Sony FX30 Review

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Article: description: The Sony FX30 is a compact, affordable digital cinema camera that makes creating professional-grade videos all the easier. Get the scoop on this fantastic camera in this comprehensive review!
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In the past, video cameras were bulky, heavy, and expensive. However, in recent years, companies like Sony have released powerful new digital cinema cameras that are compact, lightweight, and affordable. One of those cameras is the award-winning Sony FX30! 

In this Sony FX30 review, we’ll share a basic camera overview, break down its video and photo specs, tell you our favorite Sony lenses to use with it, and more. Additionally, thanks to innovative online platforms like MPB, buying a used mirrorless camera has never been cheaper and easier than it is today. 

Who is MPB? It is a trustworthy and reliable online platform selling pre-owned videography and photography gear at unbeatable prices. Better yet, all of its cameras and lenses are closely hand-inspected by highly-trained product specialists with years of experience and backed by six-month warranties, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.

We are huge advocates of MPB because their online marketplace has helped us save thousands of dollars buying, selling, and trading equipment over the years. Visit their website today to save money upgrading your camera kit. Now, without further ado, it’s time to dive in and discover everything there is to know about the Sony FX30! 

Check out the Sony | Camera Channel video above to learn more about this amazing Sony cinema camera.

Table of Contents

Sony FX30: Overview

The Sony FX30 is a one-of-a-kind portable cinema camera that debuted at the end of 2022. It’s the smallest and cheapest camera in Sony’s lineup of cinema cameras, making it ideal for everyone from professional videographers to budget-conscious film students. The sturdy aluminum alloy body houses a 26.1-megapixel APS-C sensor and a Bionz XR image processor. 

The ergonomics and handling of the FX30 are off the charts thanks to its compact body, updated menu system, and customizable buttons. While there is no top LCD, the main menu gives you direct access to all the most useful settings, such as shutter speed, aperture, ISO, picture profiles, recording format, and more.

Moreover, the FX30 has lightning-fast autofocus (AF). It’s a hybrid AF system with 425 focus points that cover 90% of the sensor. AF modes include real-time tracking, face/eye autofocus, and a nifty AF assist mode, which allows you to seamlessly switch between autofocus and manual focus by turning the focus ring on your lenses. 

Now, here’s an in-depth look at the Sony FX30 specs and key features:

  • Camera Type: Mirrorless
  • Sensor: 26.1MP APS-C BSI CMOS Sensor
  • ISO: 100 - 32,000 (expandable to 50 - 102,400)
  • Lens Mount: Sony E Mount
  • Speed: No burst shooting
  • Autofocus: 495 focus points
  • Video: 4K/120p & 1080p/240p
  • Size/Weight: 130 x 78 x 85 mm / 580 grams
  • Battery Life: 570 shots
  • Stabilization: Yes
  • Touchscreen: Yes
  • Weather-Sealed: Yes
  • Used Sony FX30 Price: $1,519 - $1,529

Sony FX30: Video Capabilities

As a true cinema camera, the Sony FX30 boasts a deep set of powerful video features that regular mirrorless cameras (not even the Sony Alpha a7S III) can’t match. For starters, it records 10-bit UHD 4K video at frame rates as high as 120 frames per second (fps). One thing to note is that filming at 4K/120p, the camera applies a 1.6x crop factor to the footage. 

Our favorite video frame rate to record at is 4K/60p. That’s because it records 6K video using the entire pixel count of the sensor and then oversamples it to create stunning results. A 1080p/240p Full HD super-slow-motion video mode is also available, and it’s great for documentaries, vlogging, and social media content. 

Other spectacular video features include professional picture profiles, 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS), and a built-in fan. Picture profiles like HLG and S-Log3 capture over 14 stops of dynamic range, giving you more control when color-correcting. IBIS reduces camera shake and improves low-light performance. At the same time, the integrated fan cools down the camera during long shooting periods and prevents overheating. 

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Sony FX30: Imaging Capabilities

While it’s first and foremost a video camera, one thing that sets the Sony FX30 apart from other Sony cinema cameras is its ability to shoot still images. The pictures can’t compete with high-resolution cameras like the Sony Alpha a7R V, but the 26.1MP photos have solid image quality and sharpness.

Another innovative feature of the FX30 is that you can independently customize the menus for video and photo modes. This improves workflow speed and productivity when changing between the two. Lastly, two important things to remember are that the camera has no mechanical shutter (only electronic) or continuous shooting.

Recommended Lenses for the Sony FX30

Since the Sony FX30 utilizes an APS-C image sensor, we recommend pairing it with Sony E Fit lenses. Full-frame Sony FE Fit lenses will work with it, but the camera will crop the field of view to match the size of the sensor. With that in mind, here’s a quick list of the best Sony lenses for the FX30:

Final Thoughts on the Sony FX30

As you can see, the Sony FX30 is an incredibly unique cinema camera due to its size, imaging capabilities, and price. There aren’t many other cameras in its price range that offer everything it does! 

We think it’s an excellent choice for content creators like film students and cinematic YouTubers. However, if you are looking for a camera to shoot photos and videos equally, we recommend opting for the Sony Alpha a7R V or Sony Alpha a6600.  

Not 100% sure the Sony FX30 is the perfect fit for you? Don’t worry! We understand that purchasing a new camera is a big decision. To compare it with other video-oriented cameras, check out the list below of popular Sony cinema cameras, Sony full-frame cameras, and Sony APS-C cameras currently available at MPB:

A quick heads-up: If you snag something through our affiliate links or check out our sponsored content, we might earn a commission at no extra cost to you. But fear not, we're all about recommending stuff we're truly stoked about!

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