Fremont, CA—Blackmagic Design unveiled the Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K; the new digital film camera employs a 12,288×6,480, 12K Super 35 image sensor. Moreover, the camera achieves 14 stops of dynamic range and high frame rate shooting. It is capable of shooting at up to 60 frames per second in 12K at 80 megapixels per frame.
The third-generation model also supports new Blackmagic Generation 5 Color Science technology and higher Blackmagic RAW performance. Oversampling from 12K gives filmmakers the 8K and 4K images with the subtle skin tones and detail of higher-end still cameras. Moreover, they can shoot at 60 fps in 12K; 110 fps in 8K; and up to 220 fps in 4K Super 16.
The compact URSA Mini Pro 12K also features an interchangeable PL mount; built–in ND filters; dual CFast and UHS-II SD card recorders; and a SuperSpeed USB-C expansion port. Filmmakers can switch between PL–, EF– and F–mount lenses. The interchangeable–lens mount also lets filmmakers choose from a wide range of vintage cinema lenses.
Furthermore, the camera’s resolution goes beyond traditional motion picture film. It is a solution for feature films, episodic television and immersive, large–format IMAX. The definition around objects also makes it ideal for working with green screens and VFX, including compositing live action and CGI.
Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K Features
The camera’s new sensor has a native resolution of 12,288×6480 to produce 80 megapixels per frame. The Super 35 sensor has 14 stops of dynamic range as well as a native ISO of 800. In addition, the 12K sensor has equal amounts of red, green and blue pixels and is optimized for images at multiple resolutions.
What’s more, cinematographers can shoot 12K at 60 fps or use in-sensor scaling to allow 8K or 4K RAW at up to 110 fps without cropping or changing their field of view. Additionally, Blackmagic designed the 12K sensor and Blackmagic RAW together to make 12–bit RAW workflows in 12K easier.
The next–generation codec, Blackmagic RAW permits users to shoot 12K and edit on a laptop. Plus, the resolution of the sensor means they can reframe shots in postproduction for delivery in 8K and 4K. They can also work in any resolution in postproduction without rendering, while retaining the full sensor’s color accuracy.
“Only Blackmagic RAW makes cinema quality 12-bit, 80 megapixel images at up to 60 frames a reality. 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,” the company announced. 
Moreover, constant bit–rate encoding options of 5:1, 8:1, 12:1 and the new 18:1 give customers predictable and consistent file size. And they can record RAW to two cards simultaneously, even at high frame rates. Blackmagic RAW stores camera metadata, lens data, white balance, digital slate information as well as custom LUTs.
New Color Science
In addition, Blackmagic Generation 5 Color Science boasts a new film curve to make full use of the amount of color data from the 12K sensor. It delivers better color response for more pleasing skin tones, as well as better rendering of highly saturated colors in high–contrast scenes. The technology also informs complex Blackmagic RAW image processing, with color and dynamic range data from the sensor preserved via metadata for postproduction.
Recording Options
The URSA Mini Pro 12K is a high bandwidth recorder with three options for recording 12K, which contains almost 10x the resolution of Ultra HD. It integrates dual CFast and UHS-II SD card recorders. It also has a SuperSpeed USB-C expansion port for recording to fast SATA and NVMe drives.
What’s more, with “record RAW on 2 cards” turned on, the camera records simultaneously at up to 900MB/s to two CFast cards; or it records at an impressive 500MB/s to two UHS-II SD cards. The rear USB-C expansion port records to USB-C flash storage at up to 900MB/s as a third recording option.
Moviemakers can also record 12-bit Blackmagic RAW files onto fast 2.5–inch SSDs, including the latest U.2 NVMe Enterprise SSDs. As a result, the camera enables longer recording times for full–resolution 4K, 8K and 12K 12-bit Blackmagic RAW files in the highest Q0 encoding. The Blackmagic URSA Mini Recorder attaches directly to the back of the URSA Mini Pro between the camera and the battery. It’s controlled via USB-C.
Additionally, the camera comes with a full version of DaVinci Resolve Studio. The software combines professional editing, color correction, audio post and visual effects one tool.
The Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K ships this month with a $9,995 price tag.
