Los Angeles, CA—The Sony Burano CineAlta digital cinema camera debuted. For single-camera operators and small crews, the new cine camera features a sensor that matches the Venice 2.
Compact and mobile, the Burano is “the world’s first digital cinema camera with a PL mount to feature in-body image stabilization [as of September 2023],” the company stated. Additionally, when the PL lens mount is removed, the camera will work with E-mount lenses to support Fast Hybrid Autofocus (AF) tech, subject recognition AF and 5-axis IS, for capturing fast-moving subjects.
“The Burano gives filmmakers new options to help push the boundary of filmmaking. It’s the perfect camera for both scripted and unscripted projects, including commercial, wildlife or documentary styles. This camera will be a wonderful addition to be used on set alongside our lineup of digital cinema cameras,” said Theresa Alesso, president, Imaging Products and Solutions Americas, Sony Electronics.
Moreover, Unjoo Moon directed Original, a Sony Burano launch film. It’s a high-energy K-Pop style dance “battle” with an original score by Tushar Apte. Moon opted to create a short dance film to highlight the camera’s mobility and cinematic look. She explained, “The whole spirit of this camera is about originality and about giving the creator freedom.”
Sony Burano CineAlta Key Features
The Burano’s compact, lightweight body measures more than an inch shorter and is more than three pounds lighter than the Venice 2. Further, the camera is housed in a magnesium chassis, making it an option for filming in challenging environments.
The Burano’s 8.6K full-frame sensor shares specifications with the Venice 2’s sensor. The camera also features dual base ISO of 800 and 3200 and 16 stops of dynamic range for working in challenging light. Additionally, the new camera inherits the color science of the Venice series.
What’s more, Sony included one of the most popular features of its Cinema Line—its Fast Hybrid AF technology with subject recognition AF. The autofocus system supports filmmakers shooting fast-moving subjects and multi-camera setups using E-mount lenses.
Furthermore, the Burano is the first digital cinema camera with an interchangeable E-mount and PL-mount lens to support built-in image stabilization. A newly developed IS mechanism and control algorithm leverages the image stabilization technology cultivated with Alpha mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras. As a result, unwanted camera shake, such as movement from shooting handheld or walking, is corrected when shooting with an E- or PL-mount lens. 
In addition, the camera has an electronic variable ND filter (0.6–2.1), to enable easier adjustments in various lighting. The electronic variable ND filter allows you to control the depth of field with the iris and adjust the exposure with the ND filter to get the optimum exposure without changing the depth of field. This filter is also thinner than prior ND filters in Sony’s cinema cameras.
Recording and Capture Modes
The Burano also features adjustable pre-roll or cache recording—for unscripted filmmakers. Pre-roll or cache recording lets filmmakers capture a modifiable amount of footage before pressing the record button.
Further, it allows filmmakers to adjust cache recording depending on the codec, resolution and frame rate. For example, the Burano can enable cache recording of up to 11 seconds while filming 8.6K at the highest codec or set up to 73 seconds while filming 4K.
Like all cameras in Sony’s full-frame Cinema Line, the new camera shoots at full frame and Super 35 as well as has a desqueeze function for anamorphic lenses. It can film at frame rates up to 8K at 30 frames per second; 6K at 60 fps; or 4K at 120 fps.
Moreover, the Burano records digital files from HD to 8K depending on the resolution, aspect ratio and codec. It also supports multiple internal recording formats, such as the new XAVC H for 8K, which utilizes the MPEG-H HEVC/H.265 high-compression efficiency codec. Other recording formats include XAVC and X-OCN LT. X-OCN is Sony’s proprietary compressed raw format that captures information shot with 16-bit linear data, for more freedom in post for color grading. X-OCN LT is the lightweight version of the X-OCN codecs and can reduce file transfer time and storage size load.
Additional Features
The new CineAlta camera also includes design improvements thanks to feedback from the filmmaking community. For example, all menu buttons are on the operator’s side. Additionally, there are tally lamps in three locations to make it easier for the surrounding crew to check the shooting status.
Furthermore, its 3.5-inch multifunction LCD monitor works as a viewfinder, for touch focus or menu control. The Burano also bundles an optional T-handle, viewfinder arm, two 3-pin XLR audio inputs and a headphone terminal (stereo minijack) for solo operation.
There are also two CFexpress Type B memory card slots. Plus, it supports VPG400, which can sustain high-bit-rate writing of video data, including X-OCN LT 8K. Sony will also release new CFexpress Type B memory cards: the CEB-G1920T (1920GB)/CEB-G960T (960GB).
Like the Venice series, the new camera offers log recording and different color spaces. They include S-Gamut3 and S-Gamut3.Cine, which cover a wide color gamut that exceeds BT.2020 and DCI-P3. And since the Burano can reproduce the same color as all cameras in Sony’s Cinema Line, filmmakers can match cameras within the line.
Other features include four new cinematic looks—warm, cool, vintage, teal and orange—in addition to supporting industry standard s709 and 709 (800%) Look Up Tables (LUTs).
Accessories
In addition, Sony will release separately a new remote grip control, GP-VR100, that allows filmmakers to control the Burano via a hand grip. The remote grip control works with the camera in shoulder-mounted scenarios. It also permits access to the zoom lever and recording start/stop button on the hand grip. The remote grip control is a solution for single camera operators and unscripted productions such as sports, reality, wildlife and documentary filmmaking.
Sony has scheduled the Burano camera (SRP: $25,000) , the new CFexpress Type B memory cards as well as the new GP-VR100 grip remote control (sold separately) for a spring 2024 release.
Sony Monitor & Control Mobile App
In related news, Sony is also launching the Monitor & Control mobile application for visual creators. This app is a new addition to the lineup of apps provided by Creators’ Cloud, and works with compatible Sony cameras, such as the FX3 and FX30.
The free Monitor & Control app supports wireless image monitoring; accurate exposure determination using false color and waveform monitors; as well as intuitive focus operations of compatible cameras on the larger screen of smartphones and tablet devices.
Current compatible cameras for this app are the FX3, FX30 and FX6. Sony will make the Burano compatible in the future. The app will also work with Sony interchangeable-lens cameras, such as the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III, from March 2024 or later. Sony will expand the number of compatible cameras gradually.
