The TRUTH About the Sony FX30 After a Year

One-year review taking an in-depth look at its features, advantages, and drawbacks to help you decide if it's the right camera for you. Whether you're a professional or an enthusiastic content creator, this long-term review will provide valuable insights to assist with your decision-making process.
Sony FX30: amzn.to/40d3Idv
00:00 Intro
00:29 Back Story
01:22 Workflow
02:24 Sensor Size
04:44 Ergnomics
06:34 Rigging Options
07:28 Reliability and Features
09:15 Downsides of the Camera
09:30 Battery Life
10:45 ND Filters
11:32 Shutter Angle
12:10 Mechanical Shutter
13:10 Who is this for?
14:05 Is it Worth It?
9 Must-Have Sony FX30 Accessories
• Best 9 Sony FX30 Acces...
How I Built My Sony FX30 Rig | Why Build a Rig?
• How I Built My Sony FX...
Where I Mix my Favorite Music (Paid Link)bit.ly/3Z28YQm(get 2 extra months free)
Where I Get Music, SFX and Titles (Paid Link): bit.ly/3q98Wt7 (get 2 extra months free)
Alternative Place for video assets (Paid Link): bit.ly/48yyHE1 ($50 off annual plan)
Mike B Salazar Store (with Freebies): mikebsalazar.gumroad.com/
My Main Camera (Paid Link): amzn.to/3OaTuUX
My Best Lens (Paid Link): amzn.to/46U4X2T
My All-Around Lens (Paid Link): amzn.to/3EbnUSp
My Vlog Microphone (Paid Link): amzn.to/3LNyzER
My Stabilizer (Paid Link): amzn.to/3JdUB20
My Travel Tripod (Paid Link): amzn.to/4aXu6g6
My Vlog Tripod (Paid Link): amzn.to/3NVSwuZ
Everyday Sling Bag (Paid Link): amzn.to/41VAxMQ
Camera Bag (Paid Link): get.aspr.app/SHDjj / amzn.to/3O1Zro8
Rugged Travel Case (Paid Link): amzn.to/3RS9yNw
Entire Kit (Paid Link): go.mikebsalazar.com/kit
My Online Backup Solution (Paid Link): go.mikebsalazar.com/backblaze
---
Instagram (For BTS and still): / mikebsalazar
Find me here on X/Twitter: x.com/mikebsalazar
---
These may have affiliate links which help support the channel at no extra expense from you.

[@MikeBSalazar]

📸 What's your favorite feature of the Sony FX30 camera?

[@markandjuby]

Just bought one 2 days ago. I know absolutely nothing on how to work it but I’m looking to up my quality of our content so I’m taking a leap of faith. LOVE that you do this as well for your church brother. So great! Thanks for the review!

[@MikeBSalazar]

Thanks for stopping by! This is definitely a great camera to have and use.

[@brunokraucher419]

Helping the algorithm ❤ you deserve being full time content creator!

[@MikeBSalazar]

Yooo. Thank you for your support! I greatly appreciate it! Thanks for being here!

[@arianxhezairi3284]

I checked a dozen of reviews today, your’s convinced me to get the FX30! You just earned a subscriber. 👏🏻

[@MikeBSalazar]

You’re gonna love it man. Thanks for being here!

[@ToldbyNick]

Really well done and well produced video my man! You’ll go full time creator in no time 💪 just keep grinding

[@MikeBSalazar]

I appreciate the feedback. Thank you!

[@pauldicarlo3057]

I'd like to play with movie making, so I've been looking at a lot of reviews. This review is exceptionally well done. Presented in a clear, logical manner. Very well communicated.

[@MikeBSalazar]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@MillionMegaPixel]

Great video! Very engaging throughout. Thank you!

[@MikeBSalazar]

🙏🏼 Thank you!

[@EzyTiger123]

I love your content! Informative, accurate, and light-hearted! Awesome, thank you!

[@MikeBSalazar]

I appreciate the feedback. Thank you!

[@earthyaly]

This was so helpful, thank you 🤙🏽

[@MikeBSalazar]

Very welcome! Thanks for stopping by!

