Sony FX3 Memory Card Recommendations
There are three different types of cards you should look at for the Sony FX3 and it really comes down to each shooter’s use case scenario.Â
For S&Q high frame rate shooting, CFexpress Type A cards will guarantee performance.
To record 600Mbps with the H.264 codec, you will need V90 UHS-II SD cards at a minimum. For H.265 recording, will be able to use V60 UHS-II SD cards which are the best bang for the buck.
If you can afford it, the Sony CFe Type A is the best memory card for the Sony FX3 as it will allow you to do everything.
Recommended Memory Cards | USB Write | USB Read | Links | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CFExpress Type-B | |||||
Lexar 512 Diamond | 1623 | 1728 | |||
Lexar Diamond 128/256/512GB | 1621 | 1700 | Check Price | ||
Lexar Gold 1TB/2TB | 1642 | 1695 | Check Price | ||
Lexar Gold 128/256/512GB | 1410 | 1525 | Check Price | ||
Lexar Silver 1TB | Check Price | ||||
Lexar Silver 512GB | 1141 | 1624 | Check Price | ||
Lexar Silver 128/258 | 749 | 1719 | Check Price | ||
Sandisk Pro-Cinema 256GB | 755 | 1177 | Check Price | ||
Sandisk Extreme 512GB | Check Price | ||||
Sandisk Extreme 128/256GB | 429 | 1144 | Check Price | ||
Sandisk Extreme 65GB | |||||
Sony Tough 480GB/960GB/1920GB | Check Price | ||||
Sony Tough 240GB | Check Price | ||||
Sony Tough 128/256/512GB | 1334 | 1603 | Check Price | ||
ProGrade Cobalt CF4.0 1.3TB | Check Price | ||||
Prograde Cobalt 165/325/650GB | 1429 | 1029 | Check Price | ||
Prograde 1TB/2TB gen3 | 1516 | 1108 | Check Price | ||
ProGrade 512GB/1TB/2TB CFGen4.0 | Check Price | ||||
Prograde 512GB gen3 | 1569 | 1707 | |||
Prograde 512/1TB gen2 | |||||
Prograde 256GB gen3 | 1334 | 835 | Check Price | ||
Prograde 128GB gen2 | 679 | 778 | Check Price | ||
Delkin Black G4 650/1.3TB | Check Price | ||||
Delkin Black G4 325GB | Check Price | ||||
Delkin Black 150/325/650GB | 1528 | 1545 | Check Price | ||
Delkin Black 75GB | 1195 | 1573 | Check Price | ||
Delkin Black 128GB | 1431 | 1035 | |||
Delkin Power G4 650/1TB/1.3TB/2TB | 1588 | 1710 | Check Price | ||
Delkin Power G4 128/165/256/325/512GB | 920 | 1226 | Check Price | ||
Delkin Power 128/256/512/1TB/2TB | 1429 | 1037 | |||
Delkin Prime 64GB | 974 | 1023 | |||
Nikon 660GB | 1397 | 1574 | Check Price | ||
Hoodman Steel 1TB | 1528 | 1121 | Check Price | ||
Hoodman Steel 512GB | Check Price | ||||
Hoodman Steel 128GB | 580 | 969 | Check Price | ||
Wise Pro 640GB | Check Price | ||||
Wise Pro 160/320GB | 1257 | 1536 | Check Price | ||
Wise 1TB/2TB Mk II | 1525 | 1121 | Check Price | ||
Wise 512GB Mk II | 936 | 1236 | Check Price | ||
Wise 128GB/256GB | 190 | 1023 | |||
Angelbird Pro 1TB/2TB/4TB MkII | 852 | 969 | Check Price | ||
Angelbird Pro 2TB MkI | Check Price | ||||
Angelbird Pro Mk I 256GB | 844 | 961 | |||
Angelbird Pro XT Mk II 330/660/1320GB | 1595 | 1597 | Check Price | ||
AngelBird SE 1TB | Check Price | ||||
Angelbird Pro SE 512GB | 789 | 958 | Check Price | ||
