Sony RIALTO 65 brings 65mm to the increasingly modular VENICE 2 next year

Sony's just confirmed RIALTO 65 Camera Extension System expands the VENICE 2 to 65mm and is due in the first half of 2027 for $80,000.

Sony's newly confirmed RIALTO 65 Camera Extension System for the VENICE 2 CineAlta camera expands VENICE 2 to the 65mm format. First announced back in June at Cine Gear Expo the CBK-6510XS is due in the first half of 2027.

The sensor measures 53.75 mm (2.12 in) wide by 35.83 mm (1.41 in) high, with a diagonal of approximately 64.60 mm (2.54 in). Sony reckons it is among the largest image sensors used in commercially available cinema cameras, with an imaging area approximately 2.2 times larger than a 35mm full-frame sensor.

Studio Mode, Extension Mode, and cable options

The camera head measures approximately 115 mm x 154 mm x 63 mm (4.5 in x 6.1 in x 2.5 in) and weighs approximately 1.5 kg (3.3 lb). In Extension Mode the head can be separated from the VENICE 2 body, while in Studio Mode it is attached directly to the body. The connecting cable detaches at both ends. A 4.5 m (14.8 ft) cable is included, and a 12 m (39.4 ft) cable will be available.

It supports 9.6K 1.5:1 Open Gate readout and a 9.6K 2.20:1 readout mode with a diagonal of approximately 59.04 mm (2.32 in). Additional readout modes will arrive through future software updates to the VENICE 2 body. Base ISO is 2500 or 10000, with 15+ stops of latitude at ISO 2500.

The VENICE 2 body handles recording, including internal 16-bit X-OCN, on AXS memory cards. S-Log3 and S-Gamut3 are carried over.

Here are the imager modes and current caveats.

Lenses, anamorphic support, and ND filters

RIALTO 65 has no lens mount of its own and accepts third-party lens-mount adapters, including those for 65mm-format lenses. With a lens and adapter that communicate with the camera, focal length, focus position, and aperture value are recorded as metadata. Anamorphic shooting is supported with de-squeeze display at multiple magnification ratios and a Zoom to Fit function. Camera tilt and roll are recorded as metadata.

Eleven drop-in ND filters with electronic contacts are included, and VENICE 2 automatically recognizes the density of an inserted filter. The CBK-NDK6510 ND Filter Kit is a set of 11 drop-in ND filters equivalent to those included, and individual filters cannot be purchased separately.

Pricing

Sony has set a US MSRP of $80,000 (C$113,800 in Canada) for the RIALTO 65, with availability tentatively in the first half of 2027. The CBK-NDK6510 ND Filter Kit is $8,000 (C$11,380), and the optional 12 m (39.4 ft) CBK-12C6510 cable is $9,000 (C$12,800). Additionally, VENICE 2 bodies will need dedicated firmware, version 6.00 or later. Sony cautions that specifications are current as of the announcement date and may differ from the final ones.