Sony FX2 Digital Cinema Camera with XLR Handle Unit

The Sony FX2 is the latest addition to Sony’s renowned Cinema Line, a full-frame mirrorless video camera designed for filmmakers, content creators and professionals who want a compact yet powerful device with advanced video and photography capabilities. Featuring a 33MP back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor — the same sensor used in the Sony A7 IV and A7C II — the FX2 delivers excellent image quality with over 15 stops of dynamic range. It supports 4K Super 35 video recording at 60fps with 4:2:2 10-bit sampling and 16-bit RAW output via HDMI, making it ideal for feature film productions, documentaries and social media content. Its portability and FX3-inspired design make it perfect for on-the-go shooting and solo shooting.

The 33MP sensor, paired with the BIONZ XR processor and a dedicated AI chip, delivers advanced autofocus performance, with Real-time Recognition AF offering precise tracking for humans, animals, birds, vehicles and insects in Auto mode. However, 4K/60fps recording in Super 35 results in a 1.5x crop, which may limit it compared to the FX3, which uses a 12.1MP sensor optimised for video with less rolling shutter. The FX2 compensates with a high-resolution 3.68 million dot tilting electronic viewfinder (EVF), designed for filmmakers with a deep eyepiece for optimum immersion – a unique feature among Cinema Line cameras. A 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD makes it easy to frame shots from difficult angles, while a customizable “BIG6” interface offers quick access to key parameters such as FPS, ISO, shutter speed and white balance.

The FX2 introduces support for 32-bit float audio, a first for Sony, allowing unprecedented flexibility in post-production, preventing distortion or clipping of sound, even at extreme gain levels. This feature, already found on cameras such as the Panasonic Lumix GH7, is supported via the optional XLR handle, which includes two XLR/TRS inputs for professional audio. The slightly thicker body of the FX3 retains compatibility with the same CFexpress Type A/SDXC card slots and connections, including HDMI Type-A and USB-C 3.2 Gen 2. An active cooling system with a whisper-quiet fan enables uninterrupted recording up to 4K/60p, while 5-axis optical stabilization with Active mode ensures smooth footage without the need for a gimbal. The camera supports color profiles such as S-Cinetone, S-Log3 and HLG, for seamless integration with other Cinema Line cameras such as the FX3, FX30 and FX6.

The compact design (approx. 5.1 x 3.1 x 4.1 inches, 1.5 kg with battery and handle) is optimized for solo operators, with 3 x 1/4-20 UNC mounting points for cage-less setup. An optional top handle (ILME-FX2) enhances mobility, while an optional vertical grip extends battery life for extended shoots. The FX2 also includes a vertical menu function for social media content, addressing the growing demand for vertical format video. The NP-FZ100 battery offers approximately 95 minutes of recording, while Wi-Fi and the Imaging Edge Mobile app enable quick file transfer, live streaming and remote control. The camera incorporates accessibility features such as a screen reader and display magnification, in line with Sony’s ‘Road to Zero’ environmental plan, with manufacturing in factories powered by renewable energy.

Despite its advanced capabilities, the choice of 33MP sensor has been controversial, as it is more photography-oriented than the FX3’s lower-resolution sensors, with a more pronounced rolling shutter (around 13ms in Super 35 vs. 16ms in full-frame). This may limit performance in fast-moving scenes, but Super 35 mode offers faster readout than the FX30. The FX2 is positioned as a hybrid option between the FX line and the Alpha series, ideal for those looking for a versatile device for both video and photography. 

In summary, the Sony FX2 is a mirrorless video camera that combines cinematic quality, advanced ergonomics and hybrid functionality. With its 33MP full-frame sensor, tilting EVF, 32-bit floating audio and compact design, it is ideal for those who want to create high-quality content in dynamic environments, from independent cinema to social projects.