Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 Digital Cinema Camera

Enhancing the electronic and recording features of its predecessor, the Mini Pro, the Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 Digital Cinema Camera offers an expanded set of controls and increased functionality. The G2 model introduces a revised Super 35 4.6K sensor that boasts 15 stops of dynamic range at 3200 ISO, supports high frame rate recording of up to 300 fps, and includes additional recording capabilities.

The incorporation of external camera controls enables users to navigate menus for adjusting exposure settings, activating slow or fast motion, and utilizing focus assist or other features. Furthermore, the camera's exterior is equipped with a monochrome LCD panel that provides essential shooting information at a glance. Another significant professional enhancement is the integrated ND (neutral density) filter wheel, which features four positions allowing for two, four, and six stops of neutral density, in addition to a clear filter that offers no exposure reduction.

Positioned behind the display, two SD card slots are located adjacent to the CFast 2.0 slots, allowing for the use of more economical media for less demanding recording formats. The G2 features a USB-C expansion port, facilitating direct recording to external drives. The standard electronic EF lens mount is designed to be user-interchangeable and adjustable, ensuring the correct flange focal distance.

Central to the camera is Blackmagic Design's renowned Super 35mm 4.6K sensor block, celebrated for its capability to produce cinematic images with nuanced gradients and an extensive dynamic range of 15 stops. The G2 now supports the capture of Blackmagic RAW footage in both film and extended modes, enhancing its versatility to accommodate various production requirements. Notably, the G2's most remarkable enhancement is its ability to record 4.6K footage at 120 fps, 4K DCI at 150 fps, or even 1080p footage at 300 fps, making it particularly suitable for high-speed action shooting.

Similar to the URSA Mini, the URSA Mini Pro G2 is capable of recording high-resolution raw sensor data in the Blackmagic RAW format onto CFast 2.0 or SD memory cards at frame rates of up to 60 fps. The raw files maintain the complete dynamic range and color fidelity produced by the sensor, allowing for enhanced control over the visual aesthetics during post-production. However, handling large uncompressed raw files on set can be challenging; therefore, the URSA Mini Pro also offers compressed raw recording options at 3:1 and 4:1 compression ratios, which help conserve storage space while still providing flexibility in post-production.

If raw capture is not essential for your project, the URSA Mini Pro G2 provides industry-standard Apple ProRes files in various formats, including 444 and 422 chroma subsampling options tailored to your workflow. It can record in resolutions of 4.6K, 4K, 3K, 2K, and HD as ProRes files, utilizing either the "Film" dynamic range for a flatter image suitable for grading or the "Video" dynamic range for a polished look directly from the camera. ProRes recordings can be made on either CFast 2.0 or UHS-II SD cards (note that SD cards are limited to UHD 4K; please refer to the Blackmagic Design website for the latest compatibility and limitations).

The original URSA Mini's form factor has been preserved, ensuring that its ergonomic advantages remain intact. With optional accessories such as the VCT shoulder pad, side handgrip, broadcast battery plate, and EVF, the camera can be configured for comfortable shooting over extended durations. For studio-style setups, the shoulder pad is compatible with 15mm LWS rods, allowing for the attachment of lens supports, follow focuses, lens drive motors, matte boxes, and additional equipment.

Pro Features

• Updated Super 35 4.6K image sensor
  
  
• 4608 x 2592 with 15 stops of dynamic range at 3200 ISO
  
  
• 4.6K images at up to 120 frames per second
  
  
• Windowed 4K DCI at up to 150 frames per second
  
  
• Windowed 1080 HD at 300 frames per second
  
  
• Blackmagic RAW images in both film and extended video modes
  
  
• Raw compression levels up to 12:1
  
  
• USB-C expansion port for recording to external drives
  
  

Built-In ND Filters

The URSA Mini Pro G2 is equipped with premium neutral density (ND) filters that allow for rapid adjustment of light intake into the camera. The clear filters, available in 2-, 4-, and 6-stop options, are meticulously crafted to align with the color science of the URSA Mini Pro G2, ensuring consistent image quality with minimal color deviation. These ND filters enable the use of various combinations of aperture and shutter angle, facilitating the achievement of a shallower depth of field or specific motion blur effects across a broader range of scenarios. Moreover, the internal infrared (IR) filters are engineered to evenly filter both optical and infrared wavelengths, effectively preventing IR contamination that may occur with standard ND filters. A precision mechanism secures the filters and swiftly positions them when the ND filter dial is adjusted. Additionally, the current filter settings can be conveniently displayed on the LCD as an ND number, stop reduction, or fraction.

External Control Section

The URSA Mini Pro G2 incorporates a design reminiscent of traditional broadcast cameras, offering a comprehensive selection of tactile physical controls that provide immediate access to essential camera settings. The arrangement of these controls follows a logical sequence, facilitating easy recall, allowing users to modify camera settings, engage ND filters, and alter frame rates without the need to glance at the buttons, navigate through on-screen menus, or remove the camera from their shoulder.

User-Interchangeable Lens Mounts

The URSA Mini Pro G2 is equipped with a standard interchangeable EF mount. For those wishing to utilize lenses with F (Nikon), PL, or B4 mounts, additional interchangeable mounts can be acquired separately. This feature of interchangeable lens mounts enables the URSA Mini Pro G2 to adapt to a wide range of workflows, including documentary filmmaking, ENG/EFP, and cinematic productions. Furthermore, for ENG lenses, a 12-pin Hirose connector is provided to supply power to the servo, ensuring full functionality of the lens.

