Blackmagic Pocket Cinema – In stock & firmware update adds CinemaDNG Raw

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by Tim FokNovember 12^th, 2013

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Blackmagic Design has released firmware version 1.5 for the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, enabling the camera to record in Cinema DNG Raw.

This was a something initially promised by Blackmagic, but when the first units started shipping, they did so without this feature.

Here’s what Blackmagic say on the new update:

“The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera uses the open standard lossless compressed version of CinemaDNG RAW. CinemaDNG RAW lossless compression works in a similar way as a ZIP file where the RAW files are compressed during recording without the loss of any part of the image, so all images retain the same quality when they are decompressed. That means customers get back the mathematically perfect high quality RAW file image that they recorded.”

Blackmagic also specifically recommend SanDisk Extreme Pro cards for raw recording. The Pocket Cinema Camera is very selective with SD cards to begin with, so this is advice worth taking. For reference a 64G card will give you around 20 minutes of 24p footage.

If you’re considering the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema, be sure to check out our minute review:

The camera has also finally arrived in stock with retailers. With initial expectations for the release of the camera set for July 2013, there were concerns over the delay that the Pocket Cinema Camera would follow a similar fate of the original Blackmagic Cinema Camera. However, pre-orders have seemed to be slowly fulfilled over the last couple of months, and for the first time they’re available off the shelf.

What do you think of the firmware update? Is this a feature you’ve been longing for, or would you prefer to have received the ability to monitor audio levels and format media in-camera first?

Download firmware 1.5 for the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera here.

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera is available now for $995 from B&H.