Blackmagic Design Unveils URSA Cine 12K for $7K
Blackmagic Design has launched a streamlined edition of its flagship URSA Cine 12K LF Body, priced at $6,995. This release caters to experienced cinematographers and rental houses who already have their own rigging solutions, providing a more affordable gateway into the 12K ecosystem while retaining the camera’s powerful core features.
The body-only variant maintains the core specifications of its fully-equipped counterpart, featuring a 12K large-format RGBW sensor (36 x 24mm) and 14.5 stops of dynamic range (measured at SNR = 1 in CineD’s lab test). However, what sets this version apart is what’s missing—it does not include the shoulder mount, handles, multiple lens mounts, battery plates, power supply, or the 8TB media module that came with the original package.
No 8TB media module, but features dual CFexpress Type B slots
Rather than the 8TB media module, Blackmagic has opted for a dual CFexpress card module, delivering a more standard—albeit less capacious—storage solution. The camera ships with a locking EF mount by default, with PL and LPL mounts available separately.
This launch arrives at a pivotal moment, as many production houses assess their high-resolution acquisition strategies. While 12K may seem excessive for current delivery formats, the ability to capture at multiple resolutions (12K, 8K, or 4K) using the full sensor enhances creative flexibility. Furthermore, its impressive frame rates—80 fps at 12K 3:2, 144 fps at 8K 3:2, and up to 224 fps at 8K 2.4:1—establish it as a formidable player in the high-end production landscape.
Is the URSA Cine 12K LF Body a reaction to the ARRI ALEXA 35 Base Model?
In light of ARRI’s recent announcement of the ARRI ALEXA 35 Base Model, which offers a more affordable entry into the ARRI ecosystem (albeit at a significantly higher price of around €50K), one might wonder whether Blackmagic’s move is a direct response to ARRI or a reflection of a slowing cinema market, where both companies are trying to boost sales of their inventory. The answer is likely a combination of these factors, but we may never truly know.
What else is missing from the standard set?
However, potential buyers should factor in additional costs. While the $6,995 price tag is attractive, building a fully functional camera package will require a significant investment in accessories. The body-only approach means that components such as power solutions, rigging, and monitoring options need to be sourced separately. This could be an advantage for operators who already have preferred solutions for these elements. Nonetheless, it’s still surprising that, essentially, you’re saving over 50% compared to the full-priced URSA Cine 12K set while still receiving the fully-featured camera.
Is the URSA Cine 12K (Body) the capable camera for lowest price?
The launch of the URSA Cine 12K LF Body seems to be another clever move to “drop the price without dropping the price” of a high-performance camera. In a slowing cinema market with shrinking budgets, this highly capable camera might attract the attention of feature film and scripted series production companies, which are now faced with the decision of renting an ARRI ALEXA or owning the new Blackmagic URSA Cine.
Just yesterday, we published a guest post by Leon Barnard, who produced an in-depth video and article about the “revolutionary” 12K sensor of the URSA Cine 12K LF – it’s definitely worth checking out if you missed it!
Whether this stripped-down version will resonate with its target market remains to be seen, but it certainly offers an intriguing option for productions seeking high-resolution acquisition without the extra costs of a full kit.
The camera is available immediately through Blackmagic Design’s global reseller network, priced at $6,995, excluding local duties and taxes.
Available through B&H and CVP shortly
At the time of writing, neither B&H nor CVP had the body-only version of the URSA Cine 12K listed—make sure to check back soon for the purchase links. If you’re looking to order the camera, we’d be grateful if you used our links. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, but we earn a small commission, which helps keep things running here at CineD. Thank you so much for your support!