Blackmagic Design PYXIS 12K Review: In-depth Look at Physical Design, Dynamic Range, Readout, and Image Quality

Jake Hayden

Summary:

The Blackmagic Design PYXIS 12K, a powerful cinema camera, closely resembles its 6K predecessor in physical design, featuring numerous mounting points, a fixed touchscreen for settings, and lockable controls. Its rear offers essential I/O ports and a Sony BPU battery slot, which, while providing about an hour of power, might necessitate V-mount or Gold Mount adapters for longer shoots due to its 60W draw. Dual CF Express slots provide fast and affordable storage, despite minor concerns about their rubber doors. At its core is a unique 35.64x23.32 98-megapixel large format RGBW sensor, capable of recording 12K RAW at 40fps, 9K at 65fps, and 8K/4K at 90fps. The camera boasts an impressive 8 to 9 stops of exposure latitude, with a uniform noise pattern that is highly manageable with noise reduction. While 12K open gate has a higher rolling shutter (24.1ms), 4K modes offer excellent readout (10.9ms). Overall, the PYXIS 12K delivers gorgeous, highly gradable images with accurate skin tones and rich colors, making it a strong contender for professional filmmaking.

Introduction [0:00]

The Blackmagic Design PYXIS 12K camera is presented as a powerful tool for filmmakers, with an emphasis on its performance and image quality despite its compact size. The review will delve into its physical design, dynamic range, readout speed, and color/image quality.

Physical Design [0:10]

The PYXIS 12K largely mirrors the popular PYXIS 6K in its exterior.

• Mounting and Ergonomics
  • The top features several 1/4-20 and 3/8-16 mounting points, ideal for attaching top handles, viewfinders, and monitors.
  • The right side is minimalist, offering another mounting point for side handles or plates to secure SSDs.
  • The bottom provides standard mounting points for rigging.
  • The operator side stands out with a fixed touchscreen panel, which functions both as a status display for settings and a quality monitor, complementing external monitors and viewfinders. All controls, including the touchscreen, are lockable.

    

• Input/Output (IO) [1:20]
  • The back of the camera houses a power switch, 3.5mm audio in and out jacks, a USB-C port for external SSDs, SDI out, time code input, and an RJ45 Ethernet port.

    

• Power and Battery Life [1:31]
  • A central slot is designed for Sony BPU batteries.
  • A BPU65 battery provides approximately one hour of operation, reflecting the camera's estimated 60W power draw.
  • For extended shoots, investing in a V-mount or Gold Mount adapter is recommended.

    

• Data and Storage [1:57]
  • The camera is equipped with dual CF Express B slots, praised for being both affordable and fast.
  • A minor criticism is directed at the "floppy rubber doors" protecting the card slots, suggesting a preference for a more robust design.

    

• Lens Mount [2:15]
  • The front of the camera features a single mini XLR port, a USB-C port for a monitor, and the lens mount.
  • Users can choose from three lens mount options: L-mount (highly versatile and adaptable to other mounts), Positive Lock EF, or PL mount. The reviewer uses a locking EF mount for their lenses.

    

Sensor, Resolutions, and Frame Rates [2:34]

The camera's sensor is a key differentiator.

• Sensor Specifications
  • Behind the lens mount is an Optical Low Pass Filter (OOLPF).
  • It protects a 35.64x23.32 98-megapixel large format symmetrical RGBW sensor, developed entirely in-house by Blackmagic.
  • This unique sensor technology is also found in Blackmagic's other 12K models.

    

• Recording Capabilities
  • 12K open gate RAW: up to 40 frames per second (fps).
  • 9K: up to 65 fps.
  • 8K/4K: up to 90 fps.
  • Numerous aspect ratio variations are available across these resolutions.

    

Dynamic Range and Latitude [3:14]

The camera's dynamic range was rigorously tested.

• Testing Methodology
  • The test involved identifying the clipping point and then systematically underexposing the image, one stop at a time, to evaluate noise patterns and usability.
  • Highlight recovery was only counted if it genuinely provided a full usable stop without introducing artifacts.
• Highlight Performance
  • One stop over clip with highlight recovery engaged showed color shifts (yellow/green), preventing it from being counted as a full additional stop, though it provides some "wiggle room."
• Shadow Performance
  • Up to 5 stops underexposed, the image quality remained largely consistent, with minimal and well-behaved noise.
  • At 6 stops under, significant noise appeared, but it was uniform and lacked color contamination, making it "usable" and responsive to DaVinci Resolve's noise reduction algorithms.
  • At 7 stops under, noise was substantial in shadows, but colors remained intact, still deemed usable with noise reduction.

    

  • At 8 stops under, the image became "dicey" without noise reduction, appearing blocky, but was still considered "usable" with noise reduction for certain shots.

    

  • Beyond 8 stops (e.g., 9 stops under), the image was generally unusable.
• Conclusion
  • The PYXIS 12K offers an impressive 8 to 9 stops of exposure latitude, which is considered a "fantastic result" and among the best achieved in studio tests. The in-house sensor design by Blackmagic is highly praised for this performance.

Readout and Rolling Shutter [8:37]

Rolling shutter performance varies by resolution.

• Performance by Resolution
  • 12K open gate: 24.1 milliseconds, which is not ideal and surprisingly worse than the Ursa Cine 12K LF (12ms).
  • 9K: 18.7 milliseconds.
  • 8K: 13.5 milliseconds.
  • DCI 4K: 10.9 milliseconds, considered "excellent."

    

• Practical Implications
  • Most filmmakers are expected to primarily use the 4K modes for various reasons, including the superior rolling shutter performance.
  • Caution is advised for whip pans and aggressive handheld movements when shooting in 12K.

    

Color and Image Quality [9:17]

Blackmagic cameras are renowned for their image quality, and the PYXIS 12K continues this tradition.

• Overall Aesthetic
  • The images produced are "absolutely gorgeous," characterized by fantastic and accurate skin tones that do not lean too heavily into pink or yellow casts.
  • The RGBW sensor provides significant color richness, which can be adjusted if perceived as "heavy-handed."
• Post-Production Flexibility
  • Shooting in Blackmagic RAW ensures that images are "extraordinarily gradable," readily accepting power grades and LUTs.
  • The starting point for grading is consistently good.
• Noise Characteristics
  • While noise can be present in underexposed areas (e.g., 2 stops under), it lacks color contamination or a "digital" appearance.
  • Instead, the noise adds a desirable "texture" to the image, making it acceptable for projects without extensive cleanup.

    

• Depth of Field
  • The large format sensor, even with an f/2 lens, provides "absolutely ridiculous" depth of field control.
• Optimization for Quality
  • Achieving the cleanest images requires proper lighting and exposure, as the raw footage (without noise reduction) is not inherently ultra-clean.

Wrap Up [12:04]

The Blackmagic Design PYXIS 12K is described as an "absolutely incredible camera."

• Its sensor is capable of achieving results previously thought impossible.
• The camera boasts confidence, reliability, and a thoughtfully designed aluminum body with ample rigging options.
• It offers these features at a competitive price point, putting pressure on other camera manufacturers and hinting at exciting future innovations from Blackmagic.