Angelbird Pro SX 160GB/330GB | 1521 | 1688 | Check Price | ||
OWC Atlas Ultra CF4.0 1TB/2TB | Check Price | ||||
OWC Atlas Ultra 165/325/650GB | 1402 | 1579 | Check Price | ||
OWC Atlas Pro CF4.0 256/512GB | Check Price | ||||
OWC Atlas Pro 512GB/1TB/2TB | 514 | 1632 | Check Price | ||
OWC Atlas Pro 256GB | 430 | 1212 | Check Price | ||
OWC Atlas Pro 128GB | 232 | 1300 | Check Price | ||
Sabrent Rocket 512GB/1TB/2TB | 856 | 1183 | Check Price | ||
Sabrent Rocket 512GB/1TB | 438 | 1632 | Check Price | ||
RitzGear 256/512/1TB | 481 | 1302 | Check Price | ||
RitzGear 128GB | 236 | 1323 | Check Price | ||
Pergear Ultra 1TB/2TB | Check Price | ||||
Pergear Pro 512GB | 687 | 1085 | Check Price | ||
Pergear Pro 256GB | 346 | 1131 | Check Price | ||
Pergear Lite 128GB | 404 | 997 | Check Price | ||
Pergear Lite 64GB | Check Price | ||||
Silicon Power 1TB/2TB | Check Price | ||||
Silicon Power Cinema 512GB/1TB | Check Price | ||||
Silicon Power Cinema 256GB | 379 | 1221 | |||
Silicon Power Cinema 128GB | |||||
Transcend 820 512GB | 985 | 1660 | Check Price | ||
Transcend 820 256GB | 1200 | 1644 | Check Price | ||
SunEast 512GB/1TB | Check Price | ||||
CFExpress Type-A | X | ||||
Sony M Tough 960/1920GB | Check Price | ||||
Sony G Tough 80/160/320/640GB | 658 | 847 | Check Price | X | |
Lexar Gold Series 80/160GB/320GB | 825 | 886 | Check Price | X | |
Lexar Silver Series 160/320GB | 776 | 861 | Check Price | X | |
Delkin Black 160GB | Check Price | ||||
Delkin Black 80GB | 639 | 852 | Check Price | X | |
Delkin Power 160GB | Check Price | ||||
Delkin Power 80GB | 641 | 847 | Check Price | ||
ProGrade 160GB | 691 | 845 | Check Price | X | |
AngelBird 1TB disc. | Check Price | ||||
SD UHS-II V90 | X | ||||
Sandisk Extreme Pro V90 32-512GB | 268 | 293 | Check Price | ||
Lexar 2000x V90 32-256GB | 228 | 256 | Check Price | X | |
Toshiba Exceria Pro V90 | 213 | 244 | |||
Transcend v90 | 175 | 263 | Check Price | ||
Sony G Tough v90 32-256GB | 258 | 296 | Check Price | X | |
Delkin Black v90 64/128/256GB | 253 | 278 | Check Price | ||
Delkin Power v90 64/128/256GB | 240 | 275 | Check Price | ||
Fujifilm Elite II V90 | 158 | 277 | |||
Adata Premier ONE v90 64/128/256GB | 229 | 268 | Check Price | ||
Hoodman Steel 2000x V90 64/128GB | 155 | 249 | Check Price | ||
ProGrade V90 64-512GB | 229 | 270 | Check Price | ||
PNY EliteX-Pro90 V90 64/128/256GB | 276 | 293 | Check Price | ||
Amplim 2000x V90 32-128GB | 275 | 287 | Check Price | ||
Angel Bird V90 II 64-512GB | 257 | 271 | Check Price | ||
OWC Atlas Ultra V90 64-512GB | 270 | 289 | Check Price | ||
OWC Atlas S Pro V90 | |||||
Kingston Canvas React V90 32-256GB | 274 | 292 | Check Price | X | |
Kodak V90 32/64/128GB | 260 | 272 | Check Price | ||
Ritz Gear VideoPro V90 64-512GB | 258 | 273 | Check Price | ||
Wise V90 Pro 128/256/512GB | 256 | 275 | Check Price | ||
SD UHS-II V60 | |||||
Sandisk Extreme Pro v60 256/512/1TB | 189 | 279 | Check Price | ||
