We have been using the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K for a while now. The quality and value it provides our clients is fantastic. As our video production capabilities grow, we continue to listen to the needs of our clients. Occasionally those needs must be met with upgraded camera equipment.
Considering an upgrade convinced me to look into researching a full-blown, in-depth Blackmagic camera comparison. So, here we are.
Blackmagic Camera Comparison
| BMPCC 4K | BMPCC 6K | BMPCC 6K Pro | URSA Mini Pro G2 | URSA Mini Pro 12K | BMCC | BMPC | BMPCC | URSA | URSA Mini 4K | URSA Mini 4.6K | URSA Mini Pro 4.6K | URSA Broadcast | Micro Studio Camera | Micro Cinema Camera | Studio Camera | Studio Camera 4K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K |
 Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K |
 Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro |
 Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro G2 |
 Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K |
 Blackmagic Cinema Camera (2.5K) |
 Blackmagic Production Camera (4K) |
 Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera (Original) |
 Blackmagic URSA (Original) |
 Blackmagic URSA Mini 4K |
 Blackmagic URSA Mini 4.6K |
 URSA Mini Pro 4.6K |
 Blackmagic URSA Broadcast |
 Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera |
 Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera |
 Blackmagic Studio Camera |
 Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K |
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| Price | $1,295 | $1,995 | $2,495 | $5,995 | $9,995 | $799 - $1,049 | $1,946 | $449 | $2,274 | $2,500 | $3,064 | $3,199 | $3,495 | $1,295 | $995 | $1,495 | $1,695 |
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Buy @ MPB.com | Buy @ MPB.com | Buy @ MPB.com |
Buy @ LensAuthority.com |
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| MSRP | $1,295 | $2,495 | $2,495 | $5,995 | $9,995 | $2,995 | $2,995 | $995 | $5,995 | $2,995 (EF) $3,495 (PL) | $4,995 (EF), $5,495 (PL) | $5,995 | $3,495 | $1,295 | $995 | $1,995 | $2,995 |
| Pros | Inexpensive, large screen, BRAW recording | Use your existing EF lenses, larger sensor | Built in NDs, brighter articulating screen, 2 mini XLR inputs | Global shutter, magnesium alloy body, tactile buttons for every function, built in NDs, 2x XLR inputs | Highest resolution in its class, global shutter, magnesium alloy body, tactile buttons for every function, built in NDs, 2x XLR inputs | The very first Blackmagic intended for film with 2.5K CinemaDNG RAW, still amazing picture quality and value years later | Easily record to 2.5" SSD, shoots in 4K | Small, lightweight design | Huge 10" articulating screen, integrated handle | More compact and lighter than the original URSA, and better in low light, 8 total 1/4"-20 mounting points | More compact and lighter than the original URSA, and better in low light, 8 total 1/4"-20 mounting points | Built in NDs, many physical buttons for nearly every function | Built specifically for broadcast with B4 mount | - | - | - | - |
| Cons | Short battery life, plastic body, somewhat dim screen | Short battery life, plastic body, somewhat dim screen | Battery life suffers despite using Sony NPF style, big awkward body, plastic design | Too large for some gimbals, somewhat small screen | Too large for some gimbals, files need lots of storage and computing power, somewhat small screen | Glossy screen, integrated battery, limited framerates | One stop less dynamic range compared to its predecessor | Poor battery life, only shoots 1080p | Huge compared to the URSA Mini cameras | No built in NDs | No built in NDs | Slightly smaller screen (4" vs 5" on URSA Mini 4K/4.6K) | - | - | - | - | - |
