Blackmagic Design today unveiled the Blackmagic Camera 8.1 update, which introduces support for vertical aspect ratio video to all Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras. This addition allows users to create cinematic vertical videos for platforms such as TikTok and YouTube Shorts with ease. The update automatically rotates the camera’s on-screen HUD and tags files as vertical for proper display during editing, simplifying both shooting and editing of vertical content. The Blackmagic Camera 8.1 update is now available for download on the Blackmagic Design website.
To create content for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and other vertical video platforms, users can simply rotate the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera to shoot vertical aspect ratios like 9:16 and 4:5. The on-screen HUD rotates accordingly, making critical information like frame rate, shutter angle, and frame guides easy to view even when the camera is turned upside down. Users can also enable frame guides to ensure important details remain in shot for various aspect ratios. When files are imported into DaVinci Resolve, they are automatically tagged as vertical, so they appear correctly in the timeline. Direct exporting to TikTok and YouTube is available for easy content uploading.
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras boast professional features, including high dynamic range, excellent low-light performance, and Blackmagic RAW, which deliver Hollywood-style film images with precise skin tones and stunning organic colors. Advanced features, such as 4K, 6K G2, or 6K Pro models, large 5″ LCD for easy focus, SD card and CFast media, external USB-C media disk recording, EF or MFT lens mounts, and more, come standard. DaVinci Resolve Studio is also included for editing, color correction, audio post, and VFX.
With three models to choose from, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras are compatible with the most popular lenses in the world. Users can select between EF or MFT lenses, making it easy to use lenses they already own from other cameras, such as DSLR, URSA Mini Pro, or the original Blackmagic Cinema Camera. The active lens mount allows users to adjust focus and iris using the camera buttons or touchscreen. The MFT lens mount on the 4K model can be adapted to PL, C, EF, or other lens types for even greater flexibility.
The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera features a large, bright 5-inch touchscreen, making it easy to frame shots and focus accurately. On-screen overlays display status and record parameters, histogram, focus peaking indicators, levels, frame guides, and more. Users can quickly apply 3D LUTs for monitoring shots with the desired color and look.
All Pocket Cinema Camera models include a full version of DaVinci Resolve Studio, the same software used in Hollywood for creating high-end feature films, episodic television shows, commercials, and more. DaVinci Resolve features intelligent editing tools and innovative new features designed to help users quickly find the footage they want, edit it together, and output it fast.
