Last Updated on August 16, 2019
Video credit: Tom Antos
Blackmagic Design has added a new camera into its Pocket Cinema lineup. This time, it’s better than ever but in the same small form factor.
Compact with professional film-making capabilities, the Pocket Cinema 4K camera is the true definition of a small wonder.
Well, it used to be until the Pocket Cinema 6K model came out.
It is built with a larger sensor in Super 35 format and made compatible with a Canon EF lens mount. While its predecessors only used Micro Four Thirds lenses, the Pocket Cinema 6K camera went for bigger and better.
Pocket Cinema 6K Camera Pros and Cons
Pros
- Robust CODEC that can be played in different platforms--Mac computers, Xbox, etc.
- Quality of output has a good balance with file size
- High-quality 6K footage, excellent grades
- Excellent footage pre- and post-production
- Tight metadata handling
- Incredible UI and intuitive menu system
- Affordable price given its excellent features
Cons
- RF mount would have been the better and newer choice than EF mount
- Compact isn’t so compact with 4-inch deep and 7-inch wide
- Lack of offline-to-online workflow
- Best used in a controlled cinema environment rather than a bigger one
- Lack of built-in EVF, the rear screen of the 6K is not the best substitute
- Lack of sensor stabilization
Given that Blackmagic Design is new in the game, the camera hardware is still in development. Or it seems like it. To make up for what’s lacking, a full rig could mean bigger, heavier, and pricier.
When it comes to cinema-quality footage, however, the 6K does a good job, quality-wise.
So you have to think about what you want to get out of a camera that you want to use to shoot videos and stills.
How does the Pocket Cinema 6K Camera fare in terms of videography?
It raised the bar for professional video recording.
Blackmagic definitely lived up to its name, providing photographers and videographers a small-sized camera that is truly magical.
Given its compact size and amazing film-making features, video makers of all levels are sure to love it. From YouTubers to the pros.
The camera’s amazing capabilities are made possible by the Super 35 sensor (23.1x1299mm), ISO size of 25,600 maximum, 13 dynamic range stops, and resolution of 6144x3456.
The camera also comes with anamorphic lenses in 3.7k 60 FPS with a resolution of 3728 x 3104, allowing videographers the option to use true anamorphic 6:5.
The mini XLR mic socket with 48V phantom power supports audio recording with the use of promicrophones or a 3.5mm mic input. The same port can be used to connect a headphone and a locking DC power connector.
Want to check the quality of your video recording or get a view of what the camera sees? Use the 5-inch screen or connect it to an external monitor using the full-size HDMI connector. This puts out a clean 10-bit output. It also supports HDR.
How do the 6K and 4K models compare?
There are a two stark differences between 4K and 6K—sensor size and the lens mount. The 4K model only uses the 4/3 sensor (18.96mm x 10mm), which is a lot smaller than that of the 6K.
As previously mentioned, 6K is compatible with Canon EF lens mount while the 4K uses the Active MFT mount.
But there are similarities too.
Both Pocket Cameras shoot up to 60fps, 4096x2160 resolution, a 5-inch rear LCD screen, CFAst 2.0 and SD UHS-II cards, and HDMI Type A, among others.
The camera is priced $2,495 and ships immediately.
Blackmagic Design is set to launch a new camera later this year, the Sharp 8K camera. It will sport a similar look as the 6K but will use the sensor of the 4K.