During a livestream, Blackmagic introduced several new products, including the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro.
Today, Blackmagic CEO Grant Petty showed off a new pro version of the popular Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras aptly named the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro, giving it longer battery life options, a motor-driven ND filter, and better color science. Plus, there’s a tilting LCD screen and an optional electronic viewfinder.
BMPCC 6K Pro Features
- Designed from carbon fiber polycarbonate composite
- 6144 x 3456 sensor with 13 stops and dual native ISO up to 25,600
- Compatible with a wide range of popular EF lenses
- Built in motorized 2, 4, and 6 stop ND filters
- Up to 25,600 ISO for incredible low-light performance
- Standard open file formats compatible with popular software
- Adjustable, HDR 1500 nit LCD screen
- Includes Blackmagic Generation 5 Color Science
- Optional Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera Pro EVF
- Professional mini XLR inputs with 48-volt phantom power
- Larger NP-F570 battery, optional Blackmagic Pocket Camera Battery Pro Grip
- Includes full DaVinci Resolve Studio for post-production
At first glance, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro is slightly larger than the previous model, with upgraded 5th generational color science, which includes a new RGB histogram. The new HDR tiltable viewfinder answers a common complaint by users that they couldn’t adjust the LCD in various lighting conditions and camera angles. It’s nice to see Blackmagic not only responding to the market need here, but also making the touchscreen HDR that is super bright at 1500 nits.
The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camer 6K Pro is also a completely new design with built-in motor-driven ND filters. Blackmagic has also upgraded the battery power options with Sony LP batteries for longer battery life, and the optional power Grip provides two extra batteries. The cool thing is that with the new model, users can load up with three batteries (one in the camera, two in the grip) and film continuously. Plus users can swap out the batteries while the camera is still recording. Nice.
In addition to the option power grip (which really isn’t an option if you’re familiar with how fast the pocket can kill a battery), Blackmagic has also released an optional electronic viewfinder. The 1080p EVF attaches to the top after removing a few screws and is tiltable. But then you have to store the cap so you don’t lose it. It would be great if BMD had a small storage area for the cap like they do with the battery grip when it plugs into the camera. Maybe that will be in a future design.
The BMPCC 6K Pro has also all the standard features of the regular BMPCC 6K including a Supe r35 HDR image sensor with 13 stops of dynamic range, a dual native ISO of 25,600, and an EF Lens mount. Also, both the standard Pocket 6K and Pocket 4K models will receive the new 5th gen color in a free firmware update. The new color scheme will most certainly lay the groundwork for 12K color, which will future-proof the Pocket line for years to come.
The price of the new Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro is $2, 495 with the optional electronic viewfinder at $495 and battery grip at $145 (batteries not included). So all in, you’re around $3,200. It's available now.
Your Comment
14 Comments
I wanted either an Ursa Mini G3 that has the P4k/6k low light performance, or a P4k/6k that has NDs and a tilting screen...got the latter and I'm thrilled. Pre-ordered!
February 17, 2021 at 12:43PM
WHY still the EF mount though? It's 2021 -- Mirrorless cameras should be using RF.
February 17, 2021 at 1:04PM
There is nothing wrong with EF lenses but if you want a video camera to shoot on your RF glass that's why Canon made the EOS C70.
February 17, 2021 at 1:18PM
More people have EF lenses than RF lenses.
February 19, 2021 at 11:46AM
This looks pretty damn sweet, and it seems like the p4k/6k work pretty well for people with not too many problems reported. I'm crossing my fingers that the battery life is usable... If this can get over 2-2.5 hours of life on one battery, that would be sweeeeeet :)
February 17, 2021 at 1:09PM
NFS talks about the battery life here: https://nofilmschool.com/comparing-blackmagic-pocket-cinema-camera-6k-pr...
February 17, 2021 at 1:36PM
Now wait just a minute, where are all the mini-XLR haters that were here when the EOS C70 released? Surely you have a comment or two about the new Blackmagic using those same ports?
Still, given the price of this camera and its' ability to shoot in 6K, it would be worth having if you want to start shooting video and have plenty of EF glass lying around.
February 17, 2021 at 1:27PM
The C70 is twice the price and pretty large so I think wanting full size xlr is fair.
February 17, 2021 at 3:27PM
Our team was really hoping for SDI output. We love our current 6k's but HDMI is just so inferior. Looks like our BMD adapters will continue to be used.
1500 nit LCD and the added EVF should be really nice for the ops when shooting outdoors.
February 17, 2021 at 2:00PM, Edited February 17, 2:03PM
Yeah, sdi and faster rolling shutter performance would have bumped this up to a buy for me. Don't really care much about on camera audio.
February 19, 2021 at 12:49PM
So a 6k with better battery, tilt screen, and nd's... pretty decent for 500 more but probably not worth the upgrade if you already have a 6k. Personally, I have the 4k and I'll probably stick with that for a while, taking a break from the gear acquisition frenzy.
February 17, 2021 at 3:25PM
I chose picked the 4K for it's open source lens adaptation, the ability to Speed Boost into APS-H range and for Super 16 crop mode, but if I was buying today it would be the 6K Pro.
February 19, 2021 at 9:22AM
Hopefully a competent Youtuber does a vid with the Komodo (w/ Canon ND adapter) vs BMPC6K Pro - with proper graded footage & with people and interior + exterior shots.
I'm super curious if the Komodo is worth the extra $4000.
February 17, 2021 at 4:13PM
I still dislike the formfactor. So more more flexibility with something like a Z CAM.
February 18, 2021 at 3:37PM