Blackmagic Camera – Overview
Today Blackmagic Design makes the world’s most tech advanced cameras, video converters, color correctors, waveform displays for feature footage, post-production and broadcast industries, video editing products, and video hub routers.
Blackmagic Design’s digital movie cameras, Mini Converters, Videohub routers, UltraScope waveform monitoring devices and DeckLink software have transformed the television industry by making filming and post-production tools relatively cheap for thousands of creative pros.
Brand Overview
What’s Blackmagic? Well, the company goes by Blackmagic Design, and it’s an Australian digital cinema manufacturer and company based in Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Blackmagic designs and develops high-end digital movie cameras and also makes video editing programs such as Blackmagic Fusion and DaVinci Resolve.
Grant Petty founded Blackmagic Design in 2001, and the company made its first product in 2002, a capture card called DeckLink meant for Mac OS. DeckLink was the first card to provide attenuated 10-bit video.
Later Blackmagic Design released newer variants of DeckLink and added color alteration, full support for Microsoft Windows, and support for Microsoft DirectShow and Adobe Premiere.
Presently Blackmagic Design has offices in Australia, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Let’s look at some of the available image and video cameras made by Blackmagic Design, including their specs and how they are used today.
What Have We Reviewed?
Portable Cinema Cameras
This is a camera segment that was pioneered by Blackmagic design. These pro-grade cameras may be smaller than your typical cinema cameras, but they are still very capable.
Canon and Sony have also hopped onto the bandwagon and released their portable cinema cameras.
Full-Size Cinema Cameras
These are your typical cinema cameras; what you see of a TV or film set. Full-size cinema cameras are pretty big once you add a display or lens, and they have multiple connection ports and mounting points for pro-grade needs.
Where are These Cameras Used For?
Cinematography
Cameras in this review can be used for cinematography. This is because cinematography needs pro-res cameras that can shoot FHD, 4K, 6K, 8K, and even 12K.
Film Production
Cameras on this list are also ideal for independent filmmakers or single-handed video shooters who are beyond vlogging and ready to invest their time and effort into proper film production.
Vlogging
If you’re looking for a camera ideal for vlogging on this list, you’ll find one, especially the Pocket Cinema series, but it’s a bit of an overkill.
Most of these cameras are pretty expensive and require a lot of technical expertise. So maybe you’re better off with a DSLR camera.
Spec Sheet
Below is a table showing a comparison of the specs of all cameras in this review, from the video
resolution and native ISO down to each camera’s weight.
| Blackmagic Camera | Display | Video Resolution | Native ISO | Image Stabilization | Image Capture Speed | Dynamic Range | Battery Type | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 Camera | 4" Articulating LCD Touchscreen | 4.6K (2592p) | 800 | No | 60 fps | 15 stops | Lithium-ion | 5.09 pounds |
| Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 12K Camera | 4" Articulating LCD Touchscreen | 12K (6480p) | 800 | No | 60 fps | 14 stops | Lithium-ion | 5.62 pounds |
| Blackmagic Micro Studio Cinema Camera | No Display | FHD (1080p) | 25600 | No | 60 fps | 13 stops | Watson EN-EL20 Lithium ion battery | 0.69 pounds |
| Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K | 5" FHD Touchscreen | 4K (2160p) | 25600 | No | 120 fps | 13 stops | Canon LP-E6 | 1.5 pounds |
| Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K | 5" FHD Touchscreen | 6K (3456p) | 25600 | No | 120 fps | 13 stops | Canon LP-E6 | 1.98 pounds |
| Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro | 5" FHD Tilting Touchscreen | 6K (3456p) | 25600 | No | 120 fps | 13 stops | Sony L-Series | 2.73 pounds |
| Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera 2.5K | 5" LCD Touchscreen | FHD+ (1350p) | 1600 | No | 60 fps | 13 stops | Integrated Lithium-ion Polymer rechargeable battery | 3.3 pounds |
| Blackmagic Design Studio Camera HD | 10" FHD Display | FHD (1080p) | 800 | No | 60 fps | 15 stops | Lithium-ion | 6.92 pounds |
| Blackmagic Design Micro Studio Camera 4K | No Display | 4K (2160p) | 800 | No | 30 fps | 13 stops | Canon LP-E6 | 0.69 pounds |
| Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 4K Plus | 7" Fixed HDR Touchscreen | 4K (2160p) | 25600 | No | 60 fps | 13 stops | Canon LP-E6 | 3.72 pounds |
Some of The Camera Models by Blackmagic Design Include:
1. Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 Camera
The URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 is Blackmagic’s flagship camera on the cinema side of things. Many other cameras in its class seem terrifying because of their complexity; however, the URSA Mini Pro 4.6K is a bit tamed.
It feels like cheating really, you turn it on, hit the record, and the outcomes footage is ready for the big screen, so if you’ve used a DSLR before, the URSA Mini Pro 4.6K will be a walk in the park.
