Full Frame vs Crop Sensor Comparison (FX3 vs FX30) | Which Camera Should YOU Buy?

[@matthartman7062]

Peter kept referring to the FX30 as a more amateur camera, and the FX3 as a more professional camera. That couldn’t be more misleading. The FX30 is just as professional of a camera as the FX3, though both have their strengths and weaknesses depending on your use-case just like any other camera on the market. Despite what you may hear from KZbin and social media influencers, crop censor doesn’t automatically equate to amateur. Super 35 is a Hollywood standard, for example, and the FX30 is essentially a Super 35 camera. In low light situations the FX30 may not beat the FX3 or other full frame cameras, but that doesn’t mean it’s more of an amateur option. For many professionals, the FX30 may serve as a B or C camera, or it might just be the more sensical option for an A cam, where the money saved could be better spent on good audio or better lighting.

[@kaimultivideo4956]

Its a cheap way for noobs to say they own a cinema camera, and yes fx30 is an awesome camera, but so is every other camera made in the last 4-5 years. It just can’t pull off what a full frame sony can.

[@ryanbishop3586]

@@kaimultivideo4956if you use it in the way you’re supposed to use a “cinema camera”, you’ll pull of the same image any FF camera can

[@ryanbishop3586]

100%. Super 35 is still the standard. Most people that are buying these cameras aren’t using lights or using FF lenses on a S35 sensor, and then complaining about low light noise. If you use lights, fast lenses, S35 or a focal reducer, you’ll get the same image and field of view as the FX3

[@MarcoRompiettiOfficial]

I have owned APSC cameras for many years. when the FX30 came out I immediately got it and it was an exceptional camera. after two years however, also thanks to the better workflow, I switched to full frame and got the FX3. the fx30 remains an exceptional camera in terms of quality/price ratio, but the Fx3 does not cost more "by chance".

[@petersarellas]

Very true! Both great cameras at very reasonable price points. Just depends on what you personally need from your camera.

[@copevisual]

While my A7SIII is in the shop, I’ve been using the FX30, and I have to say-pairing it with a G Master lens is pure fire. I love both camera bodies. This video is exactly what I’ve been looking for! I’ve been searching for content like this all football season.

[@petersarellas]

For sure, with the right lenses the FX30 can be great! Glad this content is what you’ve been looking for 🙌

[@studio500]

Thank you for this video!!!! I just got my FX3 in addition to my FX30 that I have had for over a year. This type of testing would be fun so I'm gonna try!!

[@petersarellas]

Amazing! Have fun filming 🙌

[@ekphotography]

Been a Sony user for 15 years, Canon previous to video trends, Had every camera, Had the FX3, sold it in the pandemic bc I was doing more stills in lock down, Got an A7IV, loved it even more than th FX3 actually except for the Overheating all the time and 60p crop. Got an extra wide lens and deal with it. Cannot deal with it anymore and been back to video 99%. Cannot afford to change yet, was thinking about F30 until I can afford the FX3, After DJI mirrorless camera rumor the last couple of days, Holding off to see what they bring to the game. If they do I have NO doubts they WILL disrupt the whole market and NO doubt make something innovating and different. Tired of all the camera companies using the same menus and bodies for the last 20-30 years, Like what DJI has done so far with everything they have made. EXCITED for something new!! Yeeeeew for the win LOL

[@rapbisnar]

Never been a fan of sonyʻs reds but you seem to tame it better than most iʻve seen online. Sweet shots.

[@petersarellas]

Thank you! I’ve never had much of an issue with them but as you can tell I’m also tweaking my colours quite a bit haha

[@akammer1000]

I have been shooting professionally with the fx30 for clients since it was released. I have shot with both fx30 and fx3 on projects and matched the two in post and no client has ever been able to tell the difference. That being said, the low light is more to consider vs the fx30 but I truly think its more important to work on creative style first and practice and not just buy the most expensive camera even if you can. Also being real with the output, if your client is using the footage for socials, then the fx30 should be fine. But if one is shooting lots of low light fx3 would be ideal

[@petersarellas]

Definitely agree with this! Honestly I use the FX30 as my A CAM a fair bit when shooting in conditions where low light isn’t at all problematic

[@jeremieclimaco9946]

I’ll definitely have to re watch it just woke up

[@petersarellas]

Love it!

