The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras: Specs and Review 

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras are strong competitors in the field of digital cinematography, with each model providing a distinctive combination of capabilities that address a range of filmmaking requirements.

The 4K, 6K G2, and 6K Pro versions all come with a 5" 1920 x 1080 LCD capacitive touchscreen, a dual native ISO of 400 and 3200, and a dynamic range of 13 stops. The true brilliance of these cameras, each suited to a certain nook in the world of filmmaking, lies in their differences.

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is the nimble workhorse of the trio. Its Four Thirds sensor and active MFT mount make it a compact powerhouse, perfect for filmmakers who crave mobility without sacrificing quality. The 4K model can capture life in stunning detail, offering shooting resolutions up to 4K DCI at 60 fps, and off-speed frame rates rocketing up to 120 fps in 2.6K 16:9 and HD windowed. This camera is proof that dynamite really does come in little packages, making it the perfect option for independent filmmakers or those on a lower budget.

In contrast, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K G2 and 6K Pro models are the titans of the family, boasting a larger Super 35 sensor and an active EF mount. These features unlock a world of cinematic depth of field and compatibility with a vast array of high-quality lenses. Both cameras can record the world in amazing 6K quality, but the 6K Pro model has built-in ND filters and a brighter screen, further increasing its capabilities. These cameras are the pinnacle of high-end filmmaking equipment, made for individuals who want the finest resolution and most creative freedom with their films.

The 6K G2 model, with its Super 35 sensor, offers a tantalizing balance between the compact 4K and the feature-rich 6K Pro. It shares the same shooting resolutions as the 6K Pro, including the ability to capture footage up to 50 fps in 6K, and up to 120 fps in 2.8K 17:9 and HD. However, it lacks the built-in ND filters of the 6K Pro, making it a slightly more affordable option for those seeking high resolution and a larger sensor size without the need for integrated ND filters.

In essence, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera range offers a symphony of choices for filmmakers. Whether it's the compact and affordable 4K model, the balanced and versatile 6K G2, or the feature-packed and professional-grade 6K Pro, Blackmagic has crafted a camera to suit every filmmaker's needs. Let's delve deeper into the capabilities of these Blackmagic cameras.

Spotlight on the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is a powerful tool for filmmakers, offering a range of features that make it a standout choice for capturing high-quality video content.

The camera features an effective sensor size of 18.96mm x 10mm (Four Thirds) and an active MFT mount. It offers a dynamic range of 13 stops and a dual native ISO of 400 and 3200, ensuring excellent performance in various lighting conditions.

The 4K model supports a wide range of shooting resolutions, from 4096 x 2160 (4K DCI) up to 60 fps to 1920 x 1080 (HD) up to 120 fps. This flexibility allows filmmakers to choose the resolution that best suits their project's needs. The camera also supports off-speed frame rates up to 60 fps in 4K DCI, 120 fps in 2.6K 16:9 and HD windowed.

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K offers auto focus with compatible lenses and manual iris adjustment on electronically controllable lenses. The camera features a 5” 1920 x 1080 LCD capacitive touchscreen, providing a clear and responsive interface for users.

The camera supports a range of codecs, including Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 3:1, 5:1, 8:1, 12:1, and Constant Quality Q0, Q5, as well as ProRes 422 HQ QuickTime, ProRes 422 QuickTime, ProRes 422 LT QuickTime, and ProRes 422 Proxy QuickTime. This ensures that filmmakers can choose the codec that best suits their project's needs.

The 4K model offers a range of connection options, including HDMI up to 1080p60, mini XLR analog switchable between mic with phantom power support and line level (up to +14dBu), and a 3.5mm stereo input that can also be used for Timecode input. The camera also features a USB Type-C port for external drive recording, PTP camera control, and software updates.

When it comes to media storage, the 4K model offers a CFast card slot, an SD UHS-II card slot, and a USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 expansion port for external media. This allows for Blackmagic RAW and ProRes recording, providing filmmakers with flexibility and control over their footage.

Spotlight on the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro

At the heart of the 6K Pro model is an effective sensor size of 23.10mm x 12.99mm (Super 35), which when combined with the active EF mount, allows for a greater depth of field and compatibility with a wide range of high-quality lenses. The camera also offers a dynamic range of 13 stops and a dual native ISO of 400 and 3200, providing filmmakers with exceptional flexibility in various lighting conditions.

The 6K Pro model truly shines when it comes to shooting resolutions. It can capture footage in a variety of formats, from 6144 x 3456 (6K) up to 50 fps, to 1920 x 1080 (HD) up to 120 fps. This versatility ensures that filmmakers can adapt to any shooting scenario, whether it's capturing the minute details of a close-up shot in 6K, or recording fast-paced action in HD at 120 fps.

One of the standout features of the 6K Pro model is the built-in ND filters. This four-position ND filter offers clear, 2‑stop, 4‑stop, and 6‑stop IR ND filters, giving filmmakers greater control over their footage in various lighting conditions. The camera also supports auto focus with compatible lenses, and offers an iris wheel and touchscreen slider for manual iris adjustment on electronically controllable lenses.

The 5” 1920 x 1080 LCD capacitive touchscreen is another highlight, offering a bright and clear view of your footage. With a screen brightness of 1500nits, you can easily monitor your shots even in bright outdoor conditions. The camera also supports automatically populated lens data from electronic EF lenses and automatic recording of camera settings and slate data.

The 6K Pro model also boasts a highly accurate timecode clock, with less than 1 frame drift every 8 hours, ensuring precise synchronization in multi-camera setups. The camera offers a variety of connections, including HDMI, mini XLR, and USB Type-C, and supports a range of video standards, from 1080p to 4K DCI.

