Sony's RIALTO 65 Sensor Brings 65mm to VENICE 2 in 2027
Sony announced RIALTO 65, a new 65mm format image sensor block for its VENICE 2 digital cinema camera, targeting a 2027 release. This development allows the VENICE 2 to support 9.6K 3:2 open gate recording and offers compatibility with various 65mm lenses, significantly enhancing its production capabilities.
Key Takeaways
- RIALTO 65 is a 65mm format image sensor block for Sony's VENICE 2 digital cinema camera.
- The sensor supports 9.6K 3:2 open gate recording and multiple readout modes for 65mm lenses.
- It provides approximately 2.2 times the light-receiving area of a full-frame image sensor, with a 64.60mm diagonal.
- The sensor block can mount directly to the VENICE 2 body or connect via cable for separated shooting setups.
- Sony plans to release RIALTO 65 in the first half of 2027 and will exhibit it at Cine Gear Expo starting June 5, 2026.
Why It Matters
The RIALTO 65 extends the VENICE 2 platform into the 65mm format segment, offering cinematographers a modular pathway to larger sensor acquisition without requiring an entirely new camera ecosystem. This move positions Sony to compete in the high-end, large-format production space, which has historically been dominated by other manufacturers. Expect to see early production tests and lens compatibility announcements as Sony approaches the 2027 release, indicating how broadly this new sensor will integrate into existing workflows.
Additional Context
Sony's RIALTO 65 announcement, initially made on June 4, 2026, and further detailed at Cine Gear Expo, positions the VENICE 2 to enter a market segment traditionally held by ARRI's ALEXA 65 and ALEXA 265 cameras (CineD, June 2026). This modular approach, leveraging the existing VENICE 2 body, aims to make 65mm acquisition more accessible for production houses and rental companies already invested in the VENICE ecosystem (Y.M.Cinema Magazine, June 2026). While Sony has not yet disclosed pricing or specific lens mounts, the capability for both direct mounting and remote operation highlights an effort to increase shooting flexibility in large-format cinema (TVBEurope, June 2026). The release of RIALTO 65 is anticipated to coincide with a maturing 65mm lens market, with new large-format primes emerging, such as the ZEISS Panoptes 65 line, announced in late 2025 (CineD, May 2026).
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