Best New Camera for Drones? - Blackmagic Micro - NAB Show 2015

The video reviews Blackmagic Design's Micro Cinema Camera announced at NAB 2015, highlighting how it builds on the Pocket Cinema Camera by getting even smaller while preserving image quality. The presenter notes a 1/3.9 inch sensor with a claimed 13 stops of dynamic range and mention that the sensor supports both global and rolling shutter, similar to the newer ERSA Mini option. The camera is designed for use on small to medium sized drones, with front panel controls for ease of use during flight, avoiding the need to reach around the body. On the right, the camera offers a full sized HDMI output and a new expansion port that enables customized cables, such as remote wireless control of camera settings via an RC link. On the left, there is an SD card slot and a mic input for external audio capture. The Micro is capable of RAW recording and multiple flavors of Apple ProRes, and it uses Canon LP-E6 batteries, a familiar power choice for many shooters. Blackmagic also announced a larger 4K version that features a bigger sensor, 6G SDI I/O, and is geared toward broadcast production, trading off the internal SD card slot for more robust video infrastructure. Overall, the Micro Cinema Camera aims to offer affordable high-quality imaging for drone use and other compact setups, with the standard version priced at $995 and a 4K version priced at $12.95 in the presented context, underscoring Blackmagic's trend of accessible cinema-quality gear. The presenter closes by inviting viewer feedback and noting NAB 2015 coverage resources and sponsor mentions, emphasizing the camera's potential as a crash cam or a discreet high-quality option for hard-to-fit shots.

Topics · technology · drones · cameras · video-production · broadcasting