Sony expands VENICE 2 into 65mm with the RIALTO 65 Camera Extension System

Sony has revealed full details for the RIALTO 65 Camera Extension System, an add‑on that turns the VENICE 2 CineAlta body into a 65mm‑format camera. The core of the kit is a very large image sensor that measures 53.75 mm wide by 35.83 mm high, with a diagonal of approximately 64.60 mm. Sony positions this sensor among the largest you can buy in a commercially available cinema camera at launch.

The company says the RIALTO 65 gives filmmakers a substantially larger imaging area than 35mm full‑frame. Sony describes the capture area as about 2.2 times larger, a difference it expects will enrich how people appear on screen and increase the perceived separation between foreground and background elements to produce greater spatial depth.

Sony will let users work in two distinct configurations. In Extension mode the camera head is separated from the VENICE 2 body, providing options for cramped rigs, remote heads or other specialised setups. Studio Mode attaches the camera head directly to the main body, preserving a more conventional camera layout for controlled environments and productions that prefer integrated handling.

The RIALTO 65 is built to leverage the VENICE 2 platform rather than replace it. Sony says the extension can use the same color pipeline, internal recording options and established user workflows as VENICE 2; internal capture can be recorded in 16-bit X-OCN, and the company highlights existing operational elements and editing paths will remain compatible.

Sony frames the product for high‑end cinematography. The company confirmed the launch fills out VENICE 2’s reach into large format visual styles and calls the new module a way to expand creative choices for productions that need a very large sensor. That positioning comes alongside Sony’s own description of the package as a new avenue for large‑format expression: "We're excited to explore the 65mm visual format in ways never done before with the new RIALTO 65 extension system." The manufacturer adds it looks forward to "showcasing our commitment to the scope and deep expression of large format filmmaking."

The RIALTO 65 Camera Extension System is slated to ship in the first half of 2027, with Sony announcing a price of $80,000. Beyond the headline sensor figures and modes, Sony’s announcement leaves some operational and lens ecosystem details to be clarified as the product reaches customers and rental houses.

For cinematographers and rental departments, the combination of a much larger imaging area and the VENICE 2 feature set should make the RIALTO 65 interesting for projects aiming for an expansive look and pronounced subject separation. At the same time, using a sensor of this physical size will bring practical considerations around lenses, adapters and shooting style that crews will need to plan for once more technical notes and accessories are published.