| Cage/Rig |
 Tilta: Adorama | B&H | Amazon  SmallRig: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Tilta: Adorama | B&H | Amazon SmallRig: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
 SmallRig: Adorama | B&H |
 Tilta: Adorama | B&H  Camtree Hunt: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Tilta: Adorama | B&H Camtree Hunt: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
- | - | - | - |
Tilta: Adorama | B&H Camtree Hunt: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Tilta: Adorama | B&H Camtree Hunt: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Tilta: Adorama | B&H Camtree Hunt: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
- | - | - | - | - |
| Resolution |
4096 x 2160 (4K DCI) up to 60 fps 4096 x 1720 (4K 2.4:1) up to 75 fps 3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD) up to 60 fps 2880 x 2160 (2.8K Anamorphic) up to 80 fps 2688 x 1512 (2.6K 16:9) up to 120 fps 1920 x 1080 (HD) up to 120 fps |
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 3104 (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 |
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 3104 (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 |
4608 x 2592 4608 x 1920 (4.6K 2.40:1) up to 120 fps 4096 x 2304 (4K 16:9) 4096 x 2160 (4K DCI) 3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD) up to 150 fps 3072 x 2560 (3K Anamorphic) 2048 x 1152 (2K 16:9) 2048 x 1080 (2K DCI) 1920 x 1080 up to 300 fps |
12,288 x 6480 (12K DCI) up to 60 fps 11,520 x 6480 (12K 16:9) 12,288 x 5112 (12K 2.4:1) up to 75 fps 7680 x 6408 (12K Anamorphic) 8192 x 4320 (8K DCI) up to 120 fps 7680 x 4320 (8K 16:9) 8192 x 3408 (8K 2.4:1) up to 160 fps 5120 x 4272 (8K Anamorphic) 6144 x 3240 (6K Super16) up to 120 fps 4096 x 2160 (4K Super16) up to 240 fps 4096 x 2160 (4K DCI) 3840 x 2160 (4K 16:9) 4096 x 1704 (4K 2.4:1) 2560 x 2136 (4K Anamorphic) |
2.5K RAW at 2400x1350 ProRes and DNxHD at 1920x1080 |
3840 x 2160 up to 30 fps 1920 x 1080 up to 59.94 (1080i) |
1920x1080 |
3840 x 2160 up to 80 fps 1920 x 1080 up to 80 fps |
4000 x 2160 up to 60 fps 3840 x 2160 1920 x 1080 up to 120 fps windowed |
4608 x 2592 4096 x 2304 (4K 16:9) up to 60 fps 4608 x 1920 (4K 2.4:1) 4096 x 2160 (4K DCI) 3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD) 3072 x 2560 (3K Anamorphic) 2048 x 1152 (2K 16:9) 2048x1080 (2K DCI) 1920 x 1080 up to 120 fps windowed |
4608 x 2592 4096 x 2304 (4K 16:9) up to 60 fps 4608 x 1920 (4K 2.4:1) 4096 x 2160 (4K DCI) 3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD) 3072 x 2560 (3K Anamorphic) 2048 x 1152 (2K 16:9) 2048x1080 (2K DCI) 1920 x 1080 up to 120 fps windowed |
3840 x 2160 1920 x 1080 |
3840 x 2160 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
4096 x 2160 (4K DCI) 1920 x 1080 |
| Max Frame Rate | 120 FPS | 120 FPS | 120 FPS | 300 FPS | 240 FPS | 30 FPS | 59.94 FPS | 30 FPS | 80 FPS | 120 FPS | 120 FPS | 120 FPS | 60 FPS | 60 FPS | 60 FPS | 60 FPS | 60 FPS |
| Release Date |
4/9/2018 Source |
8/8/2018 Source |
2/17/2021 Source |
3/5/2019 Source |
7/16/2020 Source |
4/16/2012 Source Source MFT Version Announced |
2/10/2014 Source |
4/8/2013 Source |
4/7/2014 Source |
4/13/2015 Source |
4/13/2015 Source |
3/2/2017 Source |
2/1/2018 Source |
4/13/2015 Source |
4/13/2015 Source |
4/7/2014 Source |
4/7/2014 Source |
