Sony Registers Two New Cameras in China Hinting at FX3 II and New RX100
Sony quietly registered two new cameras in China on April 24, 2026. The filings appeared in the CIPA certification database, which tracks camera and lens registrations required before products can be sold in the Chinese market.
These two new listings bring Sony’s total count of unreleased, registered cameras to three. The first one, the ILCE-7RM6, was registered back on February 4, 2026. Based on the model code, that camera is almost certainly the Sony a7R VI, the next high-resolution full-frame body in Sony’s Alpha lineup.
The April 24 additions are more mysterious. But the model codes tell a clear story.
What the Registration Data Shows
| Model Code | Cert. ID | Registration Date | Likely Product | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILCE-7RM6 | WW847606 | Feb 4, 2026 | Sony a7R VI | High |
| ILME-FX* | WW679476 | Apr 24, 2026 | Sony FX3 II | High |
| TBD | WW721795 | Apr 24, 2026 | New RX100 / ZV Series | Moderate |
The ILCE-7RM6 code directly maps to the Alpha 7R series. The “M6” suffix confirms this is the sixth generation. It supports 5.1/2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, including Wi-Fi 6, which is a first for Sony’s Alpha line. This camera has been expected for months, and a May 2026 announcement window has been rumored by multiple sources.
The ILME-FX Code Points to the FX3 II
The code ILME-FX* is the most important clue. Sony uses the ILME prefix specifically for its professional cinema camera lineup. The FX3 was ILME-FX3, the FX6 was ILME-FX6, and the FX9 was ILME-FX9.
A new ILME-FX registration strongly suggests this is the FX3 II, the long-awaited update to Sony’s compact full-frame cinema camera.
The original FX3 launched in 2021. It packed a 12MP full-frame sensor into a body barely larger than the a7S III, making it one of the smallest professional cinema cameras on the market. It could record 4K at up to 120fps and had excellent thermal performance.
What could the FX3 II improve?
A higher frame rate option is likely, possibly 4K at 160fps or even a cropped 8K mode. A new stacked sensor could reduce rolling shutter and improve low-light performance. Updated AI autofocus, borrowed from Sony’s latest Alpha bodies, would also be a natural addition. And given the competition, improved internal recording codecs or higher bit rates are also possible.
The Third Camera: RX100 or Something Else?
The third camera registered on April 24 carries a model code that has not been fully decoded yet. SonyAlphaRumors believes this is a new RX100 series compact, and that logic holds up.
The RX100 VII was released in 2019. That is seven years without a refresh. For a product line that was once the gold standard of premium compacts, that is a very long gap.
A new RX100 would face a much harder market than its predecessor. Smartphones have improved dramatically. But Sony may see an opportunity in the growing interest in dedicated compact cameras, especially among creators and travelers who want a real lens and a real sensor in a pocketable body.
Potential upgrades could include a new 1-inch stacked CMOS sensor, a brighter or longer zoom range, AI-assisted composition and subject tracking, improved 4K video with higher frame rates, and a built-in ND filter.
However, it is also possible that this third camera is not an RX100 at all. It could be a new ZV series vlogging camera, or even a niche product we have not heard about yet. Until the full model name surfaces, this remains speculation.
Why This Timing Makes Sense
Canon recently announced that its EOS R6 V and RF 20-50mm f/4L IS USM PZ will launch on May 13, 2026. That camera directly competes with the FX3 in the compact full-frame cinema space.
Sony registering the FX3 II four weeks before Canon’s launch is probably not a coincidence. The timing suggests Sony is preparing to announce the FX3 II soon, possibly within weeks of the R6 V debut.
The a7R VI, meanwhile, has been registered since February. A May announcement for that camera has been reported by PhotoRumors, and the timeline fits Sony’s typical cadence between registration and official launch.
What We Know and What We Don’t
The CIPA registration is a concrete fact. Sony did register these cameras. The model codes are also factual. The ILME-FX prefix is reserved for cinema cameras, and the ILCE-7RM6 code is specific to the a7R series.
What we do not know yet are the specifications, the official names, and the exact launch dates. Sony has not confirmed anything. All product details remain in rumor territory until Sony makes an official announcement.
If the rumors are accurate, Sony is preparing a strong 2026 lineup across three very different categories: high-resolution stills, professional video, and premium compacts. That would make this one of Sony’s most active product years in recent memory.
We will keep tracking the CIPA database and industry sources as more details emerge.