The Australian company BlackMagic Design manufactures Blackmagic Cameras. It develops video editing software, such as DaVinci Resolve and Blackmagic Fusion, and designs and manufactures broadcast and cinema hardware, most notably high-end digital movie cameras.
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Kinds of Blackmagic Cameras
Blackmagic Digital Film Cameras
Internal recording resolutions ranging from 1080p to 6k, up to 60 frames /second, and 13 stops of dynamic range are available on cinematic cameras.
Unboxing of Black Magic Digital Film Camera
Blackmagic Live Production Cameras
All cameras are built for live broadcasts and can record up to 30 frames /second in 4K, 60 frames /second in 1080p, and give 12 stops of dynamic range.
Blackmagic URSA Cameras
Blackmagic URSA Cameras are professional upgradeable cameras with multiple versions ranging from 4K to 4.6K, up to 60 fps at native resolution, and 12 to 15 stops of dynamic range, capable of both movie and broadcast recordings. In addition, the latest URSA Mini Pro supports 12K/8K/6K/4K formats in a single camera. It was released in July 2020.
Blackmagic Cameras for Developers
Blackmagic cameras are the world’s most open and extensible cameras. Developer SDKs are available for download if you want to add support for the new innovative Blackmagic RAW file format to your software applications or create your custom control solutions for Blackmagic digital film and broadcast cameras. In addition, some camera models support features such as SDI and Bluetooth control, which you can use to develop control solutions.
Blackmagic Camera Design in 2022
Blackmagic Cinema Camera
The Blackmagic Cinema Camera is a digital movie camera released on September 4, 2012, by Blackmagic Design.
Image Source: Blackmagic Design
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
This has a 4/3 image sensor with a resolution of 4096 x 2160 and an MFT lens mount to capture a wide dynamic range of Hollywood-quality digital cinema images. It is a high-end digital film camera that is both advanced and inexpensive.
Blackmagic Cinema Camera 4K Walkthrough
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K
This camera comes with a larger 6144 x 3456 Super 35 sensor and EF lens mount, allowing you to use larger EF photography lenses to capture cinematic images with a deeper depth of field. This results in creative defocused backgrounds and lovely bokeh effects.
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro
Additional advanced features on the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro include built-in 2, 4, and 6-stop ND filters, as well as an adjustable tilt HDR LCD with a brilliant 1500 nits that is great for use in strong sunlight. Two tiny XLR audio inputs and a bigger NP-F570-type battery are also included.
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro
Blackmagic Camera Features and Benefits
Pocket Cinema Camera has all of the professional tools you will need for feature films, television programs, and documentaries, but these same features can now be applied to blog videos, YouTube material, and more. You receive the same capabilities as high-end digital film cameras, including the ability to capture richer colors, greater image quality, and a broader dynamic range between the brightest highlights and deepest shadows. It’s why feature films look so good, and you can now achieve the same high-end production qualities for any type of project.
Image Source: Blackmagic Design
Imagine getting film quality for your independent film, music videos, weddings, corporate videos, documentaries, and other projects.
Multi-feature Grip with Fingertip Handling
The ergonomic design of the multifunction handgrip puts critical controls like ISO, WB, and shutter buttons right at your fingertips. There is even a scroll wheel under your index finger for rapid iris changes. Additional controls go beyond those available on a DSLR, so you will not have to sift through menus on a small screen to locate what you are looking for. The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera has easy-to-reach recording and still buttons, exactly where you expect them to be. Also, you have user-assignable function keys that enable controls for high frame rate, focus zoom, false color, and more. Also, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro includes additional ND filter controls.
Controls in the Back Panel
The high frame rate button is conveniently located below the right thumb rest. It allows you to change shooting speed quickly, zoom into the image with the magnifying glass, access setup menus, and promptly playback shots for review.
Cinematic Digital Film Sensor
The 6K models have a larger Super 35 sensor, which allows for shallow depth of field and anamorphic lenses to be used. All models will enable you to shoot up to 60 frames /second in full resolution or 120 frames /second in windowed mode. With an incredible sensor and Blackmagic color science, you get the same imaging technology as the most expensive digital film cameras.
Compatibility
With three models available, you can choose between EF or MFT lenses, making the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera compatible with the world’s most comprehensive range and most popular lenses. The 6K models include an EF lens mount. This allows you to use lenses from other cameras such as URSA Mini Pros, DSLRs, and even the first Blackmagic Cinema Camera. As a result, you can use readily available photographic lenses to achieve incredible creative freedom and feature film-quality lens effects. In addition, the amount of active lens mount enables you to adjust focus and iris using the camera’s buttons or the touch screen. The 4K model’s MFT lens mount can be converted to PL, C, EF, or other lens types for even more versatility.
