After a few years of striking and bizarre designs, Blackmagic landed on a familiar shape that straddles the gap between cinema camera and ENG camcorder. The original Ursa Mini Pro 4.6K was Blackmagic’s first camera that felt finished. Yet here, with the Ursa, it feels like a bargain. But as someone who shoots video on a hybrid mirrorless camera, I can see the value in moving up to the Ursa. I’m not sure what makes a Red or Arri, the cameras of choice in Hollywood, worth tens of thousands more.

At a fiver under $6,000, I won’t be buying one anytime soon, but it’s a heck of a lot more affordable than similar cinema cameras from other manufacturers. From a technical standpoint, anyway.ĭespite my techno-lust, the Ursa remains out of my league - and yet, not outlandishly beyond my budget. But once you’ve settled on your favorite, there’s nothing else in the way of living out your directorial dreams. You have to first decide which record button to press - there are, like, four of them. Well, OK, it takes a little more work than that.

If you know how to use a DSLR, you can figure out the Ursa in minutes.

Turn it on, point it at something, press record, and out comes a shot ready for the big screen.

Blackmagic ursa mini pro 4.6 k g2