Blackmagic
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Revolutionary affordable MFT cinema camera that democratized BRAW filmmaking.
$1,295
Launch priceReleased Sep 2018
Sony
Alpha 9
First stacked-sensor mirrorless sports camera with 20fps blackout-free shooting.
$4,499
Launch priceReleased Apr 2017
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 1.4 years newer.
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Wins
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Wins
Alpha 9
4 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 9 has lower AF low-light limit (-3 EV vs 0 EV)
- BAlpha 9 has higher AF points / zones (718 vs 0)
- BAlpha 9 has higher AF frame coverage (94 % vs 0 %)
- BAlpha 9 has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 60 frames)
- APocket Cinema Camera 4K has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 29.97 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to sharePocket Cinema Camera 4K
134 × 91 × 72 mm
580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 9
127 × 96 × 63 mm
673 g (1.48 lb / 23.74 oz)
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 5mm shorter than Alpha 9 but it is also 7mm wider and 9mm thicker.
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 93 g lighter than Alpha 9.
Depth (front-to-back): 72mm Pocket Cinema Camera 4K · 63mm Alpha 9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
134 × 91 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 9
127 × 96 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
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 9
127 × 63 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
Alpha 9
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 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
Micro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
Alpha 9
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
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
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264, ProRes
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 91, 72
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
4K max frame rate
60 fps vs 29.97 fps — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Vehicle
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Pocket Cinema Camera 4K supports it
Max video bit rate
200 Mbps vs 100 Mbps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only Pocket Cinema Camera 4K supports it
Reasons to choose
Alpha 9
AF low-light limit
-3 EV vs 0 EV — lower is better
AF points / zones
718 vs 0 — higher is better
AF frame coverage
94 % vs 0 % — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC S, AVCHD, MP4
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 126.9, 95.6, 63
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC…
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — 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
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
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
Alpha 9
Pros
- ✓Stacked sensor pioneer
- ✓20fps silent burst
- ✓Pro sports AF
Cons
- –Superseded by A9 II/III
- –24MP
- –Expensive when new
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and Alpha 9 at major authorized retailers.
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Sony Alpha 9
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for portraits, Pocket Cinema Camera 4K or Alpha 9?
Alpha 9 scores 7.5/10 versus 4.0/10 for Pocket Cinema Camera 4K — 24.2MP — solid resolution.
What's the resolution difference between the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and Alpha 9?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 18.96 MP and Alpha 9 is 24.2 MP, so the Alpha 9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and Alpha 9 have in-body image stabilization?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 9 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K or the Alpha 9?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K reaches 15 fps electronic. Alpha 9 reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and Alpha 9?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K weighs 580 g and Alpha 9 weighs 673 g, so the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 93 g lighter.
Do the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and Alpha 9 record 4K video?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 9: 4K up to 29.97p.
Are the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and Alpha 9 weather sealed?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K: Yes. Alpha 9: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and 650 shots for the Alpha 9, giving the Alpha 9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K launched at $1,295 and Alpha 9 at $4,499. The Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is $3,204 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Pocket Cinema Camera 4K vs Alpha 9 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Blackmagic and Sony press materials.