BLACKMAGIC PYXIS VS URSA MINI PRO G2

Hi everyone,
I guess just like a lot of you, I got really excited by the announcement of the PYXIS and ended up preordering one.

Used to own the OG BMCC2.5k and the Pocket 4K. Loved those 2 cameras but due to the form factor of the 4K, ended up going with Sony FS5mkii and instantly regretted the color science of Blackmagic

At the same time, I discovered the joy of shooting with eNDs and high FPS.

At the moment, I'm really questioning myself as If I should go with the Pyxis or the URSA mini pro G2 (second hand).

I shoot weddings, corporate, construction projetcs, and products from time to time. So I need to be pretty mobile in any kind of environment (mostly uncontrolled and uneven)

I love the URSA for high FPS and ND filters, everybody seems to agree it produces exceptional images, but I read that the camera is pretty heavy.
I love the PYXIS for the weight, the form factor, full frame even tho I don't mind S35 at all, and battery consumption which will be lower than the Ursa I imagine. FPS options are bad and it seems you have to crop every time you need to use high FPS.

What would be your opinion on it ? Is the URSA so heavy it's unusable handheld for a couple of hours?

You have to decide what is important to you.
I bought a used UMPG2 for $2k. Reasons?
- fast sensor readout
- built in NDs
- ProRes
- multiple SDI outs
- cheap accessories (I already own plates and such)

The best “bits” of the Pyxis, for me is:
- Full Frame
- lighter in weight

I’m going to stick with the Ursa Mini Pro G2 for now….

Thanks for your answer Adam! What do you think of the Ursa weight? Is it that heavy?

… What would be your opinion on it ? Is the URSA so heavy it's unusable handheld for a couple of hours?

It may be you need two cameras. A two hour wedding is a fraction of the time you could be shooting a wedding and reception dinner/dance. You didn’t mention the weight of your favourite.lenses which can be a factor.

The URSA Mini Pro G2 would likely be on sticks most of the time, but if you prefer handheld, you may need to add something like the Easyrig to save your back. That’s an added expense. If I was shooting construction, lighter gear on uneven ground or tight situations is better.

Until Blackmagic makes a PYXIS Pro with internal ND, faster sensor readout, and higher frame rates then the UMPG2 is the better camera choice.

However, it is significantly heavier and it does have a S35 sensor. Nothing wrong with the S35 sensor size as it is closest to the standard of motion picture filmmaking for the last century.

You have to make a decision on whether the size and weight will affect your work. I don’t shoot weddings, but do shoot commercials, music videos, corporate, and narrative. It works fantastic on all these for me.

If you’re in the market for a camera right now get the BMCC6K for the discount price offer happening right now.


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Most people are of the opinion that the IQ on the UMP G2 are better than the Pocket 6k but cannot see that much different between the full frame BMCC6k and the Pocket 6k.

I can see the different because I use a 4k 10bit monitor.

An Easyrig is Good , but I am not sure it saves your back .. It saves your arms .. but the weight is on your low back ( many , if not most , aged people have problems with " L5-S1 " ) ... Sure , an Easyrig is even better if you use a Gimbal .. Camera , plus Battery , plus Lens , plus Gimbal ... yes , the Easyrig is good ..

A good and useful Accessory is a Quick Release plate , like the Sony VCT14 ( equivalents exist ) . If you have the Shoulder Kit for the Ursa Mini Pro , it's very Practical .. Your camera is on Tripod , just an action on the left lever , your Cam is released and you can put it on your shoulder .. And you can lock it back on the tripod when you need .. Very useful ..

Enjoy , and good luck , with my Regards from France ..

Mike ..

Just like when going on a hike with a serious backpack, you can’t do better than resting the weight on your hipbones. Regular exercise still important, for sure.

I've done a lot of run and gun with the Ursa Mini Pro G1, G2, and 12k OLPF and don't mind the weight. It's not like running an Alexa or something but it's definitely in a different class than a pocket or FX6 or FS5. I've done many long days filming with it out in the woods, all over construction sites, etc. Most of the time I've been on them was with a relatively lightweight build of a 98wh battery, shoulder rig, evf, and stills lenses. These days I'm running mine with the same shoulder rig/evf, ~5 lb zoom lenses, shark fin with 2x 98wh batteries, a 7" monitor, and some other bits and bobs.