Sandisk Extreme Pro v60 64/128GB | 102 | 283 | Check Price | ||
Lexar 1800x V60 64-512GB | 188 | 255 | Check Price | ||
Lexar 1667x V60 64/128/256GB | 100 | 257 | Check Price | ||
Lexar Silver Pro v60 | 162 | 255 | Check Price | ||
Sony M Tough V60 64-512GB | 153 | 269 | Check Price | ||
Sony M v60 64-512GB | |||||
Sony E v60 256GB | 142 | 252 | Check Price | ||
Sony E v60 128GB | 73 | 247 | Check Price | ||
Sony E v30 64GB | Check Price | ||||
Delkin Prime v60 64/128/256GB | 98 | 275 | Check Price | ||
Hoodman Steel 1500x V60 64/128GB | 99 | 273 | Check Price | ||
ProGrade V60 128/256/512GB | 98 | 155 | Check Price | ||
PNY EliteX-Pro60 V60 512GB | 180 | 278 | Check Price | ||
PNY EliteX-Pro60 V60 256GB | 183 | 280 | Check Price | ||
PNY EliteX-Pro60 V60 128GB | Check Price | ||||
Amplim 2000x v60 | 136 | 253 | Check Price | ||
Amplim 1900x V60 | 97 | 275 | |||
Angel Bird V60 II 64-1TB | 144 | 243 | Check Price | ||
OWC Atlas Pro V60 64GB-1TB | 100 | 281 | Check Price | ||
FreeTail Evoke Pro V60 | 96 | 272 | |||
Ritz Gear Video Pro V60 A1 64-256GB | 103 | 280 | Check Price | ||
Wise V60 128GB | 102 | 269 | Check Price | ||
UHS-I U3 | |||||
Sandisk Extreme Pro 256/512/1TB | Check Price | ||||
Sandisk Extreme Pro 200MB 32/64/128GB | 144 | 172 | Check Price | ||
Sandisk Extreme 256GB | Check Price | ||||
Sandisk Extreme 128GB | Check Price | ||||
Sandisk Extreme 64GB | 51 | 93 | Check Price | ||
Sandisk Ultra U1 Old | 27 | 93 | |||
Kingston CanvasGo! 128/256/512GB | 124 | 161 | Check Price | ||
Kingston CanvasGo! 64GB | Check Price | ||||
Kingston Canvas Select 128/256/512GB | 84 | 93 | Check Price | ||
Lexar 1066x SILVER 128-1TB | Check Price | ||||
Lexar 1066x SILVER 64GB | Check Price | ||||
Lexar 800x BLUE 128/256GB | Check Price | ||||
Lexar 633x BLUE 128/256GB | 35 | 93 | Check Price | ||
Sony Professional | 84 | 91 | |||
Sony 94 | 60 | 91 | |||
Sony 95 | 81 | 90 | Check Price | ||
Transcend Ultra 340s A2 128/256/512GB | Check Price | ||||
Transcend Ultra 340s A2 64GB | Check Price | ||||
Transcend High 330s A2 64/128GB | Check Price | ||||
Transcend 300s 512GB | Check Price | ||||
Transcend 300s 256GB | Check Price | ||||
Transcend 300s 128GB | 79 | 91 | Check Price | ||
PNY Pro Elite 256/512/1TB | 87 | 93 | Check Price | ||
PNY Elite-X 64-512GB | 56 | 92 | Check Price | ||
PNY Elite Performance | 63 | 91 | Check Price | ||
Delkin Black 32-256GB | 86 | 93 | Check Price | ||
Delkin Advantage 32-1TB | 77 | 93 | Check Price | ||
Toshiba Exceria Pro | 74 | 91 | |||
Toshiba Exceria | 29 | 91 | |||
Verbatim Pro+ | 77 | 91 | Check Price | ||
Verbatim Pro | 46 | 90 | Check Price | ||
Amplim 667x A1 V30 | 50 | 93 | |||
RitzGear Extreme A1 V30 | 62 | 93 | Check Price |
Sony FX3 – Amazon / Adorama / B&H
6 Must-Have Accessories Sony FX3
Sony FX3 Memory Card Compatibility
The Sony FX3 can take two different types of memory cards in the same slot. SD cards (UHS-I and UHS-II cards), and CFexpress type A cards.
