Blackmagic announces new Blackmagic PYXIS 6K box camera

Blackmagic PYXIS 6K is an advanced digital film camera in a versatile box design with full frame 6K sensor in EF, PL or L-Mount model, Blackmagic RAW, and global media sync with Blackmagic Cloud - all for $2995.

As well as the URSA Cine 12K announced today, Blackmagic Design also announced Blackmagic PYXIS 6K a next generation digital film camera that features a versatile box or cube design so you can rig up the perfect camera for your production. 

This new model features a massive 36 x 24mm 6K sensor with 13 stops of dynamic range and dual CFexpress media recorders, all in a customizable body. Blackmagic PYXIS 6K is available in three models, with customers able to choose between L-Mount, PL or Locking EF lens mounts.

It will be available in June from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide from $2995.

Blackmagic PYXIS 6K Features

• 36 x 24mm full frame 6K 6048 x 4032 sensor.

• Open gate 3:2, full height 6:5 anamorphic and Super 35 for creating cinematic content.

• Choice of models with L-Mount, PL or locking EF lens mounts.

• Records full resolution up to 36 fps or 120 fps windowed.

• Built-in 4″ HDR 1500 nit LCD screen.

• Records Blackmagic RAW and H.264 proxies.

• Extremely fast dual CFexpress card recording.

• Ethernet or mobile data for mobile remote streaming.

• Optional Blackmagic URSA Cine EVF.

• Features 12G-SDI for monitoring with status overlay.

• Professional mini XLR input with 48 volt phantom power.

• Complete streaming solution for YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and more.

• High capacity BP-U series batteries.

With multiple mounting points and accessory side plates, it’s easy to configure Blackmagic PYXIS into the camera customers need it to be. 

The Blackmagic PYXIS in detail...

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the guys at the Nexus G1 Project will be feeling very flattered indeed at the moment. Blackmagic has even hit the G1's projected target price. 

PYXIS’ compact body is made from precision CNC machined aerospace aluminum. In addition to the multiple 1/4″ and 3/8″ thread mounts on the top and bottom of the body, Blackmagic PYXIS has a range of side plates that further extend their ability to mount accessories such as handles, microphones or even SSDs.

It features a massive full frame sensor with a native resolution of 6048 x 4032. That's almost three times larger than a Super 35 sensor and allows customers to shoot with a shallow depth of field or to use anamorphic lenses uncropped for a true cinematic look. Whether users are shooting in bright sunlight or in almost no light at all, 13 stops of dynamic range with dual native ISO up to 25,600 should cope with most lighting conditions. 

Using the full area of the sensor gives customers a unique open gate 3:2 image which also lets customers reframe their shots in post. The large sensor also lets customers work in true 6:5 anamorphic without cropping, making widescreen cinematic images more detailed and in higher resolution than previously possible.

The L-Mount model works with the latest full frame lenses from Leica, Panasonic and Sigma but can also accommodate lens adapters, allowing customers to use a wide variety of new and vintage lenses. The EF model lets customers use high quality photographic lenses customers already own from DSLRs or even Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras. Or the PL model lets customers work with professional cinema lenses from Zeiss, ARRI, Cooke and more without needing an adapter.

Blackmagic PYXIS can shoot in all standard resolutions and frame rates from HD up to DCI 4K and even 6K. Customers can even shoot stills at 24.6 megapixels. Blackmagic PYXIS will shoot up to 36 fps at 6048 x 4032 3:2 open gate or 60 fps at 6048 x 2520 2.4:1 and 60 fps at 4096 x 2160 4K DCI. For higher frame rates customers can window the sensor and shoot up to 100 fps at 2112 x 1184 Super 16.

The built in LCD on Blackmagic PYXIS is  a 4″ high resolution HDR touchscreen that is also good for monitoring and reviewing shots on set. The camera features a logical design that puts important functions such as ISO, WB and shutter at their fingertips with both touchscreen and physical controls. A row of three customizable function buttons means customers don’t have to go hunting through menus on a tiny screen to find a command. The controls can even be locked to avoid accidentally changing settings.

It also supports the optional Blackmagic URSA Cine EVF to make outdoors and handheld shooting accurate and easy. Customers get an integrated high quality 1920 x 1080 color OLED display with built in proximity sensor, 4 element glass diopter for incredible accuracy with a wide focus adjustment. 

The side plates expand the riggability of their camera even further. The standard plate included with Blackmagic PYXIS is made from the same aircraft grade aluminum as the camera body and features 2 1/4″ thread mounts and one 3/8″ thread mount, allowing customers to add microphones, brackets or other accessories. Or customers can attach the included SSD plate which offers a convenient location to securely attach a USB-C drive for recording or even a mobile phone for live streaming. 

Proxies, cloud and more

It records in Blackmagic RAW and HD H.264 proxies in real time. It also features two built in CFexpress card recorders, and a USB-C expansion port for recording direct to external flash media disks or an SSD. CFexpress media are more durable and faster than even older media so are perfect for recording full resolution, 12-bit Blackmagic RAW files. Plus, with dual CFexpress slots, users can hot swap full cards without stopping. 

Using those H.264 proxy files, users can transfer media directly into the DaVinci Resolve media bin as editors are working, something the company bills as revolutionary and never before been possible. Any editor working anywhere in the world will get the shots. 

When uploading to Blackmagic Cloud, customers can use an Apple or Android phone to get a connection to the internet via mobile data. Simply connect the phone to the USB-C port and Blackmagic PYXIS will configure for mobile data. Customers can also connect via wired Ethernet using the camera’s Ethernet port. This lets customers get their media out as customers shoot so post production teams anywhere in the world can start work in real time. 

The camera features a wide range of connections for audio, monitoring, power and more. The camera includes a 12G-SDI out for monitoring with support for HDR and Ultra HD output. That means customers can connect an SDI display for on set monitoring of images, with or without overlays that show critical information and camera status. SDI allows for much longer cable runs than HDMI making it easier to reach monitors that are further away on set. 

Finally, Blackmagic PYXIS features a built hardware streaming engine that supports RTMP and SRT streaming to YouTube, Facebook, X and more. For internet access, customers have two options, one to connect via Ethernet or customers can connect a 4G or 5G phone for mobile data. As the streaming is built into the camera, customers can see the stream status and data rate in the viewfinder and the LCD.