New Blackmagic cameras bring cinema quality to live production

Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 4K Pro
(Image credit: Blackmagic)

Blackmagic has launched a much-needed upgrade to its studio camera lineup, which is geared towards TV professionals involved in live production. The new cameras, the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pro and the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus, are now available for pre-order for $1,795 and $1,295 respectively.

Well, we say "new"; basically the manufacturer has brought together a studio viewfinder and a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 4K in the same device. So the underlying tech is not that groundbreaking or new. 

• Read more: Best cinema cameras

What that means in practice, however, is that you can now get cinematic images in live production, within a compact and lightweight camera. And that could be a game-changer for many video professionals.

YouTube YouTube
Watch On

For the full details of the new releases, watch the launch video from Blackmagic above.

What's on offer?

(Image credit: Blackmagic)

Made from a carbon fiber-reinforced polycarbonate chassis, the cameras boast a sleek and attractive design that contrasts nicely with the big and bulky devices many video professionals are used to.

The two cameras have the same look and design, and offer broadly the same capabilities, including the ability to shoot at 4K UltraHD (3840 x 2160) at 60 frames per second. 

USB-C output enables you to record to an external SSD, although note that only the Blackmagic RAW format is supported. They also offer up to ISO25,600, a 4K sensor with 13 stops of dynamic range, and are compatible with the best Micro Four Thirds lenses.

As you'd expect, the more expensive Pro model is the more richly featured of the two. The big differences here include 12G-SDI (eight times the bandwidth of normal HD-SDI), professional XLR audio, a brighter HR LCD, 5-pin talkback and a 10G Ethernet IP.

So why buy the Studio Camera 4K Plus? Well, apart from being cheaper, it's designed to work with the Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro switcher, which eliminates the need for some of the features in the Pro (such as the 12G-SDI input and the XLR audio inputs).

Pre-order the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pro at Adorama (USA)
Pre-order the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pro at B&H (USA)

Pre-order the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus at Adorama (USA)
Pre-order the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus at B&H (USA)

Read more: 

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K review
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K review
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro review
Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro 12K review
Blackmagic ATEM Mini review
Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro review
Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve 17 review

TOPICS
Tom May

Tom May is a freelance writer and editor specializing in art, photography, design and travel. He has been editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine. He has also worked for a wide range of mainstream titles including The Sun, Radio Times, NME, T3, Heat, Company and Bella.

Read more
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 4K
After its recent price drop to under $1,000, I think the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K might be the best beginner filmmaking camera on the market!
Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K
Blackmagic introduces a stripped-down budget version of its blockbuster 12K cinema camera
Blackmagic Ursa Cine 12K on a dark background, with a roundel showcasing the camera's 12K sensor
This new RGBW sensor changes everything! Blackmagic’s new 12K camera can shoot 8K and 4K with no drop in quality
Blackmagic Design URSA Cine 12K LF
Another Blackmagic Cinema camera gets the Netflix seal of approval
Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro 12K review
The best cinema cameras in 2025: time to step up to serious filmmaking
The Panasonic HC-X2100 on a black background
Panasonic launches four new 4K camcorders – and hints that there are more to come!
Latest in Camcorders
The Panasonic HC-X2100 on a black background
Panasonic launches four new 4K camcorders – and hints that there are more to come!
The Panasonic HC-X1500 camcorder in a female photographer's hands
Panasonic HC-X1500 review: an epic zoom, but don't buy it for low-light filming
A female photographer holding the Sony AX43 camcorder
Sony AX43 review: the last vlogging handycam with big zoom appeal
Panasonic HC-V900 & Panasonic HC-VX3
Panasonic proves the camcorder is not dead with two exciting budget models
Animation of a young woman holding a Canon PowerShot V10 White up to the camera, against a variety of backgrounds
Canon's craziest camera now comes in a new color
Panasonic Patent
WTF is this new Panasonic camera?
Latest in News
Laowa Shift Cines lenses 15mm & 21mm
Laowa launches first-ever shift lenses for cinematographers
Red Komodo 6K
The Nikon effect sees the RED Komodo get a MASSIVE $2,000 discount
Specta Mini drone hovering over a car and four people
Want to get around the DJI drone ban AND save? Meet the Specta Mini – cheap and USA-legal!
Potensic Atom SE drone
Drones deals with the power to impress - these Potensic drones are great!
Fujifilm Fujinon LA30x7.8 BRM-XB2
Fujifilm announces development of a new 30x zoom broadcast lens ahead of NAB 2025
Pergear CFexpress 4.0 Type A Master cards
Pergear launches new super-fast AND super-cheap CFexpress Type A cards