The Sony BURANO 8K Digital Motion Picture Camera releases soon and the anticipation is absolutely electrifying. Every day we hear from filmmakers asking, “Will the BURANO take everything we love about the VENICE 2 but just make it more compact?”
This article will cover what we know so far about the Sony BURANO and its tech specs, price, key features, and how it will stack up against the VENICE 2.
Just note that these are only our initial observations. (Trust us, there’s much more to come.) Filmmakers Academy will be officially presenting the BURANO in collaboration with Sony at Sony Studios on Wednesday, February 14th at 10:00 AM PST. So, navigate directly to the bottom of the page or click here to register!
Shane Hurlbut, ASC along with select FA mentors will take Sony’s new camera system through the paces in a live demo to show filmmakers everywhere what to expect.
- Check out the full details of the live event at the bottom of this article!
SONY BURANO PRICE
As of the time of this article, you can pre-order your Sony BURANO for the cost of $25,000 at B&H. It’s available to purchase in the Spring of this year, and what we love about B&H is their 12-month financing option through Payboo.
Order the Sony BURANO at B&H and experience evolution!
SONY BURANO TECH SPECS
Now, let’s peruse the BURANO specifications below to identify its compatibilities and technical details.
GENERAL |
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| CAMERA TYPE | Digital motion picture camera |
| LENS MOUNT | PL Mount (detachable) / E-mount (lever lock type) |
CAMERA SECTION |
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| TYPE | 35 full frame (35.9 x 24.0 mm), Exmor RS CMOS image sensor |
| NUMBER OF PIXELS | Approx. 41.9 megapixels |
| OPTICAL LOW PASS FILTER | Yes |
| BUILT-IN ND FILTER | CLEAR, linear variable ND (0.6(¼) – 2.1(1/128)) |
| GAIN CONTROL | -3 to 18 dB (every 1 dB) |
| LATITUDE | 16 stops |
| COLOR TEMPERATURE RANGE | 2000 K – 15000 K |
RECORDING SYSTEM (MOVIE) |
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| VIDEO COMPRESSION | X-OCN(LT), XAVC H Intra HQ, XAVC H Intra SQ, XAVC H Long, XAVC Intra, XAVC Long |
| AUDIO RECORDING FORMAT | LPCM 4ch (48 kHz 24 bit) |
MOVIE FUNCTION |
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| SLOW & QUICK MOTION (S&Q) | Yes |
| PROXY RECORDING | Yes |
| TC/UB | Yes |
MEMORY CARD SLOT |
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| MEMORY CARD SLOT | SLOT A: Slot for CFexpress Type B card, SLOT B: Slot for CFexpress Type |
FOCUS SYSTEM |
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| TYPE | Fast Hybrid AF (phase-detection AF / contrast-detection AF) |
| FOCUS POINT | Max. 627 points (phase-detection AF) |
| RECOGNITION TARGET (MOVIES) | Human |
| OTHER FEATURES | AF Subj. Shift Sensitivity
AF Transition Speed AF Assist |
EXPOSURE CONTROL |
|
| ISO SENSITIVITY | ISO 800/3200 (Cine El mode, D55 Light source) |
LCD SCREEN |
|
| TYPE | 8.8 cm (3.5 type) TFT |
| TOUCH PANEL | Yes |
| NUMBER OF DOTS (TOTAL) | 2,764,800 dots |
SHUTTER |
|
| SHUTTER SPEED | Angle Mode: 5.6° to 360°, 2F to 64F
Speed Mode: 1/8000 sec to 64F |
IMAGE STABILIZATION |
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| TYPE | Image Sensor-Shift mechanism with 5-axis compensation (Compensation depends on lens specifications) |
| MODE | PL mount: High / Low / Off
E-mount: Active / Standard / Off |
INTERFACE |
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| PC INTERFACE | Mass-storage |
| USB TYPE-C® TERMINAL | Yes (SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps (USB 3.2) compatible) |
| WIRELESS LAN (BUILT-IN) | Yes (Wi-Fi Compatible, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz band/5 GHz band))*2*3 |
| HDMI OUTPUT | HDMI connector (Type-A) |
| XLR AUDIO INPUT | Yes (3-pin (female) x2) |
| HEADPHONE TERMINAL | Yes (3.5 mm Stereo mini jack) |
| REMOTE TERMINAL | 2.5 mm, 3-pole sub-mini type |
| SDI OUTPUT | 1) SDI OUT1: BNC, 12G-SDI, 6G-SDI, 3G-SDI (Level A/B), HD-SDI
2) SDI OUT2: BNC, 3G-SDI (Level A/B), HD-SDI |
| DC INPUT | XLR, 11 V to 17 V |
| TC INPUT/TC OUTPUT | BNC, TC IN/OUT Switchable |
| GENLOCK INPUT/REF OUTPUT | BNC, REF IN/OUT Switchable |
| GRIP REMOTE CONTROL CONNECTOR | 3.5 mm, 4-pole mini jack |
| LAN TERMINAL | Yes (1000BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 10BASE-T) |
AUDIO |
|
| MICROPHONE | Built-in, monaural |
| SPEAKER | Built-in, monaural |
LENS COMPENSATION |
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| LENS COMPENSATION | E-mount: Shading, Chromatic Aberration, Distortion, Breathing |
POWER |
|
| BATTERY | Battery pack BP-GL95B (Sold separately) |
POWER CONSUMPTION |
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| WITH LCD SCREEN | Unit nominal power consumption: Approx. 50.0 W (lens, 6K 17:9, 59.94P, X-OCN LT recording, auto fan, excluding grip remote control and peripheral devices)
Unit maximum power consumption: Approx. 66.0 W (lens, 6K 17:9, 59.94P, X-OCN LT recording, 40 °C (104 °F) environment, ND filter (1/4), proxy recording on, Wi-Fi on, auto fan, including grip remote control and peripheral devices) |
WEIGHT |
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| BODY ONLY | Approx. 2.4 kg (body only, excluding PL-mount adapter) |
| BODY ONLY (OZ.) | Approx. 5 lb 4.7 oz (body only, excluding PL-mount adapter) |
DIMENSIONS (W X H X D) |
|
| DIMENSIONS (W X H X D) | 145.7 mm x 142.5 mm x 218.1 mm (body without protrusions) |
| DIMENSIONS (W X H X D) (IN) | 5 ¾ x 5 ⅝ x 8 ⅝ inches (body without protrusions) |
OPERATION |
|
| OPERATING TEMPERATURE | 0 – 40 ℃ / 32 – 104 °F |
| STORAGE TEMPERATURE | 20 to 60 ℃ / -4 to 140 °F |
SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES |
|
| SUPPLIED ACCESSORY | Handle (with viewfinder arm) (1)
Handle mounting screws (4) LCD monitor (1) Viewfinder loupe (1) Viewfinder mount adapter (1) Shim (circular) (1) Shim (1/3 arc) (15) E-mount cap (1) PL mount cap (1) |
SONY BURANO KEY FEATURES
We had a sneak peek of the Sony BURANO 8K Digital Cinema Camera, and what first pops out is its ultra-mobile design. This makes it perfect for highly versatile, modern cinematographers and smaller film crews.
