Blackmagic Camera – Overview
Blackmagic Design makes some of the most technologically advanced cameras, video converters, color correctors, waveform displays, video editing products, and video hub routers for feature footage, post-production, and broadcast industries.
Their digital movie cameras, Mini Converters, Videohub routers, UltraScope waveform monitors, and DeckLink software have reshaped the television industry by making filming and post-production tools affordable for thousands of creative pros.
Brand Overview
What’s Blackmagic? The company goes by Blackmagic Design. It’s an Australian digital cinema manufacturer based in Port Melbourne, Victoria.
Blackmagic designs and develops high-end digital movie cameras and also makes video editing programs like Blackmagic Fusion and DaVinci Resolve.
Grant Petty founded Blackmagic Design in 2001. The company’s first product, a capture card called DeckLink for Mac OS, came out in 2002. DeckLink was the first card to provide attenuated 10-bit video.
Later, Blackmagic Design released newer versions of DeckLink and added color alteration, full support for Microsoft Windows, and support for Microsoft DirectShow and Adobe Premiere.
Currently, 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’re used today.
What Have We Reviewed?
Portable Cinema Cameras
This is a camera segment that Blackmagic Design basically pioneered. These pro-grade cameras may be smaller than your typical cinema cameras, but they’re still very capable.
Canon and Sony have also jumped into this space and released their own portable cinema cameras.
Full-Size Cinema Cameras
These are your traditional cinema cameras, the kind you’d see on a TV or film set. Once you add a display or lens, full-size cinema cameras get pretty big, and they come with multiple connection ports and mounting points for professional use.
Where Are These Cameras Used For?
Cinematography
The cameras in this review can all be used for cinematography. Cinematography requires pro-res cameras capable of shooting FHD, 4K, 6K, 8K, and even 12K.
Film Production
Cameras on this list are also ideal for independent filmmakers or solo video shooters who’ve moved past vlogging and are ready to invest in proper film production.
Vlogging
If you’re looking for a vlogging camera on this list, you’ll find one, especially in the Pocket Cinema series. But honestly, it’s a bit of an overkill.
Most of these cameras are expensive and require solid technical knowledge. So you might be better off with a DSLR camera for vlogging.
Spec Sheet
Below is a table comparing the specs of all cameras in this review, from 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. A lot of cameras in its class can feel intimidating because of their complexity, but the URSA Mini Pro 4.6K is surprisingly approachable.
It almost feels like cheating. You turn it on, hit record, and the footage is basically ready for the big screen. If you’ve used a DSLR before, the URSA Mini Pro 4.6K will feel natural.
A touchscreen display comes standard on the URSA Mini Pro 4.6K, and the user interface is one of the most intuitive you’ll find on any camera.
Blackmagic has made a point to unify the UI across all their camera models, so if you already own a Pocket Cinema camera, the URSA will feel familiar.
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 with an 80-megapixel optical sensor that can shoot 12K content at up to 60 fps.
The Super 35 optical sensor has 14 stops of dynamic range and a native ISO of 800.
The 12K resolution will come in handy as tech giants like Samsung and LG roll out 12K displays, but for now, it’s a bit overkill.
That said, the URSA Mini Pro 12K supports oversampling to 8K, which delivers better smoothness, color, and light. If you shoot in 12K, you can reframe in post-production, giving this camera excellent flexibility.
The URSA Mini Pro 12K can also capture footage in 4K at 220 fps and 8K at 110 fps.
For the complete picture, our cameras with flip screen guide fills in the gaps.
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 a downside if you want to use it outside of a broadcast or studio environment.
That said, the Micro Studio Cinema Camera covers all the basics you’d want from a studio camera, including tally lighting and remote controls.
This camera also has a flexible MFT lens mount that supports a wide range of compatible lenses.
The camera can be positioned at various angles, even overhead, to shoot whatever you throw at it. It’s clearly not for everyone, but if you’re in the target audience, it’s a solid pick.
