When the Sony FX3 is the Better Choice
The Sony FX3 is at its best when keeping the camera small, light and unobtrusive is important. At around 1kg including the supplied accessories, it is considerably smaller and lighter than a traditional cinema camera setup.
Advantages of the FX3
Small and lightweight
The biggest advantage of the FX3 is simply its size. This makes it particularly useful for:
- Gimbal work
- Small spaces
- Vehicles
- Crowded locations
- Handheld documentary work
- Travel and location filming
- Low-profile filming in public
It is much easier to put an FX3 on a gimbal without having to build an enormous rig around it. For shots where you're constantly moving the camera, this can make a significant difference.
Less intimidating in public
This is something that can easily be overlooked.
An FX3 with a small lens doesn't necessarily look like a traditional television camera. If you're filming in a busy public environment, this can make it considerably less intrusive.
For documentaries, social content, street filming and observational work, being able to work without drawing unnecessary attention can be a real advantage.
Excellent autofocus
Paired with Sony's autofocus lenses, particularly the Sony G Master range, the FX3 can be extremely effective when you don't have a dedicated focus puller. This is particularly useful when working quickly or operating the camera yourself.
Lower rental cost
The FX3 is also generally the more economical option, making it particularly attractive for independent productions, content creators and smaller crews.
The Disadvantages of the FX3
The compact design comes with compromises. Sony has managed to put a huge amount into a very small body, but it doesn't have the physical controls and connectivity of a proper shoulder-style cinema camera.
It can actually be too light for handheld work
The FX3's low weight is fantastic on a gimbal, but less helpful when you're trying to achieve stable handheld shots.
A heavier camera naturally has more inertia, making small movements less noticeable. An FX3 with a small lens can feel almost too light, particularly when you're trying to operate it handheld for long periods.
Adding a cage, rods, monitor, battery solution and other accessories can help, but you're then starting to lose the main advantage of choosing the FX3 in the first place.
No built-in ND filters
This is one of the biggest practical differences between the two cameras.
The FX6 has a built-in electronic variable ND filter, covering approximately 1/4 to 1/128 ND.
The FX3 doesn't have this.
For exterior filming, particularly when shooting with a wide aperture, you'll therefore need to use external ND filters. This can mean adding a matte box, filter holder or variable ND to the setup.
For a controlled shoot this isn't a huge problem, but when you're moving quickly between different lighting conditions, the FX6's built-in ND system is a major advantage.
Monitoring is less convenient
The FX3 has a 3-inch articulating LCD, but it doesn't have the same professional viewfinder arrangement as the FX6.
There is no proper monocular viewfinder to shield your eye from bright sunlight, and the screen isn't as easily positioned for comfortable eye-level operation.
For controlled interiors this is rarely a problem. Outside in bright sunlight, however, it becomes much more noticeable.
HDMI rather than SDI
The FX3 provides a full-size HDMI output, but doesn't have SDI.
That's perfectly adequate for many smaller productions, monitors and gimbals, but SDI is much more common in professional film and television workflows.
The FX6, by comparison, provides 12G-SDI, as well as HDMI, making it considerably easier to integrate into professional monitoring and broadcast setups.
Fewer power and accessory options
The FX3's small body also means fewer options for powering and mounting professional accessories directly from the camera.
Once you start adding:
- Wireless video
- External monitors
- Follow focus motors
- Multiple accessories
- Larger batteries
- Professional monitoring
the FX6 starts to make much more sense.
When the Sony FX6 Is the Better Choice
The FX6 is the camera to choose when the shoot starts looking more like a conventional professional film or television production.
It remains relatively compact, but gives you the controls, connections and physical design you would expect from a professional video camera.
Advantages of the FX6
Built-in electronic variable ND
This is probably the biggest day-to-day advantage.
The FX6's variable ND allows you to control exposure without changing your aperture or shutter speed. This is particularly useful when shooting outdoors and maintaining a shallow depth of field.
For documentary, drama and observational filming, being able to turn the ND dial as you move from shade into sunlight can save a huge amount of time.
Much better suited to handheld operation
The FX6 has a more conventional professional camera design, with a proper handle, grip and more substantial body.
It's still relatively lightweight compared with many cinema cameras, but it feels much more natural when operated handheld.
This makes it particularly useful for:
- Documentary
- Television
- Drama
- Events
- Interviews
- Corporate filming
- Long periods of handheld shooting
SDI connectivity
The inclusion of 12G-SDI makes the FX6 much easier to integrate with professional monitors, wireless video systems, OB setups and other broadcast equipment.
If your production already uses SDI, the FX6 is usually the much simpler camera to build into the workflow.
Better professional controls
The FX6 is designed around the needs of an operator rather than trying to fit professional video functionality into a small mirrorless body.
Things such as ND, audio, timecode and monitoring are much easier to access while shooting.
It also has dedicated XLR audio inputs and BNC timecode connections, further separating it from the more compact FX3 workflow.
The Disadvantages of the FX6
Bigger and more noticeable
The FX6 isn't huge, but it looks like a professional video camera.
That can be a positive on a conventional production, but less so when you're trying to remain discreet.
For observational documentary work in public, an FX3 can sometimes be a much less intrusive option.
Less convenient for gimbal work
The FX6 can absolutely be used on a gimbal, but its larger body and professional accessories make it considerably more cumbersome than an FX3.
If your shoot involves a lot of gimbal work, particularly with a small lens, the FX3 is often the more sensible choice.
More expensive
The FX6 generally costs more to hire and requires a slightly larger package around it. If you're producing simple content where you don't need SDI, built-in ND or professional camera controls, that additional cost may not provide much practical benefit.
So Which One Should You Choose?
Rather than thinking of the FX3 as a cheaper FX6, it's better to think of them as two cameras designed around different shooting styles.
Choose the Sony FX3 if:
- You're using a gimbal
- You're working in confined spaces
- You need a small, lightweight camera
- You're filming discreetly in public
- You're working with a small crew
- You're operating the camera yourself
- You want excellent autofocus
- You're working to a tighter budget
- You don't need SDI
- External ND isn't a problem
Choose the Sony FX6 if:
- You're shooting professional television or documentary
- You're doing lots of handheld work
- You need built-in ND
- You need SDI
- You're using professional wireless monitoring
- You need better power and accessory integration
- You're working with a larger camera department
- You want a more conventional professional camera operating experience
Sometimes the Best Answer Is Both
For larger productions, there's no reason the FX3 and FX6 can't work alongside each other.
An FX6 can be your main camera for interviews, handheld work and conventional coverage, while an FX3 can be put on a gimbal, mounted inside a vehicle or used for shots where a larger camera would be impractical.
That combination can give you the best of both worlds: the professional workflow of the FX6 and the compact flexibility of the FX3.
At Kit Cabin, we can supply both cameras and the supporting lenses, monitoring, batteries, gimbals and accessories you need, with equipment delivered throughout the UK.