Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K vs Pocket 4K | Round 2

The all new Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K has various windowed sensor modes. Two of these are 4K DCI and 4K Super 35 formats.

This lesson compares the Pocket 4K against the Cinema Camera 6K in 6K Open Gate, 4K Super 35 and 4K DCI.

We shoot with proper exposure, low light and anamorphic lenses.

#blackmagicpocket4k
#cinemacamera6k
#pocket4kvscinemacamera6k
#onlinefilmschool
#writeanddirect

[newwayofthinking]

Great comparison Videos. I own the 6k pro and the 4k I added recently to my arsenal for obvious reasons. The 4k is much more versatile. From lens choices, to speed boosters, smaller file sizes, no penalty for shooting 4k (ie crop), smaller, lighter, better shooting format (ie braw in 1080 whereas 6k doesn't offer braw in 1080p, upto 75fps in 4k on the 4k etc etc). There isn't anything really too too special about the 6k imho. The 6k has ever so slight superior image, especially in the roll offs. But if you know how to shoot with the 4k and use davinci well in post, you can easily bridge the gap. All in all, they're both great, but I think the 4k is the better buy for 95% of filmmakers and video shooters due to its versatality. One thing I've learned is that we don't need 6k for most work. I like the idea of shooting in 4kDCI and then downsampling to a 2k deliverable for socials and YouTube.

Get the 4K
Buy the rawlite OLPF
Buy PDMOVIE Smart Lidar system for autofocus
Buy Cage and Accessories
Buy an affordable small monitor No recording needed.
Buy V mount batteries and rails
Buy Gimbal
Buy Flycam Flowline with Two Axis Spring (this before the gimbal if possible as the 4k has crazy good gyro stabilizer)
Buy any lense of your choice, from mft to full frame. Just know you'll need speedbooster, but it has its benefits.

In total, this is entire setup will cost less around 4k but you'll arguably have the most versatile system in the world with the best image quality. Giving you plenty of flexibility for any shooting scenario. You could do the same with the 6kpro or 6kFF but you'll lose in other areas.

[Jonwa]

Thanks for the advice, convinced me to look at 4k instead of 6k. New to BM and have GH5, so makes sense to explore with MFT lenses I already have.

[stevenzeko]

Well, still in the saving phase for the cameras at this point so here’s hoping and wishing that since joining the L mount alliance they will update the pocket 4k with a ff. So impressed with how well it holds up and at half the price can get 2 for one. Who knows by the time I can save up BM may have all new cameras out. Again really appreciate this kind of True Cinematographer and True Filmmaker comparison. Instead of bagging on them for not being a vloggers best friend.

[carlos.sierra]

Thanks for this! I'm looking into a video-only option and Blackmagic seems to be my best choice currently.

[dandobi]

Awesome video, thanks for this. Wild request… could you do a comparison between the 6k FF vs the Sony Zv-e1/fx3? Would love to see your results there. Thanks!

[IreneVos]

So great videos comparing this cameras! Don't know if you have had the 6k G2, in this case, which would you recommend, the 4k or 6k g2?

[kakegarcia]

I’ve watched the two videos and even taking in account the advantages of the new BMCC 6K, I am amazed how the BMPCC 4k continues to be a camera that delivers excellent quality for today’s standards. I am on the fence for a BMPCC 4K next year when my wallet allows me to, I would like to get the newest version but it is not something I can afford. I am a professional photographer based in panama shooting real estate videos and the BMPCC 4K would be a huge help for me and my micro business. Bests regards from a new Venezuelan follower in Panama!

[Deksvilm]

Thanks for sharing! I've got mine FF last week and love the image that it produces. I was upgrading from pocket 4k also) By the way, recently I have found out that ISO adjustment and EXPOSURE at the raw setting tab are definitely doing the same thing to the image. For instance, when ISO is set to 100 and exposure is on something near 3.35 - it is equivalent of ISO 1000. It was not obvious for me, and now i'm simplify my color grading a little bit))) I'm hoping that BM will do an upgrade and add 6k 16-9 with honest 50 fps. I think It would be very handy to apply slow-mo on post at 6k...

[JonasStuart]

Again, all interesting. I'm still tossing up between the 6K FF and just holding off and saving the difference for an URSA 12K for the HFR options, image, DR and rolling shutter...

[LukeBroadhurstfilm]

Are you using a speed booster.
Because I’m confused.
The pocket 4k is M4/3, so how is it beating the FOV of the Super 35 mode in the cinema 6k

[rickseigh]

This is my first BM camera so I'm an outsider. I use the Panasonic S5XII which is mostly all I need but since changing over to Davinci I wanted to play with braw and anamorphic. I purchased the 6k FF and use it exclusively in opengate as I can zoom to any delivery. It works really well with my Sirui anamorphic lenses. As an outsider I think BM will need a few firmware updates to solve several issues so I wouldn't worry about the image just yet. They do upgrade firmware don't they??? I hope, but I'm really happy with the opengate image and will only shoot in that mode. I purchased the 6k FF as it can use all the lenses I currently have, I use v-mount batteries, I have fast CFExpress cards from previous cameras and I have external ssd's that work well so I really only needed the body and I was off and running.

[LukeBroadhurstfilm]

would be really worth comparing the original pocket 6k or 6k g2 to this.
especially super 35mode on the cinema 6k is 4k res while on the g2 having a s35 sensor it's 6k res.

another worthy comparison next time would be to compare the M4/3 sensor crop equivalent in the cinema 6k to the pocket 4k. i believe this is 2k super 16 100p mode.
very interested to see how sensor actual quality makes up for sensor size (as im speculating blackmagic used a super cheap full frame sensor, often found in cheap nickon cameras)

[deboucheaoreilles]

Very good analysis, thank you. I have rhe 4K for a long time. For me the problem is that 4K does not reveal the horizontal flare typical of anamorphic lenses. Damage.

[SeanvanBerlo]

Are you using a speed booster? Your framing doesn't seem to match

[isaiahpadilla]

I'm disappointed that you're getting rid of your pocket 4k. I was hoping for more lessons with it because it's what I'm learning on now. I'm still very new to all this.

[ThelIHTCIl]

11:32 - я удивлён, что 4К чище 6К
То ли 4К такая удачная камера, то ли 6К лажовая...

[DethronerX]

Please compare the 6k Pro Super35 with EF mount, with the new full frame, because I would like to upgrade there, even if I have to sell this one, because my goal has been full frame, because you have more room for cropping. Same goes for 2x anamorphic, I can crop more without worries.
And the same reason you gave the last time, about small spaces where you absolutely need full frame.
At the end of the day, our destined platform is what decides how much noise can be invisible, but obviously, when better quality in a 6k project is rendered (with final comp) at 2k and viewed on phone, will look more sharp and clean, so it really depends what our target platform is and how much we can work with the available sensor, lenses and of course, our lighting will affect the noise, because we can always make it darker on post, if we want a dark contrasty look

[alansarpy]

I want a BMD for land scape video... I shoot full frame sony, so how do you the the 4k would do ?

[simonc]

I find the BMPCC4K cropped at 2.6k has better IQ than the BMPCC6K cropped at 2.8k.