Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Blackmagic - Pocket Cinema Camera 4K | Sony - FX3 |
|---|---|---|
| XLR input | false | true |
| Max video | 4K60 | 4K120 |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | Full Frame |
Between the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and FX3, the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K comes out ahead in several specs, while the FX3 wins on xlr input / max video. Overall, the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K scores 58.7 and the FX3 scores 63.1 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The FX3 edges ahead on the Mars Score (58.7 vs 63.1), but the 4.4-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
The Pocket Cinema Camera 4K does not pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec-table groups rather than the headline advantages.
Pick the FX3 if you care most about xlr input / max video. Its strongest claims are xlr input, max video, sensor size. The single most decisive one: Has XLR input.
Both ship with comparable optical zoom, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity says both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Which should you buy: Blackmagic - Pocket Cinema Camera 4K or Sony - FX3?
Sony - FX3 leads the current Mars Score by 4.4 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare max video, sensor size against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Blackmagic - Pocket Cinema Camera 4K if…
Blackmagic - Pocket Cinema Camera 4K does not lead a decisive measured field here, so choose it for price, ecosystem, design, or availability when those matter more to you.
Choose Sony - FX3 if…
Sony - FX3 has the measurable edge on has xlr input, max video, sensor size.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Blackmagic - Pocket Cinema Camera 4K wins
- No decisive advantages.
Why Sony - FX3 wins
- ▲Has XLR input.
- ▲Max video: 4K120 (vs 4K60).
- ▲Sensor size: Full Frame (vs Four Thirds).
Spec comparison
Video
| Spec | Blackmagic - Pocket Cinema Camera 4K | Sony - FX3 |
|---|---|---|
| Max video | 4K60 | 4K120lead |
| Optical zoom | 0 | 0 |
| Sensor sizeⓘ | Four Thirds | Full Framelead |
Audio
| Spec | Blackmagic - Pocket Cinema Camera 4K | Sony - FX3 |
|---|---|---|
| XLR input | false | truelead |
| Headphone jack | true | true |
Design
| Spec | Blackmagic - Pocket Cinema Camera 4K | Sony - FX3 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 722 g | 715 glead |
| Articulating screen | false | truelead |