Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K Review

The 4/3-inch sensor of the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K “Up to 4096 x 2160 DCI 4K images may be captured by the sensor at speeds of up to 75 frames per second in a number of codecs, including Blackmagic Raw at various bit rates and multiple ProRes 422 possibilities.

The BMPCC 4K now offers up to 75 fps in a 4K raw mode for 2.4:1 widescreen and up to 80 fps in a 2.8K raw mode for 4:3 anamorphic with the 6.6 upgrades. For 4:3 recording, there is a 1.33x de-squeeze option as well as a 2x de-squeeze preview.

Both cropped Full HD and 2.6K raw for Super16 lenses support slow-motion rates up to 120 fps. With compatibility for the Pocket Battery Grip and a built-in horizon level feature, the 6.6 update simplifies operation.

Support for new languages, USB PTP control, customized frame guides, an up to 8x pinch-to-zoom capability, the ability to incorporate unique LUTs as metadata in Blackmagic Raw, and more improvements are included in the 6.6 release.

The original, compact Pocket Cinema Camera lenses fit inside the Micro Four Thirds lens mount. PL, C, EF, and other lenses can also be used with the system by using separately sold adapters. For low-light capture, a dual-native ISO of up to 25,600 is provided, and HDR photos with a 13-stop dynamic range are rich.

Use the internal SD/UHS-II and CFast 2.0 card slots to record, or use the USB Type-C output to record longer clips to an external disk. 5 features of the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K “A full-sized HDMI connector enables you to output a signal to a larger display, while a touchscreen LCD removes the need for a separate, onboard monitor.

The menu and user interface are identical to those on the URSA Mini camera, and when you’re ready to commit, 3D LUTs can be used to monitor or bake in your appearance.

A mini-XLR input with phantom power for professional-style microphones, a 3.5mm connector, and an internal stereo mic are included among the audio features. The same Blackmagic OS as the URSA Mini and Bluetooth remote control are additional features.

A DaVinci Resolve Studio license key is provided for flexible post-production control. The Carbon Fiber Composite construction of the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K makes it lightweight and strong, and there are two power options: the integrated Canon LP-E6 type battery or the accompanying power source.

4/3 “Dual Native ISO for an image sensor

The Pocket Cinema Camera 4K makes use of a 4/3 “Rich images at resolutions up to DCI 4K may be captured using a sensor with 13 stops of dynamic range and a dual native ISO up to 25,600.

Micro Four Thirds Lens Mount Active

Use compact, electronically-controlled MFT lenses, or add PL, C, or EF-mount lenses to your lens selection by using separately sold adapters.

Anamorphic Imaging

Anamorphic choices in Blackmagic Raw 4:3 2880 x 2160 (2.8K) with 2x and 1.33x de-squeeze preview capabilities.

Resolutions for shooting

Super16 2688 x 1512 (2.6K), 4096 x 2160 (DCI 4K), 2.4:1, 3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD 4K), and 1940 x 1080 (HD).

Optional Aspect Ratios

Choose from predefined ratios like 1:1 and 4:5, or create your own.

Options for Blackmagic Raw and ProRes

Depending on the requirements of your project, choose between Blackmagic Raw and ProRes 422 files.

5 “Use a touchscreen

five huge “A full-sized HDMI connector allows you to output a signal to a larger display on your video village, while a touchscreen display eliminates the requirement for an extra on-board monitor.

SD/UHS-II, CFast 2.0, and USB Type-C Capture

You can either record to the internal CFast 2.0 or SD/UHS-II card slots or use the USB Type-C output to record longer clips to an external device.

Numerous Power Options

A rechargeable Canon LP-E6 type battery, the separately sold Pocket Battery Grip, or the supplied power source can all be used to power the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K.

Resolve Studio by DaVinci

The camera comes with a DaVinci Resolve Studio activation key.

