Blackmagic starts Generation 6 Color Science rollout

Blackmagic is starting to roll out support for its new Generation 6 Color Science, its first color science update since 2020. The latest Blackmagic Camera 10.3 also adds support for the new $1685 URSA Cine Studio Viewfinder for live production.

Blackmagic Camera has had two updates within 24 hours. Version 10.2.3 was a minor release that added improved camera startup performance and a Quiet Record function button parameter for the URSA Cine 17K 65. Now the more impactful version 10.3 has added Generation 6 Color Science capture to the URSA Cine 12K, alongside broader decode support via the equally new Blackmagic RAW 6.0. 

Generation 6 Color Science

Generation 6 Color Science is a big deal. This is the first update since Generation 5 released in July 2020, and features numerous imaging improvements. It looks to be native to the URSA Cine processors, starting here with the Cine 12K LF, and also available as a decoding option for Blackmagic RAW files in DaVinci Resolve 21.1 and Blackmagic RAW 6.0 SDK. As for compatibility, the company says it will be available for a range of Blackmagic cameras such as the PYXIS and Pocket Cinema Camera line, as well as supporting existing Blackmagic RAW footage.

Accurate color reproduction for “natural and pleasing” skin tones is at the top of the list of new features, and the processing pipeline has been redesigned around DaVinci Wide Gamut, which is billed as large enough to preserve everything the sensor captures.

As the video explains, under Generation 5, the camera's images started life in Blackmagic Film Wide Gamut before being converted again once they reached Resolve. Generation 6 skips that step, meaning the RAW file already matches Resolve's own working color space, so there's one less conversion for the image to pass through, and in theory less room for color to drift along the way. Blackmagic has also reworked how it handles gamut compression. Where Generation 5 required manually toggling compression on and off, Generation 6 handles it through a new set of LUTs that Blackmagic says are both more capable and lighter on the camera's processor.

Clips shot in Generation 5 Color Science can even be converted to Generation 6 in DaVinci Resolve for consistency across shoots. Blackmagic RAW 6.0 also adds support for the 4.6K crop format.

And, almost as a bonus feature, Blackmagic Camera 10.3 adds support for the new URSA Cine Studio Viewfinder for live production work. This is alongside numerous tweaks for the URSA Cine 12K LF, including SMPTE-2110 video and the DaVinci Resolve color corrector.

URSA Cine Studio Viewfinder

The URSA Cine Studio Viewfinder would probably have been headline news on its own at another point in time. The $1685 7-inch viewfinder/monitor features a 1920 x 1200 TFT LCD touchscreen, built-in grab handles, and a detachable sun hood to prevent glare. It mounts via a bottom V-lock mount and features screen overlays, multiple controls, and a single USB-C video/power/control cable. Release date is fall 2026.

What's new in Blackmagic Camera 10.3

• Adds support for URSA Cine Studio Viewfinder.

Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF

• Adds pre-record feature.
• Adds dual LUT functionality.
• Adds Generation 6 Color Science.
• Adds Blackmagic RAW 4.6K crop format.
• Adds SMPTE 2110 Ultra HD live support.
• Adds support for the URSA Cine Mount B4.
• Adds support for URSA Cine B4 Adapter Cable.
• Adds support for URSA Cine Studio Viewfinder.
• Adds 0% option for frame guide opacity settings.
• Adds support for Blackmagic Cloud Streaming.
• Adds support for mono headphone monitoring.
• Adds support for 4 channel audio recording.
• Adds support for inhibiting proxy recording.
• Adds SDI Camera Control input on SDI B.
• Adds live talkback slider HUD controls.
• Adds DaVinci Resolve color corrector.
• Adds 90p project record frame rate.
• Improved max frame rate in 12V.
• Improved battery compatibility.
• Improved REST API support.
• Improved lens control.

Blackmagic Zoom Demand

Blackmagic Focus Demand

• Improved status LED behavior.

New features in Blackmagic RAW 6.0

• Adds support for Generation 6 Color Science.
• Adds support for 4.6K crop format.