Sony Alpha FX3, ILME-FX3 - Cinema Line Full-frame Camera Startup Manual

About the manual for this product

This guide describes the necessary preparations to start using the product, basic operations, etc. For details, refer to the "Help Guide" (web manual).

"Help Guide" (Web manual)
https://rd1.sony.net/help/ilc/2210/h_zz/

Preparations

Checking the supplied items

The number in parentheses indicates the number of pieces.

• Camera (1)
• Battery charger (1)
• Power cord (mains lead) (1)* (supplied in some countries/regions)
  * Multiple power cords may be supplied with this equipment. Use the appropriate one that matches your country/region. See "Notes on use."
• Rechargeable battery pack NP-FZ100 (1)
• USB Type-C cable (1)
• XLR handle unit (1)
• Accessory shoe kit (1)
• Body cap (1) (attached to the camera)
• Shoe cap (1) (attached to the camera)
• Handle shoe cap (1) (attached to the handle)
• Startup Guide (this manual) (1)
• Reference Guide (1)

Identifying parts

For details on identifying parts, refer to the following Help Guide URL:
https://rd1.sony.net/help/ilc/2210_parts/h_zz/

Preparing the battery pack

1. Insert the battery pack into the battery charger, and connect it to a wall outlet (wall socket) using the power cord (supplied).
   
   • Place the battery pack on the battery charger in the direction of . Slide the battery pack in the direction of the arrow as far as it will go.
   • When charging starts, the CHARGE lamp on the battery charger will light up. When charging is finished, the CHARGE lamp and all indicators turn off.
2. Insert the battery pack into the camera.
   • Open the battery cover, and then insert the battery pack while pressing the lock lever.
     

Inserting a memory card into the unit

You can use CFexpress Type A memory cards and SD memory cards with this camera.

Open the memory card cover and insert the memory card into Slot 1.

• Both Slot 1 and Slot 2 support CFexpress Type A memory cards and SD memory cards.
• Insert a CFexpress Type A memory card with the label facing the monitor, and an SD memory card with the terminal facing the monitor. Insert the card until it clicks into place.
• You can change which memory card slot to use by selecting MENU → (Shooting) → [Media] → [ Rec. Media Settings] → [ Recording Media] or [ Recording Media]. The Slot 1 is used in the default settings.

Hint

• When you use a memory card with the camera for the first time, it is recommended that you format the card on the camera for more stable performance of the memory card.

Attaching a lens

1. Remove the body cap from the camera and the rear lens cap from the rear of the lens.
2. Mount the lens by aligning the two white index marks (mounting indexes) on the lens and camera.
3. While pushing the lens lightly toward the camera, turn the lens slowly in the direction of the arrow until it clicks into the locked position.

Attaching the XLR handle unit

(supplied)
By attaching the XLR handle unit, up to four audio devices can be connected to the camera simultaneously.

1. Remove the shoe cap from the camera and the handle shoe cap from the XLR handle unit.
2. Slide the XLR handle unit into the Multi Interface Shoe until it reaches the back of the shoe. Then, be sure to securely tighten the screws on either side using a coin, etc.
   

Performing initial setup for the unit

By establishing a Bluetooth connection (pairing) between the camera and a smartphone, you can perform initial camera setup such as date and time settings from the smartphone. Install the dedicated application on your smartphone in advance, and then follow steps 1 to 4 under "Procedures for initial device setup."

Installing the dedicated smartphone application

Install the application from the following website. Also, update to the latest version of the dedicated application. The specifications of the dedicated application may change without notice.
https://www.sony.net/ca/

Procedures for initial device setup

Control wheel
Select items:
Confirm: Center button

1. Set the power switch to "I" (On) to turn on the camera.
2. Select the desired language and then press the center of the control wheel.
   • The privacy notice screen will appear. Read the privacy notice regarding biometrics by opening the link using your smartphone, etc.
3. Press the center of the control wheel.
4. Follow the instructions on the camera screen to connect the camera with your smartphone and perform the initial setup.
   • You can also configure or change the initial settings later from the MENU of the camera.

Connecting/pairing the unit with your smartphone later

For details on the connection method, refer to the following Help Guide URL:
https://rd1.sony.net/help/ilc/2210_pairing/h_zz/

Shooting

Shooting movies

1. Press the MODE (Mode) button, use the control wheel to select (Movie), and then press the center.
2. Press the REC (Recording) button to start recording.
   Movie recording can be started from any shooting mode in the default setting.
3. Press the REC button again to stop recording.

