Photography

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Reviewed at Engadget

If you like the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K … then you’ll LOVE this new upgraded 6K version!

Blackmagic has again beat all mirrorless camera challengers for video by launching the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K (BMPCC 6K). With a larger sensor, 12-bit RAW and 6K resolution, it goes well beyond the last BMPCC 4Kmodel, which had already changed the game for affordable, high-quality video. The new model’s video specs blow away every mirrorless camera, including Panasonic’s upcoming full-frame S1H, and it costs just $2,495.

… it now uses Canon EF DSLR glass, rather than Micro Four Thirds lenses like the BMPCC 4K. Those are designed to be farther from the sensor than mirrorless lenses to account for mirror movement. The sensor is also larger at 23.10 mm x 12.99 mm. That’s Super 35 size, which is slightly smaller than the APS-C sensor on Canon’s 7D II DSLR, but much larger than the sensor on the Pocket 4K. The crop factor compared to full-frame is a 1.56x, in between full-frame and Micro Four Thirds cameras.

With the 12-bit Blackmagic RAW codec, you can shoot at up to 6K (6,144 x 3,456) or wider-screen 6K 2.4:1 (6,144 x 2,560) at up to 50 fps. Dropping down to 2.8K (2,868 x 1,512) gives you a max shooting speed of 120 fps. The latter two formats are windowed and don’t use the entire sensor size, which means the image will be cropped in by varying amounts. In terms of frame rate and resolution, the BMPCC 6K beats every mirrorless camera, and many much more expensive professional cameras. Panasonic’s S1H will reportedly hit 5.9K resolution but cost around $4,000, and the only other options for 6K (and up) are cinema cameras from RED, Arri and Sony that are priced well over $20,000.

 

Pros

  • 6K 12-bit RAW video
  • Bright and responsive 5-inch touchscreen
  • Easy to use
  • Professional connectors
  • Excellent price 

Cons

  • No articulating touchscreen
  • No in-body stabilization
  • Limited autofocus and auto-exposure
  • Poor battery life

 

Summary

Blackmagic’s Pocket Cinema Camera 6K (BMPCC 6K) delivers RAW 6K video that’s sharper and more color accurate than you get from any other mirrorless camera on the market. However, it’s not for photographers, and lacks continuous autofocus, stabilization and other features we expect on mirrorless cameras. It’s also not a great camera for vloggers due to the lack of an articulating display. Still, if you have designs on becoming a filmmaker or professional video shooter, it’s incredible that you can buy a camera like this for so little money.

Source: Engadget

 

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