Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 4K Plus G2

Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 4K Plus G2 Overview

Add a powerful studio camera to your 4K broadcast when using an ATEM Mini or DaVinci Studio with the Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 4K Plus G2. Updated from the HDMI Studio Camera 4K Plus, this compact and lightweight broadcast camera now features a 12G-SDI input, 12G-SDI output, and HDMI 2.0 output for even more compatibility with SDI switchers. This camera has all the same features as the Studio Camera 4K Plus, including an active MFT lens mount, 25,600 ISO, 13 stops of dynamic range, a tally light, two USB-C ports for recording and control, built-in dual microphones, a 7" HDR LCD, and a redesigned sun hood. And now it can output 12G-SDI video as well as utilize the program feed and talkback features via SDI.

Designed for Live Production

While Blackmagic Studio Camera is designed for live production, it s not limited to use with a live switcher because it records Blackmagic RAW to USB disks, so it can be used in any situation where you use a tripod. The large 7" viewfinder makes it perfect for work such as chat shows, television production, broadcast news, sports, education, conference presentations, and even weddings. The large bright display with side handles, touchscreen, and physical controls makes it easy to track shots while being comfortable to use for long periods of time. Because it s so lightweight, it s perfect when you re constantly changing locations and doing different kinds of work.

Studio Camera Design

The distinctive Blackmagic Studio Camera has all the benefits of a large studio camera because it s a combination of camera and viewfinder all in a single compact design. It features a lightweight carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate body with innovative technology in a miniaturized design. The camera is designed for live production, so it s easy to track and frame shots with its large 7" viewfinder. The touchscreen has menus for camera settings, and there are knobs for brightness, contrast, and focus peaking. Plus, a tripod mount and mounting plate are included for fast setup.

Advanced Low-Light Performance

The Blackmagic Studio Camera features gain from -12 dB (100 ISO) up to +36 dB (25,600 ISO), so it s optimized to reduce grain and noise in images while maintaining the full dynamic range of the sensor. The primary native ISO is 400, which is ideal for use under studio lighting. Then, the secondary high base ISO of 3200 is great when shooting in dimly lit environments. The gain can be set from the camera or remotely from a switcher using the SDI or Ethernet remote camera control.

Cinematic Images in Live Production

Sensors combined with Blackmagic generation 5 color science give you the same imaging technology used in digital film cameras. When combined with the built-in DaVinci Resolve primary color corrector, you get much better images than simple broadcast cameras. The color corrector can even be controlled from the switcher. With 13 stops of dynamic range, the camera has darker blacks and brighter whites, which is ideal for color correction. Great for both HD and Ultra HD production, the 4K models feature a resolution of 3840 x 2160 from 23.98 to 60 fps.

Affordable Photographic Lenses

With the popular EF or MFT lens mounts, Blackmagic Studio G2 cameras are compatible with a wide range of affordable photographic lenses, and the active lens mount lets you adjust the lens remotely. To eliminate the need to reach around to adjust the lens manually, the optional focus and zoom demands let you adjust the lens from the tripod handles just like a large studio camera. This means you avoid camera shake when adjusting the lens so you can track shots and operate the camera without taking your hands off the tripod. It gives you the same feel as an expensive B4 broadcast lens.

Frame Shots with Large 7" Viewfinder

The large 7" high-resolution screen is big enough to make framing shots much easier. On-screen overlays show status and record parameters, histogram, focus peaking indicators, levels, frame guides, and more. You can even apply 3D LUTs for monitoring shots with the desired color and look. The touchscreen also has menus and you can load and customize presets for different jobs. The included sun hood can be folded to protect the screen for transport, plus it is compatible with the sun hood from the Blackmagic Studio Viewfinder.

Physical and Touchscreen Controls

Blackmagic Studio G2 cameras feature physical buttons and knobs, as well as touch controls on the screen. Knobs on the right side of the camera allow adjusting of the brightness, contrast, and focus peaking. The focus peaking knob is useful as it lets you fine-tune the detail highlight so you can get accurate focus as you zoom. The three function buttons on the left can have functions assigned to them, such as zebra, false color, focus peaking, LUTs, and more. Plus you can change the function assigned to each button in the menus. The touchscreen also includes a heads-up display with the most important shooting information, as well as menus for all camera settings, LUTs, and custom presets.

Built-In Tally for On-Air Status

Blackmagic Studio G2 cameras feature a very large tally light that illuminates red for on-air, green for preview, and orange for ISO recording. The tally light also includes clip-on transparent camera numbers, so it s easy for talent to see camera numbers from up to 20 away. The cameras support the SDI tally standard used on all ATEM live production switchers and the HDMI tally used on ATEM Mini switchers. This means that a director can cut between cameras, and the tally information will be sent back to the cameras via the SDI program return feed, lighting up the tally light on the camera whenever it s on air. SDI tally eliminates complex wiring so job setup is faster.

Communicate with the Director via Talkback

Unlike consumer cameras, Studio G2 cameras have SDI connections that include talkback so the switcher operator can communicate with cameras during live events. That means the director can talk to the camera operators to guide shot selection, eliminating the problem where all cameras could have the same shot at the same time. All models support 3.5mm headsets that are designed for smartphones. Talkback uses audio channels 15 and 16 in the SDI connection between the camera and the switcher, as well as in the program return from the switcher to the camera, so any embedded SDI audio device can work with talkback.

Multiple Ways to Connect

The HDMI supports video, tally, control, and record trigger for a broadcast-style workflow using a single HDMI cable. They also have 12G-SDI so you can connect to SDI-based switchers such as the ATEM Constellation. There s a 12G-SDI connection for camera video and one for program return. The program return also includes tally, talkback, and remote camera control.

Low-Cost Camera Control via SDI

All Blackmagic Design ATEM switchers can control cameras via a protocol embedded into the camera s SDI video connections. Setup is easy because all ATEM switchers broadcast control commands from the switcher s SDI program output to the camera via the SDI program input. The switcher can perform color correction, tally, and lens control, and these are sent to all cameras. All you need to do is select the correct camera number and it all works. Even ATEM Mini switchers can control Blackmagic Studio Cameras because the HDMI output to the switcher has return data communication that can send control information back to the camera, so the camera operator is free to focus on framing shots.

Blackmagic RAW Quality

Blackmagic RAW is designed to capture and preserve the quality of the sensor data from your camera. Some file formats such as H.264 are highly compressed, adding noise and artifacts, causing sensor detail to be lost forever. Blackmagic RAW eliminates this problem so you get stunning images with incredible detail and rich color t