| Discontinued | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | Late 2017 | Late 2017 | 4/15/2018 | May 2017 | Late 2017 | Late 2017 | 5/6/2019 | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Media Slots | 1x SD, 1x CFast, 1x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 | 1x SD, 1x CFast, 1x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 | 1x SD, 1x CFast, 1x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 | 2x SD, 2x CFast, 1x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 | 2x SD, 2x CFast, 1x USB-C 3.1 Gen 2, 1x 2.5” drive slot for 7mm and 9.5mm SSDs (optional Mini Recorder) | Removable 2.5” SSD | Removable 2.5” SSD | SD | 2x CFast | 2x CFast | 2x CFast | 2x SD, 2x CFast | 2x SD, 2x CFast | ✖ | 1x SD | ✖ | ✖ |
| Recording Media |
Samsung T5 SSD: Adorama | B&H | Amazon Lexar SD: Adorama | B&H | Amazon Lexar CFast: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Samsung T5 SSD: Adorama | B&H | Amazon Lexar SD: Adorama | B&H | Amazon Lexar CFast: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Samsung T5 SSD: Adorama | B&H | Amazon Lexar SD: Adorama | B&H | Amazon Lexar CFast: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Samsung T5 SSD: Adorama | B&H | Amazon Lexar SD: Adorama | B&H | Amazon Lexar CFast: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Samsung T5 SSD: Adorama | B&H | Amazon Lexar SD: Adorama | B&H | Amazon Lexar CFast: Adorama | B&H | Amazon Mini Recorder: Adorama | B&H |
Crucial BX500 SSD: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Crucial BX500 SSD: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Lexar SD: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Lexar CFast: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Lexar CFast: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Lexar CFast: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Lexar SD: Adorama | B&H | Amazon Lexar CFast: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Lexar SD: Adorama | B&H | Amazon Lexar CFast: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
✖ |
Lexar SD: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
✖ | ✖ |
| Screen Size | 5" | 5" | 5" | 4" | 4" | 5" | 5" | 3.5" | 10.1" | 5" | 5" | 4" | 4" | N/A | N/A | 10.1" | 10.1" |
| Screen Brightness | 500nits | 500nits | 1500nits | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Screen Resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 | 800x480 | 800x480 | 800x480 | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 | N/A | N/A | 1920x1200 | 1920x1200 |
| Codec(s) | BRAW, ProRes | BRAW, ProRes | BRAW, ProRes | BRAW, ProRes | BRAW, ProRes | CinemaDNG RAW, ProRes | CinemaDNG RAW, ProRes | CinemaDNG RAW, ProRes | CinemaDNG RAW, ProRes | CinemaDNG RAW, ProRes | CinemaDNG RAW, ProRes | BRAW, ProRes | BRAW, ProRes | N/A | CinemaDNG RAW, ProRes | N/A | N/A |
| Battery Type |
Canon LP-E6: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Canon LP-E6: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Sony NP-F570: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
V-Mount or Gold Mount | V-Mount or Gold Mount | Integrated rechargeable, 2 hr recharge time | Integrated rechargeable, 2 hr recharge time |
Nikon EN-EL20: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
V-Mount or Gold Mount | V-Mount or Gold Mount | V-Mount or Gold Mount | V-Mount or Gold Mount | V-Mount or Gold Mount |
Canon LP-E6: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Canon LP-E6: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
12v power supply only | 12v power supply only |
