The Blackmagic Ursa Cine Immersive Captures 8K Footage Per Eye for the Vision Pro

Jun 10, 2024

Jaron Schneider

A high-tech, black electronic device resembling a large camera with an ergonomic handle on top. It has dual lenses on the front and a display screen with numerous buttons on the side. It is mounted on a robust, adjustable base.

Blackmagic may have created the ultimate camera system for making immersive video for the Apple Vision Pro that promises to capture a resolution of 8,160 x 7,200 pixels for each eye — that’s greater than 8K UHD.

Apple is making a push to fill its Vision OS with more content designed to be viewed in its immersive environments. It teased an upcoming Canon lens that mimics the system currently in place that uses two cameras on an iPhone, but it won’t have the resolution to really show what the Vision Pro hardware is capable of. It’s a move to democratize access to make immersive content, but it won’t lead the way.

Two advanced dual-lens 3D cameras are placed on a wooden surface. The cameras are sleek and futuristic, with various buttons and dials on their bodies. One camera has an open compartment revealing internal components, while the other is fully assembled.

No, for that, Blackmagic developed the URSA Cine Immersive. Sporting a massive dual lens system, Blackmagic says that it will capture 8,160 x 7,200 resolution per eye, pack 16 stops of dynamic range, and capture up to 90 frames per second to create stereoscopic 3D immersive cinema content. For reference, 8K UHD requires 7,680 x 4,320 pixels, so the Ursa Cine Immersive can capture just a bit more than that.

Earlier this year, Canon executives told PetaPixel that no camera on the market was capable of capturing the detail required to take advantage of Apple’s Vision Pro hardware.

Two individuals work on assembling and inspecting intricate electronic components, including a large, complex camera or imaging device. The setup includes various circuit boards, wiring, and lenses, all laid out on a green workbench in a detailed, technical environment.

“In order to reproduce video for Vision Pro, you need to have at least 100 megapixels,” Yasuhiko Shiomi, Advisory Director and Unit Executive of the Image Communication Business Operations at Canon, said at the time.

“What I presume what companies who will be providing images for the Vision Pro will be required to have 100-megapixels with 60 frames per second.”

Combined, the Blackmagic URSA Cine will bring 16,320 x 14,400 pixels for a total resolution of 235 megapixels. When the camera comes to market, Blackmagic will have doubled what Canon said was the minimum.

A black and red drone with multiple propellers is seen flying outdoors over rocky terrain and green foliage. The drone is equipped with a high-resolution camera and stabilization gear, suitable for aerial photography or videography.

Blackmagic has not provided any further information on the Ursa Cine Immersive at the time of publication but does show it attached to a drone, meaning it intends for this system to be used in all manner of productions. It may be based on the Ursa Cine 12K that was announced earlier this year (or the 17K or Ursa Cine 65), although likely adjusted to account for the increased resolution and frame rate. Since the Ursa Cine 12K retails for $14,995, don’t expect the Ursa Cine Immersive to be anything close to “cheap.”

The Ursa Cine Immersive will be available later in 2024.

Image credits: Blackmagic Design