Top Blackmagic Cameras

By | February 13, 2015

Blackmagic Design is best known for their amazing digital cameras. They provide high quality video and image capture/playback. However, the sheer amount of cameras and models can be a bit daunting. That’s where we come in. We’ll examine the different makes and models of Blackmagic cameras over the course of this blog post. We’ll take a look at the Cinema series (including the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema) the Production series, the URSA series and finally the Studio series.

NOTE: Most of the details are covered in the first section of this blog post because it can apply to the other sections. Therefore, we will not be going into great depth beyond that, as you can just scroll up through the post OR click through the links to find out more.

Blackmagic Cinema Cameras
Models
Blackmagic Cinema Camera PL (CINECAM26KPL)
Blackmagic Cinema Camera EF (CINECAM26KEF)
Blackmagic Cinema Camera MFT (CINECAM26KMFT)
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera MFT (CINECAMPOCHDMFT)

Blackmagic Cinema Camera EF PL MFT

Blackmagic Cinema Cameras are small digital film cameras with a sturdy design. Wide dynamic range allows users to shoot high quality footage. And this isn’t just any footage, it’s true cinema quality footage! The three versions each offer a different type of lens mount: PL, EF and MFT. The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera features an MFT lens mount as well. The different lens mount options gives users the flexibility to choose what camera is right for their application. The Blackmagic Cinema Camera PL is compatible with lenses from Panavision, Zeiss and ARRI. The Blackmagic Cinema Camera EF is compatible with Canon lenses. As for the Blackmagic Cinema Camera MFT and the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera MFT, they allow for the adoption of small lenses.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera MFT CINECAMPOCHDMFT
Files are recorded in RAW and/or ProRes. Each of these camera models features a built-in touch screen for monitoring, audio display and setting preferences. Each option also features a large Super 35mm size sensor, except for the Pocket version which has a Super 16mm. This offers higher resolution, a global shutter and a wide field of depth. Twelve stops of dynamic range ensures images and footage of the highest caliber. A built-in SD card recorder captures all images and footage for the Pocket version, while the other three have SSDs. These Blackmagic Cinema Cameras also offer metadata entry, which is useful when editing footage and images later on. Excluding the Pocket version, these cameras come with a full version of DaVinci editing software!
Finally, let’s look at connections and resolutions. The three Cinema Cameras have 3G-SDI connection and 2432 x 1366 resolution. The Pocket Cinema Camera has HDMI connection and 1920 x 1080 resolution. What the Pocket Camera lacks in connections and resolutions is made up for with its size. It’s indeed a “pocket” edition, allowing users to carry it around with ease.

Blackmagic Production Cinema Cameras
Models
Blackmagic Production Cinema Camera 4K PL (CINECAMPROD4KPL)
Blackmagic Production Cinema Camera 4K EF (CINECAMPROD4KEF)

Blackmagic Production Cinema Camera Specs Specifications

There are two versions of this model: the Blackmagic Production Camera PL and the Blackmagic Production Camera EF. The main difference is in the lens mount (PL or EF). These two Production Cinema Cameras offer 6G-SDI connections and 2840 x 2160 resolution. They record media with SSDs. These are true 4K cameras, meaning that quality is the highest it can be by today’s standards. Beyond that, the Production series is exactly similar to the Cinema series we examined above.

Blackmagic URSA Cameras
Models
Blackmagic URSA 4K Digital Cinema Camera PL (CINECAMURSA4K/PL)
Blackmagic URSA 4K Digital Cinema Camera EF (CINECAMURSA4K/EF)

Blackmagic URSA 4K Digital Film Cinema Camera

The Blackmagic URSA Camera is the world’s first user upgradeable digital film camera. It features a 4K Super 35mm size sensor with global shutter and a fold out 10-inch monitor. There are two models available in this series: the Blackmagic URSA Camera PL and the Blackmagic URSA Camera EF. PL and EF refer to the lens mounts and what lenses are compatible with them. These cameras have 12G-SDI connections, resolutions up to 4000 x 2160 and record media in CFast 2.0.
This model of Blackmagic camera is made to be used for feature film, television commercial and other professional cinema applications. Despite its bells and whistles, this camera is ultra portable. Twelve stops of dynamic range goes beyond competing cameras in this range. Footage can be shot in either ProRes or RAW formats. The sensors and mounts are upgradable, allowing for deep customization dependent on the user and the application.

Blackmagic Studio Cameras
Models
Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K (CINSTUDMFT/UHD)
Blackmagic Studio Camera HD (CINSTUDMFT/HD)

Blackmagic Studio Camera HD 4K viewfinder

The Blackmagic Studio Camera is an advanced device made for use in professional broadcast and live production applications. These models (the Studio Camera 4K and the Studio Camera HD) have MFT lens mounts, 12G-SDI and optical fiber connections and resolutions up to 3840 x 2160. The company boasts this is the largest viewfinder on a studio camera. It’s definitely massive at 10 inches! Other features include a four hour battery, talkback, tally indicators and phantom powered microphone connections. Advanced technology is offered in a sturdy, compact magnesium alloy body. An integrated control panel under the viewfinder offers convenient access to important settings and parameters.

As you can see, these are some powerful cameras! There’s so much info and depth to these Blackmagic digital cameras that we couldn’t go into it all in this post, which happens to be longer than our others. For additional info on any of these amazing devices, send an email to sales@muzeekworld.com!