Blackmagic Design was very busy with new product announcements at NAB 2025 in Las Vegas. One product that generated a lot of interest was the new full-frame Blackmagic Design PYXIS 12K cinema camera.
PYXIS form factor
At NAB last year, the PYXIS 6K won Videomaker’s Best Cinema Camera award. Now, just 12 months on, Blackmagic Design has managed to fit the full-frame sensor from its flagship URSA Cine 12K LF camera into the same PYXIS form factor. Apart from the 6K logo on the front being swapped to a 12K, the new 12K PYXIS looks identical to the 6K model. You can also still choose between L-Mount, locking EF or PL lens mount options.
In addition, you get the built-in four-inch HDR 1500 nit LCD touchscreen and mini XLR input with 48-volt phantom power. There’s a BP-U battery plate on the back of the PYXIS body for power.
12K RGBW sensor
The PYXIS 12K features Blackmagic Design’s 12K RGBW full-frame sensor. It has a resolution of 12288 x 8040 and is almost three times larger than a Super 35 sensor. The sensor also delivers a huge 16 stops of dynamic range. If you shoot open gate, you get a 3:2 aspect ratio image.
Alternatively, you can work in true 6:5 anamorphic without cropping for widescreen cinematic images. Also, you can film with a classic Super-35-sized window on the sensor to create an instant close-up.
Video resolutions
Many people will question the need to shoot in 12K and the huge files that it creates for post-production. However, the PYXIS 12K can film in 12K, 8K or 4K using the full sensor with no need to crop. In 12K open gate, you can record at up to 40 fps, or up to 60 fps in 12K 2.4:1. You can also shoot at up to 72 fps in 8K or 4K open gate and up to 112 fps in 2.4:1 in 8K or 4K. As for the available aspect rations, it includes 3:2 open gate, 16:9, 17:9 DCI, 2.4:1 and 6:5 for anamorphic shooting.
Other features
The PYXIS 12K has the same features as the 6K model. These include two built-in CFexpress card recorders. There’s also a USB-C expansion port for recording directly to external flash media disks or an SSD. Note that the PYXIS only has a 12G-SDI out with support for HDR and Ultra HD output, there’s no HDMI. However, you can monitor via the USB-C port on the front of the camera.
Also, the PYXIS features a built hardware streaming engine that supports RTMP and SRT streaming to YouTube, Facebook, X and more.
What we think
It’s a marvel of engineering that Blackmagic Design has managed to fit its 12K sensor into the original PYXIS body. While 12K may be overkill unless you are doing VFX work, the ability to shoot full sensor 8K or 4K makes the camera ideal for everyday work. You can also shoot at higher frame rates than with the 6K PYXIS model. The camera can only record in Blackmagic Design’s 12-bit BRAW format with an H.264 proxy file. However, anyone who has worked with the format knows it’s easy and fast to edit, with great latitude for color grading. The Blackmagic Design PYXIS 12K has set a new bar for entry-level cinema cameras and is sure to be very popular.
Pricing and availability
The Blackmagic PYXIS 12K will be available in July this year for $4,995. However, this price may change in the US depending upon the government tariffs in place at the time.
