The BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is a cinema camera. The Formfactor of the camera is pretty small, nearly as small as a DSLR. Cinema cameras are known to be really huge and bulky and are not easy to carry around. When shooting in public places, the production company is always supposed to carry around permits and other necessary paperwork. People easily get intimidated by full frame cinema cameras.
But BlackMagic says that they have managed to cram all of the big boy cinema camera features into the small formfactor of a DSLR camera. At $1295, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is an amazing bargain. There’s also a 6k version of the BMPCC but it costs $1,995 at the moment. For a reference, the EOS R costs $2,299 (body only) and the EOS 1DX Mk- II costs $2,969 (body only) And these cameras aren’t even close to matching the picture quality with the BMPCC 4k.BMPCC 4k1295
Price point aside, the BMPCC 4k is kind of a real cinema camera. Considering, it has no autofocus and no auto exposure. Well, it does have the two features but these aren’t usable at all.
The BlackMagic does come with some cons, it has the worst auto focus in the entire camera game. You’ll either need a focus puller besides the camera guy, or you’ll have to use a speedbooster, it will also add some extra depth to the image. One thing to know, the BMPCC can’t capture images at all. Another thing is that the BMPCC also has the worst battery life too, you’ll have to keep some spare batteries with you at all times. Oh, the BMPCC has a Canon EF lens Mount.
After all of the Cons, You might be thinking that this camera is the worst, and also isn’t worth talking about. But, what more do you expect from this price point? It’s a cinema camera and cinema cameras are always meant to be rigged. These cameras do work better with cages, gimbals and other accessories.
If you want to make good use of all the features provided with the BMPCC, you’ll have to rig it up. When you rig it up, you’re actually going to be able to create Cinematic Content (Netflix Standards Included) and also match it with a RED Helium Sensor worth roughly over $40,000-$50,000. You actually won’t be able to tell much difference too.
Specsheet.
| Specs | BMPCC 4k |
|---|---|
| Dynamic Range | 13 Stops. |
| Dual Native ISO | 400 and 3200 |
| Shooting Resolutions | 6144 x 3456 (6K) up to 50 fps 6144 x 2560 (6K 2.4:1) up to 60 fps 5744 x 3024 (5.7K 17:9) up to 60 fps 4096 x 2160 (4K DCI) up to 60 fps 3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD) up to 60 fps 3728 x 3020 (3.7K 6:5 anamorphic) up to 60 fps 2868 x 1512 (2.8K 17:9) up to 120 fps 1920 x 1080 (HD) up to 120 fps |
| Frame Rates | Maximum sensor frame rate dependent on resolution and codec selected. Project frame rates of 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94 and 60 fps supported. Off-speed frame rates up to 60 fps in 6K 2.4:1, 120 fps in 2.8K 17:9 and 1080HD. |
| Screen Dimensions | 5” 1920 x 1080. |
| Screen Type | LCD capacitive touchscreen. |
| Controls | Touchscreen menus on 5 inch screen. 1 x Power Switch, 1 x Record Button, 1 x Stills Button, 1 x Scroll Wheel with push integrated into handgrip, 1 x ISO, Button, 1 x White Balance, 1 x Shutter Button, 3 x software configurable Fn buttons, 1 x High Frame Rate (HFR) Button, 1 x Zoom Button, 1 x Menu Button, 1 x Play Button, 1 x Focus Button and 1 x IRIS Button. |
| Total Video Outputs | 1 x HDMI up to 1080p60 |
| Analog Audio Inputs | 1 x mini XLR analog switchable between mic with phantom power support and line level (up to +14dBu). 1 x 3.5mm Stereo Input. 1 x 3.5mm headphone jack. |
| Computer Interface | USB Type-C for external drive recording, PTP camera control and software updates Integrated stereo microphone. |
| Media | 1 x CFast card slot, 1 x SD UHS‑II card slot, 1 x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 expansion port for external media for Blackmagic RAW and ProRes Recording. |
| Supported Codecs | Codecs Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 3:1, Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 5:1, Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 8:1, Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 12:1, Blackmagic RAW Constant Quality Q0, Blackmagic RAW Constant Quality Q5, ProRes 422 HQ QuickTime, ProRes 422 QuickTime, ProRes 422 LT QuickTime, ProRes 422 Proxy QuickTime. |
| Control | External Control iPad control, Bluetooth control, USB PTP camera control. External control of some camera settings, focus, iris and zoom with compatible lenses, color corrector, tally and internal record start and stop when used with a compatible ATEM and ATEM Software Control. |
| Storage Features | Storage Type 1 x CFast 2.0. 1 x SD UHS-II card. 1 x high speed USB-C expansion port for external media. |
| Software | Software Included Blackmagic OS |
| Power Requirements | Power Supply 1 x External 12V power supply. |
| Battery Type | Canon LP-E6. |
| Battery Life | Approximately 45 minutes (recording 6K RAW at 24 fps to CFast 2.0 with screen brightness at 50%) |
| Power | 12V-20V. |
| Physical Specifications | Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Environmental Specifications Operating Temperature 0°to 40°C (32° to 104°F) |
| Lens Control | Iris, focus and zoom on supported lenses. |
| Lens Mount | Active EF mount. |
| Effective Sensor Size | 23.10mm x 12.99mm (Super 35) |
If you liked the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4k, and you are interested in getting one for yourself. Click the link down below, it will take you over to Amazon.com [Buy Now]
