Earlier this year, Blackmagic Design released a major update to DaVinci Resolve, ushering in version 20 with a wave of new features. Now, just a few months later, another significant update has arrived, and this time, it’s all about immersive video.

DaVinci Resolve 20.1 introduces support for Apple Immersive workflows, marking a major leap into the future of spatial video. The update coincides with new releases for Fusion Studio 20.1 (Blackmagic's node-based compositing tool) and the Blackmagic Camera 9.7 Public Beta, with all three updates' primary focus on immersive video creators.

As always, Blackmagic knows how to deliver a hefty update. The full list of features is extensive, but the key highlights are:

• Full support for Apple Vision Pro spatial and immersive video workflows in macOS

• Direct monitoring of immersive content in Apple Vision Pro

• Support for the Apple Spatial Audio format

Not long ago, I shared my thoughts on the Apple Vision Pro and argued that immersive video is still in its infancy, but brimming with potential to reshape how we experience visual storytelling. Blackmagic seems to agree. The Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera, launched earlier this year, now pairs seamlessly with the DaVinci 20.1 and Fusion 20.1 updates to form a complete immersive production workflow; from capture through to edit, grade, and delivery.

Blackmagic describes the update as follows: "Today we announced DaVinci Resolve 20.1, a major new update that adds support for Apple Immersive workflows, including support for Apple Spatial Audio, to DaVinci Resolve Studio for macOS. With this update, you can effortlessly edit, color grade, add visual effects, mix Spatial Audio, and deliver Apple Immersive Video captured using the new Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera. A new immersive video viewer will let customers pan, tilt, and roll clips for viewing on 2D monitors, or directly stream to Apple Vision Pro for an even more immersive editing experience."

While immersive video is the headline, the update offers plenty for all DaVinci Resolve users. Key improvements include overhauls to the keyframe panel with better refinement controls, upgrades to MultiText making text formatting faster and more intuitive, and a more responsive and flexible curve editor.

Other enhancements span the Cut and Edit pages, Fusion, Color, Resolve FX, Fairlight, Codec and IO, and general performance refinements, all of which continue to make Resolve one of the most powerful editing platforms around.

Immersive filmmaking may not yet be mainstream, but Blackmagic is clearly working to lower the barrier to entry. With the URSA Cine Immersive camera and a free DaVinci Resolve update that supports spatial workflows end-to-end, they’re pushing this next wave of storytelling forward.

You can explore it yourself too, with sample immersive video clips for DaVinci Resolve Studio 20.1 (macOS) available to download.

And don’t forget, DaVinci Resolve remains completely free, and so is this 20.1 update.

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Blackmagic Design has released the first update to DaVinci Resolve 20, addressing early teething issues and refining key tools introduced in the major version launch.

DaVinci Resolve 20.0.1 is available now as a free download and brings quality-of-life enhancements across the board, particularly for music editing, media management, and Fusion workflows.

For users of DaVinci Resolve Studio, the one-time payment version, the update significantly improves the AI Music Editor. Editors can now enjoy better beat marker detection when automatically adjusting music to fit a scene, with markers updating in real-time to reflect changes, making it easier to sync cuts precisely to the beat.

In addition, the Music Editor now remembers all user-defined settings when projects are reloaded, preserving channel configurations such as stereo tracks without requiring rework.

Another key improvement addresses a long-standing user frustration. When dragging multiple clips from the media pool to the timeline, Resolve now maintains the correct clip order. This change streamlines rough cuts and assembly edits, especially for high-volume workflows.

DaVinci is renowned worldwide for its industry-leading color correction abilities, and in this update, colorists and VFX artists will also benefit from updated OpenColorIO support in the Fusion viewer. This includes better handling of LUT directions, file transforms, and multiple LUT stacks, delivering more consistent refreshes and improved control when working in complex node trees.

Other notable fixes include improvements to voiceover sync, audio alignment using IntelliScript, and Magic Mask caching. Performance, stability, and remote collaboration tools also see minor refinements.

DaVinci Resolve continues to stand out as one of the most powerful and accessible video editors on the market, free to download and packed with professional features rivaling paid alternatives.

The free firmware update, along with a detailed guide on how to update, can be found on the Blackmagic Design support website.

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DaVinci Resolve 20 is officially out, and it’s a huge release not just for existing users, but for any filmmaker, editor, or creative who's been on the fence about switching.

With over 100 new features and meaningful AI integrations, it’s a major leap forward in what’s already one of the most advanced video editing platforms available – and yes, it’s still free.

DaVinci Resolve has always stood out for its deep color tools and robust timeline editing, but with every update, it inches further into territory once reserved for high-ticket subscription software. This latest version makes that gap feel almost absurd. DaVinci Resolve 20 isn’t just viable, it’s elite, and more and more filmmakers I know are finally making the jump.

Part of that shift comes down to what this update enables. AI isn’t just tacked on, it’s central. AI IntelliCut, for instance, uses AI to clean up timelines with remarkable speed, removing silences, separating speakers, and even generating ADR lists. It’s not just automation but rather editorial assistance.

AI Magic Mask has also been refined to deliver faster, more accurate tracking for isolating subjects, and the AI Depth Map tool now gives a greater sense of visual control, enabling users to effortlessly push a subject forward in a frame without tedious masking or keying.

All of it adds up to a platform that genuinely speeds up the technical grind so you can spend more time creating. Whether you're crafting a short, cutting a commercial, or finishing a documentary, Resolve 20 meets you with tools that feel built for the future

DaVinci Resolve 20 is out now and FREE to download!

DaVinci Resolve Studio 20 has also seen an update adding a few more pro features and retains its one-off low price point of $295 / £255 / AU$495.

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DaVinci Resolve 19 is published by BlackMagic Design, the company behind Pocket Cinema and Ursa cinema cameras, together with a range video production equipment and mixers. It actually comes in two versions. DaVinci Resolve 19, which is free, and Davinci Resolve 19 Studio, which is a more powerful version sold separately but also bundled with some BlackMagic hardware products.

Both versions of DaVinci Resolve 19 are professional video editing applications on the same level as Apple Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro. They incorporate powerful audio and effects tools too, so they are designed as all-in-one video editing solutions.

It's a kind of win-win for BlackMagic Design, because while DaVinci Resolve is one of the best free video editing tools you can get, DaVinci Resolve Studio is one of the best professional video editors.

You might imagine that the free version is pretty limited and designed to act as a tempter for the full product, but that’s not how it works in this instance. DaVinci Resolve 19 is a fully featured editor in its own right, with perhaps all the power – and more – that solo shooters, content creators and small production teams might need. There’s no catch.

DaVinci Resolve Studio 19 is a much more powerful tool that brings a multitude of AI workflow, editing and enhancement features and is designed for collaborative workflows and large-scale productions. BlackMagic claims DaVinci Resolve is “Hollywood’s most popular solution for editing, visual effects, motion graphics, color correction and audio post production.”

DaVinci Resolve 19: What’s new?

The new features in Davinci Resolve 19 are concentrated in the Studio version. There are so many that it would take thousands of words to describe them all, but here are a few highlights:

Auto Stingers: These can be moving graphics or sound transitions to let viewers know a scene or a camera viewpoint has changed.

Text Based Timeline Editing: You can edit clips based on their transcribed text directly, with multiple voice recognition and named speakerst.

AI Speech to Text Transcription: Automatically transcribes video and audio clips, with the ability to mark in and out points to edit or delete text, add markers, remove silence.

Automatic Subtitles: Transcribes speech to text automatically into a subtitle track on the timeline. 

AI Based Voice Isolation: Removes unwanted sounds from voice recording, and ideal for presenting or interviewing noisy environments. There’s also a new Built-in Dialogue Leveler.

UltraNR Noise Reduction: Uses the new DaVinci Neural Engine to reduce digital noise but maintain clarity. 

Film Look Creator: Adds cinematic ‘film’ looks with halation, bloom, grain, flicker, gate weave and vignetting.

Automatic Depth Map: Generates a 3D depth matte of a scene to allow separate foreground/background grading.

AI Audio Panning: A new IntelliTrack AI point tracker can follow people or objects as they move across the frame.

IntelliTrack AI Tracking: Powered by the DaVinci Neural Engine to optimize panning and tracking.

Music Remixer FX: Separates music into voice, drums, base, guitar, for example, for selective remixing.

Person Mask: Another DaVinci Neural Engine feature, this time to detect, mask and track people and their movement in a shot.

SuperScale: Advanced upscaling algorithm superior to standard resizing controls and ideal for scaling “archival footage” to today’s resolutions..

Smart Reframe for Social Media: Create square or vertical versions of shots using the DaVinci Neural Engine to identify key action and reframe the shot automatically.

Object Removal: You can use this to cover up moving objects in a scene – and there’s a Patch Removal option for static objects.

Optical Flow Speed Change: Uses an advanced retiming algorithm to slow down and extend the action in a sequence with frames “intelligently constructed” from existing visual data.

Track and Follow Objects: Follow objects and people in 3D space with masking for selective grading and effects.

That is just the tip of the iceberg. DaVinci Resolve 19 Studio is a major new release, so at this point you might be debating whether to upgrade. You don’t really need to worry, though, because your existing Resolve Studio license will still be valid.

If you’re not currently a Resolve user and you’re wondering if this is the right software for you, then there is a fully-featured free trial that will give you plenty of time to make your mind up.

DaVinci Resolve 19: Price and availability

DaVinci Resolve comes in two versions. DaVinci Resolve 19 is the free version, and is a full-powered video editor with no time limits or upgrade nagging. DaVinci Resolve Studio 19 is a more powerful version aimed at high-end studios and filmmakers. It sells for $295 / £235. Be aware, though, that many BlackMagic hardware products, such as its Pocket Cinema cameras, come with a Studio license included, so you may not have to pay at all. BlackMagic updates DaVinci Resolve regularly, but does not currently charge for updates.

DaVinci Resolve 19 vs Resolve Studio 19

Will the free version of DaVinci Resolve 19 be enough for you, or will you need the advanced tools in the paid-for Studio version. The first point to make is that the free version is not simply a cut-down version with extra features you can unlock. It’s a separate, fully-featured and very powerful professional video editing tool in its own right. The fact that it’s free really is quite remarkable. Nevertheless, there are things the Studio version does that the free version doesn’t, so here’s a brief run-down.

First, the free version is limited to 4K resolution and 60fps. This will be fine for many creators out there, but if you film in 6K open gate or 8K, you will need the Studio version, which go right up to 32K resolution (!) and 120p frame rates.

The free version offers pretty much all the video editing tools and effects you could ask for in a regular video editor, but the Studio version brings extremely powerful AI features such as UltraNR noise reduction, intelligent tracking, magic masking, music remixing and more. It’s a long, long list.

The Studio version is also better for resolution changes and horizontal/vertical crop options. It has a SuperScale feature to upscale 1080 video to 4K, for example, and a Smart Reframe feature that uses the software’s neural engine to crop and follow key objects.

You also get a new Film Look creator, whereas previously you might have needed a plug-in like Dehance. So while much of the increased power of Resolve Studio 19 is aimed at large production studios and multi-cam, multi-person setups, there’s still a lot for individual creators, filmmakers and smaller studios.

Perhaps the best approach is to start with the free version, see how you get on and then check the features in the Studio version to see if it’s worth swapping.

DaVinci Resolve 19: Interface and usability

Rating Davinci Resolve 19 for design and usability is difficult. It’s a bit like Photoshop, in that it’s designed for speed, efficiency and clarity for professional users. It’s not designed as an easy introduction to video editing for beginners.

For a start, it’s organized into seven different panels, or workspaces. There is some overlap between them, but each one focuses on a specific area of editing. First is the Media panel, where you organize your media into Bins, add new timelines and generally manage all the assets used in the project. Next is the descriptively named Cut panel, where you cut your clips and media together in your video timeline. The Edit panel is where you make detailed adjustments to the video and audio tracks, clip by clip, and after that you have the Fusion panel for special effects, the Color panel for in-depth color grading and Fairlight panel for detailed audio adjustments. Finally there’s the Deliver panel, where you choose your video output settings.

You may not use all these panels, you probably won’t use them in order but jump to and fro as needed, and you may certain workflows more intuitive for you.

That’s just a quick, simple tour. In fact, each panel offers huge depth of control, and there’s a lot to take in. There are some great tutorials online to get you started, but if you’re a new user you should still expect to spend a few hours getting up to speed, much of it absorbing the techniques and terminology of high-end video editing. 

If you’re coming here from Final Cut or Premiere Pro you’ll already know the principles and just need to adapt to a new environment. If you’re coming here from iMovie on the Mac, say, or any other basic video editor, then it’s going to take a little longer to gain any kind of fluency. But if you’re a first-time video editor looking for a free tool to get you started, then DaVinci Resolve will probably scare you to death.

DaVinci Resolve 19: Performance

Video editing is a hardware-intensive process, and the higher the resolution and frame rates you work at, the more processing power is required. This, and the fact that everyone’s hardware setup is different, makes it hard to measure performance. On my old 2017 iMac with 16GB RAM it ran well enough up to 4K resolution but wasn’t fast – it felt about as speedy as iMovie. On my newer Mac Studio with 32GB RAM and Apple Silicon it’s very fast. If you’re going to work at higher resolutions and frame rates, though, with a lot of real time FX and audio/video track mixing, you’ll probably need to look again at your hardware setup. 

DaVinci Resolve 19: Verdict

DaVinci Resolve is available as a free version which has much of the power of paid-for professional video editors, together with an efficient workflow and powerful audio and grading tools. But just because it’s free, it doesn’t mean it’s good for beginners. There is a great deal of excellent training material online, but new users will have a lot to learn and even users with some experience of other video editors will need time to adapt to Resolve’s way of working.

And then there’s DaVinci Resolve 19 Studio. This is a professional video editing powerhouse that packs in just about every AI enhancement and effects tool imaginable and is right at the cutting edge of video production. This is the version you’ll need if you want to edit 6K video, 8K and beyond. It does come with a fairly stiff one-off license fee – unless you buy a BlackMagic camera or certain other BlackMagic products, which include a free Resolve Studio license key.

For amateurs, and many professionals, DaVinci Resolve 19 is the best free video software you can get – if you can put in the time to learn it. And for those who need to go further, Resolve 19 Studio is the next logical step and one of the top three professional video editors on the market right now.

DaVinci Resolve 19: Alternatives

Movavi Video Editor 2024 is part of a suite of apps that include Movavi Screen Recorder, Movavi Video Converter, and Movavi Photo Editor. Movavi offers its apps via a similar model to the Adobe Creative Cloud in that you can subscribe to individual apps or pay more to bundle them together. For example, you can subscribe to Movavi Video Editor on its own or bolt on the Screen Recorder and Video Convertor apps for an additional subscription cost. 

But let's focus on Movavi Video Editor. Like Davinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Elements, Final Cut Pro, and iMovie – Movavi Video Editor 2024 is a non-linear editor (NLE) that enables you to pop your clips into a timeline, trim them to show the good bits and drag clips around to change the running order and tell a more coherent story. 

You can also use the app to add post-production ‘bells and whistles’ such as titles, animated overlay effects, and music to create slick video sequences with high production values.  On the spectrum of non-linear video editors, Movavi is an entry-level app like iMovie and Adobe Premiere Elements, but it boasts some extra AI-assisted tools up its sleeve such as the ability to remove a background without needing a green screen backdrop in the shot. This enables you to perform some fun composite sequences without having much non-linear editing experience.

