The new flagship of Sony’s CineAlta family, the Sony VENICE CineAlta 6K Digital Cinema Camera (6K with 6048×4032*), offers an interchangeable PL or E-Mount*, integrated ND filters in 8-stages, 15+ stops of exposure latitude, a wide color gamut and improved color management system.

VENICE compact form factor suits gimbal, aerial, handheld, and studio setups. While its sister camera, the F65, offers an 18MP sensor, VENICE boasts a 24.7MP Full Frame CMOS sensor with a maximum resolution of 6048 x 4032*.

VENICE will also include a Dual Base ISO mode, supporting an additional High Base ISO of 2500. This feature takes full advantage of the sensor’s unique design for exceptional low light performance and dynamic range (from 6 stops over to 9 stops under 18% middle gray). This new capability represents an increase in exposure indexes at higher ISOs for night exteriors, dark interiors, slower lenses, or where content needs to be graded in High Dynamic Range, while maintaining maximum shadow detail.

VENICE CineAlta features a dual display for menu control on both sides of the camera so your camera assistant or DIT can adjust shutter angle, ISO, ND selection, white balance, and frame rate, while the main camera menu is accessible by the camera operator. Note that the camera left side display for your AC is slightly smaller yet preserves necessary functionality.

VENICE offers similar workflows to your Sony F65 or F55 cameras, plus the same color space: Rec.2020. Captured footage from VENICE offers a very different look. Venice also features the ability to accept PL or E-Mount lenses when you swap the lens mount.

*NOTE: Firmware upgrade required for some 6K Imager Modes and E-Mount. See additional details at bottom.

Interchangeable Lens Mount & Lever Lock

The highlight of this camera for many will be the ability to accept your existing PL lenses on an E-Mount camera. Sony designed VENICE to easily attach a PL Mount on top of the native E-Mount with connection points via 6 screws. VENICE comes with the specialized adapter PL mount.

This adapter isn’t like what you are used to seeing from third-party manufacturers where the mount adapter locks into place inside. The PL Mount on VENICE secures to the face of the sensor block.

In addition, VENICE offers other connectivity options for future growth and current use. Cooke/i Technology is included with 4-pin lens contacts located on the sensor block module, which will pass through to/from your lens.

The E-Mount features a lever lock so you can change lenses by rotating the locking collar, rather than the lens itself. That means that your lens support won’t need to be removed so you can save valuable time on set.

Overhauled Color Science & VENICE’s Look

Sony revamped their color science when creating VENICE. The camera features S-Log3 gamma curve and offers both Auto White Balance (AWB) and White Balance 2000~15,000 Kelvin with Green/Magenta adjust possible. It also exceeds BT.2020 color space. Sony states that this means the color range is wider than DCI-P3 to produce true color and reflect accurately what you see.

VENICE performs well in bright sun ranging down to incredibly low light. VENICE produces soft imagery without the sometimes harsh quality many digital cameras realize. The image processing in the VENICE CineAlta produces deep darks yet retains highlights and colors. The original Impressionist painters would approve of the camera name choice, since VENICE also delivers smooth and natural skin tones and reproduces true color.

Creative Freedom

Full-Frame Full Width 36mm 6K (with required firmware update)

Sony states that in Full Frame, you can use the full 6048 pixel width of the sensor for widescreen spherical 2.39: 1 or Large Format Scope. Full-Frame can be used creatively in a number of ways, such as allowing for extra shallow depth of field or super-wide shots.

Super35 Full Height 2.0x Squeeze Anamorphic Supported

VENICE supports Anamorphic shooting and production with Super35 full height 2x squeeze Anamorphic.

Super35 17:9 and 16:9 Supported

Both 17:9 and 16:9 are natively supported by Venice.

ALSO NOTE: Your Super35 F55 sensor is visually compatible with VENICE due to the density of the pixels. If you shot a scene with both cameras side-by-side you should see similar coverage.

Built-in Filters

VENICE streamlines your workflow by providing the first film industry 8-step servo-controlled Mechanical ND filter system. The 8-stage glass internal filters include a dual turret format (each circular turret holds 3 high-quality optical filters). The full list includes: ND0.3, ND.6, ND.9, ND1.2, ND1.5, ND1.8, ND2.1, ND2.4 in 1-stop increments (1/2 – 1/256). You can either dial in the filter selection directly on the camera or via remote control, with appropriate accessories.

