Sony PXW-FX9 Overview
Get More from your Sony FX9 and Venice Cameras with New Firmware Updates
Read More
Sony FX9 Digital Cinema Camera | First Look
Sony | FX9 | Product Feature
FX9 Guide Introduction | FX9 | Sony
FX9 Guide Camera Set-Up | FX9 | Sony
FX9 Guide Cine EI | FX9 | Sony
By B&H Photo's
Mary Latvis
Whether you're shooting documentaries, events, reality TV, education, or corporate productions, the PXW-FX9K XDCAM 6K Full-Frame Camera System from Sony has you covered with its powerful and flexible 4K interchangeable lens camera system. The PXW-FX9K features a full-frame, oversampled 6K Exmor R CMOS sensor that allows you to capture 4K images with cinematic depth of field. The camera's E-mount is machined from stainless steel and allows you to use E-mount lenses. A Sony 28-135mm f/4 G OSS E-mount zoom lens is included, which covers full-frame format and features an f/4 to f/22 aperture range.
The PXW-FX9K input and output features include 12G/6G-SDI and HDMI outputs for 4K video, a 3G-SDI output for HD, and genlock and timecode when using a multicamera setup. The Fast Hybrid AF autofocus system allows for accurate focus and even allows facial detection to automatically detect human form with 561 points of detection. Advanced image stabilization is achieved using the PXW-FX9K's internal gyroscope for shots so smooth it'll look like you used a gimbal. Its 4-channel audio recording allows you to use external microphones and record ambient sound with the internal mics simultaneously.
The camera features a 15-stop dynamic range, supports dynamic HDR, hybrid log gamma mode (HLG), and records 10-bit 4:2:2 to dual XQD media card slots that support simultaneous and relay recording, as well as multiple backup recording modes that utilize proxy files. The camera can record UHD (3840 x 2160) and HD (1920 x 1080) internally at a selectable frame rate from 1 fps up to 60 fps in XAVC-I, XAVC-Long, and MPEG HD formats. Its 7-stop electronic variable ND filter can perform in auto or manual mode, smoothly adjusting from 1/4 to 1/128 density. The camera's default S-Cinetone color look offers the same soft, vivid tone as with Sony's VENICE camera.
In addition to its wide dynamic range, its enhanced color and light features include a dual base ISO of 800/4000 with a maximum ISO up to 102,400, which is helpful when in low-light situations or using a slower lens. Other improvements with the latest firmware include improved white balancing in sunlight with a more natural look, user-created 3D LUTs, improved AF, audio improvements, USB tethering, T-value metadata, password enhancements, and an S35 2K imager scan mode.
The FX9 includes an integrated Multi-Interface (MI) shoe and comes with a BP-U35 battery, BC-U1A battery charger, AC adapter with power cord, body cap, viewfinder, eyepiece, remote control, and USB cable. The PXW-FX9K is also compatible with the separately available XDCA-FX9 extension unit, which provides ENG shoulder-style support, networking features, and a slot for an optional wireless audio receiver.
Firmware Version 3.0
The v3.0 firmware update offers:
 
S700 protocol over Ethernet
B4 lens support:
S16 scanning mode (up to 1080p at rates up to 180 fps)
B4 lens control using the LA-EB1 lens mount adapter
ALAC (Auto Lens Aberration Correction) function
Assignable center scan
Anamorphic lens support
Clip naming (Cam ID + Reel#)
Real-time tracking (touch-tracking autofocus)
Additional items can be modified in the status screen
SR Live for HDR metadata support
Recording proxy clip real-time transfer
Camcorder network setup using smartphone app
Remote control using smartphone over USB tethering
USB tethering activated using iOS 14 iPhone and iPad
Note:
The network features above also support C3 Portal (only available in specific countries).
6K CMOS Exmor R Sensor
The PXW-FX9K's oversampled full-frame 6K sensor provides recording in DCI 4K, UHD, and HD resolutions. Powerful image processing with debayering and down-sampling ensures image quality beyond the limits of conventional Super 35mm sensors. The back-illuminated CMOS image sensor also uses Sony's Exmor R technology for improved sensitivity and noise reduction. Compared to a 4K Super 35mm sensor, the FX9's 6K sensor has over twice the surface area while providing a wider angle of view and shallower depth of field.
15 Stops of Dynamic Range
The FX9 offers an exceptional 15+ stops of dynamic range, allowing for creative freedom in color grading and post. Camera operators can concentrate on framing the scene they want while relying upon the FX9 to capture every nuance and detail using 4K 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording.
ISO Control
The FX9 features a base sensitivity of ISO 800, providing the optimal dynamic range for typical documentary applications such as shooting outside or in brightly lit interiors. A secondary high base sensitivity of ISO 4000 excels in low-light conditions such as early morning and evening shoots while maintaining superb image quality and whenever you're using slow lenses. The FX9's extended ISO range is 320 to 102,400.
Electronic ND Filter
Sony's built-in electronic variable neutral density (ND) filter can be set to auto, or adjust filter density manually in smooth increments from 1/4 to 1/128 as you shoot, for perfectly exposed images without affecting depth of field as lighting conditions change. Use higher-density settings with a slower shutter speed for artistic effects.
Recording Formats
Depending on the project, the FX9 has a selection of recording formats. XAVC-I with 422 10-bit quality at a higher 600 Mb/s in 60p. XAVC-Long for longer recording time in smaller file size. The traditional MPEG HD codec is also available. All files will be recorded onto XQD media cards.
Adjustable Frame Rates
Choose your desired frame rate from 1 up to 60 fps for quick- and slow-motion footage. The FX9 creates an immersive image with a wide-angle look and shallower depth of field provided by its full-frame sensor in combination with quick and slow motion. It also offers a quality priority setting that maximizes Full HD slow-motion image quality with advanced oversampling technology.
S-Cinetone Look
S-Cinetone is the default look of FX9 that's tuned to meet the requirements of today's content creators with rich midrange colors, alluring facial tones, and a softer tonal look developed with the same expertise as Sony's world-leading VENICE digital cinematography camera. S-Cinetone means that straight out of the camera your content looks fresh and vivid, with subjects that really stand out while retaining plenty of latitude in post-production, thanks to the high-performance full-frame image sensor.
Fast Hybrid AF
Effortlessly track fast-moving subjects with pin-sharp focus, even when using wide-lens aperture settings to maintain a shallow depth of field with the camera's full-frame sensor. Enhanced Fast Hybrid AF combines phase-detection AF for fast, accurate subject tracking with contrast AF for exceptional focus accuracy. In addition, Face Detection intelligently recognizes and locks on to human faces.