[@v3zMedia]

First time discovering this channel. Subbed! Would love to see how you color graded this footage.

[@petersarellas]

Thanks for the sub! I've got some colour grading tutorials on this channel that go over it in both Premiere and Resolve if you're interested

[@v3zMedia]

@@petersarellas I'm about to look at them now. Thanks!

[@robertaltman222]

Both full frame and APS-C can create the highest quality images - House of the Dragon switched this season from full frame Alexa to the new Alexa S35 APS-C - better dynamic range was the key for them. Interestingly testing has shown that the FX30 at ISO 2500 is cleaner than the FX3 at 12,800 - so if you don't need the super high ISO the image will be better with the FX30 - also the downsampled 6K improves the image quality...

[@Yupthereitism]

Nah man, the image on the fx3 is still better, the larger receptors in the sensor capture more data. That’s why the fx3 has better dynamic range

[@nomadictimbo9185]

Cool video! Also, thank you Peter because your channel has really helped me on my journey into sports videography over the past year. I really take it seriously now and loving it. I've been using the Tamron 17-70 semi-professionally for sports videography with my Fuji X-T4. I'll be using it next weekend at a Rally event to shoot another short film for my channel and i cannot wait! It worked great for skateboarding and dressage and I'm sure it'll do a great job.

[@petersarellas]

Amazing! So cool to hear you’re getting such great usage and making cool content with an affordable lens

[@BrysonKelschFilms]

12,800 iso.......for someone like myself who is shooting in such a variety of lighting, often uncontrollable, 12800 is a must now that I've had it and I don't think I can ever go back.

[@petersarellas]

It definitely comes in clutch in a lot of scenarios!

[@Tobirama_isHimju]

FX30 is amazing. It's my A cam, but I do realize the advantages full frame offer when using it. Sometimes hate having to adjust my distance just to get the right framing because of the crop sensor. But It's still dope. Next month I think FX30 drops the shutter angle update.

[@petersarellas]

FX30 really is amazing quality, especially for the price!

[@journeyfilms_]

Great video Peter. I use the A7SIII with a Sigma 2.8f 24-70 & the FX30 with a Sigma 2.8f 18-55. I film submission grappling indoors mostly in non professional venues & at Jiu Jitsu/ Wrestling clubs. So lighting is an issue. I feel the same about the 120fps on the FX30 & the 12800 native iso of the full frame is crucial for me. I keep the FX30 light so I can use on gimbals or tripods & the A7SIII is rigged pretty heavy for hand held. Both great cameras.

[@petersarellas]

Sounds like your filming situation lines up pretty perfectly with what I’m talking about here! Agree, all great cameras - just have to understand what their capabilities are. Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed the video!

[@comeraczy2483]

Thanks a lot for this video. My style and needs are radically different from yours: hybrid, wildlife, amateur. Many years ago, when I was a clueless beginner, I went on KZbin, and got a message very similar from yours: start with APS-C - so did I. Today, I am still clueless, but I did do in-depth comparisons between my phones, MFT, APS-C, and FF. As a result, I only use my phone and FF bodies. The reasons for the FF over APS-C or MFT are cost and availability of lenses **when comparing for similar image characteristics**. Not only there is a much better selection of lenses for FF, but the FF used market is a lot better. For instance, the Tamron 17-70mm f-2.8 would deliver exactly the same images as a 25-105mm **f-4.2** full frame lens. The closest for sony is the tamron 28-200mm f2.8-f5.6 which is in fact cheaper on the used market (no VC, no close-up though). Conversely, there is no APS-C equivalent to the 35-150mm f-2.8 (that would be a 23-100mm f1.8 APS-C lens). With longer lenses, the only APS-C option is the mediocre Sony E 70-350mm (or switching to Fuji, but that's another question). Using FF lenses on APS-C cameras is a waste of money and weight because more than half the light falls outside of the sensor. Today, a used A7 III + tamron 28-200mm f2.8-f5.6 is cheaper than a used A6700 + Tamron 17-70mm f-2.8. Ok, there is a generation gap, and no 4k-120, but the A7 III is still a very capable hybrid camera.

