Blackmagic Design has just made its ultra-compact camera line even better, with the impressive Pocket Cinema Camera 6K topping even the company’s best-selling Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. Though the camera has a similar look and size to the 4K, it improves on its predecessor in many areas, notably that the camera now features a Canon EF mount, which covers a brand-new Super 35 (23.1 x 12.99mm) sensor capable of recording 6K video at up to 50 fps or 6K (2.4:1) video at 60 fps.
The 6K retains similar controls, form factor, and features as the 4K Micro Four Thirds model, such as dual native ISO up to 25,600, 13 stops of dynamic range, 3D LUT support, a large, bright 5" screen, and professional audio support with four microphones, and all the same ports and media features. The menu settings are also generally the same, but now with the EF mount, the 6K’s larger 23.10 x 12.99mm Super 35 sensor records resolutions up to 6144 x 3456 at 50 fps. And like the 4K model, the 6K supports shooting Blackmagic RAW format that allows you to record the raw data from the sensor. The RAW format embeds the sensor's metadata to simplify your editing experience and adjust your workflow to suit any project type. It also makes editing easier with Blackmagic's DaVinci Resolve.
If you have any thoughts on Blackmagic Design's line of Digital Cinema cameras, if you've had a wish list of improvements that may (or may not) have been addressed with this camera, let us know in the Comments section. To take a look at Blackmagic Design's cinema camera lines, visit the B&H Photo Website or stop in at the B&H SuperStore when you’re in New York City.
41 Comments
Can someone please explain the editing process when using the 6K raw? My understanding is that these files won't work natively in platforms like Adobe Premiere or After Effects. Do you grade in DaVinci Resolve first and then transcode to a usable format? Is this burdensome?
Currently BRAW is only "natively" supported within DaVinci, though it is a full-on NLE now that is very capable. However there is a paid plug-in ($30-60) BRAW Studio by Autokroma that allows native editing within Premiere along with editing of the RAW attributes (ISO, WB, etc.)
Thank you.
I heard you can't shoot 6K Prores, only RAW?
That is correct.
Will this fit on a Ronin S or Ronin M?
Yes it will.
Yes, but you're going to need an offset bracket to make it fit the Ronin-S, at least, like this one from Lanparte [ https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1448842-REG ] Also I wouldn't expect the Ronin S to be able to handle that massive Canon f/1.2 85mm lens.
You can shoot RAW 6K or only compressed codec?
6k raw only
Totally unexpected!
Possible improvements for future/alternate model:
-Built in ND filters
-Increased Dynamic Range/Low-light Performance
-Brighter Screen
-Digital Level
Thank you BH and Blackmagic!
Why ?????????? is there no stabilization inside?
that is the only this camera need :(
2.4:1? Is that like half the color space of DV?
I think you will find that number is related to the compression rate of Blackmagic's "BRAW" format. It is not related to color space.
2.4:1 is a picture aspect ratio... as in 6144 x 2560
Need nikon mount
No
You can easily convert Nikon Lenses to a Canon EF mount. Future, higher-end BlackMagic cameras will have interchangeable lens mounts.
when this camera will be released ?
For an ETA on when new orders will ship please email us directly at [email protected].
Thanks.
What kind of sensor Does this cam have? CMOS? EXMOR? Towerjazz? BM own sensor?
What devices play 6K? Is this just to guard my video now so it will look good on TV's that will come out in five years? Or will we see any improvements in resolution with 6K over 4K on any devices that commonly exist today?
I think the bigger thing to consider is the options that 6K gives you in post. Like being able to punch the image in 50% and still maintain 4K resolution. At least that'z how I'm choosing to look at it, I don't frankly care too much Bout 6K as much as I do that this comer is a super35 sensor rather than m4/3. That's where the real appeal is for me
Youtube will play up to 8k.
Japan will be broadcasting in 8k next year, which is the main push for higher resolution cameras.
Shooting in 6k does have it advantages, like warp stabilzer, digital zoom or slide, cropping, etc for a 4k or 2k output. It will also impress clients, (I hate saying that, but it's true). There is compression for BlackMagic RAW so file sizes aren't that much larger.
Literally the only thing more I could have asked for is build in ND. I would take a slightly larger body to have some built in ND. Even if it's a simple behind the lens style variable ND like the canon RF mount adapter has. But in all seriousness, I'm ok putting ND's on the front of my lenses to use this camera because it just crushed my C200 for a third of the cost. Can't wait to pick one up. Absolutely incredible, industry disrupting camera from Black Magic. Love it.
So it's 1.5X crop with a full frame lens?
Yes, like all super 35 sensor cameras, including the C300 and C200
How about the battery life in the new camera....any improvements..?
We are not aware of any improvements to the battery life of this camera from the 4K version. It uses the same LP-E6 system .
Thanks!
Does it shoot 4k and 1080p in crop mode ?
If you shoot the 16:9 ratio 4K (UHD and HD) then yes you can use the full sensor readout. However DCI 4K will crop in.
So you mean when shooting on lower resolution with Blackmagic raw will not crop the image, the DCI 4K will leave two narrow cine bar on the top and bottom of the frame right?
Longer battery, changing the battery from the side w/o removing any base etc. SDI out. Including the XLR adapter cable, or maybe a hard piece adaptor that goes on to the xlr out on the camera. More screw holes around. Thank you.
I mean you're just describing an Ursa Mini.
Why why why is there no stabilization? That would make it a no brainer. The beauty of a small form camera like this is to be able to grab and go hand held, but so light and no stabilization, could never do it
Stabilization belongs in the lens, not the camera body. Different types of lenses require different types of image stabilization. For example the IS mechanism in the ultra-wide Canon EF-S 10-18mm is optimized for that particular focal length, whereas the IS mechanism in the telephoto Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 is a completely different design. There's no need to make the camera more expensive with a feature that properly belongs in a lens. For handheld shots, choose a lens equipped with OIS and you're good to go.
I think you've gotta look at this in a cinema category. Not just from a videographer standpoint. In the cinema world, the idea is to have as much control over every variable as possible. And a sensor that moves, although it might be negligible actually decreases sharpness to a degree especially on a 6K sensor; and there's no control over that so there's unpredictability to it. But a stationary sensor on a gimbal maintains all of the sharpness in camera and provides stabilization that can be controlled. This is not a camera that's meant to be convenient to use, it's meant to produce the best results possible for what it is.
LOL the diagram of the 6K version says the resolution is 614x3456. I think you're missing a digit there.
What’s the frame rate at 4K for slow motion 120fps ?? If so this could be great for Gimble/drone work
No. 6k will do 120fps at 2.8K and HD resolutions. 2.8Kp120 is BRAW only and HD 120p is ProRes only! Manual is at BM site.
4K is still only up to 60p you don't access 120 fps until you hit 2.8K.