A pair of photos emerged that seem to show the next Sony camera, portraying a look that combines the body profile of the Alpha series with cinema camera buttons. Called FX3, it shares a lot in common with Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera’s design philosophy.
In the two images that leaked online, one seems to show that the camera is much more than an idea and most likely currently in field tests.
The photo was deleted by the original uploader, but was shared on twitter. The text “Cinema Line FX3” is visible at the top of the camera in front of a traditional shoe mount and what appears to be a multidirectional joystick and a large “record” button.
This joystick, which would normally be on the back of the camera, may have been relocated to make room for the much larger multi-angle rear LCD that appears to be similar to the design found on the Panasonic Lumix S1H which, although a little more bulky, is considered a of the best variable angle LCD designs on an SLR camera. The back of the FX3 appears to be quite similar to other Sony Alpha bodies.
The main rectangle of the camera body appears to be made of metal and also clearly points of screw (like a built-in cheese plate) to secure the FX3 to larger camera equipment. The protruding handle has the typical camera shutter button and toothed dial, but in the second cast image it appears to be made of a different material than the rest of the body, probably plastic.
The inclusion of this front button seems to indicate that the FX3 was designed to take pictures, as well as capture video, despite its designation of “cinema line”.
The whole package looks very compact and similar in size to the a7C or a7 III, leading many to assume that this is a compact full-frame cinema camera designed to compete directly with the S1H and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera in which, as mentioned , FX3 shares many design options in common.
Other unverified rumors claim that the camera will record 4K at up to 120 frames per second, will not support 8K recording, will accept CFexpress Type A cards (like the a7S III and Alpha 1) and will cost 3,750 euros (~ $ 4,600).
(via Sony Alpha Rumors)