Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K Announced

Blackmagic Design has just announced the Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K boasting a new generation 12K Super 35 image sensor (12,288 x 6,480) capable of capturing 14 stops of dynamic range alongside high frame rates up to 60 frames per second in 12K at 80 megapixels per frame. This new 3rd generation model supports new Blackmagic Generation 5 Color Science and higher Blackmagic RAW performance, all in the award-winning URSA Mini Pro camera body.

According to Blackmagic Design, oversampling from 12K gives creative professionals the best 8K and 4K images with the subtle skin tones and extraordinary detail of high end still cameras. Users can shoot at 60 fps in 12K, 110 fps in 8K as well as up to 220 fps in 4K Super 16. URSA Mini Pro 12K features an interchangeable PL mount, built-in ND filters, dual CFast and UHS-II SD card recorders, a SuperSpeed USB-C expansion port, and much more.

The URSA Mini Pro 12K sensor and Blackmagic RAW were designed together to make 12-bit RAW workflows in 12K effortless. As an incredibly efficient next-generation codec Blackmagic RAW lets users shoot 12K and edit on a laptop, a capability that simply isn’t possible with other codecs.

The massive resolution of the sensor means you can reframe shots in post for delivery in 8K and 4K. It’s like a multi-camera shoot with only one camera. And it’s perfect for great looking vertical and square video, too. The advanced design of the sensor and Blackmagic RAW means that you can work in any resolution in post-production instantly, without rendering, while retaining the full sensor’s color accuracy.

Furthermore, constant quality Q0 and Q5 options and new Q1 and Q3 lock the quality level, allowing compression to adapt, matching the detail of the scene. Constant bitrate encoding options 5:1, 8:1, 12:1, and the new 18:1 are designed to give customers the best possible images with predictable and consistent file size.

URSA Pro 12K users will be able to record RAW to two cards simultaneously while shooting 12K or 8K to either CFast or UHS-II cards, even at high frame rates. Blackmagic RAW stores camera metadata, lens data, white balance, digital slate information and custom LUTs to ensure consistency of image on set and through post-production.

If that isn’t enough, there’s a SuperSpeed USB-C expansion port for recording to fast SATA and NVMe drives. With “Record RAW on 2 Cards” turned on, URSA Mini Pro 12K can record simultaneously across two cards up to an incredible 900MB/s to 2 CFast cards, or an impressive 500MB/s to 2 UHS-II SD cards. The SuperSpeed USB-C expansion port on the rear can record to USB-C flash storage up to 900MB/s as a third recording option.

Best of all, Blackmagic RAW is designed to accelerate 12K for post-production, making it as easy to work with as standard HD or Ultra HD files. It is highly optimized, multi‑threaded, works across multiple CPU cores and is also GPU accelerated to work with Apple Metal, CUDA and OpenCL.

Blackmagic Generation 5 Color Science, on the other hand, features a new film curve designed to make full use of the massive amount of color data from the new URSA Mini Pro 12K sensor. This delivers even better color response for more pleasing skin tones, and better rendering of highly saturated colors.

Generation 5 Color Science informs complex Blackmagic RAW image processing, with color and dynamic range data from the sensor preserved via metadata for use in post-production. Compatible with all previously shot Blackmagic RAW files, Generation 5 Color Science lets customers take advantage of the new film curve even with their existing work.

Last but not least, URSA Mini Pro 12K features an interchangeable lens mount. Customers can quickly switch between PL, EF and F mount, as well as B4 lenses. The brand new camera includes a full version of DaVinci Resolve Studio and will hit the shelves selling for $9,995.

Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K Features

  • 12,288 x 6480 12K Super 35 sensor.
  • Use for feature films, VFX and high end TVC’s.
  • 14 stops of dynamic range and native 800 ISO.
  • New Blackmagic RAW for real time 12K editing.
  • Blackmagic RAW optimized for Metal, CUDA and OpenCL.
  • Generation 5 Color Science with new film curve.
  • Shoot up to 60 fps in 12K, 110 fps at 8K and 220 fps at 4K.
  • Dual card CFast recording at up to 900MB/s.
  • PL mount included, EF and F mounts available.
  • SuperSpeed USB-C for recording to external disks.
  • Includes DaVinci Resolve Studio for post production.
  • Compatible with new Blackmagic URSA Mini Recorder.

Besides the URSA Mini Pro 12K, Blackmagic Design has also introduced the new Blackmagic URSA Mini Recorder that lets URSA Mini Pro 12K users record 12-bit Blackmagic RAW files onto fast 2.5 inch SSDs, including the latest U.2 NVMe Enterprise SSDs.  The unit attaches directly to the back of the URSA Mini Pro between the camera and the battery. It’s controlled via the USB-C so you don’t have to worry about manually starting or stopping the SSD recorder.

“With Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K we have advanced imaging technology into a new generation where new styles of shooting will be possible”, said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “Its not just the 12K sensor, but there is so many other innovations in this camera. From the Generation 5 Color Science, the in sensor scaling, new symmetrical color pattern, full RGB quality and of course the 12K resolution, it’s going to be exciting to see what DOPs do creatively with this technology!”

Exciting times to be a professional filmmaker, indeed!

[source: Blackmagic Design]

B&H Pre-Order Link:

Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 12K (PL)

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