| Battery Life | 60 min (30-40 in real life) | 60 min (30-40 in real life) | 60 min (30-40 in real life) | Depends on battery | Depends on battery | 90 min | 90 min | 60 min | Depends on battery | Depends on battery | Depends on battery | Depends on battery | Depends on battery | 70 min | 70 min | N/A | N/A |
| Weight | 1.59 lb (0.72 kg) | 1.98 lb (0.9 kg) | 2.73 lb (1.24 kg) | 5.07 lb (2.3 kg) | 5.62 lb (2.55 kg) | 3.3 lb (1.5 kg) | 3.75 lb (1.7 kg) | 12.52 oz (0.35 kg) | 16.32 lb (7.4 kg) | 5 lb / 2.3 kg | 5 lb / 2.3 kg | 5.1 lb / 2.31 kg | 5.73 lb / 2.6 kg | 11 oz / 312 g | 10.6 oz / 300 g | 4.44 lb / 2.01 kg | 4.44 lb / 2.01 kg |
| Lens Mount | MFT | EF | EF | EF (optional PL, B4 and F mounts) | PL (optional EF and F mounts) | MFT | EF/ZE | MFT | EF, PL, or B4 | EF/PL | EF/PL | EF (optional PL, B4 and F mounts) | B4 2/3 inch | MFT | MFT | MFT | MFT |
| Audio Inputs | 1x Mini XLR w/Phantom power, 1x 3.5mm stereo jack | 1x Mini XLR w/Phantom power, 1x 3.5mm stereo jack | 2x Mini XLR w/Phantom power, 1x 3.5mm stereo jack | 2x XLR w/Phantom power | 2x XLR w/Phantom power | 2x 1/4" jacks, switchable between mic and line level | 2x 1/4" jacks, switchable between mic and line level | 1x 3.5mm stereo jack | 2x XLR w/Phantom power | 2x XLR w/Phantom power | 2x XLR w/Phantom power | 2x XLR w/Phantom power | 2x XLR w/Phantom power | 1x 3.5mm stereo jack | 1x 3.5mm stereo jack | 2x XLR w/Phantom power | 2x XLR w/Phantom power |
| Audio Outputs | 1x 3.5mm headphone jack | 1x 3.5mm headphone jack | 1x 3.5mm headphone jack | 1x 3.5mm headphone jack | 1x 3.5mm headphone jack | 1x 3.5mm stereo headphone output, 1x HD-SDI stereo | 1x 3.5mm stereo headphone output, 1x 6G-SDI stereo | 1x 3.5mm stereo headphone jack | 1x 1/4" stereo headphone jack | 1x 3.5mm stereo headphone jack | 1x 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, 1x SDI 2 channel | 1x 3.5mm stereo headphone jack | 1x 3.5mm stereo headphone jack | 1x 3.5mm stereo headphone jack | 1x 3.5mm stereo headphone jack | Aviation headphone (Fixed Wing Plugs) | Aviation headphone (Fixed Wing Plugs) |
| Built-In ND Filter | ✖ | ✖ | Four position ND filter with clear, 2‑stop, 4‑stop and 6‑stop IR ND filters. | Four position ND filter wheel with clear, 2-stop, 4-stop and 6-stop ND filters. | Four position ND filter with clear, 2‑stop, 4‑stop and 6‑stop IR ND filters. | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | Four position ND filter wheel with clear, 2-stop, 4-stop and 6-stop ND filters. | Four position ND filter wheel with clear, 2-stop, 4-stop and 6-stop ND filters. | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Viewfinder | ✖ | ✖ |
Optional, $495: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Optional, $1,495: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Optional, $1,495: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
Optional, $1,495: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Optional, $1,495: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Optional, $1,495: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Optional, $1,495: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
Optional, $1,495: Adorama | B&H | Amazon |
✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Mounting |
1x 1/4-20 (top) 1x 1/4-20 (bottom) |
1x 1/4-20 (top) 1x 1/4-20 (bottom) |
1x 1/4-20 (top) 2x 1/4-20 (bottom) |
4x 1/4-20 (top) 5x 1/4-20 (bottom) |
4x 1/4-20 (top) 5x 1/4-20 (bottom) |
3x 1/4-20 (top) 1x 1/4-20 (bottom) |
3x 1/4-20 (top) 1x 1/4-20 (bottom) |
1x 1/4-20 (top) 1x 1/4-20 (bottom) |
