Blackmagic Camera App, Micro Studio Camera 4K G2, and Studio Camera 4K Plus G2 – First Look

by Francesco AndreolaSeptember 16^th, 2023

After diving deeper into the freshly-announced Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K (interview here), we asked Tim Siddons from Blackmagic Design to also walk us through their camera app for iPhone as well as their new studio cameras, namely the Micro Studio Camera 4K G2 and Studio Camera 4K Plus G2.

So far, IBC 2023 has been a very busy show for the Australian company. Indeed, Blackmagic launched three new cameras, their first-ever smartphone app as well as new broadcast gear. In particular, their new Cinema Camera 6K is already creating quite a lot of discussion (especially around its rolling shutter performance).

Of course, we’re eager to put this camera through its paces in our Lab Test. But while we wait, we installed the new Blackmagic Camera App on our iPhone and briefly tested it around the show floor.

Blackmagic Camera App for iPhone

We highlighted the main features of the new Blackmagic Camera App for iPhone in a previous article. To sum it up very quickly, it brings the Blackmagic camera interface to your iPhone, thus enabling users to gain more granular control when shooting videos with their iOS smartphones. Furthermore, it makes it easier to mix iPhones and proper cinema cameras on set.

Moreover, the app allows you to instantly upload footage to Blackmagic Cloud making it instantly accessible to remote DaVinci Resolve editors and colorists for immediate work. There’s also a built-in real-time chat to exchange feedback with remote collaborators while shooting.

The Blackmagic Camera App is now available to download from the App Store. And unlike the popular Filmic Pro, Blackmagic’s app is totally free, thus making it a perfect “gateway camera” into the company’s ecosystem.

Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera 4K G2

After ditching their original Micro Studio Camera 4K due to supply chain issues last year, the company is bringing back this one-of-a-kind camera with some updates. The new Micro Studio Camera 4K G2 features exactly the same form factor as its predecessor but packs an upgraded 4K Micro Four Thirds sensor with Dual ISO architecture (400/3200 ISO).

Moreover, the camera now gains USB-C for remote control via Ethernet and also has new mini locking in/out connectors with 12G-SDI to support signals up to 4K60p. The Micro Studio Camera 4K G2 will become available in October for $995.

Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus G2

The new Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus G2 can be considered a bigger brother to the Micro Studio Camera 4K G2. The two cameras share exactly the same sensor and MFT lens mount, but the Studio Camera 4K Plus G2 is fully featured to enhance operability in broadcast studios.

To start with, it integrates a large, bright display with a sunshade at the back as well as a clearly visible tally light on the front. Moreover, this 2nd-generation model gains 12G-SDI capabilities and supports Blackmagic RAW recording to an external SSD via USB-C. The camera is available now for $1345.

For more information, please visit Blackmagic Design’s website.

Have you already installed the new Blackmagic Camera App? Do you think it can easily be integrated into your workflow? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!