4K 120p RAW Recording Coming to Sony FX9 and FX6
Sony maps out new features on the FX9 and FX6, including 4K 120p RAW.
The Sony Cine blog is chock full of announcements, and the latest one not only suggests that a new Atomos recorder is coming in May, but also that the FX9 and FX6 cameras will support external 4K 120p RAW.
Sony is fairly forthcoming when it comes to firmware road maps for its cameras. They announced version 3.0 for the FX9 in September of last year, highlighting an anamorphic mode, S700PTP remote protocol support, a center scan mode for Super 16mm lenses, and B4 lens support when using an adapter.
We now have new details about version 3.0. Anamorphic mode will display 2x and 1.3 de-squeeze, and there will be Cinemascope frame lines in the viewfinder. The FX9 firmware will be available later this year.
However, the bigger news is that the FX9 and the FX6 will support external 4K 120p RAW, and shooters will be able to record the format with the new Atomos recorder that's set to launch next month. The FX9 will see firmware version 2.1 roll out in May, the same time FX6 is expected to get its new firmware update.
The FX9 will most likely support Super 35 4K 120p and possibly full-frame 2K DCI at 120p. But keep in mind, you will still need the XDCA-FX9 extension unit to record external RAW with the FX9, which tacks on an extra $2,500. The FX6 should support 4K 120p at full-frame and crop modes directly from the HDMI connection, but this is yet to be confirmed by Sony.
While this is a step in the right direction, it would be better if the FX9 supported internal 4K 120p in either Super 35 or full-frame modes. At the moment, the FX9 only supports internal 120p shooting HD. In comparison, the FX6, FX3, and a7S III can record 4K 120p internally. Though the camera sensors were developed at different cycles, it seems the FX9 should be able to record internal 4K 120p in Super 35 mode.
What could be holding innovation back is the XDCA-FX9 extension unit, which unlocks a lot of features of the camera beyond high-frame rates and RAW recording. Hopefully, the FX9 Mark II avoids an extension unit altogether so shooters can take advantage of similar features found on lower-priced cameras.
