Discover What Makes Blackmagic Design a Popular Camera Brand
Diving into the world of filmmaking is an exciting adventure; but also one that rests on a lot of preparation and investment. If you haven’t invested in top-notch filming equipment, starting with the camera, are you really prepared? While you can find plenty of brands on the market with exceptional cameras and filming gear, it’s Blackmagic Design that can help you stay in the game of digital film technology.
What Does Blackmagic Design Do?
It’s an Australian company dedicated to creating and manufacturing state-of-the-art digital movie cameras, broadcast and cinema hardware and editing software such as the DaVinci Resolve. Over the years, they revolutionised the film industry with their codecs, like the Blackmagic RAW. But they are most known for their affordable yet professional Blackmagic Design camera range which gives everyone the opportunity to create high-quality video content.
You don’t necessarily have to be involved in filmmaking, like working on films or documentaries, to make use of these cameras as even YouTubers and vloggers have notably relied on them. It’s not only Canon that shines in this area, you know!
Some can even get breathtaking videos by attaching the chosen camera to a drone. The brand’s handheld digital film Pocket Cinema Camera 6K is a perfect choice for this! And yet, despite the vlogger-friendly features and possibilities, like the size that makes it great for shots that are hard to reach, what many find to be a drawback is the battery life – especially if your videos are longer than half an hour.
Still, it’s nothing you can’t fix with the suitable Blackmagic accessories that allow you to customise your camera according to your filming, as in this case with the Blackmagic camera battery grip. As you can see, this is a brand you can trust because it takes care of all your broadcasting needs!
What Makes Blackmagic Design Cameras So Good?
They are game-changers with their impressively detailed images with organic colours and tones. Thanks to the range of features you can experiment when working on your videos, films, and other projects with recordings. They’re also the perfect tools to have even when you need to film in low-light conditions.
When you get one of the outstanding Blackmagic Design cameras, you get cinematic high-resolution sensors, a wide dynamic range, built-in ND filters, built-in audio quality, and many inputs and outputs at your disposal. In short, you get advanced digital film technology that fits in your hands! The following are the brand’s most popular types of cameras.
Types of Cameras From Which to Choose
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera
As implied by the name, this type is small and meant for handheld shooting. With the impressively low weight at just about 600g (including the battery), you can easily carry and use these Blackmagic products.
These are great if you’re used to filming on the go. It’s also easy to control them remotely with a smartphone or a tablet thanks to the Wi-Fi connectivity. To top it all off, they record 1080HD videos with a 16mm sensor at up to 60fps.
Blackmagic Cinema Camera
With features like a large super 35mm sensor, ProRes 422HQ recording, with 30p in 4K and 60p in 2.5K in resolution, numerous inputs and outputs, such as XLR audio inputs and HDMI outputs, these are cameras that are worthwhile both for professionals and novices alike.
Blackmagic Studio Camera
Like any studio camera, this product is ideal for live production as implied by the “studio” in the name. However, what makes it much superior to the regular alternatives is the size and weight – being more compact and lightweight, you can easily carry the camera to and fro as you film.
As a combination of a viewfinder and camera, you can track and frame shots in a jiffy. Since it can be used with a tripod, it’s even fit for weddings and conference presentations. Like with the other types of Black Magic cameras, you can count on the incredible 4K sensor used in digital film production so you get cinematic images even for live production.
Most Popular Models
The following are some of the most popular Blackmagic Design camera models.
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Despite the fact this one came out in 2018, it remains a popular choice especially among MFT users because of the incredible control it provides and the huge and sharp screen. It’s also one of the best you can find for the price in terms of connectivity with its full-sized HDMI port, USB port for data transfer and charging, as well as jacks for external audio.
Its dynamic range of 13 stops, and allowing you to shoot in 4K 60p with no crop factor are also things to look forward to when purchasing this kind of timeless Blackmagic camera and they make up for the fact it doesn’t flip. More so because it’s got an SDXC card slot and a CFast 2.0 slot that you can make use of with the 4K Raw.
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro
Unlike the older 6K design, this one is great for those who like to get a bit more power since there’s a larger battery added for a longer recording time. Some of its features include four position built-in ND filters, super 35 high-resolution HDR sensors, EF lens mount, USB-C, dual native ISO, and adjustable HDR touchscreen.
All this in addition to offering control over the lens, specifically the iris, focus and zoom, autofocus with compatible lenses, as well as external control with tripod handles, and iPad, Bluetooth, and USB PTP control.
Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2
If you’re looking for a next-generation camera, this is it. It’s got updated electronics, and a high-performance image sensor allowing you to shoot up to 300 fps, with 15 stops of dynamic range. It also comes with an interchangeable EF lens mount that you can use for PL, B4 and F mounts, and a groundbreaking USB-C port that allows you to record on external disks.
You can also count on external broadcast style controls and 2 x 2.5mm LANC for record and lens control among other useful features.