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 introduced in the popular Pocket Cinema series.
At the time, the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K made waves in the industry because it gave creators 4K filming capability at a price that was actually reasonable.
While it looks like a DSLR camera, it’s actually a small 4K camera built specifically for filming. It has a similar form factor to many DSLRs but is noticeably thicker.
The right-hand grip, made of carbon fiber composite, keeps the weight down and makes it sit comfortably in your hand.
The Cinema Camera 4K has two tripod mounts on top and one on the bottom, giving you mounting points for components like a tripod, an SSD (solid-state drive), and an audio recorder.
The camera also has built-in stereo microphones that do a surprisingly 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
Disruptive is probably the best word to describe what Blackmagic Design has done with the Pocket Cinema 6K.
When you build a camera that captures footage on par with industry giants like Arri, Canon, DJI, and Red, then sell it at a price most people can actually afford, you’ve done something special.
The Pocket Cinema 6K also looks like a sleek black DSLR camera. You can take some impressive shots with it, but at its core, it’s a pocket-sized cinema camera built to give everyone a shot at making their video dreams come true.
Since the Pocket Cinema 6K launched, major studios, filmmakers, documentarians, content creators, and students have all taken advantage of its RAW footage capture and high-res capabilities, making it one of the most popular pocket-sized units out there.
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 in the popular Pocket Cinema series, joining the Pocket Camera 6K and 4K.
The Pocket Cinema 6K Pro is a solid upgrade over the Cinema Camera 6K.
We break down Sony a7iii camera in a separate post that complements this one.
That said, upgrading from the older Cinema 6K model isn’t as dramatic as you might expect.
The sensor and image quality are the same, so it’s probably not worth the extra investment unless the new features specifically appeal to you.
But if you’re buying your first pro camcorder, the 6K Pro is a fantastic deal for the price. It delivers great 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 budget-friendly camcorders for video producers. It shoots uncompressed 12-bit RAW footage along with DNxHD and ProRes.
It packs 13 stops of dynamic range, so you can capture a lot of detail in highlights and shadows with more color info compared to cameras that only record 8-bit RAW footage.
The result is excellent images that hold up well to heavy post-processing like color grading.
The EF version announced last year accepts Zeiss ZE and Canon mounts and has generated thousands of pre-orders from creators worldwide.
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 might be the smallest broadcast camera in the world right now. It’s a very advanced broadcast unit designed for live production.
Its compact size and light weight make it the ideal broadcast camera for on-the-go use. The magnesium alloy frame means it’s not only lightweight but durable too.
The Design Studio HD 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 wide variety of lenses.
And even though it’s compact, it’s loaded with features found in larger broadcast cameras.
These include fiber video input/output, tally indicators, XLR audio ports, talkback, and 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 broadcast camera from Blackmagic Design.
It features the same optical sensor found in the Studio Camera 4K Plus, supporting 1080p at 60 fps and 2160p at 30 fps.
The tiny size of the Micro Studio Camera 4K makes it look like a DSLR, letting it blend in on set or fit into places and rigs where large broadcast cameras simply can’t go.
It comes with a unique expansion port that extends the camera’s connectivity through an included breakout cable.
Other ports on this camera include a 3.5mm audio input and a full-sized HDMI output. The camera runs on an included AC power brick, but 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
The Design Studio Camera 4K Plus is a powerful studio camera for all your broadcast needs.
This refined, compact, and lightweight studio camera is built for live production, offering a bunch 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. This lets you 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 for tweaking all your settings on the fly.
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 wrap it up, Blackmagic Design is the go-to brand for digital movie recording and live studio recording cameras. As you can see, Blackmagic Design offers camcorders in virtually all resolutions: FHD, 4K, 6K, 8K, and 12K.
So you can be confident that you’ll get top quality for your money, even though Blackmagic’s cameras are on the pricier side.