For me, the weight is actually nice for handheld as the mass gives it a bit more moment of inertia — ie there's less micro shaking. The Ursa Mini body also works well as a shoulder in a format that's more like an ENG cam. I did pick up an ergorig recently (waist supported shoulder pad thing with a mast to help for underslung), but only really use it if I'm going to do an hour plus without cutting as it's a little awkward.

Whether the weight is an issue is gonna be dependent on your physicality too. I had to start doing some weight training after messing up my shoulder and it's helped with the heavier build I'm running now. I'm like... 5'11" and 180lbs and far from buff, but I have pretty good stamina.

I have an S5II as a C cam / low light option which has the same sensor as the Pyxis and quite like it.

You know I revisit old films often. And, I can't believe I'm calling this 17.5-year old film old, I just rewatched Casino Royal (2006). The thing that struck me is that the handheld shots are evidently shoulder rigged. The camera movements come from a camera with mass. Clearly because it was shot on film that meant a heavier camera setup.

Yes, today you can get a really lightweight set up with the PYXIS or the BMCC6K (Pocket style body). But there is something to be said about the cinematic feel to a camera with mass. That's why I think I love the URSA Mini Pro body so much. And, why I'm fine with the heavier nature of the new URSA Cine body. It lends to the classic cinematic feel we grew up with in filmmaking.

I say love the heaviness to cameras. Embrace the weight. It can lend itself to a more cinematic image.

All a World .. All a Domain ... much , much , much , to say or write ...

Yes , the Weight is important , it creates Inertia .. And , also , the DIstribution of Weight , the Shape of the Camera Body .. with a long body , an heavy and long lens , an heavy Battery , you have much Inertia on the Yaw axis and the TIlt axis .. but NOT that much on the Roll Axis ...

One of the most visible Defects on an Image , when the camera is handheld or on shoulder , is the Lack of Horizontality , and the shakes on the Roll Axis .. Its difficult ( at least for me .. ) to keep the Image perfectly Horizontal , Handheld or on Shoulder ( easier on the Shoulder ) .. Even on a Steadycam , when the Drop Time has been carefully adjusted , the Inertia of the Counterweight makes it difficult to keep the Sled perfectly vertical in fast lateral or longitudinal movements .. its a compromise and all the Talent of the Operator to control that ..

A solution would be to control the Roll of the Sensor with a brushless motor .. yet another Improvement , yet another Complexity .. and it would not be possible with Anamorphic Lenses ..

Beside the Weight and the Pain that can occur in the Muscles , the Back , and the low Back , you have to be concentrated on trying to express Feelings with the Camera Movement , and also with the Image Composition , and all the other Parameters .. it requires much Thinking , much Concentration , and much Experience .. not that simple .. it requires much Energy , physically , and mentally .. It's a Profession ...

I still have Much to Learn ...

With my Regards from France ... / Mike ..

I shoot weddings, corporate, construction projetcs, and products from time to time. So I need to be pretty mobile in any kind of environment (mostly uncontrolled and uneven)

You won't have fun with the Mini Pro G2 then.

I believe that improvements in workflow benefit the results much more than a slightly nicer camera image.

But, imo the BMCC 6K / Pyxis has a fantastic image. The only thing you might consider is that it is a bit noisier in low light (weddings).

I currently try Cinematch to make a camera, that fits my workflow but doesn't look as nice, look like a camera that doesn't fit the workflow but has a nicer image. Still testing but I think it could be an option.

It would seem to me that you should be shooting handheld with an excess of pixels. For example capture an imperfect 6K to provide for a stablized 4K/UHD delivery.

Thank you very much everyone for your comments, It seems the answer is not that easy
I guess the PYXIS is the better choice at the moment!

I'm not that tall, 5"8, 35yo, and I can already feel lower back pain during shooting long hours with an FS5mkii + lens + monitor + Vmount battery. Bought a flow line, tried it during a wedding and it helped a lot.

I own quite heavy lenses with the 70-200 f2.8 and Greatjoy anamorphic which are also built like tanks.

Don't know if I would try adding the extra weight of the G2 for more versatility over the PYXIS.

I guess the question that remains is : what would you regret switching from the Ursa pro G2 to the PYXIS ?

For me I'd miss the internal ND, faster readout sensor, high framerate options, two fullsize XLRs, and easy should rig setup. I'm sure the Pyxis could be rigged for shoulder mount fine if one wanted to though.

