Sony sketches out firmware roadmap for VENICE 2, FX6, FX3, FX30, and BURANO cameras

Sony has unveiled the roadmap for its Cinema Line firmware upgrades stretching from next year through 2026.

Sony has locked down the firmware update roadmap for its Cinema Line cameras, with updates to several camera planned for next year. It’s an impressively detailed document that stretches out to a putative V6 of the VENICE 2 in 2027. 

So, coming up we have…

VENICE 2 VERSION 4.0

VENICE 2 Version 4.0 firmware update is planned to be available August 2025 and will add:

Support of the EL Zone System, created by three-time Academy award-nominated Director of Photography Ed Lachman, ASC. This is an intuitive tool that displays exposure values by using stops instead of IRE, bringing back the direct relationship between lighting and lens stops. The EL Zone System comes in addition to the existing tools in VENICE 2.

Based on users’ feedback, Version 4.0 will offer the ability to display frame lines in different colors, simplifying the ability to shoot images for multiple delivery formats.

Version 5.0 will be made available in 2026 and Version 6.0 in 2027.

FX3 VERSION 7.0 AND FX30 VERSION 6.0

The Sony FX3 and FX30 cameras will get a new firmware update in September 2025. This update to the menu system will standardize the user experience and operational menus across the entire Ciinema Line. This will be beneficial for users that combine our multiple levels of cameras for production or move throughout the line for different projects.

• Other new features of this firmware will include:
• A new "BIG 6" menu, similar to the BURANO and VENICE. The new BIG 6 menu will allow filmmakers to check and adjust key items at a glance, including ISO, frame rate, LUT, NDs, and more.
• The addition of anamorphic de-squeeze 1.5x, due to the rise of anamorphic lens usage by cinematographers. This new ratio brings new flexibility in terms of lens selection.
• The capability of HDMI RAW Output for Blackmagic RAW recording with Blackmagic Design’s Video Assist recorders.

FX6 VERSION 6.0

FX6 Version 6.0 is planned for February 2026 and will include:

• Support for SDI RAW Output for Blackmagic RAW recording with Blackmagic Design’s Video Assist recorder (Sony recommends that users check update timing on Blackmagic Design’s Video Assist recorder).
• The FX6 will also  see a new “BIG 6” menu.
• Camera data will no longer be overlaid on top of the image in the viewfinder (On-Screen Display (OSD)) to allow operators to see the full image and necessary data more clearly. 

BURANO VERSION 2.0

Planned to be released in March 2025, version 2.0 will include new recording formats including a new 3.8K Full Frame crop that leverages nearly the entire sensor and can shoot up to 120 fps. This new recording mode allows the filmmaker to prioritize faster sensor performance depending on the needs of their application. Other new recording formats include the addition of 24.00 fps to X-OCN 16:9 imager modes and the following:

• 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

BURANO Version 2.0 will also add 1.8x de-squeeze setting as well as additional high frame rate (S & Q) modes including 66, 72, 75, 88, 90, 96, 110 fps.

Version 2.0 also offers monitoring improvements, including standardized SDI video output for monitoring across X-OCN and XAVC and an improved on-screen display which places camera status information outside of the image. Version 2.0 will also include View Finder Gamma Display Assist while using S-Log3 for monitoring.

BURANO Version 2.0 also includes additional exposure tools (High/Low Key) derived from the flagship VENICE camera system. Version 2.0 will also expand white balance memory presets from 3 to 8 and support Active/High Image Stabilization in Full-Frame 6K and Super 35 1.9K 16:9 imager modes.

Finally, Version 2.0 will add breathing compensation and image stabilization metadata in X-OCN.