Blackmagic Design URSA Broadcast – A 4K Live Production Camera for $3,500

NewsIndustry

by Graham SheldonFebruary 2^nd, 2018

Blackmagic Design’s new camera, the URSA Broadcast, is a 4K-capable live event and studio-focused camera that builds on the URSA Mini Pro lineage, but in a form factor that lends itself to ENG work. The camera, priced at $3,500, is at a more accessible price point than many other broadcast cameras on the market. All the details below: 

The Blackmagic Design URSA Broadcast

Designed to work with B4 mount broadcast lenses, the Blackmagic Broadcast camera has internal ND filters (¼, 1/16th and 1/64th), 4K sensor and records to dual C-fast and SD card slots. The camera records 1080i or 2160p video into NLE friendly .mov files, with a .mxf recording option promised in a future update.

The B4 lens mount allows for electronic control of iris, focus and zoom, and the B4 mount can be swapped out for EF, PL or F mounts. Beyond the different lens mounts, a full range of Blackmagic accessories are available for the camera including gold and V-mount battery plates and fiber converters.

The Blackmagic Design URSA Broadcast

On the surface, the URSA broadcast seems like a feature-rich and shoulder-friendly camera at an impressive price point. The camera is available now and we’ll post updates and video as the camera starts to make its way into the field.

Technical Highlights:

• 4K sensor
• dual CFast and dual SD card slots
• ⅔” B4 mount
• Support for DNxHD 220X, DNxHD 145, Apple ProRes 4444 XQ QuickTime, ProRes 4444 QuickTime, ProRes 422 HQ QuickTime, ProRes 422 QuickTime, ProRes 422 LT QuickTime and ProRes 422 Proxy QuickTime, CinemaDNG RAW, CinemaDNG RAW 3:1, CinemaDNG RAW
• Internal ND Filters (1/4, 1/16th and 1/64th)
• Optional PL, EF and F mounts available
• Available ports: Dual XLR mic/line audio inputs w/ phantom power, 12G‑SDI output XLR 4 pin power output for viewfinder power, headphone jack, LANC remote control and standard 4 pin 12V DC power connection
• 4 inch touchscreen display

What do you think of the new Blackmagic Design broadcast camera? Comment below!