Its full-frame 8.6K sensor delivers high dynamic images for phenomenal-looking 4K content. The BURANO supports multiple image scan modes to cater to a wide range of production requirements.
In addition to its 16 stops of latitude, the BURANO features Sony’s signature S-Gamut/S-Gamut.Cine wide color space, offering the same color accuracy as the VENICE 2.
The BURANO also comes with four new looks: Warm, Cool, Vintage, and Teal & Orange. This gives you the option to choose distinct and engaging looks, all at the touch of a button! The LUT data is embedded into the metadata of each clip for an efficient workflow.
Below is a list of what we love about the Sony BURANO.
Sony BURANO Key Features:
- Compact, Highly Mobile Design
- 16 Stops of Dynamic Range
- Dual-Base 800/3200 ISO Range
- Full-frame CMOS 8.6K Sensor
- In-Body Image Stabilization – E & PL Mount
- Electronically Variable 0.6-21 ND Filter
- Full-Frame & Super 35 Sensor Modes
- Phase Detection AF – Face/Eye Tracking
- Supports Multiple Frame Rates & Codecs
- Dual CFExpress Type B Card Slots
SONY BURANO VS VENICE 2
Now, you’re probably wondering how exactly the Sony BURANO stacks up against the VENICE 2. What Sony does is take the superior image quality of the VENICE and reimagine it for solo filmmakers and small crew productions.
While Shane Hurlbut, ASC will be comparing the two camera systems side-by-side in the upcoming live demo, here’s what we know so far…
The BURANO is 33% lighter and more power efficient than the VENICE 2. One of the many features cinematographers love about the VENICE 2 is its ability to switch the sensor’s sensitivity. That way, you can capture clean imagery even in low-light conditions. Fortunately, the BURANO supports the same Dual Base ISO 800 and 3200.
SONY BURANO IN ACTION
Award-winning cinematographer James Friend, ASC, BSC was given three Sony BURANO cameras for his short film, The Wingman. They rigged them onto airplanes and shot out of a helicopter to capture the heavenly cinematography.
Together with conservation photographers, Emmanuel “Chivo” Lubezki uses the Sony BURANO and VENICE 2 to show its incredible image. They capture footage of the endangered Southern Right Whale for a nature documentary.
REGISTER FOR THE SONY BURANO LIVE DEMO
Experience evolution with the official demonstration at Sony Studios!
In the official live demonstration of the Sony BURANO 8K Digital Cinema Camera, Shane Hurlbut, ASC unveils the new compact full-frame camera system and its versatile features at Sony Studios. The Filmmakers Academy mentors presenting alongside Shane include Derek Johnson (DIT/Colorist), Jason Robbins (A-Camera Gimbal Operator), and Thomas Popp (Sound Mixer).
Shane begins with a comprehensive overview of the BURANO’s technical specifications and its key components that any cinematographer and their camera team will want to consider.
Moving on from the camera’s specs, Shane and his team present 4 unique scenarios.
1. CHALLENGE THE CAMERA:
They display the advantages and limitations of the BURANO while comparing it to the VENICE 2. This involves an interior lighting setup with models of varying skin tones. Shane and the team push it to 9 stops over while Derek Johnson corrects the image on DaVinci to find its breaking point.
2. AUTO FOCUS & TOUCH TRACKING FUNCTIONS:
Next, they showcase how the BURANO racks focus on models in the foreground and background, utilizing the Sony E-Mount lenses. Shane discusses compatible lenses with the BURANO’s AF Function and demonstrates how it racks focus with Touch Tracking and AI Subject Recognition.
3. GIMBAL PERFORMANCE:
Last, Jason Robbins evaluates how the BURANO balances on the DJI Ronin 2 and RS 3 Pro. Again, they compare how the BURANO performs side by side with the VENICE 2, revealing how the two camera systems differ in balancing weight while sharing key advantages and limitations.
Designed for highly mobile cine-style shooting, the Sony BURANO is an ideal solution for filmmakers, particularly solo operators and small film crews. Its sensor matches the color science of the VENICE 2 but packages it in a compact and lightweight body making it more manageable with less maintenance.
Watch the live demo exclusively at the Filmmakers Academy platform on Wednesday, February 14th at 10:00 AM PST. Register for FREE today!
This live event is officially sponsored by Sony.
By Filmmakers Academy