Movavi: Requirements

Movavi: Interface and Usability

Movavi’s apps (such as Video Editor and Video Convertor) are accessed in the Movavi Suite App. This works like the Adobe Elements Organiser, enabling you to launch your desired photo or video editing app. During the trial period, you can use the Movavi Suite app to launch and explore Movavi Video Editor, Video Converter, and Screen Recorder. As with most NLE apps, project assets (such as clips) appear at the top left (alongside a column of icons that accesses other assets such as titles and transitions.) These assets can be dragged into the timeline that runs along the bottom of the workspace. Here you do the main work of trimming and re-ordering clips to tell a story and then add post-production polish with effects, title, and transitions. Your edited story takes shape in the viewer at the top right. 

Movavi’s interface has the standard black and dark grey backdrop favored by contemporary NLE apps, though its assets in the timeline are color-coded to make them easy to identify. For example, music tracks are green while video clips are blue, and they inhabit their own layered tracks in the timeline. If you’ve used any non-linear editor (NLE) before then you should be able to get up and running in Movavi Video Editor in a short time. 

Movavi Video Editor 2024 is packed with a generous collection of ‘free’ assets. I put inverted commas around ‘free’ because you do need to subscribe to use Movavi Video Editor 2024. For example, there are 693 free sound effects compared to iMovie’s 95. These sound effects are collected and accessed by convenient categories such as ‘Footsteps’ or ‘Horror and Suspense’, making it easier to find the audio asset that your project requires. 

The 58 free titles are also helpfully categorized. If you need to expand Movavi’s collection of titles or sound effects you can drag and drop assets that have a red crown icon on them. These extra assets require you to subscribe to an additional Effects Store Subscription. If you don’t subscribe to the Effects  Store then you can still export your video. 

However, video clips that feature assets that require an additional subscription will have a watermark graphic over them. Extra audio tracks that require an Effects Store subscription have an audio watermark (which repeats the word ‘Movavi’ at intervals), thereby rendering the audio clip useless (unless you subscribe to the Effects Store). However, there are ‘free’ 155 music tracks included in the basic annual Movavi Video Editor subscription so you should be able to find a suitable soundtrack without paying extra.

I must mention the fact that Movavi Video Editor’s graphics and stickers are slick and contemporary, so they will make your YouTube channel’s content look good. They are far better than Adobe Premiere Elements graphical assets which look more like old ‘clip art’.

You can drag multiple effects (such as Overlays and Filters) onto a single clip. These effects are easy to manage. By double-clicking on a clip you can assess the Clip Properties window (which is a bit like Final Cut Pro’s inspector). Here you can modify general properties such as Opacity or Blending modes or go to the Applied Effects panel to change a particular effect’s attributes. 

As a regular user of Final Cut Pro, I enjoy using keyboard shortcuts, such as tapping Cmd+B to cut/split a clip at the position of the playhead. I can also summon the Blade tool with the same shortcut and then click to make multiple cuts. This Cmd+B  keyboard shortcut performs the same way in Movavi Video Editor when it comes to splitting clips, making it an intuitive process for me to edit quickly in the app. 

One feature I didn’t like was when I clicked on a clip in the timeline and hit [Backspace] to delete the target clip, the consecutive timeline clips didn’t automatically slide to fill the gap. There may be a setting to make this happen but I haven’t found it as yet. That’s a small niggle though as in general I was able to bash out a couple of test edits very quickly and add effects, titles, and transitions with ease (see supporting video).  

Another niggle occurred when applying multiple effects to a clip. I added three effects to make an iPhone 15 Pro Max’s pristine HD clip look like retro analog film complete with scratches, cross-processed faded colors, and a vignetted edge. In Final Cut Pro (and even iMovie) I could copy the multiple effects from one clip and paste them onto another. In Movavi Video Editor I had to apply the effects to each clip one by one which slowed down my workflow unnecessarily.

Movavi: Performance

Like many apps these days Movavi Video Editor 2024 uses AI to make challenging tasks easier and faster to perform. You can pop a graphic on a layer above a video clip and then use AI-assisted motion tracking to make the graphical element follow the movement of a particular person in the clip. This is easy to implement (just draw a box around the subject) and it works effectively as you’ll see from our supporting video. 

Another area where AI proves effective is in removing a background. Traditionally you’d need to film a subject against a green screen and key out the green to make the background become transparent (and Movavi does have green screen compositing tools). However, with the AI Background Removal tool, you can remove the background in any clip. The results aren’t always as smooth as using chroma key tools, but for a quick social media composite this is a welcome feature - and I was impressed at how AI managed to select a subject’s wind-blown hair while removing unwanted background pixels. 

In the Audio panel, you can use AI-assisted Noise Reduction to reduce the distracting presence of background noise so that the subject’s voice sounds clearer.

When it comes to sharing Movavi makes it easy. Simply tap on the Export button and browse through a wide selection of destination devices such as specific widescreen TVs or smartphone models or upload directly to social media sites such as YouTube to TikTok. 

Movavi: Verdict

As an experienced video editor, I enjoyed using Movavi Video Editor 2024, though a novice should be able to get to grips with it quite quickly. The basic subscription supplies plenty of assets such as animated titles and captions that enable you to create eye-catching social media sequences with ease, though you do have to pay extra for additional effects to avoid watermarking. 

The AI-assisted features are welcome and fairly effective, especially the background removal tool and you can also use AI to track a graphic to a subject without worrying about manually creating keyframes. All in all Movavi Video Editor 2024 is a slickly designed feature-packed NLE that is more polished than the similar Adobe Premiere Elements 2024, though unlike Adobe’s app, Movavi Video Editor requires an annual subscription, which will make it cost you more in the long run. 

Blackmagic is a big player in the video industry, not least for its amazing Davinci Resolve software. But the company also produces editing controllers and high-end video monitors/recorders, including the Blackmagic Video Assist 7 12G HDR. 

I've been sitting on the fence about whether or not I need a video monitor, but after using the Video Assist 7 12G HDR I can see some huge benefits for myself and anyone who shoots a lot of video. So, aside from the generous size of the screen and the features, which we'll discuss later, one of the Video Assist 7 12G HDR's key features is its ability to capture 4K Raw codecs at up to 60fps, aiming it squarely at professional users rather than enthusiasts, with a price that confirms this.

I can confidently say that it's one of the best on-camera monitors, and this professional-level monitor with Raw recording and its size, make it most suitable for studio work and location work where a team of people needs to view the action. As opposed to individuals taking a more run-and-gun approach to video work. 

You could attach this monitor to a hotshoe attachment, but this may put stress on the camera due to the weight. Plus, additional weight when one or two batteries are attached, but it would work perfectly well attached to a camera cage, a magic arm attached to the tripod, or on a separate tripod.

Blackmagic Video Assist 7 12G HDR: Specifications

Blackmagic Video Assist 7 12G HDR: Price

The Blackmagic Video Assist 7 12G HDR has been around for four years now, but it's still going strong and, as you'd expect, the price has reduced slightly since launch. It's still a professionally priced monitor at $795 / £759, but that's not too bad when you consider that it can record 4K Raw footage. 

What's more, it's not a great deal more expensive than smaller comparable monitors, which makes it pretty good value for money given the size and features of the monitor. The Video Assist 7in 12G HDR is available from multiple photo and video retailers, as well as online retailers including Amazon.

In the kit you get a USB battery charger and a 12v wall adaptor, but no batteries or mounting devices, so you'll have to supply these yourself. This probably won’t be an issue for most professionals, but a magic arm or mini tripod would be a nice inclusion that would also be useful.

Blackmagic Video Assist 7 12G HDR: Design & Handling

Blackmagic Video Assist monitors pretty much all look the same, with the main difference being the sizes of the 5-inch and 7-inch models, whereas the smaller monitors have fewer slots and connections. The Video Assist 7 12G HDR is quite a beast at 193x356x37mm / 7.6x5.14x1.45 inches and weighs in at 835g / 29.5oz without any batteries. Add one or two batteries on the back and the size and weight naturally increases further.

The batteries are hot-swappable so you can keep shooting without downtime, but you will need plenty of spare NP-F570 batteries to shoot all day. If you’re shooting indoors, however, you can use the included 12v adaptor for power. So, while this isn’t the most portable of monitors when compared to Blackmagic's 5-inch models, the ability to use batteries remains a necessity for times when a power source isn’t available.

The screen itself is luxuriously large and bright with a maximum brightness of 2500nits, which makes it possible to use the monitor in bright conditions. The screen resolution is 1920x1200px, despite the 4K recording resolution, but this doesn’t cause any issues in use and the screen is, forgive my enthusiasm, an absolute joy to use and nice and sharp to boot. But despite its bright and sharp screen, a monitor hood would, however, still be useful for reducing glare.

The touchscreen is also perfectly responsive and alongside the intuitive user interface, it's incredibly comfortable and easy to use despite being a high-end professional accessory. This, it has to be said is an accomplishment on the part of Blackmagic, and means that anyone who understands video settings can use it out of the box without worrying about instructions – it's that easy to use.

There are plenty of connections and ports including HDMI and SDI inputs and outputs, two balanced mini XLR connectors with phantom power if you'd prefer not to record sound through the camera, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB-C port. With the latter, you can also connect an SSD to take advantage of higher storage capacity, but there's no mounting option for hard drives on the monitor.

Blackmagic Video Assist 7 12G HDR: Performance

The Video Assist 7 12G HDR can record HD and 4K DCI up to 60fps in 10-bit broadcast quality footage. Raw codecs include 4:2:2 ProRes and DNxHD, and with a selection of cameras listed on the Blackmagic website, Blackmagic Raw can also be recorded. Plus, as HDR in the name suggests, HDR10 and Hybrid Log Gamma are supported. You can also use the monitor purely as a monitor by recording from your camera directly, but this ultimately defeats the purpose of buying it.

The screen provides all the information you need with several options for features such as guides to be shown on-screen. Scopes are available to assist with exposure and focus, and exposure scopes can be viewed in isolation, overlaid on the record screen, or with a small box of the camera view over the scopes. These make it incredibly quick, easy, and comfortable to focus, adjust exposure, and monitor exposure, thus increasing precision and working speed.

A useful feature that some will love and others will be indifferent about is the ability to apply LUTs to your footage. LUTs can be imported into the monitor using the Blackmagic Video Assist Setup software on your computer. Once installed, they can be applied to the on-screen image to give you an idea of how color-graded footage will look or hard-coded into footage when shooting with the Blackmagic Raw codec. But remember, to use this codec you must be using a supported camera.

I had the screen initially set to capture in Blackmagic Raw and since my camera isn’t supported, I was faced with a black screen and a small message informing me of an incompatible codec. But once I'd changed over to DNxHD the on-screen image roared into life and I was able to begin shooting. 

Blackmagic Video Assist 7 12G HDR: Verdict

It's often said that size doesn’t matter, but the sharp and bright 7-inch touchscreen on the Blackmagic Video Assist 7 12G HDR is an absolute joy to use. With such a large and clear on-screen with up to a whopping 2500nits of brightness, the prospect of going back to the average 3-inch camera screen quickly becomes something of a nightmare.

Beyond the excellent and easy-to-use user interface, the scopes for assessing exposure and focusing make precision incredibly easy to achieve. Then there's up to 4K 60fps broadcast quality Raw footage that can be recorded with LUTs overlaid or hard-coded into Blackmagic Raw. There's so much to like here, but in all honesty, it won't be for everyone.

A 7-inch monitor like this is large and heavy on top of lenses, a camera cage, and all of the other accessories you may have attached to your camera. So, if this is too much for you, there is a 5-inch version – the Blackmagic Video Assist 5 12G HDR – that's perfect for run-and-gun handheld shooting, where size and weight are often an important consideration. 

Alternatives

Apple announced a lot of software developments yesterday during the WWDC 2024, keynote which was introduced by Apple CEO Tim Cook. Apple developers (and fans) were shown briefly a new immersive cine camera in development from Blackmagic Design – the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera while Apple alluded to the idea of 3D content available through Vision OS for the Vision Pro augmented reality headset.

Since the conference, renowned cinema camera manufacturer Blackmagic Design has officially announced not just the world’s first commercial camera system designed to capture Apple Immersive Video, but an entire end-to-end workflow including updates to DaVinci Resolve which will introduce a new way to consume cinema.

Blackmagic Design CEO Grant Petty says, "We are thrilled to announce the first-ever commercial camera system and post-production software that supports Apple Immersive Video, giving professional filmmakers the tools to create remarkable stories with this powerful new format pioneered by Apple."

He continues, "Built on the new URSA Cine platform, URSA Cine Immersive features a fixed, custom, stereoscopic 3D lens system with dual 8K image sensors that can capture 16 stops of dynamic range. With this innovative system, filmmakers can record remarkable moments like action-packed scenes, unique perspectives, stunning landscapes, intimate performances, and more, all with incredible fidelity, offering viewers an unparalleled sense of realism and immersion."

Although still in development, Blackmagic has released some jaw-dropping camera specifications that place the viewer in the middle of the action. 

The Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera features a fixed dual custom lens system for shooting Apple Immersive Video for Apple Vision Pro, that comes preinstalled on the camera body. The lens and camera combination enables the user to capture an 8K stereoscopic 3D immersive image, with a resolution of 8160 x 7200 per eye.

The custom lens is specifically designed for Blackmagic's URSA Cine’s large format image sensor, capturing extremely accurate positional data. The immersive lens data is captured, mapped, calibrated, and stored per eye before being saved as a Blackmagic RAW file.

The new immersive camera looks aesthetically incredible, with its bug-like lens reminiscent of something straight out of a sci-fi movie, however, Blackmagic has well and truly removed the "fi". The body is made from a 'robust magnesium alloy chassis and lightweight carbon fiber polycarbonate composite skin', providing the user with a well-balanced and lightweight shooting experience.

The astonishing camera body design continues it includes a large fold-out 5-inch HDR touchscreen monitor on one side, and an external color status LCD on the other. On the other side of the camera features a 'dedicated assist station' with another 5-inch HDR touchscreen enabling crew to work around the camera and removing the necessity of external monitors. 

The camera offers state-of-the-art cinematic technology with other notable features including a massive 16 stops of dynamic range, generation 5 color science with new film curve, 90 fps capture, Blackmagic Media Module 8TB for recording, and Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and mobile data network connections.

History has shown that a sticking point in capturing immersive video is the post-production and editing software, but as Blackmagic Design owns one of the leading video editing software on the market, DaVinci Resolve will undergo an overhaul to accommodate. 

The update will introduce powerful new editing features enabling users to edit Apple Immersive Video that has been shot on the URSA Cine Immersive camera. 

Blackmagic states, "A new immersive video viewer will let editors pan, tilt, and roll clips for viewing on 2D monitors or on Apple Vision Pro for an even more immersive editing experience. Transitions rendered by Apple Vision Pro will also be able to be bypassed using FCP XML metadata, giving editors clean master files. Export presets will enable quick output into a package which can be viewed directly on Apple Vision Pro".

We do not currently have a release date or price for either the camera or the update to DaVinci Resolve, however, we can expect them to be released 'later this year'. 

For decades we have been told that immersive cinema is the future with 3D cinema seeming to have passed as soon as it arrived, however, this feels a bit different. This places the viewer in the middle of the action, providing a completely immersive and personal view, and with industry-leading manufacturers such as Blackmagic, Apple, and Canon developing tech for it, it may just change the future of consuming video content.

You may also be interested in our guides to the best cinema cameras, the best cinema lenses, and the best video editing software.

