Blackmagic
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Revolutionary affordable MFT cinema camera that democratized BRAW filmmaking.
$1,295
Launch priceReleased Sep 2018
Sony
FX3
Compact full-frame cinema line camera with S-Cinetone and pro video ergonomics.
$3,899
Launch priceReleased Feb 2021
FX3 is 2.4 years newer.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Wins
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Wins
FX3
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BFX3 has lower AF low-light limit (-6 EV vs 0 EV)
- BFX3 has higher AF points / zones (627 vs 0)
- BFX3 has higher AF frame coverage (94 % vs 0 %)
- BFX3 has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 25,600)
- BFX3 has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps)
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
FX3
130 × 78 × 85 mm
715 g (1.58 lb / 25.22 oz)
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 13mm thinner than FX3 but it is also 4mm wider and 13mm taller.
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 135 g lighter than FX3.
Depth (front-to-back): 72mm Pocket Cinema Camera 4K · 85mm FX3
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
FX3
130 × 78 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
FX3
130 × 85 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
FX3
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
FX3
✓ 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
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 91, 72
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Vehicle
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Pocket Cinema Camera 4K supports it
Resolution
18.96 MP vs 12.1 MP — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
15 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds ProRes
Weight
580 g vs 715 g — lower is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 580 shots — higher is better
Reasons to choose
FX3
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs 0 EV — lower is better
AF points / zones
627 vs 0 — higher is better
AF frame coverage
94 % vs 0 % — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 129.7, 77.8, 84.5
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
RAW buffer depth
120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
- ✓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
FX3
Pros
- ✓Cinema form factor
- ✓S-Log3 / S-Cinetone
- ✓Compact for gimbals
- ✓Full-frame sensor
Cons
- –No EVF
- –Still photo ergonomics limited
- –Single card slot
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and FX3 at major authorized retailers.
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for portraits, Pocket Cinema Camera 4K or FX3?
FX3 scores 6.5/10 versus 4.0/10 for Pocket Cinema Camera 4K — Full-frame sensor — shallow depth of field for subject isolation.
What's the resolution difference between the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and FX3?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 18.96 MP and FX3 is 12.1 MP, so the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and FX3 have in-body image stabilization?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while FX3 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K or the FX3?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K reaches 15 fps electronic. FX3 reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and FX3?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K weighs 580 g and FX3 weighs 715 g, so the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 135 g lighter.
Do the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and FX3 record 4K video?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K: 4K up to 60p. FX3: 4K up to 120p.
Are the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and FX3 weather sealed?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K: Yes. FX3: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and 580 shots for the FX3, giving the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K the edge.
How much does each cost?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K launched at $1,295 and FX3 at $3,899. The Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is $2,604 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Pocket Cinema Camera 4K vs FX3 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.