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Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K vs Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2: Comparison

Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder vs Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2: the latency difference

Latency is where these two genuinely part company, Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4 ms against Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2 3 ms, a 33% lead for Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2.

Who each one is for

Buy the Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder for edit bays with small-form-factor chassis needing a low-profile card and professionals capturing from SDI camera or switcher outputs without adapters. It also earns its place with video editors working natively in DaVinci Resolve who need SDI and HDMI capture. Avoid it for console or PC gaming capture, no gaming-oriented software is included at all. The Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2 is the one to take for desktop builders with older motherboards needing PCIe Gen 3 compatibility and anyone who doesn't need VRR passthrough or multi-app capture specifically, though it is not built for laptop users, this is a desktop-only internal PCIe card. It is equally the pick for budget buyers who find this discounted now that 4K X and 4K Pro have replaced it. It is the wrong buy for VRR passthrough for variable refresh rate displays, get the 4K X instead. Our rating of the Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder (8/10): an excellent low-profile SDI/HDMI capture card for DaVinci Resolve editors, entirely wrong for gaming capture. Our rating of the Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2 (7/10): still a genuinely strong 4K60 HDR10 card if found discounted, though the 4K X and 4K Pro have since taken its place for good reasons.

Frequently asked questions

Do the Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder and Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2 differ on max recording resolution?

Yes. Max Recording Resolution reads 4K30 on the Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder versus 4K60 HDR10 on the Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2.

Is the Form Factor the same on the Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder and Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2?

It is. Both are listed at Internal PCIe, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Form Factor

    Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
    Internal PCIe
    Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2
    Internal PCIe
  • Brand

    Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
    Blackmagic Design
    Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2
    Elgato
  • Model Number

    Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
    DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
    Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2
    Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2
  • Connection Type

    Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
    PCIe x4
    Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2
    PCIe x4
  • Max Recording Resolution

    Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
    4K30
    Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2
    4K60 HDR10
  • Passthrough Resolution

    Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
    1080p60
    Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2
    4K60 HDR10
  • HDR Support

    Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
    No
    Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2
    Yes
  • Latency

    Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K
    4 ms-33%
    Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2
    3 msBest

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.

    Choose Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2 if you want the lower latency (3 ms vs 4 ms).

    Price comparison

    RetailerBlackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4KElgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2
    AmazonView on AmazonView on Amazon

    Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.

    Verdict

    Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder 4K

    8 / 10 Expert Rating

    An excellent low-profile SDI/HDMI capture card for DaVinci Resolve editors, entirely wrong for gaming capture.

    Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2

    7 / 10 Expert Rating

    Still a genuinely strong 4K60 HDR10 card if found discounted, though the 4K X and 4K Pro have since taken its place for good reasons.

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