[@davidalanmedia]

Awesome video, I got interested in the Tamron lens because of your recommendation. I haven’t pullled the trigger on it because as you mention, it’s pretty pricey. I thought it was interesting that your overcranking the shutter on some shots as apposed to shooting 24 or 30 fps. I’m wondering what scenarios during the game you;re shooting in 60-120 fps?

[@petersarellas]

I shoot 60fps for pretty much everything when filming sports as a standard and switch to 120fps for key moments like player entrances (assuming light allows for it) and end of game stuff. Happy to hear you’re enjoying the videos!

[@fabpicture_com]

I now see a huge difference, specialy for indoor sport. And more I see content of Full Frame, more I have issue with my Fujifilm XH2S crop sensor although I like my work :d

[@BIFOFamilyAdventures]

Love your videos Peter you do amazing work. I have seen you use the FX3, FX30 and the Sony A7 IV. I am looking at getting into videography and I am wondering which holds up better the A7 IV or the FX30?

[@petersarellas]

Really glad that you enjoy the videos! My personal preference if I had to only own one camera would be the A7IV because the 4k24 coming out of that camera is really nice and punches way above its price range imo, plus it takes really nice stills for the times that you need that as well. Of course it doesn’t have 4k120 and individual use cases will vary so would definitely recommend doing some of your own research and possibly even renting them out for a bit to test as well if you can.

[@BIFOFamilyAdventures]

@@petersarellas thanks for taking the time to reply. Yes currently doing research at the moment. And will try renting to do a test on them thanks.

[@GaretQualls251]

Great video! How do you determine when it’s best to overcrank shutter speed? Looked like you typically did for 60fps but not 120fps? Is it more for the look or for exposure?

[@petersarellas]

I would have done it for 60fps and 120fps but I’m not going to overcrank my shutter if it risks compromising my exposure and there wasn’t enough light here to overcrank in 120fps with the crop sensor set up.

[@ChrisAckland0]

I've been using the fx30 for around 6 months now. Coming from a gh5 I am still getting my head around the use of base ISO. When you're shooting at 2500 are you using a filter? I feel when I shoot that high in my settings its really blown out. Thanks for a great video

[@petersarellas]

Depending on my conditions I’ll often use an ND filter to make sure I can shoot at a base ISO regardless of the camera I’m using, though I don’t shoot at a base ISO 100% of the time because a lot of what I do is run and gun and I don’t always have control over lighting

[@ChrisAckland0]

@@petersarellas Thanks mate, i really appreciate the reply

[@MODESTYXO205]

Would you choose the Sony fx3 over the Canon r5 mark ii? Keep up the good work

[@petersarellas]

If you’re looking into a camera at that level you’re likely already deeply invested in a lens ecosystem at which point my blanket suggestion would be to stay within the ecosystem that you’ve invested in

[@Striv365ClipZ]

Love your videos🔥 You should add timestamps that’d be clutch!

[@petersarellas]

Can definitely do that in the future! Didn’t really cross my mind to add them for a video like this that’s more all over the place but as a viewer I appreciate them as well

[@Ocean69TV]

AMAZING FOOTAGE

[@petersarellas]

Thank you 🙏

[@markofadljevic1975]

The difference in depth of field is SO obvious. I'm for the full frame all the time.

[@petersarellas]

It really is, though that is also in part due to my lens choices and not just the difference in cameras. Full frame at 150mm is going to have significantly shallower depth of field than crop at 70mm and that’s largely due to the lens.

