HELP?! Is the Sony FX3 'BETTER' Than the A7S III?

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00:00 Intro
00:48 What?!
01:11 Sony FX3
01:56 Sony A7s III
02:52 FX3 vs A7S III
03:42 FX3 Firmware update
04:14 Help me out...

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[JorisHermans]

You either gonna make me spend money or keep me from spending money. 😅 GO! 👇🏻

[AlChered]

Just traded my fx3 for an a7s3 and couldn’t be happier. The viewfinder is gorgeous. Missed focus few times with fx3 and manual lens and decided to take a look at a7s3. Really like it now.

[csmvideoproductions]

It depends on what you do. As a content creator if you shoot mainly b-roll, fly the camera on a gimbal and mainly run and gun style shooting and do not need professional audio, then absolutely…..yes, A7SIII is the perfect camera for that application.

Whereas, If You shoot mainly tripod work using studio lighting and Shotgun microphones on boomed overhead (just out of frame) then the FX-3 is the better option. I shoot corporate video, therefore professional XLR audio is a MUST. My clients pay a lot for professional video production including professional studio lighting and professional audio filmed at their location. As a professional content creator shooting corporate work, the audio has to not only be pristine, but it also needs to be backed up by my 3rd and 4th channels. For insurance I record at a lower level on channels 1 & 2 then I do on channels 3 & 4. You can always boost audio, but it’s difficult to do anything when the audio gain is too high and vocals are distorted.

I could not use the A7SIII without purchasing the K3M-XLR adapter first (a $598 accessory). Without that adapter on the A7SIII, I wouldn’t be able to use that camera for my workflow. As a professional, I must be able to have redundancy in both video and audio. My livelihood depends on my reputation. I cannot stake my reputation and client experience on one 3.5mm audio jack. What happens if I capture audio with two much gain on my Rode Wireless Go II’s? What happens if I shoot a live conference event using one source of audio a 3.5mm Jack and my audio fails? I need at least two, if not three sources of audio recording directly into the camera for my workflow. You may ask why not use a zoom recorder and sync audio later? The answer is simple, I do not want to create extra work in post production syncing audio files. There is enough to do without having to add additional steps in post production. It is a terrifying feeling when you have the clients content and now you realize there is a crisis with their audio recording that is flawed or worse not captured at all. Imagine going back to a client that just spent $6000 on a video production with your company and you have to call them with an excuse about poor audio quality or no audio at all? If the audio can be salvaged it has to go to a sound engineer for $50-$75 an hour. That’s a bad look. To me, the extra $400 spent on a tool that I needed for my workflow and that would more than pay for itself 20 times over was well worth the investment.

[parasinthephilippines]

I live and work in Dubai and call the Philippines home.
I went with Two FX3 simply because of the fan.
Filming in 50°c is a killer on non ventilated cameras.

[tombuck]

I've owned both cameras since last year and honestly, they're both terrific. The audio on the FX3 makes it the main camera for me (plus I love the Tilta cage that has a side handle on it), but the a7SIII is the one that first hooked me on Sony. It's so good!

Ultimately I think it comes down to form factor, audio handle, and the new upgrades with firmware 2.0 (which are nice, but not worth upgrading for in my opinion). It's also ok to just want something and go for it!

Side note: I REALLY want that Tamron 17-2.8 😁

[POVwithRC]

Haven't used the a7s. Do own the FX. Pre-hype, would add. This one goes out mostly to someone who has neither but wants one of the two.
Joris, keep your S. No need to upset the apple cart.

I like it because of the work that I do on my channel (which you are welcome to look at).

Long uncut takes. On a Gimbal mostly. In the outdoors. In a hot car. No matter the climate or condition, no overheats. Hello active cooling. Perfect for me.

The FX is lower profile than the S. Both visually and dimensionally. Less to see when walking around with it in public. Not a high target item because it doesn't look like a spendy Mirrorless. You have to know what it is to appreciate it. Like a low key Audi RS3. Just a rental spec A4 to everyone else.

A lack of EVF hump means it is low profile in other ways too. works on smaller Gimbals with ease. Crane M3 all day.

Control surfaces are a little more videocentric out of the box, but you can make the S do the same dance with some customization. It's a draw.

The new firmware doesn't matter to me. Can't shoot log for an hour long clip in wildly varying lighting. But if you are the type to froof around with that nonsense, 2.0 is a broader toolkit that is not available on the S and may help you with what you do.

Finally, we get to body mounts. I like that it is festooned with extra 1/4-20 mounts. It means less extra hardware like a cage or what have you.

Oh yeah, xlr top handle in the box, though you can buy the same thing for the S I guess.

[DynamicLearningu]

Getting the FX-30 makes me appreciate my a7SIII better. When you shoot overhead with your FX3/ FX30, you have a hard time finding the record button. I love having the viewfinder when I am shooting under bright sunlight. I love the FX3/30 for its top handle, so I bought a small rig adaptor and now I have a Sony a7SFXiii. Problems solved.

[scope_lucas]

I have an FX3, the red lights are great, I can shoot vertically without a cage, EI mode are for psycho (if you're into that, juste buy a Venice). The FX3 looks minimalist and beautiful. The handle with XRL is great. BUT if you have an AS73 already, don't buy it juste for the hype. And one last thing, it's crazy to think that you have a cine camera in such a small body, is basically an FX6 in a smaller form factor. Oh and the FX3 is cool for youtuber and filmmlaker but clients see it as a toy (until you say it's 5K€). Thank for your videos and your energy !