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro is not just a camera, but a comprehensive filmmaking solution. It comes with a suite of software, including Blackmagic OS, DaVinci Resolve Studio for Mac and Windows, Blackmagic Camera Setup, Blackmagic RAW Player, Blackmagic RAW QuickLook Plugin, Blackmagic RAW SDK, and Blackmagic RAW Speed Test.

Spotlight on the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K G2

The 6K G2 model is equipped with an integrated stereo microphone and a mono speaker, ensuring high-quality audio capture and playback. It supports a range of HD video standards, including 1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p30, 1080p50, 1080p59.94, and 1080p60. For filmmakers seeking to capture footage in ultra-high definition, the camera also supports Ultra HD video standards and 4K DCI standards.

When it comes to media storage, the 6K G2 model offers a CFast card slot, an SD UHS‑II card slot, and a USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 expansion port for external media. This allows for Blackmagic RAW and ProRes recording, providing filmmakers with flexibility and control over their footage. The camera can format media to ExFAT (Windows/Mac) or HFS+ (Mac) file systems, catering to a variety of post-production workflows.

The 6K G2 model supports a range of codecs, including Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 3:1, 5:1, 8:1, 12:1, and Constant Quality Q0, Q1, Q3, Q5, as well as ProRes 422 HQ QuickTime, ProRes 422 QuickTime, ProRes 422 LT QuickTime, and ProRes 422 Proxy QuickTime. This ensures that filmmakers can choose the codec that best suits their project's needs.

To manage your camera and lens from tripod handles, the camera also has external control choices, such as Blackmagic Zoom Demand and Blackmagic Focus Demand. Filmmakers have a variety of alternatives for operating their camera because to its compatibility for iPad, Bluetooth, and USB PTP controls.

The 6K G2 model comes with a suite of software, including Blackmagic OS, DaVinci Resolve Studio for Mac and Windows, Blackmagic Camera Setup, Blackmagic RAW Player, Blackmagic RAW QuickLook Plugin, Blackmagic RAW SDK, and Blackmagic RAW Speed Test. This comprehensive software package ensures that filmmakers have all the tools they need to capture, edit, and finalize their footage.

Blackmagic Raw

Blackmagic RAW is a revolutionary format designed to capture and preserve the quality of the sensor data from your Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, including the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K G2, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro, and the original Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera.Blackmagic RAW does away with these problems, producing magnificent images with outstanding clarity and color throughout the production pipeline, in contrast to other formats like H.264, which are severely compressed and can introduce noise and abnormalities. Additionally, this format stores camera settings as metadata, enabling you to alter ISO, white balance, and exposure during the shooting process or afterwards when editing without sacrificing image quality. Additionally tiny and quick to utilize, Blackmagic RAW files are simple to deal with. This format offers the greatest quality, smallest files, and quickest performance by fusing the speed of video with the quality of RAW.

Shoot in Vertical

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, including the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K G2 and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro offers the rare ability to shoot in vertical aspect ratios like 9:16 and 4:5, making it the perfect tool for producing content for websites like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and other online video services. The heads-up display (HUD) on the screen adjusts to follow the direction of the camera, ensuring that crucial details like frame rate, shutter angle, and frame guides are always simple to see. When you submit your files into DaVinci Resolve, clips captured in vertical orientation are automatically categorised as such, ensuring that they appear correctly on your timeline. With the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro, or the original Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, producing high-quality videos for social media and other platforms is now simpler than ever thanks to this feature.

Touchscreen for Fast Setup and the Large 5" LCD Monitor

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, which includes the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro has a large, bright 5-inch touchscreen that facilitates framing shots and ensures accurate focus. This eliminates the need for an external monitor. The heads-up display (HUD) on the screen shows important information including frame rate, iris, timecode, shutter angle, white balance, ISO, and audio levels. For instance, changing the white balance settings merely requires a touch.

The interactive nature of the interface allows for immediate configuration changes without the need to navigate a lengthy menu. The 6K G2 and Pro models' more advanced, tilt-able displays make it simple to follow your picture from any angle. The 6K Pro model's HDR display is 1500 nits bright, making it ideal for use outside.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K G2, 4K, and 6K Pro are all outstanding cameras that may be used for a variety of purposes and price points.

Priced at 1,733.75 € (taxes not included), the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K G2 is a flexible camera that provides a number of features including an inbuilt stereo microphone, a mono speaker, and many video formats. Additionally, it provides options for external control and supports a variety of codecs. It is an excellent option for professionals looking for high-quality video recording because of its amazing storage features and recording formats.

Priced at 1,116.25 Euro (taxes not included), the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is a more inexpensive choice that nevertheless has a lot to offer. It has an active MFT mount, a Four Thirds sensor size, and a dynamic range of 13 stops. It provides auto focus with compatible lenses and supports a choice of shooting resolutions and frame rates. It also provides possibilities for external control and supports a number of codecs.

The most costly of the three, the Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K Pro costs 2,180.25 € (taxes not included), but it also has the most cutting-edge features. It has more sophisticated storage capabilities and recording formats, supports a broader variety of video standards, and has a bigger sensor size. Additionally, it supports a larger number of codecs and has a broader dynamic range.

Final opinion

In conclusion, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera range offers a variety of choices to meet every filmmaker's needs. From the affordable 4K model, the versatile 6K G2, to the high-end 6K Pro, each camera is designed with a specific user in mind. With unique features like Blackmagic RAW format, vertical shooting, and a user-friendly touchscreen, these cameras are more than just tools - they're gateways to your creative vision.

At Videolinea System, we offer these top-tier cameras at competitive prices. Don't wait to unlock your filmmaking potential. Explore the Blackmagic range on our website today and take the first step towards creating your cinematic masterpiece.