Sony has announced details of a firmware roadmap for the BURANO. BURANO version 1.1 and version 2.0 will be released in the coming year. According to Sony, these updates will bring a host of new shooting modes, support for live event production, and a host of other improvements based on user feedback.
Version 1.1, expected to be released in late June, introduces features tailored to live event production and improved monitoring capabilities, including remote control and multi-camera monitoring options through the updated Monitor & Control app.
Version 2.0, scheduled for release in March 2025 or later, will apparently include new recording formats, improved de-squeeze settings, and improved exposure tools.
BURANO version 1.1 (end of June 2024)
BURANO Version 1.1 includes new features for live event production and the addition of 1.5x de-squeeze playback for anamorphic lenses. Version 1.1 adds the S700 protocol over Ethernet, which allows a BURANO to be controlled remotely using an RCP (remote control panel). Adjustable settings include exposure, white balance, paint and others (depending on RCP model). Version 1.1 also enables support for Multi Matrix Area Indication. This feature allows users to adjust targeted colors during Multi Matrix use.
BURANO version 1.1 also brings support for Sony’s Monitor & Control app version 2.0.0, which enables features such as the Multi-Camera Monitoring feature for iPadOS that allows feeds to up to four cameras, exposure monitoring including waveform, histogram, false color and zebra. Some other features include focus control and control of commonly used functions in a similar way to Sony’s CineAlta cameras using a mobile device, such as frame rate, ND filter, sensitivity, appearance, shutter speed and white balance.
BURANO version 2.0 (March 2025 or later)
BURANO Version 2.0 brings users many new features and improvements requested by 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 utilizes virtually the entire sensor and can record 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 |
| Super35 |
4.3K 4:3 mode (for anamorphic) |
Up to 60 fps |
| Super35 |
1.9K 16:9 mode |
Up to 240 fps |
BURANO version 2.0 also adds a 1.8x de-squeeze setting, as well as extra high frame rate (S & Q) modes including 66, 72, 75, 88, 90, 96, 110 fps.
Version 2.0 offers monitoring improvements, including standardized SDI video output for monitoring via X-OCN and XAVC and an improved on-screen display that places camera status information off-screen. Version 2.0 also includes View Finder Gamma Display Assist while using S-Log3 for monitoring.
It also includes additional lighting tools (High/Low Key), derived from the VENICE camera system. Version 2.0 expands white balance memory presets from 3 to 8 and supports 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 to X-OCN.
While it’s always great to see new features added to cameras via firmware updates, you could argue that you don’t have to wait a year for basic items like a 1.8x de-squeeze setting and View Finder Gamma Display Help. That said, Sony has a long history of adding incremental firmware updates over many years. This happened with the F3, FS7, F5, F55, @VENICE/VENICE, etc.