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Sony FX2 Review: Who Is It For? | MPB

MPB

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The Sony FX2 might be the most misunderstood camera in Sony's Cinema Line. So we took it to the Redwoods in California to figure out who it's actually for.

Justin puts the FX2 through a real shoot in the field and answers an important question: where does it sit next to the FX3, the a7 IV, and the other hybrid cinema bodies you're probably cross-shopping?

We also get honest about the tradeoffs...the crops the FX2 forces on you in certain modes, and where the full-frame look quietly disappears.

Chapters:
00:00 Bringing the Fx2 to the Redwoods!
00:42 When we first met the Fx2 with Oren Soffer
00:53 Physical similarities and differences to the Fx3
01:17 The Sensor & Test Footage
02:15 ISO Test
02:40 Cropping...
03:37 Stabilization
04:16 Autofocus
04:32 AI Auto-Framing
05:31 Connectivity Options & Motion and Control App
05:45 Audio
06:06 Cinema Qualities, like the Big 6 Menu & Shutter Angle!
06:57 Anamorphic Lenses
08:14 Poison Oak...
08:19 Stills & Taking Stills While Recording Video
09:38 Burst Shooting
10:03 High Burst Mode Test (the Fx2 better than the A7IV??)
11:32 The Viewfinder
12:37 Shooting RAW...
13:39 A better option than the Fx2?
14:49 Final thoughts

#sonyfx2 #sony #cinemaline #filmmaking #nikonzr #mpb

📷 Get the gear in this video

Sony Fx2 - https://bit.ly/MPB-Sony-FX2
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II - https://bit.ly/MPB-Sony-FE-24-70
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II - https://bit.ly/MPB-Sony-FE-16-35
Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM - https://bit.ly/MPB-Sony-FE-35mm
ZEISS CP.3 25mm T2.1 - Sony FE Fit - https://bit.ly/MPB-Zeiss-CP3-25mm
Sirui 35mm f/1.8 1.33x Anamorphic - https://bit.ly/MPB-Sirui-35mm
Nikon Zr - https://bit.ly/MPB-Used-Nikon-ZR

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11 Comments

@AlpacoFilms 1 month ago

I actually just bought the FX2 from you guys lol. The problem with the ZR is the HEVC sucks and has a stop less dynamic range versus the FX2. It's a great camera otherwise I just don't want to shoot REDRAW and ProRes RAW all the time JUST to get a decent image. The FX2 is more of an actual work horse in comparison. The crop is something I don't mind as someone that plans to shoot concerts primarily. For that the crop actually is a benefit and it's a 4.7k image downsampled to 4k in that Super 35 mode versus a straight 4k sample. Doesn't sound like a lot but in dark venues it's pretty important. Plus, if I want to use a flash...well I can do that with the FX2 much better than that pesky 1/60 limit on the ZR. Great video guys! Tried to see if I could get a copy to test but no luck. Maybe next time!

@jenkx11 1 month ago

I love my FX2. I don't regret purchasing it at all. Perfect small run and gun with a Sony 16-35 PZ lens, or as a B-cam to my FX6. Using the crop mode and power zoom strategically give small lenses so much more reach.

@StrongAI 1 month ago

This camera was released for those who have already purchased it and are using it well. I am one of them. If you are curious, ask me. There are surprisingly many people like me. This camera has many advantages that people who only use better cameras are unaware of. 😂

@chrispy_cut 1 month ago

I too just bought one from you folks. only after I had my hands one in the field, wow I was impressed

@LoveIsABattlefield69 4 weeks ago (edited)

Its a very good camera. The s35 image is better than full frame so I don't think its appropriate to complain about it. Use full frame for photos. Use s35 for video. Do that and this camera will wow you.

@MohamedKhaled-s7l 1 month ago

The FX2's crop mode is really great for action, and it's also useful for wildlife photography, birds, motorsports, and other fast-moving subjects. Paired with the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8, it would be a very versatile setup, especially with the good rolling shutter performance in crop mode. It's almost like having the A7 IV, A6700, and FX30 in one camera. I love the Sony FX2, is so amazing.

@kristitown 1 month ago

That burst shooting was insane!

@devinbelangermusic 1 month ago (edited)

This camera is the goat for tripod shots. For my use (cinematic music production videos + artsy music photos and clips) this is genuinely the best camera. The 7k downsample means I can crop in during tutorials without noticeable resolution drop, and the camera side of it is seriously underrated. Dynamic range and color are top tier. I have an A7V if I ever need uncropped 60p or 120p 4K, but for 90% of the time I don’t need slower than 60p. Also the zoom rocker and how clear image zoom is implemented is super slept on, you get autofocus 4k zoom on any prime lens, which is glorious for b roll. Low light is also super good at 4000 second base iso. It will never overheat and rolls for hours.

Even having the A7V and having the option to swap to an FX5, I decided to keep my FX2 because it genuinely is the king of the locked tripod shot you can crop into later.
Literally the only real cons of this camera after having it for almost a year vs the FX3 and A7V are the rolling shutter (very noticeably bad so don’t get it if you aren’t a tripod shooter mainly) and the screen (very poor compared to my A7V). But the EVF is so awesome I don’t mind the bad screen.

I hope this helps someone as I had to research a lot to find all the pros of the FX2. Good video on this underrated gem!

@edshotsdotcodotuk 1 month ago

Burst mode A7iv difference because you've got a monitor hooked up? I know that's an issue with some cameras so people use a phone or another camera to shoot the LCD screen.

@GatmanVidz 1 month ago

As an a7iv and fx3 owner my hate for the fx2 is not that its bad or incapable, its much more that it should have been much better. Nothing can convince my why it didn't ship with the a7v sensor

@micheldacruz5141 1 month ago

The FX2 is not misunderstood. The audience knows the FX2 is Sony’s greed. It was suppose to have the A7V sensor, but they gave it the outdated sensor from the A7IV. They did not want the FX2 to defeat the FX3, and many more people would go for the FX2 with an A7V sensor in lieu of the new FX5.