The Best Video Camera 2023 – Sony FX30 vs Canon R7 – The Canon R7 is a Mirrorless Hybrid Camera made for Photographers and cinematographers, the Sony FX30 is also a Mirrorless camera but made for cinematographers. In this comparison, we will find out the best camera to record videos.
In this comparison, we will keep our comparison limited to the Videographer.
1. Body and Controls
| Battery Type | Sony Z-Series | 1 x LP-E6NH Rechargeable Lithium-Ion |
| Tripod Mounting Thread | 1 x 1/4″-20 Female (Bottom) | 1 x 1/4″-20 Female (Bottom) |
| Accessory Mount | 1 x Intelligent Hot Shoe on Camera Body 5 x 1/4″-20 Female on Camera Body |
1 x 1/4″-20 Female (Bottom) |
| Material of Construction | Magnesium Alloy | Magnesium Alloy |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 5.1 x 3.1 x 3.3″ / 129.7 x 77.8 x 84.5 mm | 5.2 x 3.6 x 3.6″ / 132 x 90.4 x 91.7 mm |
| Weight | 1.2 lb / 562 g (Body Only) | 1.2 lb / 530 g (Body Only) 1.3 lb / 612 g (With Battery, Recording Media) |
Interface
| Media/Memory Card Slot | Dual Slot: CFexpress Type A / SD | Dual Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) |
| Video I/O | 1 x HDMI 2.0 Output | 1 x Micro-HDMI Output |
| Audio I/O | 1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Microphone Input on Camera Body 1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Headphone Output on Camera Body |
1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Headphone Input 1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Microphone Output |
| Power I/O | 1 x USB-C Input | 1 x USB-C (USB 3.2 / 3.1 Gen 2) Input/Output |
| Other I/O | 1 x Sony Multi/Micro-USB (Camera Interface, Timecode) 1 x USB-C |
multi-function shoe is a hot shoe |
| Wireless | 2.4 / 5 GHz Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) Control Bluetooth |
2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) Bluetooth |
2. Sensor
The Canon R7 sensor is a 32.5MP FSI CMOS sensor, There are two variants of CMOS: Front-side illuminated (FSI) and back-side illuminated (BSI). What makes a BSI CMOS sensor better than a conventional CMOS sensor? The simple answer is that the design makes it easier for light to reach the photo diodes on the sensor, BSI CMOS sensor ups readout speed and improves low-light imaging. And the Sony FX30 Camera features 26 MP BSI CMOS Sensor. So, sensor architecture says the Sony is better.
3. Video Resolution & Frame rate
| 4K 120 (1.6x / super 35mm look) | None |
| 4k 60 (1.04x crop) | 4K 60p HQ (1.8x Crop) / 4K Fine uncropped |
| 4k 24, 30 fps | 4k 24, 30 without crop |
| Full HD 240 FPS | Full HD 120 FPS |
As you can see the Sony FX30 camera is able to shoot videos up to 4k 120 fps and Full HD videos up to 240 FPS. The crop factor of the Sony FX30 camera is negligible in 4k 60FPS mode and we do have an excessive crop in 4K video of the canon R7 camera if we are not using the “FINE” video mode. If we select the 4k 60fps full sensor readout mode in the Canon R7 then the camera goes into line-skipping algo and does record 4k videos with less details.
4. Video Codec
The Sony FX30 Record in 10-bit 4:2:2 using advanced XAVC HS and XAVC S-I formats. But, in Canon, we are missing the ALL-I intra format and so the MAX BIT RATE Speed. I don’t know why Canon always keep out the ALL-I intra format from their Mirrorless cameras. The S-Log3, the FX30 can capture 14+ stops of dynamic range. in Canon R7 we have the Clog3.
The FX30 camera is capable of producing RAW video data up to 16 BIT from the HDMI port. the Canon R7 remains limited to 10 BIT.
Additional features include S-Cinetone uses the same color science as Sony’s advanced cinema cameras, including the VENICE line, with natural mid tones, soft colors, and smooth highlight roll-off. And the most important part is Up to 16 user-created LUTs and three presets can be set for accurately monitoring footage or previewing a specific look during shooting. These can be applied to the camera’s monitor or EVF as well as the HDMI output.
5. Low-Light performance
Recording at the base ISO enables you to take full advantage of the image sensor performance. You can capture material that withstands color grading better, without becoming degraded.
| Std. Video ISO Range | ||
| Canon R7 | 200 | 25600 |
| Sony FX30 | 100 | 32000 |
Dual Native ISO range a in RAW video is available in Sony FX30 camera.
| Base ISO | Upper gain step | |
|---|---|---|
| Std color mode / HLG | ISO 100 | ISO 320 |
| S-Cinetone | ISO 125 | ISO 400 |
| S-Log3 | ISO 800 | ISO 2500 |
Recording at the base ISO enables you to take full advantage of the image sensor performance. You can capture material that withstands color grading better, without becoming degraded. Two base ISO options are available for FX30 also as you can see in the table above, for low or high sensitivity. Choose a base ISO to suit the scene you are shooting.
6. Image Stabilization
Sony FX30 features Mechanical Image stabilization / 5-axis in-body image stabilization, as well as FX30, which can also record gyro movement when the optical + Mech. stabilizers are turned off. Canon R7 camera features an excellent mechanical IBIS unit that corrects up to 7 stops of unwanted camera shake when shooting handheld.
7. Verdict
Sony FX30 is the best camera for recording videos when compared to the Canon R7 camera.
Recommendation
Recommended Lenses Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Lens Amazon | B&H Store
Best lenses for Sony FX30
18-105mm Lens for Video Buy this Lens from Amazon.com | B&H Store
Get Rokinon 12mm F2.0 Lens from Amazon.com | B&H
Sony Portrait Lens – Sigma 85mm F1.4 B&H | Amazon.com | Budget Lens Sony 50mm F1.8 Amazon
