AN HONEST REVIEW OF THE SONY FX6

Without their camera, a video production professional would be a doctor without a stethoscope, a mechanic without a wrench, a painter without a brush. Thus, it’s important to find a camera or ecosystem of cameras that one can rely on - and for us, that’s the Sony FX6. After two years of filming with this beast of a camera, we’ve written up some pros and cons for those looking to decide on their next camera purchase - or those simply curious about the fabled FX6.

We won’t be going over any major technical specs, but rather will be focusing on our personal experience and what we love about the FX6.

Here at Farmore, we have a diverse group of clients - this allows us to work on a variety of different projects. From product shoots to brand storytelling films, the FX6 has shown us that it can handle any project we throw at it. Let’s get into exactly why that is.

FX6 VS. Other Cameras

In our search for the perfect camera we found out that there really isn't one. We tried to toe the line between quality and cost - and although the FX6 has a higher price mark, we decided to go with a trusted and reliable brand. Relative to other cameras such as an ARRI or even Sony’s more expensive lineups like the Sony FX9 and Venice, what you get for the price with the FX6 can’t be beat. Before purchasing the FX6 we did consider going with the FX9, but the more we compared the two cameras the more clear it became that FX6 should be our choice. With the FX6 having almost all of the FX9 features in a smaller and more compact package we couldn't justify the extra cost for a very limited practical benefit. 

THE GOOD

Image Quality

Sony’s SLog3 has come a long way. The dynamic range and highlight roll off on this camera is simply amazing. Under certain conditions when our highlights are blown out, they have acr eamy look as opposed to a harsh and distracting look we would get from other cameras. Sometimes we find ourselves being able to pull back our highlights that we thought would be gone in the shot. Simply put, with correct exposure and basic knowledge of color grading you can produce a truly stunning image with this camera. 

Autofocus

Say goodbye to your First AC… just kidding. Many purists out there may not like auto focus, but in our opinion as long as we’re able to get the shot and not miss the moment - whatever works, works. Recently, we were filming a short form documentary for one of our clients. We decided to shoot all the interviews using a set of vintage Leica lenses and shoot all the b-roll using a variety of E-mount Zoom lenses. And of course, we were taking full advantage of Sony’s pristine autofocus. The ability to track a subject as they are running down the field is simply priceless and Sony allows you to customize your autofocus settings to meet your every need.

Built in NDs

Having built in NDs is a must for a camera of this caliber - and Sony did not disappoint. Sony’s Electronic Variable ND filter ranges from ¼ to 1/128 and allows for smooth exposure transitions, allowing us to dial in our exposure no matter the conditions. It also offers an auto ND that can be really helpful for shots that call for big exposure settings.

Camera Body

The FX6 body is perfect for our production needs. Weighing in at only 2lbs, if you want to build out the camera for a long day of production or fly it on a stabilizer system it affords you the ability to do so. Furthermore, the design and button layout is intuitive and responsive. It just feels right, and once you understand Sony's menu system you can easily customize your buttons ensuring that you won't miss your shot. 

Top Handle

At first glance the top handle feels very plastic-y, brittle, and bound to break - but that couldn't be further from the truth. This top handle is strong, durable, and offers a set of amazing audio and shooting features. Not to mention that it is made from a production-tested, lightweight magnesium alloy. We love that when we’re shooting something low to the ground, we’re able to roll with the top handle. The audio portion of the handle gives you up to four inputs, and we have relied on the built in preamps for many of our shoots which allows us to have clean and clear audio sent right to the camera. Our editors love us for it!

Durability

We have put this camera through its course and it has surpassed all our expectations. This camera has not let us down in all kinds of climates. It has been reliable and has taken its share of beatings, whether we are filming in the studio or in the hot and unforgiving climate of the Bahamas. We can truly say that this camera is well designed and Sony did an excellent job ensuring that each unit is dependable and durable.

Codec & Resolutions

Sony offers a variety of flavors when it comes to codec and resolutions. Here at Farmore, we stick with XAV-I 4:2:2 10 bit and XAV-L 4:2:2 10 bit. Depending on the project we may choose a variety of resolutions, but we mostly film in UHD. In our experience, the XAV-L holds up exceptionally well when it's time to do our color pass. I would recommend this codec if you are doing long interviews or a multicam shoot that requires a lot of time and space.

Dual Native ISO

Having two native ISOs as an option in your camera is an amazing feature - especially if they’re 800 and 12,800. Sony’s low light capabilities are remarkable and it's just an added boost knowing that you can “shoot how it looks.” Meaning, if the scene is supposed to feel dim and moody you can light it that way and not overcompensate in your lighting because your sensor is not able to capture that particular scene. In our experience, the 12,800 is clean and more than capable in our post production workflow.

THE BAD

Top Handle

Although it’s one of our favorite parts of the camera, we wish Sony would've developed a better way to make sure the handle locks better. Currently, you have to screw in the handle using two fixed thumb screws that over time tend to loosen up making it feel not as tight and secure. Just make sure that you check that the thumb screws are securely down throughout your shoot.

Super 35 Mode

Although we don't shoot a lot in S35 mode, we do wish that we had more options resolution-wise. Currently Sony only has the option to film in 1080P. Perhaps this can be changed with a firmware update, regardless - it's not a deal breaker for us.

Availability

You can't buy this camera even if you wanted to! Currently due to supply chain issues, it’s very difficult to just order this camera and have it shipped to you without overpaying. We are lucky that we were able to buy two before things got a bit more difficult.

There isn't that much we don't like about this camera. The above issues are very minimal and can be overcome with proper preparation.

CONCLUSION

The Sony FX6 is a workhorse. Its robust and lightweight material is only an added benefit to its exceptional image quality and feasibility. Its internal NDs, dual native ISOs, industry leading autofocus, and so on make it a camera worth investing in and relying on. This camera will hold its value for years to come. 

Want to see some projects we’ve shot on the FX6? Head on over to our portfolio!