Sony has announced new Sony firmware updates for the FX3 (Ver. 3.00) and FX30 (Ver. 2.00). Now, I don’t believe the FX3 (Ver. 3.00) is actually available to download yet, but it should be soon.
So what is new? The biggest new additions are:
- 4K DCI
- In-camera anamorphic de-squeeze
- 24p recording
Straight off the top, I will say it is very strange that Sony has given the FX3 and FX30 these features, but the more expensive, and arguably more professional digital cinema camera the FX6 can’t do any anamorphic de-squeeze.
Sony still hasn’t added shutter angle to the FX3 or FX30 in this update.
4K DCI & 24p
You can now record in 4K DCI which is useful for certain shooting scenarios and if you want to deliver in UHD, but want a slight amount of wiggle room for reframing.
There is also now a 24p recording option. This is handy if you are making something for a cinematic release or for screening at a film festival. While this is nice to have, there probably isn’t going to be a big proportion of FX3 and FX30 users doing this. In saying that, if you were using the FX3 or FX30 as a B or C camera then having the ability to record at the same frame rate as your main camera is useful.
Anamorphic de-squeeze options
Sony has also added anamorphic de-squeeze options to both cameras. While the FX3 and FX30 don’t have any anamorphic modes at least you now have the option to view de-squeezed images in camera instead of having to use an external monitor. Unfortunately, the de-squeeze options are limited to 1.33x and 2x. I am not sure why there isn’t any opinion for 1.5x or 1.8x. The de-squeeze options are available on the monitor and over HDMI. What is a little bizarre is that you can only activate the de-squeeze options when shooting in Log. It is greyed out when any other picture profile is selected. You also can’t use image stabilization.
1.33x anamorphic lenses work well n 16:9 sensors, but 2x not so much. If you view a 2x de-squeezed image on a 16:9 or 17:9 recording mode you will end up with a very, very wide image. To help with this issue, Sony includes 2.39:1 visual markers.
Other new additions
Apart from the 4K DCI, 24p, and anamorphic de-squeeze options, Sony has also given the cameras some other new capabilities.
- S&Q modes can now be changed when assigned to a custom button when using the FX3
- The Sony Creators’ App is now compatible with the FX30 and FX3 and it allows wireless remote control of the camera and the ability to connect to the Creators’ Cloud.
- Camera ID and reel number are now displayed in the same file format as Sony’s other digital cinema cameras.
How to update the FX3
Before installing the update, please note and check the following:
- Precautions when updating from Ver. 2.00and Ver. 2.01
Updating to version 3.00 will delete the LUT (Look-Up Table) settings in the camera. Re-register the LUT settings after the update is complete. - Precautions when updating from Ver. 1.01 or earlier
- After updating to Ver. 2.00 or later, the camera settings will be reset to the default values.
Note: Since this update adds functions and makes major specification changes, the camera settings will be initialized as part of the update process. It is recommended that you make note of all the camera settings before proceeding. Even if you have saved the settings using the various save features available (such as Save/Load Settings and Save/Load FTP Settings) the settings before Ver. 1.01 cannot be read by the camera after the upgrade to Ver. 2.00 or later. - With the addition of the log shooting mode, the picture profiles were reviewed and the gamma setting S-Log2 is no longer included. After the update, you will need to use the gamma setting S-Log3.
- You will be able to connect to the Imaging Edge Mobile app more easily. After pairing the app with the camera, you can transfer images and shoot remotely just by operating the app. Refer to Pairing the camera with a smartphone (Smartphone Regist.) in the Help Guide for detail. Along with this, the NFC one-touch connection function used up to Ver. 1.01 of the camera will no longer be available.
Note: You will also need to update the Imaging Edge Mobile app to Ver. 7.7 or later, and register as a new camera after the update.
- After updating to Ver. 2.00 or later, the camera settings will be reset to the default values.
- For customers who have been using the Imaging Edge Mobile app:
- Updated cameras will no longer be able to connect to the Imaging Edge Mobile app. After updating the camera, install the Creators’ App.
- Please make sure the Imaging Edge Mobile app is the latest version (Ver.7.7.2 or later) in order to pair the camera with the Creators’ App. If the Imaging Edge Mobile app is not the latest version, update it before trying to pair the camera with the Creators’ App.
- If you are using an iPhone/iPad, after updating the camera, turn off the iPhone/iPad and turn it on again (restart). Then pair the camera with the Creators’ App. For instructions on installing and connecting the Creators’ App, please refer to the Migrating from Imaging Edge Mobile app to Creators’ App article.
