While both cameras give you an enormous bang for your buck, which one should you add to your arsenal? Let’s look at the BMPCC 6K vs. the URSA Mini Pro 4.6K.

Today, I’m going to look at two very popular Blackmagic cameras — the URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 and the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K. More specifically, I’m going to compare these as run-and-gun rigs, looking at price differences between the two cameras, as well as the pros and cons of both setups. If you’ve been considering picking up one of these cameras, hopefully this overview will help you make a decision on which one is the best choice for you.

Let’s get started.

Rigging out the Cameras

So, you might be thinking, why compare these cameras? Wouldn’t it make more sense to compare the 4K with the 6K, or the URSA with another camera at the same price level? Well, if you’ve ever rigged out a Pocket Cinema Camera, then you know there’s a point when you wonder if it’s worth the money to make the price jump to an URSA.

Blackmagic recently lowered the price of the Pocket 6K by $500. This brings the total down to a very reasonable $1,995, while the URSA rests at a $5,995 price tag. And these price points are for bodies only, by the way. To properly compare these two cameras, let’s first take a look at what it’ll cost to set them up as shoulder rigs. Then we can take a closer look to find out what the jump in price will get us in features.

URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2

The high-end accessories provided for the URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 creates a comprehensive, solid rig.

Let’s begin by putting together the URSA Mini Pro run-and-gun rig and figuring out a total price. Here’s what we’ll go with:

• $5,995 — URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2
• $699 — Sigma 18-35 Art Lens
• $395 — BM URSA Shoulder Mount Kit
• $1,495 — BM URSA Viewfinder
• $145 — V-Mount Battery
• $95 — BM V-Mount Battery Plate
• $359 — Deity S-Mic 2
• $135 — BM Mini Mic Mount
• $769 — Angelbird Media Cards BM URSA Match Pack
• $65 — Angelbird Media CFast Card Reader
• $49 — Datacolor SpyderCHECKR 24 Color Chart

Total Rig — $10,201 USD

One of the main pros of going with an URSA is the fact that Blackmagic provides many high-end accessories for this camera. This includes the viewfinder, the shoulder mount kit, the V-mount battery plate, and the shotgun mic mount. Using all of these accessories together creates a tight, solid rig. Now, let’s spec out a Pocket 6K shoulder mount setup, and try to match all of the same accessories as the URSA.

BMPCC 6K

While Blackmagic doesn’t offer a lot of accessories for the BMPCC 6K, third-party companies can fill this need.

Unlike the URSA, Blackmagic doesn’t provide a lot of proprietary accessories for the Pocket 6K. There are, however, a plethora of third-party companies filing this niche, making anything and everything you’d ever need to attach to your camera. For this reason, be aware that prices of similar rigs can vary widely. Depending on the brands and pieces you purchase, you could make the same rig at vastly different prices, both lower and higher.

The main difference with this rig is that I need to add a third-party viewfinder, as well as a V-mount battery rig. Here’s a good example of a setup that’ll closely match the URSA rig:

• $1,995 — BMPCC 6K
• $699 — Sigma 18-35 Art Lens
• $1,450 — Zacuto ACT Recoil Rig
• $350 — IndiPRO Tools V-Mount Battery Kit
• $100 — LP-E6 Battery for EVF (a handful)
• $319 — Deity S-Mic 2
• $649 — Angelbird Media Cards BMPCC 6K Match Pack
• $65 — Angelbird Media CFast Card Reader
• $49 — Datacolor SpyderCHECKR 24 Color Chart

Total Rig — $5,676 USD

Again, be aware that with the Pocket 6K, you can spec something else out that’s much cheaper, or much, much more expensive. With the plethora of companies out there providing accessories, you’ll be able to rig out whatever kit you want. The main downside is that these kits can take a lot longer to set up and break down, which kind of defeats the purpose of running and gunning.

Okay, so we already know that we have a $4,000 difference between just the bodies of each camera. Once I’ve rigged out the Pocket 6K, that price gap has now widened to $4,525. Let’s have a closer look at these two cameras.

Comparing the Tech Specs

Sensor Size

While both cameras come with a Super 35 sensor, the URSA’s is slightly larger than the Pocket 6K’s.

• UMP
  • 25.34mm x 14.25mm (Super 35)
• P6K
  • 23.10mm x 12.99mm (Super 35)

Resolution

The name of both of these cameras clues you into the specifics of the maximum resolutions they capture.

Codecs

The URSA shoots in a few additional flavors of ProRes that the P6K lacks, including XQ and 444.

• UMP
  • Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 3:1
  • Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 5:1
  • Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 8:1
  • Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 12:1
  • Blackmagic RAW Constant Quality Q0
  • Blackmagic RAW Constant Quality Q5
  • Apple ProRes XQ QuickTime
  • Apple ProRes 444 QuickTime
  • Apple ProRes 422 HQ QuickTime
  • Apple ProRes 422 QuickTime
  • Apple ProRes 422 LT QuickTime
  • Apple ProRes 422 Proxy QuickTime
• P6K
  • Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 3:1
  • Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 5:1
  • Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 8:1
  • Blackmagic RAW Constant Bitrate 12:1
  • Blackmagic RAW Constant Quality Q0
  • Blackmagic RAW Constant Quality Q5
  • ProRes 422 HQ QuickTime
  • ProRes 422 QuickTime
  • ProRes 422 LT QuickTime
  • ProRes 422 Proxy QuickTime

Lens Mounts

The URSA comes with interchangeable options, while the Pocket 6K is fixed with the EF mount.