One thing about the lower back pain, if you're holding the camera out in front of you vs. having thing on your shoulder it's a pretty different feel. I don't really get any back pain from shooting (though I do from loading heavy gear into low roof cargo vans). If you did go for an Ursa Mini I'd suggest rolling with a shoulder mount and EVF. If you want to keep using it like you would an FS5 or whatever I'd probably skip it.

As a side note though, the FS5 II is basically a 10 year old camera that wasn't great when it came out 10 years ago other than being light and there not being a ton of other options. Both of these cameras are going to have a much nicer image.

A question for you is perhaps what situation do you think you'd wish you had a UMP over the Pyxis? And maybe consider what you'd gain over say an S5 or S5II that has the same sensor but with IBIS and an even more compact body still.

Thank you very much everyone for your comments, It seems the answer is not that easy

...

I guess the question that remains is : what would you regret switching from the Ursa pro G2 to the PYXIS ?

You're welcome!

Yes, I would regret switching from the URSA Mini Pro G2 to the PYXIS at this time. I would miss the internal ND for sure sure. I would also miss the interchangeable lens mounts. Naturally I would miss the fast sensor readout speed for reduced rolling shutter, and on top the high frame rates of up to 120 FPS in 4.6K Super 35. I would also miss having two full size XLRs for audio.

But if I was shopping for a B-Cam for my UMPG2 I would totally buy a PYXIS in PL and use the PYXIS in 4K S35 mode. I feel that would definitely be a better option than my PL Modified Pocket 6K Pro. Especially now that the internal ND on the P6KPro is unusable due to damage.

As for your other thoughts:

I'm not that tall, 5"8, 35yo, and I can already feel lower back pain during shooting long hours with an FS5mkii + lens + monitor + Vmount battery. Bought a flow line, tried it during a wedding and it helped a lot.

I'm 5'2" and 36 (about to turn 37) and I have scoliosis. And, I wouldn't mind the new heavier URSA Cine 12K as a new camera for my purposes. Granted I can't afford the 21K plus in costs of buying it, the EVF, and the B-Mount Batteries at the moment. Still, the weight doesn't give me a second thought. But I also don't shoot weddings, and don't often do handheld all day long.

I actually have a Pyxis on preorder, which I honestly forgot about, and I currently own a P6kPro and an UMPG2.
The thing about the electronic NDs on the 6kPro, is that they begin to freeze up after heavy use, I've found. My old one did this and it was REALLY annoying and embarrassing on a shoot.

The Pyxis looks interesting again. I had to do a 'building walkthrough' with a Ronin rs 4 Pro and the P6kPro worked well. I believe the Pyxis will fly on that without issue. I think I could get by with some L mount to PL/EF adapters with VND or something.

still need to think about it

For PL lenses, I just bought the Meike MK-PLTL-C Drop-in Filter Manual Focus L-Mount Adapter for Panasonic for $226 on eBay. Although it comes with a Variable ND filter, I intend to use these filters instead:

Breakthrough Photography's CINEMA DFM for BMD 6KL $1,099.00 USD
Cinema DFM is a behind-the-lens filter system for filmmakers. Featuring a large selection of drop-in filters Modular, Shimmable Locking Rings. They offer 6 Tiffen Black Pro Mist® filters and 10 ND filters.

https://breakthrough.photography/products/cinema-dfm

Okay, now the URSA Mini Pro G2 is on sale for $3K!!!
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... _4_6k.html

Not only that, but it means you're spending the same amount as you would for a PYXIS, and for a better camera. Yeah, I'd hop on this deal now if you're looking to get a camera.

Holee cow. I’m not even looking for another cam but this is crazy tempting. It’s almost like they don’t want folks to buy the Pyxis.

Good Luck

Okay, now the URSA Mini Pro G2 is on sale for $3K!!!
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... _4_6k.html

Not only that, but it means you're spending the same amount as you would for a PYXIS, and for a better camera. Yeah, I'd hop on this deal now if you're looking to get a camera.

THAT IS WILD. Like, it would be the camera I'd recommend to someone getting 'more serious' about capturing video that wants to move up from the Pocket line.

Weight-wise, if you're considering v mounts for both:
Pyxis is 3.3lbs
UMPG2 is 5.6lbs
given the fact that you'll need an external monitor or at least the EVF, that adds some more weight and requires batteries (for the monitor).

I just did a commercial with the UMPG2, and the camera supplied power to my 702 Touch, via the front 12v port, and the Wireless TX, via the D-Tap on the battery plate. If I was running the Pyxis with the same setup, I'd have 3 more batteries to bring/charge, weight down.

