Blackmagic
URSA Cine 17K
Large-format 65mm cinema camera with 17K resolution, interchangeable lens mount, and BRAW recording.
$29,995
Launch priceReleased Apr 2024
Sony
FX3
Compact full-frame cinema line camera with S-Cinetone and pro video ergonomics.
$3,899
Launch priceReleased Feb 2021
URSA Cine 17K is 3.2 years newer.
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Wins
URSA Cine 17K
Wins
FX3
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BFX3 has lower AF low-light limit (-6 EV vs 0 EV)
- BFX3 has higher AF points / zones (627 vs 0)
- BFX3 has higher AF frame coverage (94 % vs 0 %)
- BFX3 has lower Weight (715 g vs 8500 g)
- AURSA Cine 17K has higher Resolution (65 MP vs 12.1 MP)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareURSA Cine 17K
280 × 190 × 200 mm
8500 g (18.74 lb / 299.83 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
FX3
130 × 78 × 85 mm
715 g (1.58 lb / 25.22 oz)
URSA Cine 17K is 150mm wider, 112mm taller, and 116mm thicker than FX3.
URSA Cine 17K is 7785 g heavier than FX3.
Depth (front-to-back): 200mm URSA Cine 17K · 85mm FX3
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
URSA Cine 17K
280 × 190 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
FX3
130 × 78 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
URSA Cine 17K
280 × 200 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
FX3
130 × 85 mm
Sensor size, to scale
URSA Cine 17K
55.96 × 29.87 mm · Full Frame
1672 mm² area
FX3
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
2.0× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
URSA Cine 17K: mount data unavailable
FX3
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
URSA Cine 17K
Codecs
Adds Blackmagic RAW
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 280, 190, 200
Resolution
65 MP vs 12.1 MP — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Vehicle
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only URSA Cine 17K supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better
Reasons to choose
FX3
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs 0 EV — lower is better
AF points / zones
627 vs 0 — higher is better
AF frame coverage
94 % vs 0 % — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 129.7, 77.8, 84.5
Weight
715 g vs 8500 g — lower is better
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 51,200 — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 120 fps
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 600 Mbps
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
URSA Cine 17K
Pros
- ✓17K large format
- ✓Interchangeable mount
- ✓Blackmagic RAW
- ✓Pro cinema workflow
Cons
- –Extremely expensive
- –Massive files
- –Requires full crew
FX3
Pros
- ✓Cinema form factor
- ✓S-Log3 / S-Cinetone
- ✓Compact for gimbals
- ✓Full-frame sensor
Cons
- –No EVF
- –Still photo ergonomics limited
- –Single card slot
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the URSA Cine 17K and FX3 at major authorized retailers.
Blackmagic URSA Cine 17K
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, URSA Cine 17K or FX3?
URSA Cine 17K scores 10.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for FX3 — 30fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the URSA Cine 17K and FX3?
URSA Cine 17K is 65 MP and FX3 is 12.1 MP, so the URSA Cine 17K captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the URSA Cine 17K and FX3 have in-body image stabilization?
URSA Cine 17K has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while FX3 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the URSA Cine 17K or the FX3?
URSA Cine 17K reaches 30 fps electronic. FX3 reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the URSA Cine 17K and FX3?
URSA Cine 17K weighs 8500 g and FX3 weighs 715 g, so the FX3 is 7785 g lighter.
Do the URSA Cine 17K and FX3 record 4K video?
URSA Cine 17K: 4K up to 120p. FX3: 4K up to 120p.
Are the URSA Cine 17K and FX3 weather sealed?
URSA Cine 17K: Yes. FX3: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the URSA Cine 17K and 580 shots for the FX3, giving the FX3 the edge.
How much does each cost?
URSA Cine 17K launched at $29,995 and FX3 at $3,899. The FX3 is $26,096 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way URSA Cine 17K vs FX3 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Blackmagic and Sony press materials.