• UMP
  • EF mount included; Interchangeable with optional PL, B4, and F lens mounts.
• P6K

ND Filter

While both cameras offer high frame rate options, URSA’s ND filters excel when compared to the P6K.

One of the main features that makes the URSA trump the P6K is the internal ND filters. This is a primary tool for most run-and-gun shooters.

• UMP
  • Four position ND filter wheel with clear, 2-stop, 4-stop, and 6-stop ND filters.
• P6K

FPS

Both of these cameras offer up a number of high frame rate options, all of which put out amazing images.

• UMP
  • ProRes 422 HQ
  • 4.6K Full — Up to 80fps
  • UHD Windowed — Up to 120fps
  • 2K DCI — 300fps
  • HD Windowed — Up to 300fps
• P6K
  • Off-speed frame rates up to 60fps in 6K 2.4:1
  • 120fps in 2.8K 17:9 and 1080HD

Dynamic Range

If dynamic range is an important creative aspect, the URSA has two extra stops.

Depending on how important dynamic range is to you, the URSA has an extra two stops.

Screens

The URSA Mini Pro has a four-inch touchscreen that can rotate 180 degrees, while the Pocket 6K has a fixed five-inch touchscreen. While the P6K’s screen is incredibly bright and responsive, it’s very difficult for shooting low angles. That’s why a viewfinder is a must-have option for me.

• UMP
  • 4” rotating touchscreen LCD
• P6K
  • 5” fixed touchscreen LCD

Media

I like shooting with internal cards, as having cables and external drives can be difficult and dangerous for run-and-gun rigs. The URSA has double the options for internal cards, but USB slots give both cameras the power to record for very long periods of time.

• UMP
  • 2 x CFast 2.0 card slots
  • 2 x SD UHS-II card slots
  • 1 x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 expansion port for external media for Blackmagic RAW and ProRes recording
• P6K
  • 1 x CFast card slot
  • 1 x SD UHS‑II card slot
  • 1 x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 expansion port for external media for Blackmagic RAW and ProRes recording

Weight

The URSA is over twice the weight of the P6K. This makes the incredibly light P6K the better choice for gimbal shooting.

Audio Inputs

Audio Inputs on the URSA include two full-size XLR ports versus the P6K’s mini XLR and 3.5 stereo input.

The URSA has two full-size XLR ports, while the P6K only has a mini XLR and a 3.5mm stereo input.

• UMP
  • 2x XLR analog switchable between mic, line, and AES audio with phantom power support
• P6K
  • 1x mini XLR analog switchable between mic with phantom power support and line level (up to +14dBu)
  • 1x 3.5mm stereo input

ISO

While the URSA comes with more stops of dynamic range, using the P6K’s Dual-Native ISO puts out absolutely stunning images when shooting in low-light situations.

• UMP
• P6K
  • Dual-Native ISO 400 and 3,200
  • Up to 25,600

Optional Blackmagic Accessories

The viewfinder is one of the many accessories Blackmagic provides for the URSA.

Again, Blackmagic provides a plethora of proprietary accessories for the URSA, and hardly anything for the P6K.

• UMP
  • URSA Mini Pro PL, EF, B4, and F-Mounts
  • URSA Mini Pro Shim Kit
  • URSA Mini Shoulder Kit, including top handle and extender arm
  • URSA Viewfinder
  • URSA Studio Viewfinder
  • URSA Mini SSD Recorder
  • URSA VLock Battery Plate
  • URSA Gold Battery Plate
  • URSA Mini Mic Mount
  • URSA Mini Top Handle
  • URSA Handgrip
  • Blackmagic Camera Fiber Converter
• P6K
  • Blackmagic Pocket Camera Battery Grip
  • Blackmagic Pocket Camera DC Cable Pack
  • Mini XLR Adapter Cables

Where the URSA Mini Pro Excels

The URSA Mini Pro is certainly geared more for run-and-gun shooting than the P6K. It comes with all of the necessary accessories from Blackmagic, including a shoulder mount kit as well as a high-end viewfinder. The internal ND filters allow users to easily operate the camera outside, without having to fumble with extra pieces and parts. The extra weight also helps keep images steady, which is important when cameras lack IBIS. If you’re a fan of good ergonomics you can’t go wrong with this camera. Every button you’d ever need is close by, it’s just a matter of building up that muscle memory.

Best Features

• Ergonomics
• Amazing viewfinder
• Proprietary accessories
• Audio inputs
• Several media slots
• Tight Rig without excess cables

Ideal for these Shooting Scenarios

• Quick setups and breakdowns
• Long shoot days
• Outdoor scenes with excess light
• Shooting with high-end glass

Where the BMPCC 6K Excels

While the URSA is generally a better camera for handheld shooting, the P6K still packs a punch. The Dual-Native ISO makes it extremely useful in low-light situations, putting out cleaner images than the URSA. It also definitely wins if you’re going to be shooting on a gimbal or monopod, as well as if you want to shoot incognito or in small spaces. Oh yeah, and you can put the $4,000 you save by buying this camera toward a gimbal, a monopod, and even a nice lens with image stabilization.

Best Features

• Dual-Native ISO
• Lightweight
• Low price point

Ideal for these Shooting Scenarios

• Night or low-light scenes
• B-cam
• Gimbals
• Monopod work

Again, there really isn’t a best camera option. There’s a best camera option for your situation. Either choice you make, you’re going to get some stellar images at an extremely good price point.

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