Blackmagic Pyxis: Hollywood quality but indie budget
Posted on May 5, 2025 by Pro Moviemaker
The reworked Blackmagic Pyxis packs a 12K full-frame sensor without breaking the bank
Blackmagic’s popular Pyxis cinema camera is now available with the 12K sensor from the Ursa Cine 12K LF, priced at just £5015/$5495 – less than half the cost – in a choice of L, PL or locking EF lens mounts.
It uses the same body design as the £2703/$3295 6K Pyxis, featuring a 12,288×8040 RGBW sensor with 16 stops of dynamic range, dual CFexpress media slots, 10G Ethernet and Blackmagic Cloud global sync.
The camera’s aluminium body boasts various mounting points for accessory side plates, making it easy to configure for a wide range of uses – either stripped back for gimbals or fitted with handles, microphones or an SSD to record footage.
With such a high-resolution sensor, there are plenty of image size options. Using the full area gives an open gate 3:2 image, ideal for reframing in post. The sensor also supports true 6:5 anamorphic without cropping for widescreen cinematic images in very high resolution. There’s also a classic Super 35-sized option to create an instant close-up version of a shot that fits seamlessly with open gate footage.
Both Pyxis models can shoot in all standard resolutions and frame rates from HD up to DCI 4K and 6K, with 8K and 12K added on this latest model. The Pyxis 12K can shoot in all resolutions at full sensor size. Frame rates reach up to 40fps at 12,288×8040 3:2 open gate, 60fps at 12,288×5112 in a 2.4:1 ratio and 112fps at 4096×2160 4K. On the 6K model, the options include 36fps at 6048×4032 3:2 open gate or 60fps at 4096×2160 4K DCI.
The built-in LCD is a four-inch, high-resolution HDR touchscreen, while the optional £310/$325 Pyxis Monitor is a 1500-nit, five-inch HDR touchscreen unit with full camera control. The camera matches to the optional £1606/$1865 Ursa Cine EVF, featuring a 1920×1080 colour OLED display with built-in proximity sensor and four-element glass dioptre.
The Pyxis records internally to CFexpress cards or an external SSD via USB-C in 12-bit Blackmagic Raw for maximum quality, but also HD H.264 proxies to make it easy to upload to the cloud instantly or stream. The original footage is recorded for editing in post.
When uploading to Blackmagic Cloud, an Apple or Android phone can be used for connection via mobile data through the USB-C port or via a wired Ethernet port.
The Pyxis features a wide range of connections, including 12G-SDI out for monitoring, with support for HDR and Ultra HD output. An SDI3 display can be attached for on-set monitoring, with or without overlays showing camera status. SDI allows longer cable runs than HDMI, making it easier to reach monitors further away. Pyxis also supports RTMP and SRT streaming to YouTube, Facebook and more.
Both the 6K and 12K models are compatible with the new Pro Handle and Pro Grip, which transform the camera into a flexible run-and-gun broadcast and documentary tool. The £1026/$1185 handle includes an integrated HD OLED viewfinder, stereo microphone, record start/stop and custom function buttons. The £126/$159 grip is for video production and includes a zoom rocker and hand strap.
This article was first published in the May/June 2025 issue of Pro Moviemaker
