Does The Black Magic Cinema Camera Have Image Stabilization

With so much buzz effectually the BMPCC 4K – and equitably then! – the original BMPCC has gotten left in the dust. Now'south the perfect time to snatch your own.

No big surprise there, information technology was always a black sheep: this finicky camera shoots at 1080p 30fps max, dies in about x minutes – and forget about bumping the ISO over 1600.

Only don't let that distract you. This camera is a criminal steal at under $500 dollars: ultra-lightweight, RAW and ProRes with 12-chip log (that feels more similar a 16-chip latitude in post), and a colour science many colorists prefer to the new BMPCC 4K.

And with recent advancements in Davinci Resolve's upscaling algorithms, the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera's 1080p footage can actually sit comfortably in a 4K timeline. Read on – I'll prove it.

Full disclaimer – I'k a professional person photographer, but my video expertise is limited to only a few pro shoots. This review is based on my personal feel – so feel costless to get out whatsoever technical corrections in the comments if needed!

BMPCC Tech Specs

Records RAW and ProRes to SD cards
LANC/Remote, Haadphone, Micropjhone, HDMI Type-D, and 12V DC Power jack
1080p @ 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p
thirteen stops of dynamic range
ISO 200-1600 (native 800)
3.5 LCD
And oh yeah – it's small-scale (128mm x 66mm x 38mm)

Who is the BMPCC For?

Conventionally, this camera is platonic for a controlled setting – something with set light values, fine art direction, blocking, stabilization, etc. This camera has even been used on blockbuster film sets like "The Avengers: Historic period of Ultron" because the quality is indeed that good.

The BMPCC is for videographers who want a classic, cinematic, filmic, expensive await. Information technology's for videographers who are happy to utilize the massive latitude in post to grade advisedly and not but slap on a LUT.

But with such massive, rich files and a max ISO of 1600, it'south certainly non a vlogging photographic camera. And without IBIS, a flip-out screen, or autofocus, information technology's a bit annoying as a run-and-gun photographic camera for coincidental shoots.

But I've used my Blackness Magic Pocket Cinema Photographic camera to shoot interviews, talking heads, home movies, travel videos, performance videos, BTS videos, Youtube videos, Instagram content, and more. For me, the relatively small size makes information technology a serviceable travel camera. I use a battery plate equally a solution for the terrible battery life and tin shoot for hours without concern.

If you can't stomach the harsh, crunchy, over-sharpened 'digital look' of most DSLR and mirrorless video cameras, hither's your solution. The BMPCC truly shoots like a cinema flick camera.

Can the BMPCC shoot 4k?

Unfortunately non. The BMPCC'south sensor maxes out at 1080p. But before you click off the page – there's a workaround.

DaVinci Resolve'due south new "Super Scale" feature leverages an insanely powerful upscaling algorithm to intelligently scale your footage – and aye, your export time is going to be nuts – up to a factor of 8X. You can also control sharpening and racket handling.

Hither'southward what upscaled 1080p 30fps footage from the BMPCC looks like on a 4K timeline.

Pretty sharp if yous ask me.

Tin the BMPCC shoot slow-mo?

Define wearisome-mo.

Realistically, not really. But you aren't stuck at 24fps, at to the lowest degree. If you're merely aiming for a cinematic look, 30fps is more powerful than a lot of videographers realize.

But if buttery smooth boring-mo like the stuff you encounter on popular vlogger's b-whorl is important to you lot, there's no getting around it: you lot'll need to spring for the BMPCC 4K instead!

Can the BMPCC shoot in low calorie-free?

Sort of! From a racket perspective, the BMPCC does ameliorate when scaling back highlights instead of boosting shadows.

The low light performance isn't necessarily bad in a vacuum, but in a earth of Sony A7R'south, there's but no comparison. The BMPCC is a camera that craves intentional and decisive light. In most cases, you don't desire to bump up your ISO past 1600.

That said, I shot the b-roll of this performance for Allie Ten at 1600 ISO with nothing but one skylight in the belatedly afternoon, and the quality held upward great.

Is the BMPCC a adept vlogging photographic camera?

Absolutely non. The BMPCC is firmly non a good selection for vlogging camera. No autofocus, no IBIS, no flip out screen, max ISO of 1600, and beefy file sizes that require grading make this camera far more pain than its worth if your intention is a quick vlog to throw upwards on Youtube. This is a cinema camera – and it should be treated equally such.

Should You Buy the BMPCC or the BMPCC 4K?

Here'due south the affair – if you lot can, you lot should purchase both. They're actually perfect complements to each other.

It goes without saying that the BMPCC 4K serves as an powerful A-Cam: powerful low light capabilities, gorgeous 60fps 4K, and versatile latitude in mail with ProRes or RAW. Just here's why the BMPCC shines equally the B-Cam in this setup.

The BMPCC'southward prototype quality and color science is uniquely similar to the the BMPCC 4K, pregnant yous'll accept an easier time grading identically between the two cameras. It'due south also dead cheap. And with DaVince Resolve'south Super Scale, you'll be able to seamlessly fold the 1080p footage into your timeline.

Simply if yous only take the upkeep for one, here'due south how you tin can decide:

Is flawless 4K, slow-mo, and improved low light performance worth an additional $k to you? Truthfully, if y'all have the money, there'south no reason non to get for the BMPCC 4k. It'south simply a more powerful camera at a bizarrely depression toll point.

But if your upkeep is tight, and you can get away with a max of 30fps and ISO 1600, the BMPCC is the easy choice. It'southward dirt cheap, and it's powerful. Plus, co-ordinate to many colorists on the web, the original color scientific discipline is second to none.

Is the BMPCC Worth it in 2020?

At that place'southward commonly non a definitive respond to questions like this, just in this instance: if you shoot video for annihilation other than vlogging, then yes, it is.

Here's what it comes downward to.

The BMPCC has the sensor engineering of a camera four times its price. Accessories and rig prices are also gratuitous-falling as people move on to the BMPCC 4K. With a bit of patience, you lot might observe a BMPCC body, cage, battery pack, monitor, and speed booster for under $1200 all included.

Notation – you'll definitely need a ND and IR cutting filter if you're looking to take your videography seriously. Read our rundown of the best ND filters for video here.