[@Mackylog]

Bought this as a B cam to my FX6. Love it

[@MikeBSalazar]

You’re gonna love it more with the upcoming update

[@Bvongmedia]

Fx30 is the best starter pack for a beginner filmmaker.

[@MikeBSalazar]

Oh absolutely. Easy recommend!

[@jasvindersehmbi5253]

Excellent video, I have an FX30 and purchased it over the FX3 so far very pleased with the performance of the FX30.

[@MikeBSalazar]

It’s a great time to be in Sony. Cant say I dream of an fx3 lol

[@arby.aranda]

What a great video.... thank you so much❤🥰

[@MikeBSalazar]

You're welcome very much!

[@nebulabass]

Great review!

[@MikeBSalazar]

Thank you! I appreciate the feedback!

[@hersi4700]

great review on the fx30. just purchased it today with the tamron 17-70 f 2.8 lens

[@MikeBSalazar]

Oh man! You got yourself a sweet setup!

[@naeemraaz1295]

Thanks For Sharing This Video :!

[@MikeBSalazar]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@jasondoesthings]

Subbed! Dude, I dig your videos 🤠👍 thinking of upgrading my ZV-E10 soon

[@MikeBSalazar]

Thanks! I appreciate you being here! I hear rumors of a ZV-E10II next year haha but this FX30 is just a tank!

[@jasondoesthings]

@@MikeBSalazar Nice! My main concern is that I’m gonna have to change my KZbin channel content to include videos on camera tech and accessories 😂. Cameras are addictive!

[@MikeBSalazar]

@@jasondoesthings hahahaha there have been interesting cameras lately for sure haha but also a lot of similar ones haha

[@eddiewarboy2924]

thanks for your review! i buy my fx30 thanks to you!

[@MikeBSalazar]

You’ll be happy with it!

[@NARRASSAFilmes]

I love this camera. I think the same as you about the price and wheight.

[@MikeBSalazar]

It’s just right. No regrets whatsoever.

[@JamieSandel]

I kind of love "I'm a nurse so I'm gonna give you the perspective none of these paid gear nerds will tell you" lol I'm an a7SIII/a7IV guy, but I own an FX30 and I just recommended it to a friend of mine - a really successful KZbin/TikTok creator - for a kit upgrade. The combo of quality and value (and the value and portability of the glass) make it a better option than many other more expensive cameras.

[@MikeBSalazar]

Hahahaha easily one of my favorite comments. Yeah man! The fx30 is way easier to recommend nowadays. But yes, we love a little full frame too hehe

[@CaleMcCollough]

For me I"m saving for the FX3 with an FX30 because the FX30 allows me to use one 35mm Sirui Saturn anamorphic lens and you can use Clear Zoom with the FX30 and get all the way up to 85mm lens, which saves $2200, so so the FX30 literally pays for itself, AND the FX3 is much smaller and lighter than two cinema lenses. I also love how my Sony 10-20mm f/4 PZ G lens turns into a 15-50mm full frame equivalent.

[@MikeBSalazar]

That’ll be a great upgrade if you get the fx3

[@CaleMcCollough]

@@MikeBSalazar I'm going for the A7S III because it's cheaper and you can record raw externally and you can use recording monitor.

[@95Ldunc]

It’s a video centric camera. Sony designs cameras that are dedicated to photography and dedicated to video. They give you some photography features on this video camera and give photography cameras like A7IV some video features, but you cannot have the best of both worlds. Choose what’s most important for your workflow and pick a camera. For my corporate video workflow, I have my FX-6, FX-3 and FX-30 for dedicated video. I also shoot photography. So for that I have an A7IV. You cannot expect one camera to be have all the best features for multiple applications.

[@MikeBSalazar]

Oh of course. And I just want to make those limitations clear with anyone else who may be similar to me. Nonetheless, still a fantastic camera. I also have recently got the A7IV for photos.