Shooting still images

1. Press the MODE (Mode) button, use the control wheel to select the desired shooting mode, and then press the center of the control wheel.
2. Press the shutter button halfway down to focus.
3. Press the shutter button all the way down.

Viewing

1. Press the (Playback) button to switch to the playback mode.
2. Select an image with the control wheel.
   You can move to the previous image/next image by pressing the left/right side of the control wheel.
   To start playing back a movie, press the center button on the control wheel.

List of MENU items

For details on menu settings on the camera, refer to the following Help Guide URL:
https://rd1.sony.net/help/ilc/2210_menu/h_zz/

Notes on use

Refer to "Precautions" in the "Help Guide" as well.

Notes on handling the product

• This camera is designed to be dust-and moisture-resistant, but is not waterproof or dust-proof.
• Do not leave the lens exposed to a strong light source such as sunlight. Because of the lens's condensing function, doing so may cause smoke, fire, or a malfunction inside the camera body or the lens. If you have to leave the camera exposed to a light source such as sunlight, attach the lens cap to the lens.
• If sunlight or other strong light enters the camera through the lens, it may focus inside the camera and cause smoke or fire. Attach the lens cap when storing the camera. When shooting with backlighting, keep the sun sufficiently far away from the angle of view. Even if it is slightly away from the angle of view, smoke or fire may still occur.
• Do not directly expose the lens to beams such as laser beams. That may damage the image sensor and cause the camera to malfunction.
• Do not look at sunlight or a strong light source through the lens when it is detached. This may result in unrecoverable damage to the eyes or cause a malfunction.
• This camera (including accessories) has magnet(s) which may interfere with pacemakers, programmable shunt valves for hydrocephalus treatment, or other medical devices. Do not place this camera close to persons who use such medical devices. Consult your doctor before using this camera if you use any such medical device.
• Increase the volume gradually. Sudden loud noises can damage your ears. Be especially careful when listening to headphones.
• Do not leave the camera, the supplied accessories, or memory cards within the reach of infants. They may be accidentally swallowed. If this occurs, consult a doctor immediately.
• While the cooling fan is in operation, be careful not to let any objects get sucked into the fan.

Notes on the monitor

• The monitor is manufactured using extremely high-precision technology, and over 99.99% of the pixels are operational for effective use. However, there may be some small black dots and/ or bright dots (white, red, blue or green in color) that constantly appear on the monitor. These are imperfections due to the manufacturing process and do not affect the recorded images in any way.
• If the monitor is damaged, stop using the camera immediately. The damaged parts may harm your hands, face, etc.

Notes on continuous shooting
During continuous shooting, the monitor may flash between the shooting screen and a black screen. If you keep watching the screen in this situation, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms such as feeling of unwellness. If you experience uncomfortable symptoms, stop using the camera, and consult your doctor as necessary.

Notes on recording for long periods of time or recording 4K movies

• The camera body and battery may become warm with use – this is normal.
• If the same part of your skin touches the camera for a long period of time while using the camera, even if the camera does not feel hot to you, it may cause symptoms of a lowtemperature burn such as redness or blistering. Pay special attention in the following situations and use a tripod, etc.
  • When using the camera in a high temperature environment
  • When someone with poor circulation or impaired skin sensation uses the camera
  • When using the camera with [Auto Power OFF Temp.] set to [High]
• 
  Do not touch the area around the ventilation outlet for long periods of time. Doing so may cause low-temperature burns.

Notes on using memory cards

• When recording is finished, the memory card may become hot. This is not a malfunction.
• If (overheating warning icon) is displayed on the monitor, do not remove the memory card from the camera right away. Instead, wait for a while after turning off the camera, and then remove the memory card. If you touch the memory card while it is hot, you may drop it and the memory card may be damaged. Be careful when removing the memory card.

Notes on using a tripod
Use a tripod with a screw less than 5.5 mm (7/32 inches) long. Otherwise, you cannot firmly secure the camera, and damage to the camera may occur.

Sony lenses/accessories
Using this unit with products from other manufacturers may affect its performance, leading to accidents or malfunction.

Notes on location information
If you upload and share still images or movies taken with this camera on the Internet while the location information is linked with the dedicated smartphone application, you may accidentally reveal the location information to a third party. To prevent third parties from obtaining your location information, deactivate the [Location Information Linkage] function of the dedicated application.

Notes on discarding or transferring this product to others
Before discarding or transferring this product to others, be sure to perform the following operation to protect private information.

• Select [Setting Reset] → [Initialize].

Notes on discarding or transferring a memory card to others
Executing [Format] or [Delete] on the camera or a computer may not completely delete the data on the memory card. Before transferring a memory card to others, we recommend that you delete the data completely using data deletion software. When discarding a memory card, we recommend that you physically destroy it.

