Let's dive into the new features of the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro.
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. 
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.
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.
What do you think of the BMPCC 6K Pro? Let us know in the comments below.
Your Comment
8 Comments
Limited battery life seems to be a constant factor with Blackmagic cameras if you are wanting to shoot at the highest resolution.
February 17, 2021 at 1:33PM
Depends how you look at it. Most cinema camera don’t come with an internal battery. This has one that lasts for 30-40 mins (real world time).
February 17, 2021 at 1:40PM
I'm confused. Are you saying the Blackmagic has a built-in internal battery? Because according to the manual it's a removable internal battery. So I am not sure what you are actually trying to say.
February 17, 2021 at 4:29PM
I bought two juicebox battery for my BMPCC4K. Each last 2h30 of continuous shooting. Most of the time, one battery last the whole day.
February 19, 2021 at 7:58AM, Edited February 19, 7:58AM
Yes, V-Mount batteries are a great solution for BlackMagics battery issues.
February 23, 2021 at 11:46AM
V-mount batteries: battery complaints solved.
February 17, 2021 at 3:45PM
I'm intrigued by the 'two separate audio tracks'.
Does that mean that the camera can record two stereo tracks?
February 21, 2021 at 3:00PM
I am torn about which Blackmagic pocket to get. The extra resolution in the 6k is nice for reframing but 99.9% of the time I'll export 4k.
The 4k is the right price. But to use a Sigma 18-35 you pretty much have to spend 700 for a metabones. That makes gimbal use harder plus it adds a piece of glass. The extra stop is nice but you don't really want to shoot wide open because of sharpness. That, to me, negates the speed benefit. The multiplication factor is great but you can just zoom out. So essentially you're paying 700 bucks more because Sigma doesn't want to make this in a mft.
A 6k that doesn't need a speed booster costs the same as a 4k plus a speed booster so that seems like a no brainer. The only thing is (and I'm not sure this hasn't been fixed) is that you can't shoot 4k braw. 4k pro res on the full 6k sensor is great if that's your flavor. For me its all braw. If 4k braw is available then the choice is clear here.
But wait. Now you have to buy a set of nd filters. A hundred bucks give or take. And you have to pay (in time and effort) to put them on and off. So then the pro with its internal nds. Plus whatever benefit you gain from having a flip monitor. I can see it helping a bit, particularly in high or low angle setups when you insist on using that screen. And there is an extra xlr for some reason. Do people put audio through their cam? So to me the $400 from 6k to pro is just for the convenience of those internal nds. With the small plus of the flip screen, that might seal the deal.
September 6, 2021 at 2:27PM