Blackmagic PYXIS 12K Review: Cinematic Power for Serious Filmmakers

Jesse Calis spent a month with the Blackmagic PYXIS 12K cinema camera. His verdict: “If you are a serious filmmaker… this camera is really for you.”

"Over the years, Blackmagic’s lineup always felt a bit split," says Jesse Calis from JeCal Productions. "You had the Pocket cameras — 4K, 6K, 6K Pro — and then a big jump to the URSA line. There wasn’t much in between. The PYXIS finally fills that gap."

And how. Watch his full review of the Blackmagic PYXIS 12K below, and we've got a summary of the video below that for those that want to quickly scan the info.

Where it Fits in the Blackmagic Ecosystem

If you’re a beginner or a solo shooter, the Pocket cameras are fantastic. But if you want to step up toward a more production-company-style workflow, the PYXIS makes a lot of sense. It feels like a natural next step rather than a huge leap.

A quick spec recap. The large-format full-frame 12K sensor provides 16 stops of dynamic range and allows you to shoot Blackmagic RAW up to 12K 3:2 Open Gate. It has a built-in optical low-pass filter, two CFexpress card slots, a USB-C Port, switchable side plates, and a 4in HDR LCD touchscreen. Connectivity is provided by a 10GbE Ethernet Port featuring 10GHDBase-T support, and audio is governed by mini-XLR & 3.5mm audio inputs.

Coming from the 6K Pro, the upgrade is significant, not just because of resolution, but because you’re now shooting full frame. That full-frame look really stands out, especially compared to the Super 35 sensor in the Pocket 6K Pro.

The 6K Pro is very much a run-and-gun camera. It’s great for social media, quick shoots, and aftermovies. The PYXIS, on the other hand, pushes you into a more deliberate, cinematic mindset. It’s a camera that rewards planning, lighting, and grading.

Who is the  Blackmagic PYXIS 12K for?

The PYXIS 12K currently costs $5495, and provides a lot of features for what is a fairly light outlay. But, while that makes it a tempting proposition for many, Calis emphasises that it isn't for everyone.

Here's his list of pros and cons:

 Blackmagic PYXIS 12K Pros

• Outstanding image quality — genuinely cinematic

• Full-frame sensor makes a big difference

• Open gate shooting looks incredible

• Easy vertical and horizontal reframing from a single shot

• Solid build with built-in mounting options

• Very flexible in post thanks to resolution and dynamic range

 Blackmagic PYXIS 12K Cons

• Storage requirements are huge. Shooting 12K RAW can burn through 1 TB in 20–25 minutes

• Battery life with BPU batteries isn’t great. You’ll want multiple batteries or a V-mount solution

• ISO tops out at 3200. That sounds limiting, but in practice the full-frame sensor and RAW flexibility make it manageable

(It’s not a Sony when it comes to extreme low-light performance, says Calis, but you can recover a lot in post without introducing noise — especially when working in Resolve.)

In Conclusion

If you’re a serious filmmaker, self-described or otherwise, and you're shooting interviews, documentaries, narrative work, or VFX-heavy projects, this camera makes a lot of sense. If you enjoy color grading, even more so.

If you’re mainly creating short-form social content, or you’re a one-person crew who doesn’t need RAW or extreme resolution, this camera is probably overkill.

And if you're tempted by the lower-cost PYXIS 6K, which is currently $3295, do remember that it’s not just a lower-resolution version. It uses a different sensor and offers a very different experience.

After using the PYXIS 12K for a month — on interviews, nature shoots, and more cinematic projects — Calis is genuinely impressed. "For bigger productions, this is one of the best cameras you can get in this price range in terms of pure image quality."