Do you need CFexpress Type A cards For the Sony FX3?
You only need CFexpress Type-A cards if you record at higher frame rates in the S&Q mode.
For all other situations, UHS-II V90 cards work fine.
Can You Use V60 UHS-II Cards?
If you’ve decided that you fall into the category of someone who is not using S&Q high frame rates, then you have a few options for UHS-II cards. V60, or v90.
Just remember, if you need to shoot S&Q with some fast frame rates, you’ll need CFexpress Type A cards. You can always shoot at fast frame rates like 120p in the XAVC modes without the CFexpress Type A cards.
V90 cards will allow you to shoot H.264 at 600Mbps, and V60 cards are all you need for H.265 video which records at 280Mbps.
CFexpress Type A vs SD Cards, what’s the difference?
The difference between these two cards mainly comes down to size and speed. CFexpress Type A cards are much faster and slightly smaller.
CFexpres Type A cards use a PCIe 3.0 Interface with a single lane of throughput. Most CFexpress cameras today are just using a dual-lane PCIe 2.0 CFexpress Type B interface which should see similar speeds as a PCIe 3.0 camera. Which we don’t know yet if The Sony A7sIII or FX3 has such capabilities. – More tests coming this summer when I’m back in the USA.
Sony FX3 Specs
Sensor: 12MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS Sensor Processor: BIONZ XR Image Processor Memory Card Slots: 2 UHS-II / 2 CFe A Continuous Shoot: 10fps Est. Buffer Size: — RAW Shots To Fill Buffer: 1000 Frames Max Memory Card Size: Unlimited 4k Datarate: H.265 280Mbps / H.264 600Mbps |
To see how each UHS-II memory card performs in Sony cameras, here is a speed test from the Sony A9II.
Memory Card Speed Test | Fastest Memory Cards
These tests are taken with continuous bursts high at ISO 100. The buffer is filled and the time it takes to clear the buffer is calculated against the record times. USB-C read and write speeds are benchmarked with Windows 10 using a crystal disk, and in-camera benchmarks at taken with the Sony A7sIII.
These benchmarks show the speed of cards in the Sony A7rV since the A7sIII will have a bottomless buffer with the CFxA cards so they are impossible to test. Using the A7rV tests give you a better idea of how each card performs with Sony hardware.
Speeds are in MB/s.
