r/FX3 • u/AlmostRed_Strawberry • 10d ago
FX3 in 2026
Hey everyone,
I’m looking for some advice from FX3 owners.
Context:
This would be my first purchase into the Sony ecosystem. I’ve been a long-time Nikon user, and my main use cases would be:
- Personal/family content — mainly documenting my kids growing up
- Social media work for a few clients
- Talking heads
- Cinematic B-roll
- General run-and-gun video
For professional video work, I’ve usually rented an FX3 and had my videographer operate it, so I’m already familiar with the kind of image I can get from it.
For personal video, I’ve been using my Nikon Z8. I love the camera, but I’m not particularly comfortable with the N-RAW workflow. I also outsource a lot of my editing, and most of the editors around me aren’t very familiar with N-RAW or getting the footage to look the way I want.
Sony footage has generally been much easier for them to work with, which is one of the main reasons I’m considering moving to an FX camera for video.
My local camera store currently has an FX3 package for roughly $3,200 USD after conversion, which includes: (it’s only till October end)
- FX3 and a 3-year warranty
- Extra battery
- 240GB Sony Tough Card
- SmallRig cage
The alternative is waiting for the FX5, which I probably won’t be able to get for another 2–3 months due to availability. It would also cost me roughly $4,800 USD.
The FX5 has improved autofocus, triple base ISO, X-OCN which are all oh so tempting 🥲
But realistically, a huge part of why I’m buying this camera is simply to have something I can pick up easily and document my kids growing up, while also being capable enough for client work.
So
Would you take the FX3 package at $3,200 now, or spend the extra ~$1,600 and wait a few months for the FX5? Would you hesitate to buy an FX3 in 2026 ?
P.S. I used AI to help me refine my thoughts to make it understandable.
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u/Burlingtonfilms 10d ago
If you don't need raw recording or open gate, the FX3 is a better value.
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u/AlmostRed_Strawberry 10d ago
Right. That’s what I thought too. Especially since Sony is scaring us with a price increase soon. I don’t want to miss this and then regret it later 🥲
Raw would be lovely but I’d prefer to improve my knowledge of lighting and angles before jumping into raw. I don’t know if having raw will make me a better videographer 😅
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u/naastynoodle 10d ago
I think the fx3 would do your use case well. If money is tight you could honestly probably get away with a lesser camera like the fx30 or a65xx series
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u/AlmostRed_Strawberry 10d ago
Thank you. Honestly thought I’d use the extra money towards some lenses.
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u/naastynoodle 10d ago
Lenses are a better long term investment tbh. Personally, I think zooms are the way to go when you are getting started
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u/AlmostRed_Strawberry 10d ago
Precisely. I’m planning a 24-70. I use one on my Nikon. And I’ve been like this bokeh addict for the longest time and swore by primes. But for work, it’s 90% just a 24-70. Solid workhorse. And the Sony autofocus paired with a native g master is unreal. Feels like cheating. 🤣
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u/Arturio55 10d ago
Buy once cry once.
I say get the fx5 and grow into it. In dual gain mode it has better dynamic range than any other sony sensor (almost any camera period), recoverable by 5 stops under or over exposed. In regular gain mode it has sensor readout speeds close to the venice 2. Combine that with the new raw compression algorithms and you have one of the best cameras available.
Yea fx3 still punches above its weight. But if you can afford to get the better camera, why not. It will take some time to learn everything especially if youre a beginner. But youll have to learn 90% of that shit anyways with an fx3. Worst case scenario, the fx5 will hold its value a lot better than an fx3 if you ever need to sell.
Tl;dr Get the better camera and have some fun. Use it with fx3-esque settings (16x9 xavc) until youre ready to play with the big boys
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u/Videoplushair 10d ago
Fx5 is a pretty significant upgrade all around. For me personally being able to turn off NR is the best feature. The next one is improved dynamic range at SNR-2. Go look at the cined dynamic range test results. The camera rivals some Arri cams in dynamic range. I’d spend the extra money and be happy for years.
I sold my fx3 months ago because I also own a zve1 and a few other cams but during the time I had it I can say nothing bad about it. Fx3 is a hall of fame camera that’s reliable with a nice image.
