Blackmagic Design has just released the Blackmagic Camera app for Android, which should make Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phone users very happy. The app, launched in September last year for iPhone, brings the advanced features of Blackmagic’s professional cameras to smartphones, offering a range of advanced controls and capabilities. Let’s take a look at what’s already available for Android users!
Last September, Blackmagic Design introduced the Blackmagic Camera app for iPhone, which provides additional capabilities and greater flexibility when filming with an iPhone. Now also available for Android users, the app includes features like frame rate, shutter angle, white balance, and ISO settings. Additionally, it offers advanced monitoring tools such as peaking, zebra patterns and false colors, enhancing its functionality for mobile filmmakers.
Record directly or to Blackmagic Cloud
You have multiple options to manage your recordings with the Blackmagic Camera app. You can choose to save recordings directly to your phone’s local storage and then export them to an external drive. Alternatively, you can log in to Blackmagic Cloud, select a DaVinci Resolve project before you start recording, and automatically upload and sync each recording with all members of the project. Another option is to record manually on your phone and then upload the selected clips to the cloud when you have a connection.
Easy navigation and configuration
The HUD (Heads-Up Display) allows you to view and adjust key settings at a glance based on your smartphone’s capabilities. Here are just some of the settings:
- Lens: Select front or rear, wide angle or zoom.
- FPS (frames per second): Adjusts the frame rate from the default value of 24fps to 60fps.
- Shutter speed– Use the suggested speeds on a quick dial (1/24 – 1/8000) or set it manually.
- Timecode: Shows the duration of the recording (the timecode is shown in red) or the time of day.
- ISO: 25 to 10666, depending on the phone model and lens selected.
- White Balance/Tint: Set it manually (2,500°K to 10,000°K), or use the Cloud, Shadow, Fluorescent, Incandescent, or Daylight preset.
- Approach: Autofocus on or off, plus autofocus on the touch screen. Manual control from a minimum focusing distance (0.00) to a maximum distance of 9.50.
- Audio meters: VU or PPM, monitor the levels of the internal microphone or external sources.
- Storage indicator: Remaining recording time in the phone’s internal memory in hours, minutes and seconds.
- Charge indicator: Shows the name of the clip, the loading speed, the percentage of the clip that is loaded, and the time remaining to complete the clip.
Adjustments are simple and most can be made by tapping the corresponding icon on the HUD. For example, you can simply tap the ISO setting to control exposure without the need to navigate through any submenus. You can get details of all the settings on the Blackmagic website here.
Price and availability
The Blackmagic Camera app for Android phones is now available to download for free here. Please note that the app is only compatible with certain Android phones.
For more information, see the Blackmagic Design website.
Are you an Android user who is excited to finally have access to this app? Tell us your experience with it in the comments below!