[@dotcity1324]

This video comes in clutch !!! I’ve been filming with the Sony A7III for the past 2 years now. I want to step it up now, will an upgrade from the A7III to the FX30 be worth it ?

[@dotcity1324]

*I primarily film in the sports section. Football, basketball and soccer

[@CleatzTV]

I had the sony fx30 and loved it but the lowlight performance for night games and darker lit gyms I didn't like. having to bump up the iso even a little over the 2500 base to 3200 or 4000 introduces a lot of noise. I switched to the a7iii until I get my fx6 soon. For night games I will take 1080p 120 full frame over 4k60 crop any day. even during the day the fx30 filming 4k 120 gets pretty noisy. still a great camera for all the features it packs for under 2k

[@petersarellas]

For the situation you’re describing I completely agree. That scenario exposes the FX30’s poor low light which is probably its biggest weakness. Definitely still a beast of a camera tho 👊

[@ONLYYTURBOO]

For the crop sensor camera did you try shooting in 1080 or no because the camera can handle 4k

[@petersarellas]

No I shot everything in 4K with both camera set ups

[@o.f.ftrack3444]

What kind of lighting was in the stadium for you to need the iso that high? I film basketball with the fx30 and even when i was using the 28-200mm f2-5.6, I don't ever remember having to raise the iso so high. When I'm filming games, it was rare that I ever went above 800 and this wasn't in a professional stadium by any means. Now that I have the 35-150, I can't remember the last time I even got up to 800(60fps)

[@petersarellas]

Strange.. maybe the arena I was filming in was dimmer than usual? I usually don’t find that venues are as bright as you’re describing, but maybe I’m going to the wrong games haha

[@o.f.ftrack3444]

@@petersarellas it definitely wasn't bright, but I find that videos with the fx30 are often better exposed than photos at the same settings. Maybe that's all cameras but I've never had any issues with 60fps at 1/120th. Now that I have the 35-150, I would literally have to try in order to get bad exposure.

[@McarthurBeard]

The biggest difference was the lens focal range once you went up closer with the fx30 the shots was looking like the fx3 to me. I would save money and get the fx30 the camera user always the one who notices a difference not the client

[@markmorales3474]

Based on what you said about the Fx30 would it be better overall to just get a Sony a7iii to at least have a full frame set-up and keep you from having to buy new glass once you upgrade the camera body? Or is the camera body of the Fx30 that much better than the A7iii? I currently am using a micro four thirds and really want to transition to a full frame.

[@pdboudreau]

Had the FX30. Too much noise at 4K 24! No sports, but large gym like shots for events on sticks. It was a great camera with good light, but sadly, it had to go. How much NR do you apply to your FX30 footage?

[@petersarellas]

I haven’t applied any NR here to any of the shots. When using it normally I’ll occasionally apply some light NR in Resolve for night time shots if I have to bring my ISO to 4000 but generally I’m not doing much

[@kyleroxasphoto]

You probably weren't exposing correctly homie

[@edengate1]

Thinking about Fx30 because there is no other option from other manufacturers. It is insane the gap in the market right now. Also, i can see an excess of chromatic aberration on the fx30, is this a lens problem or you edit like this?

[@petersarellas]

I didn’t add any chromatic aberration to any of this footage and it’s all colour graded with the same preset. I’ve generally found the FX30 to produce a good clean image with good glass so any imperfections are likely a lens issue.

[@tutosantiago3919]

Out of curiosity, what are the two native ISO of the Sony 7IV?

[@petersarellas]

800 and 3200

[@tutosantiago3919]

@@petersarellas thanks 👍

[@lionerniec856]

My take is that crop sensor needs f1.8 in order to match the low light on full frame, but there is no f1.8 zoom lens out there.

