Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K Announced – Full-Frame, L-Mount, 3:2 Open Gate for $2,595

Camera NewsIBC 2023

by Jakub HanSeptember 14^th, 2023

Blackmagic Design announced three new cameras today. Besides two new studio cameras – Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus G2 and Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera 4K G2, there is a new Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K. It features a 6K full-frame sensor with 3:2 open-gate mode up to 36fps in full sensor 6K mode, Leica L-mount, tilting 5″ touchscreen, and CFexpres Type B memory card slot. The camera will cost $2,595.

Until today, one of the most recent camera announcements from the Australian camera manufacturer Blackmagic Design was the Blackmagic Studio Camera 6K Pro back in February 2023.

Today, ahead of the IBC Show in Amsterdam, the company’s CEO Grant Petty announced the release of a few new products during a live stream. In this article, I only focus on the three new cameras. Please check our other article about the other newly announced products. Let’s take a look at the details of the new cameras.

Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus G2

The first two cameras that Grant Petty announced during his livestream are focused on studio work. The Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus G2 improves on the original Studio 4K by adding new SDI connections – 12G SDI out and 12G SDI in with a program return feature.

The camera can record Blackmagic RAW to an external SSD via USB-C. It still features the Micro Four Thirds lens mount and can be controlled via USB-C to ethernet adapter. Just like other studio cameras, the camera has a tally light along with a huge display built-in.

Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera 4K G2

The second new studio camera is the new Micro Studio Camera 4K G2. It basically offers the same set of features as the Studio Camera 4K Plus G2 but in a much smaller package. It also features the same Micro Four Thirds lens mount. For SDI connection, the camera features new locking mini BNC connectors with 12G SDI (input and output). Thanks to 12G-SDI, it can work with 4K 60fps video signal.

Just like the StudioCamera 4K Plus G2, it can also record BRAW to external SSD through USB-C and the controling is possible via HDMI (via ATEM), via SDI, or via Ethernet connection.

Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K

The most exciting new camera announced today is the new Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K. It features a full-frame 6K image sensor (6048 x 4032) with a 3:2 aspect ratio which also supports 3:2 open-gate recording mode for more flexibility in the post-production or for shooting with anamorphic lenses. For anamorphic work, a 6:5 mode is also available. Additionally, the sensor has an optical low-pass filter.

On top of Blackmagic RAW, the camera can also record FullHD proxy files in H.264. The full-frame open gate mode is available at up to 36fps, 6K 2.4:1 mode is available in up to 60fps. For slow motion, the camera can record cropped FullHD in up to 120fps. Blackmagic Design claims the camera can record 13 stops of Dynamic range with dual native ISO of 400 and 3200 (maximum ISO is 25,600).

The camera was built on the Pocket 6K Pro platform, so it looks similar and it can use many of the existing accessories. The new part is, that it now features a mirrorless lens mount – Leica L-Mount. It also uses new media – CFexpress Type B. The camera can still, however, record to the external SSD via the USB-C port. The camera can automatically switch to vertical mode.

Just like previous Pocket Cinema Camera bodies, the new camera uses NP-F570 batteries which can provide up to 60 minutes of 6K 24fps BRAW recording according to Blackmagic Design. There is a 5″ touchscreen FullHD LCD display with 1500 nits brightness that can be tilted up or down. The camera is also compatible with the viewfinder and other accessories from the Pocket line.

Price and availability

The Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Plus G2 costs $1,345 and the Micro Studio 4K will set you back $995. Shipping is planned to begin in October. The Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K will sell for $2,595.

What do you think about the new Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K? Let us know in the comments section underneath the article.