The good news keeps on coming for filmmakers looking to get the highest quality images without breaking the bank. Today, it was Blackmagic Design’s turn, as it announced the new Blackmagic PYXIS 12K.
As a filmmaker currently on the lookout for my next cinema body, two of the most exciting cameras I’ve been considering over the last year were the Blackmagic Design PYXIS 6K and the Blackmagic Design URSA Cine 12K LF. Don't even get me started on the 17K. Having used several Blackmagic Design bodies over the years, the one constant among their older models is the consistency of image quality. Not just the lab test kind of specs. Rather, I’m referring to the way the image looks straight out of camera. It’s wholly subjective, but I like the look. It’s something I would try to achieve in post with other cameras. And, with Blackmagic Design, it seems to come that way out of the box.
Add to that the other constant that I’m guessing you are well aware of, Blackmagic Design places a high emphasis on value for your dollar. In other words, you get a lot for your money. So, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised to learn that at NAB today, the company announced a new addition to the PYXIS line, the Blackmagic Design PYXIS 12K. In terms of both price point and feature set, the camera appears to land right between the two cameras I was considering. It borrows the sensor from the URSA Cine 12K LF and puts it inside the smaller body of the PYXIS, giving you a crazy 16 stops of dynamic range for only $4,995.
It comes with a full frame RGBW sensor and, like its smaller brother, offers three lens mount options: PL, L, and locking EF. It has dual CF Express media recorders, 10G Ethernet connections, and is designed for ease of use with the Blackmagic Cloud. All of this comes in the box format of the original PYXIS model, with its multiple mounting points and design that lends itself to rigging.
The native resolution of the camera is a stellar 12,288 x 8,040 but can, naturally, be shot with lower resolutions down to Full HD as well, giving users ultimate flexibility. The camera can shoot up to 112 fps at 8K (40 fps at 12K). Users can also opt for open gate recording and easily adjust to anamorphic shooting without needing to crop in on the large sensor.
The unit supports the optional URSA Cine EVF. It can record in Blackmagic raw while recording H.264 proxies in real time. And there is a 12G SDI out for connecting to additional monitoring devices and a mini XLR input with 48-volt phantom power for audio.
Whether or not the new PYXIS 12K is the best fit for you is a question only you can answer. But one thing is for sure: nowadays, we are truly spoiled for choice.