What’s Included

• Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
• Lens turret dust cap
• 30W power supply with locking connector and international adapters
• LP‑E6 battery
• Welcome wallet with QR code for software download
• Welcome card
• DaVinci Resolve Studio with activation key

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K Specifications

Imaging

Lens Mount	Micro Four Thirds
Lens Communication	Yes
Sensor Type	18.96 x 10 mm (Four Thirds) CMOS
Built-In ND Filter	None
Capture Type	Stills & Video

Exposure Control

Shutter Type	Electronic Rolling Shutter
ISO Sensitivity	100 to 25,600
Advertised Dynamic Range	13 Stops
Internal Recording Modes	ProRes 422 HQ 4096 x 2160 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps [117.88 Mb/s] 3840 x 2160 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps [110 Mb/s] 1920 x 1080p at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94/119.88 fps [27.5 Mb/s] ProRes 422 4096 x 2160 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps [78.63 Mb/s] 3840 x 2160 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps [73.6 Mb/s] 1920 x 1080p at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94/119.88 fps [18.4 Mb/s] ProRes 422LT 4096 x 2160 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps [54.63 Mb/s] 3840 x 2160 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps [51 Mb/s] 1920 x 1080p at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94/119.88 fps [12.75 Mb/s] ProRes 422 Proxy 4096 x 2160 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps [24.25 Mb/s] 3840 x 2160 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps [22.4 Mb/s] 1920 x 1080p at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94/119.88 fps [5.6 Mb/s] Raw 4096 x 2160 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps [21 to 203 Mb/s] 4096 x 1712 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94/75 fps 2880 x 2160 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94/80 fps 2688 x 1512 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94/75/119.88 fps
External Recording Modes	4:2:2 10-Bit via HDMI 1920 x 1080p at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps Raw 12-Bit via USB 4096 x 2160 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps 3840 x 2160 at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps 1920 x 1080p at 23.98/24.00/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps
Sensor Crop Modes	Four Thirds
Variable Frame Rates	Up to 119.88 fps
Recording Limit	Up to 877 Minutes
Broadcast Output	NTSC/PAL
Built-In Microphone Type	Stereo
IP Streaming	Yes

Still Image Capture

Aspect Ratio

2:1, 16:9, 4:3, 1:1, 4:5

Interface

Video I/O	1 x HDMI Output
Audio I/O	1 x Mini XLR Mic/Line (+48 V Phantom Power) Input 1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Mic/Line Input 1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Headphone Output
Power I/O	1 x Weipu SF610/S2 Input
Other I/O	1 x USB-C Video Output 1 x 1/8″ / 3.5 mm (Timecode) Input (Shared with Mic/Line Input)
Wireless	Bluetooth Control

Monitor

Size	5″
Resolution	1920 x 1080
Display Type	Fixed Touchscreen LCD

Viewfinder

Type	Optional, Not Included

Focus

Focus Type	Auto and Manual Focus
Focus Mode	Automatic, Manual Focus

Environmental

Operating Temperature	32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C
Storage Temperature	-4 to 113°F / -20 to 45°C
Operating Humidity	0 to 90%

General

Battery Type	Canon LP-E6
Tripod Mounting Thread	1/4″-20 Female
Accessory Mount	1 x 1/4″-20 Female
Material of Construction	Carbon Fiber
Dimensions (W x H x D)	7 x 3.8 x 3.4″ / 177.8 x 96.5 x 86.4 mm
Weight	1.5 lb / 680.38 g

Packaging Info

Package Weight	3.085 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)	12.4 x 8 x 6.9″

Conclusion

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema camera isn’t perfect; it lacks an articulating screen, the battery meter isn’t always accurate, and the battery life isn’t fantastic overall. While all of that is important, it is also simple to give it a lot of leeways.

There is no comparison to the value that this film camera offers. Although it lacks articulation, the enormous 16:9 screen puts it head and shoulders above comparable MFT cameras in terms of video-centric operational efficiency. Additionally, the onboard connectivity options are best in class, and the twin card slots outperform considerably more expensive cameras like the Canon EOS R.

It really is a gift that keeps on giving with the UI being so film-focused, a good range of glass available from launch, respectable on-board audio recording capabilities, and of course the sweetener in the form of a $299 software license for DaVinci Resolve Studio.

The fundamental quality of its 4K video competes with much more expensive cameras, and when used properly, because to its dual native ISOs, it also manages noise better than other full frame sensors.

Without defending its shortcomings, we can say that they are outweighed by more advantages than we could have anticipated from a $1,295 / £1,034 pro-grade film camera.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K Price