Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus Review

TV studio cameras have advanced significantly with the introduction of the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus and Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pro. In addition, the Blackmagic Web Presenter 4K is the best option if streaming on the web is your objective.

In this review, I’ll be using both Blackmagic Studio Cameras for a live shot and talking to you about how to use the Blackmagic Web Presenter 4K to broadcast video from any camera to platforms like YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and others.

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Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 4K Plus

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 6:46 am
$1,333.33 $1,345.00

Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus Features

With the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus, you can use any lens that can be converted to the MFT mount on a lightweight camera body with a 7-inch 1920×1200 color screen and a micro 4/3 lens (not included). As a result, you can shoot in 1080p at frame rates ranging from 23.98 to 60, and you can use the same frame rates in 3840 by 2160 for Ultra High Definition, for a total of eight different frame rates in HD and eight different frame rates in UHD.

Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrates come in 3:1, 5:1, 8:1, and 12:1, and Q0, Q1, Q3, and Q5 with Blackmagic RAW Constant Quality. In addition, two USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 extension connectors are available on the camera for connecting peripherals or external disks to record video.

With Blackmagic Zoom Demand and Blackmagic Focus Demand, users may manage the zoom and focus of lenses on the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus, making it even more studio-friendly. Unfortunately, for this evaluation, neither item was accessible, but it will be soon.

The micro 4/3 lens may be attached to the front of the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus. An HDMI Out port, a 12V input, two USB-C 3.1 A and B ports, a microphone input, and a headphone output are all located on the side of the device.

Foldable sunshades on the Back shield the seven-inch LCD from glare. The settings dial, which controls the active feature selected, the Back button, ends menu settings and brings back a live image to the LCD; the F1 controller, which contains the focus zoom, the F2 button, initiates autofocus; and the F3 button, which activates auto iris, are all located on the left side of the LCD screen.

Of course, these function buttons can be changed. Lower than the function controls is the power switch. You may adjust the screen’s brightness, contrast, and peaking settings on the right side.

You can choose the characteristics you want to change from the LCD screen’s top menu. For example, touching the shutter speed, iris, timecode, gain, and white balance icons changes the settings for each element, while touching the frame rate symbol opens a slider to adjust the frame rate.

The slider bar below or the settings dial on the left can alter any of these settings. A second menu with the record, monitor, audio, Setup, presets, and LUTS appears when the last icon is touched. Unfortunately, there isn’t a camera that is easier to operate.

Web Presenter 4K and Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pro

The only differences between the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pro and the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus are the PGM (Program) button, XLR audio inputs, and 12G-SDI outputs. In addition, the LCD shows the return feed when the PGM button is pressed.

When facing the front, the right side of the camera features two 12V inputs, an HDMI output, a 12G-SDI output, an SDI input, and a 10GigE port (one being a 4-pin). The two USB-C 3.1 inputs, two XLR audio inputs, a five-pin intercom port, a connector for a microphone, and headphone output are located at the top of the left side.

You can connect a camera to the Blackmagic Web Presenter 4K’s SDI input if your goal is to transmit live content. The 5.51×6.90-inch rack-mountable device handles the entire process.

Real-Time Messaging Protocol can transmit high-definition video inputs from 720p, 1080i, 1080p, and 2160p at eight different frame rates to Twitter, Twitch, Skype, YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Microsoft Teams, Wowza Streaming Engine, and Open Broadcaster over an Ethernet connection.

A 2.2-inch LCD, On Air, Menu, Off, Set, Call, and Lock Control Panel Buttons, a covered USB-C 3.1 connector, and a Spin Knob Control to access the features are all on the front. The 3-prong female IEC power input (cable not included), the 4-pin 12V DC input, the Live Stream Ethernet port, the USB-C 3.1 webcam output, the HDMI monitor output, the SDI monitor output, the SDI loop output, the SDI input are all located on the rear panel.

In Use Our TV/Film Department, we held a mass audition with 75 actors to test this equipment in our TV studio. The medium close-up was framed using the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pro; The comprehensive master picture was captured with the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO Lens on the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus.

Blackmagic

We used the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pro (equipped with an Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f2.8 Macro Lens) as a second camera during the audition to frame the medium close-up.

HDMI connections were used to connect the cameras to an ATEM Mini Pro live production switcher, and a 48-inch Samsung UHD monitor was used to see everything. A SanDisk Extreme Pro 2Tb SSD drive attached to the ATEM Mini Pro was used to save the 1920×1080 footage.

