Sony teases new firmware updates for the FX6 and VENICE 2

Sony Electronics will have new firmware updates for the FX6 full-frame camera and the flagship VENICE 2 digital cinema camera launching this summer, with more to come next year.

Ahead of CineGear's doors opening in LA today, Sony has announced that FX6 Version 4.0 and VENICE 2 Version 2.1 will be released 'this summer', while a major new upgrade for the VENICE 2, Version 3.0, will be available in early 2024.

FX6 Version 4.0

Thanks to feedback from the filmmaking community, FX6 Version 4.0 will now offer a desqueeze function for anamorphic lenses with options of 1.3x and 2.0x. This mode enables filmmakers to select the desqueeze ratio for the HDMI output image and the image displayed in the View Finder.

FX6 Version 4.0 also adds autofocus support in S&Q (Slow & Quick) mode. Autofocus is available for 7 fps or higher in S&Q mode.

FX6 Version 4.0 also includes Cine EI Quick support, offering the same production workflow as Cinema Line cameras, including the FX30 and FX3. File naming is now the same as in the company's high-end CineAlta cameras such as the FX9, VENICE and VENICE 2, to ensure an easier workflow, especially in a multi-camera setup.

VENICE 2 Version 2.1

VENICE 2 Version 2.1 improves the zoom to fit function when the imager is in 3:2 aspect ratio. The current zoom to fit function cuts off the side of the 17:9 viewing angle, resulting in a narrower angle than expected. Version 2.1 will now crop 16:9 from the entire full-frame 3:2 area. In addition, zoom to fit 2:39:1 for 3:2 imager modes will also be added.

VENICE 2 Version 3.0

Above and beyond that though is going to be the VENICE 2 Version 3.0 firmware update, which is planned to be available in early 2024 and is getting teased good and early as it adds some quite important new functionality. 

By popular request, Version 3.0 will support a new external frame line generator tool. Sony's new frame line generator will enable import/export capability for frame line generation. In addition, Version 3.0 will improve high frame rate modes, allowing filmmakers to shoot 90 fps with 2x anamorphic lenses, while a new 33.333 variable FPS has been added for anti-flicker at 50Hz. Version 3.0 will also include features to help improve the color fidelity of in-camera VFX when mixing standard production lighting and LED volumes.

And Version 3.0 will add new functionality to further enhance the VENICE 2’s use for the growing live cinematic multicam market.  Version 3.0 will improve the paint menu and RM/RCP Control for live content production, including added adjustments for saturation, skin detail, white balance, and shutter - even when RCP/RM paint control is off. Version 3.0 will also enable 3D-LUT selection when RCP/RM paint control is on.