Summary
- Sony has officially announced RIALTO 65 for existing VENICE 2 cameras.
- Its 65mm-format sensor delivers 9.6K Open Gate and approximately 2.2 times the imaging area of full frame.
- Studio Mode, Extension Mode, Dual Base ISO and 16-bit X-OCN recording are supported.
- Availability is expected in the first half of 2027, with an estimated Japanese price of ¥14.85 million including tax.
Sony has officially unveiled RIALTO 65, a 65mm-format sensor extension that enables existing VENICE 2 cameras to capture 9.6K footage, with an estimated Japanese market price of 14.85 million yen including tax.
The commercial announcement of 29 October 2026 follows the RIALTO 65’s first public appearance at Cine Gear in June and adds detailed specifications, accessories and a launch window. RIALTO 65 (CBK-6510XS) is an extension for VENICE 2, not a standalone camera.
Sony has published two videos: a field test of the system and the short film “LOCAL PEOPLE”, photographed by cinematographer Łukasz Żal, PSC.
A 65mm-format sensor with 9.6K Open Gate
The sensor measures 53.75 × 35.83 mm, with a diagonal of approximately 64.60 mm and a native 3:2 (1.5:1) aspect ratio. Its imaging area is approximately 2.2 times larger than a 35mm full-frame sensor. “65mm” refers to the cinema format class rather than a literal sensor width of 65 mm.
9.6K Open Gate (9564 × 6376) uses the entire sensor at up to 30 fps. A 9.6K 2.20:1 (9564 × 4348) readout reaches up to 50 fps, reducing the captured height and allowing a wider selection of lenses to cover the image area. Maximum frame rates vary by X-OCN recording quality: Open Gate is limited to 24p in X-OCN XT.
Sony plans further readout options through future firmware updates, including 9.6K 17:9, 6.4K full frame and 4.3K Super 35. These planned modes are separate from the two announced 9.6K modes for launch.
Dual Base ISO, 16-bit X-OCN and the existing workflow
RIALTO 65 features Dual Base ISO 2500/10000, with Sony quoting more than 15 stops of latitude at Base ISO 2500. It retains CineAlta colour science, S-Log3 and S-Gamut3, while 16-bit X-OCN recording takes place internally in the VENICE 2 body.
For productions already using VENICE 2, much of the infrastructure remains familiar: camera operation, AXS recording media, recording and media management. It still requires dedicated VENICE 2 firmware version 6.00 or later, along with suitable lenses and a mount adapter.
Studio Mode or Extension Mode to suit the shoot
The camera head weighs approximately 1.5 kg and measures around 115 × 154 × 63 mm. In Studio Mode, it connects directly to VENICE 2 for an integrated body. In Extension Mode, the camera head is separated from the recorder/body and can be positioned in confined spaces, specialised rigs or difficult camera angles.
A 4.5-metre cable is included, with an optional 12-metre cable (CBK-12C6510). Connections at both ends are detachable, making rig integration easier. The system can also record tilt and roll metadata for post-production.
Lenses, anamorphic support and 11 ND filters
RIALTO 65 has no built-in lens mount; it requires a third-party adapter. That allows flexibility, but each lens must cover the exceptionally large sensor area. This is particularly relevant to the new TRIBE7 K70 T1.7 cinema lenses, designed to cover the RIALTO 65 frame.
Multiple anamorphic de-squeeze display ratios and Zoom to Fit are supported. With a compatible lens and mount adapter, metadata such as focal length, focus position and aperture can be recorded for editing, VFX and virtual production.
Rather than relying on the variable electronic ND arrangement familiar from other VENICE configurations, RIALTO 65 uses 11 physical drop-in ND filters with electronic contacts, allowing the camera to recognise each filter’s density. An optional full CBK-NDK6510 filter kit is offered, but individual replacement densities are not sold separately.
More information here.
Price and availability
Sony expects RIALTO 65 to become available in the first half of 2027. The estimated Japanese market price is ¥14,850,000 including tax (¥13,500,000 before tax), with final retail prices set by dealers. In the United States, Sony has announced an $80,000 MSRP.
The optional ND kit is estimated at ¥1,320,000 including Japanese tax, while the 12-metre cable is ¥1,485,000. No official European price was located. The RIALTO 65 price does not include the VENICE 2 body or the required third-party lens-mount adapter.
What we think
What appeals to us most about RIALTO 65 is not just the resolution. A production already shooting on VENICE 2 can move to a 65mm-format image without rebuilding its entire recording and media workflow. If a crew has invested in this system, that could matter far more than a few extra pixels.
Extension Mode is its strongest creative advantage. Large format is useful when you can actually put the camera where the shot demands, rather than keeping it on a massive rig. The compact head, extension cable and familiar VENICE 2 infrastructure give crews more options in tight and awkward spaces.
The practical issues are substantial: not every cine lens covers a 64.60mm diagonal, a mount must be sourced separately and the ND system requires physical filter changes. At this price, it is a production and rental-house decision, not a casual camera upgrade. But filmmakers now have a concrete 65mm option within a workflow many of them already know.