I have to confess that I have no problems using software interfaces for making adjustments when editing photos and videos, but I may have been swayed by the Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Micro Color Panel. This is a color grading control panel designed for use with DaVinci Resolve video editing software that can be used with both computers and iPads.

In reality, I don’t spend enough time color-grading videos to justify the investment in this slick, tactile, and ultimately time-saving device. But if you spend a lot of your time doing just that, the Micro Color Panel could be a game-changer for your workflow. Plus, the compact size, internal battery, Bluetooth connectivity, and an iPad slot mean that not only is it highly portable, but it can also be used on the go, practically anywhere.

This could be incredibly useful for content creators because work can be completed on location with an iPad and quickly and easily uploaded to social media or a client for proofing. For professional video editors and colorists, it’s undoubtedly a comfortable and precise input device that’s equally at home connected to a desktop or laptop.

It’s fair to say that given the cost of the Micro Color Panel, it’s not going to be a cost-effective option for casual video editors. Of course, you could still buy one and you would no doubt be happy with yet another high-quality product from Blackmagic Design that makes adjustments incredibly precise and, indeed comfortable. But at $509 / £498 with no copy of DaVinci Resolve Studio included, it’s arguably aimed more at professional users who already own a software license. Although, it can also be used with the free version of the software which provides access to professional color grading controls available in the full version.

Blackmagic Micro Color Panel: Specifications

Blackmagic Micro Color Panel: Price

The DaVinci Resolve Micro Color Panel is a specialist device designed to provide tactile control within DaVinci Resolve’s Color Page. So, in a nutshell, it’s just for color grading and image adjustments. It’s quite expensive at $509 / £498, although it is less expensive than the more advanced, larger and heavier DaVinci Resolve Mini Color Panel. 

The Micro Color Panel is, however, more expensive than products such as Loupedeck and TourBox controllers that can be used with a variety of photo and video editing software. But where the Micro Color Panel lacks this multi-software versatility, it makes up for it in the fact that it’s designed for one job and does it extremely well. 

A point to consider is that where many Blackmagic Design controllers come bundled with a copy of Davinci Resolve Studio, ultimately reducing the cost if you don’t already have the full version of the software, the Micro Color Panel doesn’t come with a software license.

Blackmagic Micro Color Panel: Design & Handling

There’s no getting away from the fact that Blackmagic Design manufactures high-quality products, and the Micro Color panel is no exception. The black finish looks great, albeit a dust magnet. The trackballs, wheels, and dials have a pleasing amount of resistance that adds to the tactility of the device, while the backlit labeled buttons have a positive feel when pressed. Plus, rubber pads on the bottom help to avoid slipping when used on a desk.

The backlighting is fantastic overall because colorists and editors often work in dimly lit rooms, so this naturally makes it easier for you to see what’s what. Unfortunately, the dial labels aren’t backlit and this would be extremely useful because when the buttons are backlit the labels appear extremely dull in comparison. It’s certainly not a dealbreaker, but it would undoubtedly be better if they were backlit.

The setup of the Micro Color Panel is as simple as could be, so you don’t have to be a computer expert to get yourself up and running. The instructions suggest that you can simply connect the device and that DaVinci Resolve will recognize it, which it does. But to make it work with the software I discovered that I had to select it as the Color Panel to be used in the software preferences. 

It’s not a difficult task, and once this is done the Micro Color Panel can be connected via USB-C or Bluetooth. Although it needs to be charged for the latter so you will initially and occasionally have to use it plugged into your computer, or at least charged directly with a USB-C charger. The internal battery, alongside the iPad slot, also allow for the Micro Color Panel to be used on the go, and it can even be charged by the iPad although this has obvious consequences.

Compatibility of the device is for DaVinci resolve version 12.5 and above, so it goes back quite a long way since the current stable version is 18.6.6 and the final release of version 19 is imminent at the time of writing. In terms of operating systems, the Micro Color Panel is compatible with Mac 14.3 and above, Windows 11, and Rocky Linux 8.6. I connected it to computers running Windows 11 and 10 via Bluetooth and had no issues with the latter despite Windows 10 not being officially supported.

Blackmagic Micro Color Panel: Performance

The Quick Start guide that comes with the Micro Color Panel is extremely useful and is clearly laid out so that you can learn what all of the controls are for if you’re unfamiliar with them. It’s essential reading anyway because some buttons have toggle operations – they change what a specific control adjusts – so knowing this will ultimately improve the effectiveness of the device.

The Micro Color Panel at its most fundamental level simply takes the on-screen user interface controls of the Color Page and puts them in your hands. Can you get by without one? Definitely, but there’s no denying that it makes adjusting these controls quicker, easier, and more precise. It would be difficult to justify the expense as a casual user, but for people who spend a lot of time color grading, it would be a worthwhile investment.

I didn’t test the device with an iPad neatly tucked into the iPad slot/holder. However, it’s obvious that using the two in combination would provide a vastly improved user experience than touching the screen to adjust settings; adding precision and also providing a more comfortable working position with the Micro Color Panel positioned on a desk or your lap.

One feature that I found extremely useful concerning the dials is that as well as twisting them to make adjustments, pushing down the dials resets the relevant adjustments. It’s just a small thing, but it helps to reduce the reliance on using a mouse or touching the iPad screen to reset if you’re unhappy with any of the dial-based adjustments you’ve made and would like to start again.

I could list all of the controls available, but that’s not going to explain much and would end up being a boring list. But some of the highlights include Y Lift, Y Gamma, and Y Gain for controlling the luminance of the three main tonal ranges, Contrast and Pivot to control contrast and the balance of how contrast is applied, the three trackballs and surrounding wheels, and much more.

Blackmagic Micro Color Panel: Verdict

The Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Micro Color Panel is an excellent tool for professionals or those who often color grade their video footage and require tactile precision. It’s highly portable – small and light enough to carry around in a backpack – and can be used at a desk with a computer or an iPad, but at $509 / £498 it may be less expensive than the more advanced Mini Color Panel, but it’s still a pricey piece of kit.

That said, it is a pleasure to use and it certainly makes color grading video a more comfortable experience and ultimately faster. The default sensitivity of the trackballs, wheels, and dials is perfect being not so sensitive that adjustments go off the charts, but sensitivity can be customized if you wish. There is a small learning curve to understand all of the controls, and over time this naturally becomes second nature. But there’s no getting away from the fact that the Micro Color Panel is a specialist professional device rather than a consumer product for occasional video editors/colorists.

Alternatives

Blackmagic Design is announcing its new line-up of products for ahead of the NAB trade show - and we are here to report on what the Australian professional video gear specialists have in store. You can watch the whole presentation, which lasted over two hours, on the YouTube link below.

Key announcements were:

• A new flagship cinema camera - the Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K. This has been built from the ground up with a new full-frame sensor offering 16-stops of dynamic range, and offers much more adaptability than has been possible with previous Ursa model. It uses an Arri PL mount - but ships with a Canon EF mount if that's what you prefer. It has 8 terabytes built-in as standards. It will cost $14,995.

• A new box camera - the Blackmagic PYXIS 6K. An interesting thing about this full-frame cine camera is that it is available with three different lens mounts - L-mount, Canon EF mount, or the industry-standard PL mount. It has dual CFexpress Type B card slots, and can record in Blackmagic RAW. It will cost $2,995, including DaVinci Resolve 19.

• Major updates to the DaVinci Resolve 19 video-editing software. A summary of the main ones is:

• Ability to edit timeline content based on source clip transcription.
• AI-powered UltraNR noise reduction for spatial denoising
• Film Look Creator 
• AI Defocus Background isolates foreground with blur
  

Also , dropped in almost as an aside in the 20 new hardware products announcements, Grant Petty told us that they are working on the Blackmagic URSA Cine 17K - which will have a massive 65mm sensor with 17,520x8,040 pixels designed for shooting IMAX. The camera would use the larger LPL and Hasselblad lens mounts.

The live stream of the press conference started for those in Los Angeles at 9 AM PDT, in New York at 12 PM EDT, in London at 5 PM BST on April 12 – and in Sydney at 2 AM AEST on April 13.

The NAB 2024 exhibition kicks off in Las Vegas this weekend - running from April 13-17 -  and as usual we expect Blackmagic Design to bring us a range of product announcements. In its teaser, it says, "Join us to learn what's new in broadcast, post-production, and cameras!". 

Blackmagic is highly secretive, and unlike most other camera manufacturers, new products rarely leak ahead of its online press conferences—and as such, we don't really know what we have in store. But let's hope for new additions to its Ursa and Pocket Cinema Camera ranges and to its highly regarded video editing software, DaVinci Resolve.

Last year, the company announced its first full-frame L-mount camera the Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K - and as a member of the L-mount Alliance, it will be interesting if it launches more camera using this lens mount that it also used by Panasonic, Leica and Sigma for some of its cameras.

Are you all set for the Blackmagic announcements - the music is playing, and the YouTube link (above) is now live…

Sadly, Blackmagic has disable comments on the YouTube page - so we can't report on what everyone is wanting to see. However, over 2,500 viewers are currently online, and that is going up as we type...

And we are off… with a rundown of some of the movies Blackmagic gear has been involved with. So great films there…

Some big camera news! So that will be the highlight - as we had hoped... But that will doubtlessly come at the end of the video, so stay patient

First up a new VideoHub router using 12G SDI
$12,995
Shipping in about five weeks

Next up...
ATEM 2 M/E Constellation 4K - adds an Ultra HD model to Blackmagic's range of video production switchers.
$3,795

Next…
ATEM 1 M/E Constellation 4K
Another switcher - for HD and Ultra HD
$1,795 and available now

New low-cost studio switcher is up next for desktop use with software control…
ATEM Micro Panel
$675
Available in July

Blackmagic says it want SMPE 2110 to be available to more people...
so has come up with a new codec Blackmagic IP10 Codec to make it easier for use

But also has a family of converters so that you can bring 2110 into your workflow

Now a studio monitor with 2110 compatibility, for use in rack systems.
$1265 - same price as previous model, coming in next few weeks

Next some news on DaVinci Resolve 19

AI tools
There's a really neat audio editing feature where the speech is captured as text, and then you can edit the video by simply removing that section of dialogue

7 channel color mixing
Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Skintone - each color can be adjusted individually

New film look creator panel

A defocus background feature uses AI to throw things in the distance out of focus

AI Music Remixer allows you to change music to mke it fit your video better - turning a song into an instrumental 

Another neat effect is being demonstrated that makes it easier to pan the audio across the sound field to match the action.

New features in the Cut page - allowing it to catch up with advances Blackmagic has made to live video capture that are made possible with Blackmagic Cloud. This work was apparently slowed down by having to rewrite DaVinci to allow for Apple's M1, M2, and M3 chips.

DaVinci Resolve Replay Editor
costs $495
New live video editing console for DaVinci, offering improvements over the existing Speed Editor

Allows you to synchronize two videos you are using using the timecode, putting them in the right relative position on the editing timeline

We are an hour into the presentation now - and we are still expecting a big camera announcement (in fact, that's what we have been promised). 

Lots of new DaVinci Resolve 19 updates - all available for free, which is pretty good news

At last the cameras…

First, we get the Ursa Cine 12.
This is an money-no-object version of the existing Ursa Mini Pro 12K - but with a totally redesigned body to make it more suitable to high-end movie makers, who need a fully-modifiable set-up.

Most importantly, it has a newly designed - and bigger - 12K full-frame sensor.

It has a PL-mount as standard, but comes supplied with a Canon EF-mount plate.

This is a serious beast - and apologetically they say that its price is to match. But for what we can see, we think the $14,995 asking price is pretty reasonable - and comes supplied in a Peli case. It will be available from April - but only to selected partners, so not expect to see it available online for a while. 

A kit with the new electronic viewfinder (one of a number of accessories that are being made for this camera) will cost $16,500.

Next it is more portable models, and it is a box camera

The PYXIS 6k camera has a full-frame open-gate. sensor, with a 13-stop dynamic range. Made from aircraft-grade aluminum. Records to two hot-swappable CFexpress Type B memory cards. 

The asking price starts at $2,995. There are three different models - L-mount, EF-mount or (the more expensive) PL-mount. It will go on sale from June.

Next, we get the DaVinci Resolve Micro Color Panel with three trackballs that can connect to your computer via Bluetooth, and has a slot to hold an iPad, if you are editing on a tablet. It costs $495 and is available now.

And now we get the news that Blackmagic gets an immediate $200 dollar price reduction on both the 3G and 12G Blackmagic Video Assist lineup. So that makes the 5inch 3G model just $325 - which is pretty impressive for a on-camera monitor.

DaVinci Resolve 18.6  is a free nonlinear editing (NLE) app from Blackmagic Design, which also manufactures a comprehensive range of high-end digital video cameras for filmmakers. NLE apps enable you to swap the running order of a program’s clips by dragging and dropping them around in a timeline in a non-linear fashion, compared to the original (and much slower) method of copying clips from a tape player to a tape recorder in a linear video editing suite.

Blackmagic Design also makes other hardware devices such as the DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor which is a console that lets you perform a host of video editing operations using tactile knobs and buttons.

In many ways DaVinci Resolve 18.6  looks and behaves like professional NLE apps such as Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere, despite the fact that it’s free to download and use. If you pay to upgrade the free DaVinci Resolve 18.6 to DaVinci Resolve Studio 18 then you’ll find tools that Final Cut Pro lacks (such as advanced HDR grading and voice isolation tools). This review focuses on the free DaVinci Resolve 18.6 app, but we’ll touch on some of the more advanced features of the paid-for version below.

DaVinci Resolve Studio

The free version of DaVinci Resolve 18.6 includes the same high-quality processing as the paid-for DaVinci Resolve 18.6 Studio and can handle unlimited-resolution media files. However, it does limit project mastering and output to Ultra HD resolutions or lower. 

DaVinci Resolve 18.6 only supports a single processing GPU on Windows and Linux and 2 GPUs on the latest Mac Pro. If you need features such as support for multiple GPUs, 4K output, motion blur effects, temporal and spatial noise reduction, multiple AI-based tools, HDR tools, camera tracker, voice isolation, multiple Resolve FX, 3D stereoscopic tools, and remote rendering, then you’ll need to upgrade to DaVinci Resolve 18.6 Studio. 

For more check out our full review of DaVinci Resolve Studio 18.

Specifications

Price

DaVinci Resolve 18.6 is available to download for free! You can find the download link on Blackmagic's website. 

However, if you want to unlock all the full features of the software, you can upgrade it to DaVinci Resolve Studio for $295 / £245.

Interface and Usability

Calling DaVinci Resolve a non-linear editing app is like calling James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 a ‘car’. DaVinci Resolve does so much more than simply enable you to edit and trim clips as we’ll explain. 

Anyone familiar with NLE apps should be able to get up and running quickly in DaVinci Resolve’s workspace. The app lets you take baby steps on the basic Cut page. Here you can drag and drop imported clips from a bin into a classic timeline and then drag them around to re-arrange the running order in true non-linear fashion, before trimming them. This helps you quickly create a rough edit. 

The Edit page gives you a more sophisticated timeline where you can combine (and composite) video and audio in layers and watch your narrative take shape in a classic main viewer.  Here you can perform keys and add masks to your layered content.

To grade your clips’ colors and tones click on the Color icon. Here’s where you’ll find the type of color grading tools that you’d expect to see in a paid-for app such as Final Cut Pro, including a histogram that gives you a clearer view of the spread of tones in a clip and a vectorscope that helps you produce faithfully rendered skin tones.  DaVinci Resolve started out as a color grading app (adding editing tools as the app evolved), so unsurprisingly its grading tools are second to none. 