Although the cameras could shoot in UHD, I opted to shoot in 1080p due to its smaller file size. As a result, less than 15 minutes were needed to complete the Setup. Additionally, mounting the cameras on tripods rather than pedestals simplified the assembling procedure.

BD Blackmagic

HDMI connections were used to connect the cameras to the ATEM Mini Pro live production switcher, and a 48-inch Samsung UHD monitor was used to observe everything.

The Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus was live recording a head-to-toe long shot while each actor was introduced. The Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pro was used for the MCU when their speech started. After finishing the monologue, the performer would reintroduce himself, and we would then return to the wide shot.

We used the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus live to catch the actor in a head-to-toe long shot when they introduced themselves. The actor would reintroduce themselves as we transitioned back to the wide shot when their monologue was finished. The image would then switch to the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pro for the MCU.

The giant touchscreen, red or green tally light that denoted a Program (Live) or Preview shot, and ease of usage of the cameras had the crew’s freshmen pupils in awe the whole evening. The actors would focus on the Live camera instead than the tally lights, which they preferred. A floor manager would previously indicate which camera was live.

Adjusting the iris was simple because some actors wore light-reflective white garments and others light-absorbing darker colors. In addition, the size of the team was reduced by allowing the operator to manage the shooting specifications without requiring an additional person in the control room to video shade. Finally, we used multiple cameras for the first time in ten years for the auditions. The future will see a move toward this new two-camera method.

If we had wanted to use just one camera with our current switcher in the control room, the Roland Switcher and the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pro with its SDI outputs worked flawlessly together.

The ATEM Mini Pro was a superior option since we preferred having the technical director actively involved in the TV studio action instead of isolating him in our control room. In addition, we used the HDMI outputs from both cameras because the ATEM Mini Pro only accepts HDMI inputs.

Using the Blackmagic Studio Cameras switching live also significantly reduced the time it took to upload the content to the Internet; after removing the hard disk, all of the actor files were complete and prepared for viewing and uploading.

Three pedestal-mounted 3 CCD 1080i $65,000 cameras with a 4-inch B&W viewfinder are connected to our studio’s Roland Switcher via fiber optic cable.

It was never easy to tell which camera was live if the tally lights on top of each camera weren’t working. Three tripod-mounted Blackmagic Design cameras with 7-inch color viewfinders, the capacity to film in 4K, operator-controlled touch screens, and working tally lights could be added to our studio for about $6,000. Regardless of how awful your arithmetic is, $6,000 is a lot less than $195,000!

Out of the package, the Blackmagic Web Presenter 4K was ready for use. Due to its SDI outputs, the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pro was ideal. The visual and audio elements were turned on by connecting the camera’s SDI cable to the Blackmagic Web Presenter 4K’s SDI input.

I linked an Ethernet cable to the Live Stream port on the Blackmagic Web Presenter 4K and connected our 48-inch Samsung UHD monitor with an HDMI cable.

The actual Setup is quite user-friendly and has a straightforward menu. I selected Live Stream, 1080p 24 as the Stream Standard, Auto Mode as the Video Output, and YouTube as the Platform by pressing the Menu button.

I turned the dial to Setup, scrolled down to the Protocol, IP Address, etc., and selected Ethernet as my Connection Priority rather than Mobile.

I saw the Samsung monitor as the talent practiced her blog and noted that the image was good and the stated auto levels were accurate. (Credit for photo: Chuck Gloman)

I could see whether I was On Air or Off on the Samsung monitor. I observed the monitor as the performer practiced her blog and noted that the image was good and the reported auto levels were accurate. I also showed the Live Stream I utilized, the Video Input and its settings, the Data Rate in megabytes per second, and the Cache.

Pressing the On Air button will instantly make the feed live. The moment you see the words “On Air” flash in red, you start moving. They took out their phones like students did and viewed the YouTube feed—instant gratification!

A setup with numerous cameras and a switcher used to take a few hours to set up, including running cable, timing the switcher, setting up the monitors, and recording the finished product on tape. The outcome could not be streamed.

I did acquire practical engineering skills, though. The pupils quickly learned the touchscreen without my assistance, just like they do with their phones.

Key Features

Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus: Features a seven-inch color touchscreen, sliders for all settings, green and red tally lights, support for Blackmagic RAW, a small connector audio input and headphone connection, HDMI output, HD or 4K capability, and the option to record to media via a USB-C port.

Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pro: Features a seven-inch color touchscreen, sliders on the touchscreen that can be used to adjust all settings, green and red tally lights, Blackmagic RAW support, a mini connector audio input, and headphone jack, HDMI output, and SDI outputs, XLR audio inputs, HD or 4K capability, and the ability to record to media via a USB-C port.

SDI input, HDMI output, user-friendly menus and setup choices, and the ability to stream in HD or 4K are all features of the Blackmagic Web Presenter 4K.

Application

In any size TV studio where one or more cameras are required, the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus may be used. Connects quickly and efficiently to Blackmagic’s ATEM Mini series of live production switchers via HDMI.

BSC-4K Blackmagic Studio Camera

any size TV studio that requires the usage of one or more cameras may use this. Includes SDI capability, allowing users to connect it to switchers like the ATEM Constellation 8K, and has XLR audio ports. Connecting through HDMI to Blackmagic’s ATEM Mini line of switchers is simple.

Connect any SDI input to the Blackmagic Web Presenter 4K and stream live to various Web sites using Ethernet or a mobile device.

Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus Specs

Sensor ResolutionNot Specified by Manufacturer
ISO Sensitivity100 to 25,600
Gain0 to 18 dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio63 dB
Lens MountMicro Four Thirds
Built-In ND FilterNone
Built-In Microphone TypeStereo
Broadcast System CompatibilityNTSC, PAL
CCU InterfaceNone
Video I/O1 x HDMI Output
Audio I/O1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Microphone Input
1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRRS Headphone/Mic Input/Output
Other I/O2 x USB-C (USB 3.2 / 3.1 Gen 1) Data/Video Input/Output
Recording ModesDNxHD/ProRes:
3840 x 2160p at 23.98/24/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps 
1920 x 1080p at 23.98/24/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps 
Raw RecordingBlackmagic RAW
3840 x 2160 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94/60 fps [26 to 190 Mb/s]
Audio RecordingRaw: 2-Channel 24-Bit 48 kHz LPCM Audio
Display TypeFixed Touchscreen LCD
Size7″
Resolution1920 x 1200
Power I/O1 x Barrel (12 VDC) Input
Power Consumption>46 W
Operating Temperature32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C
Storage Temperature-4 to 113°F / -20 to 45°C
Operating Humidity0 to 90%
Accessory Mount2 x 1/4″-20 Female
Tripod Mount3/8″-16 Female
Dimensions (W x H x D)10.77 x 6.68 x 6.59″ / 27.36 x 16.97 x 16.74 cm (Without Protrusions)
Weight3.71 lb / 1.68 kg
Package Weight6.975 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)12.4 x 10.3 x 8.2″

Summary

Blackmagic Design has made studio shooting more straightforward and more inexpensive than ever. The Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus and Blackmagic Studio Camera Pro 4K are identical internally and use a touchscreen to modify settings, depending on your particular demands (SDI capability) for a camera.

The Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus has a Back button above the F1 through F3 controls. At the same time, the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pro features a PGM button above the function keys and SDI and XLR connections. These are the only outward aesthetic distinctions. The best way to stream your video—where most of the video we produce ends—is with the Blackmagic Web Presenter 4K.

The Studio Cameras or Web Presenter 4K may be operated quickly and easily by someone without experience.

Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus Price

  • Product
  • Features
  • Photos

Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 4K Plus

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 6:46 am
$1,333.33 $1,345.00

Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus FAQs

Is Blackmagic 4K still worth it?

Yes, in addition to recording video, the Blackmagic 4K camera can also take still photographs. However, given that it is intended to be used predominantly for video production, it may not have all of the features and capabilities of a specialized still camera. 

What are the disadvantages of a Blackmagic 4K camera?

Regarding whether the Blackmagic 4K camera is still worth it, the answer is determined by the specific requirements and inclinations of the user. EveHowever, though it does not have the most current capabilities and technologies, it is still capable of producing high-quality footage. In addition, it represents a more cost-effective alternative to more recent versions.

If, on the other hand, enhanced low-light performance and autofocus are characteristics that are particularly essential to you, you should look into more recent models. 

Can Blackmagic 4K take photos?

Concerning the drawbacks, some customers have mentioned problems with the device’s battery life, overheating, and the absence of an internal stabilization and autofocus system.

The camera also has a comparatively small sensor compared to full-frame cameras, which can affect how well the camera performs in low-light conditions and how much depth of field it can capture.

Paul
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