Blackmagic Design - Blackmagic PYXIS 12K

The Blackmagic PYXIS 12K L is a full-frame cinema camera that combines flagship performance with a compact, modular body. It's designed to deliver the highest image quality in a lightweight, versatile package, making it ideal for both a main camera for independent productions, documentaries, fashion, travel and corporate shoots, and as a B-camera (a second camera used alongside the main camera to expand scene coverage or perform specific tasks) on high-end feature films and television series.

Next generation 12K RGBW sensor

The 12K (12,288 x 8,040) RGBW sensor with a built-in optical low pass filter is a significant improvement over traditional Bayer sensors. The RGBW structure provides more accurate color rendition, improved color separation and superior handling of highlights and shadows, along with 16 stops of dynamic range.

In-sensor scaling technology allows the camera to be used as a 4K, 8K, or 12K camera without cropping the sensor: the PYXIS 12K always uses the entire surface of the full-frame sensor, internally resampling the 12K image to generate 8K or 4K without cropping. This ensures complete visual consistency, especially in productions that alternate between different resolutions or require ultra-high-definition VFX, green screen, or plate material.

Modular and highly configurable body

The box-style design of the PYXIS 12K is designed to adapt to any configuration:

• Lightweight rigs for handheld shooting
• Setups for gimbals, drones, arms, vehicles, etc.
• Complete cinema setups with matte boxes, follow focus, and professional accessories

The active L-mount, originally developed by Leica Camera AG and later extended to Panasonic, Sigma, and Blackmagic Design in 2023, allows the use of modern, vintage, or cine full-frame lenses via adapters, greatly expanding creative possibilities.

Professional recording and workflow

The PYXIS 12K records internally in 12-bit Blackmagic RAW in all supported resolutions and can simultaneously generate H.264 proxies, facilitating fast, collaborative, cloud-based workflows.

The camera features dual CFexpress slots, a high-speed USB-C port for SSD recording, 10G Ethernet for instant transfers and automatic uploads to Blackmagic Cloud, 12G-SDI output, mini-XLR audio and Time Code.

Workflow is one of the camera's strengths: the use of a RAW codec designed for post-production eliminates the limitations typical of mirrorless cameras that use compressed codecs, simplifying the entire process from shooting to finishing.

Image quality and operational flexibility

In its segment, one of the most crowded on the market, the PYXIS 12K clearly stands out thanks to its full-frame RGBW sensor, full internal RAW recording, superior image performance compared to "cine-like" mirrorless cameras, uncropped 4K  / 8K / 12K versatility, and an extremely competitive price/performance ratio.

Its image quality and operational flexibility also make it an ideal choice for rental companies, who can offer it as a 4K, 8K, or 12K camera depending on the customer's needs.

For all these reasons, the PYXIS 12K is particularly suitable for:

• Independent operators (documentaries, travel, fashion, lifestyle, corporate)
• Directors of photography looking for a compact A-camera
• Productions requiring a B-camera that integrates seamlessly with third-party cameras

User benefits

• Cinematic image quality with a full-frame 12K RGBW sensor and 16 stops of dynamic range
• A single camera for 4K, 8K, and 12K without a crop, ideal for mixed productions and VFX
• Modular body configurable for any type of rigging
• Professional RAW workflow with simultaneous proxies
• Native cloud integration with fast transfers and remote collaboration
• Complete connectivity for multi-camera and broadcast productions
• Blackmagic ecosystem with DaVinci Resolve Studio included
• Price/performance ratio

Areas of use

• High-resolution film and commercial productions
• Fiction, TV series, and premium content with HDR workflows
• Documentaries, travel, and lightweight productions with A-camera quality
• Multi-camera productions, events, and advanced broadcast
• Shooting for VFX, green screen, CGI, and ultra-high-resolution plates
• Cloud-based workflow for distributed teams
• Corporate, fashion, music, and lifestyle productions
• Fixed installations in big auditoriums
• Rentals requiring a versatile, high-utilization camera

