Sony FX9 FAQ
Alpha Series |
PXW-FS5 II |
PXW-FS7 II |
PXW-FX9 |
PMW-F55 |
VENICE |
Click above for resources on specific Sony 4k camera models.
Below is our Sony FX9 FAQ list. If you don’t find the answer to your question on this page, please reach out to us via email or phone and we would be happy to get all of your questions answered.
- What are the differences between the FS7II and the new FX9?
- What is the deal with dual native ISO?
- What codecs and frame rates are available?
- Can I record RAW?
- What editors support XAVC?
- What media does the FX9 use?
- What card reader options are there?
- What improvements have been made to the FX9s sensor technology?
- What are the benefits of using a Full Frame 6k sensor?
- Can I use the full frame sensor to record 6k?
- What color spaces are available on the FX9?
- What is S-Cinetone?
- Does the FX9 support Hybrid Log Gamma?
- Can you display LUTs on high frame rate playback?
- What is the dynamic range of the FX9?
- What lens mounting options are there?
- How does the electronic variable ND filter work?
- Does the FX9 have a global shutter?
- What is the latest firmware version?
- How does false color worzk?
- What is the power draw of the FX9 camera?
- Does FX9 have power outputs?
- Does the FX9 have cache recording?
- Can I remotely control the camera?
- Can I manually set the White Balance?
- What is the new hybrid AF system?
- What features have been added with facial recognition?
Q. What are the differences between the FS7 and the FX9?
A. The differences between these cameras is too significant to list as part of a FAQ. Follow this link to a full page explanation of all of the differences between them.
Q. What is the deal with dual native ISO?
A. Our best understanding of Dual Native ISO is that there are two different circuits for collecting light as it hits the sensor prior to analog-to-digital conversion that allows the camera to have two base ISO settings. Conceptually it might be easier to think of the Daul ISO’s as gears on your car. When you have plenty of light you use ISO 800 (1st gear). When the available light starts to diminish you can kick it up to ISO 4000 (2nd gear) to get a lot more legs out of the same camera system. Click here to check out a deeper dive into Dual Native ISO and Shot Noise.
Q. What codecs and frame rates are available?
The above table reflects XAVC-I recording. The FX9 also has XAVC-L, XAVC Proxy, and MPEG HD422 recording options.
Q. Can I record RAW?
A. Not internally. Using the newly announced XDCA-FX9 it will be possible to output 16-bit RAW to an external recorder. This will require a future firmware update, currently tentatively scheduled for summer of 2020. As of September 2019 only ATOMOS has announced support for this format on their NEON monitors. We expect that more monitors and manufacturers will announce support now that the camera has been announced.
Q. What editors support XAVC?
A. XAVC is supported on all major NLE programs.
Q. What media does the FX9 use?
A. Just like the FS7 the FX9 uses dual XQD card slots for recording. A new feature of the FX9 is the ability to record proxy media to the utility SD card slot. Prior to the FX9 the utility SD slot was not capable of any media recording.
Q. What card reader options are available?
A. There are a number of XQD card readers available on the market from Sony and 3rd party manufacturers.
Q. What improvements have been made to the FX9s sensor technology?
A. The new sensor is a full-frame 6k Exmor R CMOS sensor. It uses Back-illuminated CMOS technology, allowing more light to reach the sensor diodes. This combined with 15+ stops of latitude and an 800/4000 ISO dual native ISO, makes shooting in any light a pleasure.
Q. What are the benefits of using a Full Frame 6k Sensor?
A. The back-illuminated full-frame 6K Exmor R image sensor oversamples 6008 x 3168 resolution to create its 4K images. The full frame sensor has a lower pixel density than smaller sensors of the same resolution. This results in cleaner looking images in low light. Like any other full frame sensor, one of the biggest benefits is the ease at which it creates a shallow depth of field and combined with the worlds first electronic ND filter for full frame gives you ultimate control for all of your bokeh needs.
Q. Can I use the Full Frame to record 6k?
A. No, the full frame 6k sensor was designed for over the oversampling of 4k images, maxing out at DCI 4k (4096×2160) at 30-60fps, with future firmware updates.
