CineD posted an interesting interview with Sony about Sony’s Cinema lineup of cameras. You can find a summary of the interview below, along with timestamps to hear exactly what was said.
Sony’s IBC 2025 Updates: FX Cameras, Monitor & Control App, and the Future of Cinema Line This interview with Nouusan, the leader of the Sony Cinema Line, and Ben, discussing the Monitor & Control App, provides insights into Sony’s latest firmware updates, the evolving camera market, and upcoming tools for filmmakers.
Firmware Updates for FX Cameras
- FX3 (version 7) and FX30 (version 6) received significant firmware updates [01:08].
- Key additions include the “big six menu” for quicker access to settings and 1.5x anamorphic desqueeze [00:54].
- Sony emphasizes a commitment to adding new features to existing hardware based on customer feedback [01:24].
The Evolution of Cinema Cameras
- There’s a noticeable shift towards smaller, mirrorless-type cameras with a cinema approach, pioneered by the FX3 and FX30 [02:22].
- While smaller cameras are experiencing rapid growth, medium-sized cameras like the FX6 and FX9, and high-end cameras like Venice and Burano, continue to be utilized for their unique features and ability to match looks within the Cinema Line ecosystem [02:52].
- Notable productions like “The Creator” have used smaller cameras like the FX3, often in conjunction with other Cinema Line cameras for a cohesive look [03:50].
- Sony views competition in this category as a positive trend, inspiring innovation and expanding the camera market, ultimately benefiting the filmmaking community [04:40].
The Future of Filmmaking
- Sony acknowledges the current transitional period in the cinema industry due to factors like AI and industry changes [05:32].
- However, Sony sees a bright future, leveraging technologies like generative AI to support filmmakers’ curiosity and creativity [06:27].
- The focus is on developing an ecosystem of cameras integrated with other devices and cloud services [06:43].
Monitor & Control App Updates
- The Monitor & Control App has been polished through firmware updates, incorporating advice from creators [07:00].
- It supports both Android and iOS, allowing connection of up to four cameras with an iPad for free, or up to 20 cameras with a paid subscription [10:08].
- New features include wired connection capability via LAN adapters and compatibility with MacBook [10:21].
- The app offers comprehensive control over exposure, focus settings (including manual focus pulls), and various profiles [11:03].
- Paid subscription features include:
- Taking snapshots for location scouting or storyboarding [11:23].
- An advanced framing feature, allowing up to 10 manually set presets with smooth transitions, useful for studios where cameras cannot be physically moved [11:36].
- Synchronization of settings across multiple cameras [13:00].
- High-resolution UVC connection to Sony Xperia phones [14:48].
- Assist tools like waveform, zebras, histograms, and anamorphic desqueeze options are available [12:22].
- The app supports the entire Cinema Line (excluding Venice, but including Burano, FX series, and some Alpha cameras like the Alpha 1 and Alpha 9 Mark III) [13:48].
- Pricing: The basic paid plan is approximately $5/month or $50/year. The premium version, which allows control of up to 20 cameras, is over $20/month, with an annual subscription option [14:29].
- Android currently supports one-to-one communication, while iPad and Mac can connect to multiple cameras with the free version (iPad up to four, Mac one), and up to 20 with the paid version [15:27].
Sony reiterated its commitment to continuous engineering and development, with a focus on delivering revolutionary changes while prioritizing quality over speed [09:16].