Technical characteristics

Camera features

• Effective sensor size: 35.64 x 23.32 mm large format
• Pixel pitch: 2.9 µm
• Lens mount: active L-Mount
• Lens control: iris and focus on supported lenses
• Dynamic range: 16 stops
• Native ISO: 800
• Shooting resolutions: 12288 x 8040 12K 3:2 open gate, 12288 x 6912 12K 16:9, 12288 x 6480 12K 17:9, 12288 x 5112 12K 2.4:1, 9648 x 8040 12K 6:5, 9408 x 6264 9K 3:2, 8688 x 4896 9K 16:9, 9312 x 4896 9K 17:9, 9312 x 3864 9K 2.4:1, 7680 x 6408 9K 6:5, 8192 x 5360 8K 3:2 open gate, 8192 x 4608 8K 16:9, 8192 x 4320 8K 17:9, 8192 x 3408 8K 2.4:1, 6432 x 5360 8K 6:5, 4096 x 2680 4K 3:2 open gate, 4096 x 2304 4K 16:9, 4096 x 2160 4K 17:9, 4096 x 1704 4K 2.4:1, 3216 x 2680 4K 6:5
• Project frame rates: 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94 and 60 fps supported
• High frame rates: 12K 3:2 open gate up to 40 fps, 12K 16:9 up to 45 fps, 12K 17:9 up to 50 fps, 12K 2.4:1 up to 60 fps, 12K 6:5 up to 40 fps, 9K 3:2 super 35 up to 50 fps, 9K 16:9 super 35 up to 65 fps, 9K 17:9 super 35 up to 65 fps, 9K 2.4:1 super 35 up to 80 fps, 9K 6:5 super 35 up to 50 fps, 8K or 4K 3:2 open gate up to 72 fps, 8K or 4K 16:9 up to 84 fps, 8K or 4K 17:9 up to 90 fps, 8K or 4K 2.4:1 up to 112 fps, 8K or 4K 6:5 up to 72 fps
• Focus: autofocus available using compatible lenses
• Iris control: iris wheel and touchscreen slider for manual adjustment, iris button for instant auto iris on compatible lenses
• Screen dimensions: 4" 1920 x 1080
• Screen brightness: 1500 nits
• Screen type: LCD capacitive touchscreen
• Metadata support: Automatic lens data from electronic L-Mount lenses and recording of camera settings, motion sensor data, slate data and 3D LUT metadata in BLACKMAGIC RAW files
• Controls: Touchscreen menus on 4" screen, push buttons and 3 assignable shortcut keys
• Time code clock: High accuracy with less than 1 frame drift every 8 hours

Connections

• Total video inputs: -
• Total video outputs: 1 x 12G-SDI up to 2160p 60, 1 x viewfinder USB-C with power, data, video and locking connector
• Analog audio inputs: 1 x mini XLR analog audio in switchable between mic with phantom power support and line level up to +14 dBu, 1 x 3.5 mm stereo input
• Analog audio outputs: 1 x 3.5 mm headphone jack
• Reference inputs: Tri-Sync or black burst and Time Code
• Computer interface: USB Type-C for external drive recording, PTP camera control and software updates
• Ethernet: 1 x 10 Gb/s RJ-45 connector supporting 10 or 100 or 1000 or 10G BASE-T

Standards 

• HD video standards: 1920 x 1080p 23.98, 1920 x 1080p 24, 1920 x 1080p 25, 1920 x 1080p 29.97, 1920 x 1080p 30, 1920 x 1080p 50, 1920 x 1080p 59.94, 1920 x 1080p 60
• Ultra HD video standards: 3840 x 2160p 23.98, 3840 x 2160p 24, 3840 x 2160p 25, 3840 x 2160p 29.97, 3840 x 2160p 30, 3840 x 2160p 50, 3840 x 2160p 59.94, 3840 x 2160p 60
• SDI compliance: SMPTE 424M, SMPTE 425M level A and B, SMPTE 2081-1, SMPTE 2081-10, SMPTE 2082-1 and SMPTE 2082-10
• SDI audio sampling: television standard sample rate of 48 kHz and 24 bit

