allright, good to know. Looks like a decent camera.
 
Yes decent specs so far.
For me, the only downside is the lack of 4K in S35 mode. For news and documentary, for S35 sensors, there are quite some good zoom lenses options that are relatively small. Starting by the Canon CN-E's which works well on the FS5, you can even control the zoom with the switch on the handle.
So for zooms you'll have to go with photo zooms (not parafocal) or big and expensive cine zooms.
 
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