Blackmagic Designreleased the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus G2. Suggested retail price is 217,800 yen including tax. Blackmagic Studio Camera has the same features as larger studio cameras in a compact and highly portable design. It supports the dynamic range and color science of digital film cameras, allowing users to obtain cinematic-looking images even under harsh lighting conditions.
The Camera Sensor
A multitude of uses
The sensor supports ISO up to 25,600, allowing broadcasting directors to create cinematic images even in dimly lit indoor environments. It is equipped with advanced features such as talkback, tally, camera control, built-in color corrector, Blackmagic RAW recording to USB disk, and live streaming. Although the Blackmagic Studio Camera is designed for live production, its use is not limited to use with live switchers. Since it is possible to record Blackmagic RAW to a USB disk, it is usable with tripods. Equipped with a large 7-inch viewfinder, it can be used for talk shows, TV production, news programs, sports, education, conference presentations, weddings, or whatever is needed for live production. The large, high-brightness display with side handle, touch screen, and physical controls make it easy to follow the subject, making it comfortable to use even during long shooting sessions.
Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus G2 Color Mapping and Resolution
The combination of a superior sensor and Blackmagic’s 5th generation color science results in the same imaging technology found in digital film cameras. The color corrector can also be controlled from the switcher. With a dynamic range of 13 stops, it can capture everything from dark blacks to bright whites, making it ideal for color correction. The 4K model supports 3840 x 2160 resolution and the 6K model supports 6144 x 3456 resolution, making it ideal for HD and Ultra HD productions. Furthermore, all models support up to 23.98~60fps. The Blackmagic Studio Camera is equipped with the popular EF/MFT lens mount, making it compatible with a wide variety of low-cost photography lenses. Photographic lenses are designed for high-resolution photography, making it possible to achieve high image quality. As with larger studio cameras, the optional Focus Demand and Zoom Demand allows users to adjust the lens from the tripod handle, giving the same experience as advanced broadcast B4 lenses. Unlike consumer cameras, Blackmagic Studio Cameras have talkback functionality built into the SDI interface, allowing switcher operators to communicate with camera operators during live events. Since the director can instruct the cameraman on shot selection, it is possible to prevent problems such as all cameras shooting the same shot at the same time. All models support 3.5mm headsets for smartphones, and the Pro model supports standard 5-pin XLR broadcast headsets.
Connectivity using USB-C and API
Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus G2 features a high-speed USB-C expansion port, allowing writing to external disks, control the camera over a network, and connect a wide variety of accessories. By connecting an external USB flash disk, it is possible to record high-quality 12-bit Blackmagic RAW files for later editing and color correction. There’s no need to spend time copying files, as users can simply move the disk to computers. By adding a USB-C to Ethernet adapter, it is possible to control the camera over the network using an easy-to-use REST API. It is also possible to copy files from the camera over the network. Connecting the optional Focus Demand and Zoom Demand allows full lens control similar to that of a large studio camera.
Grant Petty, CEO of Blackmagic Design, commented:
The original Studio Camera 4K Plus’ broadcast-style workflow using HDMI was very popular for its simplicity, but we wanted to create a better option for those looking to move up to a larger switcher. That’s why we’ve added support for SDI and 3.5mm headset talkback to this new model. It also supports a simple REST API over the network, allowing you to access easy-to-use remote camera solutions. This product enables many people to implement high-end broadcast workflows into their live productions. We can’t wait to see the work created by our customers.
