BREAKING! In a swift and decisive move, Blackmagic Design has lowered the U.S. price of its new PYXIS 12K camera to $5,500, after a sudden tariff-driven spike pushed it up to $6,600. The company’s action comes in direct response to the U.S. tariffs recently imposed on imported cinema cameras, which shocked filmmakers and industry watchers alike.
An immediate operational decision
When U.S. tariffs suddenly shook the cinema camera market, few expected any brand to respond with real urgency—let alone with immediate results. But Blackmagic Design isn’t just any company. Within days of the price of its new PYXIS 12K jumping to $6,600 due to import duties, Blackmagic executed a bold production shift and brought the price down to $5,500. In an industry often bogged down by logistics and slow reaction times, this move stands out as a rare example of speed, transparency, and customer-first thinking. Blackmagic didn’t sit still. Instead, the company made an immediate and highly unusual operational decision: it shifted production of the PYXIS cameras to another country, bypassing the new import duties and reducing the impact on its customers. On the official Blackmagic Forum, the company stated:
We have moved production of the PYXIS cameras to reduce the impact of the tariffs.
Blackmagic Design
This kind of pivot is rarely seen in the camera industry, where supply chains and manufacturing are notoriously rigid. One user on the forum commented, “Switching production from one country to another takes a long time,”—to which Blackmagic replied simply and confidently:
“Not for us it doesn’t.”
The temporary price hike, from $5,000 to $6,600, was met with concern by many professionals and indie filmmakers, especially considering how the tariffs are expected to affect a wide range of cinema gear. But by acting fast, Blackmagic managed to restore most of the camera’s original value proposition—now officially listing the PYXIS 12K at $5,500 in the United States.
The compliance labels
When another forum user questioned whether the shift in manufacturing origin could be verified, Blackmagic responded clearly:
“It’s on the compliance labels of the products.”
This level of transparency and fast execution highlights the company’s commitment to protecting its customers from unnecessary costs. While others in the industry may still be assessing how to respond, Blackmagic has already delivered. In an increasingly volatile market where global policy can impact pricing overnight, Blackmagic Design has shown what it means to put the customer first—not with words, but with action. The ball is now in the court of other manufacturers. Will they move as swiftly and transparently?
If they don’t mention the country, then it’s likely just a Chinese-owned factory in another country.
Perhaps. It’s an Australian company. This makes no difference regarding manufacturing as quality control at the end is what you experience as the consumer and price is what your wallet feels.
100% agreed! IDK why filmmakers are worried about the wrong things. QC is good, we are great
Blackmagic own all their manufacturing and don’t use external manufacturers in China or elsewhere.
Not sure you know how all this works, but appreciate the insight.
you mean they assemble the parts they have made in china or elsewhere. They do not make semi conductors, computer chips, or lcd screens in Australia. probably not even the plastic shells are made domestically. what a silly thing to think
My love for Blackmagic products is not just because they make the best products, it’s more because of their principles!
Blackmagic Design, in my opinion, is the finest, most responsive video equipment manufacturer in the world!
Impressive pivot. Not easy to change MFG locations that quickly.
Absolutely not easy. Not sure if the camera community know how difficult it is.
lol its actually the complete opposite of “transparency” since they literally said nothing but snarky replies.