Memory Cards Tested | USB Write | USB Read | Sony A7rV Buffer | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CFExpress Type-B | X | |||||
Lexar 512 Diamond | 1623 | 1728 | X | X | ||
Lexar Diamond 128/256/512GB | 1621 | 1700 | X | |||
Lexar Gold 1TB/2TB | 1642 | 1695 | X | |||
Lexar Gold 128/256/512GB | 1410 | 1525 | X | |||
Lexar Silver 1TB | X | |||||
Lexar Silver 512GB | 1141 | 1624 | X | |||
Lexar Silver 128/258 | 749 | 1719 | X | |||
Sandisk Pro-Cinema 256GB | 755 | 1177 | X | |||
Sandisk Extreme 512GB | X | |||||
Sandisk Extreme 128/256GB | 429 | 1144 | X | |||
Sandisk Extreme 65GB | X | X | ||||
Sony Tough 480GB/960GB/1920GB | X | |||||
Sony Tough 240GB | X | |||||
Sony Tough 128/256/512GB | 1334 | 1603 | X | |||
ProGrade Cobalt CF4.0 1.3TB | X | |||||
Prograde Cobalt 165/325/650GB | 1429 | 1029 | X | |||
Prograde 1TB/2TB gen3 | 1516 | 1108 | X | |||
ProGrade 512GB/1TB/2TB CFGen4.0 | X | |||||
Prograde 512GB gen3 | 1569 | 1707 | X | X | ||
Prograde 512/1TB gen2 | X | X | ||||
Prograde 256GB gen3 | 1334 | 835 | X | |||
Prograde 128GB gen2 | 679 | 778 | X | |||
Delkin Black G4 650/1.3TB | X | |||||
Delkin Black G4 325GB | X | |||||
Delkin Black 150/325/650GB | 1528 | 1545 | X | |||
Delkin Black 75GB | 1195 | 1573 | X | |||
Delkin Black 128GB | 1431 | 1035 | X | X | ||
Delkin Power G4 650/1TB/1.3TB/2TB | 1588 | 1710 | X | |||
Delkin Power G4 128/165/256/325/512GB | 920 | 1226 | X | |||
Delkin Power 128/256/512/1TB/2TB | 1429 | 1037 | X | X | ||
Delkin Prime 64GB | 974 | 1023 | X | X | ||
Nikon 660GB | 1397 | 1574 | X | |||
Hoodman Steel 1TB | 1528 | 1121 | X | |||
Hoodman Steel 512GB | X | |||||
Hoodman Steel 128GB | 580 | 969 | X | |||
Wise Pro 640GB | X | |||||
Wise Pro 160/320GB | 1257 | 1536 | X | |||
Wise 1TB/2TB Mk II | 1525 | 1121 | X | |||
Wise 512GB Mk II | 936 | 1236 | X | |||
Wise 128GB/256GB | 190 | 1023 | X | |||
Angelbird Pro 1TB/2TB/4TB MkII | 852 | 969 | X | |||
Angelbird Pro 2TB MkI | X | |||||
Angelbird Pro Mk I 256GB | 844 | 961 | X | X | ||
Angelbird Pro XT Mk II 330/660/1320GB | 1595 | 1597 | X | |||
AngelBird SE 1TB | X | |||||
Angelbird Pro SE 512GB | 789 | 958 | X | |||
Angelbird Pro SX 160GB/330GB | 1521 | 1688 | X | |||
OWC Atlas Ultra CF4.0 1TB/2TB | X | |||||
OWC Atlas Ultra 165/325/650GB | 1402 | 1579 | X | |||
OWC Atlas Pro CF4.0 256/512GB | X | |||||
OWC Atlas Pro 512GB/1TB/2TB | 514 | 1632 | X | |||
OWC Atlas Pro 256GB | 430 | 1212 | X | |||
OWC Atlas Pro 128GB | 232 | 1300 | X | X | ||
Sabrent Rocket 512GB/1TB/2TB | 856 | 1183 | X | |||
Sabrent Rocket 512GB/1TB | 438 | 1632 | X | |||
RitzGear 256/512/1TB | 481 | 1302 | X | |||
RitzGear 128GB | 236 | 1323 | X | |||
Pergear Ultra 1TB/2TB | X | |||||
Pergear Pro 512GB | 687 | 1085 | X | |||
Pergear Pro 256GB | 346 | 1131 | X | |||
Pergear Lite 128GB | 404 | 997 | X | |||
Pergear Lite 64GB | X | |||||
Silicon Power 1TB/2TB | X | |||||
Silicon Power Cinema 512GB/1TB | X | |||||
Silicon Power Cinema 256GB | 379 | 1221 | X | X | ||
Silicon Power Cinema 128GB | X | X | ||||
Transcend 820 512GB | 985 | 1660 | X | |||
