Sony dropped the new FX5 (you're fine)

Sony announced the FX5 this week. Honestly, pretty big news that many of us have been waiting for for a longggg time!

Obviously, it's a solid camera with real improvements over the FX3, namely open-gate recording, expanded monitoring options, and some processing upgrades. While I try not to get overly hyped about new tech these days, I was genuinely excited to see this... especially since I've been using the FX3 for half a decade at this point.

And although I'm stoked and hope to upgrade at some point, I still put on the breaks.

Here's what actually changed:

Sure, the FX5 is a better camera than the FX3. That's just true. But "better" is doing a lot of work in that sentence. It's better in specific ways that matter if you're doing specific work.

Open-gate recording is genuinely useful, I have to admit that, but not necessarily a game changer. The monitoring options are better if you're working on complex projects where you need precise control over output. The processing is incrementally more powerful.

But if you're shooting content for bars, commercial video for hospitality and liquor brands, or even short-form video for social media? The FX3 does all of that incredibly well. It did it well when it came out. It still does it well now.

Honestly, the real opportunity is used FX3s.

Here's what actually matters: used FX3 prices are going to drop. People who've been waiting for the FX5 announcement are going to sell their FX3s at reasonable prices. If you've been thinking about getting into cinema-focused video work but the FX3 was out of reach, now's your moment.

A lightly used FX3 is probably the best value camera on the market right now. Not because it's new, buyt because it's proven... and suddenly there's inventory available as people upgrade.

Why I'm not upgrading yet:

My FX3 does everything I need it to do. I shoot a lot. I push it. And it handles the work beautifully. The improvements in the FX5 don't solve a problem I actually have.

The moment I upgrade will be when my FX3 can't do the work I'm asking of it anymore. Or when I've worn it out. Or when I'm doing work that specifically requires what the FX5 offers.

None of those things are true right now. So I'm keeping it. Even if I end up picking up an FX5 at some point, I am unlikely to actually replace the FX3.

The upgrade cycle trap:

I think we've gotten trained to feel anxious when new gear gets announced. Like we're missing out if we don't have the latest thing (I have felt this A LOT). As if our work is somehow compromised if we're using gear from a few years ago... but that's honestly ridiculous.

Good work comes from knowing your tools and using them intentionally. It doesn't come from having the newest version of something. Some of the best stuff I've seen shot on camera is on cameras that are five or ten plus years old.

If you have an FX3, keep using it. If you have a different camera that works for you, keep using that. If you're looking to get into this space and now there are affordable used FX3s available... that's the actual news worth paying attention to.