[@95Ldunc]

@@MikeBSalazar I liked your video. I made the switch from Nikon DSLR to Sony Mirrorless in 2018. My first Sony camera was an A7III. I lost a lot of money (thousands of dollars) on trading in my Nikon gear to make the switch to the Sony system but it was well worth it. The switch paid off. I’ve made all of that money back plus I made a substantial profit in my business since making the switch. Sony is not perfect, but they provide the best options for film makers and photographers, they offer arguably the most advanced autofocus of any manufacturer and offer the widest lens selection (including third party lens manufacturers-Sigma, Tamron, etc) with autofocus capability.

[@alfnazr]

Does the Ninja V support 4k 60fps ProRes 422 or HQ (not raw) on FX30, kindly let me know as its a huge purchase advice. Also does it crop on 4K 60fps ProRes HQ or 422...

[@santiagopedraza2739]

We'll get Shutter Angle this september for the FX30!!!

[@MikeBSalazar]

Yes sir! I’m excited for it!

[@christiangrgic]

God bless you brother! :-)

[@MikeBSalazar]

Same to you!

[@DigiDriftZone]

The FX30 is a phenomenal camera but I am so happy I went with the ZV-E1. I found it for £1600 which was even cheaper than the FX30 for an identical sensor to the A7S3 while also having the AI chip from A7R5 (and all the other benefits like importing LUTs, etc), I mean, holy shit. I think if you don't need dual card slots and you're happy to leave the battery door open for longer than 1 hour continuous takes (this completely removes overheating), it is worth considering.

[@MikeBSalazar]

Leaving the battery door open is new trick I haven’t heard of. I should try that with my A6700. You got yourself a great deal! For me, I do need at least one camera with dual SD card slots and the FX30 is already one for me hehe.

[@DigiDriftZone]

@@MikeBSalazar I actually pre-ordered the A6700 and cancelled that pre-order when I learned about the ZV-E1's existence. I'm so happy with full frame, especially at a similar price to APS-C! - but yes, it's not a "pro" camera like the FX30 :) Let me know if the trick helps, not only does the ZV-E1 not overheat in a hot room and can record for over an hour and a half on 1 charge, I tested 4k30 streaming over USB-C and in 6.5 hours of streaming, battery dropped from 100% to 83% and there was no overheating - very happy with that! Those f/1.8 small primes are just night and day improvement vs even f/1.4 Sigma/Viltrox primes on APS-C and smaller too! - e.g. Sigma 16mm APS-C 72 x 92mm 405g vs Viltrox 24mm FE 71 x 82mm 381g.

[@ChillStudyDate]

Where did you find it for 1600 euro?

[@DigiDriftZone]

@@ChillStudyDate Search for E Infinity

[@bjorn.thorvaldson]

ZV-E1 is cool, but the lenses cost...

[@manavsnapp]

I have the FX30 since Aug and one thing that bugs me is that the footage shoot handheld is still pretty shaky even while using the active stablization...

[@MikeBSalazar]

Definitely not perfect or super stable. Dynamic stabilization from something like the ZV-E1 would be a step up. Otherwise we stabilizing in post 😅

[@thewestpost]

i have a question to you about the indoor studio set up you have in camera, can you share.

[@MikeBSalazar]

The cameras that I use in studio are mostly the Sony FX30 and the a6700.

[@thewestpost]

I have A7R with 14mm but I want to get the silky skin face tone , do you use any LUT?

[@Tonellacam]

Why not use the usb c connection with v mount instead of the dummy battery , that’s what I do and love it , I also don’t like messing with the battery slot , works just as good with my smallrig vmount to usbc , charges native Sony battery while filming

[@MikeBSalazar]

I just started doing it this way and im surprised and how long it does without even dipping to 50%. Its great! I use the moman pro one.

[@GlobalShutterNY]

The latest greatest Alexa 35 is a Super 35 sized sensor- saying that you need 'full frame' is ridiculous - or someone better tell those Alexa purchasers that they are spending $80K on a prosumer 'toy'! Only on very low light is there a real difference IMHO - the FX30 holds its own easily up to ISO 3200 - and there are very few situations that are darker than that!

