FiLMiC Pro vs Blackmagic

In this episode we compare an iPhone XS Max shooting Filmic Pro LogV2 against a BMPCC 4K shooting Blackmagic Raw. Can you tell which one is which?

Everything was color graded in Davinci Resolve. And we used our LUT packs on the Filmic Pro LogV2 footage.

And thank you to Erin for modeling our LUT packs. :) Follow her on IG @emariegarrett.

🎥 Making movies with FiLMiC Pro? Check out our LUT Packs!

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©2019 Splashbox Studios

[cameronporter]

It was actually pretty obvious. I think it's important to note that just to get it this close you had to do a super controlled studio shoot to eliminate all the factors that smartphone cameras really struggle with - depth of field, dynamic range, low light, etc. It's also interesting that the pocket 4k is only $300 more than a brand new iPhone xs.

[anthonycayetano]

Right as soon as you showed Cam 2 I knew it was the BMPCC 4K. The giveaway was the skin tones. Having said that, they were pretty close and if the background and scenery was more complex with even lightings (no strong shadows and highlights) I’d be having a hard time telling which is which.

[paulpierantozzi]

Even in the perfect lighting conditions present in this test, the differences between the two are obvious to me. Camera 1 has a digital sharpening look and less natural colors. The blackmagic has much nicer highlight rolloff and interprets light with a much softer and more film-like way. It is interesting to see how close an iphone can get to a cinema camera, but the reality is that the blackmagic is almost the same price as the phone and unlike the phone it has the specs to shoot feature films. Take these two cameras out of the studio and into natural lighting conditions and the difference will become even more apparent.

[DutchAussieProductions]

The results are very close. I have an iPhone X and will take that on an extended holiday. I have ordered the Moment lenses and already use the Movi Cinema Robot. Great combination for holidays.

[MrSaeedted]

You could really tell from the skin tone and shadows on her face.

[SandyRegion]

It's close, but it seems the lighting was configured to ensure both gave similar results. Not a great example of contrast, colour accuracy, or motion shots. And, of course, fisheye on the corners of the iPhone video were not visible due to the white background.

[paulszilard]

I thought Camera 1 looked a tad better when I looked at the details in the eye lashes. Pretty amazing how close they looked! Of course larger sensor and interchangeable lenses make any mirrorless camera more versatile, but boy, carrying a smartphone in your pocket is really amazing in what it can do.

[mrti]

Easy to tell.. yes, really. The details in her skin, especially the chest area, had a lot more texture (freckles) in BMPCC4k vs IPhone. Good job though!

[klaywavy]

I dont think you understand how impactful this video is for me being someone who relys on iphone/filmic pro everyday and is considering buying the blackmagic. Thank you

[madman]

I mean there is a lot more detail on the blackmagic and I can see they were fairly close but this isn't really a proper head to head because there isn't any test for dynamic range, low light etc

[akoabo]

too easy come one! in this case the studio setup was almost without shadows, just to make the playing field more even. Try outside with much more dark and light differences, really just no comparison. btw I love mobile filmmaking(do it myself), so no hate here.

[docyagamikiko]

Well.. if we be shooting with white background indoors all the time then it dont matter. But try to compare both by shooting outside... The bokeh and low light results will automatically give it away!

[realmadera]

With the perfect lighting condition yes you can get great results with phones. Try mixing the footage on day to day shoot you'll never use a phone again.

[Magmafire]

You can tell the big difference in dynamic range in her hair. Since the iPhone is a couple stops lower than the BMPCC4K, what it can't determine in those really dark low lights in her hair, it'll just result to black. Noise is also easier to see in black too which is a fault of the codec.

In the side by side though, I didn't catch that the iPhone was also still over saturated in log too as evidenced by her shirt and skin tone.

Honestly if you're going to spend $1300 for a camera, clearly wasting it on a phone is not a good choice.

[LuckyBraxton]

Longtime subscriber, first time commenting..
This was great comparison. I could tell, as the picture quality was better, but I showed my wife who's not watching with a filmmaker's perspective, so she could not tell. Also great coverage of NAB.
-Lucky

[Wattsfps]

Yeah the highlights, color depth and sharpness are a clear giveaway of the phone. Not really close tbh and would be much more noticeable in a less controlled environment outdoors. With that being said it's still capable of telling a story and our tech nowadays provides no excuses to not be making films.

[JimmyJommy]

When you think about it, you're really just comparing a camcorder with 1/2.55" sensor (iPhone) to a camera with a micro 4/3 sensor.

The iPhone is impressive for a smartphone, but no magic is involved here.

[AlsandairToms]

Commenting before seeing the reveal.


Cam01 is crushing the blacks whenever possible and losing detail in the hair, while Cam02 is just above 0IRE and keeping each hair mostly intact minus online compression. Cam02 is BMPCC4K, Cam01 is the phone.


This is a pretty good demo that the camera is no longer a valid excuse for not making content if you wish. That said, the camera DOES still matter in many circumstances for professional detail and specs.

[DaCashRap]

Actually, for someone who has experience in filmmaking or photography it's quite obvious. BlackMagic has much more dynamic range and detail. Considering this is a controlled environment, the iPhone still looks good, but it's nowhere near a decent camera, which a pocket4k is.

[IIMBOREDD]

yes iphone cameras are getting better, but clearly easy to tell