Decision tools · Compare

S9 vs FX3

Quick take: The S9 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the S9 is the most affordable; only the FX3 is weather sealed.

16 specs side by side·16 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras

How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.

Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more

Verdictwhich should you buy?

S9 — Travel Photographers, Content Creators & L-Mount Entry Buyers: The most compact full-frame camera available — a perfect travel and content creation companion with brilliant colour science.

FX3 — Professional Video, Documentary & Cinematic Filmmaking: The definitive run-and-gun cinema camera — A7S III sensor quality in a body built specifically for video professionals.

Who should buy what
S9 (2024)
is the right camera for you if…
  • Travel photographers who want full-frame quality in the most compact package
  • Content creators attracted to Real-time LUT and 10-bit video
  • Photographers already in the L-mount ecosystem wanting a lightweight second body
  • Lumix S5 II users who want something smaller for travel and casual shooting
FX3 (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
  • Professional videographers and filmmakers who need cinema-quality colour science in a compact body
  • Documentary and run-and-gun shooters who need 4K/120p and built-in XLR audio
  • Sony A7S III owners who want a purpose-built video body alongside their stills camera
  • Gimbal and drone operators who need a compact full-frame cinema camera
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
Specification S9Lumix · 2024FX3Sony · 2021
Price £999Best£2,999
Sensor 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS (same as A7S III)
Resolution 24.2MPBest12.1MP
Video 4K/60p (10-bit), C4K/60p, 1080p/240p4K/120p, 4K/60p 10-bit, 12-bit RAW output, S-Log3, S-Cinetone
Autofocus Phase-hybrid AF with subject recognitionReal-time tracking with subject recognition (human, animal)
Stabilisation IBIS — up to 5 stops5-axis IBIS — 5 stops
Burst Rate 30fps electronicBest10fps mechanical, 10fps electronic
Battery Life ~310 shots (CIPA)~640 shots (CIPA)Best
Weight 403g (body only)Best715g (body only)
Dimensions 124.6 × 73.9 × 52.8mm129.7 × 78.0 × 84.5mm
Weather Sealed Not weather sealedYesBest
Viewfinder None — rear screen onlyNone — monitor/external EVF use only
Screen 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen (touch drag AF)3.0" touchscreen, fully articulating
Mount Leica L mountSony FE mount (full-frame E-mount)
Memory Cards Single SD UHS-II slotDual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II slots
Connectivity USB-C, Wi-Fi, BluetoothUSB-C (10Gbps), full-size HDMI, XLR via handle, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.

How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
S9
FX3
Portrait
7.3/10
5.7/10
Street
6.9/10
4.3/10
Travel
6.2/10
5.5/10
Wedding & Events
6.0/10
6.0/10
Vlogging & Video
7.0/10
6.1/10
Filmmaking
7.0/10
9.1/10
Documentary
6.9/10
8.0/10
Sports & Action
6.4/10
5.5/10
Landscape
6.5/10
4.7/10
Wildlife
6.7/10
5.8/10
Casual
6.3/10
4.9/10
Food
7.6/10
6.7/10
Macro
8.1/10
5.5/10
Architecture
7.1/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
7.6/10
6.7/10
Fun & simple
4.7/10
—

Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →

Next
More comparisons with S9
Camera family history