Sony FX6 Firmware V2 – Touch Tracking AF, Bokeh Control Mode, Breathing Compensation and More

Firmware Update

by Jakub HanJanuary 13^th, 2022

Sony just announced a new free firmware update v2.00 for the popular full-frame cinema camera Sony FX6. It brings better tracking AF, breathing compensation, 16-bit raw output via HDMI, bokeh control mode, picture cache recording, HDR and SDR dual production for SR Live, 4-channel audio level meter, and more.

It is always a happy moment for a camera owner when his or her working tool gets new features and improvements with a free firmware update. This time, Sony shows some love to the owners/operators of the FX6 full-frame cinema camera by releasing a new free firmware update v2.00. It equips the popular camera with some features from other Sony cameras and it also introduces some brand new ones. Let’s take a look at the details.

Sony FX6 – firmware v2.00

The Sony FX6 is now over one year old. Announced in November 2020, it immediately caught a fair bit of attention with the impressive “a7S III-like” specs paired with the ergonomics of a proper yet lightweight cinema camera. Make sure to watch Nino’s FX6 review in case you’ve missed it. You can also take a look at our Sony FX6 Lab Test to get the full picture of the camera’s abilities and image quality. Today, Sony is further improving the camera with the new firmware v2.00 which adds the following.

Advanced AI-based AF

First, the FX6 is getting an improvement in autofocus to be on par with the Sony FX3. Sony calls it “Advanced AI-based AF” and it should provide more tenacious real-time tracking to handle tricky situations when both camera and subjects are moving. Touch tracking is available in AF and MF mode. The tracking subject can be specified by touching the display or using the multi-selector on the handle.

Breathing Compensation

Another new feature is Breathing Compensation which Sony first introduced in the a7 IV. It helps minimize focus breathing and keep the same angle of view when changing focus. Keep in mind that this is only available with select Sony lenses: SEL14F18GM, SEL20F18G, SEL24F14GM, SEL35F14GM, SEL50F12GM, SEL85F14GM, SEL100F28GM (The breathing compensation function cannot be used when the macro switching ring is set to “0.57m–1.0m.”), SEL135F18GM, SEL1224GM, SEL1224G, SEL1635GM, SEL2470GM, SEL24105G, SEL28135G, SEL70200GM (cannot be used with a teleconverter – SEL14TC/SEL20TC – mounted), SEL70200GM2

16-bit raw output via HDMI

In addition to the 12G-SDI, the FX6 also gets 16-bit raw output via HDMI. The camera will be able to output 4K UHD 60p to a compatible external recorder. This might make things easier for users who also have the a7S III or the FX3 as they will be able to use the same external recorder, such as the Atomos Ninja V, without any SDI converter.

Bokeh control mode

An interesting new feature is the Bokeh control mode for easy adjustment of bokeh while minimizing exposure changes. This mode uses the built-in electronic variable ND filter and newly also gain/ISO to automatically adjust these two values when the user changes the aperture. This results in consistently exposed images where the depth of field changes. This works best when using lenses with a clickless iris ring by manually rotating the ring. We had this feature with the FS5 / FS7 II already, what’s new is that ISO is now also being adjusted seamlessly to create the illusion of an evenly exposed DOF change.

HDR and SDR dual production for SR Live

Known from the Sony Z190, the FX6 now also gets the HDR and SDR dual production for SR Live. This is a comfortable and accelerated workflow for SDR emulated preview display on the EVF and SDR gain metadata recording while keeping the HDR information in the pipeline.

Picture Cache Recording

Picture Cache Recording is available while shooting in normal and S&Q mode with the FX6. This feature helps to record unpredictable events as it basically constantly pre-records a certain amount of seconds. After pressing the record button, the footage will include those moments prior to pressing the button. This mode will be available in 4 selections: short/medium/long/max which allows for a maximum of 31 seconds of pre-recording (in normal mode) in our test of the FX6 beta firmware 2.00, and up to 5 seconds in S&Q mode.

4-channel audio level meter

Also known from the FX3 is the 4-channel audio level meter. The FX6 will now also be able to display levels for all four channels on the OSD as well as more detailed information in the status menu.

More new features

Additional improvements of the v2.00 firmware include the following:

• Enhanced FTP transfer speed
• The recording media (slot A, slot B) can be selected by using the rec button and handle rec button for simultaneous recording mode (known from the FS5).
• More settings that support touch operation with the touch panel
• Multi-function dial function is assignable to the grip assignable dial
• Proxy file with 4-channel audio in metadata

It is also worth noting that the Content Browser Mobile v3.5.1 is not compatible with the FX6 firmware v2.00. Sony is launching a new compatible version 3.6.0 at around the same time as the FX6 v2.00 gets released.

Price and Availability

The firmware update v2.00 is available free of charge and will be available for download from the Sony Support Website from the end of January. The camera itself currently sells for $5,998 (body only) or $7,198 (kitted with the Sony 24-105mm lens). That is a lot of camera for the money, in my opinion.

Do you work with the Sony FX6? How do you like the new features added in firmware v2.00? Is there something else you would like to see added to the camera in the future? Let us know in the comments section below.