Blackmagic
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Revolutionary affordable MFT cinema camera that democratized BRAW filmmaking.
$1,295
Released Sep 2018
Nikon
ZR
Compact Nikon RED full-frame 6K cinema camera with R3D NE RAW, 32-bit float audio, 7.5-stop VR, and Z mount.
$2,199
Released Sep 2025
ZR is 7 years newer.
Wins
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Wins
ZR
2 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- APocket Cinema Camera 4K has higher Burst (mechanical) (6 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZR has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 15 fps)
- BZR has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
- BZR has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
- BZR has higher Resolution (24.5 MP vs 18.96 MP)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
134 × 91 × 72 mm
580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)
ZR
134 × 81 × 49 mm
630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz)
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 11mm taller and 23mm thicker than ZR.
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 50 g lighter than ZR.
Depth (front-to-back): 72mm Pocket Cinema Camera 4K · 49mm ZR
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
134 × 91 mm
ZR
134 × 81 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
134 × 72 mm
ZR
134 × 49 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
ZR
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
ZR
Nikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Burst (mechanical)
6 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 91, 72
Codecs
Adds ProRes
Weight
580 g vs 630 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
ZR
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B, XQD, MicroSD UHS-I
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds R3D NE, N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 80.5, 49
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Resolution
24.5 MP vs 18.96 MP — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Pros
- ✓Affordable BRAW
- ✓Great value
- ✓MFT lens options
Cons
- –No stills AF
- –Crop sensor
- –Screen not tilting
ZR
Pros
- ✓6K/60p R3D NE RAW
- ✓32-bit float audio
- ✓7.5-stop stabilization
- ✓Compact 535g cinema body
Cons
- –No built-in EVF
- –Cinema-first ergonomics
- –Single CFexpress plus MicroSD workflow
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for portraits, Pocket Cinema Camera 4K or ZR?
ZR scores 7.5/10 versus 4.0/10 for Pocket Cinema Camera 4K — 24.5MP — solid resolution.
What's the resolution difference between the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and ZR?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 18.96 MP and ZR is 24.5 MP, so the ZR captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and ZR have in-body image stabilization?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while zR has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K or the ZR?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K reaches 15 fps electronic. ZR reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and ZR?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K weighs 580 g and ZR weighs 630 g, so the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 50 g lighter.
Do the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and ZR record 4K video?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K: 4K up to 60p. ZR: 6K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and ZR weather sealed?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K: Yes. ZR: Yes.
How much does each cost?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K launched at $1,295 and ZR at $2,199. The Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is $904 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Blackmagic and Nikon press materials.