There is no denying that Blackmagic makes some of the most affordable professional film production devices on the market. Their Achilles heel has always been the software running those devices. Today, Blackmagic released a new update to their cameras, update 1.8, which looks to address many issues users were running into on all of the Blackmagic camera line.

Blackmagic-Pocket-Cinema-Camera

The list is extensive, as it covers all of the Blackmagic cameras from the $999 BMPCC all the way up to the very expensive Blackmagic Production 4K camera. One of the cool new features is on the 4K camera, which adds the option to shoot 4K RAW video – a VERY nice upgrade.

The camera with the longest list of updates might surprise you, but if you have used the camera, you know that it needs them. The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera has 9 updates, the next closest on the list is that Cinema Camera with 7 updates. You can see the listing of full updates below…

Blackmagic Production Camera 4K

  1. Updated user interface
  2. Losslessly compressed RAW DNG recording support
  3. Addresses an issue where pixel artefacts are seen in edges with strong highlights while shooting in 1080 mode
  4. Adds autofocus support for compatible EF lenses

Blackmagic Cinema Camera

  1. Updated user interface
  2. Adds autofocus support for compatible EF lenses
  3. Improved debayering when shooting to ProRes or DNxHD
  4. Improved focus peaking display
  5. Improved ISO handling when shooting at ISO 1600
  6. Improved general audio performance
  7. Iris setting is retained when switching between camera recording and clip playback

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera

  1. Updated user interface
  2. Improved performance when recording using internal microphones
  3. Improved instances where a grid-like pattern may occur in some flare highlights
  4. General improvements in autofocus with active MFT lenses
  5. Adds supports for stabilization in MFT lenses without physical O.I.S switches
  6. Improved support for Sigma MFT lenses
  7. Improved support for Lumix 12-42mm PZ lens
  8. Improved support for Olympus 60mm f/2.8 MFT lens
  9. Iris setting is retained when switching between camera recording and clip playback

Blackmagic Studio Camera

  1. Improved phantom power compatibility
  2. Addresses an issue with interlace video being output as progressive video

Overall, a nice set of updates for each of the cameras, though I notice that some of the most requested features (in-camera card formatting, for example) were not addressed. Still, users of these cameras should be happy with the update.

You can find out more about the new updates from Blackmagic over on their website.