Pro or Plus? Deciding between this Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 4K Pro or the Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 4K Plus really comes down to whether you’ll be using an ATEM switcher that utilizes HDMI or SDI camera control. If you plan on using HDMI control with an ATEM Mini, choose the Plus version while larger ATEM units like the Blackmagic Design ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K that require SDI return will only work with the Pro model. Both versions record the same quality BRAW to external Type C SSDs, have the same sensor, and provide the same touchscreen and physical controls.

What’s Changed? The Blackmagic Design Studio Camera 4K Pro is a full redesign of Blackmagic’s Studio camera platform. Using their prior experience with add-ons and modifications to their Blackmagic Design Studio Cameras, they have integrated studio oriented features like control knobs, easily readable tally lighting, and a slide plate mounting system with 15mm LWS rod mounts. You’ll also have the ability to record BRAW to external hard drives and camera control via Blackmagic’s ATEM Mini line of switchers.

UHD 4K Capable w/ SDI Control. The Studio Camera 4K Pro couples its compact size with a 3840 × 2160 Ultra HD image sensor. This “pro” version offers HDMI and 12G-SDI output as well as an SDI In port that can be connected to a compatible Blackmagic ATEM switcher like the ATEM 2 M/E or 4 M/E for control over camera functions as well as lens functions on compatible motorized lenses.

Integrated 7-Inch Touchscreen Monitor. The large built-in monitor’s 1920 × 1200 resolution makes it easy to view your shots while you’re shooting and provides overlays for status and record parameters, histogram, focus peaking indicators, levels, and frame guides.

Tactile Controls. The touchscreen does much of the heavy lifting for camera control, but knobs to the right of the monitor allow for more tactile and precise control of brightness, contrast, and focus peaking while three function buttons on the left can be assigned to zebra, false color, focus peaking on/off, LUTs, and more.

External SSD Recording. This camera features dual USB Type C ports that allow users to record Blackmagic RAW directly to external SSDs for quick transport of files to a computer for editing. Please note that external USB Type C SSDs are the only type of media accepted by this camera.