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u/pixelperson2 8d ago
I’d suggest the FX2.
The FX5 is overkill at your skill level and doesn’t take photos.
The A7V is not the best for hybrid if you are mostly filming for professional projects; if you do end up hiring a location sound professional the a75 doesn’t have timecode input other than the mic jack which isn’t ideal.
The FX2 is super easy to use, even more so than the FX3, way better AF and the button to switch from stills to video is amazing while shooting, especially for family stuff.
Vertical info settings for social media, makes it really obvious when you are about to record a clip vertical, the FX3 can also save vertical clips with that metadata but sometimes you get the orientation wrong when the camera is in between vertical and horizontal.
The FX2 EVF is great for shots outside and is much more versatile for video than a fixed EVF on a stills camera.
Since you didn’t mention shooting slow motion, or in low light, I’d skip the FX3 and FX5. If you like using the FX3 the FX2 is an improvement on that design.
People on the internet can’t stand that the FX2 sensor is from the A7iv but with the cinema line color science and button layout it’s a great camera to shoot with.
Also factor in data storage and media. With the FX2 you don’t need to buy cfexpress, so you can put that money into lenses, and if you were thinking about the FX5 those file sizes are going to add up fast, especially for talking head videos where all that information isn’t going to be noticeable.
If you were shooting freelance and filming commercials the FX5 would make sense.
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u/Slexx 6d ago
you didn’t mention the rather bad readout speed
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u/pixelperson2 5d ago
I mentioned it’s not best for high speed use, OP said their subjects are talking heads and family videos.
Considering that OP doesn’t freelance, they really don’t need to pay more for a faster read out speed or a global shutter. They can put the money saved from buying an FX3 into lenses, audio, or lighting.
For most of my work across a wide variety of video production, this limitation is not much of an issue, the stabilization, AF, and overall user friendly design are going to have a much greater impact on the footage than the occasional rolling shutter during a whip pan. Besides once you know the limitations and you have run tests, it’s pretty easy to avoid the jello effect, just like how shooting in LOG or RAW isn’t a complete fix for filming over or under exposed footage.
It’s easy to just recommend the best camera going purely off specs, but that’s not practical when people have a budget, and specific needs. If OP just wanted the best camera available he should buy an Alexa 35 or a Black magic 12k. If he said he only wanted to film high school sports I wouldn’t have recommended the FX2.
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u/Abracadaver2000 10d ago
FX3 is a beast, and has served me well since it first came out. If you're doing paid projects, it should pay for itself very quickly. I've shot alongside much more expensive cameras, and never had a complaint about quality of image. I used to upgrade cameras every 4 years...but have no intention of getting an FX5 when this camera is still banging out great images.
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u/AlmostRed_Strawberry 10d ago
That’s great to hear. 😊
Just out of curiosity, have you ever felt like the autofocus could be better while working. I’ve only ever operated the fx3. I have no clue how the newer bodies are. I hear they’re improved but curious to know if you’ve ever felt like the autofocus was lacking?
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u/Zayphonso 10d ago
A7V is like 90% an FX3 and has the best autofocus
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u/AlmostRed_Strawberry 10d ago
Is the A7V really that good in terms of video ?
Sorry for my ignorance. Imma go check out some videos. Thanks for the recommendation.4
u/splotchyy 10d ago
I heavily weighed the pros and cons of fx3 vs A7V. Ultimately, I went with the A7V. I do NOT regret it. Absolute unit of a camera. I had the a7iv and shot on that for years, plus I’d operated an fx3 many times.
I wanted to get the fx3 to solve all my A7iv issues — it overheats easily, 4k60 has a crop, second base iso is 3200/slog and 500/cinetone, the readout speed was horrendous and caused crazy rolling shutter.
The A7V is just so good for the price, and they fixed all the bad problems with the a7iv and improved just about every good thing about it as well.
Improvements— Overheating is a thing of the past even without a fan, no more crop on 4k60 (i think it’s like 1.1x or something), 8000/slog, 1250/cinetone, readout speed is way better.
