Blackmagic Design announces Blackmagic Pyxis 6K digital film camera with a cube design. This new model features a 36 x 24mm 6K sensor with 13 stops of dynamic range and dual CFexpress media recorders, in a customizable body. Blackmagic Pyxis 6K is available in three models, with a choice between L-Mount, PL or Locking EF lens mounts. Blackmagic Pyxis 6K will be available in June from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide from US$2,995.
Multiple mounting points and accessory side plates are designed to make it easier to configure Blackmagic Pyxis into the camera customers need it to be. Pyxis’ compact body is made from precision CNC machined aerospace aluminum, designed to be lightweight yet strong. Customers can mount it on a range of camera rigs such as cranes, gimbals or drones. 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 SSDs.
“Blackmagic PYXIS 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, the 13 stops of dynamic range with dual native ISO up to 25,600 provide stunning low noise images in all lighting conditions,” the announcement states.
Using the full area of the sensor gives customers an open gate 3:2 image which also allows reframing shots in post production. The large sensor also lets users work in true 6:5 anamorphic without cropping, making widescreen cinematic images more detailed and in higher resolution.
With 3 models, customers can choose between L-Mount, EF or PL lenses, making Blackmagic Pyxis compatible a large range of cinema and photographic lenses. 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 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 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 for monitoring and reviewing shots on set. Its full HD resolution means customers can frame and focus their shots without needing to carry around a bulky external monitor. Customers can also use the display as a focus assist station.
“Blackmagic PYXIS 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 3 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 during a shot or when the camera is out of reach on a rig,” the announcement continues.
The side plates expand the riggability of their camera. 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 a mobile phone for live streaming.
Blackmagic Pyxis records in Blackmagic RAW to preserve control of detail, exposure and color during post production. It also records HD H.264 proxies in real time to share media around the world in minutes. It is designed for images to maintain resolution and quality for color, keying, compositing, reframing, stabilization and tracking in HD, 4K or 6K.
The Blackmagic Pyxis 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, customers can keep recording because customers can hot swap full cards without stopping,” the announcement states.
Blackmagic Pyxis supports creating a small H.264 proxy file in addition to the camera original media when recording. This allows the small proxy file to upload to Blackmagic Cloud quickly. It has the ability to transfer media directly into the DaVinci Resolve media bin as editors are working.
When uploading to Blackmagic Cloud, customers can use an Apple or Android phone to get a connection to the internet via mobile data. 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 they shoot so post production teams anywhere in the world can start work in real time.
Blackmagic Pyxis supports the optional Blackmagic URSA Cine EVF for outdoors and handheld shooting. Customers get an integrated 1920 x 1080 color OLED display with built in proximity sensor, 4 element glass diopter for accuracy with a wide focus adjustment.
Blackmagic Pyxis 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.
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.
"Since the introduction of the original Pocket Cinema Cameras, our customers have been asking us to make it in a more customizable design," says Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. "But we wanted it to be so much more than just a Pocket Cinema Camera in a different body. The new Blackmagic PYXIS is a fully professional cinema camera with more connections and seamless integration into post production workflows. We think customers are going to love the incredibly adaptable design and we can’t wait to see how they use it!"
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.
- 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.
Availability and Price
Blackmagic PYXIS 6K will be available in June from US$2,995, excluding duties, from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.