[@MikeBSalazar]

I appreciate comments like this. Can’t say I want to own an Alexa one day but I’m glad that even in higher end tools, sensor size doesn’t have the final say :)

[@GlobalShutterNY]

Trust me - I will never own an Alexa - but it just points out how silly it is when people dismiss any Super35 sensor as not pro! It's all about dynamic range - and the new Alexa35 sensor is measured at 17+ stops- amazing! The fact that some full frame Sonys can shoot at ISO 12,800 is nice - but once again not likely ever to be a 'pro' issue as very few films are ever shot at ISO's above 3200! @@MikeBSalazar

[@user-rs1xd4xx2k]

I did the same with my ASII and FS5-ii which I had a Shogun Inferno attached to between 2016 and 2020. it became wayyyy too much to haul around

[@MikeBSalazar]

That shotgun is huge! Before I ordered one I had only been using the ninja V. But as soon as I took that thing and mounted it on my set up, instant regret. I returned that thing right away. 😆

[@Sweatmonkey513]

Can u please make a video about thumbnails about KZbin videos like what’s the setup that’s if u could..

[@MikeBSalazar]

You mean like the setup I use to make my KZbin thumbnails?

[@Sweatmonkey513]

@@MikeBSalazar yes

[@howtomoderate]

Im coming from gopro and phone cameras. With an interest in vlogging/documentary filming. Ive been deciding between a zv-e10 and the fx30. I dont know if going all out right away is the smart thing to do. Maybe a cheaper zv-e10 for a couple years is the way to go. Anyway thanks for the vid, that camera is sick!

[@willschimpf_]

I have a zve10 and its actually awesome. Ive gotten really nice photos with it and videos to. But… the. I started shooting sports 😂. Go with the fx30 if you want to film anything fast paced because of the 4k 60/120fps

[@howtomoderate]

@@willschimpf_ thanks for the info. I've been going through a few days of heavy research and I have basically come to the conclusion that the zv-e10 is a great camera but the fx30 is on another level. A part of me wants to buy a fx30 and devote my time to it. I think it comes down to being new to the camera world. It's a hard button to push on a $1600 camera. I am scared I will purchase it and never be good enough to use it to its full capabilities. But I do know for someone video focused like myself the fx30 is just better for that in many ways. I don't know how you camera guys that have been in this world for many years deal with the anxiety of purchasing the right gear lol.

[@bunkertons]

​@@howtomoderateHey, man! I had a similar dilemma between the FX30 and the FX3. I chose the FX30 based on price/need, and let me tell you that I made the right decision! In your case, I would say go for the cheaper option, like me. It's better to go with something that won't break the bank, allowing you to get out there and start sharing your specific journey. Bonus, you can buy more gear and tech for your camera with the money you saved! Best of luck with your channel/work!

[@howtomoderate]

@@bunkertons yeah you are right. Especially since I plan on traveling and doing the vlog grind. That 900 in savings can go towards a different lens or a drone lol. Thanks for the perspective again! Best of luck to you as well.

[@MikeBSalazar]

vlogging/documentary is definitely up this camera's alley. For sure the ZV-E10 will give you great results. If you're looking for that robust camera, the FX30 will definitely give you what you're looking for and allow you to grow. When I held onto my A7SIII for similar reasons I thought I would never grow into it (especially for the price point). The FX30 has very similar offerings for less and yet I feel like I spent more money because of how much more I use it. Plus if you decide to get an FX3 one day or even an FX6, you'll still be able to use your FX30 as a reliable second camera too. If you decide to get the FX30, there is a sale going on for the FX30 right now too. It's a good time to be looking for cameras, many options.

[@49erfan916]

Can you make a video on how you capture footage in church? It’s hard for me because the lighting isn’t that good in my church.

[@MikeBSalazar]

I could probably make a short on this.

[@castielvargastv7931]

Apsc sensors are more than good enough for producing any video content. After all most cinema movies are shot with super 35 (apsc) cameras.

[@MikeBSalazar]

Oh absolutely! Been shooting with the sigma 18-35mm f1.8 lately and have been loving it.

