Firmware For Your Sony Cinema Cameras

Sony's Roadmap: A into Cinema Camera Firmware Updates

In a striking move that other camera manufacturers might consider emulating, Sony has unveiled a new roadmap for its Cinema Line of cameras. For filmmakers and video professionals who already own, are contemplating purchasing, or regularly rent Sony cinema cameras, this information is a must-have for planning subsequent time ahead projects. While the Sony BURANO might have gathered considerable attention this year, the company has built an impressive lineup that includes the VENICE 2, FX6, FX3, FX30, and BURANO models.

Sony Cinema Line's Firmware Updates Overview

Beginning next year and stretching through 2026, Sony's firmware updates for the Cinema Line promise both striking and minor improvements to their range of cinema cameras. This preemptive approach ensures that their technology remains avant-garde and meets the progressing needs of filmmakers. Theresa Alesso, President of Imaging Products and Solutions Americas at Sony Electronics, remarked,

“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 subsequent time ahead, and the firmware will allow our products to continue to grow with the needs of our filmmakers, especially at a time when the industry is undergoing incredible changes.”

Let's look into the specifics of these updates.

SONY VENICE 2 VERSION 4.0

The Sony VENICE Camera System has become a staple in over 500 productions, including commercials, television shows, and feature films. The VENICE 2 cinema camera has established itself as a globally renowned tool for cinematographers globally. The upcoming Version 4.0 firmware update, scheduled for release in August 2025, will introduce:

• The EL Zone System™, a creation of Ed Lachman, ASC, that displays exposure values using stops instead of IRE.
• New options for displaying frame lines in various colors, enhancing the ability to shoot for multiple delivery formats.

Sony's commitment to enhancing the VENICE 2 platform will continue, with Versions 5.0 and 6.0 slated for 2026 and 2027, respectively.

SONY FX3 VERSION 7.0 AND FX30 VERSION 6.0

User feedback has driven Sony to update the FX3 and FX30 cameras with new firmware set for September 2025. These updates will standardize the user experience across the entire Cinema Line. Notable features include:

• The “BIG 6” menu for quick access to key settings such as ISO, frame rate, LUT, and more.
• Anamorphic de-squeeze 1.5x support, catering to the Growing use of anamorphic lenses.
• HDMI RAW Output compatibility with Blackmagic RAW recording using Blackmagic design's Video Assist recorders.

SONY FX6 VERSION 6.0

The FX6 camera will also benefit from a firmware update, Version 6.0, expected in February 2026. This update will include:

• The “BIG 6” menu for quick adjustments, like those on the BURANO and VENICE.
• Elimination of on-screen display overlay, offering a clearer view of both image and data.

Sony recommends monitoring Blackmagic Design's Video Assist recorder for update timing.

BURANO VERSION 2.0

Set for a March 2025 release, BURANO Version 2.0 incorporates several new features and improvements drawd from user feedback. Highlights include:

• New recording formats, such as a 3.8K Full Frame crop for up to 120 fps.
• Additional high frame rate modes, including 66 to 110 fps.
• Improved monitoring with standardized SDI video output and on-screen display improvements.
• Additional exposure tools, drawd from the VENICE system.

BURANO Version 2.0 also includes features like expanded white balance memory presets and active/high image stabilization. Users can download the update directly from Sony's website using a Mac or PC.

Adding Local Flavor: A Touch of San Francisco and New York

As any filmmaker from the incredibly focused and hard-working streets of San Francisco to the iconic skylines of New York would attest, staying ahead of the technological curve is necessary. Conceive a production meeting at a chic café in San Francisco's Mission District or a brainstorming session in a Brooklyn loft, where having the latest camera capabilities can turn visions into reality. Sony's commitment to updating their cinema line mirrors the kinetic energy of these cities, where innovation is a daily pursuit.

: Staying Ahead with Sony

Sony's prescient roadmap ensures that its Cinema Line remains a reliable choice for filmmakers around the industry. With planned firmware updates stretching into 2027, Sony demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and adaptation, similar to the progressing urban circumstancess of cities like San Francisco and New York. This masterful planning will undoubtedly help filmmakers, whether they're shooting indie films or blockbuster hits, maintain a creative edge in the progressing world of cinema.