Sony has announced details of a firmware roadmap for the BURANO. Over the next year BURANO Version 1.1 and Version 2.0, will be released. According to Sony, these updates will bring a host of new recording modes, live event production support, and numerous other enhancements based on user feedback.
Version 1.1, which is expected to be released in late June will introduce features tailored for live event production and enhanced monitoring capabilities, including remote control options and multi-camera monitoring via the updated Monitor & Control app.
Version 2.0, which is planned for release in March 2025 or later, will apparently feature new recording formats, improved de-squeeze settings, and enhanced exposure tools.
BURANO Version 1.1 (late June 2024)
BURANO Version 1.1 will include new features for live event production and the addition of 1.5x de-squeeze display for anamorphic lenses. Version 1.1 will add S700 Protocol over Ethernet which enables remote control of a BURANO using an RCP (remote control panel). Controllable settings include exposure, white balance, paint, and others (depending on the RCP model). Version 1.1 also enables support for Multi Matrix Area Indication. This feature allows users to adjust targeted colors during Multi Matrix operation.
BURANO Version 1.1 also allows support for Sony’s Monitor & Control app version 2.0.0 which enables features such as Multi-Camera Monitoring function for iPadOS which allows feeds to up to four cameras, exposure monitoring including waveform, histogram, false color and zebra. Some other features include focus control, and frequently used functions’ control as similar operation as Sony’s CineAlta cameras using a mobile device, such as frame rate, ND filter, sensitivity, look, shutter speed, white balance.
BURANO Version 2.0 (March 2025 or later)
BURANO Version 2.0 will give users many new features and improvements requested from the community, including new recording formats, new 1.8x de-squeeze, and monitoring improvements.
Version 2.0 will include new recording formats including a new 3.8K Full Frame crop that leverages nearly the entire sensor and can shoot up to 120 fps. Other new recording formats include the addition of 24.00 fps to X-OCN 16:9 imager modes and the following:
Full Frame | 3.8K 16:9 Mode | Up to 120 fps |
Super 35 | 4.3K 4:3 Mode (for Anamorphic) | Up to 60 fps |
Super 35 | 1.9K 16:9 Mode | Up to 240 fps |
BURANO Version 2.0 will also add 1.8x de-squeeze setting as well as additional high frame rate (S & Q) modes including 66, 72, 75, 88, 90, 96, 110 fps.
Version 2.0 will offer monitoring improvements, including standardized SDI video output for monitoring across X-OCN and XAVC and an improved on-screen display which places camera status information outside of the image. Version 2.0 will also include View Finder Gamma Display Assist while using S-Log3 for monitoring.
It will also include additional exposure tools (High/Low Key) derived from the VENICE camera system. Version 2.0 will expand white balance memory presets from 3 to 8 and support Active/High Image Stabilization in Full-Frame 6K and Super 35 1.9K 16:9 imager modes.
Finally, Version 2.0 will add breathing compensation and image stabilization metadata in X-OCN.
While it is always great to see new features added to cameras via firmware updates, you could make an argument that you shouldn’t”t have to wait a year for basic items like a 1.8x de-squeeze setting, and View Finder Gamma Display Assist. In saying that, Sony has a long history of adding incremental firmware updates over many years. This happened with the F3, FS7, F5, F55, @VENICE/VENICE, etc.