The Fusion page gives you motion graphic tools to enhance your tightly edited and beautifully graded footage and the Fairlight page gives you access to a comprehensive collection of post-production audio tools. It may help to compare DaVinci Resolve’s various pages to Lightroom Classic’s modules, as each page gives you access to a different suite of tools so that you can focus on the task at hand.

Performance

I’ve used NLE apps since they were invented in the 1990s (having learned to edit on linear tape-to-tape edit suits back in the 80s), but my ‘go-to’ app for professional work is Final Cut Pro. 

I found it fairly easy to get up and running in DaVinci Resolve 18.6 when it came to importing and editing, though as it was a new app I had to adapt to DaVinci’s differences. One gripe I had was when swapping the order of clips in the main Edit page. When I dragged a clip from the end of the timeline and placed it between two other clips it would over-write sections of the clips (instead of moving them apart to accommodate the new clip). After some googling, I learned that I could employ a keyboard shortcut when I dragged and dropped a clip to avoid overwriting the others, but this made the app less intuitive to use than when editing in Final Cut Pro. 

However, when using the more basic Cut page moving clips around in the timeline behaved the way I was used to, with clips sliding aside to let new clips into the timeline (with no overwriting.)

The Color page features a wide range of ways to enhance a clip’s colors and tones. It had no trouble taking the desaturated and flat-toned log color clips from my iPhone 15 Pro Max and giving them more vibrant colors and a richer range of tonal detail with a click on the Auto Color command. Creative grading is catered for too - by using Curves I was able to sample a blue sky and then change the hue from blue to a cinematic cyan just by dragging a point on the curve (just as I could in Final Cut Pro). 

A key difference to Final Cut Pro is DaVinci’s use of Nodes. Nodes enable you to apply an effect (or mask) to a particulate clip (in a similar way to applying an adjustment layer to an image layer in Photoshop). You can then unplug and rewire nodes to change their effect on the clip in a very organic way. I found this new way of working was a steep learning curve to climb but this extra level of control is worth mastering. Check out my supporting video to see Nodes in action. I created a mask to brighten a light in a clip, adjusted its blending mode, and made it track the light as the camera moved.

One tool that made me seriously think about defecting from Final Cut Pro was DaVinci Resolve’s ability to use AI to listen to the content of my timeline and then transcribe it as text. This proved a much faster way to create captions and subtitles than having to play a clip and then type out the dialogue by hand. I used to earn quite a lot charging clients to manually transcribe subtitles over a period of days but those days are over! 

Verdict

If you use entry-level apps such as iMovie and want to develop your skills as a non-linear video editor, then DaVinci Resolve 18 is well worth a look, though you’ll need to climb a fairly steep learning curve to grasp its suite of tools (especially in relation to color grading). 

If you’re a more experienced Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro user then DaVinci Resolve definitely deserves your time and attention, and exploring its tools may act as a springboard to motivate you to license the outstanding suite of AI-assisted tools in DaVinci Resolve Studio. 

Whatever your experience as a video editor you have nothing to lose but time when you explore what DaVinci Resolve 18 has to offer (and potentially much more to gain when it comes to producing cinematic-looking footage).

Alternatives

Every year, it feels as though we hear about some development in the world of technology that will ‘change photography or film-making forever’, whether it’s some fancy new phone with a 100MP+ camera sensor or a mirrorless camera with ‘all the Ks’-resolution video. Yet you may have noticed that, for the most part, the practical process of pointing your camera at your subject, pressing the shutter or record button and then editing the content at your computer hasn’t changed all that much.

However, one technological advancement that solves some key challenges has been yielding some positive results. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “The cloud isn’t new.” You’re right, it isn’t. Even File Transfer Protocol (FTP) on cameras, which gave photographers the ability to connect their cameras to the internet via a gigabit Ethernet connection, has been on cameras for over a decade. (It was the Canon EOS 1D-X that first introduced this capability when it was announced in 2011.) Before Ethernet ports on professional cameras, we had to rely on adapters or laptops with wireless dongles when working in the field – or hand our cards and hard drives to couriers to deliver content to picture desks and editors, just as we had to do with film.

Having an internet connection changed the workflows of professional photographers, and has continued to do so as the connection transitioned into the age of wireless functionality. But while uploading and editing still images via the cloud and social media has largely been solved, similar functionality for video has lagged behind. Using camera sync apps can be a frustrating affair, whichever brand of camera you use, so my hopes for improvements in the realm of video creation through an app have never been high.

However, while I was attending this year’s International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam, I was introduced to Blackmagic Camera. Among the many exciting and fascinating pieces of kit on show, this new development could be a sign of a positive change to the current situation.

Blackmagic Camera isn’t actually a camera: it’s an app, created by Blackmagic Design, the company behind video editing software Davinci Resolve and some of the most innovative video-focused cameras on the market. The app isn’t designed to simply pair with your camera and give you wireless control, instead, it essentially turns the latest iPhones, including the recently released iPhone 15, into a Blackmagic camera. 

Blackmagic Camera opens up an intuitive and approachable user interface, similar to that deployed by the company’s cine cameras. You get the benefit of video assist tools, such as zebra settings, focus assist, professional audio options and, of course, you can add your own 3D LUTs. It gives you total control over key camera settings, including lens choice, frame rate, shutter angle, ISO and white balance. 

With the app, you can also take advantage of a new cloud storage and editing workflow that can upload up to 4K 10-bit Apple ProRes files captured with the iPhone directly to the editing platform, Davinci Resolve. From there, an editor can begin working on your content, anywhere in the world, as long as you both have a decent internet connection.

We’ve seen several apps over the years that unlock extra functionality in smartphones, such as VSCO Cam, but Blackmagic Camera is the most effective iteration of this approach I’ve seen to date. Because it’s from a major brand that is firmly established in the film industry, it feels like a definite sign of things to come – and an exciting new direction for camera applications and camera control in the coming months.

Read more of Jon Devo's Scanning Ahead blogs

Read more:

• The best Blackmagic cameras
• Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve Studio 18 review
• The best video editing software

When you think of video editing, the last thing you might consider is a keyboard designed specifically for this purpose. But, that’s exactly what the Blackmagic Davinci Resolve Editor Keyboard is. If you’ve ever seen the Davinci Resolve Speed Editor, it’s a little like that but with a full QWERTY keyboard and many more controls, functions, and labeled keyboard shortcuts alongside a jog wheel and is aimed at professional users.

This is essentially the clue as to whether or not you need one, coupled with the overall cost of the keyboard, which isn’t cheap. The Editor Keyboard costs $580 / £570 but also includes a license for Davinci Resolve Studio 18, which costs $295 / £284 alone. So, if you don’t already own a license, this essentially puts the cost of the keyboard at $285 / £286, which is still expensive, but it will provide a much faster and more tactile editing experience than using a standard keyboard and mouse.

With so much functionality packed into it, alongside the steep learning curve associated with Davinci Resolve Studio 18, you’re only going to get the most out of a device like this if you’re fairly proficient with the software. For casual video editors, your money could be better spent elsewhere or saved for when you’re ready for such a specialist upgrade. But if you’re a professional video editor working all day every day, the Editor Keyboard is an investment worth considering.

Why do you need an editing keyboard?

Blackmagic calls the Editor Keyboard the ‘world's best DaVinci keyboard’ which is a claim you’d expect. But as the makers of Davinci Resolve Studio software, the keyboard does indeed integrate perfectly with the software to provide an efficient approach to video editing thanks to dedicated control keys, labeled keyboard shortcuts, and the multi-function jog wheel. It’s much more than just a basic video editing keyboard with shortcuts simply labeled on the keys.

For video editing, the Editor Keyboard has everything you need including a full QWERTY keyboard. This features a revised layout where Blackmagic used feedback from professional editors to help produce the most efficient layout. It’s undoubtedly a specialist device with a cost and functionality that make it much more than most people would ever need. But if you’re a professional video editor using Davinci Resolve, there’s no question that it will improve your editing efficiency thanks to the QWERTY keyboard and the tactile controls.

The jog, which Blackmagic refers to as the ‘search dial’, can be set to function in different ways using the Shuttle, Jog and Scroll keys, as well as controlling other useful functions when used with certain function keys. The controls available on the whole allow you to perform tasks including trimming, cutting, adding and adjusting transitions, adding and removing effects, moving clips into position and much more. Trimming can even be applied using either the jog wheel or the keyboard itself. Plus, the jog wheel features a clutch so you can set playback forward or backward through the timeline at different speeds in Shuttle mode.

Other useful features include the ability to sort clips by time, camera, duration or name using the sorting keys, there's a keypad for entering edit points and durations numerically and a viewer button on the revised layout changes to full-screen mode. These features are just the tip of the iceberg, with the exact features and functionality required by individuals naturally always varying, but the Editor Keyboard will have most if not everything you need. One of the obvious aims of the keyboard is to provide instant access to key controls with smooth and intuitive handling, which it achieves. 

DaVinci Resolve Keyboard: Design & Handling

The Editor Keyboard is extremely well made and has an undeniable look and feel of quality about it, although the design is certainly functional rather than gimmicky. But that’s not a bad thing because it’s a serious professional tool rather than a garish LED-infused gaming keyboard, for instance. The top plate of the keyboard is metal and there’s a black plastic palm rest for added comfort at the bottom. On the back, there’s a USB-C connection to attach the keyboard to a computer, alongside two USB-A connections for attaching a mouse and/or other USB accessories. The keyboard can be used on a desktop or inset into a console, with a lip around the top edge to allow for the latter.

All in all, at a distance, it looks a little like a subdued gaming keyboard but with keys grouped in colors to denote keyboard shortcuts and functions alongside a jog wheel on the right. It’s quite large and heavy at 23x8.77x2.1 inches / 584x223x53mm with a weight of 5.07lbs / 2.3kg, so it’s longer and much heavier than my Steel Series gaming keyboard, which certainly isn’t small. It’s the length that’s most noticeable and it will undoubtedly encroach on mouse space, but the idea of the keyboard is, in part, to reduce the reliance on mouse use during editing to speed up the process so this shouldn’t be a problem.

The mechanical keys can’t be faulted in terms of operation and are comfortable to use in an editing context. But the QWERTY keys do feel small and cramped for typing, so it’s not the most comfortable option for everyday typing tasks. The keys are useful for typing titles and any other typing tasks within Davinci Resolve, plus the clearly labelled keyboard shortcuts on each key are incredibly useful whether you know Davinci Resolve inside out or you’re learning how to use it. The shortcuts make a huge difference when editing and greatly increase editing speed and efficiency before you even consider the dedicated function buttons and the jog wheel. 

The jog wheel itself is comfortable and easy to use with smooth operation and a weighty feel that gives it presence during use. The resistance is perfect, allowing you to scrub through footage with precision, or to spin it faster to get through clips at speed using one of the three available modes that change the way it interacts with the timeline. As previously mentioned, it’s a high-quality keyboard and performs its functions incredibly well.

DaVinci Resolve Keyboard: Performance

The color-coded shortcuts on the keys make accessing these shortcuts quick and easy with no reliance on knowledge and memory. These are alongside dedicated function keys to the left of the keyboard, functions on the F keys, and the jog wheel and its control keys which are comfortably positioned on the right. Perhaps not so comfortable for lefthanded video editors, but it’s the most logical position considering how keyboards and similar editing controllers are laid out.

Overall, this makes the Editor Keyboard, alongside the fact that it’s designed for use with Davinci Resolve, a specialist keyboard that’s geared almost wholly towards video editing. It’s an even more efficient tool than the Davinci Resolve Speed Editor, which is great but lacks the keyboard and shortcut element and is geared more towards integration with an existing keyboard and mouse and is the better option for some people. Not least because it can be easily moved from one computer or location to another, whereas the Editor Keyboard is more of a permanent solution, although there’s no reason why you couldn’t move it around if you’re happy to transport a keyboard of this size and weight. 

You can, of course, use it as your main keyboard, and it functions even when Davinci Resolve is closed, but you won’t be able to enjoy the best typing experience in terms of speed and comfort. 

The advantage of the Editor Keyboard is that it removes such heavy reliance on using a mouse so that both hands are on the keyboard. This may sound counterintuitive, but the controls available allow you to move the playback point on the timeline quickly while moving clips around and adjusting their length, for instance.

The shortcut keys provide instant access to a wealth of controls that will instantly save time, but some of the other function keys require knowledge of video editing and controller devices of this type to make the best use of them. The Keyboard Editor is aimed at professionals who are likely to already have this knowledge, but if you’re just starting out professionally or you’re a keen enthusiast, there will be a learning curve involved with getting to know what everything does. Even professionals may need to learn about secondary key functionality where a double press or interaction with a modifier changes functionality. Guidance in this area isn’t covered in the instructions, so you’ll have to look to third-party tutorials online if you need to learn more.

DaVinci Resolve Keyboard: Final Verdict

The Blackmagic Davinci Resolve Editor Keyboard is a high-quality video editing controller aimed squarely at professionals based on functionality and cost. This certainly doesn’t mean that it’s not suitable for enthusiasts, but for more casual video editors there are less expensive options available that would also provide a more intuitive, tactile, and faster editing experience than a standard keyboard and mouse.

There is a learning curve when it comes to using some of the controls on the keyboard, and although the instructions don’t cover operation, there are plenty of tutorials online to help you get up and running if you’re unfamiliar with devices of this type. Many professional video editors may already know exactly how the keyboard functions, although there will be others who need to learn how it works to get the best from it.

The full QWERTY keyboard with color-coded and labeled keyboard shortcuts may not be the best for general typing tasks, but for use with Davinci Resolve it works incredibly well. This, alongside, the dedicated controls and the jog wheel makes the Editor Keyboard an excellent option for individuals who edit many videos and could benefit from the improved editing experience it provides. It’s not cheap, but it does include a Davinci Resolve Studio 18 license.

Alternatives

As consumer-level cameras, action cameras, drones, and smartphones, are becoming easier to use for shooting high-quality video, more and more of us are naturally creating video content. Whether for personal use, sharing on YouTube, or producing videos commercially, video creation is blossoming. But like most image capture, it’s the editing side of things that can feel most cumbersome and that’s where accessories such as the Blackmagic Davinci Resolve Speed Editor come into play. 

The Blackmagic Davinci Resolve Speed Editor is a small keyboard-like device that has a footprint roughly the same as a 10-inch tablet, albeit deeper and heavier, and complements your keyboard and mouse to greatly speed up video editing in Davinci Resolve. This is thanks to dedicated controls that work seamlessly with the software, including a multi-function jog wheel, which saves huge amounts of time and provides a more hands-on and intuitive approach to editing once you understand how it works.

In terms of cost, the great advantage of the Speed Editor, if you’re planning to buy Davinci Resolve Studio 18 anyway, is that it comes bundled with a free license for the software and costs $395 / £359. 

So, in effect, you’re only paying $100 / £75 for the Speed Editor itself because Davinci Resolve Studio 18 costs $295 / £284 alone. This ultimately makes the Speed Editor excellent value for money if you don’t already own a license and an essential item if you’re a professional video editor or an enthusiast who edits a lot of video content.

The focus of the Speed Editor, as the name suggests, is speed, and it certainly achieves this to ultimately save huge amounts of time for people who edit many videos, as well as providing a more tactile experience. The Speed Editor is instantly recognised by Davinci Resolve so no configuration is needed, simply connect and get started; it’s compatible with computers running Davinci Resolve on either Mac 10.15 Catalina or Windows 10 64-bit or later. 

