Blackmagic Design updated the URSA Mini Pro 12K’s sensor

Blackmagic Design has released its Camera 7.7 update for the Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 12K and the Blackmagic Design URSA Mini recorder. It’s the company’s latest firmware update and adds new features to the cinema cameras.

Demosaic algorithm

The Blackmagic Design Camera 7.7 update enhances the Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 12K’s sensor performance.

It also includes adjustments to the demosaic algorithm. The demosaic algorithm is the digital process that constructs a full-color image from the raw sensor data. Blackmagic Design states that the update to the algorithm optimizes the 12K sensor. The company also says this will improve the clarity of fine detail in shadow regions.

Color balance

Blackmagic design update
Image courtesy: Blackmagic Design

The update provides a more neutral color balance from the Blackmagic Design Ursa Mini 12K’s sensor. Blackmagic Design claims this gives better skin tones in your footage, while still retaining the natural soft highlight rolloff of film. In addition, the new firmware reduces moire in your images. Moire may arise when capturing ultra-high resolution scenes with very high-frequency fabrics or architectural textures.

USB-C connection

Additionally, the Blackmagic Design Camera 7.7 update improves the Blackmagic Design Ursa Mini 12K’s USB-C’s connection. The Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Recorder has also been updated to improve compatibility with ExAscend U.2 SSDs.

Clean shadows

Cinematographer Vance Burberry beta tested the new update on live productions. “After shooting three projects with the LA Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, the new update makes the image cleaner in the shadows,” said Burberry. “Usually, I’d never try to pull up the shadows, but when I did, there was less noise and at normal exposure, the shadows stayed very clean. There is something special about the URSA Mini Pro 12K’s sensor. It has this incredible resolution but at the same time, has a delicateness to it that really reminds me of film.”

Pricing and availability

Blackmagic Design Camera 7.7 update is available for download now, free of charge, from the Blackmagic Design’s website.

Pete Tomkies
Pete Tomkies
Pete Tomkies is a freelance filmmaker from Manchester, UK. He also produces and directs short films as Duck66 Films. Pete's horror comedy short Once Bitten... won 15 awards and was selected for 105 film festivals around the world. He also produced the feature film Secrets of a Wallaby Boy which is available on major streaming platforms around the world.

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