Blackmagic Micro Cameras

Show: NAB 2015

Blackmagic has brought out two new micro cameras, the Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera and the Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera. These are, as the name would suggest, very compact and both have a similar design but the Micro Cinema is cheaper, only HD and only features HDMI whereas the Studio is HD/UHD and also comes with SDI. Here’s a full run down:

Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera

Estimated Shipping Date – TBC

Price – $995

Firstly – it’s tiny! I’ve popped the dimensions below but they really have kept this camera as small as is possible to build around an MfT mount. There are controllable buttons on the front of the camera but it also comes with an expansion port; they make quite a lot of fuss about this and from what I can tell they are expecting third party companies to be providing a wide range of cables to allow you to use and fully control this camera wether it’s on a gimbal, drone or rigged at the top of a building. The expansion port allows full control over iris, start/stop, adjust focus, control sound – pretty much everything. The camera is made of lightweight magnesium alloy (much like one of the new RED Weapon options) allowing it to be as lightweight as possible whilst still being durable.

The Micro Cinema has a S16mm HD 1080 sensor with a global shutter designed to keep that jello effect at bay, with 13 stops of dynamic range, onboard raw and ProRes to SD Cards. (Some of you familiar with Blackmagic cameras might notice the specifications are quite similar to the Pocket Camera.)

For the price this is a great option for anyone looking for another option for drones, gimbals or even a more cinematic alternative to the revolutionary GoPro.

Key Features:

MFT Mount
Max ISO – 1600
Raw and ProRes onboard
Global Shutter
Onboard or External Batteries

Dimensions

Height – 2.57”
Width – 3.25”
Depth – 2.74”

The Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera

Estimated Shipping Date – TBC

Price – $1295

Very similar in design to the Micro Cinema, the Studio packs more of a punch. It can record in HD or UHD and is able to handle MfT or be adapted for B4 Mount lenses. The Studio has the added bonus of SDI in and out along with a range of other features, from in built talkback (yes really) to tally lights and the ability to work seamlessly with PTZ control.

Unfortunately they were all boxed up at NAB but we look forward to getting our hands on them soon and getting some test footage up. Powerful compact cameras with a very competitive price tag.