[kilikdudley]

No one talks about the image differences!
I have shot a ton with both. The A7SIII has a slightly sharper look that is perfect for fashion work. The FX3 has a slightly softer image. Sort of like the S1H vs S1 image difference. I bet they are using an optical low pass filter, although I can't confirm anywhere.

Anyways, I still prefer the A7SIII for sharp fashion brand videography.

[JoeVazquezProductorMusical]

Nobody can’t compare the sony AS73 with the FX3 because now with the Cine EI firmware update the Sony FX3 now is a real cinema camera because with all the features from Fx6 and Fx9 make the Fx3 in a winner camera. You can get a real Skin Tones, no more magenta and green bending problems. Im very happy with my camera.

[PhillyNichols]

I've used the A7SIII, not the FX3. But I did notice myself looking for things that were available on the FX3 that the A7SIII didn't have. Will you notice a difference in the final image? Most likely not, but you will appreciate the quality of life upgrades. It'll be easier and maybe faster to get YouTube videos filmed. All that being said, I would only switch if the price is a good swap. Can you get a lot for your A7 and find a good priced FX3? Then sure! Otherwise I'd say wait for the next one.

[PrestonGladd]

Do you need it? Nope, should you get it? Only if you can afford it as a luxury item. I have the A7III, A7IV, A7S3, and the FX3. All of these cameras produce similar results minus the A7III (because of 10 bit). If you really “needed” the FX3, then you would be looking at the FX6. I don’t NEED all of them, I just can afford them…..

[Muwex]

Myself hangin into my FX9, it has Cine EI and I use it all the time (client work)
Having A7III but will upgrade around weekend time to FX3, still thinking if I would go A7SIII instead but now when noticed it has (FX3) Cine EI, I will go with it!
Also they match better by the looks of the cameras haha and I really rarely have used EVF, so I am fine without.
Photos I also shoot really rarely anymore with my camera (iPhone 13 Pro handles it for my needs like 99% of time).

[jeffreybuoncristiano]

I went through the same argument in my head. i landed on a7s3 because a few reasons.
1. i personally use EVF the time. and if i didn't, it's just an added feature that goes a little further just having it. great for sunny says.
2. i want some software updates, like the shutter speed update, but, my timeline would be stuck with making new frames or dropping them. so one camera workflow, nah.
3. i'd rather add my own cage and top handle than be force to have one.
4. i don't have a problem with my audio setup currently.
5. it's more space for travel
6. hype makes us spend money, where it is better used elsewhere
7. a new camera that is equal to the one you have won't make your work better, only make it a little easier to do a few things. but i can't imagine THAT much easier

After even more thoughts, i figured, i'd only get the fx3 as a second camera or if i didn't already have the a7s3. maybe i'd do that. but i love the a7s3 so much that i see myself keeping it for the next 5 years at least. i think it's near perfect!

[askabarberpodcast]

Hey, I know you’re super busy but I need some help on deciding. I have a Sony A73 and I have a Sony FX3 and I have the Sony A7S iii thinking about trading in the A7S for a lens and a FX 30. What do you think?

[mike_s_media]

I shoot on the a7Siii and Alpha 1 so honestly I'm good where I'm sitting. But, if I were going to be adding another video focused camera into my equipment pool it would without a doubt be the FX6. To me, the FX3 is an amazing camera but at the end of the day it doesn't offer me enough over my a7Siii to add any new value to what I already have. The FX6 on the other hand takes the few additional benefits the FX3 offers over the a7Siii and adds a whole lot more like internal NDs and focus breathing compensation. So, in terms of the a7Siii vs the FX3, they really offer the same identical quality footage in different form factors. If you are doing true films and need things like time code etc then obviously the FX3 is the correct option. If you want a sneaky run and gun setup and maybe YouTube style vlogging where you might not want to draw as much attention then the inconspicuous a7Siii would probably be the go to for that.

[viewfindermedia]

Biggest mistake I did was by the FX 30 I should’ve spent a little extra money and got myself a7siii I would have been happier, now I have to sell the FX 30 and lose money😢

[OliverGibbsYoutubeChannel]

If your a photographer as well, then the A7Siii is definitely for you! If money wasn’t a problem then buy an FX3 and remove the A7Siii for an A7IV.😎

[lowscale]

I have the fx3 for a few days now. And boy am I glad I saved up a little more money.

You just really feel and experience that this is a dedicated VIDEO camera. And if some people say that this isn’t a “cinema - line” camera. There just being total snobs. Especially with the new firmware update, the fx3 beats the A7sIII hands down (when it comes to video).

For me, the shooting experience is as- if not even more important than the image quality. Just heaving the ability to: see if i’m recording from meters away, surfing through VIDEO setting super fast thanks to the button layout, switching between native iso fast, punch in the image with the zoom rocket, not heaving to worry about overheating in warm conditions, etc. This camera just is amazing!

Also the top handle comes in handier then I thought. With a little modification, it’s actually really nice to use. I wouldn’t really upgrade from the a7SIII to the fx3, but if you need an equal b-cam, or when your coming from something like an A7III. Don’t even hesitate and go for the FX3, you’ll thank me later!

Cheers,
Renzo

[nandohobbit]

HI! I think the Sony A7SIII is great. It has nothing to envy to the FX3 !! The sony A7SIII with a good lens a good ND filter remains cinematic and fantastic! Sony A7Siii for ever! Hello from Italy.