Blackmagic Launches $30,000 Camera for Apple Vision Pro

Blackmagic Design has officially opened pre-orders for its Apple Immersive Video Camera, the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive, a high-end professional device with a $29,995 price tag. First introduced at Apple’s WWDC 2024, the camera offers independent production companies a new way to create content for Apple’s immersive video ecosystem.

The camera delivers exceptional specifications, including the ability to record in 8160 × 7200 pixels (58.7 megapixels) per lens at 90 frames per second, equating to over 5 billion pixels processed per second. Its dynamic range of 16 f-stops places it on par with cameras used in blockbuster film production. Additionally, the built-in 8TB memory allows for over two hours of RAW recording in stereoscopic 8K at 90 FPS. The device also includes advanced connectivity features such as dual-antenna high-speed Wi-Fi and 10 Gigabit Ethernet, facilitating seamless integration with Blackmagic Cloud Storage.

The launch aligns with an update to Blackmagic’s DaVinci Resolve Studio video editing software, planned for Q1 2025. This update will support the Blackmagic RAW Immersive file format and allow users to preview recorded footage directly on the Apple Vision Pro.

Apple Immersive Video is a 180-degree video format that supports 8K resolution, stereoscopic 3D, HDR, and spatial audio. Previously, Apple Immersive Video content could only be produced using specialized cameras provided through Apple contracts. This new offering from Blackmagic opens the format to a wider range of production companies.

Expert Analysis

Daniel Pohl, CEO and founder of immerVR, shared insights into the potential impact of the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera. Pohl emphasized its capability to address sharpness challenges in VR180 3D content generation, particularly with its high resolution of 8,160 × 7,200 pixels per eye. This translates to a combined resolution of 16,320 × 7,200 pixels (117 megapixels) for both eyes—over three times the pixel count of competing setups like Canon’s dual fisheye cameras.

Despite current playback limitations on devices like the Meta Quest 3, which caps resolution at 7680 × 3840 at 60 FPS, Pohl noted that higher-resolution recordings significantly improve visual quality even when downscaled. This enhances sharpness, reduces noise, and minimizes moiré artifacts.

The camera’s advanced storage capabilities and its integration with DaVinci Resolve Studio position it squarely within the professional segment. While it lacks a dedicated photo function, users can extract high-quality still images from video footage. The price point, though steep, reflects the unique capabilities and professional-grade specifications of the device, particularly as there are no direct competitors in the VR180-3D camera space with equivalent resolution and frame rate capabilities.

The Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive marks a significant step forward in the production of immersive video content, promising to elevate the visual and narrative possibilities for professionals working within Apple’s ecosystem.