From Jets To Race Cars: How The Sony VENICE 2 Continues to Shape Cinematography

In the competitive landscape of high-end digital cinema cameras, the Sony VENICE 2 stands as a formidable force, a testament to Sony's commitment to the art of filmmaking. Since its release, this camera has rapidly become a favored tool for cinematographers worldwide, known for its exceptional image quality, thoughtful design, and Sony's continuous dedication to innovation through ongoing firmware development.

The Core Strengths: Why Cinematographers Favor VENICE 2

The VENICE 2 builds upon the strong foundation of its predecessor, the original VENICE, while introducing key advancements that solidify its position at the pinnacle of cinema capture. Its appeal to cinematographers can be distilled into several core functions:

1. Exquisite Image Quality with Interchangeable Full-Frame Sensors: At the heart of the VENICE 2's appeal are its interchangeable full-frame image sensors. Cinematographers can choose between a newly developed 8.6K sensor or the established 6K sensor from the original VENICE.

   
   

   • The 8.6K sensor offers a stunning 8640 x 5760 resolution, providing immense detail and flexibility for reframing in post-production, or delivering pristine 4K and even 2K masters through powerful oversampling. It boasts an impressive 16 stops of dynamic range, capturing incredible detail in both highlights and shadows, a crucial factor for achieving a film-like latitude.

     
     

   • The ability to swap sensors quickly without firmware changes is a unique advantage, allowing productions to tailor the camera's capabilities to specific shooting requirements on a scene-by-scene basis.

     
     

2. Dual Base ISO for Unparalleled Low-Light Performance: A standout feature inherited and enhanced from the original VENICE is its Dual Base ISO. The 8.6K sensor offers native ISO settings of 800 and 3200. This means the camera delivers incredibly clean images with minimal noise at both sensitivity levels, without introducing digital amplification that can degrade image quality. This is particularly invaluable for low-light shooting, allowing cinematographers to preserve natural ambiance with less artificial illumination.

   
   

3. Built-in 8-Step Mechanical ND Filters: The VENICE 2 features a world-first, servo-controlled 8-step mechanical ND filter mechanism built directly into the camera body. This offers a wide range from ND 0.3 (1 stop) to ND 2.4 (8 stops). This functionality is a massive time-saver on set, eliminating the need to constantly swap external filters and significantly increasing flexibility, especially for remote operation on cranes, drones, or underwater housings.

   
   

4. Exceptional Color Science and Skin Tones: Sony's VENICE line is highly praised for its natural and accurate color reproduction, particularly its ability to render beautiful skin tones. This "VENICE color science" ensures that images have a cinematic look straight out of the camera, providing an excellent starting point for color grading. The camera also exceeds the BT.2020 color space, offering a wider color range than DCI-P3.

   
   

5. Internal 16-bit X-OCN and 4K ProRes Recording: A significant upgrade in the VENICE 2 is the ability to record 16-bit X-OCN (eXtended Tonal Range Original Camera Negative) internally, along with 4K ProRes 4444 and 422 HQ. This eliminates the need for an external recorder, simplifying the camera setup, reducing bulk, and streamlining on-set workflows, particularly for setups like gimbals, Steadicams, and drones.

   
   

6. Minimized Rolling Shutter: While not a global shutter camera, the VENICE 2 boasts an exceptionally fast sensor readout speed, resulting in remarkably low rolling shutter artifacts. This near-total lack of rolling shutter distortion makes it highly suitable for fast-moving subjects or camera movements.

   
   

The Rialto 2: Unlocking Unprecedented Creative Freedom

One of the most revolutionary aspects of the VENICE system is its Extension System, affectionately known as Rialto. The VENICE Extension System 2 (Rialto 2) takes this innovation even further, offering unparalleled flexibility for cinematographers.

