Sony FX6 vs Blackmagic URSA Mini G2

Which is the better investment?

Cameras have become a lot better over the last three years, and this means you can now own an amazing cinema camera for about $6,000.

You could produce a solid documentary, commercial, corporate video or short film with half of what it used to cost just a few years ago.

Which brings me to this article. I wanted to compare two cameras from the ‘rebels’ who contributed to this massive price reduction.

Blackmagic Design already has the solid URSA Mini Pro G2 (Amazon, B&H) in their lineup. Now Sony arrives with guns blazing with their new ridiculously compact and lightweight Sony FX6 (Amazon, B&H).

I’ll compare the two, with available information and specifications, to see which one makes the most sense for professional use. If this isn’t your cup of tea, exit now.

Comparison of sensors and video features

Here’s how the camera sensors compare:

The URSA Mini Pro G2 is a Super 35mm-sized sensor, while the FX6 is a full frame sensor. What about low light and dynamic range? Here’s the information:

It is not like Blackmagic is putting up a real fight when it comes to low light. Their Pocket cameras have made great strides in this area, but the URSA range still lags behind.

Sony has a full frame sensor whereas Ursa Mini Pro G2 doesn’t. However Ursa has a higher resolution than the FX6. The Sony FX6 (Amazon, B&H) has greater reach with the internal ND filter over the G2.

What about frame rates?

Here the Ursa Mini Pro G2 (Amazon, B&H) fares better. If you want HFR, the choice is fairly obvious. To be honest, Ursa mini is the only competition that Sony has when it comes to high frame rates. The question is, is the difference between 120 and 150 fps that great for practical reasons? I don’t think so, but your opinion might be otherwise.

Let’s not forget Sony has continuous autofocus even at 120fps (although not at 24p for some strange reason). Reliable AF tracking lets you handle more types of projects.

On the whole I’ll give this round to the FX6.

If you’ve found my content useful support me and watch my film A Count Of Ten today.

CLICK FOR STREAMING OPTIONS

Codecs:

The URSA Mini Pro G2 (Amazon, B&H) has the Sony FX6 beat here. There is one caveat though: BRAW isn’t truly RAW. But, the question is: How many people in this price bracket care? I’ve worked with Blackmagic RAW and it works a treat, especially with DaVinci Resolve.

The FX6 is at a bit of a disadvantage here considering you will need an Atomos Ninja V to record RAW.

As far as XAVC-I is concerned, it’s a mature codec by this point, though Prores is recognized by everybody by this point.

Finally, what you get externally:

The Sony FX6 (Amazon, B&H) can record 4K DCI at 120fps with an external recorder. That’s a great added advantage, though no RAW at this frame rate.

Lenses

Both lineups have their positives and negatives. The Sony FX6 edges out the G2 purely based on the added advantage of realtime AF and face and eye. detection.

Focus, monitoring and ergonomics

URSA Mini Pro G2 (Amazon, B&H) is larger and heavier and by a lot. Even after adding a whole lot of accessories the Sony FX6 (Amazon, B&H) is still lighter than the URSA Mini’s body by about 300g.

The FX6 can do more, it is small enough to be used on drones and gimbals. The G2 won’t be most people’s first choice.

What about the LCD monitor?

The LCD on the FX6 can be repositioned.

Sony wins and by a wide margin. Be it autofocus, or size and weight, or ergonomics, Sony wins this battle through and through.

Batteries and media cards

Here’s a look at the media options:

Clearly the FX6 uses more expensive media. Blackmagic takes this one. The price differential is not unsubstantial:

If you like SSDs it goes even lower with the G2. One positive about the FX6 is you can transfer video directly from the camera to a computer via USB-C.

What about battery life?

The Sony FX6 (Amazon, B&H) rules when you want to shoot continuously, two batteries should be enough for a day of shooting. Less changes per day.

The URSA Mini Pro G2 (Amazon, B&H) has XLR for DC input. The Sony FX6 has DC 19.5V input.

The URSA Mini Pro G2 would need a top handle, but you do get one with the Sony FX6. This is an another added cost that Sony has so gifted to the consumers for “free”.

Which is cheaper to own?

Shall we?

The price difference of about $465 isn’t that great. The choice will come down to usability and exactly what kind of work you’re doing.

Verdict

First, a recap:

I interact with thousands of filmmakers every year, and I can tell you: We all like to think we’re the next Roger Deakins, but the actual work doesn’t really warrant anything better than what either of these cameras are capable of producing.

Before we take our final decision, we’ll let each camera tell us what it offers that the other doesn’t:

The choice is not that obvious, but to my mind, the Sony FX6 (Amazon, B&H) wins. It allows you to tackle more projects than the URSA Mini Pro G2 can. The G2 is quite “old”, and I expect a newer iteration sometime soon.