SONY pxw-FX9 4k camera

The Sony pxw-FX9 4k camera is the long-awaited successor to the legendary PXW-FS7 and it brings some fantastic upgrades with it. The FX9 has a Full Frame 6K dual native ISO sensor, VENICE color science, upgraded auto-focus capabilities, built-in genlock and timecode, and much more.

SONY  pxw-FX9 4k camera features a full-frame 6K 35.7 by 18.8mm back-illuminated Exmore-R CMOS sensor. This sensor is stated to have 15 plus stops of dynamic range and has a resolution of 6008 x 3168.

You will be able to shoot QFHD full frame up to 30fps, 1080p full frame at up to 120fps QFHD S35 at up to 60fps, and 1080p S35 at up to 120fps. The planned firmware updates will bring Full frame DCI 4K up to 60p, Full HD full frame up to 180fps, and QFHD in Super 35 mode at up to 120fps while using an external recorder.

You can also customize the autofocus, tweaking things like the AF transition between slow, for stuff like promo videos where you want slow smooth focus movements to fast which will be great for sports.

You can also change the AF subject shift sensitivity which defines how easily the focus is switched to another subject. This goes from locked if you want to do a walk and talk for example to responsive which you may need to keep a better general focus.

Realize beautiful SONY pxw-FX9 4k camera imagery with the creative freedom made possible by oversampling a huge high-resolution full-frame sensor.

Capture every detail from the scene with shallow depth of field and stunning bokeh with a truly cinematic look. 15+ stops of dynamic range and Dual Base ISO enable the capture of every nuance, from subtle shadow detail to specular highlights with an immaculate color palette.

SONY pxw-FX9 4k camera Capturing the Impossible
Make sure your story’s always clear with enhanced Fast Hybrid AF that tracks your subject with unprecedented speed, smoothness, and precision. Its impact is transformative for premium documentaries, commercials, and event applications.

6K Full-Frame “Exmore R” Sensor for Stunning Picture Quality. The SONY pxw-FX9 4k camera’s full-frame 6K sensor provides superb recording in DCI 4K*, Ultra HD, and HD resolutions.

Powerful image processing with delayering and oversampling ensures image quality beyond the limits of conventional Super 35mm sensors. The back-illuminated CMOS image sensor also uses Sony’s Exmore R technology for improved sensitivity and noise reduction.

Compared to a 4K Super 35mm sensor, the FX9’s 6K sensor has over twice the surface area while providing a wider angle of view and shallower depth of field.

*DCI 4K (4096 x 2160 at 17:9 recording) will be available with future firmware releases.

* RAW recording requires future firmware release and an external recorder.

*ISO 800 and ISO 4000 are used in S-Log3, Cine EI mode.

*Up to 120fps with Ver1.0. Full-HD 180fps will be supported with future firmware

**In Full-frame scanning mode: selectable at 1-30fps / In S35 scanning mode: selectable at 1-60fps

*Supported in future firmware update

**Supported in future firmware updates. RAW output only

*** Supported in the future firmware update. The scanning area is cropped around 83% of full frame and 122% larger than S35. (diagonal)

Customizable AF Settings pxw-FX9 4k camera’s comprehensive autofocus settings provide the creative flexibility to integrate with any project. Customizable AF settings can be used for a wide range of situations, depending on your requirements. 

7-level AF transition speeds from Fast – switching between subjects as quickly as possible – to Slow, where speed is reduced to fit a more measured shooting style, such as a historical TV drama.

5-level AF subject shift sensitivity ranges from Locked-on – ignoring other moving subjects in the frame – to Responsive switches focus from one subject to another – ideal for snapping between race cars as they speed by.

AF Assist
You can control the MF ring during AF shooting if AF Assist is set to ON. You can adjust the focus manually even in AF shooting, you can manually operate the ring to focus the person behind.

One Push AF
While you are shooting in MF, pushing the One Push AF button enables you to change the focus mode to AF.

Autofocus with all E-Mount Lenses Experience smooth, responsive autofocus with every E-mount lens, including Sony’s new Cinema Lens Series with premium optical performance and operability for demanding cinematography applications.

