Sony Photography News and Rumors

Sony BURANO 8K: B&H Photo
Sony FX6: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony Venice 2: B&H Photo / Amazon
Sony FR7 Cinema Line PTZ Camera: B&H Photo
Sony a7SIII: B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama

CineD released a video explaining the latest firmware updates for the Sony BURANO, FX6, VENICE 2, FR7, and a7SIII cameras. You can read about the updates below or watch the video above.

Sony Firmware Updates Breakdown (BSC Expo 2026)

Sony has announced a massive wave of firmware updates across its Cinema Line and Alpha series, including the FX6, BURANO, VENICE 2, FR7, and the enduring a7S III. Below are the key details from the interview with Sony’s Daniel at the BSC Expo.

Sony FX6 (Ver. 6.0)

• “Big Six” Interface Ported: The FX6 is finally receiving the “Big Six” menu system, originally introduced on the VENICE and BURANO. This interface is designed to be cleaner and more intuitive for operators who may not use the camera daily. It provides immediate visual confirmation and quick adjustment of the six most critical settings: ISO, Shutter Speed, Frame Rate, etc.
• Blackmagic RAW Support: A highly requested feature, Blackmagic RAW recording capability is confirmed to arrive with this firmware update in March 2026.

Sony BURANO (Ver. 3.0)

• Anamorphic Expansion: Building on the 4:3 de-squeeze added in Version 2, Version 3 introduces a 6:5 de-squeeze aspect ratio. This specifically targets users of 2x anamorphic lenses, offering more flexibility in production workflows.
• Unlocked Full-Frame High Speed:
  • Previously: The camera was limited to 60fps in Full-Frame 4K, forcing users to crop to Super 35 for higher frame rates.
  • New Capability: Sony has optimized the sensor readout speed via firmware. Users can now shoot 4K at up to 120fps in Full-Frame mode.
  • Aspect Ratio Update: High-speed recording (120fps) in Super 35 mode now supports 16:9 aspect ratio, whereas it was previously limited to 17:9.
• Infrared (IR) Pollution Fix:
  • Sony acknowledged an issue with the original Optical Low Pass Filter (OLPF) where the infrared spectrum was not being cut effectively, causing color shifts (IR pollution) in environments with tungsten lighting or heavy daylight.
  • The Solution: New BURANO units ship with a corrected OLPF. Existing owners can contact Sony to have their OLPF replaced to fix this hardware limitation.

Sony VENICE 2 (Ver. 4.1) & VENICE 2 Mini

• EL Zone System: The update integrates Ed Lachman’s “EL Zone” system. Unlike false color which uses IRE values, EL Zone maps exposure based on stops relative to 18% gray. This allows DPs to see exactly how many stops over or under key exposure specific areas of the image are.
• VENICE 2 Mini Details:
  • Form Factor: A 550g compact head designed for tight spaces, reducing the footprint significantly compared to the standard block.
  • The Compromise vs. Rialto 2: The standard Rialto 2 extension system retains the camera’s internal 8-stop mechanical ND filter wheel. To achieve the VENICE 2 Mini’s size, the internal ND wheel was removed. Instead, it uses a manual filter tray system, meaning ND changes require physically swapping filters rather than a remote button press.
  • Compatibility: Like the Rialto, it supports cable runs up to 12 meters and uses the same 8K sensor block.

Sony FR7 (Ver. 4.0)

• “Exoskeleton” AI Tracking: The autofocus and PTZ tracking have been upgraded to recognize human body structures (exoskeletons). If a subject turns their back to the camera, the FR7 will continue to track their body rather than losing the lock because it can’t see a face.
• Sports Application: New algorithms allow the camera to track objects like a ball in sports broadcasting, rather than just locking onto players.
• Virtual Production: Support for Open Track IO, an open-source protocol for camera tracking data.

Sony a7S III (Ver. 5.0)

• Modernized Autofocus: The update brings the 5-year-old camera’s AF performance closer to current generation standards (like the a7R V or a9 III). This includes “Spot XL” focus areas and improved tracking behaviors.
• C2PA Authenticity: The camera will now support C2PA certification. This cryptographically signs images (and potentially video) at the point of capture to prove they are authentic and have not been manipulated by AI. This is critical for photojournalists and documentary filmmakers needing to verify the “truth” of their footage.

New Product: “Oscelus” Tracking System

• Markerless Tracking: A new virtual production tracking system that eliminates the need for physical QR codes or markers on ceilings/walls.
• Resilience: It uses a 5-sensor array combining visual and infrared data
  • Occlusion: If a flag, boom mic, or operator blocks one sensor, the other four maintain the lock.
  • Lighting: It can track using the IR spectrum, making it effective in total darkness or widely varying lighting conditions where visual-only systems might fail.

Sony’s Statement on Quality Control

Addressed directly by Daniel (Sony Rep):

• Acknowledgment: Sony is aware of the frustration caused by recent firmware updates that had to be pulled due to bugs.
• Process Change: The engineering team is shifting their focus from just “new camera development” to “sustaining engineering.”
• Extended QC: The Quality Control period for firmware has been extended from “a few weeks” to “closer to a month” to ensure stability before public release.

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