Transcend 820 256GB | 1200 | 1644 | X | |||
SunEast 512GB/1TB | X | X | ||||
CFExpress Type-A | ||||||
Sony M Tough 960/1920GB | ||||||
Sony G Tough 80/160/320/640GB | 658 | 847 | 594 | |||
Lexar Gold Series 80/160GB/320GB | 825 | 886 | 695 | |||
Lexar Silver Series 160/320GB | 776 | 861 | ||||
Delkin Black 160GB | ||||||
Delkin Black 80GB | 639 | 852 | 602 | |||
Delkin Power 160GB | ||||||
Delkin Power 80GB | 641 | 847 | 603 | |||
ProGrade 160GB | 691 | 845 | 637 | |||
AngelBird 1TB disc. | ||||||
SD UHS-II V90 | ||||||
Sandisk Extreme Pro V90 32-512GB | 268 | 293 | 218 | |||
Lexar 2000x V90 32-256GB | 228 | 256 | 196 | |||
Toshiba Exceria Pro V90 | 213 | 244 | X | |||
Transcend v90 | 175 | 263 | 176 | |||
Sony G Tough v90 32-256GB | 258 | 296 | 217 | |||
Delkin Black v90 64/128/256GB | 253 | 278 | 219 | |||
Delkin Power v90 64/128/256GB | 240 | 275 | 214 | |||
Fujifilm Elite II V90 | 158 | 277 | X | |||
Adata Premier ONE v90 64/128/256GB | 229 | 268 | 210 | |||
Hoodman Steel 2000x V90 64/128GB | 155 | 249 | 155 | |||
ProGrade V90 64-512GB | 229 | 270 | 210 | |||
PNY EliteX-Pro90 V90 64/128/256GB | 276 | 293 | 228 | |||
Amplim 2000x V90 32-128GB | 275 | 287 | ||||
Angel Bird V90 II 64-512GB | 257 | 271 | 222 | |||
OWC Atlas Ultra V90 64-512GB | 270 | 289 | 225 | |||
OWC Atlas S Pro V90 | X | |||||
Kingston Canvas React V90 32-256GB | 274 | 292 | 217 | |||
Kodak V90 32/64/128GB | 260 | 272 | 220 | |||
Ritz Gear VideoPro V90 64-512GB | 258 | 273 | 226 | |||
Wise V90 Pro 128/256/512GB | 256 | 275 | 222 | |||
SD UHS-II V60 | ||||||
Sandisk Extreme Pro v60 256/512/1TB | 189 | 279 | 174 | |||
Sandisk Extreme Pro v60 64/128GB | 102 | 283 | 97 | |||
Lexar 1800x V60 64-512GB | 188 | 255 | 172 | |||
Lexar 1667x V60 64/128/256GB | 100 | 257 | 99 | |||
Lexar Silver Pro v60 | 162 | 255 | ||||
Sony M Tough V60 64-512GB | 153 | 269 | 135 | |||
Sony M v60 64-512GB | X | |||||
Sony E v60 256GB | 142 | 252 | 134 | |||
Sony E v60 128GB | 73 | 247 | 70 | |||
Sony E v30 64GB | ||||||
Delkin Prime v60 64/128/256GB | 98 | 275 | 95 | |||
Hoodman Steel 1500x V60 64/128GB | 99 | 273 | 97 | |||
ProGrade V60 128/256/512GB | 98 | 155 | 94 | |||
PNY EliteX-Pro60 V60 512GB | 180 | 278 | 172 | |||
PNY EliteX-Pro60 V60 256GB | 183 | 280 | 171 | |||
PNY EliteX-Pro60 V60 128GB | ||||||
Amplim 2000x v60 | 136 | 253 | 130 | |||
Amplim 1900x V60 | 97 | 275 | X | |||
Angel Bird V60 II 64-1TB | 144 | 243 | 133 | |||
OWC Atlas Pro V60 64GB-1TB | 100 | 281 | 95 | |||
FreeTail Evoke Pro V60 | 96 | 272 | X | |||
Ritz Gear Video Pro V60 A1 64-256GB | 103 | 280 | 98 | |||
Wise V60 128GB | 102 | 269 | 96 | |||
UHS-I U3 | X | |||||
Sandisk Extreme Pro 256/512/1TB | X | |||||
Sandisk Extreme Pro 200MB 32/64/128GB | 144 | 172 | X | |||
Sandisk Extreme 256GB | X | |||||
Sandisk Extreme 128GB | X | |||||
Sandisk Extreme 64GB | 51 | 93 | X | |||
Sandisk Ultra U1 Old | 27 | 93 | X | X | ||
Kingston CanvasGo! 128/256/512GB | 124 | 161 | X | |||
Kingston CanvasGo! 64GB | X | |||||
Kingston Canvas Select 128/256/512GB | 84 | 93 | X | |||
