For the first time since 1999, Sony is truly making waves in the world of digital cinema. The F900 CineAlta camera was the first of it’s kind, a high definition digital camera capable of 24p, that was fit for use filming major motion pictures. In fact, in 1999 George Lucas announced that Star Wars Episode II would be the first major motion picture to be shot entirely digitally (using the Sony F900). Sony dominated the digital filmmaking market until RED Digital Cinema released the RED ONE (4K capable cinema camera) in 2006. Aside from a few notable releases (namely the Sony CineAlta F5, F55, and F65), Sony has remained relatively quite in a world now dominated by RED and Arri. That was until September 6th, 2017 when Sony Announced the newest member of the CineAlta family, the 6K full frame VENICE digital cinema camera at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, CA.



Sony stated VENICE will be capable of 15-stops of latitude and will feature a built-in 8-stage ND filter, giving the operator greater control of exposure while shooting. At the center of the news is the 6K 36x24mm full frame sensor, larger than the S35 sensors found in previous CineAlta releases like the F65. The camera will come with an industry standard PL mount, which can be swapped out for an E-mount, allowing for use of more affordable lenses. There are a wide variety of both vintage and newer cinema lenses which will cover the full frame sensor, including the new Sigma Cine Primes, ZEISS CP.3’s, Angenieux Optimo Ultras, and even Rokinon Cine lenses (with EF to E-mount adapter).







Sony VENICE Release Date

Sony VENICE is a 6K capable, full frame beast that is capable of shooting nearly every format, including full frame, S35, and 4:3 anamorphic. Sony VENICE is expected to ship February 2018 with the S35 configuration first, with full frame mode available in a firmware upgrade a few months later.

Sony VENICE Price/Pricing

Sony plans to begin shipping the 6K VENICE in February of 2018 with an initial price tag/cost set at $43,300 USD (€37,000) for the body only, with additional costs for licenses to enable full frame and 4K anamorphic shooting.

Sony VENICE Specs

Imaging Device Full-Frame CMOS Imaging Device Pixel Count 24.7M (total), 24.4M (effective) Imaging Device Size 36.2 x 24.1mm – 43.5mm (diagonal). Built-In ND Filters Clear, 0.3 (1/2), 0.6 (1/4), 0.9 (1/8), 1.2 (1/16), 1.5 (1/32), 1.8 (1/64), 2.1 (1/128), 2.4 (1/256) ISO Sensitivity ISO500 Lens Mount PL Mount

E-mount (lever lock type, without supplied PL lens mount adaptor) Latitude 15+ Stop Select FPS* Imager mode:

3.8K 16:9, 4K 17.9: 1-60FPS

4K 4:3: 1-48FPS

4K 6:5, 5.7K 16:9, 6K 17:9, 6K 1.85:1, 6K 2.39:1: 1-30FPS

6K 3:2: 1-24FPS White Balance 2000~15000 Kelvin and Green/Magenta adjust Gamma Curve S-Log3 Recording Format (Video) XAVC 4K Class480: 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p

XAVC 4K Class300: 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 50p, 59.94p

XAVC QFHD Class480: 23.98p, 25p, 29.97p

XAVC QFHD Class300: 23.98p, 25p, 29.97p, 50p, 59.94p

MPEG HD422(1920×1080): 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 50i, 59.94i

HD ProRes 422HQ: 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 50p, 59.94p, 50i, 60i

HD ProRes 422: 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 50p, 59.94p, 50i, 59.94i

HD ProRes 422 Proxy: 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 50p, 59.94p, 50i, 59.94i Recording Format (RAW) *Requires AXS-R7* RAW SQ:

4K 17:9 (4096 x 2160): 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 50p, 59.94p

3.8K 16:9 (3840 x 2160): 23.98p, 25p, 29.97p, 50p, 59.94p

X-OCN ST/LT:

6K 3:2(6048 x 4032): 23.98p, 24p,

6K 2.39:1 (6048 x 2530): 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p

6K 1.85:1 (6048 x 3270): 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p

6K 17:9 (6048 x 3190): 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p

5.7K 16:9 (5672 x 3190): 23.98p, 25p, 29.97p

4K 6:5(4096×3432): 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p

4K 4:3(4096×3024): 23.98p, 24p, 25p*, 29.97p*

4K 17:9 (4096 x 2160): 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 50p, 59.94p

3.8K 16:9 (3840 x 2160): 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 50p, 59.94p

Sony VENICE Test Footage

Written and directed by Joseph Kosinski, with Claudio Miranda, ASC serving as Director of Photography, “The Dig” was shot in anamorphic and gives us a good idea of the stunning images Sony VENICE can produce:

Behind-the-scenes look at the making of “The Dig:”

Sony VENICE Financing