There has been an ongoing trend of professional cinema cameras getting smaller and smaller with each new model.
Blackmagic has been in the market of size-friendly models for very long and has released its latest model Black Magic Pocket 6K, priced at $1,998.
However, RED is entering this market only recently with their Komodo. It is priced at $6,000. This is a Red Komodo vs Blackmagic Pocket 6K image quality comparison.
Blackmagic’s low price may be the most stand-out factor in deciding between them from an economic point of view.
The price difference between two similar cameras may seem irrational, considering they share almost all of the same specs and features.
Here are some of them to get a better idea of the similarities between the two.
RED Komodo Specs
- Active Canon RF Mount
- Super 35-Sized Sensor
- Cfast 2.0 Media
- Record 6K 6144 x 3240 up to 40fps
- Max ISO 12800
- R3D (REDCODE RAW) Internal Recording
- ProRes Internal Recording
- Price ~$6,000
For more info, visit the site.
BMPCC 6K Specs
- Active Canon EF/EF-S Mount
- Super 35-Sized HDR Sensor
- Cfast 2.0 Media
- Record 6K 6144 x 3456 up to 50 fps
- Dual Native 400 & 3200 ISO to 25,600
- BRAW Internal Recording
- ProRes Internal Recording
- Price: $1,995
For more info, visit the site.
Also read: Best Cameras for Live Streaming on YouTube and Twitch
Image quality test
Specs aside, if you make an image quality comparison between the two, you will quickly see that there is quite a difference.
Here are some screen-grabs from an image comparison test by Geoff Fagien from Reach Films.
You will notice that both the cameras’ resolution is almost the same when it comes to output.
One would even argue that the Blackmagic Pocket 6K produces a sharper image. However, sharpness is not the only thing that is a determinant of quality.
The dynamic range of an image or footage is one of the significant determinants for judging camera qualities.
The dynamic range is where the Komodo outshines the Blackmagic Pocket 6K. You can spot the difference in the highlights of the images.
The image from the Komodo (Cam A) is more detailed than what we get with the Blackmagic Pocket 6K (Cam B).
There is also a stark difference in the color range of the two cameras. The Komodo stands at 16-Bit color, and the Blackmagic falls behind with a 12-Bit color.
As you could see from the above image comparison, the gradients on the subject’s face blend and roll off in the grab from the Komodo.
You can also recreate the same image quality and colors with Blackmagic with an added effort. In addition to this, you don’t always need a dynamic range of 16 stops.
It depends on what you are trying to capture in the shots. Most shots one takes has less than ten stops. In those shots, the difference in dynamic range is not very evident.
ISO Comparison Red Komodo vs Blackmagic
When it comes to shooting at higher ISO, the BMPCC 6K has outdone itself by giving a much clearer image than the Komodo at an ISO of 3200.
The Blackmagic has an extra set of amplifiers that comes into action at a higher ISO. These amplifiers maintain the lowest possible signal to noise ratio.
The Komodo gives you a very grainy image.
This comparison is aptly illustrated in the image below.
However, shooting with a high ISO in a low light setting reduces both these cameras’ dynamic range. If you have a low light specific environment, it is better to go for a purpose-built camera like the A7S III.
Efficiency and Usability
When it comes to ease of use, neither of these cameras are easy to work with. However, the Blackmagic Pocket 6K has a handgrip that the Komodo does not have. However, the grip makes it difficult to balance when mounted.
Despite the handgrip’s absence in the Komodo, its size, shape, configuration, and battery-to-lens weight proportion make it substantially easy to mount on handheld equipment like the gimbal.
As for the battery durability, the BMCC 6K presents a challenge. A battery of LP-E6 allows only 30-40 minutes of shoot time.
The Komodo is a breath of fresh air in that regard with its 2x Canon BP slots. A BP-970 battery allows you to shoot for 1.5 hours straight and 3 with two batteries that the camera is already designed for.
For a regular 8-hour shoot day, you can bode well with two to four battery changes in a Komodo. In contrast, the Blackmagic requires eight to sixteen battery changes. It makes me tired, just thinking about it.
That been said, BMCC 6K offers a lot more right out of the box without you having to purchase the add-ons for a considerably low price. It has an on-board ND, XLRs, EVF and a screen.
Rolling Shutters Red Komodo vs Blackmagic
When it comes to rolling shutters, the Komodo is phenomenal. The 6K takes a hit here from even the 4K in the avid users of the Blackmagic.
The rolling shutter is not that big of a concern in static shots. However, if you are working with high-motion shots, the Komodo comes in highly recommended.
Cinematic look
The Komodo is a clear winner with natural colors and a flawless roll-off when it comes to the classic cinematic look.
The Blackmagic gives off a very video-like vibe instead of a film look with its magenta hue. Even at the base ISO, it takes on a reddish tint.
It can ultimately be fixed in post-production. However, that takes up a lot of your time, and time is money. So why not splurge once with the more expensive option?
The Komodo is better at base ISO, but when shooting with a low light setting at an ISO as high as 3200, the Blackmagic is visibly better.
Your decision about equipment is dependent on what you want to shoot and how. With the price difference of $4,000, Red Komodo brings a lot to the table that the Blackmagic Pocket 6K does not.
Whether to break the bank for these added advantages or not and how bad you need them, you decide.
Here is a video with the same footage taken from both cameras to help you decide better about the image quality you are going for.