Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 Digital Cinema Camera

Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 Overview

The Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 is a versatile digital cinema camera designed for professional filmmakers and videographers. Building on the success of its predecessor, the URSA Mini Pro, the G2 model introduces an updated Super 35 4.6K sensor with 15 stops of dynamic range at 3200 ISO, high frame rate recording up to 300 fps, and additional advanced features. With its robust design, expanded control set, and enhanced functionality, the URSA Mini Pro G2 is ideal for feature films, documentaries, TV productions, commercials, and more.

Key Features

• Updated Super 35 4.6K Sensor: Captures cinematic images with 15 stops of dynamic range at 3200 ISO, delivering exceptional image quality with subtle gradients and lifelike colors.
• High Frame Rate Recording: Supports 4.6K footage at up to 120 fps, 4K DCI at up to 150 fps, and 1080p HD at up to 300 fps for capturing fast-action scenes in stunning detail.
• Built-In ND Filters: Features a four-position ND filter wheel with clear, 2-, 4-, and 6-stop options, allowing precise control over exposure while maintaining consistent image quality and minimal color shift.
• External Camera Controls: Includes tactile physical controls for quick access to essential settings such as exposure, slow/fast motion, focus assist, and more.
• Monochrome LCD Status Display: Provides real-time shooting data, including timecode, frame rate, aperture, white balance, ISO, battery status, and audio levels.
• Dual CFast 2.0 and SD Card Slots: Offers flexible media options, enabling recording of high-bandwidth raw footage on CFast 2.0 cards or cost-effective formats like ProRes on SD cards.
• USB-C Expansion Port: Allows direct recording to external drives, providing additional flexibility for long shoots or high-resolution workflows.
• User-Interchangeable Lens Mounts: Comes with an EF mount by default, but supports optional F (Nikon), PL, and B4 mounts, making it adaptable to various lenses and workflows.

Advanced Image Processing

The URSA Mini Pro G2 leverages Blackmagic Design's Generation 4 Color Science, ensuring accurate skin tones and lifelike colors that rival cameras costing significantly more. It supports both Blackmagic RAW and ProRes recording formats:

• Blackmagic RAW: Captures film-like dynamic range and color tonality, preserving maximum post-production flexibility. Compression levels of up to 12:1 are available to balance file size and quality.
• ProRes Formats: Includes industry-standard Apple ProRes files in multiple variations (444 and 422 chroma subsampling) for ready-to-edit footage. Options include "Film" mode for grading flexibility and "Video" mode for a polished look straight out of the camera.

Professional Connections

The URSA Mini Pro G2 is equipped with a comprehensive array of I/O ports, ensuring seamless integration into any production setup:

• 12G-SDI Output: Handles up to 2160p60 using a single BNC cable, switching to 6G-SDI or HD-SDI depending on the shooting format.
• HD-SDI Monitoring Output: Perfect for connecting viewfinders or on-set monitors.
• Balanced XLR Audio Inputs: Provide professional-grade audio recording with switchable 48V phantom power for microphones.
• LANC Inputs, Timecode In, Reference Input: Enable synchronization and remote control capabilities.

Ergonomic Design and Flexibility

Weighing just over five pounds, the magnesium alloy body ensures durability without compromising portability. The camera's compact handheld design makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from studio-style setups to run-and-gun documentary work. Optional accessories, such as the VCT shoulder pad, side handgrip, and broadcast battery plate, enhance comfort and usability during extended shoots.

Touchscreen Control and Monitoring

A fold-out 4-inch capacitive touchscreen LCD provides intuitive navigation through menus and settings. Users can monitor timecode, scopes, audio levels, and focus peaking directly on the screen, as well as add shot metadata using the onscreen keyboard.

Audio Recording

The URSA Mini Pro G2 includes built-in stereo microphones for capturing natural location sound, along with two XLR inputs for connecting professional microphones. Physical knobs allow for quick adjustments, while onscreen audio meters ensure precise monitoring.

Included Software

Each URSA Mini Pro G2 comes with a DaVinci Resolve USB dongle, unlocking the full feature set of this powerful editing, color grading, and finishing software. DaVinci Resolve is optimized to handle the 12-bit log raw images produced by the camera, ensuring maximum creative control in post-production.

Ideal Use Cases

• Feature films requiring high dynamic range and cinematic quality.
• Documentaries and ENG/EFP workflows benefiting from lightweight portability and interchangeable lens mounts.
• TV and commercial productions demanding high frame rates and resolution flexibility.
• Music videos and creative projects leveraging advanced color science and RAW recording capabilities.

Conclusion

The Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 is a powerhouse digital cinema camera that combines cutting-edge technology with user-friendly features. Its ability to capture high-quality RAW footage, support multiple recording formats, and integrate seamlessly into professional workflows makes it an indispensable tool for filmmakers and content creators. Whether you're shooting a Hollywood blockbuster, a corporate video, or a documentary, the URSA Mini Pro G2 delivers the performance, versatility, and reliability needed to bring your vision to life.