Would you be interested in an 8K MFT RGBW sensor camera?

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Edwin Street

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Would you be interested in an 8K MFT RGBW sensor camera?

PostThu Jun 12, 2025 9:59 pm

I’m thinking of how Blackmagic could make another Micro Four Thirds camera after the hugely popular Pocket 4K and I was wondering if they would make an 8K MFT sensor based on their RGBW sensor technology they used in the Ursa 12K etc. Would you be interested in this?
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rick.lang

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Re: Would you be interested in an 8K MFT RGBW sensor camera?

PostThu Jun 12, 2025 11:22 pm

Using the original 12K sensor with 2.2 micron pitch, you would get an 8K+ sensor cut. Using the new 12K sensor with 2.9 micron pitch, you would have a 6K sensor cut. If BMD decided it made sense to go with their own sensor in another mFT camera, I suspect it would be the 6144 cutout from the new sensor. Would it have 15 stops dynamic range? Maybe that would spur sales.
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Alex Mitchell

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Re: Would you be interested in an 8K MFT RGBW sensor camera?

PostFri Jun 13, 2025 12:53 am

To answer the last question first: Would I want one? Maybe. I do like smaller lenses and camera bodies, and the longer depth of field is an aesthetic that keeps me in the MFT and Super16 ecosystem. A new sensor probably wouldn't be enough for me to upgrade on its own though because most of my biggest "problems" with the BMPCC4K have nothing to do with its sensor. Even all this time later, it still kinda hits a sweet spot that not a ton of other cameras do.

Is it likely that BMD would ever make another MFT body with their RGBW sensor tech? I really, really doubt it. Spinning up a new production line to make custom MFT sensors would be expensive, and the whole thesis of BMDs MFT offerings is that they're extremely affordable tools. I honestly think that BMD will ride out their current BMPCC offerings until the sensors and other internal components in them are too expensive or difficult to source. Once that happens all bets are off, but there's no shortage of conventional BFA MFT sensors out there that would probably be a better fit than a custom BMD design.
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rick.lang

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Re: Would you be interested in an 8K MFT RGBW sensor camera?

PostFri Jun 13, 2025 1:45 am

Good point, Alex. There certainly would never be a $995 pocket camera with an 8K or 6K RGBW sensor and 15 stops dynamic range.
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Rakesh Malik

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Re: Would you be interested in an 8K MFT RGBW sensor camera?

PostFri Jun 13, 2025 1:51 am

My guess is that BMD will retain a line of Super35 sensor cameras as their entry level models, because not only are they good for entry level filmmakers, there is also quite a bit of demand for Super35.

You can see it in the fact that after releasing the Alexa 65 and then the Alexa Mini LF, Arri followed them up with the Alexa Super35, which according to Arri is its current best camera.

Super35 is still a perfectly good format; I'm not planning to ditch my Komodo because it's a super35 camera, it's because BMD went full 135 for the 12K update, hosing up my plan to use the Komodo as a B-cam for it, because matching cameras is easier for A/B cam than having two different sensor sizes.

Also because the Pyxis has a more user friendly design than the Komodo, as one would expect after five years of progress.
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carlomacchiavello

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Re: Would you be interested in an 8K MFT RGBW sensor camera?

PostWed Jun 25, 2025 11:59 am

8k m4/3 are too small sensor for my taste.
Two reason to search bigger sensor :
- diffraction if I close iris too fast
- resolving lenses on m4/3 for so high res.


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timbutt2

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Re: Would you be interested in an 8K MFT RGBW sensor camera?

PostWed Jun 25, 2025 2:07 pm

I wouldn’t be interested in MFT, but would be interested in a 4.3K Super 16 based on the 12K VistaVision sensor. Since I did my scale out from Super 16 I calculated that portion of the sensor is 4.3K in resolution. However, no to the Pocket 4K body.

Maybe a PYXIS body design as it really better suited for cinema cameras. And, I’d want to use some classic Super 16 glass on the camera.


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rick.lang

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Re: Would you be interested in an 8K MFT RGBW sensor camera?

PostWed Jun 25, 2025 3:45 pm

timbutt2 wrote:… Maybe a PYXIS body design as it really better suited for cinema cameras. And, I’d want to use some classic Super 16 glass on the camera.


Yes, I’d love to have a robust optical B4 mount or adapter for the Pyxis. There are times when a longer zoom would be useful but the 25-1000mm PL zooms for Super35 aren’t going to fit my camera bag or my budget! Super16 glass would suffice.
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Edwin Street

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Re: Would you be interested in an 8K MFT RGBW sensor camera?

PostFri Jun 27, 2025 6:08 am

Ahh well thanks for all your input. It seems an 8K MFT sensor camera wouldn’t be so popular after all. I still love MFT especially the Panasonic GH series and the MFT Voigtlander lenses. They are so cool with their declickable aperture and long manual focus throw. They’re also so well built and solid. Anyone else here like them? They are really cool cinematic lenses on a budget! Love f/0.95! I’d love to see Voigtlander make these kind of lenses for the L-Mount. I’ve even emailed them asking them if they might but never heard back.
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rick.lang

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Re: Would you be interested in an 8K MFT RGBW sensor camera?

PostFri Jun 27, 2025 11:43 am

As I mentioned, the 8K would require BMD to use the original RGBW sensor with 2.2 micron photosites with perhaps 13-14 stops of dynamic range in a small package. That ship may have sailed and when BMD exhausts their supply of 2.2 micron chops in the UMPro12K, that camera will cease to be produced.

Are you sure you wouldn’t want the 2.9 micron sensor in a 6K cut and perhaps 15 stops dynamic range in a small package?
Rick Lang

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