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PYXIS 12K

Blackmagic

PYXIS 12K

Modular full-frame 12K cinema box camera with 16-stop dynamic range, 12288×8040 RGBW sensor, L-Mount, dual CFexpress slots, and 12G-SDI output.

$5,699

Launch price

Released Apr 2025

vs
Alpha 1 II

Sony

Alpha 1 II

50MP stacked flagship with 30fps RAW, 8K video, and Sony's fastest hybrid performance.

$6,499

Launch price

Released Nov 2024

PYXIS 12K is 5 months newer.

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Wins

2categories

PYXIS 12K

Landscape

Wins

4categories

Alpha 1 II

Sports & ActionVideo & Hybrid

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

PYXIS 12K wins 2 categories·Alpha 1 II wins 3 categories
  • BAlpha 1 II has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 800)
  • BAlpha 1 II has lower Weight (743 g vs 1600 g)
  • APYXIS 12K has higher Burst (electronic) (60 fps vs 30 fps)
  • APYXIS 12K has higher Resolution (98.8 MP vs 50.1 MP)
  • BAlpha 1 II has higher ISO max (native) (32,000 vs 25,600)

Key specs at a glance

PYXIS 12KAlpha 1 II
Resolution98.8 MP50.1 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max25,60032,000
Burst60 fps30 fps
4K112 fps120 fps
IBISNo8.5-stop
Weight1600 g743 g
Battery520 shots

Size and weight, to scale

PYXIS 12K

151 × 119 × 106 mm

1600 g (3.53 lb / 56.44 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Alpha 1 II front view

Alpha 1 II

136 × 97 × 83 mm

743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)

PYXIS 12K is 15mm wider, 22mm taller, and 23mm thicker than Alpha 1 II.

PYXIS 12K is 857 g heavier than Alpha 1 II.

Depth (front-to-back): 106mm PYXIS 12K · 83mm Alpha 1 II

Sensor size, to scale

PYXIS 12K

35.64 × 23.32 mm · Full Frame

831 mm² area

Alpha 1 II

35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame

862 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

PYXIS 12K: mount data unavailable

Alpha 1 II

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

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

Use casePYXIS 12KAlpha 1 II
Portrait
5.5Fair
8.5Excellent✓ wins
Sports & Action
5.0Fair
10.0Excellent✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
9.5Excellent✓ wins
Landscape
6.5Good
9.0Excellent✓ wins
Travel
0.5Limited
6.0Good✓ wins
Wildlife
4.0Fair
9.5Excellent✓ wins
Vlogging
3.0Limited
5.5Fair✓ wins

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

PYXIS 12K

  • Codecs

    Adds Blackmagic RAW 3:1, Blackmagic RAW 5:1, Blackmagic RAW 8:1…

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 151, 119, 106

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type B

  • Burst (electronic)

    60 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better

  • Resolution

    98.8 MP vs 50.1 MP — higher is better

Reasons to choose

Alpha 1 II

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Human, Animal, Bird…

  • Codecs

    Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II

  • ISO min (native)

    100 vs 800 — lower is better

  • Weight

    743 g vs 1600 g — lower is better

  • Eye AF

    Only Alpha 1 II supports it

  • Animal / bird AF

    Only Alpha 1 II supports it

Both cameras share

  • AA filterBoth support aa filter
  • Pre-Capture / Pre-ReleaseBoth support pre-capture / pre-release
  • Internal RAW videoBoth support internal raw video
  • Card slotsBoth 2
  • TouchscreenBoth support touchscreen
  • BluetoothBoth support bluetooth

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

PYXIS 12K

Pros

  • Full-frame 12288×8040 12K open gate
  • 16 stops dynamic range
  • 12K up to 60fps (2.4:1), 8K/4K up to 112fps
  • Dual CFexpress Type B + 10Gb Ethernet
  • 1500-nit 4-inch touchscreen

Cons

  • Box body needs rigging
  • Massive 12K file sizes
  • Requires external power for long shoots
  • Single native ISO 800 (no dual native)

Alpha 1 II

Pros

  • 50MP stacked sensor
  • 30fps blackout-free burst
  • 8K 30p video
  • Best Sony AF

Cons

  • Very expensive
  • Complex menus
  • Large files

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the PYXIS 12K and Alpha 1 II at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

PYXIS 12K
Alpha 1 II
Resolution
98.8 MP+97%
50.1 MP
Sensor type
Large Format RGBW CMOS
Full Frame Stacked Exmor RS CMOS
Sensor size
35.64 × 23.32 mm
35.9 × 24.0 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
PYXIS 12K
Alpha 1 II
Processor
Blackmagic OS
BIONZ XR + AI processing unit
PYXIS 12K
Alpha 1 II
ISO min (native)
800
100−700 less
ISO max (native)
25,600
32,000+0.3 stops
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
PYXIS 12K
Alpha 1 II
Shutter type
Electronic rolling shutter
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/32000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for travel, PYXIS 12K or Alpha 1 II?

Alpha 1 II scores 6.0/10 versus 0.5/10 for PYXIS 12K — 743g — manageable for travel.

What's the resolution difference between the PYXIS 12K and Alpha 1 II?

PYXIS 12K is 98.8 MP and Alpha 1 II is 50.1 MP, so the PYXIS 12K captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the PYXIS 12K and Alpha 1 II have in-body image stabilization?

PYXIS 12K does not have IBIS, while Alpha 1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the PYXIS 12K or the Alpha 1 II?

PYXIS 12K reaches 60 fps electronic. Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the PYXIS 12K and Alpha 1 II?

PYXIS 12K weighs 1600 g and Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g, so the Alpha 1 II is 857 g lighter.

Do the PYXIS 12K and Alpha 1 II record 4K video?

PYXIS 12K: 4K up to 112p. Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.

Are the PYXIS 12K and Alpha 1 II weather sealed?

PYXIS 12K: No. Alpha 1 II: Yes.

How much does each cost?

PYXIS 12K launched at $5,699 and Alpha 1 II at $6,499. The PYXIS 12K is $800 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way PYXIS 12K vs Alpha 1 II vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.

Product images courtesy of Blackmagic and Sony press materials.