The Sony FX Line, Compared: Which One Should You Rent?
The Sony Cinema Line covers everything from compact hybrid bodies to the full-frame VENICE 2. The FX series sits in the middle of that range — five compact, capable cinema cameras that share Sony's color science, gamma, and lens mount, but each tuned for a specific kind of production.
Here's how the line breaks down.
What the FX bodies share
Matching S-Cinetone curve built based on the VENICE color science
S-Log3 gamma curve, 15 stops of dynamic range (FX30 is 14)
Dual Native Sensitivity (FX30, 3, 6) & Dual Base ISO for the FX9
E-mount — 60+ native lenses
Built to intercut with each other, and with the rest of the Sony Cinema Line.
The practical upshot: footage cuts together. An FX3 on a gimbal, an FX6 on sticks, and an FX9 on a shoulder will intercut in post, and they'll cut into VENICE and BURANO footage from the CineAlta side of the line.
FX3
The halo camera that the FX30 and FX2 are derived from. Full-frame sensor, compact form factor, built for solo operators and small crews who need cinema-grade image quality without a full cine rig. Shares the S-Cinetone color science, S-Log3 gamma, and E-mount lens compatibility that run across the rest of the line, so footage intercuts cleanly with the FX6, FX9, and the CineAlta bodies above them.
Full-frame 4K sensor
15+ stops of dynamic range
Dual Native Sensitivity: 800 / 12,800
4K up to 120fps, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal
Cine EI, focus breathing compensation, and 24.00p DCI 4K
Clear Image Zoom
XLR audio input option
FX30
Derived from the FX3 body. Its compact form factor opens up rigs bigger cameras can't live on (gimbals, drones, car mounts, crash cams) while keeping the image pipeline consistent with the rest of the line. The core difference from the FX3 is sensor size: the FX3 carries a full-frame sensor, the FX30 carries a Super 35 sensor. That gap shows up most in low light, where the FX3's dual native sensitivity tops out at 12,800 vs. the FX30's 2,500.
Super 35 (APS-C) 4K sensor
14+ stops of dynamic range
Dual Native Sensitivity: 800 / 2,500
4K up to 120fps, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal
16-bit RAW over HDMI
Clear Image Zoom
XLR audio input option
Who it's for: Commercial, narrative, and doc productions that need a Super 35 body. A-cam for budget-conscious projects, B-cam to an FX3 or FX6, and the go-to for gimbal, drone, and mounted work.
When not to pick it: Low light, where the FX3's full-frame sensor has the clear advantage.
FX2
The newest body in the FX series. Carries a 33MP full-frame sensor, a built-in tilting OLED EVF, and AI-powered subject recognition for stills and video. The most affordable full-frame body in the Cinema Line.
What sets it apart: it's built for hybrid stills and video work in a way the rest of the line isn't. 33MP photos in S-Log3, user LUTs applied to stills in-camera, and a hardware toggle between movie and still modes.
33MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor
15+ stops of dynamic range
Base ISO 800 / 4,000 in S-Log3
4K up to 60fps (S35 crop), FHD up to 120fps
10-bit 4:2:2 XAVC S-I, 16-bit RAW output
3.68m-dot tilting OLED EVF
AI-powered Real-time Recognition AF
XLR audio input option (via XLR-H1 handle)
Who it's for: Independent creators, content producers, and small crews who need stills and video from one body. Hybrid commercial work, branded content, and documentary shoots where the EVF earns its keep in bright sun.
When not to pick it: Anything that needs internal RAW, uncropped 4K/60p, or the FX3's low-light range.
FX6
A dedicated cine body. Its defining feature is the built-in electronic variable ND, smooth from 1/4 to 1/128. Ramp exposure mid-shot without touching iris or shutter. A staple for documentary, commercial, and narrative productions.
Full-frame 4K sensor
15+ stops of dynamic range
Dual Native Sensitivity: 800 / 12,800
4K DCI up to 60p, UHD up to 120p, FHD up to 240p
16-bit RAW over SDI
Built-in electronic variable ND (1/4 to 1/128)
Clear Image Zoom
XLR audio input option
Who it's for: Documentary, commercial, narrative, music video, and branded content productions that need cine ergonomics, full-frame image quality, and built-in ND. The workhorse of the line.
When not to pick it: Tight, weight-sensitive setups where the FX3 or FX30 would do the same job in a smaller package.
FX9
Designed for shoulder-mount operation, with ergonomics and I/O oriented toward long-form work. Common on documentary, episodic, and commercial sets.
Full-frame 6K sensor, oversampled to 4K
15+ stops of dynamic range
Dual Base ISO: 800 / 4,000
4K DCI up to 60p
16-bit RAW via XDCA-FX9 extension
Built-in electronic variable ND (1/4 to 1/128)
561-point hybrid AF, 94% frame coverage
XLR audio input option
Who it's for: Documentary, episodic television, commercial, and narrative productions that benefit from 6K oversampling, full-crew I/O, and class-leading autofocus. The body to reach for when image quality and operational depth matter more than size.
When not to pick it: Short turnarounds or gimbal work.
Book or test
The full Sony FX line is bookable online at DFIRentals.com, with pickup or two-hour delivery in Los Angeles.
If you're deciding between any of the bodies, schedule a camera test at our Downtown LA shop!