This new workflow with filters on-board will help those using VENICE CineAlta on a gimbal. aerial device, or underwater housing when you cannot swap filters quickly.

NOTE: VENICE is the world’s first camera of its class with a servo-controlled 8-step Mechanical ND filter mechanism built into the camera chassis.

Modular & Compact Form

The modular and compact form of Venice offers the ability to add on-board accessories with ease, plus use VENICE on your aerial devices, gimbals, Steadicam systems, or in handheld mode and in small spaces. VENICE offers mount points for your on-board monitors, wireless video, audio and lens control systems.

The top handle and viewfinder position are adjustable to maintain and ergonomic balance for each operator. The provided handle offers a T-shape design so you can cross your forefinger over for a more secure feel. In addition, there is a safety lock so you can slide the handle to where you want without removing it from the chassis. The handle includes multiple mount points on the top and sides of the handle.

The control buttons for VENICE are positioned for intuitive operation and are based upon research Sony did with camera operators while developing the camera. The buttons illuminate to help you in dark locations and on set.

Your monitoring abilities are improved by the addition of an extra HD output alongside the standard 4K-SDI.

Any baseplate for your Sony F55 should fit on VENICE due to similarities in structure. The F55 is the same height from the camera bottom to the optical center. It also natelively fits an ARRI support system.

The bottom of VENICE includes a detachable shoulder pad so you can add a third-party soft shoulder pad. With the balancing options on this camera (the handle movement, your battery mounted on the rear to balance your heavier lenses) and the lightweight of this small camera body, the provided shoulder pad will do nicely for shorter handheld shooting.

Like all Sony cameras, the chassis on VENICE is engineered for harsh conditions. A ventilation system is isolated from all electronic components to prevent the introduction of dust, sand, and splashes. Swap out the silent fan on set, if needed.

Viewfinder

The optional DVF-EL200 viewfinder on VENICE features a 1920×1080 resolution OLED panel with high contrast and the ability to focus and frame easily. It offers tool-free attachment and a LEMO connection. A rotary encoder delivers fast access to brightness, peaking, and contrast adjustments.

The optional viewfinder mount can be adjusted up or down and slid forward or back to accommodate different body sizes and camera configurations.

Power and I/O

Sony VENICE features a 24V power supply input/output and LEMO connector for standard camera accessories. Both inputs are located in the rear of the camera. It includes a DC Input (XLR 4-pin male), plus the option for DC battery input on a 5-pin connector.

Input/Output includes:

• 1x XLR 5-Pin Female Audio Input (LINE/ AES/EBU / MIC / MIC+48V selectable)
• 1x BNC for Timecode Input
• 1x BNC for Genlock Input
• 1x LEMO 5-Pin Female AUX for Timecode Output
• 1x 8-Pin Connector for Remote, only available with firmware update
• 1x 12-pin Connector for Lens, only available with firmware update
• 1x 12V DC Output
• 2x 24V Fischer 3-Pin Output
• 4x BNC SDI Output for 12G, 3G, 1.5G-SDI
• 1x BNC HD Monitor Output for 1.5G-SDI
• 1x HDMI Type-A Output
• 1x Stereo Mini Jack for Headphone Output
• 1x USB Type-A
• 2x 4-contact for Lens Metadata (Cooke/i Technology protocol)
• 1x RJ-45 Type for Ethernet Network (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX)

Connectivity

Sony has included an Ethernet RJ-45 connection. Future plans call for more wireless instead of only wired options.

License Options in Varied Timeframes

As mentioned above, VENICE offers a currently unique chance to purchase optional software licenses for less than the normal 1-year format to accommodate production needs. Your VENICE camera will come standard with up to 4K 17:9 4096×2160 and with 3.8K 16:9 3840×2160. Other options can only be achieved with the purchase of optional Anamorphic License and Full Frame License. Please review the handy chart available in our images for your reference. Future upgrades will target the asterisk items.

FREE Software

You can color grade and transcode with FREE Sony Software: Catalyst Browse and RAW Viewer while using VENICE.