NAB Reflections: Blackmagic launches live production camera

At NAB Blackmagic Design announced Blackmagic Studio Camera, a new camera specifically designed for live production and available in 1080 HD and Ultra HD models starting from only $1,995. It includes features specifically targeted at the requirements of live production. Currently production professionals often need to use cameras designed for general video production for live work and this means they don’t get features that live production demands, such as large viewfinder, talkback, tally, optical fibre and a strong metal design.

Inside the tough and lightweight magnesium alloy body, the Blackmagic Studio Camera features a large 10” viewfinder, long duration four hour battery, talkback, tally indicators, phantom powered microphone connections and built in optical fiber and SDI connections that let you connect to a live production switcher with a single cable.

One of the problems of cameras used in live production is small viewfinders, so the Blackmagic Studio Camera includes a massive 10 inch screen that allows creativity when framing and accurately focusing. The viewfinder’s LCD is extremely bright and has a very wide viewing angle so it is perfect for use even in direct sunlight. The camera also includes a large fold up sun shield making it perfect for outdoor use and the sun shade also acts as a privacy shield when in use.

The Blackmagic Studio Camera features an active Micro Four Thirds lens mount that is compatible with a wide range of lenses and adapters. This allows customers to use high quality photo lenses for smaller setups or fixed camera use, and then use high end broadcast ENG lenses for large live broadcasts using an MFT to B4 lens mount adapter.

“I have dreamed of a camera perfectly designed for live production for a long time”, said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design, “When we looked at how we would design a camera for live production what really surprised us was how small we could make it, but then the viewfinder would also become small. We did not want a small viewfinder, we wanted a very large viewfinder and so we ended up with this amazing camera that’s incredibly tiny, but then the viewfinder is incredibly large.

“It’s really a dream to operate a camera with such a large viewfinder and it’s amazing the detail in focus and framing that’s available to the operator! I totally love this camera and it’s my dream product!” said Petty.