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The camera is really in a class all by itself.
Cameras appropriate for studio and live event production work come in all shapes and sizes, but none is as unique as the Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 4K. This camera comes in two models, the Studio Camera 4K Plus and the Studio Camera 4K Pro, the main difference between the two being price and I/O. They share the same unique form factor associated with previous studio cameras from Blackmagic Design, which is to say they look more like a monitor with a lens mounted to the front than a camera. While this seems like a bold design choice at first, from an end-user standpoint, it's pretty brilliant. The shape lends itself to being packed side by side in a pelican case for productions that have constant setup and tear down. Few, if any, other cameras can claim as much. The camera can be connected with a single cable and receive all the advanced features we have come to expect from studio-style cameras like; talkback, tally, camera control, and CCU color correction. The camera is really in a class all by itself.
Tech Specs
Right off the bat, it's a 4K camera, it has all the standard frame rates from 23.98 to 60, and it is capable of outputting HD or Ultra HD signals. The Studio Camera 4K Pro has an ISO range from 100 to 25,600 with a dual native ISO of 400 (0dB gain) and 3,200 (18dB gain) and 13 stops of dynamic range. The lens mount on the front of the camera is micro four-thirds but can be adapted to other common lens mounts. This camera shines in the I/O department; the Studio Camera 4K Pro is equipped with HDMI, SDI in/out, 10Gb/s Ethernet, five-pin intercom connection, 3.5mm mic, 3.5mm intercom, two USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 ports, and two XLR inputs. It can connect to pretty much anything.
One of the great things about all the video outputs on this camera is they don't have to be the same; they can have different overlays, gridlines, status info, focus peaking, or even false color. Beyond that, the various connections can even be different resolutions, independent from each other. As a result, the HDMI could be outputting 1080p with a LUT on it while the SDI is 2160p and has false color, all the while the LCD can show focus peaking, and it can be recording clean Blackmagic RAW 4K directly to a hard drive over the USB-C. All these options create a mindboggling opportunity for application and workflow.
The Studio Camera 4K Pro can be powered three different ways, 12v DC adapter, standard 12v four-pin XLR, or Power Over Ethernet (POE) when paired with the soon-to-be-released studio converter. However, the Ethernet connector/studio converter can handle more than just POE; when combined, they simulate a much more costly SMPTE fiber-based style workflow, all with a single, affordable Ethernet cable. That cable carries camera video, program return feeds, tally, talkback, camera control, and power. Alternatively, you could use the embedded camera control protocol in the SDI connections to control color correction, tally, and lens control from any of the larger ATEM switchers. Similarly, you can use HDMI from any other of the ATEM Minis.
In Use
The seven-inch high brightness (2000 nits) LCD viewfinder is equivalent to other standard studio viewfinders making for a familiar user experience. The controls are the same as viewfinders in a whole different tax bracket; focus peaking, brightness, and contrast controls are on one side, and program return feed and three programable function buttons are located on the other. The chassis is built out of advanced carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate, making it light and strong. It's easy to see the tally light, and the viewfinder is a touch interface making it quick and easy to navigate deep into the menu options. The menus themselves are intuitive and easy to access. One USB-C connector can be used for the zoom and focus demands. Each zoom and focus demand has 2 USB‑C ports, so you can daisy chain them then connect to the camera with a single USB connection.
…there are some cameras that can compete with the Studio Camera 4K on price, and there are cameras that can compete with it on function, but there are no cameras that can compete with it on both.
In Conclusion
The previous models of this Blackmagic Studio Camera lacked the zoom and focus demands, which always made them very limited. Any camera that requires you to contort around it and take your hands off the tripod handles isn't helpful in a studio situation. Adding that functionality makes this model immeasurably better than its predecessors. In honesty, I had difficulty finding issues with the Studio Camera 4K Pro. There were only two downsides I could find; the first is that the sunshade on the back feels a little flimsy. However, the sunshade folds away for storage and functions to protect the monitor screen when folded down, so while flimsy it is very functional.
The second is that the number of lenses that can utilize both the zoom and focus demands are limited. The majority of the lenses are medium zooms between around 14mm-52mm, with one exception being the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm f/4.0-5.6 Zoom. However, these lenses also have variable apertures, so I would like to see a few more options beyond 175mm and a faster fixed aperture. Something in the 70-200mm f/2.8 would be preferable since camera positions in churches tend to be too far away for 40-50mm lenses to work. On the upside, all the available lenses are reasonably priced at under $400, and a fast fixed aperture telephoto lens would easily cost over $1,000.
At the MSRP of $1,795, this camera is an absolute steal; even at $2,200, the camera and lens cost combined, it's still a great value. Adding the zoom and focus demands at $245 apiece and the yet unreleased studio converter at $895 brings the total cost to $3,580, which is still less than I have paid for lenses alone in the past. The price makes the Studio Camera 4K a good option for the churches looking to get into broadcast or IMAG. Even churches with large production switchers can benefit when you consider these cameras can be connected via the SDI for a signal while utilizing HDMI to ATEM Mini for control only. Even though it’s little overkill, it's still cheaper than most studio camera/CCU combinations. In the end, there are some cameras that can compete with the Studio Camera 4K on price, and there are cameras that can compete with it on function, but there are no cameras that can compete with it on both.
- Blackmagic Design
- Studio Camera 4K
- MSRP: Starting at $1,795
