Sony is focusing on the inexpensive cinema digicam market with its new FX30, however is it a sensible choice for filmmakers contemplating the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras?
Blackmagic Design cameras have at all times dominated the inexpensive cinema digicam area. No different model has been in a position to persistently provide production-ready options for such an inexpensive value.
That’s, till Sony launched the FX30 with IBIS and industry-leading autofocus, making it an important different to the sturdy Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Digital camera 6K G2 and even the legendary (at the least for us) BMPCC 4K. All for a beautiful value of $1,800.
Chances are you’ll be questioning if the FX30 is best for you, or would the BMPCC 6K G2 and even the 4K be the higher possibility? We have a look that can assist you make the suitable determination.
Blackmagic & Sony
When Blackmagic launched the unique Cinema Digital camera at NAB 2012, the shock announcement was met with fanfare, love, and hate. Whereas the digicam ultimately turned successful with filmmakers, the bizarre kind issue and MFT sensor had their detractors. Since then, Blackmagic has launched a number of different digicam choices, together with the URSA Mini Professional 12K, URSA Mini Professional 4.6K G2, and the extra compact Pocket Cinema Digital camera 6K G2, 4K, and 6K Professional.
For those who’re a artistic who’s searching for an especially inexpensive cinema digicam possibility, it might be robust to resolve between Sony’s FX30 and the BMPCC 6K G2 (or Pocket 4K). On the one hand, you may have a number of years of growth and profitable use of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras. Alternatively, Sony has been a pacesetter in HD and UHD cinema cameras for many years, with the almost equivalent FX3 and standard A7 sequence of cameras, all the way in which as much as Sony VENICE. Plus, they’ve a historical past of game-changing cameras, together with the F900 CineAlta that George Lucas selected to movie Star Wars: Assault of the Clones on method again in 2000.
We’re going to take a look at the Sony FX30 with the BMPCC 6K G2 and 4K, as they’re related in dimension, options, and value. Whereas the BMPCC 6K Professional has extra options that might tick some additional packing containers, it prices $2,535, so we can’t embrace that in our comparability.
Total Options
The Sony FX30 contains a model new 6K back-illuminated APS-C Exmor R CMOS sensor at 26.1 megapixels (20.1MP are usable) and Sony’s E-mount. That is oversampled to ship a strong 4K in 4:2:2 10-bit XAVC. It will possibly movie in 14+ stops of dynamic vary when filming in SLOG3 and even outputs a 16-bit RAW sign to an exterior Atomos recorder. Moreover, the FX30 contains a incredible 5-axis in-body picture stabilization (IBIS) for easy handheld taking pictures and an optionally available prime deal with that expands your audio choices.
In the meantime, the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Digital camera 6K G2 has a equally sized Tremendous 35 sensor with a 6144 x 3456 decision and an EF lens mount. It has 13 stops of dynamic vary and might report within the coveted BRAW internally, together with ProRes. There isn’t any in-body picture stabilization that may match the FX30, however there’s a gyro that has been unlocked in all three BMPCC items, which might do an excellent job stabilizing your footage in put up. You even have a pleasant choice of each video and audio ports.
Lastly, the BMPCC 4K contains a smaller Micro 4/3 picture sensor at 4096 x 2160 DCI 4K decision, 13-stops of dynamic vary, an MFT lens mount, and the identical inner BRAW and ProRes recording choices. Like its older sibling, there is no such thing as a inner stabilization, nevertheless it does have the gyro function.
Measurement and Weight
The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Digital camera 6K G2 is sweet and compact at 7.08 W x 4.84 H x 4.41 D inches (17.98 x 12.29 x 11.2 cm) however weighs 2.65 kilos (1.2 kg) with out a lens or equipment. The smaller BMPCC 4K could be very related in dimension at 7 W x 3.8 H x 3.4 D inches (17.78 x 9.65 x 8.64 cm), and weighs 1.5 lbs. (.68 kg).
Nonetheless, each cameras are constructed out of sturdy, light-weight carbon fiber polycarbonate composite. Whereas they’re each tremendous simple to carry all day, the shape issue does take getting used to.
In the meantime, the Sony FX30 is constructed out of magnesium alloy and is smaller than each the BMPCC 6K G2 and BMPCC 4K at 5.1 W x 3.1 H x 3.3 D (12.97 x 7.78 x 8.45 cm). It has a easy field form and weighs 1.2 lbs. (.54 kg), which is just a bit lower than the BMPCC 4K. There are additionally a number of 1/4-inch attachment factors across the digicam, which means you will not actually need a cage such as you may for the BMPCC cameras.
Total, these three cameras are very related in dimension and weight, though the FX30 is barely smaller and comes a bit extra prepped out of the field because of its cageless design.
Whereas all three can be utilized on set (with the primary technology BMPCC 6K having already been used to movie tv), there are a number of kind issue variations which may make you lean come what may.
Our Ideas
Each the brand new Sony FX30 and BMPCC 6K G2 value about the identical ($1,798 and $1,995, respectively), making these two cameras among the most inexpensive cinema-ready instruments in the marketplace. If you need a less expensive digicam, the BMPCC 4K will value $1,295 (body-only). However when you begin including lenses and equipment, the costs may leap round far and wide.
For us, the most important options of the Sony FX30 will not be solely the inexpensive value however the IBIS, autofocus, and battery life, which ran virtually double the BMPCC 6K G2 in our assessments. Whereas Sony’s autofocus is a lifesaver for some filmmakers, many creatives have possible invested in an important set of handbook lenses and will not want AF.
The most important disadvantage that we discovered is the shortage of inner RAW filming (it is all exterior) and the necessity for the optionally available prime deal with for those who want sturdy audio ports.
And that is the place the BMPCC 6K G2 and BMPCC 4K really shine. They each shoot in BRAW and ProRes internally. For those who had been to provide a manufacturing the selection of XAVC or BRAW/ProRes, the latter two would virtually at all times win out. When there’s cash on the road, essentially the most versatile format has the higher hand, and whereas Sony’s XAVC codec is extremely sturdy, BRAW continues to be the winner for now.
However, in case you are trying to save each penny, you possibly can’t go improper with the BMPCC 4K with its inexpensive value of $1,295 for the bottom mannequin.
In the end, the choice is as much as you on which digicam is greatest. From what we found, the choice will come right down to both inner RAW recording or battery life, IBIS, and autofocus. Whereas that will appear to be a lopsided comparability, keep in mind that not everybody wants IBIS or autofocus for his or her initiatives.
Needless to say each the Sony FX30 and the BMPCC cameras would require some extra add-ons for additional performance. This may embrace issues like Sony’s prime deal with or a cage for the Pocket Cinema Cameras, making them a little bit bit bulkier, heavier, and costlier.
Be taught extra in regards to the Sony FX30 right here, and Blackmagic’s Pocket Cinema Cameras right here. If you wish to get both one, tell us why within the feedback!