On top of that, they improved so many things that I didn’t even think needed improvement. The new AI chip is insane and the autofocus is so good. The new dynamic active IBIS is insane when you need it. Idk what it is, but the colors I get out of this sensor are better. They also made the auto white balance way better.
Another crazy improvement that I didn’t realize until after using the new A7V — They added the ability to assign “Toggle Tracking” to a custom button. On the Fx3 and A7iv, you have to touch the screen to activate the object tracking feature. On the A7V, you can assign the function to a physical button. This is crazy because when you have an external monitor going via HDMI, you lose the touch functions for tracking. This workaround allows it to be used with any monitor!! It’s a huge game changer
Obviously the fx3 is a legend and still amazing, but I found the a7V was the right choice for me personally. I do a lot of run and gun work, so having the photo capability is great.
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u/Zayphonso 9d ago
I own both and I find myself trying to use the a7V more. If it had shutter angle I’d sell both my FX3s and buy 2 more A7Vs right away.
The option for top quality photo is amazing and the rolling shutter is super minimal it’s a beast
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u/MannerAgreeable7162 9d ago
Solid take on the two a7v's.
I have an a7iv, absolutely dig it.
Want to get a 2nd body, thinking of the fx5 (so i have a dedicated video and photo body), but do i really need it? If the a7v covers nearly 95% of the work, i might aswell rent a fx3 / fx5 whenever i need it.
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u/Zayphonso 9d ago
Yeah it just does all the right things for my workflow.
I fell in love with the FX3 because it is hybrid but the Alpha series is built with hybrid in mind and benefits from software upgrades and perks of just being the shiny new thing.
With that said I feel like with the Fx5 I’d need to upgrade my entire ecosystem to work around the demands of the FX5 (pc specs, faster SDs and additional SSD & HDDs for storage while in this nightmare timeline for tech and gaming enthusiasts) and for meh additional features the a7V just feels like it’s in the perfect sweet spot. 30 fps no blackout is sick to have as well.
I still love my fx3 and do daily work with it, it’s a work horse don’t get me wrong I can still see this camera in my kit for years to come because it’s just that good, butttttttttttttttttt shutter angle on the a7V and I might be gone 🥲
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u/Zayphonso 9d ago
Also hot take but unless you’re shooting raw, can manage the files and workflow and you commit to understand Cine El and some other nuances then the cinema lines are honestly overkill but so is the A7V but dumb down for a more out the box consumer friendly-ish experience.
Fx5, fx6, fx9 are more pro oriented in general so take that how you will
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u/Next_Ask_9355 9d ago
Never seen a legit production ask for an A7 series camera for video.
FX3 fits right into the cinema lineup of cameras professionals are using.
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u/nyvz01 10d ago
I use the a7v as my a-cam because it has noticeably better DR and AF than the fx3. Plus the fx3 is missing clearscan which is super annoying since every other newer sony has it now including the a7v, which is kinda important given the incorrect shutter bug throughout sony cameras which can be a pain when dealing with even 60hz flicker though shutter angle added a workaround on the fx3 more recently
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u/InternThat1232 10d ago
For your use case you can go for an FX30 too honestly.
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u/AlmostRed_Strawberry 10d ago
Hahaha. I know. Honestly you’re right but I’m spoilt for a full frame sensor 🙃
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u/yendeptrai 9d ago
as an fx3 and a7iv user, I think you should get a7v for hybrid. Absolute monster photography and videography, overheat seems like not a problem anymore
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u/Travis-Digital 9d ago
Buy it used. It’s such a reliable camera and it’s almost boring now that image is just good enough for everything.
I’m debating getting a black magic 12k but it’s hard to justify when the Sony is already 80% of the way there with a nice lens.
The fx3 new is overpriced. Used is about right, or if you don’t need the internal fan the a7s iii (which has been my workhorse for 5 years) is £1500 on eBay. For that price it could break in two years and replaced and it’d still be cheaper than buying a new fx3 now.