1x 1/4-20, 1x 3/8" (bottom) |
4x 1/4-20 (top) 5x 1/4-20 (bottom) |
4x 1/4-20 (top) 5x 1/4-20 (bottom) |
4x 1/4-20 (top) 5x 1/4-20 (bottom) |
4x 1/4-20 (top) 5x 1/4-20 (bottom) |
1x 1/4-20 (top) 3x 1/4-20 (bottom) |
1x 1/4-20 (top) 3x 1/4-20 (bottom) |
2x 3/8" (bottom) 4x 1/4-20 (top) 3x 1/4-20 (L&R) |
2x 3/8" (bottom) 4x 1/4-20 (top) 3x 1/4-20 (L&R) |
| ISO | 100-25,600 | 100-25,600 | 100-25,600 | 200-3,200 | 200-3,200 | 200-3,200 | 200-3,200 | 200-1600 | 200-1600 | 200-3200 | 200-3200 | 200-3200 | 200-3200 | 100-1600 | 100-1600 | - | - |
| Dynamic Range | 13 stops | 13 stops | 13 stops | 15 stops | 14 stops | 13 stops | 12 stops | 13 stops | 12 stops | 12 stops | 15 stops | 15 stops | 12 stops | 11 stops | 13 stops | 13 stops | 11 stops |
| Sensor Size | 18.96mm x 10mm (Four Thirds) | 23.10mm x 12.99mm (Super 35) | 23.10mm x 12.99mm (Super 35) | 25.34mm x 14.25mm (Super35) | 27.03mm x 14.25mm (Super35) | 15.81mm x 8.88mm | 21.12mm x 11.88mm (Super 35) | 12.48mm x 7.02mm | 21.12mm x 11.88mm (Super 35) | 21.12 x 11.88 mm (Super35) | 25.34mm x 14.25mm (Super35) | 25.34mm x 14.25mm (Super35) | 13.056mm x 7.344mm | 13.056mm x 7.344mm | 12.48mm x 7.02mm (Super 16) | 12.48mm x 7.02mm (Super 16) | 13.056mm x 7.344mm |
| Shutter | Rolling shutter | Rolling shutter | Rolling shutter | Global shutter | Global shutter | Rolling shutter | Global shutter | Rolling shutter | Global shutter | Global shutter | Global shutter | Global shutter | Global shutter | Rolling shutter | Rolling shutter | Rolling shutter | Rolling shutter |
| Notes | Utilizes the same sensor as the URSA Mini Pro | First versions of the URSA 12K suffered from image quality & firmware issues, but since has been fixed. | The original Blackmagic Cinema Camera had an EF lens mount (with the option of PL), then Blackmagic released the MFT mount version on 9/7/2012. | BMPCC has the smallest sensor size of any Blackmagic camera (besides the Micro Cinema Camera). | If you have the new v2 4K sensor, it supports 120fps at 4k RAW and 1080p at up to 150fps in windowed mode in the current and new v2 sensors. | Both models of the Studio Camera were re-released on February 6, 2017 at a lower price and updated to not include an internal battery. | Both models of the Studio Camera were re-released on February 6, 2017 at a lower price and updated to not include an internal battery. | ||||||||||
| Reviews and Other Links |
All Blackmagic Cameras Compared
Since we use the Blackmagic platform (and look to using it going forward), we decided to put together a comprehensive Blackmagic camera comparison of all products currently available (including discontinued models). The table above includes nearly every aspect of the cameras compared, including some of the most important features to us in our video production business: Battery Life, Resolution, Weight, Recording Media, Lens Mount, Frame Rate, Price, and more.
Comparing Apples to Apples
Since 2008, I’ve almost exclusively used Canon cameras for photo and video. Now, in my video production business (DeVowe Photography), I’ve switched to using Blackmagic cameras for video. I know that if I had gone with a Canon cinema camera instead, I would have paid a much higher premium for features Canon is well-known for (weather-sealed bodies, durability, autofocus, etc.).
But here, we’re talking about Blackmagic cameras compared with Blackmagic cameras. Does this provide some insight for you when it comes to deciding on which Blackmagic cinema camera to buy?
If I missed anything, let me know!