DaVinci Speed Editor: Design & Handling

The Speed Editor sports a functional grey and black design that neither blows you away nor disappoints. It’s undoubtedly well made with a metal top plate and mechanical keyboard keys which are clearly laid out and labelled using shades of grey to differentiate between six groupings of controls/keys. Some keys also have lights to show that the function they connect to is active.

One of the main features of the Speed Editor is simply that it’s a specialist keyboard/controller with dedicated controls designed to work specifically with Davinci Resolve. If you need fast and fluid access to editing functions alongside a fantastic scroll wheel with multiple functions, the Speed Editor is a useful accessory for Davinci Resolve users.

Blackmagic calls this the ‘search dial’, which can be used for trimming alongside three scrolling functions, both forwards and backwards through video clips within the timeline. You can control a whole host of functions with the device including trims, cuts, add and adjust transitions, add or remove effects, undo, move clips, select multiple cameras and much more with modifier options to access secondary key functions in some cases. The list goes on.

The jog wheel has a great feel with smooth rotation and a perfect weighting which makes it as comfortable to use as it is effective. On the rear of the device, there’s a USB-C port for connecting to a computer, charging and updating firmware. 

There is, however, no power button so you have to plug the Speed Editor in via USB-C and open Davinci Resolve to kick it into action. Once on, for the first Bluetooth connection, you have to unplug it and can then easily connect via Bluetooth by searching for devices with your computer. The connection was, in my experience, stable and allowed me to place the Speed Editor wherever I needed it to be during use, even on my lap which worked well with my keyboard and mouse in their usual positions on my desk. 

With no power control, when connected via USB-C or Bluetooth, the Speed Editor powers off when Davinci Resolve is closed and will power up again when Davinci Resolve is opened with both connection options; it’s pretty neat, and the only time you have to plug once a Bluetooth connection has been established is when the device needs to be charged.

The Speed Editor is reasonably compact at 9.64 x 6.14 x 1.73 inches / 245 x 156 x 44mm with a slightly sloping design so it’s shallower at the front to angle the controls towards the user. It weighs in at 27.5oz / 780g, so it’s not particularly heavy and its relatively small size and lightweight make it easy to travel with and use with multiple computers in different locations if you need to. Although, it unfortunately doesn’t come with a carry case. 

DaVinci Speed Editor: Performance

The Speed Editor looks simple enough at first glance when you first set it up on your desk, but upon further inspection, you’ll quickly find that not all keys and controls are necessarily self-explanatory. Especially if you’re not familiar with hardware of this type. So, despite the Speed Editor’s apparent simplicity, there’s certainly a learning curve involved because some keys can perform multiple functions and may need a single or double press, for instance, to access specific functions.

Like anything, the more you use the Speed Editor, the more you naturally learn about how it works moving from extremely basic use to greater familiarity where your video editing workflow speeds up considerably. The instruction manual doesn’t give you any information about how to use the Speed Editor, so if you’re a complete newbie you can find lots of tutorials on YouTube that will help you to get started and take you far beyond the basics.

Even at a basic level, using the Speed Editor does speed up editing because it allows you to make faster direct edits using keys and the amazing jog wheel with much less mouse clicking and dragging. This may not sound impressive, but it’s a huge time-saver and provides a much more intuitive, hands-on, editing experience. The ability to scroll through footage in multiple ways, quickly and easily mark in/out points, trim, move clips into position, and more is invaluable when you spend a lot of time editing videos.

I didn’t time the battery life when connected via Bluetooth, but the battery lasted for several hours in one session of use without the Speed Editor shutting down, so there could have been plenty of use left in the battery. Plugging in with the USB-C cable to charge would have limited where it could have been positioned on my desk while in use and charging with the included 1m cable, so a longer cable may be necessary depending on how your workspace is set up.

DaVinci Speed Editor: Final Verdict

Being a Davinci Resolve Studio user and having used the Speed Editor, I have to admit that I’m completely smitten by what it has to offer in terms of speeding up editing and ultimately, making my workflow more fluid for the time that I had the device. There’s no getting away from the fact that there’s a learning curve involved to get the best out of it and justify the investment, and the instructions from Blackmagic are lacking, to say the least. There are, however, some fantastic tutorials on YouTube that will get you up and running with confidence in no time.

For more casual enthusiast video editors who don’t edit many videos – those for whom the free version of Davinci Resolve with its 4K output limit and paired back functionality is more than adequate – the Speed Editor isn’t necessary and you wouldn’t gain a huge amount from purchasing one. For professionals and enthusiasts who edit many videos, and even those who would prefer a more intuitive editing device than a standard keyboard and mouse, the Speed Editor is a no-brainer.

What’s more, the fact that it’s only marginally more expensive than Davinci Resolve Studio 8 software and includes a free license makes the Speed Editor incredibly cost-effective if you plan to buy the software anyway. The Speed Editor costs $395 / £359, which is just $100 / £75 more than the standalone Studio 18 software. Unfortunately, if you do already have a license, you’ll simply have to bite the bullet and spend out if you would like to add the Speed Editor to your existing Davinci Resolve Studio workflow. Either way, you won’t be disappointed with what it has to offer.

Alternatives

DaVinci Resolve is a free editing and post-production tool from the video experts at Blackmagic. Favored for its comprehensive set of color grading tools and non-linear editing style, a major new update means it now also supports editing in vertical resolutions for TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. 

Content creation is key for any business, and camera phones have massively changed the way we consume information. Because of this, the way we record and edit content needs to change, too – which is why the latest update to DaVinci Resolve ensures users will be easily able to edit videos, regardless of the platform they’re destined for. 

• These are the best cameras for vlogging

The update includes automatic locking of individual timelines within bins for multi-user collaborations, perfect for when multiple people within a company are working on the same content. This latest update also adds DaVinci Neural Engine, an AI  dialogue leveler and AI voice isolation tool that enables the user to remove background noise more easily. 

When using DaVinci Resolve with the Blackmagic ATEM Mini, editors will now find they have a faster, smoother editing experience thanks to the new update. Audio is now attached to video clips, which makes imported projects easier to edit, and the speed editor functionality has been added to the edit page, enabling the user to adjust Multicam switching, audio levels and trim in / outs. Customers will now be able to adjust individual settings for things like subtitles and captions including font, size, style and color. 

For those who use Blackmagic Fusion, there has been added support for magic masking – which uses the DaVinci Neural Engine to detect animals, vehicles, people and objects by tracking their movement. Customers can also search for keywords and categories for more than 200 tools, which will help improve edit flow. 

"This is a major update with new added support for social media vertical resolutions," said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. "Now, customers can work quickly and easily to create video posts for sites such as TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook shorts, Instagram TV and more." 

With more updates like this catering not just to professionals, but to anyone who prefers to edit videos for social media on a computer, Blackmagic Studio is making its products more desirable. The rise of vertical video has been on the up since TikTok first became massive, and with platforms like Instagram following suit with Reels it’s now unavoidable. 

Editing videos on your phone might be more convenient, but editing vertical videos on your computer will unlock a level of creativity that you just can’t access from a phone. 

Check out the best video editing software or discover learn how to give your footage a cinematic feel

Getting to grips with the best video editing software is a huge part of the video-making process and you need look no further than the original Star Wars trilogy for proof. It’s often said that legendary film editor, Marcia Lucas, saved her then-husband, George Lucas’s, space opera in the edit. And that’s before you consider the plethora of coveted films that have received additional cuts that are considered superior to theatrical release, such as Blade Runner, Apocalypse Now, and Metropolis (1927).

Thankfully, the digital age has made video editing accessible for everyone. If you’re looking for the most widely used video-editing packages on the market, then it’ll probably come as no surprise that I recommend Adobe Premiere Pro or Apple's Final Cut Pro. But Blackmagic’s DaVinci Resolve Studio is used throughout Hollywood, too, thanks to its wide range of features and unrivaled color grading capabilities.

For those on a budget, I can recommend CyberLink PowerDirector 365, but this isn’t the simplest software to get to grips with. If you’re an intermediate, you may prefer Corel VideoStudio Ultimate, but an easy recommendation for beginners is Adobe Premiere Elements. It’s not necessarily the slickest option, but guides will give you a helping hand and it’s fairly priced, especially if you opt for the Photoshop Elements bundle. So, if you’re looking to pick up your first video-editing application or are thinking of upgrading, you’ve come to the right place.

The Quick List

Best video editing software

Best video editing software for pros

Probably the best video editing software for filmmakers and Professionals, Premiere Pro is pretty much the industry standard, and for good reasons. For starters, it integrates seamlessly with Adobe's Creative Cloud which includes software such as Lightroom, Photoshop, and After Effects.

If you already have a full all-apps subscription to Creative Cloud you'll already have access to Premiere Pro, you might just have to download it to your computer. This is a professional-grade video editing tool that offers lots of customizable options with its interface or you can select from predefined workspaces.

It's brimming with handy tools, pre-installed effects and transitions, an audio alignment feature and you can download third-party effects if it doesn't have quite what you need. Premiere Pro will take a while to get your head around as it has so many features but once you've sussed it, it's a powerful tool for video editing.

The past year has seen some substantial upgrades, and don't forget these are all included in the subscription. They include a speech-to-text feature for captioning, Apple M2 support, a Sensei-powered Remix feature to make your music fit your clips, and, more recently, Frame.io integration for cloud-based collaboration, and Sensei Auto Color adjustments.

Read the Adobe Premiere Pro review

Best alternative to Adobe for video editing

DaVinci Resolve initially started out as a color-grading tool but has since become an industry-standard editor. If you've moved across from Premier Pro, the familiar interface complete with timeline, monitor window, and media pool should make you feel at home.

It also has a lot of more advanced features such as a new 'cut page' in Dual Time and its new Neural Engine uses machine learning to apply advanced effects such as removing objects from a scene and morph transitions focusing on a face.

The Pro version also supports HDR color grading, collaborative working and so much more. There's a one-time purchase fee but after that, it's yours so you don't have to worry about paying for a monthly subscription.

DaVinci Resolve 18 is a major update that adds a cloud-based workflow via Blackmagic Cloud, automatic proxy generation linked to original files, optimization for the Apple M1 Ultra, new Resolve FX features, and more besides.

Read the DaVinci Resolve Studio 19 review

Best iMovie upgrade for professionals

Final Cut Pro X is the video editing software created by Apple. It's perfectly optimized for Macs so so long as you're running on a new enough machine, it should be more stable and quicker to render projects than if you were using Premiere Pro. It's jam-packed with pro-grade features such as multi-camera edits to HDR support, in-app color grading, and even 360-degree video.

Its image-heavy user interface might have startled seasoned video editors when it was first introduced but for anyone just starting out in video editing who wants a more professional program, it makes the process a lot simpler.

If you already own a Macbook or iMac and want someone more advanced than iMovie, there's a good chance that Final Cut Pro X will provide the upgrade you're looking for.

The latest features include the ability to drag effects titles and graphics into the viewer to automatically detect and track objects and faces, editable focus points for iPhone 13 Cinematic movies, and optimization for the latest Mac M2 Pro and Max chips.

Read the Apple Final Cut Pro review

Best budget video editing software

CyberLink is recognized for its range of reliable creative applications. PowerDirector is a popular video editing suite and the choice of many enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Each year a new release adds functionality and incremental improvements to the software and version 19 welcome's a raft of useful tweaks including a new, simpler interface, cleaner timeline controls, and the ability to easily duplicate title attributes and clips allowing users to edit footage efficiently.

There are also updates to PowerDirector's keyframe tools, color matching, and motion graphic titles. Cyberlink still offers PhotoDirector as a perpetual license – but the subscription offer is the best overall value, as it gives you free access to Shutterstock HD clips, making it one of the best video editing software programs for those on a budget.

Read the CyberLink PowerDirector 365 review

Best intermediate level video editing software

With expanded color grading options and a range of automatic filters, VideoStudio Ultimate is seriously competitive. It gives you control of highlights, mid-tones, and lowlights, just like Lightroom does for photos and the pricier Premiere Pro for videos. It even offers control over specific colors, so you can make a shade of green pop without affecting the rest of the scene.

The software also supports the creation of text masks, so you can easily overlay dynamic titles on your videos without having to jump into another application. Even transitions are handled in a novel, customizable way, so you can align elements across scenes so the fades, blurs, or wipes happen exactly how you want them to.

With a core interface that’s very similar to much of the more premium competition, it’s a great gateway editor for beginners to get started with. Recent versions add face effects, a new speech-to-text converter, animated AR stickers, GIF creator, camera movement transitions, and more besides.

Read the Corel VideoStudio Ultimate 2021 review

Best value video editing software

If you’re looking for something more substantial than iMovie, but don’t want to tackle the learning curve of a professional editor like DaVinci Resolve or Adobe’s own Premiere Pro, then Premiere Elements is worth considering. However, its pricing is a little odd in that it’s subscription-free, but is only available as a three-year license.

Premiere Elements arguably works best as a bundle with its photo-editing software counterpart Photoshop Elements, whereby you can take advantage of a healthy discount on each product’s RRP. But even if Elements isn’t the best value video editor out there, its greatest strength is that it caters for a wide variety of needs, allowing users to grow with the software. Quick, Guided and Advanced modes allow you to rattle through your edits at speed, learn the ins and outs of video editing, or take full control of your creations.

For more experienced or ambitious video types, know that the software is capped at 4K / 60p and although you can edit 10-bit files, the 8-bit processing engine will ultimately throttle them. Limitations are also present when it comes to the new 360 and VR editing features. My reviewer failed to edit any Insta360 footage, because it wasn’t already stitched.

If your aim is to use Elements to learn the video editing processes, I wouldn’t be too worried about the three-year license. The likelihood is that you’ll want to progress onto Premiere Pro within that timeframe anyway. However, Premiere Elements isn’t always as simple to use as I’d like it to be. Get beyond the Quick mode and things can get complicated, fast. As such, those who aim to progress onto more advanced software may be better off taking the plunge and opting for Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve right out the gate.

Read the Adobe Premiere Elements 2026 review

Best video editing software for beginners

Movavi Video Editor’s gentle learning curve makes it a great choice for those beginning their video-editing journey. Unfortunately, pricing plans can prove confusing and slightly pricey, which could end up dissuading newcomers.

Still, the beauty of Movavi Video Editor is its easy-to-use interface and wealth of AI-powered tools that can turn laborious and time-consuming tasks into manageable processes in just a few clicks. Auto subtitling, AI background removal, AI motion tracking, and AI audio enhancement all work very well indeed, upping the production value of projects with the user having to invest very little time.

Some effects packs do sit behind a paywall, which can increase costs, but Movavi Video Editor is still packed full of free effects and you can filter out the paid effects so you know exactly what you can add to your projects. It might not be the biggest name on this list, but it’s worth trying out Movavi Video Editor’s seven-day free trial. It might surprise you.

Read the Movavi Video Editor 2026 review

Best video editor for GoPro footage

Based on the premise that your best photos and videos can get lost in the dross, GoPro’s reimagined Quik app works as an effective private content feed and makes it easy to produce slick-looking auto-generated highlight videos set to music.

Initially a free download, Quik automatically pulls photos and videos from your smartphone, whether the original source was a GoPro, a DSLR, or any other device. It’s completely device agnostic, as the previous iteration of the Quick app was, though the new version can also be used to operate a GoPro, transfer content to a phone, and live stream.

