The Micro Color Panel measures 14.33 inches x 7.18 inches, which is about the size of a computer keyboard. It has an iPad Pro mounting slot and can connect via Bluetooth or USB-C. In addition to being smaller than Blackmagic’s other color panels, the Micro is also significantly cheaper (the next model – the Mini – costs over $2,000 on the Blackmagic website). It comes with three weighted trackballs, which the company says will still feel professional. 12 control knobs can be used to adjust things like shadows, highlights, contrast, midtones, and more.
Blackmagic says many of the other controls on the right and left sides of the new panel, such as erase freeze, cursor, and selection, are typically only found on its larger Mini and Advanced panels. The company says it keeps many of the controls in the same locations as on the larger panels to make them familiar to editors.
The device costs more than half the price of the company’s $895 Micro Panel, which features three weighted trackballs and 12 control knobs, like the new Micro Color Panel, but only connects via USB-C , and there is no iPad slot.
“Older DaVinci Resolve Micro Panel models were popular with customers who wanted a compact graded panel, but we wanted to design a more portable and affordable solution,” said Grant Petty, CEO of Blackmagic Design. He added that the company will sell “localized versions in multiple languages so you don’t need to learn another language to use it.”
If you happen to be attending NAB 2024, Blackmagic says it will be showcasing the panel at its booth (#SL5005).