Sony is back in the spotlight, and this time it’s with the Venice Extension System Mini. This little addition to their famous Venice cinema series appears to be compact and versatile. With this announcement, Sony’s modular cinema system has become more compact. Yet it says, it still offers the same 8.6K shooting features found in larger models.
Designed for Tight Spaces and Handheld Shooting
The Venice Extension System Mini seems as a compact and flexible alternative to its current extension system. This system seems perfect for tight spaces and handheld shooting that enables you to detach the sensor block from the main camera body. This means you can fit into spaces that full-size cinema rigs couldn’t access before—imagine capturing footage inside cars and getting amazing drone shots.
The Mini extension unit is a turning point. It measures about 70% smaller and lighter than the previous model at just 63.9 mm x 103.2 mm x 60.2 mm. This makes it super easy to handle, whether you’re using gimbals, shooting handheld, or working in tight spaces. Even though its compact, the Mini still seems to deliver the stunning 8.6K full-frame optical quality that the Venice 2 is known for. This way you don’t have to compromise on amazing image quality and portability.
Improved Cable System for More Flexibility
Plus, the Mini comes with a much more adaptable cable system than earlier versions that used those bulkier cables. This appears to be a fantastic option for virtual production and XR filmmaking. The cable length comes in two sizes: 4.5 meters or 12 meters for added flexibility
Sony says, the Venice Extension System Mini has some great design upgrades that make it a breeze to set up and rig. Just like the cable linking the Mini to the VENICE 2 camera body is now thinner and more flexible, allowing you to detach it easily during rigging. Plus, there are convenient mounting points for effortlessly attaching your accessories.
For example, you can set up several Venice Extension System Mini units side by side to achieve Stereoscopic imaging. This setup recreates human vision with a 64mm distance between the lenses, which seems to be similar to the average distance between people’s eyes. Additionally, the VENICE Extension System Mini can be used to produce VR content and VFX plates in groups.
Is the Mini Raising the Bar?
The original Venice Extension System was hit for its versatile rigging possibilities, and now it looks like the Mini version is raising the bar even higher. The main changes you’ll notice are its smaller size and lighter weight. It appears Mini is designed to be even more efficient, making it an ideal option for ultra-compact shooting solutions. The way it works seamlessly with drones, stabilizers, and remote-controlled setups, it seems to provide exceptional level of adaptability for you.
Personally, I think the Venice Extension System Mini seems like a good addition to Sony’s growing collection of cinematic gear. If I was serious about top-tier cinematography, I would’ve definitely chosen it!
Pricing and Availability
Sony hasn’t announced the release date for the Venice Extension System Mini just yet. It will make its debut at NAB 2025, on April 6.
[via Digital Camera World; Image credits: Sony]