Note on network functions
When you use network functions, unintended third parties on the network may access the camera, depending on the usage environment. For example, unauthorized access to the camera may occur in network environments to which another network device is connected or can connect without permission. Sony bears no responsibility for any loss or damage caused by connecting to such network environments.

Note on the 5 GHz band for wireless LAN
When using the wireless LAN function outdoors, set the band to 2.4 GHz by following the procedure below. (WW728473 only)

• MENU → (Network) → [Wi-Fi] → [Wi-Fi Frequency Band]

How to turn off wireless network functions (Wi-Fi, etc.) temporarily
When you board an airplane, etc., you can turn off all wireless network functions temporarily using [Airplane Mode].

Notes on the XLR handle unit (supplied)

• Before connecting/disconnecting an external microphone or device to/from the INPUT1 or INPUT2 jack, be sure to set the INPUT1 (LINE/MIC/MIC+48V) or INPUT2 (LINE/MIC/MIC+48V) switch to a position other than "MIC+48V." Plugging/unplugging the cable into/from the external microphone or device while the switch is set to "MIC+48V" may cause loud noise or a malfunction of the device.
• While recording is in progress, operating and handling noises from the camera or lens may be recorded. Touching the handle while recording is in progress will cause noise to be included in the recording.
• While recording is in progress, do not change the INPUT1 or INPUT2 switch settings.
• If the microphone of the handle is in proximity to a speaker, acoustic feedback may occur. In this case, move the handle away from the speaker to allow the maximum distance between the microphone and the speaker, or lower the speaker volume.
• If dust or water droplets are present on the surface of the microphone, successful recording may not be possible. Be sure to clean the microphone surface before using the handle.
• Turn off the camera before attaching/removing the handle.
• When the handle is connected to the camera and the HANDLE AUDIO ON/OFF switch is set to ON, the internal microphone of the camera cannot record audio input.
• When attaching the handle to the camera, fasten the two handle-attachment screws securely.
  Using the handle without fastening the handle-attachment screws may damage the Multi Interface Shoe terminal or cause the handle to fall off.

Power Cord
For the customers in the UK, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus and Saudi Arabia
Use the power cord (A).
For safety reasons, the power cord (B) is not intended for above countries/regions and shall therefore not be used there.
For the customers in other EU countries/regions
Use the power cord (B).

Specifications

Camera
[System]
Camera Type: Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera
Lens: Sony E-mount lens

[Image sensor]
Image format: 35 mm full frame (35.6 mm × 23.8 mm), CMOS image sensor
Effective pixel number of camera: Approx. 12 100 000 pixels
Total pixel number of camera: Approx. 12 900 000 pixels

[Monitor]
7.5 cm (3.0 type) TFT drive, touch panel

[General]
Rated input: 7.2 V , 7.3 W (during movie recording)
Operating temperature: 0 to 40°C (32 to 104°F)
Storage temperature: –20 to 55°C (–4 to 131°F)
Dimensions (W/H/D) (Approx.):
129.7 × 77.8 × 84.5 mm
5 1/8 × 3 1/8 × 3 3/8 in.
Mass (Approx.):
715 g (1 lb 9.3 oz) (including battery pack, SD card)

[Wireless LAN]
WW728473 (see name plate on the bottom of camera)
Supported format: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Frequency band: 2.4 GHz/5 GHz
Security: WEP/WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
Connection method: Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)/Manual
Access method: Infrastructure mode

WW558244 (see name plate on the bottom of camera)
Supported format: IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
Frequency band: 2.4 GHz
Security: WEP/WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
Connection method: Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)/Manual
Access method: Infrastructure mode

XLR handle unit
Mass (Approx.): 300 g (10.6 oz)

Battery charger BC-QZ1
Rated input: 100 - 240 V , 50/60 Hz, 0.38 A
Rated output: 8.4 V , 1.6 A

Rechargeable battery pack
NP-FZ100
Rated voltage: 7.2 V

Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/Support/

Additional information on this product and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at our Customer Support Website.
https://www.sony.net/

For Customers in the U.S.A.
For question regarding your product or for the Sony Service Center nearest you, call 1-800-222-SONY (7669).

Documents / Resources

References

• Help Guide | Top
• Help Guide | Top
• Sony Group Portal - Support / Contact Us for Electronics and Game
• Sony Corporation - Home
• Help Guide | Top
• https://www.sony.net/ca/
• Help Guide | Top

Download manual

Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.

Download Sony Alpha FX3, ILME-FX3 - Cinema Line Full-frame Camera Startup Manual