Why The FX6 Is So Much Better Than the FX3.
It’s not.
If you clicked on this thinking we were going to trash the FX3 and bow down to the FX6, you’re in the wrong place. This isn’t one of those “buy the most expensive gear” blogs. At Bunker Hill Media, we shoot with both the FX3 and the FX6, and here’s the truth: they’re more alike than most people want to admit. Stick with me for 2 minutes and you might just be convinced to believe me.
So let’s break down why the Sony FX3 and FX6 are more similar than different, and why—depending on what you're shooting—the FX3 might actually be the better choice.
A quick run though of what you’re dealing with when it comes to the FX3 vs FX6 debate.
A Quick Recap: FX3 vs FX6
Yes, the Sony FX6 is a beast. It’s built like a tank, has a full-size body, XLR inputs, and that sweet internal ND filter we all know and love. It’s everything you’d expect from a professional cinema camera.
But here’s the thing: the FX3 shoots just about the same image.
Seriously. Same sensor. Most clients (and most people, period) would never be able to tell the difference. Some people will say that the highlights are a little better on the FX6 and that the image is a little prettier with less contract and a slight edge on color - after working with both cameras a lot I can promise you that clients will not be able to tell the difference between the two.
And don’t come at me with this! To be honest, I do prefer the FX6. I don’t know if it’s placebo / makes me feel more badass to be holding onto that camera but I just do. I have always adored the shots I’ve gotten out of the FX6, and not so much with the FX3. Have I been shooting with the FX3 since I was a newbie? And is that maybe why I have had cruddy shots with the FX3? Probably. Because now that I know how to use both, really well, I’m telling you there is not much of a difference. But for all you non believers, let’s break it down.
TLDR - The FX6 is sick but the FX3 is basically a cinema camera in the body of a mirrorless one—and that comes with some serious perks.
Built-In ND Filters vs External ND Filters
Let’s get this out of the way: yes, the FX6’s internal ND filter is a dream. Being able to flip a switch to adjust exposure quickly is amazing for run-and-gun filmmaking, especially outdoors.
But…
If you’re comfortable using a variable ND filter on your lens, the FX3 gives you a pretty similar experience. Sure, it’s one more piece of gear to deal with, but it’s not a dealbreaker. In fact, if you’re used to shooting on mirrorless cameras or DSLRs, this won’t feel like a big change at all.
Gimbal Life? FX3 Wins
If you ever shoot with a gimbal, the FX3 wins hands down. Its compact body, lighter weight, and smaller form factor make it a dream for stabilizer setups. No counterweights, no rebalancing every 10 minutes, and no angry arms by the end of a long day.
At Bunker Hill Media, we shoot a lot of branded content, interviews, and event coverage. If we know we’ll be on a gimbal all day, we're reaching for the FX3.
Can you tell that camera we shot this on? Probably not - but it was all on our FX3!
The FX3 Can Take Photos - That’s Big For Some of Our Small Teams!
Here’s a wild one: the FX3 can take stills, and the FX6 can’t.
Is the FX3 a stills camera? No. Is it great to be able to snap behind-the-scenes photos or thumbnails on the fly? Absolutely. We’ve used FX3 images in pitch decks, blog posts, and even sent stills to clients post-shoot. It’s a tiny feature, but a surprisingly useful one.
Audio, Media, and Image Quality? Basically the Same
Both cameras support high-quality XLR audio (the FX6 has ports built in, the FX3 uses the XLR handle).
They use the same CFExpress Type A and SD cards.
And—again—the footage looks nearly identical. Unless you're pixel peeping side by side on a calibrated monitor, you’re not going to see a difference. If there is one, it’s minor.
So… FX3 or FX6?
Here’s the real answer: choose the right camera for the job.
Need lots of ports, internal ND, and room for accessories? Grab the FX6.
Need something lightweight, gimbal-friendly, and flexible? The FX3 is your friend.
Want to save money without sacrificing quality? FX3.
Want to impress clients with a “bigger” camera? FX6 (we’ve all been there).
At the end of the day, the FX3 is not a step down—it’s just a different tool. And for many creators, it's the more efficient one.
Final Thoughts
We love our FX6. We also love our FX3. We’ve shot broadcast-ready content on both, and we’ll keep using both depending on the project.
But let’s stop pretending the FX6 is miles ahead of the FX3. Because it’s not.
Want to see the difference in action? Check out our full FX3 vs FX6 rig breakdown here.