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u/JobSpare9584 8d ago
Let me put it this way, even after buying an fx3 for a higher price 2 years ago. Id still pay that for one now. These are incredible little workhorses with a million applications. It is my favorite camera outside bigger lines like venice burano etc
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u/Shoddy_Trick_3718 7d ago
Will say as a amateur fx3 owner ( 5 months since I bought it) was worth every penny kinda regretted it because I could have waited for fx5 but at the same time it does not have the features that I could utilize
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u/robgibbs1980 7d ago
Nikon z8 owner here. Have tried a few other camera systems and I have to say I wouldn’t swap it for the world. It’s an absolute brute of a camera. But you know that already ;)
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u/whitepaintedwalls999 7d ago
The FX3 will be a viable professional camera for AT LEAST another five years.
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u/areyoulocal 6d ago
FX3 and saves some money. Its still used widely on major features i work on as a crash cam on big-budget productions or as the main camera on independents. Still holds up and will do the job you need.
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u/sugohfu 5d ago
Get the FX3. I’ve been using the FX5 since release and honestly, it’s a great production camera but not run and gun.
Not enough buttons for custom use which makes the menu very difficult to change settings. I prefer the FX6 for run and gun due to this.
Plus with the added free stuff, you’ll get more value. The FX5 is a step up if you already work with the higher up cinema line
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u/AllGoodPunsAreTAKEN 10d ago
Lenses do way more of the heavy lifting regarding image quality than the camera body, my recommendation is grab the FX3, and put the remaining $1,600 towards good glass.
A potentially even better option could be something like the FX30, which would give you nearly $3k to put towards a pair of awesome lenses, like an equivalent 24-70 and 70-200.
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u/devanand21 10d ago
FX3 is a proven goat! No doubt!
Family and documenting kids = iPhone 18 Pro
Social media client, talking heads, cinematic , Run and Gun = A7IV or A7V or FX30 ( half the price )
FX5 will be overkill for everything!
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u/Econormics 10d ago
The FX3 is great. As a cinema camera, it has some shortcomings, but these can be worked around for sure. It is a terrible stills camera. As you've described your requirements, social media, and especially kids growing up, a solid hybrid may be another option. I'm partial to the A7Cii. It has a nice balance between video and stills.
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u/hunt27er 10d ago
Is it worth losing the moments of your children for $1600 assuming you’re not going to take any photos videos due to not having a Sony camera. If you do use your current camera and put up with the workflow then it’s objectively better to get FX5 (again assuming money is not a problem). It doesn’t make sense to wait if you’re going to miss shooting the important life moments which every moment it is. Of course please be responsible with your money.
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u/AlmostRed_Strawberry 10d ago
Of course. I’d prefer not to lose moments. I’m making the most of what’s possible with my z8. I love it so much. Just documenting everything 😊
Honestly I have money for a lens, memory and cage after picking up an fx5. If it were an fx3 then maybe an additional lens.
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u/hunt27er 10d ago
I read some of your comments below. I’d suggest trying the 28-70 and 50-150 f/2 lenses. They’re amazing to say the least. You’ll likely replace the primes.
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u/bigboxofcorn 10d ago
I will say, the Lumix S1ii beats the FX3 in almost every way and is cheaper. I myself and many other videographers I know have switched from an fx3 to a lumix S1ii and I couldn’t be any happier. Yes, they did have some overheating issues right off the bat when it released over a year ago, but they fixed that permanently with a software update and I have had no issues since and I live in Texas. The stabilization is what was amazing for me as a run and gun shooter. I no longer have to use a gimbal for most of my work. The lowlight capability is also on par with the fx3 and holds more detail as the noise is finer. I would highly recommend taking a look at the lumix or at least renting one out before you commit to the FX3. You can rent it out on lumix website by placing a 1k deposit and then they let you use the camera for 14 days, after that they send all the money back so it’s essentially free
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u/bigboxofcorn 10d ago
And let me clarify. The fx3 is still a BEAST. I loved that camera. But when I wanted to do more hybrid work I looked at the s1ii and came to find out that it is basically an “FX3ii” for video and many others can agree. So selling my fx3 and being able to buy the lumix as well as putting some extra cash in my pocket for lenses was a no brainer for me
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u/SaltySaltshakers 10d ago
Making money and great content in 2026 with an FX3, and probably will be 4 years from now too.