Blackmagic Micro Cinema

Blackmagic Micro Video Camera

Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera with 16mm sensor and controllable radio. 

Miniaturized digital film camera that allows remote operation through PWM or S.Bus connections for controls used in the practice of model aircraft. It includes a Super 16 sensor with a dynamic range of 13 stops and offers the possibility of recording images in RAW or ProRes format.

the Micro Cinema Camera model of Blackmagic consists of a miniaturized professional version with Super 16 mm sensor that has been designed to allow remote operation and capture the action in all kinds of places. 

It has a revolutionary expansion port with PWM and S.Bus input connections that provide the possibility of using the type of remote controls used in model airplanes to operate the camera and adjust different parameters remotely. Its features include the feasibility of recording files in RAW and ProRes format, the 13-step dynamic range, the global shutter and the Micro Four Thirds mount. In short, this model is able to access places where no other camera has arrived before.

By using this version as a shock camera, mounting it on quadcopters or placing it in dangerous places, it is possible to operate it, see the signal live and monitor the images at a safe distance. The expansion port can be connected to a radio-controlled receiver to assign different camera functions to certain channels so that recording can begin and stop, adjust focus, or modify the aperture of the diaphragm remotely. Also, this port has an output for composite video signals that allows you to connect low-cost wireless transmitters to check if the camera is recording or check the volume and battery life.

The design of the Micro Cinema Camera combines advanced miniaturization technology with a unique expansion port to offer a digital shooting solution that allows custom platforms and media to be used to record and monitor images remotely. The frame size is barely larger than the Micro Four Thirds mount, making this professional version the smallest available on the market. To manufacture the camera, a lightweight and resistant magnesium alloy is used that provides the possibility of filming in the most diverse places, from the bottom of the ocean to outer space. This model can be controlled directly through the front buttons or by a remote control when it is in places where it is not possible to reach it.

The revolutionary expansion port provides the ability to create a customized solution to remotely control the camera, monitor images or use external power supplies. The included multi-connector cable allows access to the various functions of the camera, but it is also possible to use custom cables that further expand the range of possibilities offered by this model. In addition to a LANC port and connections for video, intersynchronizers and power supplies, 4 analog PWM inputs are included through which it is possible to assign camera functions to the various knobs, dials, buttons and levers of the remote controls used in model airplanes. Also, to achieve greater precision, it is possible to resort to an S.Bus control system with 18 channels developed by Futaba, or integrated controllers.

The expansion port has outputs for composite video signals (NTSC and PAL) that can be connected to inexpensive wireless transmitters to monitor images remotely. In this way, it is possible to see exactly what the camera is recording and if it is on the air. Also, the Micro Cinema Camera model has an HDMI output for high-definition wireless video transmitters that allows to achieve a higher quality in monitoring. On the other hand, it is possible to see information about the status of the camera, the settings of the lens, the file format used, the intensity of the audio, the histogram of the signal, the battery life and other data in the images transmitted through the outputs for composite video and HDMI.

The Super 16 sensor offers an HD 1080 resolution with a dynamic range of 13 stops and a global shutter that allows recording at a frequency of 30 f/s. Most DSLR and action models feature a continuous shutter that exposes different parts of the image in fractions of a second, causing the resulting video to look skewed and unstable when the camera vibrates or moves. However, the shutter of the Micro Cinema Camera works similarly to that of a camera, exposing the entire image simultaneously. In this way, distortions in the recorded sequence are avoided. With an ISO sensitivity of 1600, this version delivers exceptional quality, even in low-light places

This model allows you to capture images in a 12-bit digital cinematic quality without the typical artifacts generated by small action cameras and DSLRs when recording 8-bit H.264 files with a high degree of compression. Sequences can be saved in RAW Cinema DNG or ProRes format. The first offers a 12-bit logarithmic curve and allows to preserve all the information captured by the camera sensor, so that it is possible to have the necessary latitude to modify different parameters such as white balance and exposure, even long after the camera stops rolling. On the other hand, files in ProRes format are smaller in size and provide the possibility to increase the recording time to obtain images with professional quality. Contents in both formats can be easily edited and grounded using the DaVinci Resolve Lite program. This is included for free and can be installed on computers with Mac or Windows operating system.

The Micro Cinema Camera model has an active Micro Four Thirds mount that allows you to use a wide variety of professional photographic lenses. These include fixed and panoramic lenses, among others. In this way, the most suitable one can be selected for each type of project. On the other hand, the expansion port of the camera offers the possibility to remotely control the focus, aperture of the diaphragm and the focal length in active lenses with this type of mount. Most of these also have an optical function to stabilize the image, so they are ideal for places where movements or vibrations could occur.

The right side of this model has an HDMI connection that allows you to monitor video signals with integrated audio and see information about them on the monitor screen. In addition, the expansion port is composed of a conventional DB-HD15 connector and can be used with the provided multi-connector cable or any other custom cable to have more control options or supply electric current to the camera. For its part, the left side has a compartment for SD cards and a stereo input of 3.5 mm to connect devices at the line or microphone level.

The built-in omnidirectional stereo microphone allows audio to be recorded in extraordinary quality and is designed to reduce wind noise for clear sound. The camera also has a 3.5 mm input to connect directional microphones. This connection supports signals of varying intensity and automatically disables the built-in microphone when using an external one. The Micro Cinema Camera model provides the flexibility to choose the most appropriate microphone or audio source depending on the type of project.

To record remotely, an LP-E6 battery can be used by placing it on the back of the camera. The charge level is displayed on any display or monitor connected to the HDMI or PAL/NTSC outputs so that you can check the duration of the charge. This model also has an LED that lights up when recording a sequence and indicates if the battery has little charge. On the other hand, the included multiconnect cable has a connection for alternating current of 12 V that allows to supply power to the camera or even create other power supplies customized according to the needs of the user