Blackmagic
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Revolutionary affordable MFT cinema camera that democratized BRAW filmmaking.
$1,295
Launch priceReleased Sep 2018
Sony
PXW-Z90
Palm-sized XDCAM with 1-inch Exmor RS sensor, 12x Zeiss zoom, Fast Hybrid AF, 3G-SDI, dual XLR, and XAVC 4K up to 30p.
$2,799
Launch priceReleased Dec 2017
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 10 months newer.
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Wins
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Wins
PXW-Z90
9 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BPXW-Z90 has lower AF low-light limit (-4 EV vs 0 EV)
- BPXW-Z90 has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 0)
- BPXW-Z90 has higher AF frame coverage (94 % vs 0 %)
- BPXW-Z90 has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 60 frames)
- BPXW-Z90 has higher EVF resolution (3,690,000 vs 2,360,000)
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
PXW-Z90
134 × 91 × 72 mm
580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and PXW-Z90 share virtually identical body dimensions.
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and PXW-Z90 weigh the same.
Depth (front-to-back): 72mm Pocket Cinema Camera 4K · 72mm PXW-Z90
Sensor size, to scale
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
PXW-Z90
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
PXW-Z90: mount data unavailable
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
Resolution
18.96 MP vs 14.2 MP — higher is better
Reasons to choose
PXW-Z90
AF low-light limit
-4 EV vs 0 EV — lower is better
AF points / zones
759 vs 0 — higher is better
AF frame coverage
94 % vs 0 % — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
EVF resolution
3,690,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 6 stops — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
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
PXW-Z90
Pros
- ✓1-inch stacked Exmor RS (14.2MP)
- ✓273-point Fast Hybrid AF
- ✓Built-in ND (1/4, 1/16, 1/64)
- ✓3G-SDI + dual XLR handle
- ✓S-Log3 / HLG / S-Cinetone
Cons
- –4K limited to 30p
- –Small palm body ergonomics
- –XAVC 100Mbps max in 4K
- –Superseded by newer NX800/Z200 line
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and PXW-Z90 at major authorized retailers.
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Sony PXW-Z90
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, Pocket Cinema Camera 4K or PXW-Z90?
PXW-Z90 scores 8.0/10 versus 6.5/10 for Pocket Cinema Camera 4K — 20fps burst — fast action ready.
What's the resolution difference between the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and PXW-Z90?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 18.96 MP and PXW-Z90 is 14.2 MP, so the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and PXW-Z90 have in-body image stabilization?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while PXW-Z90 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K or the PXW-Z90?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K reaches 15 fps electronic. PXW-Z90 reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and PXW-Z90?
Both bodies weigh roughly 580 g.
Do the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and PXW-Z90 record 4K video?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K: 4K up to 60p. PXW-Z90: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and PXW-Z90 weather sealed?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K: Yes. PXW-Z90: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and 640 shots for the PXW-Z90, giving the PXW-Z90 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K launched at $1,295 and PXW-Z90 at $2,799. The Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is $1,504 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
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Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.