Zacuto Z-Finder for the Sony BURANO Released – Smarter and Quicker Loupe System

Accessory News

by Jeff LochNovember 23^rd, 2023

American manufacturer Zacuto recently released a Z-Finder frame for the Sony BURANO. This frame attaches directly to the camera’s LCD screen; it doesn’t block the control buttons and gives you quick access to the touchscreen with one flip of a lever. A kit is also available with the Z-Finder Pro 2.5x loupe if you don’t already have one. So, let’s take a closer look at it!

The Sony BURANO was announced in September 2023, and while it is already available for pre-order, the camera will only start shipping in spring 2024. In a nutshell, this impressive compact camera can shoot in 8K at up to 30fps and 4K at 120fps, has a dual native ISO of 800 and 3200, features the same autofocus capabilities as the Sony FX6/FX9, and most importantly, it is the first cinema camera to have built-in ND filters and In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS). You can watch our exclusive interview with Nobutatsu Takahashi-san, General Manager of Sony Cinema Line, to learn more about the Sony BURANO.

Sony BURANO LCD loupe

The Sony BURANO comes with a 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD monitor. This monitor has multiple physical buttons around the display and a control joystick, making navigating the menus a breeze. This LCD can also control the camera’s autofocus functions and touch focus.

My colleague Nino had the chance to play with the Sony BURANO during the launch event at Pinewood Studios in London. As he noticed, the loupe that comes with the LCD screen has a mirror design; it is attached to the monitor sideways and can’t be flipped up. This means you have to take the loupe off to use the touch focus capabilities, which is not the fastest on set, especially for a camera designed for a one-man-band operation.

Zacuto Z-Finder for the Sony BURANO

To make things faster and easier, and to avoid having to flip your monitor back and forth, Zacuto released a Z-Finder frame specifically designed for the Sony BURANO. According to Zacuto, “This frame slides into the mechanism on the Sony monitor and locks into place using their hinge.”

Once the Z-Finder frame is attached to the LCD screen, you only have to clip the Zacuto Z-Finder 2.5x loupe. The frame has a red lever at the bottom, allowing you to flip the loupe to access the touchscreen quickly. If you don’t need the loupe, you can snap it off without having to remove the entire frame.

Zacuto mentions that the Z-Finder doesn’t interfere with the Sony mounting arm for the LCD. If you have never used a Zacuto Z-Finder before, it features a 40mm opening, the diopter range can be adjusted from -4 to 0 via the included lens/extender frames, and it has one of the best anti-fog coatings on the market.

Pricing and availability

The Zacuto Z-Finder frame for the Sony BURANO is available to pre-order now for €250/$237,50. A kit with the Z-Finder 2.5x loupe is also available for €594/$565.25. Both products should start shipping in early 2024. As always with Zacuto, non-electronic products have a lifetime warranty.

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

What do you think about this loupe for the Sony BURANO? Did you already use a Zacuto Z-Finder or EVF? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!