Blackmagic announces new 4k and Pocketi cameras at NAB

Black Magic Design has announced 2 new cameras to complement the Cinema Camera launched last year.

The first camera is the Pocket Cinema Camera, which essentially is a mini camera. The sensor is a S16 size HD output with CinemaDNG RAW and ProRes422HQ output and comes with a 4/3 mount. There is a S16 adapter available for cine lenses. The camera promises to output 13 stop dynamic range and sells for $995. Shipping is in July.

The 2nd camera is the Production Camera 4k, which features a S35 global shutter sensor, shooting UltraHD 4k. The camera mount is again EF compatible, all housed in the same BMCC body. It has built-in UltraHD video out via the 6G SDI output(BNC) and also has Thunderbolt. There is a built-in SSD drive. Specs include 12 stop dynamic range. There is no specs on frame rates in UltraHD 4k. The camera ships in July and sells for $3995.

These cameras are exciting news for small production companies. The HDSLR cameras era is truly on the way out as motion cameras with products like these cameras. Exciting times... IF the specs hold up!

This is really amazing & exciting.

Did they mean shipping July 2013?

Can they really deliver?

Well, they did manage to deliver a few units only a few months late last year. Apparently their channels are better now so who knows? Perhaps with the S35 sensor, and the cheap price, housing manufacturers will not ignore this camera.

My own inquiries on a custom housing have come out to zero, with no one having worked on the lanc protocol to control exposure yet. With a touchscreen as the interface makes it difficult to work with for housings.

Surely someone will make a housing for the Pocket Camera. Won't they?

The pocket cinema camera looks very interesting but once again what wide angel lens would you use for under water.

If that camera has a MFT mount then almost any lenses could be adapted and used with an adapter including the Metabones booster. No one has actually seen pictures taken with it yet so still too early to assume but spec looks decent enough. 13 stops!

Mark, 7-14, Samyang/Rokinon/Lumix 7.5 fisheye etc. It won't be super wide because of the sensor (12.48x7.02) but still, it works and will be super compact. This could replace higher end pole cams and even some Go Pro applications.

Great idea RE polecams

Not touch screen. Control is via buttons so mechanical control from housing is easy to do. Simple menu system. I like it.

ACTIVE MFT mount. Super 16mm sensor so all the old S16 vintage lenses could be used including some extremely cheap ENG zoom lenses. May not be so cheap soon in ebay.

Lanc control - for remote trigger and focus (nice!)

Standard Nikon battery. records on fast SD card.

Point and shoot size and shoots cinematic quality HD pro-res. Under USD 1K

I anticipate UW manufacturers will be putting this camera gadget on top of 'must do list' for near future...

Just hope now that BMD will not delay shipping once they open for orders.

Am definitely planning to make it over to the BlackMagic booth to have a look.

Cheers,

Cp

Here is a link with a short video clip on both cams:

http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/08/blackmagic-pocket-cinema-camera-production-camera-4k/

Am definitely planning to make it over to the BlackMagic booth to have a look.

 

Cheers,

Cp

Please take the verniers with you .

Full details, images and the press release for the Pocket Cinema Camera are on the Wetpixel front page here:

http://wetpixel.com/articles/blackmagic-design-unveils-its-pocket-cinema-camera

The specs lists remote control via LANC, which should make it easier to house.....

Adam

LANC control. Yes for electronic housings.

The camera is not touch screen but buttons so its okay for mechanical too.

Guys, do you think we should split this thread into two:

One for pocket,

Second for 4K?

S35 4K for $4000 maybe housing manufactures will take another look also has LanC

Not sure that I've got this right but I think a 7-14mm m43 zoom becomes 10.5-21mm on this camera. Or a 21-42mm FF equivalent. This is so confusing!

Thani, I don't think it's necessary for now. Once we get to play with a working prototype and housing manufacturers show interest, then we'll have the separate threads.

For the BMPC 4k, yes, the lLANC controls do work but no one has housed a working remote that can control IRIS yet, which is the main issue for the 4k. I've tried the old Amphibico lanc control on the BMCC and it doesn't work for FOCUS or REC. Can't find a L&M, Mangrove or Sea& Sea that's working to try it either. It should technically work since it's the BAR LANC for Canon/Sony and my Manfrotto RC pan works very well. If you can't control IRIS and ISO, there'll be limitations on how one can shoot. I'd be very happy to go with the BMPC 4k at 30fps. The annoying BMCC crop factor does make lens choice an issue. So does the touch screen controls.

The BMPCC is a no brainer for housing manufacturers. Manufacturers with existing ports that fit MFT lenses can do it, since it's all manual button operated.

The specification says:

Remote Control 1 x 2.5mm LANC for Rec Start/Stop, Iris Control and Focus.

In addition, there are buttons for both the iris and focus. Besides, I think the touch screen can be made accessable via manual controls/arms to help access the rest of the functions such as MWB and ISO. I totally agree with you Drew that it should not be so challenging for housing manufacturers to come up with a housing for such a promising cam

Hi Drew I think the BMCC 4K is a S35 sensor so wide angel lenses should have less crop factor than the 2.5K BMCC