A touchscreen display also comes as standard on the URSA Mini Pro 4.6K, and it has the most welcoming user interface you can get on a camera.
Blackmagic has made a point to unify the UI on all its camera models, so it will be easy to use the URSA if you own a Pocket Cinema model.
Key Features Include:
- Display: 4″ Articulating LCD Touchscreen
- Video Resolution: 4.6K (2592p)
- Native ISO: 3200
- Image Stabilization: No
- Image Capture Speed: 60 fps
- Dynamic Range: 15 stops
- Battery Type: Lithium-ion
- Weight: 5.09 pounds
2. Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 12K Camera
The URSA Mini Pro 12K is one of the industry’s first digital film camcorders fitted with an 80 Megapixel optical sensor that can shoot 12K content at up to 60 fps (frames per second).
The Super 35 optical sensor has 14 stops of dynamic range and a native ISO of 800.
The 12K resolution will come in handy in a couple of years when tech giants such as Samsung and LG rolled out 12K displays, but it’s a bit of an overkill for now.
However, the URSA Mini Pro 12K supports oversampling to 8K, providing better smoothness, color, and light. If a video is shot in 12K resolution, it can be reframed in post-production, giving this camera a lot of flexibility.
In addition, the URSA Mini Pro 12K can capture footage in 4K at 220 fps and 8K at 110 fps.
Key Features Include:
- Display: 4″ Articulating LCD Touchscreen
- Video Resolution: 12K (6480p)
- Native ISO: 800
- Image Stabilization: No
- Image Capture Speed: 60 fps
- Dynamic Range: 14 stops
- Battery Type: Lithium-ion
- Weight: 5.62 pounds
3. Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera
As the name suggests, the Micro Cinema Camera is built for broadcast and studio settings. It doesn’t have a display which is quite inconvenient for those who want to deploy it outside of a broadcast or studio setting.
However, the Micro Studio Cinema Camera covers all the basics of what you’d want from a studio camera; tally lighting, remote controls, just to point out a few.
This camera also has a flexible MFT lens mount which supports various compatible lenses if need be.
The camera can be placed at various angles, even overhead, to shoot whatever is thrown at it. It’s clear this unit isn’t for everyone, but it’s a worthy grab for the target audience.
Key Features Include:
- Display: No Display
- Video Resolution: FHD (1080p)
- Native ISO: 25,600
- Image Stabilization: No
- Image Capture Speed: 60 fps
- Dynamic Range: 13 stops
- Battery Type: Watson EN-EL20 Lithium-ion battery
- Weight: 0.69 pounds
4. Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
The Pocket Cinema Camera 4K was the first camera to be introduced in the infamous Pocket Cinema series.
At the time, the pocket Cinema Camera 4K caused ripples in the industry because it brought 4K footage filming capability to creators at a relatively affordable price.
And while it looks like a DSLR camera, it’s a small 4K camera built specifically for filming. It has a similar form factor to many DSLRs, but it’s thicker.
The right-hand grip made of carbon fiber composite cuts down on the camcorder’s weight, thereby fitting nicely in hand.
The Cinema Camera 4K has two tripod mounts on the upper side and one on the lower side to give users mounting points for components like a tripod, an SSD (solid-state drive), and an audio recorder.
The camera also has in-built stereo microphones that do quite a good job.
Key Features Include:
- Display: 5″ FHD Touchscreen
- Video Resolution: 4K (2160p)
- Native ISO: 25,600
- Image Stabilization: No
- Image Capture Speed: 120 fps
- Dynamic Range: 13 stops
- Battery Type: Canon LP-E6
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
5. Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K
Game-changing and disruptive are the ideal words to describe what Blackmagic Design has done when it comes to the Pocket Cinema 6K.
When you design a camera that captures footage on or near the level of industry behemoths such as Arri, Canon, DJI, and Red and then sell it at a relatively affordable price, you have indeed changed the game.
The Pocket Cinema 6K also looks like a beautiful black DSLR camera. You can take some quite impressive shots with it; however, it’s a robust, pocket-sized camera meant to give everyone a go at making their vlogging dreams come true.
Since the Pocket Cinema 6K was rolled out to the market, major studios, filmmakers, documentarians, content creators, and students have been taking advantage of its RAW footage capture and high-res abilities making it the go-to pocket-sized unit.
Key Features Include:
- Display: 5″ FHD Touchscreen
- Video Resolution: 6K (3456p)
- Native ISO: 25,600
- Image Stabilization: No
- Image Capture Speed: 120 fps
- Dynamic Range: 13 stops
- Battery Type: Canon LP-E6
- Weight: 1.98 pounds
6. Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro
The Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro is the third camera to be introduced in the infamous Pocket Cinema series alongside the Pocket Camera 6K and Pocket Camera 4K.
However, the Pocket Cinema 6K Pro represents a noteworthy upgrade over the Cinema Camera 6K.