[@JacReviewsStuff]

I'm living in Malaysia and I switched to the micro four thirds Panasonic gh6 because of the internal fan. However I only really had issues with low light when in church... I have found a way to not feel this issue : I stopped going to church hahahaha

[@MikeBSalazar]

😂😂😂😂😂 this guy hahahahahha

[@nabeelkasim]

4k120 is nice ❤

[@diogocmx]

FWIW, Shutter Angle is coming later this year (2024) on the next firmware.

[@MikeBSalazar]

Oh yeah! Looking forward to that!

[@williamdemattos]

Are you adventist? Was it Jaime Jorge on the violin?

[@MikeBSalazar]

Yeah

[@BlackapinoTheTechGuy]

*Why I LOVE My FX30 thee only Problem I have is the Codec to Run True 24 & 60fps doesn't work on Adobe which I Mainly use but at 59fps & still looks Amazing but that's the only thing I have an issue with and that's a Software issue not Sony's but yeah I noticed that with my Dummy Battery doesn't show the percentage. I get that same warning but I use it at Home for my talking head vids but yeah not sure why they did that but I'm hoping a future update will fix this*

[@MikeBSalazar]

Dang. I would have thought as something as simple as that would be no problem. I hardly use the DCI 4K at 24, but when I have, it wasn't an issue for final cut and resolve. I'm also looking for that update. I should have mentioned it in case some Sony higher-up sees it haha

[@Steger13]

Can't decide between this one or the zve1 🤔

[@MikeBSalazar]

I do have a video on this 🙂

[@Steger13]

@@MikeBSalazar let me check it out! 😀

[@MikeBSalazar]

@@Steger13 Hope it helps!

[@ristanadwicahya]

i wish it have shutter angle options

[@MikeBSalazar]

Oh they are adding it in an update this year

[@DigiDriftZone]

I actually found going from APS-C to Full Frame my kit is smaller and lighter, especially if you're comparing f/1.4 primes and f/2.8 zooms on APS-C to their equivalents of f/2 primes and f/4 zooms on Full Frame. I filmed a short video about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3u8hK1qorBsa7s

[@MikeBSalazar]

Ooo. I shall check this out. Generally when I think of the lighting package I think of the sigma primes hehe

[@DigiDriftZone]

@@MikeBSalazar Speaking of tiny packages, the Viltrox 20mm F/2.8 Full Frame just came out, 150g to rival the Viltrox 13mm F/1.4 APS-C at something half the size and weight!

[@SCINEMACREW]

The Fx30 is my BABY!

[@MikeBSalazar]

I’m with you there

[@_ac_7649]

does it crop in 60 FPS?

[@MikeBSalazar]

Nope it doesn’t

[@MasterCrunk]

When a camera is super expensive it's best to by accidental insurance. 😂

[@MikeBSalazar]

Im with you there!

[@L91168]

If only it had a mechanical shutter :(

[@omarmwabair3369]

The same here 😔

[@castielvargastv7931]

Well buy the 6700 then, its the same camera but with more photo features, a mechanical shutter is not needed in video cameras.

[@omarmwabair3369]

The 6700 have an issue whit ovarheating@@castielvargastv7931

[@L91168]

@@castielvargastv7931 no full hdmi, no 2 sd card slots. A6700 overheats constantly. Its not the same camera whatsoever

[@AMKProductionMain]

mechanical shutter and a full frame sensor it will be the perfect camera

[@modirisebadieta5495]

are you SDA?

[@MikeBSalazar]

Yup

[@estebanmarquez6636]

I don't get it guys...if you want a mechanical shutter and a full frame sensor you can get the FX3. I know its expensive but what do you expect? Sony isn't gonna make a cheap FX3 with no compromises.

[@MikeBSalazar]

It is what it is lol.

[@estebanmarquez6636]

@@MikeBSalazar to be fair, I love my FX30. I just wish the second native ISO was a little higher that 2500

[@MikeBSalazar]

Sometimes I wish the same. For now just compensating with faster lenses.

[@kendrasananikone]

awesome overview of the camera! i had no idea that you could load luts into the fx30 and bake them into your footage :o i totally would've gone for the fx30 over my a7siii if it came out first 🥲

[@MikeBSalazar]

We both should have just gotten FX3’s 🥲 Thanks for stopping by Kendra!