Sony FX6 announced: A successor to the FS5

Sony teased us today with an announcement in name only for the FX6, a camera that is being positioned as a successor to the immensely popular FS5.

The new Sony FX6, a successor to the FS5.

Sony today announced a new nomenclature for its line of what we have generally been calling “digital cinema cameras” as well as slipping in previews both of new firmware and of an entirely new camera.

Henceforth, Sony Venice and Sony FX9 will be under the banner of Sony Cinema Line, better reflecting both the cinematic look possible with these cameras as well as wide range of documentary, indie and big studio productions utilizing these cameras. But there is more. Sony also gave us a little preview of an entirely new camera, the FX6.

Few details are available at the moment but FX6 is positioned as the successor to the FS5 and will be considered part of the Sony Cinema Line. This expands the Cinema Line to include three distinct price/feature points as well as offering cameras with color characteristics that will cut well together.

Note that the alpha cameras are not included in this Cinema Line but it is a very logical jump to conclude that Sony’s new a7s III will also be a useful tool in productions shot primarily with one or more of the Cinema Line cameras.

FX6 should ship by the end of the year and we’ll bring you the information and analysis as soon as Sony releases more details. We’re also on the list for a loaner camera to offer you a hands-on evaluation.

Additionally, the FX9 will see a previously-announced firmware update in October, with firmware version 3.0 to be released some time in 2021. Firmware 3.0 will bring a feature requested by users—center scan sensor for Super16 lenses as well as support for a forthcoming B4 adapter. Venice will see yet another firmware update, version 6.0, this November. No details are available other than improvements in broadcast and live production environments.