Sony FX9 – Additional Information about the Upcoming V3 Firmware Update

Firmware Update

by Jakub HanSeptember 16^th, 2021

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The upcoming Sony FX9 firmware update v3 will be available in November 2021 and it will include new features such as the anamorphic lens support, B4 lens support with an adapter, center scan mode, real-time AF tracking, focus zero marker, and more.

It has been almost exactly two years since Sony launched its full-frame cinema camera, the Sony FX9. Since then we have published many articles about the camera including our two-part Lab Test which you can check here in case you missed it:

• Sony FX9 Lab Test Part 1 – Rolling Shutter, Dynamic Range, and Latitude
• Sony FX9 Lab Test Part 2 – ProRes RAW: Dynamic Range and Latitude

As announced in the very beginning by Sony, the FX9 will keep getting new features with firmware updates. Sony planned a whole firmware update roadmap for the camera.

Earlier this year, the FX9 got the firmware update V2.10 which, among some other improvements, introduced a 4K UHD 120fps raw video output. The Atomos Ninja V+ recorder is able to record this in ProRes RAW, but the FX9 can only do this with the extension unit attached. Sony also teased an upcoming firmware update V3 for the FX9. While the update is scheduled for November 2021, Sony has now published additional information about the contents of the update, so let’s take a short look at it.

Sony FX9 V3 firmware update

After teasing the V3 update back in April 2021, Sony now published further information about the new features and improvements of the firmware V3. Key features of the new version include:

• anamorphic lens support plus 2x desqueezing in the LCD viewfinder
• S700PTP remote protocol for controling the camera over Ethernet
• B4 lens support when using the Sony LA-EB1 adapter – S16 scanning mode (up to 1080p), lens control, and ALAC (auto lens aberration correction)
• center scan mode switch on assignable buttons, allowing users to toggle seamlessly between different scan modes like with a Digital Extender known from camcorders such as the PXW-Z280 (FF6K – FF crop 5K – S35 – S16)
• real-time tracking (touch tracking AF) allowing users to choose a focus point by touch on the LCD viewfinder and track its movement throughout the shoot
• C3 portal support – quick connection to the cloud through a dedicated mobile app
• clip naming (Cam ID + Reel number) – as known from the PXW-FS7
• focus zero marker (numerically indicating focus gap from specific focus position during MF) enabling users to specify a point of focus in time and return to it at will
• additional items can be modified in the Status Screen
• SR Live for HDR metadata support
• recording proxy clip real-time transfer

Additional information can be found on Sony’s website by clicking here.

Price and availability

The V3 firmware upgrade will be available for free to users around the end of November 2021.

Do you have experience working with the Sony FX9 or the Sony FX6? Do you think the well-specced FX6 cannibalized some of the FX9 sales? What do you think about the V3 firmware update so far? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.