Sony OCELLUS Introduced – A New Camera Tracking System for Virtual Production and VFX

Virtual Production

by Dave KratzMarch 19^th, 2025

Sony has unveiled OCELLUS ASR-CT1, a marker-free camera tracking system built for virtual production and VFX workflows. Traditional tracking often requires markers, infrared beacons, or base stations, making setup complicated and time-consuming.

OCELLUS simplifies the process with Visual SLAM, allowing real-time camera tracking without extra hardware. This system is designed as a plug-and-play solution. It integrates seamlessly with LED volumes, green screens, and AR environments for a smoother, more efficient workflow.

Why camera tracking matters

Virtual production has completely changed how movies and TV shows are made. Rather than traveling to distant locations or building massive sets, filmmakers can now shoot actors in front of LED volumes – huge walls of high-resolution screens that display real-time digital environments. It’s an amazing tool, yet there’s one big catch: the camera’s movement needs to match the perspective of the digital background precisely. Otherwise, if the tracking isn’t rock-solid, the illusion falls apart.

Green screen shoots have the same challenge. Without precise tracking, VFX artists manually recreate the camera’s motion in post, which is a time-consuming and frustrating process. OCELLUS eliminates that guesswork by capturing camera movement and lens metadata in real time and sending the data directly to Unreal Engine and other rendering platforms.

Other tracking solutions exist, but each has drawbacks. Infrared motion capture needs a controlled studio environment, while inertial tracking systems can drift over time and require frequent recalibration. Some crane and dolly rigs include built-in tracking, but they only work with specific setups. Consumer-grade options like the HTC Vive Ultimate Tracker work well for VR and motion capture, but they don’t offer lens metadata integration or professional camera support.

Want to see how filmmakers are making virtual production more accessible? Check out how CineShooter+ and Unreal Engine bring motion control and real-time tracking to smaller-scale productions. Read the full article on CineD.

OCELLUS stands out by being a marker-free, flexible, and pro-level solution that works anywhere.

Understanding OCELLUS

Sony’s OCELLUS ASR-CT1 is built around three key components: the Sensor Unit, Processing Box, and optional Lens Encoder. Each part plays a role in delivering accurate, real-time camera tracking for virtual production, AR, and VFX-heavy shoots.

Sensor Unit – compact and marker-rree

The Sensor Unit is small, lightweight, and designed to be mounted anywhere. It features five image sensors that track movement in all directions using Visual SLAM. Unlike traditional tracking systems, OCELLUS doesn’t need infrared markers or base stations – it simply maps the environment in real-time. Even if only one sensor picks up feature points, the system still tracks smoothly.

Processing Box – the brain of the system

The Processing Box connects to the camera via a single SDI cable, pulling lens metadata, timecode, and sync information. It has an OLED screen for real-time tracking status. Ports include Genlock, Timecode, SDI in/out, and lens encoders. This makes it easy to integrate into a professional production setup without extra hardware.

Lens Encoder – for metadata on any lens

If your lens doesn’t output metadata, the optional Lens Encoder steps in. It attaches to the lens, and tracks zoom, focus, and iris adjustments, sending the data through a LEMO 7-pin connector to the Processing Box. This means even manual cinema lenses can be fully integrated into a virtual production workflow.

Real-time data and storage options

OCELLUS gives you two ways to handle tracking data. You can stream it live over Ethernet to Unreal Engine or other VFX software or save FBX tracking files on an SDXC memory card for post-production in Maya, Blender, Nuke, or After Effects. This flexibility makes it useful for both live and post-production workflows, reducing the need for manual tracking fixes later.

OCELLUS: tracking the future

Sony is stepping into the camera tracking space with a system that looks well-designed for virtual production, AR, and VFX-heavy filmmaking. The ability to capture lens metadata, work without markers, and store FBX tracking files makes it a strong choice for high-end productions looking for a streamlined workflow.

Sony hasn’t shared OCELLUS pricing yet. Given its pro features, it’s likely for the high-end market. It may be a cost-effective option or a premium tool. That remains to be seen.

The OCELLUS ASR-CT1 will make its official debut at NAB 2025 in Las Vegas on April 6, where Sony will be showcasing its full capabilities.

For more details, visit Sony’s official OCELLUS page.

What do you think about OCELLUS and the future of virtual production? Do you see this as a game-changer, or do you have another go-to tracking system? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!