Sony Firmware Roadmap for BURANO, Venice 2, FX3, FX30 and FX6 Announced

Firmware Update

by Alexandra ThompsonNovember 7^th, 2024

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The filmmaking community should look forward to the roadmap Sony has announced for their Cinema Line of cameras. The firmware will be available starting next year and will continue through 2026. Let’s see what we can look forward to!

Sony remains committed to their customers by continuing support for their Cine Line cameras. My colleague Nino had an interesting discussion with Nobutatsu Takahashi-san, General Manager of Sony Cinema Line, back at IBC 2023 regarding the Sony BURANO and the future of the Cinema Line, which you can watch/read about here. Sony’s support continues with firmware updates for the VENICE 2, FX3, FX6, FX30, and BURANO cameras.

“Firmware updates are an important way for Sony to continue to address the needs of our filmmaking community. Our Cinema Line is built for the future and the firmware will allow our products to continue to evolve with the needs of our filmmakers, especially at a time when the industry is undergoing incredible changes. This is yet another way Sony is looking to support the community,”

Theresa Alesso, President of Imaging Products and Solutions Americas, Sony Electronics.

The following firmware updates are free and will be available to download:

VENICE 2 Version 4.0

Since its introduction, the Sony VENICE Camera System has been widely used in over 500 productions across commercials, television, and feature films, and the VENICE 2 is a respected choice for cinematographers. The upcoming VENICE 2 Version 4.0 firmware update, expected in August 2025, will add:

• EL Zone System™ Support: Created by three-time Academy award-nominated Director of Photography Ed Lachman, ASC, the EL Zone System™ allows exposure values to be displayed using stops rather than IRE, enhancing the connection between lighting and lens settings. This comes in addition to the existing tools in VENICE 2.
• Customizable Frame Line Colors: Responding to user feedback, this update will introduce frame line color options, making it easier to capture images for various delivery formats.

Future updates are also planned – Version 5.0 is scheduled for 2026, and Version 6.0 for 2027.

FX3 Version 7.0 & FX30 Version 6.0

In response to user feedback, Sony will release a firmware update for the FX3 and FX30 cameras in September 2025. This update will standardize the menu system across Sony’s Cinema Line, streamlining the experience for users who combine their multiple level of cameras for production or switch between them for different projects. Other firmware features include:

• “BIG 6” Menu: Similar to the BURANO and VENICE, the BIG 6 menu will give quick access to check and adjust settings like ISO, frame rate, LUT, ND filters, and more.
• Anamorphic De-squeeze 1.5x: With the increasing use of anamorphic lenses, this feature adds flexibility in lens choice.
• HDMI RAW Output: Allows for Blackmagic RAW recording via Blackmagic Design’s Video Assist recorders.

FX6 Version 6.0

The update to the FX6 will now support SDI RAW Output for Blackmagic RAW recording with Blackmagic Design’s Video Assist recorder. FX6 Version 6.0 is planned for February 2026 and will include:

• “BIG 6” Menu: Similar to the BURANO and VENICE, the BIG 6 menu will give quick access to check and adjust settings like ISO, frame rate, LUT, ND filters, and more.
• Clear Viewfinder Display: Camera data will no longer overlay the image in the viewfinder, offering a clearer view of both the full image and essential data. Note: Sony advises users to check the update timing on Blackmagic Design’s Video Assist recorder.

BURANO Version 2.0

The BURANO Version 2.0 update, set for release in March 2025, will introduce several user-requested features and enhancements:

• New Recording Formats: Adds a 3.8K Full Frame crop mode, capturing nearly the entire sensor with frame rates up to 120 fps, allowing filmmakers to prioritize faster sensor performance when needed. Other recording formats include 24.00 fps to X-OCN 16:9, and the following additional frame rate options – Full Frame: 3.8K 16:9 Mode, up to 120 fps / Super 35: 4.3K 4:3 Mode (for Anamorphic), up to 60 fps / Super 35: 1.9K 16:9 Mode, up to 240 fps.
• 1.8x De-squeeze and High Frame Rate (S&Q) Modes: Adds a 1.8x anamorphic de-squeeze option, including 66, 72, 75, 88, 90, 96, and 110 fps.
• Enhanced Monitoring: Standardized SDI video output for consistent monitoring across X-OCN and XAVC, an improved on-screen display moving status information outside the image, and View Finder Gamma Display Assist while using S-Log3 for monitoring.
• Additional Exposure and Stabilization Tools: High/Low Key exposure tools from the VENICE system, expanded white balance presets (3 to 8), Active/High Image Stabilization support in Full-Frame 6K and Super 35 1.9K modes, and breathing compensation with image stabilization metadata in X-OCN.

Price and availability

As these updates become available, filmmakers can download them directly to their camera using a Mac or PC. For more information, please see their website here, or follow them on Instagram.

Which of these new features do you find most valuable for your work? With the new high frame rate options and de-squeeze ratios, are there new types of shots or projects you’re inspired to try? Let us know in the comments!