That said, upgrading from the older Cinema 6K model isn’t exactly as fulfilling as advertised.
The sensor and image quality are the same, so it’s probably not worth the additional investment unless you want the new features.
However, if you’re buying your first pro camcorder, then the 6K pro is a fantastic deal for the price. It has imposing image quality, and it’s user-friendly, so you’ll get the hang of it quickly.
Key Features Include:
- Display: 5″ FHD Tilting Touchscreen
- Video Resolution: 6K (3456p)
- Native ISO: 25,600
- Image Stabilization: No
- Image Capture Speed: 120 fps
- Dynamic Range: 13 stops
- Battery Type: Sony L-Series
- Weight: 2.73 pounds
7. Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera 2.5K
The Cinema Camera 2.5K is one of Blackmagic’s revolutionary budget-friendly camcorders meant for video producers. The Cinema Camera 2.5K shoots uncompressed 12-bit RAW footage as well as DNxHD and ProRes.
It also comprises 13 stops of dynamic range, and you can capture a lot of detail in highlights and shadows with more color info compared to camcorders that only record 8-bit RAW footage.
The result is superb images that stand up quite well to hefty post-processes such as color grading.
The EF version announced last year accepts Zeiss ZE and Canon mounts and is poised to be such a remarkable camera that creators worldwide have placed thousands of pre-orders.
Key Features Include:
- Display: 5″ LCD Touchscreen
- Video Resolution: FHD+ (1350p)
- Native ISO: 1600
- Image Stabilization: No
- Image Capture Speed: 60 fps
- Dynamic Range: 13 stops
- Battery Type: Integrated Lithium-ion Polymer rechargeable battery
- Weight: 3.3 pounds
8. Blackmagic Design Studio Camera HD
The Design Studio HD is perhaps the smallest broadcast camera in the world right now. It’s a very cutting-edge broadcast unit designed for live production.
Its miniature-sized and lightweight making it the ideal broadcast camera to have on the go. This camera’s magnesium alloy frame means that it’s not only lightweight but durable as well.
The Design Studio HD also features a large 10″ FHD display with an active Micro Four Thirds lens mount and a removable sunshade.
With all these features, the Design Studio HD is compatible with a variety of lenses.
And even though the Design Studio HD is compact, it’s packed with a host of features found in larger broadcast cameras.
These include fiber video input/output, tally indicators, XLR audio ports, talkback, and even 3G-SDI.
Key Features Include:
- Display: 10″ FHD Display
- Video Resolution: FHD (1080p)
- Native ISO: 800
- Image Stabilization: No
- Image Capture Speed: 60 fps
- Dynamic Range: 15 stops
- Battery Type: Lithium-ion
- Weight: 6.92 pounds
9. Blackmagic Design Micro Studio Camera 4K
The Micro Studio Camera 4K is another miniature-sized broadcast camera from Blackmagic Design.
It features the same optical sensor found in the Studio Camera 4K Plus, which supports 1080p at 60 fps and 2160p at 30 fps.
The trivial size of the Micro Studio Camera 4K makes it look like a DSLR, allowing it to hide on set or be installed in places or rigs where large broadcast cameras can’t fit.
It is fitted with a unique expansion port which expands the camera’s connectivity via an included breakout cable.
Other ports found on this camera include a 3.5mm audio input and a full-sized HDMI output. The camera is run using an included AC power brick bit; you can also power it for up to 1 hour with an optional Canon LP-E6 battery.
Key Features Include:
- Display: No Display
- Video Resolution: 4K (2160p)
- Native ISO: 800
- Image Stabilization: No
- Image Capture Speed: 30 fps
- Dynamic Range: 13 stops
- Battery Type: Canon LP-E6
- Weight: 0.69 pounds
10. Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 4K Plus
With the Design Studio Camera 4K Plus, you have yourself a powerful studio camera for all your broadcast needs.
This refined, small and lightweight studio camera is meant for live production, and it offers a host of options to record and broadcast video.
The Design Studio 4K is very similar to the Design Studio 4K pro, but it has trimmed-down inputs so that you can control all its outputs using a separate component; the ATEM Mini switcher.
With this unit, you can shoot 4K footage at up to 60 fps, and it has a 7″ fixed capacitive touchscreen display that allows you to modify all your settings close by.
Key Features Include:
- Display: 7″ Fixed HDR Touchscreen
- Video Resolution: 4K (2160p)
- Native ISO: 25,600
- Image Stabilization: No
- Image Capture Speed: 60 fps
- Dynamic Range: 13 stops
- Battery Type: Canon LP-E6
- Weight: 3.72 pounds
Final Thought
To sum it all up, Blackmagic Design is the go-to brand for digital movie recording and live studio recording cameras. Blackmagic Design has camcorders in virtually all resolutions FHD, 4K, 6K, 8k, and 12K, as illustrated above.
So you can be certain that you will be getting top quality for your buck even though Blackmagic’s cameras are relatively expensive.
See Also
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