Blackmagic's original cinema camera — 2.5K RAW in a compact EF-mount body that changed indie film.
The Blackmagic Cinema Camera (BMCC) was released in 2012 as Blackmagic's first cinema camera, notable for its RAW recording capability and large 2.5K sensor at a price point previously unavailable. Features a Canon EF mount for lens interchangeability. Canon EF mount.
2.5K (2,432×1,366) Super 35mm sensor. Cinema DNG RAW and ProRes/DNxHD recording to internal SSD. 13+ stops dynamic range. Canon EF mount. 5-inch touchscreen LCD. At approximately 1,800g. EF mount.
The BMCC disrupted the cinema camera market by offering 12-bit Cinema DNG RAW recording at a fraction of comparable cinema cameras' cost. The large 2.5K sensor and 13-stop dynamic range enabled professional-quality HDR-capable footage. The EF mount provides compatibility with Canon's extensive EF lens range. The heavy body and large battery requirement demanded rig-based shooting.
On the used market the Blackmagic Cinema Camera is a historically significant but technically outdated cinema camera. Condition checks: internal SSD condition and capacity, EF mount contacts and lens communication, battery health (large LP-E6 drain), 5-inch touchscreen condition, recording format verify. Succeeded by the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K with significantly improved usability.