Sony FX3 vs FX6 vs FX9 — Same Family, Different Body: Which to Rent?
Sony FX3 (1,500 TRY/day), FX6 (2,500 TRY/day) and FX9 (2,750 TRY/day) compared. Which camera fits which project — solo vlog to drama series? Real Istanbul rental prices, set packages, scenario-based recommendations.
Sony's FX series has become the backbone of TV drama, commercial, music-video and documentary production in Turkey over the past five years. FX3, FX6 and FX9: three cameras sharing the same color science, three different budgets, three different operational profiles. This guide compares them at Film Makinesi's actual rental prices.
The contenders:
- Sony FX3 — 1,500 TRY/day, 7,350 TRY/week
- Sony PXW-FX6 — 2,500 TRY/day, 12,250 TRY/week
- Sony PXW-FX9 — 2,750 TRY/day, 13,475 TRY/week
Quick Decision Table
| Scenario | Pick |
|---|---|
| Solo vlog/social/music video | FX3 |
| Low-budget commercial, indie film | FX3 |
| Gimbal/handheld-heavy shoot | FX3 or FX6 |
| Documentary, drama B-cam, ENG | FX6 |
| Mid-to-high tier TVC | FX6 |
| Drama A-cam, broadcast production | FX9 |
| High-budget documentary, indie feature | FX9 |
| RAW required (with external recorder) | FX9 |
Spec Sheet — Side by Side
| Feature | FX3 | FX6 | FX9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 12.1MP full-frame | 12.9MP full-frame | 19.0MP full-frame |
| Max resolution | 4K | 4K | 6K → 4K oversampled |
| Dual-Base ISO | 800 / 12800 | 800 / 12800 | 800 / 4000 |
| Max slow motion (4K) | 120fps | 120fps | 60fps (1080p: 180fps) |
| Codec | XAVC S/HS/S-I | XAVC-I, XAVC-L | XAVC-I, XAVC-L + RAW out |
| Built-in ND | ❌ | ✅ Variable 2/4/6 stop | ✅ Variable 2/4/6 stop |
| Audio | XLR via top handle | Dual XLR (handle) | Dual XLR built-in |
| Lens mount | E-mount | E-mount | E-mount |
| Body weight | ~715g | ~890g | ~2.0 kg |
| Battery | NP-FZ100 | BP-U35/60/100 | BP-U35/60/100 |
| Form factor | Mirrorless body | Cinema cube | ENG-style |
FX3 — The Solo Operator's Cinematic Tool (1,500 TRY/day)
The Sony FX3 is a professional cinema camera in an Alpha (a7S III) body. Mirrorless-sized full-frame sensor, dual-base ISO, S-Cinetone and 10-bit 4:2:2 4K capture. Ships with vlog grip and top mount handle (with XLR inputs). In Turkey, it's become the default for indie music videos, social-media production, indie commercials and B-cam work.
Strengths:
- Lowest daily rate: 1,500 TRY (60% under FX6)
- Mirrorless size → ideal for gimbal, handheld, drone setups
- NP-FZ100 battery — cheap and light
- Active mode video stabilization (in-camera)
- Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Weaknesses:
- No built-in ND — outdoor work needs mattebox NDs
- XLR inputs are on the handle, not the body
- No ENG ergonomics — fatiguing on long days
- Mini HDMI port (fragile)
Set options:
- FX3 Basic Set — 3,500 TRY/day
- FX3 Cine Set — 4,500 TRY/day
- FX3 Pro Set — 5,000 TRY/day
FX6 — The Bridge Between Cinema and ENG (2,500 TRY/day)
FX6 sits in Sony's mid Cinema Line. FX3's color science + built-in ND + XLR + BP-U battery = the new standard on documentary and drama sets. ENG ergonomics, but still compact. Used regularly on Netflix, BluTV and TRT productions in Turkey.
Strengths:
- Built-in Variable ND (2/4/6 stop) — mattebox-free outdoor flexibility
- Dual XLR audio (handle)
- BP-U battery system — long runtime, professional standard
- ENG ergonomics — comfortable for long shoots
- Lens-side record start/stop
- Color science matches FX9 → seamless A/B cam matched setup
Weaknesses:
- Smaller sensor than FX9 (12.9MP vs 19.0MP)
- No 4K oversampling — direct 4K readout
- No RAW output
Set options:
- FX6 Basic Set — 4,250 TRY/day
- FX6 Cine Set — 5,250 TRY/day
- FX6 Pro Set — 7,000 TRY/day
FX9 — The Drama A-Cam Standard (2,750 TRY/day)
FX9 is the top of Sony's professional ENG line — the bridge between Cinema Line and broadcast. 19MP full-frame sensor, 6K oversampled to 4K, 16-bit RAW output via external recorder. The A-cam on big-budget Turkish drama series; also chosen for high-end Discovery / National Geographic-tier documentary work.
Strengths:
- 19MP full-frame sensor → 6K oversampled → cleanest 4K image
- RAW output (ProRes RAW with Atomos Shogun)
- 1080p 180fps slow motion
- Built-in variable ND
- Built-in dual XLR — adapter-free
- Full professional ergonomics (broadcast standard)
- Color science matches FX6 → seamless A/B cam setup
Weaknesses:
- 2 kg weight → tough for solo handheld
- Dual-Base ISO 800/4000 (vs FX3/FX6's 800/12800) — slightly less low-light flexibility
- 4K caps at 60fps (FX3/FX6 do 120fps)
Set options:
- FX9 Basic Set — 4,500 TRY/day
- FX9 Cine Set — 5,750 TRY/day
- FX9 Pro Set — 7,500 TRY/day
Price Comparison — Full Table
| Package | FX3 | FX6 | FX9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body — Daily | 1,500 TRY | 2,500 TRY | 2,750 TRY |
| Body — Weekly | 7,350 TRY | 12,250 TRY | 13,475 TRY |
| Basic Set — Daily | 3,500 TRY | 4,250 TRY | 4,500 TRY |
| Cine Set — Daily | 4,500 TRY | 5,250 TRY | 5,750 TRY |
| Pro Set — Daily | 5,000 TRY | 7,000 TRY | 7,500 TRY |
FX9 vs FX6 reality check: Body rental difference is just 250 TRY/day (10%). Same color science, same E-mount lenses. FX9 = bigger sensor + RAW; FX6 = lighter. The decision is technical, not budgetary, on most shoots.
Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1: 4-Day Music Video
Solo operator, gimbal-heavy, cinematic look.
- FX3 Cine Set 4-day: 4,500 × 2.4 = 10,800 TRY
- FX6 Cine Set 4-day: 5,250 × 2.4 = 12,600 TRY
- FX9 Cine Set 4-day: 5,750 × 2.4 = 13,800 TRY
Recommendation: FX3 Cine Set — best for gimbal, cheapest, cinematic quality assured.
Scenario 2: 7-Day Documentary Shoot
1 operator + 1 sound, exterior-heavy, fast turnaround.
- FX3 Pro Set 7-day (weekly): 24,500 TRY
- FX6 Pro Set 7-day (weekly): 34,300 TRY
- FX9 Pro Set 7-day (weekly): 36,750 TRY
Recommendation: FX6 Pro Set — built-in ND and XLR are lifesavers in exterior doc work. Worth the 9,800 TRY premium over FX3 once you factor in mattebox/audio adapter costs.
Scenario 3: 14-Day Drama Episode Block
2-camera (A + B), broadcast standard.
- 2× FX9 Cine Set, 2 weeks: 2 × 28,175 × 2 = 112,700 TRY
- 1× FX9 + 1× FX6 Cine Set, 2 weeks: (28,175 + 25,725) × 2 = 107,800 TRY
Recommendation: FX9 + FX6 mix. A-cam FX9 (wide masters), B-cam FX6 (handheld, gimbal). Color matches cleanly, save 5% — and more importantly, B-cam operational speed keeps pace with a drama set.
Lens Recommendations (All E-Mount)
All three share the Sony E-mount, so the same lens library covers all of them:
- Premium prime: Zeiss Nano Prime Set (5,500 TRY/day) — full-frame T1.5
- Cinema standard: Sony G Master Prime Set (3,400 TRY/day)
- Cine PL: Zeiss CP.2 PL Set (3,500 TRY/day) + Metabones PL-E adapter
- Photo prime (budget): Sigma E-Mount Art Set (2,500 TRY/day)
- Cine zoom: Sony G Master Zoom Set (2,250 TRY/day)
- Anamorphic: Blazar Remus Anamorphic (2,500 TRY/day)
Decision — Which One?
Pick FX3 if: solo operator, gimbal/handheld-heavy, music video, social media, indie commercial, tight budget. Mirrorless size + cinema quality.
Pick FX6 if: documentary, drama B-cam, run-and-gun, exterior-heavy. Built-in ND and XLR advantage, ENG ergonomics.
Pick FX9 if: drama A-cam, broadcast production, premium documentary, RAW required. 6K oversampling + biggest sensor.
Booking
FX3 and FX6 are the most-requested cameras in our inventory. During peak season (May–September), book 1–2 weeks in advance. Contact us or call +90 212 221 45 25 — we'll size the package to your project.
Quick links: FX3 · FX6 · FX9 · Full rate card · Venice 2 vs Burano 8K comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Do FX3, FX6 and FX9 deliver the same image? +
In color science and recording format (S-Cinetone, S-Log3, S-Gamut3.Cine), the three are nearly identical signatures. Multi-cam matched setups are easy. Differences sit in codec quality (FX9 XAVC-I tier, different bitrates on FX3/FX6), oversampling (FX9 6K→4K) and maximum slow-motion frame rate.
I'm a solo operator — which one? +
Sony FX3, no question. 715g body, vlog grip, photo-camera form factor. Solo gimbal work doesn't fatigue you. FX6 is heavier (~890g + grip), FX9 is 2kg — neither is ideal for solo gimbal/handheld over a long day.
Best pick for documentary or drama? +
FX6 has become the new standard for drama sets: built-in ND filter (variable 2/4/6 stops), XLRs, BP-U battery system, ENG ergonomics. FX9 is the A-cam for higher-budget series; oversampled 4K, stronger processor. FX3 mostly serves as documentary B-cam or out-of-studio interview camera.
FX9 is only 250 TRY/day more than FX6. Why pick FX9? +
FX6 is more compact and lighter (good for handheld); FX9 has a larger sensor data path, 6K oversampling and 16-bit RAW output. On a 7-day shoot the difference is just 1,225 TRY (worth zero in operator comfort). Decision is technical: fast handheld → FX6, wide-frame A-cam drama → FX9.
Can all three use the same lenses? +
Yes — all three are Sony E-mount. Sony G Master Prime Set, Sigma E-Mount Art Set, Zeiss Nano Prime Set all work natively. PL lenses need a Metabones PL-E adapter. This compatibility is a huge advantage in multi-cam setups.
Body-only or set rental — which makes more sense? +
Body-only if budget is tight and you bring your own lens / accessory kit. Otherwise, Cine or Pro Set is more economical. Math: FX3 body 1,500 TRY + Sony G Master Prime 3,400 TRY + monitor 1,000 TRY + follow focus 500 TRY = 6,400 TRY. The FX3 Cine Set bundles all of it at 4,500 TRY — 30% cheaper, with guaranteed compatibility.