Blackmagic Design to launch $4995 PYXIS 12K camera

With huge banners announcing it already plastered all over the LVCC, the PYXIS 12K is not exactly one of NAB 2025's surprises, but the official unveil is all about a rather interesting new camera at a definitely interesting price point of $4995.

Update 7 April: The imposition of tariffs has taken the price up to $6595. More details here.

Featuring the same sensor as the URSA Cine 12K LF with a massive 16 stops of dynamic range along with dual CFexpress media recorders, 10G Ethernet and Blackmagic Cloud global sync, all in a customizable box camera body with multiple mounting points, the Blackmagic PYXIS 12K is available in three models covering L-Mount, PL or Locking EF lens mounts.

Blackmagic says it will be available in July, but perhaps best to take that with a pinch of salt perhaps given previous slippages. Though on the flip side a lot of the hard work in the development of the PYXIS body has at least been done, so it's possible. It is basically the same camera, though the electronics had to be redesigned to handle the new sensor and it weighs an extra 91 grams (0.2lb), pushing it up to 1.59 kg (3.5 lb).

That massive 12288 x 8040 RGBW sensor as used in the URSA Cine 12K is three times larger than a Super 35 sensor and lets users shoot with a shallow depth of field or use anamorphic lenses uncropped for a true cinematic look at up to 112 fps.

Using the full area of the sensor gives customers a unique open gate 3:2 image which also lets them reframe their shots in post production. The large sensor also lets customers work in true 6:5 anamorphic without cropping, making widescreen cinematic images more detailed and in higher resolution than previously possible. As the company is happy to point out, customers can even use the classic Super 35 sized window on the sensor to create an instant ‘close up’ version of their shot that fits seamlessly with open gate footage.

Blackmagic is happy to talk about the PYXIS range now rather than an individual camera, so what works with the 6K model will work here too. That means it supports the optional Blackmagic URSA Cine EVF to make outdoors and handheld shooting accurate and easy. Customers get an integrated high quality 1920 x 1080 color OLED display with built in proximity sensor, 4 element glass diopter for incredible accuracy with a wide focus adjustment.

The camera records in Blackmagic RAW and, unlike the URSA which has its own 8TB onboard storage, users here will have to use the two built in CFexpress card recorders. There is also a USB-C expansion port for recording direct to external flash media disks or an SSD. At least with dual CFexpress slots, customers can keep recording because they can hot swap full cards without stopping.

“Since the introduction of the Blackmagic PYXIS 6K, we’ve been working hard to make our amazing RGBW sensor from the URSA Cine available to even more customers,” said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. “We have redesigned the electronics and processing to be able to handle the massive sensor and we think customers are going to love shooting incredible large format images in 4K, 8K and now 12K. We are really excited to offer this sensor in the flexible PYXIS design that has been so popular with our customers!”

Blackmagic PYXIS 12K features

• 36 x 24mm full frame RGBW 12K 12288 x 8040 sensor.
• Open gate 3:2, full height 6:5 anamorphic and 9K Super 35 for creating cinematic content.
• Multi scale RGBW sensor for capturing 12K, 8K or 4K at the full sensor size.
• Choice of models with L-Mount, PL or locking EF lens mounts.
• Records full resolution up to 40 fps or 112 fps at 8K.
• Built-in 4″ HDR 1500 nit LCD screen.
• Records Blackmagic RAW and H.264 proxies.
• Extremely fast dual CFexpress card recording.
• 10G Ethernet or mobile data for mobile remote streaming.
• Optional Blackmagic URSA Cine EVF.
• Optional Blackmagic PYXIS Monitor.
• Features 12G-SDI for monitoring with status overlay.
• Professional mini XLR input with 48 volt phantom power.
• Complete streaming solution for YouTube, Facebook, X and more.
• High capacity BP-U series batteries.