Camera comparison
Cinema cameras compared: full frame, large format and Super 35
Eleven cinema cameras side by side, with the figures each manufacturer publishes. Written by SPHERE Cameras, a Paris camera rental and multicamera company that films concerts and operas on Sony Burano.
The short answer
- For multicamera concerts, live shows and documentaries, the Sony Burano packs the most into the least: full frame 8.6K, 16 stops, dual base ISO 800 and 3200, built-in variable ND and 5-axis stabilisation, PL or E-mount, in a 2.4 kg body that one operator can carry.
- For high-end drama and features, ARRI ALEXA 35 (17 stops, Super 35) and Sony VENICE 2 (16 stops, full frame) remain the reference cameras.
- RED V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV is the choice when a global shutter matters: fast movement, LED walls, VFX.
- For lighter productions, Canon EOS C400, Sony FX5 and Sony FX6 bring full frame and internal ND or RAW at a fraction of the size.
Updated 13 November 2026
Side by side
| Camera | Sensor | Dynamic range (maker) | Base ISO / EI | Internal ND | Stabilisation | Mount | RAW | Highest frame rate | Body weight (kg) | At SPHERE Cameras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony BURANO | Full frame 35.9 x 24.0 mm, 8.6K | 16 stops | 800 / 3200 | Variable, 0.6 to 2.1 (7 stops) | Yes, 5-axis | PL / E | X-OCN LT | 120 fps (3.8K FF crop), 240 fps (1.9K S35) | 2.4 | From €290 a day |
| Sony VENICE 2 (8K) | Full frame 36.2 x 24.1 mm, 8.6K | 16 stops | 800 / 3200 | Optical wheel, 0.3 to 2.4 (8 steps) | No | PL / E | X-OCN XT, ST, LT | 60 fps (8.2K), 120 fps (4K) | 4.3 | — |
| ARRI ALEXA 35 | Super 35, 28.0 x 19.2 mm, 4.6K | 17 stops | EI 160 to 6400 | FSND 0.6, 1.2, 1.8 | No | LPL / PL | ARRIRAW | 120 fps | 2.9 | — |
| ARRI ALEXA Mini LF | Large format 36.7 x 25.5 mm, 4.5K | 14+ stops | EI 160 to 3200 (base 800) | FSND 0.6, 1.2, 1.8 | No | LPL | ARRIRAW | 60 fps ARRIRAW, 100 fps sensor | 2.6 | — |
| RED V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV | VistaVision 40.96 x 21.60 mm, 8K, global shutter | 17+ stops | Set in RAW | No (external) | No | RF (PL, EF by adapter) | REDCODE RAW | 120 fps (8K 17:9), 150 fps (8K 2.4:1) | 1.8 | — |
| Canon EOS C400 | Full frame BSI, 36.0 x 19.0 mm (6K) | 16 stops | 800 / 3200 / 12800 | 2, 4, 6 stops (up to 10 extended) | Electronic 5-axis | RF | Cinema RAW Light | 60 fps (6K RAW) | 1.54 | — |
| Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF | Large format 35.64 x 23.32 mm, 12K RGBW | 16 stops | Not published as dual base | IR ND 2, 4, 6 stops | No | PL (LPL, EF options) | Blackmagic RAW | 80 fps (12K open gate), 120 fps (12K 2.4:1) | 3.96 | — |
| Sony FX9 | Full frame, 6K readout | 15+ stops | 800 / 4000 | Variable, 1/4 to 1/128 | No | E | External, with option | 60 fps (4K), 120 fps (HD) | 2.0 | €240 a day |
| Sony FX6 | Full frame, 10.2 MP | 15+ stops | 800 / 12800 | Variable, 1/4 to 1/128 | No | E | External | 60 fps (4K), 120 fps S&Q | 0.89 | — |
| Sony FX5 | Full frame stacked, 16.6 MP, 5K open gate | 15+ stops | 800 / 4000 / 12800 | Not listed by Sony | Yes, 5-axis | E | X-OCN LT, C1, C2 | 60 fps (5K), 120 fps (4K) | 0.64 | — |
| Sony FX3 | Full frame, 12.1 MP | 15+ stops | Dual base, high base 12800 | No | Yes, 5-axis | E | 16-bit RAW over HDMI | 120 fps (4K) | 1.0 with handle | €140 a day |
Dynamic range is the figure each manufacturer publishes, measured with its own method, so compare it with care. Weights are body only unless stated. Camera names link to the manufacturer data we used.
Which camera for which shoot
- Multicamera concert, opera, live show
- Sony Burano. Dual base ISO for dark stages, internal ND for changing light, stabilisation for handheld and cranes, and one image pipeline across every camera. We filmed Avishai Cohen at the Olympia on seven of them.
- Feature film, series, commercial
- ARRI ALEXA 35 or Sony VENICE 2, usually with a full lens package and a camera assistant.
- Fast action, LED volume, VFX plates
- RED V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV, for its global shutter.
- Documentary, interview, solo shooter
- Sony FX5, FX6 or FX3, Canon EOS C400, or a Burano when the image has to match a larger production.
- Long lenses from the back of a hall
- Any full-frame or Super 35 PL camera with a Fujinon Duvo 24-300 or Cabrio zoom. On Burano, the Duvo’s 1.5x extender covers full frame.
Head to head
- Sony Burano or Sony VENICE 2?
- Same 8.6K full-frame sensor family, 16 stops and dual base ISO 800/3200 in both. Burano adds in-body stabilisation and weighs about 2.4 kg against 4.3 kg; VENICE 2 has an 8-step optical ND wheel, X-OCN XT and the Rialto extension system. Burano for mobility and multicam, VENICE 2 for large crews.
- Sony Burano or ARRI ALEXA 35?
- ALEXA 35 has the widest published dynamic range here, 17 stops, on a Super 35 sensor. Burano is full frame with 16 stops, built-in variable ND and stabilisation, and costs far less to rent.
- Sony Burano or Sony FX9?
- Both are Sony full frame with variable ND. Burano adds internal 16-bit X-OCN RAW, 8.6K, PL mount and stabilisation. The FX9 stays a light, proven documentary and multicam camera.
- Sony FX5 or Sony FX6?
- The FX5, launched in 2026, adds a stacked sensor, 5K open gate, internal X-OCN RAW and in-body stabilisation. The FX6 keeps its built-in variable ND.
Method and sources
Figures come from manufacturer pages and data sheets, checked on 13 November 2026. Where a maker does not publish a value, we say so instead of guessing. If you spot an error, write to sphere@spherecameras.com.
Rent a camera in Paris
Questions
- Which cinema camera has the highest dynamic range?
- Among the cameras compared here, ARRI ALEXA 35 and RED V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV publish 17 and 17+ stops. Sony Burano, Sony VENICE 2, Canon EOS C400 and Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF publish 16 stops. Each manufacturer measures it its own way.
- Is the Sony Burano full frame?
- Yes. It has a 35.9 x 24.0 mm full-frame 8.6K sensor and can also record in Super 35.
- Which cinema cameras have built-in ND filters?
- Sony Burano, VENICE 2, FX9 and FX6, ARRI ALEXA 35 and Mini LF, Canon EOS C400 and Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF. RED V-RAPTOR [X] and Sony FX3 do not.
- Which cinema cameras have in-body stabilisation?
- Sony Burano, FX5 and FX3 have 5-axis sensor-shift stabilisation. Canon EOS C400 has electronic 5-axis stabilisation.
- Where can I rent a Sony Burano in Paris?
- SPHERE Cameras rents the Sony Burano in Paris from €290 a day excluding VAT, alone, fully equipped or as a multicamera set with crew.
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