Inbuilt ND Filters
The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro comes equipped with high-quality, motorized IR ND filters that allow you to reduce the amount of light entering the camera quickly. The 2, 4, and 6-stop filters, designed to match the camera’s colorimetry and color science, give you more latitude even in harsh lighting. The IR filters are structured to filter both IR and optical wavelengths to prevent IR contamination of images. The activation buttons are located behind the camera body and are easily accessible with your thumb from the multifunction hand grip. On the LCD, user-selectable filter settings can even be displayed as an ND number, stop reduction, or fraction.
Capture High Dynamic Range Images
The distance between the lightest and darkest parts of an image is measured in stops, known as dynamic range. Pocket Cinema Cameras have an incredibly dynamic range of 13 stops, which means they can preserve more detail in the image’s lightest and darkest areas than standard video cameras. This enables you to set the exposure for an indoor scene, such as a cafe while retaining the details of bright outdoor light streaming through a window. There are also more colors than the standard DCI-P3 color space used in feature films.
Dual Gain ISO
ISO is a measurement of the image sensor’s sensitivity to light in digital film. This means that the higher the ISO number, the greater the sensitivity to light, allowing you to shoot with natural light at night. The Pocket Cinema Cameras have dual gain ISO up to 25,600, which means they are designed to minimize grain or noise in images while preserving the sensor’s complete dynamic range. The native ISO 400 is ideal for on-set lighting scenes. The secondary high base ISO of 3200 is excellent for shooting in low-light situations. When you do not have time to set up lights, the gain is automatically adjusted as you adjust the ISO setting, making it simple to capture fantastic images.
Variety of Resolutions and Frame Rates
The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, depending on the model, can shoot in all frame rates and standard resolutions ranging from HD to DCI 4K and even 6K. Still, you can capture images at 21.2 megapixels on the 6K models and 8.8 megapixels on the 4K models. The 6K models will shoot at up to 50 frames/second at 6144 x 3456 16:9, 60 frames/second at 6144 x 2560 2.4:1, and 60 frames /second at 5744 x 3024 17:9. You can modify the sensor and shoot up to 120 fps at 2.8K 2868 x 1512 17:9. In addition, you can work in true anamorphic 6:5 by using anamorphic lenses at 3728 x 3104 at 3.7K 60 fps. With the 4K model, you can shoot up to 60 frames /second in 4K DCI at 4096 x 2160 and 60 frames/second in Ultra HD at 3840 x 2160. You can even shoot at 120 frames/second in 1080HD.
Friendly File Formats for the Post Production
Pocket Cinema by Blackmagic Design Cameras records in standard open file formats, eliminating the need to waste time transcoding media. The files are compatible with all post-production software to use your preferred software, or the included DaVinci Resolve Studio. Work is recorded in industry-standard 10-bit Apple ProRes files in all formats up to 4K or 12-bit Blackmagic RAW files up to 6K. Blackmagic RAW is the most popular RAW format.
Use Multiple Types of Storage Cards
The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera boasts CFast, built-in SD UHS-II card recorders, and a USB-C expansion port for recording directly to an external media disk. While using Blackmagic RAW, you can use SD cards for HD or higher performance UHS-II and CFast cards for native 4K or 6K. Imagine being able to record over an hour’s worth of full-resolution 6K images on a 256GB SD UHS-II card. All video software supports ProRes and Blackmagic RAW files. You can even use the included DaVinci Resolve Studio software to mount the media cards on your computer and begin editing directly from them.
Quality of Video due to RAW
Blackmagic RAW is a cutting-edge new style that clicks and stores sensor data quality from your camera. H.264 video formats are highly compressed, plus they add noise and strange artifacts, causing original sensor detail to be lost forever. This problem is solved by Blackmagic RAW, which provides stunning images with intricate detail and color in the entire production pipeline, from camera to color, edit, and mastering. Blackmagic RAW allows you to set ISO, white balance, and exposure in-camera or override them later while editing without sacrificing quality. Blackmagic RAW files are also small and quick to load, making them simple. In addition, Blackmagic RAW provides the smallest file size, the best image quality, and the fastest performance.
Best Blackmagic Cameras
Blackmagic Design produces a variety of cameras, some suitable for shooting small-scale documentaries and others that can be used as standalone broadcast studio cameras with front tallies and professional video and audio connections. So, whether you are an amateur or a seasoned broadcaster, there is something for you.
1. Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K
Specs:
- Dynamic range: 13 Stops
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Size of Sensor: Super 35
- Resolution of Sensor: 6144 x 3456 (6K) up to 50 fps
- Number of Slots for Card(s): 1 x CFast card slot, 1 x SD UHS‑II card slot
- Display size: 5 inches 1920 x 1080
| Pros | Cons |
| 6K 50p video capture | Fixed rear screen |
| +Active EF mount | 4K in 10-bit ProRes |
2. Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus
Specs:
- Dynamic range: 13 stops
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Size of Sensor: Super 35
- Resolution of Sensor: 6144 x 3456 (6K) up to 50 fps
- Number of Slots for Card(s): 1 x CFast card slot, 1 x SD UHS‑II card slot
- Display Size: 5 inches 1920 x 1080
| Pros | Cons |
| Most affordable Blackmagic Camera | Exclusive to MFT Lenses |
| Extremely Portable | 4K is recording |
3. Blackmagic Ursa Broadcast G2
Image Source: Blackmagic design
Specs:
- Dynamic range: 13 stops
- Lens mount: B4 2/3 inch installed, Active EF mount also included
- Size of Sensor: 2/3 inch Size of Sensor when using 4K B4 mount
- Resolution of Sensor: 6144 x 3456 (6K) up to 50 fps
- Number of Slots for Card(s): 2 x CFast 2.0 Number of Slots for Card(s), 2 x SD UHS‑II Number of Slots for Card(s)
- Display Size: 4 inch
| Pros | Cons |
| Interchangeable lens mounts | The display size is smaller than the less expensive models. |
| You can choose various video codecs | – |
| High ISO range for low-light situations | – |
4. Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro 4.6K G2
Specs:
- Dynamic range: 15 stops
- Lens mount: Interchangeable EF mount. It is also interchangeable with optional PL, B4, and F lens mounts
- Size of Sensor: Super 35
- Resolution of Sensor: 4608 x 2592 – 4.6K
- Number of Slots for Card(s): 2 x CFast 2.0 Number of Slots for Card(s) and 2 x SD UHS-II Number of Slots for Card(s)
- Display Size: 4 inch
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent High Frame Rate Options | 4.6K resolution is the limit |
| Broadest Dynamic Range | – |
5. Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro 12k
Specs:
- Dynamic range: 14 stops
- Lens mount: Includes PL mount. Optional EF. Interchangeable with EF and F lens mounts
- Size of Sensor: Super 35
- Resolution of Sensor: 12,288 x 6480 – 12K DCI
- Number of Slots for Card(s): 2 x CFast 2.0 Number of Slots for Card(s) and 2 x SD UHS-II Number of Slots for Card(s)
- Display Size: 4 inch
| Pros | Cons |
| Top-notch uncropped 12k video. | Costliest Camera by Blackmagic Designs |
| External recording with USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 | Slightly lesser dynamic range than the 4.6K version |
6. Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro
Specs:
- Dynamic range: 13 stops
- Lens mount: Active EF
- Size of Sensor: Super 35
- Resolution of Sensor: 6144 x 3456 -6k up to 50 fps
- Number of Slots for Card(s): 1 x CFast card slot and 1 x SD UHS‑II card slot
- Display Size: 5 inches 1920 x 1080
| Pros | Cons |
| Video Recording with 6k 50p | The dynamic range is underwhelming. |
| Tilting and Large Rear Screen | It hardly fits into your pocket. |
Notable Movies that Have Used the Blackmagic Cameras
Blackmagic is happy to meet and exceed its hardware and software standards. So much so that secondary cameras like the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K have become the go-to for shooting high-energy action scenes for Disney+, such as the opening of Falcon and the Winter Soldier and high-octane action sequences from Spiderman: No Way Home.
Falcon and The Winter Soldier
When looking for a mobile camera system that could not only be lightweight enough to fly on a Wingsuit worn by skydivers, the filmmakers behind Falcon and the Winter Soldier also needed a camera that could match the look and feel of their main cinema camera, Panavision’s DXL2 8K camera. This meant matching the DXL2’s digital emulsion while also being able to track the fight choreography’s sudden movements. There was only one viable option for the team: the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K.
Falcon and the Winter Soldier Trailer
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Spider-Man: No Way Home used five Pocket Cinema Camera 4Ks as witness cameras during the complicated VFX shoot to deal with the multitudes of timelines and universes in the movie.
Spider-Man: No Way Home Trailer
Conclusion
The key to Blackmagic Design’s success is providing an easy entry point into the studio and broadcast-quality video cameras at unfathomably low prices. They also sell all hardware that goes with the camera kit, such as disk recorders, switchers, storage, converters, and more. This allows users to build an entire Blackmagic system for their home office or professional studio.
