Blackmagic has done it again, introducing a product the industry has yet to see. The new Blackmagic 4K URSA camera is something else entirely, featuring a 4K Super 35mm global shutter sensor, real camera form factor, a built-in 10.1" 1920 x 1200 fold out display, and two 5” 800 x 480 displays. Not only that, but it has both interchangeable lenses and sensors, meaning you'll be able to upgrade to a better sensor at home removing a few screws when a better one is available.
Here are the specs:
- 21.12mm x 11.88mm -- Super 35mm Global Shutter 4K CMOS Sensor (Probably the same as current Blackmagic Production Camera 4K)
- Interchangeable Lens Block
- 3840 x 2160 -- 24/25/60fps
- 1920 x 1080 -- 24/25/30/50/60fps
- ProRes HQ and Lossless Compressed RAW
- 12 Stops Dynamic Range
- EF/PL/B4/ or No Mount
- Two CFast 2.0 Slots for Media Recording
- 1 x 10.1” 1920 x 1200 Fold Out Non-Touch Screen
- 2 x 5” 800 x 480 Touch Screens
- SDI Video Output: 1 x 12G-SDI 10-bit 4:2:2. 1 x 3G-SDI down converted for external monitoring
- SDI Video Input: 1 x 12G-SDI
- Ref Input: 1 x Reference Input
- Timecode In/Out
- 2 XLR Inputs
- 2 SDI Audio Out
- Headphone Jack
- 1 x 2.5mm LANC for Rec Start/Stop, Iris Control and Focus.
- Power: 12V 4-pin XLR In/Out (Can take battery plates for Gold Mount and V Mount)
- Availability: July?
- Price: $6,000 for EF, $6,500 for PL
Here are the four options they are offering, with the Broadcast having a totally different sensor, and the HDMI-only model which has no sensor and is basically used as a recorder:
Here is the HDMI-only camera being used as a recorder:
Mounting options:
The price is simply out of this world for what is being offered, just as it has been for their other products. Interchangeable sensors and lenses is really what we needed in this industry, as things are moving way too fast to keep up. The form factor is also much better for a production environment, and it's going to fit in better without tons of support gear.
The only question now would be whether it can be delivered on-time for July. We'll have more from Blackmagic at their NAB booth.