Q. What color spaces are available on the FX9?
A. VENICE has both SGammut3 and SGammut3.cine color spaces. SGammut3 has a larger over all color space but SGammut3.cine is easier to grade. Both have more colors than print film.
Q. What Is S-Cinetone?
A. Like VENICE, the FX9 includes S-Log 3 and S-Gamut 3 Cine but Sony added a new color science called S-Cinetone that’s said to have a more accurate color gamut and skin tones for a better cinematic look straight out of the box.
Q. Does the FX9 support Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG)?
A. At launch it does not appear that Hybrid Log Gamma is available for direct recording. However, anything recorded using Slog-3 is easily converted into HLG in post.
Q. Can you display LUTs on high frame rate playback?
A. Yes. All of the look/LUT options are available in all recording and playback modes.
Q. What is the dynamic range of the FX9?
A. The FX9 is rated at over 15 stops of dynamic range. The actual captured dynamic range of the camera has not been tested as of this time.
Q. What lens mounting options are there?
A. The FX9 has a locking E-mount, just like the FS7m2 and VENICE cameras. E-mount gives you the ultimate in versatility, allowing for the use of any native E-mount lens, as well as being able to adapt the camera to nearly any lens mount ever made.
Q. How does the variable ND filter work?
A. Just like on the FS7m2 and the FS5, the variable ND filter is a single filter that is moved into place when you rotate the ND filter knob. Once the filter is in place you have a bunch of options. You can use preset values and switch between them using the knob. These values are user adjustable. You can do manual variable control using the dedicated ND filter wheel on the side of the camera. Or you can assign the ND filter to automatically control the exposure of the camera. The range of ND filtration is from 2 stops (1/4th) to 7 stops (1/128th).
Q. Does FX9 have a global shutter?
A. No. The sensor does have a high-speed read out that comes close to elimination rolling shutter artifacts. We hope to have some sample footage soon.
Q. What is the latest firmware version?
A. Since this is a newly announced camera, the current firmware version is 1.0. The next firmware update is tentatively slated for Summer 2020.
Q. How does false color work?
A. It is not clear yet if the FX9 will have false color as we have not seen one yet, but false color functions very similarly to a waveform in that it evaluates the IRE values of an image, but instead of being represented by a graph, it overlays colors on areas with certain IRE values. For example 18% grey will appear green in false color when exposed properly (41-42 IRE). It is possible to customize the false color.
Q. What is the power draw of the FX9?
A. Approx. 35.2 W (while recording XAVC-I QFHD 59.94p, SELP28135G Lens, Viewfinder ON, not using external device)
Q. Does FX9 have power outputs?
A. No, but the XDCA-FX9 extension unit has several power outputs.
Q. Does the FX9 have cache recording?
A. There is no information available right now on cache recording functionality, our hope is that since this camera is designed for varied use that there will be some form of cache recording functionality.
Q. Can I remotely control the camera?
A. Yes, The FX9 features internal 5GHz and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi capability. Content Browser Mobile™ allows the PXW-FX9 to be controlled remotely from a smartphone or tablet computer via a Wi-Fi connection. Adjust the exposure level, zoom, Record/Stop and more via your mobile device or from a computer through the built-in Ethernet port.
Q. Can I manually set the white balance?
A. Yes. You can manually set both the color temp (blue/yellow) and tint (magenta/green). You can also do a push button white balance.
Q. What is the new Hybrid AF System?
A. Hybrid AF on the FX9 allows for control of the manual focus ring while in AF when AF Assist is set to ON. This allows the user to manually rack focus to a different subject, and with the help of face recognition AF will resume control, continuing track the new subject. The Hybrid AF is also customizable, allowing for adjustment of AF transition speed and subject shift sensitivity.
Q. What features have been added utilizing facial recognition?
A. Sony has implemented three new noteworthy features that utilize facial recognition: Face Priority AF, Face Only AF, and Face Registration. These features allow the user to prioritize faces over other objects or ignore objects completely. Additionally, with Face Registration, the camera can be set to prioritize a specific pre-registered face among a crowd.