Much improved on the original Quik app and a total refresh for all GoPro users, the action camera maker’s new device-agnostic app has a slick new user interface, including new filters, tools, and music. Star of the show is a ‘mural’ page for keeping track of your favorite photos and videos, though it’s video-centric and you do have to subscribe to get unlimited access to its editing tools, which will put off many.

Read the GoPro Quik review

FAQs

There has been a long debate within the filmmaking community for some time to try and get Apple to implement a standard video editor to the iPad, while iMovie is an option this doesn't really cut the mustard when you want to do complex editing on the go. Rumors suggested that Apple would bring Final Cut Pro to the iPad, but this never happened. 

Then a 3rd-party stepped in to fill that void, LumaFusion allowed creators to record on their 4K video camera and be able to edit this footage on the go with an iPad and up to now this has been the only way content creators can get a real video live out to the world. 

However, Apple has just announced a new line of iPads, with the new iPad Pro gaining the powerful Apple-silicon M2 chip, and what is even more impressive than this chip's ability to make the iPad a real laptop alternative is that one of the leading video editors, Davinci Revolve will come to iPad now natively. That's right – a standalone real professional video editor on your iPad, for true on-the-go editing in real-time.

Now, while many industry filmmakers spotted that tell-tale Davinci Resolve symbol, this is will only available on the iPad Pro, now depending on which screen size you go for it will start from $799 for the new 11-inch model, or $1,099 for the traditional 12.9-inch iPad Pro - not cheap when you consider this is now indeed laptop territory capable of video editing 4K footage.

So why is this such a great feature, and why would you consider an iPad over a laptop? Well, the new iPad Pro now features the M2 chip which has the ability to get pro-grade apps natively to the iPad, not some washed-down half-attempt of the computer program that we all know and love. 

This means that we can now use Abode Photoshop to its full potential along with Davinci Resolve to edit and output professional industry-grade footage for the first time, without having to learn a new program, like you would for LumaFision. 

This is due to the 8-core CPU of the M2 chip which is 15 percent faster than Apple's M1 chip, and a 10-core GPU means this iPad can now scrub through 4K, and I imagine even 8K footage shot on professional cinema cameras, as you can currently do this on a Macbook Pro M2.

Before you were only able to shoot 4K and edit via LumaFusion, which is still a great app for video editing on an iPad, but soon with Davinci Revolve you will be able to color grade, edit and apply SFX to your heart's content, without having to give up any features over the desktop variation of the application. Think about it, all that M2 power that Macbook Pros have in either an 11 or 12.9-inch screen that you can fit in your messenger bag, or just pick up and take with you to the coffee shop.- what isn't there to love?

Now, I know some that are reading this thinking you would never record on a professional camera and then edit on an iPad, which is a valid point, and while a traditional desktop experience does offer more for multi-tasking and file sharing, etc, what this new iPad Pro does is take that desktop-level performance and let you go anywhere with it. 

I can see this being extremely useful for content creators who are always on the go, and travel vloggers looking for an easy setup without the bulk of a laptop, I can also see this being used by professionals when out and about, just think of the ability to shoot a project and while you are out accessing those files and doing a quick edit while on the train, or in the coffee shop waiting for your next meeting to arrive.

I'm a hardcore desktop user, but I'd pick the new iPad Pro with Davinci Revolve. Would you? 

Check out our iPad generations guide, and all things Apple with the best iPhone for photography and the best MacBooks for photo editing.

Apple today launched the latest iPad and iPad Pro, which both feature brand new chips – the A14 Bionic and M2 respectively. As ever, the iPad Pro is packed full of advanced tech for advanced users, while the colorful iPad is designed for everyday use.

We'll cover all the key specs and features below, but here are the key updates:

● iPad Pro – features ProRes video capture, superfast Wi-Fi 6E, and powerful features in iPadOS 16, along with a four-speaker audio system. On the back, there are 12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra Wide cameras, plus a 12MP TrueDepth camera system with Ultra Wide on the front. It comes in a choice of two colors, and a screen size of 11 inches or 12.9 inches. 

● iPad - Features a 12MP front camera and 12MP rear camera, and its front camera is now located along the landscape edge of the iPad for the first time, for a better video calling experience. Gets new A14 Bionic chip. The 10.9in tablet comes in four fun colors.

iPad Pro with powerful M2 chip

Coming in the same two sizes as last year, the new M2 chip running the show offers ProRes video capture for the first time and transcode ProRes footage up to 3x faster. Apple says that "This means content creators can capture, edit, and publish cinema-grade video from a single device out in the field."

● Wondering about ProRes vs ProRAW - What's the difference?

The M2 chip promises to deliver enhanced performance for a range of apps, especially those for photographers – including DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Photoshop (see image below).

The standout upgrade for this new iPad is the "Apple Pencil hover experience" which can detect the pencil up to 12mm above the display, essentially allowing users to see a preview of their mark before they actually make it. We'd have to see how this works in real life, but it could be a game-changer for editing photos, or designing artwork using the aforementioned Adobe Photoshop for iPad.

iPad Pro pricing and availability

The 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro are available to order now and will be in stores from Wednesday, October 26. They'll come in silver and space gray finishes with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB storage options.

The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799/£899/AU$1,399 for the Wi-Fi model and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,099/£1,249/AU$1,899 for the Wi-Fi model.

iPad 10th generation with A14 Bionic chip

The latest iPad is billed as "the all‑new colorful iPad for the things you do every day." It comes in four bold colors, but thankfully the redesigns go further than that. The new iPad features an all‑screen design, with a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and 2360x1640 resolution.

In terms of cameras, there's an ultrawide 12MP front camera with a 122-degree field of view (on the landscape side for more sensible video calling), and an updated 12MP back camera that can record up to 4K or 240fps slow-motion video.

Inside there's WiFi 6, and 5G is optional, but what's most exciting is the Apple A14 Bionic chip, which not only makes the iPad faster but more efficient for longer battery life. The A14 Bionic also means enough performance to edit high-resolution video.

The iPad works with Apple Pencil and a new purpose-made Magic Keyboard. Plus, there's a USB-C port to make the iPad compatible with a wider range of accessories. We've already written about the benefits of iOS 16 for iPhone, and the iPad runs iPadOS 16 straight out of the box.

iPad pricing and availability

The new iPad is available to order starting today, with availability in stores beginning Wednesday, October 26. 

Wi-Fi models of the new iPad are available at a starting price of $429/£499/AU$749, and Wi-Fi + Cellular models start at $599/£679/AU$999. The new iPad comes in 64GB and 256GB configurations, and blue, pink, yellow, and silver colors.

Check out our iPad generations guide to see where both of these iPad models will fit with the rest of the Apple lineup.

In my years using and testing the best cinema cameras, I’ve come to appreciate just how different they are from standard mirrorless models. Their specs may seem superficially similar, but cinema cameras are very different beasts – built from the ground up for the needs of high-end video productions.

This means things like superior connectivity, a huge range of video shooting options, and modular designs that can be tailored to the user's needs with the addition of accessories. Cinema cameras also often have features that are specifically tailored to team-working, such as multiple screens.

I've only picked cameras that have impressed the DCW team in our full tests and reviews. I keep this list regularly updated – so when we've finished our full testing of the Canon EOS C50, for instance, I expect it'll find its way onto this list. For more video-centric choices, you can also see our list of the best 8K and 6K cameras.

Quick Picks

Best cinema cameras

Best bang for buck

Nikon has announced its arrival in the cine camera game with a bang, in the form of the fantastic ZR. Following Nikon's acquisition of the high-end cinema camera company Red, the ZR comes chock-full of Red's renowned Color Science, which allows this consumer-grade video camera to put out professional cinema-grade footage. And at this price, that is quite something!

Ergonomically, the Nikon ZR is fairly straightforward. Nikon has gone for the 'slab-like' design, producing a cuboid camera that will be a bit of a shock to the system for anyone migrating from SLR-styled mirrorless models. It works brilliantly in rigs or cages, but you're planning on doing a lot of handheld shooting, a wrist-strap or similar safety measure is going to be a must. What's also worth noting is that the rear screen is enormous – a 4-inch vari-angle touchscreen that's fantastic for monitoring.

Footage-wise, the Nikon ZR highly impressed our reviewer Adam Waring. The 6K 60p video output is great, but the real draw is the 12-bit Raw video in the new R3D NE (Nikon Edition) format, which is pretty darn close to Red's 16-bit R3D format, offering a similar look and flexibility. These are big, meaty files that require a powerful computer and absolutely eat through card space, but the processing latitude is huge. Of course, if you prefer not to spend too much time processing, you can use the Red Picture Controls to apply cinema-grade looks in-camera.

Some may be annoyed by the lack of open-gate video (though Adam thinks, and I agree, that a firmware update could deliver it in the future). However, in practically all other respects, the Nikon ZR is an incredibly highly specced cinema camera that puts more expensive rivals to shame. In terms of bang for your buck, this is the one to beat.

Read our full Nikon ZR review for more details

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Best box camera

Users who were dissatisfied with the ergonomics of Blackmagic's Pocket Cinema range have been champing for the manufacturer to release a box-style camera for some time. It has finally arrived in the form of the Pyxis, which at an asking price of less than $3,000, should prove tempting to plenty of users. Sure, there are some omissions – no articulating screen, no built-in ND filters – but as we found when we gave the Pyxis a full test, what you get here is a hugely versatile and capable cinema camera.

Our reviewer Rob Redman took a deep dive into the Pyxis 6K's capabilities, and came away impressed. The image quality it produces proved to be absolutely excellent, even if a little post-production work was required for it to look its best, and the ergonomics of the camera made it a pleasure to shoot with. Like with many box cameras, you get out what you put in, and if you take the time to kit out the Pyxis 6K with your favorite accessories and set it up the way you want it, you'll easily fall in love.

The BRAW codex, with its multiple compression settings and gen 5 color science, offers a huge amount of flexibility for any shooter. Having open-gate video lets you crop at will for different formats without worrying about losing quality, and the tank-like build gives you peace of mind when shooting on location. All in all, a strong first box camera from Blackmagic – and I wouldn't be surprised if the next one is even better.

Read our full Blackmagic Pyxis 6K cinema camera review

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Best entry-level

If you're looking for an accessible entry-point into the world of cinema cameras, the Sony FX2 is an excellent choice. Using the Sony E lens mount that will be familiar to anyone who has used Sony's mirrorless range, this comprehensively featured cine camera opens up Sony's cine line to hybrid and low-budget shooters. With credible stills capability, it works well for anyone who wants to keep a foot in both camps.

It shoots high-quality 4K at up to 60p, though the higher frame rate does come with a Super 35 crop. Footage is oversampled from 7K, and looks great, though we did observe some rolling shutter during fast camera movements in our testing. However, one real strength of the FX2 is its continuous recording capability – with its active cooling system, the camera can just keep going and going. It's rated for up to 13 continuous hours of 4K 60p shooting, and even out on location, we found it basically impossible to make the thing overheat.

The FX2 boasts capable autofocus with Sony's intelligent subject-recognition, as well as highly effective active image image stabilization, all of which adds up to it being one of the most easy-to-use cine cameras around. A perfect entry point.

Read our full Sony FX2 review for more details

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Best for resolution

This is some of the most raw resolution you can get in a cine camera. With a 96MP sensor and the ability to output 12K video, the Blackmagic Ursa 12K LF is one of the most impressive cinema cameras we've seen lately, a powerhouse that captures absolutely stunning imagery.

The body of the camera is large, heavy and bulky. This isn't the best option for agile crews, and it functions best in controlled environments. Of course, all that room means there's lots of real estate for functionality, and as such, the Ursa 12K LF offers plentiful IO, with a 12G SDI, full-size XLR, plenty of USB-C ports, DC power input, a media bay that takes CFexpress modules (which hold CFexpress cards), a 7-pin LEMO port, timecode/reference ports, a 10GB Ethernet port, and two Wi-Fi aerial ports. A lot. And that's not even getting to the multiple screens, which are great even for solo shooters, and utterly invaluable for teams.

And as for the footage itself, in our testing the Blackmagic Ursa 12K LF proved itself and then some. It shoots 3:2 open-gate video, meaning you don't need to worry about crop factors, and the new sensor layout delivers 16 stops of dynamic range. The camera continues to perform well even as you push up the ISO settings, and the impression compression performance helps mitigate the problem of all those big files devouring your card space.

Read our Blackmagic Ursa 12K LF review for more detail.

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Best all-in-one package

Should we consider this a full-size or a portable cinema camera? It's designed for portable use, but it's quite a size. The DJI Ronin 4D 6K is unlike any other cinema camera out there.

You almost have to think about it in two parts - the body which consists of all the camera controls, screen, and gimbal arm, and then the DJI Zenmuse X9 camera. It's not a light bit of kit weighing almost 5kg but you've got to remember you won't need to add much weight to it as you would with other cinema cameras as it has a gimbal with 4-axis of stabilization built in.

It's definitely a different type of camera to get used to that will require some learning but for cinematographers who find themselves always using a gimbal or stabilization rig, it's well worth looking into.

It's also available in an 8K version for those who want even better resolution although is still able to record in ProRes 422 HQ and H.264 4:2:0 10-bit at various different frame rates (check out the review to see the full list).

Perhaps this is the future of cinema cameras, taking a more hybrid approach rather than needing modular systems where you need an additional kit. If you're new to videography and looking for an all-in-one package, it's certainly a good way of entering the world of film with a camera that can shoot anything, anywhere.

Read our full DJI Ronin 4D 6K review for more details

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Best for documentaries

The Canon EOS C70 is like a remixed C300 Mark III. It packs the same Super35 sensor, Dual Gain Output, 16 stops of dynamic range, and 4K 120fps / 2K 180fps performance into a compact form factor more like a traditional stills camera.

It also packs a touchscreen that changes the game for Cinema EOS cameras, with touch control making it so much easier to maintain focus. For lone shooters, the C70 boasts the iTR AFX system from the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III, with head detection and spookily accurate autofocus.

The only cinema camera to use Canon's RF mount, it opens up a world of cutting-edge optics – and not only can you still use EF lenses, but a new Canon speed booster enables you to use them with an extra f-stop and a full-frame angle of view!

However, it doesn't record in raw and there's no option to use PL lenses – for that, you'll need to step up to the C300. For now, the C70 seems to be out of stock in most retailers but we're hoping it's just a supply chain issue and they'll be back soon.

Read our full Canon EOS C70 review for more details

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Best cheap 6K

We've just finished reviewing the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K G2, the new, 'entry level' 6K model, and it boasts many of the features in this Pro version. However, it's still the Pro model we would go for because for a little extra outlay, it offers a brighter screen and built-in ND filters.

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro is an evolution of the original 6K model, but while it might look like a mirrorless camera in its shape, you do have to get used to the handling from the odd size and large shape of the Super35mm Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro – which is certainly far from being pocket size. And the lack of continuous autofocus, image stabilization, or any auto-exposure can be an issue for some. It’s definitely not a run-and-gun camera. But if you use it as a tool for considered, cinematic shooting then it’s a bit of a steal as it produces rich, detailed files in raw or ProRes from its dual native ISO sensor.

Read our full Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro review

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Best for students

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K looks great value for money today and it's an intriguing alternative for Olympus or Panasonic users who've already invested in MFT lenses.

It has some disadvantages, such as no continuous AF and a fixed screen, but this is a cinema camera, not a vlogging camera. It always comes back to bang for the buck with the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K.