I'm gonna run with the UMPG2 till the wheels fall off, I think. My Pocket 6k Pro is already showing signs of the ND falling apart, but I've done a lot of airline travel recently and its portability is where it really shines. I was able to do a three-city interview shoot in 5 days with just a carry-on and a backpack. Had a tripod, two light stands, a boom for the audio, an Amaran 200d and a MT-Pro for lighting, and an umbrella diffusion, cables and all... in a Nanuk case (pelican air equivalent).

Okay, now the URSA Mini Pro G2 is on sale for $3K!!!
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... _4_6k.html

Not only that, but it means you're spending the same amount as you would for a PYXIS, and for a better camera. Yeah, I'd hop on this deal now if you're looking to get a camera.

THAT IS WILD. Like, it would be the camera I'd recommend to someone getting 'more serious' about capturing video that wants to move up from the Pocket line.

Weight-wise, if you're considering v mounts for both:
Pyxis is 3.3lbs
UMPG2 is 5.6lbs
given the fact that you'll need an external monitor or at least the EVF, that adds some more weight and requires batteries (for the monitor).

I just did a commercial with the UMPG2, and the camera supplied power to my 702 Touch, via the front 12v port, and the Wireless TX, via the D-Tap on the battery plate. If I was running the Pyxis with the same setup, I'd have 3 more batteries to bring/charge, weight down.

I'm gonna run with the UMPG2 till the wheels fall off, I think. My Pocket 6k Pro is already showing signs of the ND falling apart, but I've done a lot of airline travel recently and its portability is where it really shines. I was able to do a three-city interview shoot in 5 days with just a carry-on and a backpack. Had a tripod, two light stands, a boom for the audio, an Amaran 200d and a MT-Pro for lighting, and an umbrella diffusion, cables and all... in a Nanuk case (pelican air equivalent).

Yeah, I think it was shipping the P6KPro to BMD Support for repairs after the damage it got in 2022 that caused the internal ND to get stuck and no longer function properly. It's a pity.

But, I agree that I'll run the UMPG2 into the ground because it is just so good. I only wish that BMD would give us a firmware update that gave it some of the 8.6 features and a lot of the features from earlier firmware that never came to the UMPG2. Including Gen5 Color Science. But that wish will probably never be fulfilled.

Okay, now the URSA Mini Pro G2 is on sale for $3K!!!
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... _4_6k.html

Not only that, but it means you're spending the same amount as you would for a PYXIS, and for a better camera. Yeah, I'd hop on this deal now if you're looking to get a camera.

I saw it in the news!!! But unfortunately it's not available in Canada, and it says on B&H that they are not shipping it either. Wait and see?

In the states it shows in stock ready to ship at B&H. 4 year protection plan is less than $200 bucks. Sweet!

Good Luck

These sales have me FOMOing at the mouth.

I saw it in the news!!! But unfortunately it's not available in Canada, and it says on B&H that they are not shipping it either. Wait and see?

Did you check with Studio Economik? They haven't been updating their website to reflect sale prices for the BMCC 6k or this new sale on the Ursa Mini Pro G2, but it would be worth checking with them to see if they can honour these prices.

Okay, now the URSA Mini Pro G2 is on sale for $3K!!!
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... _4_6k.html

Not only that, but it means you're spending the same amount as you would for a PYXIS, and for a better camera. Yeah, I'd hop on this deal now if you're looking to get a camera.

I saw it in the news!!! But unfortunately it's not available in Canada, and it says on B&H that they are not shipping it either. Wait and see?

I've ordered one from Adorama. I'm in Hong Kong so I'm sure they'll also ship to Canada.

Mike, I’m not sure about that when there are authorized Canadian suppliers. If they did there could be very significant Customs Duty charges that could be 25%. Normally cameras would have a very low duty except when there are Canadian suppliers to protect. It might come into Canada with very low charges and it might come with very high charges. Places like Adorama also apply the Canadian Customs Duty at the time of sale.

Mike, I’m not sure about that when there are authorized Canadian suppliers. If they did there could be very significant Customs Duty charges that could be 25%. Normally cameras would have a very low duty except when there are Canadian suppliers to protect. It might come into Canada with very low charges and it might come with very high charges. Places like Adorama also apply the Canadian Customs Duty at the time of sale.

Ah, yes Rick, was forgetting about duty, as we don't have any import taxes in HK. The suppliers here also haven't cut the price