The Rialto 2 allows the image sensor block and lens mount to be detached from the main camera body and connected via a thin, flexible cable (available in 9.8-foot and 39-foot lengths). This separation radically changes the camera's form factor, enabling:

• Access to Tight Spaces: Film in incredibly confined areas like car interiors, small cockpits, or cramped sets where a full-sized cinema camera simply couldn't fit.

  
  

• Enhanced Mobility for Gimbals and Drones: By significantly reducing the weight and size of the mounted unit, the Rialto 2 makes the VENICE 2 ideal for handheld operation, gimbals, Steadicams, and drones, allowing for more dynamic and fluid camera movements.

  
  

• Creative Camera Placement: Mount the tiny sensor block in previously impossible positions for unique angles and perspectives.

  
  

• Built-in ND Filters: Even in this compact form, the Rialto 2 unit retains the built-in 8-step ND filter system, providing crucial light control without external accessories.

  
  

• Integrated Gyro Sensor: The Rialto 2 includes a gyro sensor that records tilt and roll metadata, which is incredibly useful for visual effects (VFX) work, making it easier to integrate CGI elements.

  
  

• Assignable Buttons: The Rialto 2 features four user-assignable buttons, allowing cinematographers to control key camera functions directly from the detached sensor block.

  
  

The Rialto system has been a game-changer for complex shots, particularly in action sequences where the camera needs to move through narrow spaces or follow fast-moving subjects.

Blockbusters Shot on Sony VENICE

The Sony VENICE and VENICE 2, often utilizing the Rialto system for specific shots, have quickly become a staple on high-profile productions, demonstrating their reliability and the quality of their images on the biggest screens. While specific details on every film's use of Rialto 2 are often kept under wraps by productions, the VENICE camera line has been employed on a growing list of major Hollywood films and premium TV series, including:

• Top Gun: Maverick (Original VENICE with Rialto) - The original Rialto system was famously used to capture stunning in-cockpit footage, allowing the camera to fit into the tight confines of fighter jets.

  
  

• Avatar: The Way of Water

  
  

• Creed III

  
  

• Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

  
  

• F1: The Movie (reportedly utilizing the Extension System Mini, a newer, even smaller version of Rialto for VENICE 2)

  
  

• Severance (TV series)

  
  

• Ozark: Season 4 (TV series)

  
  

This growing list underscores the trust that top cinematographers and studios place in the VENICE 2's capabilities, from its cinematic image quality to the versatile shooting options provided by systems like Rialto.

Continuous Innovation: Sony's Commitment Through Firmware Updates

Sony's commitment to the VENICE 2 extends far beyond its initial release, demonstrated through a robust roadmap of significant firmware updates. These updates are crucial, as they respond directly to user feedback and evolving industry demands, particularly in areas like virtual production and live cinematic applications.

• Version 2.0: Introduced support for the VENICE Extension System 2 (Rialto 2) itself, along with new imager modes and enhanced monitoring functions.

  
  

• Version 3.0: A "quantum leap" for virtual production and live content. This update introduced the "In-Camera VFX Mode," which enhances color fidelity when mixing practical lighting with LED volumes, a critical feature for virtual production stages. It also brought new frame line tools and improved high frame rate modes for various shooting scenarios.

  
  

• Version 4.0 (Planned for August 2025): The upcoming Version 4.0 promises further advancements, including EL Zone System™ Integration. Developed by cinematographer Ed Lachman, ASC, this innovative exposure tool displays exposure values using stops, offering higher precision and more intuitive on-set communication than traditional false color. This update will also include the highly anticipated VENICE Extension System Mini, an even smaller and lighter version of Rialto, promising to unlock new creative possibilities for incredibly compact or remote setups.

  
  

By continually refining the camera's capabilities through software, Sony ensures the VENICE 2 remains at the forefront of cinematic technology, adapting to the dynamic needs of modern productions from traditional narrative filmmaking to cutting-edge virtual production workflows. This forward-thinking approach, coupled with its already impressive technical specifications, cements the Sony VENICE 2 as a camera system designed not just for today's blockbusters, but for the cinematic innovations of tomorrow.