Lexar 1066x SILVER 128-1TB | X | |||||
Lexar 1066x SILVER 64GB | X | |||||
Lexar 800x BLUE 128/256GB | X | |||||
Lexar 633x BLUE 128/256GB | 35 | 93 | X | |||
Sony Professional | 84 | 91 | X | X | ||
Sony 94 | 60 | 91 | X | X | ||
Sony 95 | 81 | 90 | X | |||
Transcend Ultra 340s A2 128/256/512GB | X | |||||
Transcend Ultra 340s A2 64GB | X | |||||
Transcend High 330s A2 64/128GB | X | |||||
Transcend 300s 512GB | X | |||||
Transcend 300s 256GB | X | |||||
Transcend 300s 128GB | 79 | 91 | X | |||
PNY Pro Elite 256/512/1TB | 87 | 93 | X | |||
PNY Elite-X 64-512GB | 56 | 92 | X | |||
PNY Elite Performance | 63 | 91 | X | X | ||
Delkin Black 32-256GB | 86 | 93 | X | |||
Delkin Advantage 32-1TB | 77 | 93 | X | |||
Toshiba Exceria Pro | 74 | 91 | X | X | ||
Toshiba Exceria | 29 | 91 | X | X | ||
Verbatim Pro+ | 77 | 91 | X | |||
Verbatim Pro | 46 | 90 | X | |||
Amplim 667x A1 V30 | 50 | 93 | X | X | ||
RitzGear Extreme A1 V30 | 62 | 93 | X |
Best Memory Cards For 4k Video
Sony FX3 Video Specs & Recording Modes
With the Sony FX3, there are various record modes using different codecs. It gets a little complicated so here is the breakdown.
What’s new to the Sony FX3 compared to older Sony cameras is the XAVC HS and the XAVC S-I.
Should I Shoot XAVC HS, XAVC H-I, or XAVC S?
People often the different XAVC settings confused with codecs. They are not the same. XAVC HS, or H-I, or S are just containers that allow for different specs and capabilities.
These new containers you’re seeing in the FX3 can record 10-bit 4:2:2, with the main difference being the codec they allow, H.265 or H.264.
XAVC HS allows for H.265 recording.
XAVC S and S-I still only record to H.264.Â
XAVC S-I allows for all intra-recording. Meaning keyframes on every frame, which is ideally what you want.
Today you should record in H.265 if your computer can handle it. H.265 offers better compression with smaller file sizes. This is why you see the camera only outputting 280Mbps H.265 files, vs the 600Mbps H.264 files.
New CPUs are getting better at encoding and decoding H.265. You may need to switch over to an M1 mac or a new Intel processor (Alder Lake, possibly Tiger Lake) to edit H.265 with smooth performance. – I’m not sure where AMD is here. I haven’t heard anything about them supporting H.265 10-bit 4:2:2 yet.
Sony FX3 Recording Specs & Details
Record Limit: Unlimited
Audio File Format: AAC, Linear PCM
4k Recording Modes |
Sony FX3 Record Times – Memory Card Capacity
This table shows the different recording modes and how much time they use for different card sizes. To get your own numbers, I have to build a bitrate-to-time converter.
Sony FX3 Record Times | 64GB | 80GB | 128GB | 160GB | 256GB | 512GB |
4k | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
4k 600Mbps | 75MB/s H.264 | 14min | 18min | 28Min | 36min | 57min | 114min |
4k 280Mbps | 35MB/s H.265 | 30min | 38min | 61min | 76min | 122min | 244min |
4k 200Mbps | 25MB/s | 43min | 53min | 85min | 107min | 171min | 341min |
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