Audio

• Microphone: integrated stereo microphone
• Built in speaker: 1 x mono speaker

Media

• Media: 2 x CFexpress type B card slot and 1 x 10 Gb/s USB-C port for external media for BLACKMAGIC RAW and H.264 proxy recording
• Media format: ExFAT for Windows or Mac and HFS+ for Mac file systems

Supported codecs

• Blackmagic RAW constant bitrate 3:1, Blackmagic RAW constant bitrate 5:1, Blackmagic RAW constant bitrate 8:1, Blackmagic RAW constant bitrate 12:1, Blackmagic RAW constant bitrate 18:1, Blackmagic RAW constant quality Q0, Blackmagic RAW constant quality Q1, Blackmagic RAW constant quality Q3, Blackmagic RAW constant quality Q5, H.264 proxy in 1920 x 1080 8 bit 4:2:0 

Control

• External control: Blackmagic Zoom Demand and Blackmagic Focus Demand from tripod handles, iPad control, Bluetooth control, USB PTP camera control and external control of camera settings, focus, iris and zoom with compatible lenses
• Camera control: REST API over Ethernet

Cloud synchronization

• Blackmagic Cloud support for network based workflows

Network management:

• NTP: Network Time Protocol support to sync camera time with NTP server
• Web media manager: using a browser connected over Ethernet, web media manager allows you to access, browse, download and delete files from any drive connected to the camera
• FTP: file download from any drive attached to the camera using FTP
• SMB: file sharing using SMB

Storage features

• Storage type: 2 x CFexpress type B and 1 x high speed USB-C expansion port for external media
• Recording modes: standard record mode and pre record mode with assignable pre record duration of 5, 10, 20 or 30 seconds and 1, 2, 5 or 10 minutes
• Storage rates:

• • 12K 12288 x 8040 BLACKMAGIC RAW 3:1: 1194 MB/s
  • 12K 12288 x 8040 BLACKMAGIC RAW 8:1: 448 MB/s
  • 12K 12288 x 8040 BLACKMAGIC RAW 12:1: 299 MB/s
  • 12K 12288 x 8040 BLACKMAGIC RAW 18:1: 199 MB/s
  • 12K 12288 x 8040 BLACKMAGIC RAW Q0: 398 to 1433 MB/s
  • 12K 12288 x 8040 BLACKMAGIC RAW Q1: 326 to 796 MB/s
  • 12K 12288 x 8040 BLACKMAGIC RAW Q3: 179 to 448 MB/s
  • 12K 12288 x 8040 BLACKMAGIC RAW Q5: 120 to 358 MB/s
  • 9K 9408 x 6264 BLACKMAGIC RAW 3:1: 714 MB/s
  • 9K 9408 x 6264 BLACKMAGIC RAW 8:1: 268 MB/s
  • 9K 9408 x 6264 BLACKMAGIC RAW 12:1: 179 MB/s
  • 9K 9408 x 6264 BLACKMAGIC RAW 18:1: 119 MB/s
  • 9K 9408 x 6264 BLACKMAGIC RAW Q0: 238 to 857 MB/s
  • 9K 9408 x 6264 BLACKMAGIC RAW Q1: 195 to 476 MB/s
  • 9K 9408 x 6264 BLACKMAGIC RAW Q3: 107 to 268 MB/s
  • 9K 9408 x 6264 BLACKMAGIC RAW Q5: 72 to 214 MB/s
  • 8K 8192 x 5360 BLACKMAGIC RAW 3:1: 533 MB/s
  • 8K 8192 x 5360 BLACKMAGIC RAW 5:1: 320 MB/s
  • 8K 8192 x 5360 BLACKMAGIC RAW 8:1: 200 MB/s
  • 8K 8192 x 5360 BLACKMAGIC RAW 12:1: 133 MB/s
  • 8K 8192 x 5360 BLACKMAGIC RAW Q0: 320 to 639 MB/s
  • 8K 8192 x 5360 BLACKMAGIC RAW Q1: 228 to 533 MB/s
  • 8K 8192 x 5360 BLACKMAGIC RAW Q3: 133 to 400 MB/s
  • 8K 8192 x 5360 BLACKMAGIC RAW Q5: 100 to 266 MB/s
  • 4K 4096 x 2680 BLACKMAGIC RAW 3:1: 135 MB/s
  • 4K 4096 x 2680 BLACKMAGIC RAW 4:1: 101 MB/s
  • 4K 4096 x 2680 BLACKMAGIC RAW 5:1: 81 MB/s
  • 4K 4096 x 2680 BLACKMAGIC RAW 6:1: 68 MB/s
  • 4K 4096 x 2680 BLACKMAGIC RAW Q0: 202 to 336 MB/s
  • 4K 4096 x 2680 BLACKMAGIC RAW Q1: 135 to 311 MB/s
  • 4K 4096 x 2680 BLACKMAGIC RAW Q3: 101 to 238 MB/s
  • 4K 4096 x 2680 BLACKMAGIC RAW Q5: 81 to 202 MB/s
• Recording formats:

• • Full sensor resolutions: BLACKMAGIC RAW 3:1, 8:1, 12:1, 18:1, Q0, Q1, Q3 and Q5 at 12288 x 8040, 12288 x 6912, 12288 x 6480, 12288 x 5112 and 9648 x 8040 with film, extended video or video dynamic range or custom 3D LUT plus simultaneous H.264 1920 x 1080 proxies
  • Super 35 windowed resolutions: BLACKMAGIC RAW 3:1, 8:1, 12:1, 18:1, Q0, Q1, Q3 and Q5 at 9408 x 6264, 8688 x 4896, 9312 x 4896, 9312 x 3864 and 7680 x 6408 with film, extended video or video dynamic range or custom 3D LUT plus simultaneous H.264 1920 x 1080 proxies
  • Scaled 8K resolutions: BLACKMAGIC RAW 3:1, 5:1, 8:1, 12:1, Q0, Q1, Q3 and Q5 at 8192 x 5360, 8192 x 4608, 8192 x 4320, 8192 x 3408 and 6432 x 5360 with film, extended video or video dynamic range or custom 3D LUT plus simultaneous H.264 1920 x 1080 proxies
  • Scaled 4K resolutions: BLACKMAGIC RAW 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, Q0, Q1, Q3 and Q5 at 4096 x 2680, 4096 x 2304, 4096 x 2160, 4096 x 1704 and 3216 x 2680 with film, extended video or video dynamic range or custom 3D LUT plus simultaneous H.264 1920 x 1080 proxies

Software 

• Blackmagic OS, DaVinci Resolve Studio for Mac and Windows including activation key, Blackmagic Camera Setup, Blackmagic RAW Player, Blackmagic RAW QuickLook Plugin, Blackmagic RAW SDK, Blackmagic RAW Speed Test

Operating systems

• Mac: Mac 14.0 Sonoma, Mac 15.0 Sequoia or later
• Windows: Windows 10 and Windows 11

Power requirements

• Power supply: 1 x external 18 V_DC 90 W power supply
• External power input: 1 x 2 pin Lemo compatible locking connector
• Battery type: BP-U series
• Power: 12 to 18 V

Accessories

• Optional accessories: Blackmagic URSA Cine Handle, Blackmagic URSA Cine EVF, Blackmagic PYXIS Rosette Plate, Blackmagic PYXIS Monitor, Blackmagic PYXIS Monitor Kit, Blackmagic PYXIS Monitor EVF Kit, Blackmagic Cloud services

Environmental specifications

• Operating temperature: 0 to 40 °C
• Storage temperature: -20 to 45 °C
• Relative humidity: 0 to 90% non condensing

Physical specifications

• Dimensions: 10.6 x 11.9 x 15.1 cm
• Weight: 1.5 kg

What’s included

• Blackmagic PYXIS 12K
• Lens turret dust cap 
• PYXIS standard plate 
• PYXIS SSD plate 
• 90 W power supply with locking connector and international adapters
• Welcome booklet
• DaVinci Resolve Studio activation key