When you consider the fact you have a mini XLR audio input as well as USB-C storage support for recording to hard drives, a full-sized HDMI port, and dual card slots, the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K leapfrogs the competition in almost every video-centric area.

Considering that the camera also ships with a full license for Davinci Resolve, an excellent bit of pro-video-editing software that normally costs $295/£239, the Pocket Cinema 4K is quite a bargain.

Read our full Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K review

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How to choose the best cinema cameras

As the prices of “industry-standard” cine cameras continue to drop, these powerful tools are becoming more accessible to videographers looking to elevate their craft. While shooting in 6K, 8K, or even 12K is certainly exciting, the real game-changers, and the things to focus on when choosing your cinema camera, lie in the form factor, advanced video codecs, and extensive connectivity options – essential elements for a seamless production experience.

One brand pushing the boundaries between consumer and cinema cameras is Blackmagic Design. The Pocket Cinema Camera 6K G2 is a standout example, capable of capturing stunning 6K RAW or Apple ProRes footage while supporting custom user LUTs. Even better, it comes bundled with DaVinci Resolve Studio—one of the industry’s top-tier editing programs (alongside Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro)—all for under $2,000/£2,000. That kind of value is hard to beat.

While brands like Arri and Red dominate the ultra-high-end market, I’ve left them out of this guide, as their gear is often priced well beyond the reach of most filmmakers. Likewise, while many mirrorless cameras deliver impressive video quality, they lack the connectivity and workflow advantages of true cinema cameras. If you’re looking for hybrid stills-and-video options, check out our guides on the best cameras for filmmaking and the best cameras for video.

One of the most innovative cinema cameras today is the DJI Ronin 4D. Available in 6K and 8K versions, this “flightless drone” is the first cinema camera to feature 4-axis stabilization, significantly reducing the need for sliders or dollies by absorbing movement during walking or running shots– a game-changer for handheld cinematography.

Cinema cameras are as diverse as the projects they’re used for, so finding the right one depends on your needs and creative vision. Whether you’re looking for a full-size setup or something more portable, there’s a cinema camera here to match your workflow.

Mirrorless vs cinema cameras: what's the difference?

The definition of a cinema camera isn’t always clear-cut. Some argue it’s any camera designed specifically for video rather than stills, while others point to factors like size, lens mount, or the ability to shoot in RAW or ProRes.

New Form Factors

Hybrid cameras are blurring the lines between stills and cinema. Take the Sigma fp and Sigma fp L – both are stills/video hybrids, but their modular form factor and cine-focused interface make them worthy contenders in this space.

8K Isn’t Everything

High resolution often grabs headlines, as seen with the Canon EOS R5 and Sony A1, both of which offer 8K recording. However, these are still primarily stills cameras with video capabilities, not dedicated cine cameras. If you’re looking for true cinema tools, models like the Canon EOS C70 or Sony FX3 are better suited to professional filmmaking.

Cinematography vs. Filmmaking vs. Vlogging

If you’re searching for the best vlogging camera, the models in this guide will likely be overkill. Not only are most of them expensive, but they also require technical expertise to get the best results. If you need a more versatile camera, our guides on the best mirrorless cameras or best cameras for video may be more helpful.

This guide focuses on cameras built specifically for professional film and TV production. To keep things organized, we’ve divided it into two sections:

High-end, modular cinema cameras – These are your "A" cameras, designed for professional sets with top-tier specs and extensive customization options.

Portable cinema cameras – These serve as "B" cameras, perfect as backups in professional environments or as primary cameras for independent filmmakers and solo video shooters ready to take their work beyond vlogging.

Whether you're looking for a full-fledged production setup or a compact but powerful alternative, there’s a cinema camera here to match your creative needs.

How we test cameras

We test cameras both in real-world shooting scenarios and in carefully controlled lab conditions. Our lab tests measure resolution, dynamic range and signal to noise ratio. Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera's ISO range. We use both real-world testing and lab results to inform our comments in buying guides.

Read more:

Best cine lenses
Best 8K camera
Best 4K camera for filmmaking
Best audio recorders
Best video editing software
The best laptop for video editing
Best camera sliders
The best on-camera monitors

Compare today's prices

Professional-level video editing software is traditionally expensive, so to take advantage of the best features available you typically have to dig deep. Adobe Premiere, Apple Final Cut Pro and Blackmagic’s DaVinci Resolve are the three best professional video editing programs available, but DaVinci Resolve has a neat trick up its sleeve – there’s both a free and a paid version of the software available. 

You may be asking yourself if you read that correctly, but yes, one of the industry-leading video editing programs can be yours for the princely sum of zero. And to put this into context, some of the biggest Hollywood movies and TV shows are edited using this software. Well, these use the paid version, but it’s still impressive that you can use essentially the same software and incredible colour grading tools as industry professionals, but for free.

DaVinci Resolve Studio is certainly one of the best video editing software products for professional users, but its remarkably powerful free version is definitely the best free video editor – but only if you're ready for a pretty steep learning curve.

Of course, the free version isn’t as fully featured as DaVinci Resolve Studio, which is the paid version of the software. But what you do get is most of the tools you need to edit your videos, which is perfect for enthusiasts. Professional videographers would undoubtedly purchase a license for DaVinci Resolve Studio to access all of the advanced features, but even this isn’t as expensive as you’d think. So, let’s take a look at some of the key differences and similarities between the two versions of the software to see which is best for you.

1. Cost

• DaVinci Resolve 18 free: free to use
• DaVinci Resolve Studio 18: £306 / $295 / €354 / AU$479

You may be wondering why we’d begin with cost because one version of Davinci Resolve is free while the other comes at a cost. Simple, right? That kind of is the case, but it’s not quite as simple as that because while one version is completely free to use, albeit with reduced functionality and features, the Studio version is arguably the most competitively priced professional non-linear editor (NLE) available.

If you require the features and functionality not available in the free version, some of which we’ll cover here, Davinci Resolve Studio is less expensive than Adobe Premiere and only slightly more expensive than Final Cut Pro. But there’s an important point here, the Studio version costs £306 / $295 / €354 / AU$479, and this is for a lifetime of updates. So, once you have a license you can enjoy updates forever, making it the best value for money professional NLE over the long term.

• Incidentally, a DaVinci Studio license is included free with many Blackmagic products, including cameras.

2. Editing

• DaVinci Resolve 18 free: Enough features for most enthusiasts
• DaVinci Resolve Studio 18: Advanced professional features available

With the free version of DaVinci Resolve, you get all the tools you need to edit your videos with transitions and some Resolve FX/filters available. You also get access to Resolve’s industry-leading colour grading tools, as well as Fusion for creating special effects (similar to Adobe After Effects) and Fairlight for recording, mixing and editing sound. These are both advanced features and may not be necessary for beginners, but they are there if you need them. 

The Studio version includes all available features and functionality, including Object Mask and Depth Map for automated selections of elements within the footage, but with the free version you still have access to all of the tools you need to edit your videos with the Cut tab and the Edit tab. Cut has been likened to editing in software such as Apple iMovie, so this area of the software may provide a great starting point for new users of the software.

3. Resolution and frame rates

• DaVinci Resolve 18 free: Up to 4K at up to 60fps
• DaVinci Resolve Studio 18: Up to 32K at up to 120fps

The free version of DaVinci Resolve has a limitation on resolution and frame rates, but these aren’t as bad as you might think and are still much better than many consumer-level video editing programs. The free version is limited to up to 4K resolution (3840 x 2160) at up to 60fps. This is fine for the majority of people, with only high-end film and television productions requiring higher resolution and frame rates.

DaVinci Resolve Studio supports up to a whopping 32K at up to 120fps with advanced HDR delivery. Just writing this is eye-watering, and it’s safe to say it’s far beyond the requirements of even many professional videographers. But it just goes to show how powerful the Studio version is, at least if you have a computer powerful enough to support such high-resolution footage.

4. Lens Correction

• DaVinci Resolve 18 free: Not available
• DaVinci Resolve Studio 18: Manually or through image analysis

Lens Correction, as you’ll know from software such as Adobe Lightroom, is an extremely useful feature for removing optical distortions including barrel and pincushion distortion. In the free version, like with other features that are unavailable, a DaVinci Resolve Studio watermark appears over the video in the image window when trying to use this feature. But you can still see how effective it is within the window.

The Studio version includes this feature and this alone could be a good reason to upgrade, especially if you find that your lenses suffer from distortion. An alternative is to turn on lens corrections within the camera menu so they’re applied at the point of shooting if the feature is available. This, however, isn’t always as effective as applying lens corrections during post-processing.

5. Noise Reduction

• DaVinci Resolve 18 free: Not available
• DaVinci Resolve Studio 18: Temporal and Spatial Noise Reduction

Noise in video can be hugely distracting for viewers, and it ultimately reduces image quality when shooting at high ISO settings. Of course, much of the time you will be shooting video in bright conditions or you’re able to use brighter artificial lighting to keep ISO settings low, but there will be times when cranking up the ISO is the only option.

For casual/enthusiast shooting video, you may never need to raise ISO levels above 400 so this feature may not be a necessity. But for more advanced videographers and professionals, having the ability to apply noise reduction using Temporal and Spatial algorithms will be invaluable. For Studio users, noise reduction can be applied as a Filter in the Edit tab, or as a Node in the Color tab.

6. Color grading

• DaVinci Resolve 18 free: Color controls available
• DaVinci Resolve Studio 18: Color controls and more available

DaVinci Resolve is renowned for its color grading tools, and if you’re using the free version, you’ll be pleased to hear that these are available for you to make a wide range of adjustments to your videos including brightness, contrast, shadows, highlights, white balance, apply LUTs, import LUTs and much more. The possibilities for adjusting videos here are incredible, and you can easily balance and match the adjustments made on one clip to others.

The trickiest part of the Color tab is that adjustments are made using Nodes. They look complicated and do take a little getting used to, but if you begin to think of them like Photoshop Layers, where a single adjustment is made to the layer, they quickly begin to make more sense. 

There are some elements of Color that aren’t available in the free version, such as some of the Resolve FX /filters and advanced features such as Magic Mask, but everything you need to optimise and color grade video is available.

7. Fairlight & Fusion

• DaVinci Resolve 18 free: Both are available
• DaVinci Resolve Studio 18: Offers additional functionality

DaVinci Resolve is clearly aiming to be a one-stop video production solution that includes all of the tools you need to create professional-grade videos. So, within the software, you get Fusion and Fairlight. 

Fusion is where you can create visual effects and motion graphics, in 2D and 3D. It’s like a reduced version of Adobe After Effects, but within the software you’re using already.

Fairlight is audio post-production software that’s integrated into DaVinci Resolve with the ability to record, edit, mix, replace dialogue, clean up and repair sound, equalise, process dynamics and master soundtracks. It’s incredibly powerful and allows you to remain within one software program. 

Both the free and Studio versions of the software include access to these powerful features, although as you’d expect the Studio version includes additional functionality.

8. GPU acceleration

• DaVinci Resolve 18 free: Supports one GPU
• DaVinci Resolve Studio 18: Supports multiple GPUs

DaVinci Resolve, like all video editing software, loves power; the more powerful your computer the smoother video playback will be and the more effects will be available because your computer is capable of rendering them. The free version of Resolve only supports one GPU (graphics card), so although you can enjoy GPU acceleration, it’s not anywhere near what’s possible with Studio.

The Studio version supports multiple GPUs so you can enjoy greatly improved performance. Plus, you get over 30 additional GPU and CPU accelerated Resolve FX including lens flares and sharpening. Plus, you can also enjoy beauty and retouching tools for improving the appearance of people in videos and removing unwanted objects. Think of it as Photoshop for video, but not as complicated as it sounds.

DaVinci Resolve free vs Studio: conclusions

The differences and similarities covered here aren’t definitive, but they’ll give you an idea of which version might be best for you. It’s safe to say that for the majority of enthusiasts, the free version of DaVinci Resolve 18 provides everything you need to edit your videos, and much more. 

It’s complicated software to use so you’ll need to spend some time reading parts of the PDF manual and watching tutorials on the Blackmagic/DaVinci Resolve website and YouTube tutorials. Using the software at a basic level isn’t difficult, so you can get up and running fairly quickly, but more advanced features available in the free version, such as color grading, naturally take longer to learn.

If you require any of the features such as Lens Correction and Noise Reduction etc. you’ll need to buy a license for the studio version. But at £306 / $295 / €354 / AU$479 for a perpetual license and lifetime updates, it’s not expensive at all. And remember, because it's a lifetime license, it's a single one-off payment.

Professional videographers will undoubtedly require the full Studio version to take advantage of all of the features, functions and performance advantages available. What’s more, buy the DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor (mini editing keyboard) which comes with a copy of Studio included, and it only costs a fraction more than the software alone – perfect for advanced users and professionals.

Read more:

• Best video editing software
• Best free video editing software
• Best Blackmagic cameras
• Best laptops for video editing
• Best monitors for video editing

In the world of professional video editing software, there are three main players: Adobe Premiere, Apple Final Cut Pro and Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Studio. All three program are used to edit Hollywood movies and television series, so none are lacking in features. But despite offering industry-leading color grading tools, a powerful built-in audio studio and a graphics suite for creating visual effects, DaVinci Resolve Studio is the least expensive option at $295/£306/AU$479 for a perpetual license with lifetime updates.

You can even take advantage of a free copy of DaVinci Resolve Studio when you purchase a Blackmagic Design camera or one of the DaVinci Resolve editing keyboards. The DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor is a specialist video editing keyboard featuring a jog wheel and includes Bluetooth connectivity alongside an internal battery. 

These keyboards ultimately make editing quicker and easier, and at $395/£335/AU$645 with a copy of DaVinci Resolve Studio 18 included, you're getting the software for far less. There’s also a free version of the software, which has fewer features, but is still impressive with powerful colour grading tools and is ideal for less demanding users.

DaVinci Resolve Studio is a typical NLE (non-linear editor) with drag and drop functionality which is reasonably intuitive to learn. Using the software at a basic level isn’t particularly difficult, but being such a vast program, mastering it is much more difficult. DaVinci Resolve Studio offers all the tools you need to create professional videos, rather than requiring several different programs to cover each, so the editing workflow is incredibly streamlined.

Key features

As you can already gather, DaVinci Resolve Studio offers all of the features you could ever need and much more. So, rather than focusing on the general features on offer, we’re going to dive into some of the new headline features available in Studio 18. The first new feature of note is geared towards a professional team workflow, which allows team members in different locations around the world to work together on projects.

The Blackmagic Cloud allows you to host project libraries on the DaVinci Reserve Project Server, allowing up to 10 people to collaborate as long as they have a local copy of the media. The cost is just $5 per month per project while it’s stored on the cloud server. There’s also a new Black Magic Proxy Generator App that makes it easier than ever to create, manage and work with proxy files which will be useful for some collaborative work, as well as speeding up editing performance, particularly on less powerful machines.

Another important new feature is that Multicam support has been increased from nine to 25 cameras, but the most impressive features of this release relate to tools that use DaVinci Resolve’s Neural Engine for AI-power tools to select, adjust and manipulate footage. These include the Object Mask that can track the movement of individual objects and people so effects can be added on, around or behind the object, alongside the ability to colour or adjust/optimize the object or person.

The depth Map can achieve similar results, but this maps the depth of the footage into foreground, midground and background, with the ability to adjust which part of the scene is highlighted for effects to be applied. Fast noise allows users to add noise-based effects such as adding smoke, and this is dynamic and changes according to the highlights and lighting in the video. 

