Blackmagic announces Cinema Camera 6K: Affordable 6K for the masses

Melbourne's Blackmagic Design has unveiled the Cinema Camera 6K, the company's first model with to come with an L-Mount and its first full-frame camera.

The Cinema camera 6K is built around a 24.6-megapixel full-frame sensor (6,048 x 4,032), that shoots up to 6K and has dual native ISO up to 25,600 for improved low light performance. Blackmagic says the camera has 13 stops of dynamic range.

"With the new Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K, we wanted to create the most portable camera possible for high end, large format cinematography," said CEO Grant Petty.

"That’s why we took the Pocket Cinema Camera platform but completely re-engineered the electronics inside around a full frame sensor and L-Mount."

By adopting the L-mount, Blackmagic have been able to take advantage of a relatively short flange distance, however that comes at the cost of the built-in ND filter found on past models. 

Made from lightweight carbon fibre polycarbonate composite, the camera has a similar form factor to the BMPCC 6K Pro, and features a multifunction handgrip with all controls for recording, ISO, WB and shutter angle in the one location. 

The Cinema Camera 6K can shoot in all standard resolutions and frame rates up to DCI 4K and 6K, and stills at up to 24.6 megapixels.

6K open gate (3:2) is available at up to 36fps, or 60fps at 6,048 x 2,520 (2.4:1) and 60fps at 4,096 x 2,160 (4K DCI).

"Customers can even work in true anamorphic 6:5 at much higher resolutions than other cameras using anamorphic lenses in 4.8K 24fps at 4,838 x 4,032," the company said. 

The camera comes with a 1,500 nit 5-inch tilting (but not fully articulating) HDR touchscreen, and displays typical shooting aids like a histogram, focus peaking, levels, frame guides and more.

Video is recorded in the 12-bit Blackmagic RAW (BRAW) or H.264 proxy formats, either to CFexpress B or an SSD via the USB-C port.

In addition, there's a wide range of audio ports, an HDMI output, and an optional BMPCC Pro Grip.

The Cinema Camera 6K is available now for $4,245. You can find out more at Blackmagic.