External LCD Status Display

The status display consists of a highly visible black-and-white LCD screen, engineered for optimal visibility even in bright lighting conditions. It presents essential information such as record timecode, locked timecode, and reference timecode, in addition to the current shooting frame rate, shutter angle, aperture, white balance, ISO, and iris settings. Furthermore, it includes a battery status indicator, card recording status, and audio meters for level monitoring. The backlight of the screen can be activated for use in low-light environments and deactivated in bright outdoor settings to enhance contrast, ensuring readability across a wide range of shooting scenarios.

Advanced Image Processing

The URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 incorporates Blackmagic Design's Generation 4 Color Science, which enhances imaging capabilities to deliver exceptionally accurate skin tones and vibrant colors that compete with cameras priced significantly higher. Blackmagic RAW images are captured in a specialized nonlinear 12-bit format, optimized to maximize color data and dynamic range. Users of Blackmagic RAW have the flexibility to select compression ratios of up to 12:1 while still achieving professional-grade images suitable for feature films, documentaries, and broadcast content. These formats can be recorded onto CFast or SD cards, as well as directly onto flash drives via the USB-C expansion port.

CFast 2.0 and SD Media Support

The device is equipped with two slots each for CFast 2.0 and SD cards, facilitating recording media options. High-end workflows that necessitate 4K or 4.6K raw recording, as well as high frame rate shooting, will benefit significantly from the high-bandwidth capabilities of CFast 2.0 cards. Additionally, raw HD and 4K ProRes footage can be recorded on SD cards that adhere to the UHS-II standard, which are both convenient and relatively cost-effective. With two slots for each format, uninterrupted recording is ensured, regardless of the chosen format.

General Features

Compact Handheld Design

The reduction in size of the original URSA design allows the URSA Mini Pro G2 to seamlessly integrate into various workflows, including feature films, independent films, television, commercials, documentaries, and music videos, accommodating crews of all sizes. By utilizing the optional shoulder mount equipped with a quick release plate, the URSA Mini Pro G2 can transition effortlessly from handheld to shoulder-mounted or tripod setups within seconds. Notably, despite its compact dimensions, the URSA Mini Pro G2 retains essential controls and input/output options necessary for professional applications.

Constructed from magnesium alloys, the URSA Mini Pro G2 maintains a lightweight profile, weighing just over five pounds. With the addition of the optional shoulder mount and side handgrip, the handgrip can be extended from the side of the camera, facilitating a documentary-style shooting configuration.

4.6K Super 35 Sensor

The URSA Mini Pro G2 features a sensor with a remarkable resolution of 4608 x 2592, enabling it to capture motion pictures exceeding 4K resolution while offering a cinematic dynamic range of 15 stops at an impressive ISO of 3200. This extensive exposure latitude provides enhanced control during post-production, facilitating highlight recovery while maintaining clean shadows free from artifacts.

The camera is capable of recording the full sensor at frame rates of up to 60 fps, making it suitable for television and other applications that demand higher frame rates. Additionally, by utilizing a smaller section of the sensor, the URSA Mini Pro G2 can produce slow-motion footage at 300 fps in 1080p resolution. When capturing at elevated frame rates, the camera automatically conforms the footage to the designated standard frame rate, ensuring smooth playback without the need for post-processing prior to editing.

Touchscreen Control

Alongside its conventional button-operated menus and numerous external controls, the URSA Mini Pro G2 is equipped with a foldable 4" capacitive touchscreen LCD monitor. This user-friendly touchscreen interface allows for easy navigation of the camera settings, enabling users to view and adjust timecode, scopes, audio levels, and focus peaking, in addition to inputting shot metadata via an on-screen keyboard.

Professional Connections

The URSA Mini G2 is equipped with a variety of connection options, including 12G-SDI output, HD-SDI monitoring output, two LANC inputs, balanced XLR audio with phantom power, timecode input, and reference input. Positioned conveniently on the front right side of the camera are the 4-pin XLR DC and HD-SDI monitoring output, facilitating easy connection to an optional viewfinder or on-set monitor. The 12G-SDI output supports resolutions up to 2160p60 via a single BNC cable and automatically adjusts to 6G-SDI or HD-SDI based on the selected shooting format.

Quality Sound Recording

Equipped with superior built-in microphones and advanced audio recording capabilities, there is no need to transport additional sound equipment. The integrated stereo microphone allows for the recording of authentic ambient sound, while the two XLR mic inputs enable the connection of professional microphones. These XLR connections provide 48V of switchable phantom power, facilitating the use of shotgun microphones or wireless lavalier microphones for enhanced detail capture. Audio levels can be swiftly adjusted using the physical knobs, and monitoring is made easy through the on-screen audio meters and headphone output.

Multiple Power Options

The URSA Mini Pro G2 is equipped with a 4-pin XLR power connector, adhering to industry standards, which accommodates external power supplies ranging from 12 to 30V. This feature facilitates seamless integration with existing professional power sources and batteries. Additionally, the camera retains the same battery power connector and mounting points located at the rear, as found in the original URSA model, allowing compatibility with a variety of battery plates from numerous manufacturers, including IDX, Frezzi, and Anton Bauer. Furthermore, users have the option to incorporate the Blackmagic URSA V-Lock Battery Plate, enabling the use of widely recognized V-mount batteries.

DaVinci Resolve Software Included

Accompanying the camera is a DaVinci Resolve USB dongle, which provides a license to access the complete range of features available in the software. The full version of DaVinci Resolve is compatible with both macOS and Windows operating systems, enabling users to perform editing, color grading, media management, mastering, and delivery tasks. This software is specifically engineered to manage the 12-bit log raw images produced by the URSA Mini Pro G2, allowing users to fully leverage the exceptional image quality and extensive dynamic range of the URSA Mini Pro G2. DaVinci Resolve offers sophisticated multilayer timeline editing capabilities, equipped with robust trimming tools, as well as a comprehensive suite of professional creative grading tools.