Then there’s the Surface Tracker, where a mesh guide allows you to select a contoured subject or part of a subject where effects or pixel-based elements fit seamlessly into the contours as the subject moves. All of these tools will save users hours, if not days of hard manual work but they do bring a steep learning curve since they’re advanced features.

Resolve FX Beauty has also been updated with the ultra beauty tool. This allows you to soften or harshen skin alongside being able to use it to recover detail. And while this is by name is aimed at skin and beauty, the tool can also be used on other elements including objects and backgrounds. Using this, and the other new features is truly mind-blowing because the tool’s effects are incredibly precise.

Interface and usability

The DaVinci Resolve Studio interface is unique when compared to competitors because the software is split into ‘pages’, which are areas for performing different tasks. These are laid out intuitively in the order that users are most likely to need them for a logical workflow, although you can, of course, jump back and forth as required. At the most basic level, purely for video editing, Resolve Studio is no more or less difficult to use than its competitors, but taking advantage of all the features is much more complicated and involves a steep learning curve.

Resolve Studio pages include the Media page which is where you can organise video clips, audio clips and images etc. The Cut page is designed for fast editing and offers multi-camera editing, while Edit is a standard editing space with access to transitions and effects, and is the place where most people will feel at home for editing tasks. 

Fusion is similar to Adobe After Effects and is the place where you can create cinematic visual effects and motion graphics, while Color is for video optimisation, colour grading and applying other effects. Fairlight is for powerful audio post-production suite where you can record, edit, mix, master soundtracks and much more. And finally, Deliver is the page for exporting completed projects.

Quality of results

All video editing software requires a high-spec computer to run well, and DaVinci Resolve Studio is no exception. While the free version of the software has a few performance and output limitations, such as being limited to footage up to 4K (3840 x 2160) at up to 60fps, the Studio version is capable of handling up to 32K footage at up to 120fps. In a nutshell, you can enjoy support for AVCHD, AVC-Intra and H.264 using ALL-I intraframe encoding, as well as 10-bit encoding. Then there’s advanced HDR delivery in Dolby Vision and HDR10+ formats.

This level of processing requires a hefty amount of computing power, and where the free version is limited to hardware acceleration using a single GPU (graphics card), the Studio version can utilise multiple GPUs for additional processing power. Being software aimed at professional use where multiple large raw video files are in use, this is an essential feature of the software. 

Hardware acceleration also brings with it more powerful effects and features not available in the free version, including many power-hungry Resolve FX. The fact that the software is used professionally for film and television is a testament to the quality of the effects, sound and editing control that can be achieved with the software. 

Verdict

DaVinci Resolve Studio 18 is the most comprehensive video editing software available, offering everything you could ever need and much more in a single program. There’s very little that you can’t do with the software, and new features such as the collaborative tools, Object Mask, Depth Map and the Surface Tracker to name but a few are mind-blowingly powerful. These make selecting, adjusting and manipulating objects within video incredibly simple and can save a huge amount of time, overall.

There’s a lot to learn with this software beyond video editing and colour grading, but like any software, you can take or leave the features and functionality on offer to focus only on what you need. But if you do have the appetite for rolling up your sleeves and learning how to use all of the features, and the Blackmagic Design website has many video tutorials with downloadable assets, you can take full advantage of the most feature-packed video editing software available. And with a price tag of $295/£306/AU$479 for a perpetual license with lifetime updates, it’s an absolute bargain. 

DaVinci Resolve is Blackmagic Design’s professional video editor. It’s designed to edit Blackmagic RAW files from the company’s own cinema cameras, but can edit a wide range of regular video formats too.

The usual suspects in the pro video editor market are Adobe Premiere Pro and Apple Final Cut Pro, but Davinci Resolve is right up alongside them in our list of the best video editing software.

Blackmagic also makes some of the best cinema cameras, and some of the best cameras for filmmaking, like the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 4K model.

The key thing is that as well as the paid DaVinci Resolve Studio version, there’s a free DaVinci Resolve 18 version that anyone can download and use, and which offers amazing capabilities at no cost.

DaVinci Resolve 18 adds support for real-time remote collaboration via the Blackmagic Cloud service, with multiple users anywhere in the world. It means editors, colorists, effects artists and audio engineers can work on the same project at the same time.

Also new is the Blackmagic Proxy Generator app, which automatically creates and manages proxy files from your original clips, lessening hardware overheads for high resolution projects. DaVinci Resolve will retain links to the original files.

Another new feature is ‘Intelligent Media Management’ to make it easier to stay linked to assets when you’re working remotely or collaborating with others. The new collaborative features are rounded off with Shared Project Libraries and Remote Monitored Streaming, which is a way to display the DaVinci Studio Resolve viewer on a remote monitor, via DeckLink, anywhere in the world. Blackmagic claims low latency and high-quality 10-bit images ideal for remote editing, grading and instant feedback.

Other new features in DaVinci Resolve 18

A new Object Mask can recognise and track the movement of “thousands”” of objects and the DaVinci Neural Engine can isolate animals, vehicles, people, food and more. A new Depth Map effect can generate a 3D map of a scene to grade foreground and background separately, and it’s now possible to attach graphics to surfaces that warp or change perspective.

Resolve FX Beauty now has an “Ultra Beauty” tool for skin smoothing and detail recovery, subtitle support has been improved and it’s now possible to reverse Shape, Iris and Wipe transitions.

There is more – a lot more –  that’s new, including upgrades to the Fusion and Fairlight modules and a host of behind-the-scenes enhancements. You can check out the full list at blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/whatsnew

DaVinci Resolve 18 Studio costs $294/£294 (inc VAT)/AU$479 (inc tax), but this is a lifetime license and all future upgrades are free. If you already have a Studio licence, the v18 update will be provided free. DaVinci Resolve Studio is also free with Blackmagic cameras and desktop controllers (at the time of going to press). Find out more at the Blackmagic Design website.

This DaVinci Resolve 18 update introduces Blackmagic’s cloud-based collaboration system which, to use Blackmagic’s own words, “allows multiple editors, colorists, VFX artists and audio engineers to work simultaneously on the same project, on the same timeline, anywhere in the world”.

DaVinci Resolve is a professional video editing application that sits alongside Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro as one of the three best video editing software applications for pros.

Right now DaVinci Resolve 18 is a public beta available for download from the Blackmagic website. It uses the Blackmagic Cloud system to host project libaries online on the DaVinci Resolve Project Server. This will allow multiple users – editors, colorists, VFX artists, audio engineers – to work on the same project at the same time, anywhere in the world.

A new Blackmagic Proxy Generator app automatically creates local proxy files for editing, and ‘watch folders’ will automatically generate proxies to accelerate the editing process. You will be able to swap between proxies and original footage with one click, and proxy files can be saved locally too. It will even be possible to livestream the DaVinci Resolve Studio viewer with DeckLink for display on a remote monitor or reference grading monitor “anywhere in the world”.

Other new features in DaVinci Resolve 18

A new object mask took is now available in the magic mask palette to recognize and track the movements of thousands of objects using the DaVinci Neural Engine to isolate animals, vehicles, people, food and many other scene elements.

A new depth map effect can separate foreground and background for individual grading and it will now be possible to apply graphics to objects that warp or change perspective via a ‘surface tracker’ feature. Resolve FX has a refined ultra beauty tool featuring skin smoothing and detail recover tools developed by professional colorists, and a new 5x5 multicam viewer mode can show up to 25 angles in a single multicam clip for large multicam projects.

GPU acceleration should provide faster, real-time brush strokes, text and shape templates now have improved speed and playback performance, and new memory management means that Fusion templates are up to twice as fast.

There are many more additions and improvements in DaVinci Resolve 18. “This is a  major release that totally revolutionizes remote project collaboration using cloud based workflows, “ said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO.

So far, DaVinci Resolve 18 is at the public beta stage and available for download from the Blackmagic Design website. Full pricing and availability details will follow. 

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If you want the most feature-packed editing programme for the least amount of money, then Blackmagic’s DaVinci Resolve 17 is it. And that’s not just because in basic form, it’s free. The full Studio version is just $295/£225, or if you buy the $295/£225 Speed Editor controller, you get the full version thrown in. It also comes free with many Blackmagic cameras. And once you have it, future Studio upgrades are free. 

So with DaVinci Resolve 17 or full Studio version varying between free and $295/£225, it’s far cheaper than any other full-spec editing software packages you can buy. Now just out of Beta testing and available as a final product, DaVinci Resolve 17 has had a major redesign and added even more functionality to its already huge menu of options. From its Fairlight audio processing to Fusion graphics, it has the lot. As well as its industry-standard colour editing and grading, of course. And its new HDR colour features allow fast and easy grading of shots with a very wide dynamic range. 

It’s the only single programme that has not just editing and colour correction but professional audio, motion graphics and visual effects built in. It's also the only way to process B-Raw files from Blackmagic cameras.

Key features

Unlike many editing programmes, where work is done in one view where all options are shown, Resolve is split into separate ‘pages’ which give a dedicated set of tools for each task. The Media page is where you organise your clips, Cut and Edit are two different styles of editing pages, Fusion is for visual effects and motion graphics, Color is for colour correction and grading, Fairlight is for advanced audio and Deliver for exporting your finished work. 

Once work is imported, which can be done by drag-and-drop of either files or entire folders, you edit using either the Cut or Edit pages. Cut is more streamlined for fast work and designed for quick turnaround projects, but allows for multicam edits. But most users will work in the Edit pages for more considered projects.

The Edit page features drag and drop editing, smart trimming tools, fast proxy editing, live previews of any effects and has a huge library full of effects and transitions. If you are used to Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro X, this is where you will feel most at home as it’s similar. 

You double click a clip to load into the inspector, drag the playhead to where you want your clip to start in the time line, mark clips with in and out points, or use traditional I and O as in and out points. Then drag it to the timeline or use the editing overlay, which allows you to insert, overwrite, replace or other editing options. Trimming is similar to other NLEs (no-linear editing programs), too. As is working with multicams, selecting transitions, or adding the built-in 2D and 3D titles, cropping, speed ramping, image stabilisation and more. The edit page also has basic audio controls and quick exports. 

From here, the Color page is a full-on Hollywood-level colour correction and grading tool including Wide Gamut and HDR images. DaVinci makes it as easy as other NLEs by allowing tweaks via conventional sliders or colour wheels which adjust contrast, colour temperature, midtones, saturation and more. 

The primary color wheels let you adjust balance and brightness are called Lift, Gamma and Gain – which some call shadows, midtones and highlights. The Offset wheel adjusts the whole image. Or you can click onto a part of the image and tweak the settings for that colour individually. And an Auto Balance and Matching function allows these settings to be applied to similar shots on the timeline.

This is all that some might ever need. But for more advanced users, there are lots of very capable options. There are Curves to adjust the colour and contrast in finer detail, and you can adjust hue, saturation and luminance separately too.

Secondary grading lets you adjust just one particular color of an image, Power Windows allow you to select a shape to mask out during color changes, while the Tracker lets you follow that shape through a scene. 

Resolve Color works by using ‘Nodes’, where each node is a set of color changes. So the first node is usually for basic image colour balance, the second might be to isolate the sky, the third might be to smooth out skin, a fourth might be to add a flare. Then you can change each one individually.

Tools includes waveforms, vectorscopes, histogram, parades and CIE chromacity. However you like to work, you’re covered. And when it comes to adding your own look, tools like Color Warper lets you set a colour palette that effects certain colors, for example, and paste them onto other shots in the timeline. 

Studio version and Speed Editor

DaVinci Resolve 17 is fast and easy to use, once you know how. It is more complicated than other editing programmes as it is far more than just a non-linear video editor. And this means it takes a lot of learning to get the best out of it.

One way of speeding up your workflow in the edit is to use the $295/£225 DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor keyboard which can let you edit using both hands. It’s a professional-style keyboard with transport controls on the right side and edit functions on the left. This means you can use the search dial and source tape buttons with your right hand to locate the shots you want. Then you can simultaneously mark clips, perform edits or trim clips with your left hand. 

It takes some getting used to, but once you do, it’s faster than using a mouse.

The keyboard is a solid and professional-feeling bit of gear, with a machined metal body, and solid keys that do have a slightly old-school feel about them. The search dial has an electronic clutch so you can quickly locate shots and trim edits. It all communicates wirelessly with your computer and its internal battery is charged via USB-C, or you can leave it plugged directly into your computer.

There are clear IN and Out buttons to make edits faster, and Insert buttons to add the clip you have chosen to the edit. It’s also quick at adding transitions. Perhaps best of all, buying the Speed Editor means you get a free copy of DaVinci Resolve 17 Studio.

The biggest benefits are that the Studio version works with footage over 60fps and  allows exports larger than UHD 3820x2160 pixels. While the free software works for 8-bit footage, the Studio is capable of AVCHD, AVC-Intra and any All-I H.264 recordings, plus 10-bit encoding.

With All-Intra, 10-bit and 6K now becoming more normal, that could be vital to you. The Studio version can work up to a massive 32K resolution and up to 120fps. You can also get full screen playback on a second monitor, lens correction software and the noise reduction software is far more advanced. 

Available only on the Studio version is Neural Engine, which adds artificial intelligence object removal, Auto Color Balance and Matching and facial recognition software. There are more options in the Fairlight audio page and in the Effects Library, too. And the Studio Version offers Dolby Vision in addition to the HDR10+ in the Color page, and there is support for Arriflex cameras.

While free version will use a GPU for processing, the Studio version will recognise up to nine GPUs for even faster working. You have access to GPU hardware accelerated encoding on certain H.264 and H.265 codecs. The Studio version is faster with smoother playback.

And it’s also designed to be used by teams, working either together or remotely, with plug-ins for remote asset management and automation systems.

Speed Editor specifications

Price: $295/£225 (with free DaVinci Resolve Studio 17)
Connections: USB-C
Power usage: 4W max
Operating systems: Mac OS 10.15 or later, Windows 10, 64-bit
Dimensions WxHxD: 245x156x44mm
Weight: 780g

Performance

With DaVinci Resolve 17 offering far more features than rival NLEs, you would it expect it to run slower and be more memory-intensive. But the reality is the free versions runs as quickly as most rivals' editing suites. It all depends on the spec of your computer and the file sizes.

If you go up to the Studio version with a high-spec computer running lots of GPUs, then it will run faster. It’s designed for post-production houses and Hollywood studios using multi-camera, large format raw files, so it’s more than capable of running just a few cameras and files in an edit.

The actual editing is quick once you get used to it, but its real advantage for most filmmakers is the colour editing and grading power. To get the best from your files, certainly if you are using raw files, then it offers incredible control. Serious colorists use the Studio version, and you can have exactly the same for not much money. 

The hardware is equally good, with the Speed Editor being a useful addition to making fast edits. It’s not for color grading work, but useful in quick edits which might be important to you. And the asking price is the same as the Studio software alone, so it's really the only way to buy DaVinci Resolve Studio that makes sense, unless you got it free with a camera purchase.

Verdict

Blackmagic’s DaVinci Resolve 17 has more firepower and features than any other video editing programme. With two ways of editing at its heart, plus industry-standard colour software and audio software as well as motion graphics and VFX, it’s really in a league of its own.

But all this functionality brings complexity. And although Blackmagic has gone out of its way to make simple operation as intuitive as possible, it’s still a bit daunting to the casual user.

It’s the software you will never outgrow, and at a price that’s impossible to ignore. Buy the Speed Editor, get the Studio version free and for $295/£225 you have industry-standard post production that works in all resolutions and bit rates. 

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