I don’t think it would be possible to offer the type of resolutions and framerates with a Bayer sensor. From what I can work out it may well be a case that this combination of BRAW and an RGB sensor is allowing for easier downscaling and compression. The no cropped resolutions and high frame rate capabilities relate directly to the partially debayered way in which BRAW works. There are no ProRes recording options in the URSA Mini Pro 12K, you can only record BRAW. They rely on each other for everything to work. The only reason it can do what it can is because of what Blackmagic is doing with BRAW. What is important to note, is that this new Blackmagic sensor has been in the works for more than 3 years, and BRAW was developed specifically with this sensor in mind. Interestingly enough the physical sensor size of the URSA Mini Pro 12K is identical to that of the RED Komodo. The image circle of a lens required to shoot 12K DCI needs to be 30.56mm or larger. The physical sensor size is 27.03 x 14.25mm.

This is exactly the case with the Sony F35 and Panavision Genesis (although they use a stripped RGB sensor and not an RGB CMOS sensor).Īs far as I know, this is the first commercially available RGB CMOS sensor that is capable of 4K and greater resolutions. In theory, by having an equal amount of red, green, and blue pixels you should be able to get better color accuracy and better results when shooting in mixed lighting conditions. Whether you choose to shoot in 12K, 8K, or 4K, you will get the same field of view. The result of this is there is no cropping as you change resolution. As it features equal amounts of red, green, and blue pixels it is symmetrical and this is what allows you to choose various resolutions all while maintaining the full S35 frame size. This is an RGB CMOS proprietary sensor design that features equal numbers of red, green, and blue pixels. It is not a traditional Bayer pattern CMOS sensor that we see in almost every camera. Thanks to Misha Engel for pointing this out.

If you are interested you can view the patent application that was applied for by Blackmagic in December 2018. Aplicant:BlackmagicDesignPtyLtd,Port Melbourne(AU) Download

Blackmagic ursa mini 4k