Blackmagic Design has added a third Pocket Cinema Camera option with the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro. With a $2,495 price tag, which is $500 more than the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K and $1,200 more than the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, let's see what the "Pro" version has to offer.
ND Filters
The Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro has the same Super 35 size 6144 x 3456 image sensor, color science, and recording specs as the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K. Where the camera separates itself is with its new built-in ND filters with 2, 4, and 6 stops of ND, which filter out both optical and IR wavelengths. Blackmagic has placed the buttons on the reamer of the camera body within striking distance of most thumbs. You can select the filter setting to display either an ND stop number, stop reduction, or fraction on the display.
Credit: Blackmagic Design
Display
Speaking of the display, Blackmagic also upgraded the on-camera monitor to an adjustable tilt HDR LCD with 1500 nits of brightness. This is a big jump from the BMPCC 6K that featured an HD touchscreen that didn't tilt. Because of the lack of angle change, third-party manufacturers stepped in to create modification kits like this one from Tilta that runs about $500. While the new tilting screen is nice, it can't front face like the version from Tilta. That said, it will be very helpful when capturing low-angle shots.
Audio
The BMPCC 6K Pro has also two mini XLR audio inputs that provide 48v phantom power where the BMPCC 6K only has a single input. This is a great addition to the BMPCC series, especially when cameras like the Sony FX6 and a7s III can record up to four channels of audio with the XLR-K3M adapter. Blackmagic managed to do this by adding the second mini XLR input on the same side. You can now record two separate audio tracks. With the extra input, the BMPCC 6K Pro still has all the same inputs found on the older models, including a full-sized HDMI, USB-C, a mic input, and a headphone input.
Credit: Blackmagic Design
Power, Size & EVF
For power, the BMPCC 6K Pro can use a larger NP-F570 battery that provides 60 minutes of recording time when shooting 6K RAW at 24fps to CFast 2.0 cards with the screen brightness at 50%. That's up from the 45 minutes the LP-E6 batteries on the BMPCC 6K.
The footprint of the BMPCC 6K is about the same, but it does have a different design. The biggest addition is the viewfinder connector located on the top of the camera. The port allows you to attach an optional viewfinder that will come in handy during those sunny afternoons. The EVF is a 1280 x 960 color OLED display that has a built-in proximity sensor, and a four-element glass diopter for 4 to +4 focus adjustment. Additionally, there are frame guides and a built-in focus chart to set up focus on the viewfinder. The viewfinder has 70° of swivel and comes in four different types of eyecups for either the right or left eye.
While many of us were hoping for the possibility of a new mount, sensor size, or even a "pocket" version of the URSA Mini Pro 12K, the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro is a nice addition to the series. The added mini XLR input is well worth the price alone, and having a tilt screen and an option for an EVF will go a long way out in the field.
BMPCC 6K Pro
- Super 35 6K Sensor
- Adjustable, HDR 1500 nit LCD screen
- Built in motorized 2, 4 and 6 stop ND filters
- Compatible with a wide range of popular EF lenses
What do you think of the BMPCC 6K Pro? Let us know in the comments below.