Advanced E-mount lever lock operation allows quick, easy lens exchange in the field, plus added stability and security with large lenses.

World’s First Electronic Variable ND Filter for Full-Frame Sensor Realize even greater creative control with Sony’s unique built-in electronic variable neutral density (ND) filter – a world first* for professional full-frame camcorders.

Set to Auto, or adjust filter density manually in smooth increments from 1/4 to 1/128 as you shoot, for perfectly exposed images without affecting depth of field as lighting conditions change. Use higher density settings with a slower shutter speed for breathtaking artistic effects.

Proven Ergonomics & Accessories CompatibilityFX9 chassis is the latest refinement of the revolutionary FS7 design, so you can be sure it will feel great to shoot with from almost any position,

while also offering compatibility with a large proportion of the countless FS7 accessories including U-Series batteries, chargers, E-Mount lenses, plus third-party rigs, arms and lens adapters.*

The control arm is easily adjusted without tools, so FX9 adapts effortlessly to your physique and preferred shooting style – handheld, at waist level, or shoulder mounted.

16-bit RAW Capability 16-bit RAW offers a phenomenal increase in post-production creative freedom to fully exploit Sony pxw-FX9 4k camera’s exceptional 15+ stops of dynamic range.

Sony pxw-FX9 4k camera supports export of 16-bit RAW at either 4K or 2K resolution using the optional XDCA-FX9 extension unit with a single BNC cable connection to compatible external RAW recorders.**

*RAW output will be enabled with a future firmware release. Limited to 10-bit recording during 120fps high frame rate shooting within Super35 image circle

Stable, Shake-Free Handheld Footage Advanced image stabilization information means even handheld footage can be transformed with Sony Catalyst Browse/Catalyst Prepare software* in post-production to look as smooth as if it were shot with a gimbal.

Unlike in-camera or lens stabilization, metadata generated by Sony pxw-FX9 4k camera’s built-in gyro allows you to creatively choose the balance between the level of shake-compensation and the resolution of trimmed 4K imagery.

This feature is also compatible with any E-mount lens and allows for far faster processing than conventional NLE stabilization workflows**.

* Catalyst Browse/Catalyst Prepare Ver.2019.2 is required.

** Resolution and angle of view reduced compared to native footage.

LCD
Approx. 1.8x higher resolution than the FS7M, with enhanced LCD with HD resolution, has superb accuracy, high contrast, and resolution, bringing higher visibility for focusing.

Beautifully Matched Shooting Partners Optimized for professional cinematography applications, the light, compact, SELP28135G powered zoom lens is an ideal complement for the full-frame imaging possibilities of the FX9.

Circular aperture with full-frame image circle format

SONY pxw-FX9 4k camera has Cinema Lens Series

Explore new artistic possibilities and precise creative control with Sony’s Cinema Lens Series. Purpose-built for documentary production and digital cinematography with full-frame cameras such as the FX9 and VENICE.
The first lens in the series, the FE C 16-35mm T3.1 G full-frame wide-angle zoom, is due in early 2020.

Adds Shoulder-Style Operation, Advanced Networking
Further, extend the capabilities of the SONY pxw-FX9 4k camera with the optional XDCA-FX9 extension unit that optimizes camera weight distribution and ergonomics for comfortable shoulder-style shooting – ideal for ENG (Electronic News Gathering) and documentary applications.

The extension unit also adds advanced networking for streaming/file transfers and Genlock/Timecode for multi-camera shoots.

4-Channel Audio Input and Recording

The Sony pxw-FX9 4k camera offers superb audio capabilities with independent control dials for each channel. In applications such as interviews, 4-channel audio recording enables the simultaneous use of an external microphone for recording ambient sounds,

the built-in microphone for voice memos by the operator, and two optional UWP Series wireless microphones for the voice of the interviewer and interviewee.

In addition, using the optional XLR-K3M, XLR-K2M, or XLR-K1M XLR adapter – with two extra XLR inputs – allows even more devices to be connected.