[@petersarellas]

I remember that there was a 18-35 f1.8 zoom lens back in the day for Canon DSLRs lol. Maybe adapt that? Otherwise primes are your best bet but I agree, a midrange f1.8 zoom would be insane and I don’t care if it costs $4000 and weighs 30lbs lol

[@fourthSplashBro]

Fx30 ->

[@petersarellas]

goat camera for sure

[@fabpicture_com]

Hello Peter, question about the 17-70 lense, do you have issue zooming / dezooming while recording for the AF? On my setup with fujifilm XH2S, when I zoom / dezoom during record, it ALWAYS blur the image before the AF is ok. Even if I am in MF, it still blur everything and do not keep the focus I had. I do not have this kind of issue with another zoom lens from Fuji. Thank you ;)

[@swansproduction]

How can I check what was the shutter speed on already recorded raw video files?

[@petersarellas]

I use a plug-in called True EXIF that shows me in premiere

[@karlcin]

Why 1/200-1/250 on 4k60? Seems like you only dropped it to the traditional 1/125 for the super low light shots.

[@petersarellas]

For fast paced sports I prefer less motion blur to make it looks more intense. I dropped it for low light shots to help with exposure.

[@karlcin]

@@petersarellas I went searching and found you answering this question on someone else’s channel. Pretty funny. I’ll give it a try.

[@BrysonKelschFilms]

"which isn't good" With the fx3, zve1, a7iv, you name it, there is an apsc mode. Why would it be not good to shoot in that if you really want to have a crop mode look for something or to fit a lens?

[@Shotbywel]

Fx30 ❤️

[@petersarellas]

a beast of a camera

[@csan_prod]

I currently have an FX30 with the Tamron 17-70 and love it! I just ordered the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II, super excited for it! I watched your video on your favorite lenses to use. I'll be using it for football, and I can't wait to learn on it! I'm hoping it'll be a great overall lens for football!

[@petersarellas]

That 70-200 f2.8 and FX30 combo is going to be crazy for football!

[@TreShoots]

does the FX30 have a second base ISO also?

[@TreShoots]

and great video as always!

[@petersarellas]

Yes at 800 and 2500, and thank you!

[@acequinoy8660]

Does that mean the cleanest shots will be at 800 ISO and 2500 ISO? And noise in between?sorry newbie question

[@dcameron7736]

If you're not using the same lenses you're not getting real results of how powerful the sensor is or its true capabilities

[@zZ3R7Oo]

the thing that really was a downside for me is that the fx30 is not really capable of shooting prores raw because of its 6k sensor, its cropping down to something about 4k i guess which means it will crop on top of that apsc sensor some amount, which makes the image nearly unusable in low light situation, i mean even in 4k 120fps its cropping little bit which makes the noise more visible, but than in prores raw in crops even further plus prores raw removes all the noise reduction, which means, in my case its totally unusable, thats why i now think why did sony make such a camera, now i think the blackmagic cameras are much better, i mean even with the bmpcc 4k you could record with external ssd, i mean this camera is now 4 years old i guess, and sony still doesnt do such things, aswell as blackmagic has all features you need, only the autofocus isnt there but i guess these pros blackmagic cameras have overweight the cons in my opinion. And i know, you will maybe not shoot prores raw all time, but still its a nice feature to have 12bit plus prores raw, and the benefit of having no internal noise reduction which makes the image the most clean image a camera can produce, and if i buy such a camera i want not something like this, where they say this camera can this, but its totally unusable, imean you pay a price for a camera than why this many problems, while blackmagic makes nearly everything right, aswell as lumix in my opinion, btw. i guess the s1h 2 when it comes out it will be the sony killer this camera,

[@soulhustler1200]

More expensive doesn’t make it professional. Most films are shot on 35 sensors. Full frame doesn’t say professional.

[@petersarellas]

Completely agree. That’s why I use both

[@TaePhotoVideo]

Were you shooting slog?

[@petersarellas]

Yes

[@DespotRus]

There are few good lenses for sony aps-c, that's why I won't ever buy FX30.

[@toocolesports]

Woo

[@petersarellas]

🙌

[@TranBaoViet]

FX better

[@petersarellas]

FX > FX