Sony BURANO Firmware Update Roadmap Announced

Firmware Update

by Jeff LochJune 5^th, 2024

Sony recently unveiled their firmware update roadmap for one of their latest cinema cameras, the Sony BURANO. The first firmware update, version 1.1, will be available by the end of this month, while the most significant one, version 2.0, should be available early next year. So, let’s look closer at what is coming for the BURANO!

The Sony BURANO was announced in September 2023, and it is already in the hands of many filmmakers and rental houses worldwide. The BURANO is an impressive, full-frame cinema camera that can capture footage in 8.6K X-OCN LT RAW and XAVC H codecs. Furthermore, it has a removable PL-Mount that unveils a Sony E-Mount with autofocus capabilities. It is also one of the first cameras to have both IBIS and built-in ND filters. With close to 10 stops of exposure latitude, the BURANO is amongst the best Sony cinema cameras we have ever tested in our Lab Test.

In a smart move, Sony unveiled their firmware update roadmap for the BURANO, something the company used to do to reassure present and future customers and let them know what features were coming.

Sony BURANO firmware update version 1.1

The first firmware update for the Sony BURANO will be version 1.1, which should be available by the end of this month. This firmware update will include the addition of a 1.5x anamorphic de-squeeze display alongside the 1.3x and 2.0x options already available.

Next, the BURANO will now support Sony’s Monitor and Control app. This app allows you to wirelessly control (focus, ND filter, ISO, shutter speed, white balance, etc.) and watch up to four camera feeds simultaneously. Inside the app, you’ll also find multiple monitoring tools. The Sony Monitor and Control app can be downloaded for free and is compatible with iOS and Android smartphones/tablets.

Lastly, the BURANO firmware update version 1.1 supports the S700 Protocol over Ethernet. According to Sony, it 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.

Sony BURANO firmware update version 2.0

The second firmware update for the Sony BURANO, version 2.0, should be released in “March 2025 or later.” This firmware update will include:

• A new 1.8x anamorphic de-squeeze option.
• New recording formats will be introduced, including 3.8K full-frame crop at up to 120P, Super35 4.3K 4:3 mode at up to 60P, and Super35 1.9K 16:9 mode at up to 240P. Furthermore, 24P will be added to X-OCN 16:9 imager modes.
• When capturing slow-motion footage in S&Q mode, you’ll get additional frame rates, including 66, 72, 75, 88, 90, 96, and 110 frames per second. ​

• Monitoring improvements: standardized SDI video output for monitoring across X-OCN and XAVC and improved on-screen display output, placing camera status information outside the image. Also, there will be a new View Finder Gamma Display Assist while using S-Log for monitoring.
• New exposure tools derived from the VENICE camera system, including High/Low Key.
• Additional white balance presets, going from three to eight.
• Active and High image stabilization in full-frame 6K and Super35 1.9K 16:9 modes will be added.
• Addition of breathing compensation and image stabilization metadata in X-OCN. ​ ​

Price and availability

As previously mentioned, firmware update version 1.1 will be available by the end of June 2024, while version 2.0 should be available in March 2025 or later. Both firmware updates will be available for free download.

For more information, please visit Sony’s website here.

What do you think about this firmware update roadmap for the Sony BURANO? Have you already shot with the BURANO? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!