Sony upgrades VENICE and FX9 motion-picture cameras

April 30, 2020May 2, 2020 GaryPageau digital cameras, Sony

Sony Electronics Inc. will upgrade the firmware of its VENICE digital motion picture camera and FX9 full-frame camera in 2020. These firmware upgrades build on the two platforms’ extraordinary image capture and color science. VENICE 6.0 firmware update, available in November 2020, delivers more monitoring options and high frame rate. The FX9 update, expected in October, 2020, expands shooting and recording capabilities for content creators.

“Sony is committed to empowering filmmakers to fulfill their artistic vision with cameras developed by and for cinematographers,” says Neal Manowitz, deputy president of Imaging and Professional Solutions Americas, Sony Electronics. “Shooting capability and efficient workflow are key factors in the selection of camera. We listen to our customers and continue to enhance the functionality of VENICE and FX9 cameras to better meet their visual storytelling needs.”

Since its launch in 2017, VENICE has been used to capture more than 200 theatrical, broadcast, cable and streaming releases, including HBO’s “The Plot Against America” and sixteen other series premiering in March and April 2020.

Version 6.0 of VENICE firmware will allow the import of Advanced Rendering Transform (.art) files that improve monitoring picture quality and viewing options on-set, the company said. These .art files can be generated by Sony’s RAW Viewer software, from users’ own 3D LUT files. Additionally, Sony is collaborating with Technicolor and its color scientists to create a new “look library” for the VENICE camera. Another enhancement in VENICE Version 6.0 firmware is the ability to shoot with a second user frame line.

VENICE Version 6.0 features also include:

Expansion of HFR Capabilities – up to 72fps at 5.7K 16:9 and 110fps at 3.8K 16:9, which simplifies post-production of slow-motion, especially for TV drama workflows that have quick turnarounds; in addition, up to 72fps at 4K 6:5 imager mode for Anamorphic lens operation.
Improved 3D LUT monitoring – 3D LUT look can be fed to the camera viewfinder
Gyro information in metadata – camera’s Tilt & Roll data can be referenced by VFX teams

FX9 was launched in 2019 to bring full-frame imaging to “run-and-gun,” documentary and independent productions. Version 2.0 of FX9 firmware supports 4K 60p/50p recording through oversampling from a 5K cropped area of 6K full-frame sensor. Version 2.0 also enables the output of a 4K 16-bit RAW signal to an external recorder with the optional XDCA-FX9 accessory.

Additionally, FX9 Version 2.0 firmware will expand the camera’s operability with Eye AF technology and touch screen operation for focus control and menu setting on the viewfinder.

FX9 Version 2.0 features also include: