Sony Electronics today announced the new Burano camera, a new model from their CineAlta lineup of digital cinema cameras. The Burano was designed for single-camera operators and small crews and features a sensor that matches the Venice 2.
Sony says Burano is the world's first digital cinema camera with a PL-Mount to feature in-body image stabilization. Additionally, when the PL lens mount is removed, the camera can be used with E-mount lenses to support Fast Hybrid Auto Focus and Subject Recognition AF, ideal for capturing fast moving subjects.
"The Burano gives filmmakers new options to help push the boundary of filmmaking. It’s the perfect camera for both scripted and unscripted projects, including commercial, wildlife, or documentary styles. This camera will be a wonderful addition to be used on set alongside our lineup of digital cinema cameras," said Theresa Alesso, president, imaging products and solutions Americas, Sony Electronics.
Unjoo Moon directed Original, a Sony Burano launch film. It’s an exuberant, high-energy K-Pop style dance “battle” that has an original score by Tushar Apte. Moon opted to create a short dance film to highlight the camera’s exceptional mobility and cinematic look. She explains, “The whole spirit of this camera is about originality and about giving the creator freedom.”
The Burano is equipped with an electronic variable ND filter from 0.6 to 2.1, enabling easy adjustments in various lighting conditions. In addition, the electronic variable ND filter allows you to control the depth of field with the iris and adjust the exposure with the ND filter to get the optimum exposure without changing the depth of field. This filter is also far thinner than prior ND filters in Sony’s lineup of cinema cameras and is adjacent to the optical image stabilization mechanism – a technological feat that helps to keep the camera as compact and lightweight as possible.
The Burano also includes design improvements thanks to feedback from the filmmaking community. For example, all menu buttons are positioned on the camera operator's side. Additionally, tally lamps are placed in three locations to make it easier for the surrounding crew to check the shooting status.
Award-winning wildlife and natural history director and cinematographer Danny Schmidt has been a Sony camera owner and operator for nearly a decade. As a current FX9 and FX6 owner and operator, he shared his experience with the Burano.
“This camera is a big level-up from the FX series for me. The noise and the grain are beautiful. The image is cinematic and it’s inspiring to look at. I immediately loved the form factor. It was a size that looked to me just slightly larger than an FX6, a modular camera that has a lot of possibilities. I can put it on a long lens, hang it from an easy rig, or rig it up for shoulder mounting. I see this being my primary camera.”