Today Blackmagic Design introduced several new products, including two new Studio Cameras. The Studio Camera 4K Pro and Studio Camera 4K Plus. Below is the full presentation on the new products.
Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 4K Pro
The Pro model includes some nice refinements and added features such as carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate and a large integrated 7″ touchscreen viewfinder with an improved sunshade. The camera uses an improved Micro Four Thirds sensor that BMD states performers much better in low light with 13 stops of dynamic range and dual native ISO of 0db and 18db gain. Both cameras have a larger, brighter Talley light on top.
The shooting resolution is 3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD) up to 60 fps. at frame rates of 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94 and 60 frames per second. Off-speed frame rates up to 60 fps in Ultra HD. One push autofocus is available with compatible lenses.
BRAW Recording Options
The USB-C output supports recording to an external SSD; however, it only supports Blackmagic RAW.
Recording Formats
- Blackmagic RAW 3:1, 5:1, 8:1, 12:1, Q0, Q1, Q3, and Q5 in Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 at the selected frame rate.
Supported Codecs
- Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 3:1,
- Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 5:1,
- Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 8:1,
- Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 12:1,
- Blackmagic RAW Constant Quality Q0,
- Blackmagic RAW Constant Quality Q1,
- Blackmagic RAW Constant Quality Q3,
- Blackmagic RAW Constant Quality Q5,
The 7″ screen is now a touchscreen with 2000 nits brightness. The camera has three assignable buttons on the back and dials for Brightness, Contrast, and Peaking. The menu is accessed with the touchscreen and has the familiar and easy-to-navigate menu you are probably already familiar with.
Blackmagic Studio Cameras Features
- Designed specifically for live production.
- Carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate chassis.
- Up to 25,600 ISO for incredible low light performance.
- Native 4K sensor with 13 stops of dynamic range.
- Compatible with a wide range of popular MFT lenses.
- Large 7-inch high brightness viewfinder.
- Includes 12G-SDI, HDMI, 10G Ethernet connections.
- Single 10G Ethernet allows SMPTE fiber style workflow.
- USB-C port allows recording directly to external disks.
- Features incredible quality Blackmagic RAW recording.
- Built-in stereo microphones with wide separation.
- Professional mini XLR inputs with 48-volt phantom power.
- Includes tripod mount for quick location setup.
- Powers by 12V or Ethernet connection.
- Optional focus and zoom demands for lens control.
- Blackmagic Studio Converter allows all connections via Ethernet.
- Includes Tripod Mount and 15mm rail mount
Studio Camera 4K Pro IO
Video Inputs
- 1 SDI In
- 1 SDI Out
- SDI Rates – 1.5G, 3G, 6G, 12G.
- 1 HDMI 2.0 Video Outputs
Analog Audio Input
- 2 x XLR analog switchable between mic and line levels. Phantom power support.
- 1 x 3.5mm Stereo Input. It can also be used for Timecode input.
Analog Audio Output
- 1 x 5-pin XLR for talkback headset.1 x 3.5mm TRRS mini-jack for headphones with mic.
Reference Inputs
- Tri-Sync or Black Burst when used with optional Blackmagic Studio Converter.
SDI Audio Output
- 2 channels of program audio embedded in 1.5G/3G/6G/12G-SDI.
- 2 talkback channels on 15 and 16
Remote Control
- Remote camera control over SDI, HDMI, or Ethernet
- Ethernet 10Gb/s
- Computer Interface – 2 x USB Type‑C 3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5Gb/s) expansion ports for external recording and focus / zoom demand connection. Software updates using USB‑C Port A.
Something BMD isn’t known for is the quality of the audio inputs on their cameras. They stated with the new studio line cameras; the audio inputs have been much improved.
Blackmagic Studio Converter
With the upgraded 10Gb/s Ethernet on the cameras, BMD introduced a new way to power, feed, and control the camera with the Blackmagic Studio Converter. You can get the same workflow as SMPTE fiber but using low-cost 10G copper Ethernet cables. This converter will power the camera via the Ethernet cable and convert the camera, and program return feeds to SDI.
The Blackmagic Studio Converter is not officially released yet and should be in a few months.
Pricing and Availability
Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pro will retail for $1795, and the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus will retail for $1,295. Both are available today.
Zoom Demand and Focus Demand Lens Control
with all studio setups, lens control is a must. These new USB-based controls are going to make operating the camera with stills lenses much better. It will require compatibility with lenses, and a list of them hasn’t been released yet. Both Zoom and Focus Demand will retail for $245.
This is a nice update to the Studio line. They are very cost-effective for live or studio use in a Multicam setup. When integrated with an ATEM Mini, you have a lot of controls for live streaming. All at a highly competitive price. While these new cameras might not be designed for outdoor use, it would have been nice to see them have internal neutral density filters.
