Sony FX2 review

What is the Sony FX2 and who is it for?

Sony’s latest FX2 hybrid aims to do something its predecessors never quite achieved by giving stills photographers equal footing with filmmakers. While the lower-resolution FX3 and FX30 catered primarily to video creators, the FX2 brings the 33-megapixel sensor from the A7 IV into the compact Cinema Line chassis, delivering serious all-round performance for hybrid creatives.

What are the key features of the Sony FX2?

Electronic viewfinder and monitor

The most noticeable change is the addition of a high-resolution 3.68-million-dot electronic viewfinder – the first on a Sony cinema camera. Mounted on a tilting mechanism, it makes the FX2 far more practical for daylight shooting, so photographers keep the familiarity of an eye-level finder without leaving behind the compact, rig-friendly design of the FX3. It also has a fully articulated touchscreen LCD for flexible composition at any angle.

Sensor

At its heart is a back-illuminated Exmor R sensor, powered by the Bionz XR processor and Sony’s dedicated AI chip. It shoots 10fps bursts with full AF/AE tracking and captures richly detailed stills with excellent dynamic range. Photographers will appreciate the latest colour science inherited from Sony’s Alpha range, producing improved skin tones and more faithful colour straight-out-of-camera.

Autofocus

Sony’s intelligent autofocus is a standout. The Real-time Recognition AF system identifies and tracks subjects – humans, animals, birds, vehicles and even insects – while Auto mode lets the camera decide what to prioritise. It’s fast, confident and just as refined as on Sony’s top-tier stills cameras.

Stills and motion

Where the FX2 really merges disciplines is in its incredible ability to capture full-resolution stills while recording video. A single press of the shutter button during filming saves a high-quality image without interrupting the video. This isn’t a mere frame grab or low-resolution file but a true, full-resolution photo. This could prove a bonus for sports or event shooters who want to capture both motion and stills simultaneously. Of course, stills shots will be set at the same camera settings as the video, so that might be a big issue. Maybe one day we’ll be able to set different stills and photo settings to really make this feature a game changer.

In stills use, the FX2 feels fast, deliberate and confidence-inspiring. The files are crisp, with rich detail and plenty of latitude for post-processing. The sensor handles noise beautifully even at high ISOs, while the deep dynamic range preserves highlight texture and shadow depth.

Video recording

The FX2 offers 4K recording up to 60p, oversampled from 7K in full-frame mode or from 4.6K in Super 35 crop, with 10-bit 4:2:2 colour and support for S-Log 3 and S-Cinetone profiles. However, stills shooters will be more drawn to the camera’s tonal depth and notable highlight control, which mirror Sony’s photographic DNA more than its cinematic heritage.

Stabilisation

The body-integrated image stabilisation, available in Active and Dynamic Active modes, proves particularly helpful when shooting handheld with primes or compact zooms. It’s not the most powerful IBIS on the market, but it adds welcome stability without a gimbal. 

Conclusion

A few compromises remain. The LCD resolution is not the sharpest, making critical focus harder outdoors, and the EVF’s tilt mechanism may be blocked by top-mounted accessories. Full-frame 4K recording tops out at 30p, and slow-motion capture applies a crop, but for hybrid shooters these limitations are minor trade-offs for the camera’s versatility.

Ultimately, the new FX2 signifies a genuine progression in Sony’s hybrid philosophy. This is not a cinema camera that just happens to take photos – but a true stills and video tool, equally comfortable capturing portraits, events or documentaries.