If you're in the broadcasting sector or looking to upgrade your live stream setup for Twitch or YouTube, then you will want to pay attention to the latest announcement from Australian camera manufacturer Blackmagic Design
Blackmagic has announced two new broadcasting cameras for 6K and 4K recording and live streaming. The Blackmagic Studio Camera 6K Pro is the main attraction, featuring an EF lens mount, a larger 6K sensor for improved colorimetry and fine detail handling, ND filters, and built-in live streaming via Ethernet or mobile data. Costing just $2,499, this camera can bring studio-quality broadcasting to remote locations – which is a vast improvement and opens up a lot of possibilities for productions.
• If you're serious about video, check out the best Blackmagic cameras (opens in new tab)
Blackmagic Studio Camera 6K Pro shares the same compact all-in-one design of the previous studio camera family, featuring a lightweight carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate body, a super handy integrated 7" HDR screen (which Blackmagic calls a viewfinder) and powerful broadcast connections to integrate with the most extreme broadcast setups for international viewing.
Also announced is an updated model of the company's 4K offering, in the form of the new Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pro G2 – which now includes built-in live streaming for those seeking a 4K workflow.
These new cameras offer the same features as large traditional studio cameras, miniaturized into a single compact and portable design that can easily be transported, so the studio can always be on the road. On top of that, with the cameras' dynamic range and color science, they can handle extremely difficult lighting conditions while producing cinematic-looking visuals.
The sensor features a sensitivity of up to ISO25600, so customers can create amazing images even in dimly lit venues. Advanced features also include talkback, tally, camera control, built-in color corrector, Blackmagic RAW recording to USB disks, and live streaming.
This means that customers can place a camera in a remote location and it can generate an H.264 HD live stream that is sent over the internet, back to the studio, over a 4G or 5G phone to the USB-C port via remote data.
They also feature 10G Ethernet which facilitates all video, tally, talkback, and camera power via a single connection. So the setup is much faster, just like a SMPTE fiber workflow, but using standard Category 6A copper Ethernet cable so it's at a much lower cost.
"The Blackmagic Studio Camera 6K Pro features an incredible 6K sensor that has amazing low light performance, plus it has an EF lens mount so it supports a massive number of lenses that customers already own," said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO.
"It has all the high-end features of the 4K models, but adds remote controllable ND filters and built-in live streaming. I think this will be amazing as customers will be able to place cameras almost anywhere in the world! We think our live production customers will love it!"
It certainly is a great improvement on current models from Blackmagic and competitors. To be able to place a camera anywhere that you have either a 4G or 5G signal, and live stream that to the world in broadcast quality, is an amazing feat of technology and engineering.
The Blackmagic Studio Camera 6K Pro is available immediately for $2,499/£2,640, alongside the Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 4K G2 which sells to $1,865/£1,905.
Pre-orders:
Pre-order Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 4K G2 at B&H (US) (opens in new tab)
Pre-order Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 6K Pro at B&H (US) (opens in new tab)
Pre-order Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 4K G2 at Adorama (US)
(opens in new tab)Pre-order Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 6K Pro at Adorama (US) (opens in new tab)
If this article has been interesting why not take a look at the best cine lenses (opens in new tab), or read our reviews of the latest Blackmagic cameras like the Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro 12K (opens in new tab), Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (opens in new tab) or the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro (opens in new tab).
