Sony launches flagship FX9 camcorder with newly-developed Full-Frame¹ sensor, Fast Hybrid Auto Focus system and enhanced mobility features

Sony today unveils the PXW-FX9, its first XDCAM camcorder featuring an advanced 6K² Full-Frame sensor and Fast Hybrid Auto Focus (AF) system. The new flagship camcorder offers content creators greater creative capabilities to capture stunning images that truly resonate with audiences.

Building on the success of the PXW-FS7 and PXW-FS7M2, the FX9 uniquely combines high mobility with an advanced AF system, impressive bokeh and slow-motion capabilities thanks to its newly-developed sensor. The FX9 also inherits its colour science and Dual Base ISO 800/4000 from the VENICE digital motion picture camera and represents the ultimate tool of choice for documentaries, music videos, drama productions and all-round event shooting.

The FX9 was designed in close collaboration with the creative community and is another example of Sony continuously evolving its proposition to innovate with the customer and market needs. The camcorder benefits from the versatility, portability and performance expected of an FS7 series “Run & Gun” style camcorder, while also offering High Dynamic Range and Full Frame shooting features.

“Today’s content creators require a camcorder that is agile, versatile and customisable to their specific creative needs, yet also offers superior performance and image quality. With the new FX9 we are striking the perfect balance between agility, ergonomics and powerful features, offering content creators the complete toolset to achieve their full artistic intention,” explained Hany Bartella, Business Head – Broadcast & Media ME, Sony Professional Solutions MEA. “At Sony, we consistently listen to our customers and every product, solution or service we unveil has always been developed with their specific needs in mind. Our latest flagship camcorder is no different and we are excited to see how it will help content creators to go make tomorrow.”

Powerful features for creative content creators

The newly-developed 6K Full-Frame sensor offers wide dynamic range with high sensitivity, low noise and over 15 stops of latitude that can be recorded internally in 4K³ 4:2:2 10bit. Oversampling by the Full-Frame 6K sensor allows professionals to create high-quality 4K footage with impressive bokeh effects through shallow depth of field, while wide-angle shooting opens new possibilities for content creators to express their creativity. This means that every scene captured looks true-to-life whether it’s shot in broad day light or in the middle of the night. The camcorder can also capture content up to five times the slow-motion speed with FHD 120fps shooting.

With the same colour science and Dual Base ISO 800/4000 as the VENICE camera, the new sensor can also create softer and more alluring facial tones.

The enhanced Fast Hybrid AF system with customisable AF transition speeds and sensitivity settings also combines phase detection AF for fast, accurate subject tracking with contrast AF for exceptional focus accuracy. The dedicated 561-point phase-detection AF sensor covers approximately 94% in width and 96% in height of imaging area, allowing consistently accurate, responsive AF tracking, even with fast-moving subjects while maintaining shallow depth of field.

Limitless creativity and flexibility

Inspired by the high mobility “Run & Gun” style approach from the FS7 series of camcorders, the FX9 offers content creators even greater flexibility thanks to Electronic Variable ND Filter. This allows more creative effects for content creators and instant exposure level changes depending on the filming environment – even when it’s moving from an inside space to outdoors or while filming in natural light conditions. By recording image stabilisation information and using it on the Catalyst Browse/Prepare⁴ option, content creators can capture incredibly stable visuals even in handheld mode. Sony is also working to encourage other third party none-linear editing tools to adopt this functionality.

The FX9 comes with a range of customisations and expansion features. These include compatibility with the new UWP-D series of wireless microphones via Multi Interface Shoe™ (MI Shoe) with digital audio interface, the XDCA-FX9 extension kit enabling 10bit S35 4K 120fps and 16bit RAW output⁵, compatibility with Sony BP-GL and BP-FL series batteries, D-Tap, RJ-45 interface and stable “Dual Link” streaming by using two carrier lines, as well as DWX slot-in type digital wireless receiver commonly used in broadcasting settings⁵. The FX9 will also be compatible with the newly launched E-mount lens FE C 16-35mm T3.1 G, which uniquely balances full manual operability for movie shooting and auto-control functions.

“Based on our ongoing conversations with customers, partners and the wider industry, we at Sony understand the needs of today’s creative storytellers – from the world’s top cinematographers, to documentary film makers, music video directors or broadcasters. What they all need is a flexible camera that allows them to tell their own unique story, no matter the environment they operate in. Our next-generation FX9 not only captures stunning visuals with life-like image quality, but it also offers advanced AF features and customisation options. This makes it the ultimate creative tool for modern content creators,” concludes Hany Bartella.

The FX9 will be available towards the end of 2019 and on display at the Sony stand (A10, Hall 13) at IBC 2019 from the 13^th – 17^th September. For more information please visit  www.pro.sony/ibc

¹Initially supported recoding aspect is 16:9. 17:9 (active about 19M pixel) will be supported by future update.

²6K Oversampling, not capable of 6K recording

³3840×2160 recording is initially supported and 4096×2160 recording will be supported by future update.

⁴Planned to be supported by Ver.2019.2 in December 2019

⁵Raw output function and DWX compatibility will be supported by future update

A future update will be scheduled sequentially for summer 2020. Further details will be announced.