Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera or BMPCC 6K is a full-fledged portable cinema camera that goes full RAW in video recording. It can record outstanding 6K, 4K, and FHD videos in 12-bit ProRes or Blackmagic RAW. Nikon Z6, on the other hand, is a hybrid mirrorless camera that can output wonderful results in still photography and shoots decent 4K videos as well. Let’s compare the portable Blackmagic BMPCC 6K vs the full-frame Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera to understand how they differ and find the one that suits you.
Price Comparison | BMPCC 6K vs Nikon Z6
| Camera Model | Price |
|---|---|
| BMPCC 6K | Check Current Price |
| Nikon Z6 | Check Current Price |
BMPCC 6K vs Nikon Z6
Sensor Size
BMPCC 6K incorporates a Super35 mm format sensor that gives a crop factor value of 1.558x. On the other hand, Nikon Z6 packs a back-illuminated full-frame sensor with a high pixel count of 24.5 MP. A full-frame sensor can be very effective in producing high-quality images. Nikon Z6 performs better in low-light due to its larger and back-illuminated sensor.
Winner: Nikon Z6 (Amazon)
Autofocus and IBIS
If you are a person looking out for autofocus or In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) features in a camera, BMPCC 6K is not for you. Even though it has an AF system, it is not very reliable in tracking the subject. Also, there is no IBIS in the BMPCC 6K. Therefore, you have to use a nice expensive lens with IS to get both IS and AF working together. Note that the autofocus will not work with BMPCC 6K if you are using a lens with an adapter.
Compared to Blackmagic BMPCC 6K, the AF system of Nikon Z6 is very advanced and supports phase-detect AF. Additionally, its autofocus system also features eye-tracking, face tracking, and animal tracking to track the subject very easily. Z6 also comes with a 5-axis IBIS system that compensates for up to 5 stops of light. This is a big deal if you usually shoot handheld.
Winner: Nikon Z6 (Amazon)
Video
This is where the BMPCC 6K becomes the monster. One word, RAW! BMPCC 6K can shoot astonishing 6K RAW videos up to 60 fps. It can also shoot in ProRes. But thanks to the efficient Blackmagic RAW format that keeps the size of the large 6K videos files short without any noticeable compression.
Nikon Z6 cannot record 6K videos like BMPCC 6K. It can record 4K 8-bit videos at 4:2:0 up to 30 fps only. With the help of an external recorder, Z6 can shoot 10-bit 4K and FHD videos. Compared to BMPCC 6K, Nikon Z6 really fall shorts in terms of video recording.
The Blackmagic RAW format works seamlessly with Davinci Resolve. Shooting 6K videos in RAW format with BMPCC 6K will allow the user to color grade and recover highlights without compensating for quality or storage.
Winner: Blackmagic BMPCC 6K (Amazon)
Weather-Sealing
Nikon Z6 features a weather-sealed body. If you are using a weather-sealed lens along with this weather-sealed body you won’t have to worry about rain and dust. The BMPCC 6K does not feature a weather-sealed body. So be careful when you are shooting with it under harsh weather conditions.
Winner: Nikon Z6 (Amazon)
Monitor
Nikon Z6 has a tiltable 3.2″ LCD screen which is very helpful while recording low-angle scenes. On the other hand, you have to always hold the BMPCC 6K around your eye level so that the monitor is properly visible, this is because BMPCC 6K comes with a fixed screen. However, the 5″ screen in BMPCC 6K can be very helpful in composing the frame.
Specifications | Blackmagic BMPCC 6K vs Nikon Z6
| Feature | BMPCC 6K | Nikon Z6 |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Size | 23.1 x 12.99 mm (Super 35) | BSI-CMOS 35.9 x 23.9 mm Full-frame |
| Resolution | 6144 x 3456 | 6000 x 4000 |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF | Nikon Z |
| ISO (Extended) | 100 to 25600 | 100 to 51200 |
| Still Image Capability | Very poor | Excellent |
| Autofocus | No | Phase detect AF |
| 6K Video Recording | Yes | No |
| IBIS | No | Up to 5 stops |
| RAW Support | 6144 x 3456 at 23.98/24/25/29.97/30/50 fps (49 to 483 MB/s) 6144 x 2560 at 23.98/24/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60 fps (37 to 359 MB/s) 5744 x 3024 at 23.98/24/25/29.97/50/59.94/60 fps (40 to 395 MB/s) | No |
| Other Video Recording Options | ProRes 422HQ 3840 x 2160p at 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60 fps (22.4 to 110 Mb/s) ProRes 422 3840 x 2160p at 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60 fps (73.6 MB/s) ProRes 422LT 3840 x 2160p at 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60 fps (51 MB/s) 1920 x 1080p at 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60, 120 fps (12.75 MB/s) | MOV/MP4/H.264 3840 x 2160 at 23.976, 25, 29.97 fps Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94, 100, 119.88 fps |
| External Recording | 4:2:2 10-Bit via HDMI:1920 x 1080p at 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60 fps Via USB: 6144 x 3456 at 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50 fps 6144 x 2560 at 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60 fps 5744 x 3024 at 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60 fps | 10-Bit UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) 10-Bit Full HD (1920 x 1080) |
| Encoding Formats | ProRes 422HQ, ProRes 422, ProRes 422LT, ProRes 422 Proxy | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Screen | 5″ LCD monitor | 3.2″ Tilting Touchscreen TFT LCD |
| Weight | 898 g | 675 g |
| Dimensions | 7 x 4 x 3.8″ / 177.8 x 101.6 x 96.52 mm | 5.3 x 4 x 2.7″ / 134 x 100.5 x 67.5 mm |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Conclusion | BMPCC 6K vs Nikon Z6
It is evident that BMPCC 6K is a full-on video recorder. It doesn’t give you fancy features or an IBIS or a powerful AF system. You should buy this camera if you are an independent filmmaker or an enthusiast who wants to make artistic videos with professional color grading. If you choose BMPCC 6K you have to use a gimbal if going hand-held or shoot with a tripod to get stabilized footage. The accommodation of Blackmagic RAW in BMPCC gives you absolute creative control over the video.
BMPCC 6K is not the right machine for a photographer. Nikon Z6 boasts an incredible photo quality and suits best for a full-time photographer who also shoots videos sometimes. Z6 can give you decent 4K videos and even 10-bit 4K videos with an external recorder.
So which one is a better video shooter – Blackmagic BMPCC 6K (Check Price)
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