Sony FX30

The Sony FX30 is a 2022 mirrorless camera built around a video-first design. Its 26 megapixel APS-C sensor handles both movie and stills work, and the camera records 4K video with slow-motion frame rates available.

The body weighs 646 g and measures 78 x 130 x 85 mm, so it stays compact and moderate in weight for handheld work.

It takes Sony E mount lenses and includes both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for connecting to other devices. Filmmakers are the clearest audience, though the in-body stabilisation makes it usable for handheld photography as well.

Stills come from a 26 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor processed by the Bionz XR engine. That resolution leaves room to crop, while the APS-C format helps keep the camera and its lenses manageable in daily use.

Continuous shooting reaches a maximum of 10 fps, enough for short bursts of action rather than extended sequences. The shutter offers a top speed of 1/8000 s, and sensitivity spans ISO 100 to 32000 for working from daylight into dim interiors.

Autofocus operates with 759 detection points. In-body stabilisation reduces camera shake on handheld shots, though it does not stop subject movement, which is a separate matter.

Sony E mount lenses attach directly, and composition is screen-only because the camera has no viewfinder. That difference matters for anyone used to framing through an eye-level finder.

Maximum recording resolution is 4K, which suits large-screen viewing and leaves latitude to crop or reframe a shot in editing. Frame rates reach 120 fps, so slow-motion footage is available straight from the camera without external gear. The two figures are separate maximums rather than one confirmed 4K 120 recording mode.

Recording spans H.264 and H.265 compression with XAVC S, XAVC HS and XAVC S-I options. That range gives a choice of formats to match different projects and post-production workflows.

In-body stabilisation reduces camera shake, which steadies handheld clips and walking shots without a rig. There is no built-in timelapse function, so interval sequences need separate triggering or assembly in editing afterwards.

Framing and control centre on the 3-inch TFT LCD. Its 2,360,000-dot panel shows fine detail for checking focus and composition, the touchscreen allows settings to be changed by touch, and the flip screen supports shooting from high or low angles.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both built in for wireless connection to other devices. GPS is absent, so location tagging has to come from a separate device or app.

The body is weather sealed, which helps in dust and damp conditions, though it is not waterproof. There is no built-in flash, but an external flash can be fitted when you need one.

Two card slots accept SD as well as CFexpress Type A media, so you can match the card type to the shoot and the storage you already own. Two slots also mean you can carry more recording capacity before a download is needed.

The NP-FZ100 battery is rated at 570 shots. Ratings like this depend on test conditions and settings, so actual endurance varies with how you shoot, and a spare battery makes sense for long days.

USB charging is supported, so the battery can be topped up between shoots from a laptop or charger rather than only in a dedicated dock.