Original Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera Review: 1080p CinemaDNG RAW on a Budget
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Is the original BMPCC still worth considering?
The original Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera is an appealing used cinema camera if your priority is a beautiful 1080p image and you don't mind building a workflow around an older body. I love the character of its footage, and the ability to record CinemaDNG RAW or ProRes in a camera this small is impressive. The tradeoffs are real: short battery life, picky SD card compatibility, a tight Super 16 crop and no 4K or high-frame-rate 1080p.
I made my video in 2021, when I discussed used bodies around $500 to $600. Those are historical estimates, not a current price or a promise that a complete setup costs that much. Compare today's actual listings and budget for a lens, a tested card and power before deciding.
Watch my original BMPCC review and footage examples.
Original BMPCC specifications at a glance
| Feature | Original Pocket Cinema Camera |
|---|---|
| Release | 2013 |
| Sensor | Super 16 size, approximately 12.48 x 7.02mm |
| Lens mount | Active Micro Four Thirds |
| Recording resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
| Frame rates | 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97 and 30 fps |
| Recording formats | Lossless compressed 12-bit CinemaDNG RAW; 10-bit ProRes 422 HQ, 422, LT and Proxy |
| Media | SD card; compatibility and sustained recording speed matter |
| Connections | Micro HDMI, 3.5mm microphone and headphone connections, external DC power |
These details describe the original 1080p Pocket Cinema Camera, not the later Pocket 4K or 6K models. Confirm the camera and firmware in any used listing. Blackmagic's original announcement and its original-model specifications provide useful references.
The image is the reason I like this camera
To my eye, the original Pocket has a film-like image and pleasing color that make it fun to grade. In the video I show footage from the camera, so you can decide whether its look appeals to you. I don't think it looks as crisp as a higher-resolution modern camera, but sharpness isn't the only thing I look for in a cinematic image.
Blackmagic advertised 13 stops of dynamic range for the original model. Treat that as a manufacturer specification, not a guarantee of how much detail you can recover in every scene. Lighting, exposure and the way you grade the footage all matter.
The Film setting gives you a flatter starting point intended for grading, while Video gives a more immediately contrasty look. If you choose Film, plan to spend time adjusting contrast and color in your editor. The examples in my video were graded with FilmConvert Nitrate.
CinemaDNG RAW versus ProRes
CinemaDNG RAW records a sequence of DNG frames and gives you flexibility when developing the image, including adjustments to white balance and exposure in compatible software. It is not the same format as the Blackmagic RAW used by many newer Blackmagic cameras. RAW also doesn't make clipped highlights or underexposed detail magically recoverable.
ProRes is a practical alternative when you want a more straightforward editing workflow and smaller files than RAW. The original Pocket offers several ProRes quality settings, from HQ to Proxy. Choose a setting based on your project, storage and card performance, and check that your editing software supports the format you plan to use.
Before a shoot, test the full workflow: record at the settings you want, copy the files, open and grade them, and play the entire clip back. Make sure you have enough card space, backup storage and time for the footage.
Super 16 crop and lens choices
The camera has a Micro Four Thirds mount, but its sensor is smaller than a typical Micro Four Thirds sensor. Its Super 16 sensor gives roughly a 2.88x crop relative to full frame. As a field-of-view comparison, a 10mm lens frames roughly like a 29mm lens on full frame when used without an optical reducer. It doesn't change the physical focal length of the lens.
That crop makes wide shots harder to achieve with lenses you may already own. Check the effective field of view before buying, and make sure the lens covers the sensor. A compatible focal reducer, often called a Speed Booster, can widen the field of view with an adapted lens, but the result depends on the reducer, lens and camera. Verify the exact adapter and mount combination rather than assuming all versions fit.
Battery life, cards and the rest of the rig
Power: Battery life was one of my biggest frustrations. Bring charged spares or consider an external battery solution if you want longer sessions. Before connecting external power, verify the original BMPCC's required voltage, connector, polarity and the power accessory's compatibility. A cage and external battery can make the setup more useful, but they add cost and bulk.
SD cards: This camera can be particular about cards. In my experience some newer SanDisk cards didn't work reliably, so I wouldn't assume a card is suitable just because it is fast on paper or shares a brand with another card. Check Blackmagic's guidance for the original camera, your firmware and recording format, then test a full-length recording and playback with the exact card. A single successful short clip isn't proof of reliability.
Monitoring and sound: The body has micro HDMI for an external monitor and separate 3.5mm microphone and headphone connections. Check the condition of these small ports on a used camera and protect connected cables. Test your microphone, monitoring and audio levels before relying on the setup.
Stability: In the video I used a cage and a loupe to brace the camera against my eye, but some footage still showed movement. A tripod, gimbal or other support can help when the shot calls for it. Choose support that fits your total rig weight.
What to check before buying a used original BMPCC
- Confirm it is the original 1080p Pocket, not a different Blackmagic Cinema Camera or a later 4K/6K Pocket.
- Ask for an actual recording and playback test in the format you want, using a compatible card. Check the sensor image for issues and inspect the screen, controls and ports.
- Check the included battery, charger, power adapter, caps and any cage. Ask about firmware and the return policy.
- Price the complete kit: lens or adapter, known-working media, extra power, storage and support can change the value considerably.
You can check used original BMPCC listings at KEH. Condition, stock and price change, so verify the exact body and what's included. For more on evaluating used gear, see my guide to buying from KEH, eBay and MPB.
Who should buy it?
I'd consider the original Pocket for short films, controlled shoots and filmmakers who enjoy grading and can work within 1080p. It makes the most sense when the image and RAW workflow matter more to you than convenience.
I'd look elsewhere if I needed 4K, 1080p slow motion above 30 fps, long battery life from a small setup or a hybrid camera primarily for photos. If you're weighing other inexpensive cinema cameras, my budget cinema camera comparison is another place to start; check current prices before choosing.
Frequently asked questions
Does the original BMPCC shoot Blackmagic RAW?
No. Its RAW format is lossless compressed CinemaDNG, a sequence of DNG frames. It also records ProRes. Check software compatibility before committing to a project.
Can the original BMPCC shoot 4K or 60 fps?
No. It records 1920 x 1080 at up to 30 fps. Look at a different model if 4K or higher frame rates are essential.
Can I use Micro Four Thirds lenses?
It has an active Micro Four Thirds mount, but the smaller Super 16 sensor crops the field of view more tightly than a typical Micro Four Thirds camera. Check the specific lens and functions you need.
Is $500 enough for a complete setup?
Not necessarily. The figure in my 2021 video was a used-body price discussion, and prices change. Factor in a lens, compatible card, batteries or external power, support and storage.
My verdict
The original Pocket is a camera I'd buy for its image and recording options, knowing that it takes more preparation than a modern all-purpose camera. If you can find a well-tested body at a price that makes sense for your whole kit, it's a rewarding way to experiment with 1080p cinema footage and RAW grading.
Watch more camera reviews and filmmaking videos on FoxTailWhipz.