Sony FX3

The Sony FX3 is a compact mirrorless camera released in 2021. Weighing 640 grams and measuring about 13 centimetres across, it is light to carry and small enough to work into tight shooting spaces.

Its feature set points towards moving-image work. The 12.1 megapixel full frame sensor keeps stills files modest, video tops out at 4K, and there is no viewfinder, so composition happens on the rear screen.

Still photographers still get in-body stabilisation and the Sony E mount to draw on, though the modest resolution rewards careful framing rather than heavy cropping.

Stills come from a 12.1 megapixel full frame CMOS sensor paired with the Bionz XR processor. That resolution leaves little room for heavy cropping or very large prints, though smaller files go easier on cards and storage.

Sensitivity runs from ISO 80 to 102400. The low base setting helps keep exposures in check in bright light, while the wide range gives you options when light falls.

Autofocus offers 627 points for the system to work with, and the camera can shoot at up to 10 frames per second, a maximum figure rather than a sustained rate. Shutter speeds reach 1/8000 second, enough for fast subjects and for wide apertures in daylight.

In-body stabilisation reduces camera shake, which helps handheld work at slower shutter speeds. The Sony E mount means existing E-mount lenses fit without adapters.

Recording tops out at 4K resolution, with frame rates available up to 120fps for slow motion footage. The peak resolution and peak frame rate are listed separately, so confirm which combinations you need before committing to a project.

The in-body stabilisation carries over to handheld footage, cutting the shake you would otherwise see when shooting without a tripod or rig. That makes casual handheld filming more practical with a body this light.

Footage records as MPEG-4, MOV, XAVC S, XAVC HS or XAVC S-I files, giving a choice of file types for different production needs.

A timelapse function is built in, so interval sequences can be captured without an external trigger or intervalometer.

Framing happens entirely on the 3-inch TFT LCD, since there is no viewfinder of any kind. The 1.44 million dot panel stays sharp for focus checking, touch input speeds up focus placement, and the screen flips out for waist-level or overhead shots.

The body is weather sealed, which helps in dusty or damp conditions. Sealing is a layer of protection rather than a waterproof guarantee, so care is still needed in heavy rain.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built in for wireless connectivity. There is no GPS, so location tagging needs a separate device. Lighting relies on an external flash unit, since none is built in.

The twin card slots accept SD, SDHC and SDXC media at UHS-II speed plus CFexpress Type A cards. That lets you use fast media when the work demands it and keep a second card fitted in the body.

The NP-FZ100 battery is rated at 600 shots, a useful baseline rather than a promise for every shoot, since real-world endurance varies with settings and use. Long days are safer with a charged spare in the bag.

USB charging lets you top the battery up between shoots from a compatible USB source, which reduces the need to carry a dedicated charger on short trips.