Blackmagic Design PYXIS Top and Side Handles Explained

by Reuben EvansApril 7^th, 2025

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Blackmagic Design announced two new handles for their PYXIS camera to enhance ENG-style shooting. The Pro Handle bolts onto the top and is reminiscent of a camcorder. The Pro Grip delivers rocker-zoom functionality to zoom photo lenses with motors.

Blackmagic Design wanted to make the PYXIS easier to use for broadcasters, so they’ve released two new accessories. The new Pro Handle enables users to quickly grab the camera and start shooting with its built in mic, and the Pro Grip enables smooth zooming. These accessories should come as welcome additions to those who’d like to try shooting “digital film” for broadcast applications.

Blackmagic Design PYXIS Pro Handle

The Blackmagic Design PYXIS Pro Handle enables a simple “grab-and-go” style of shooting that feels a lot like traditional camcorders. The Pro Handle bolts onto the top and features a stereo microphone, cold shoe mount, recording, and zoom buttons. The front of the unit displays a prominent tally light so that your on-camera talent knows when you are rolling.

On the rear of the Pro Handle, you’ll find an articulating viewfinder. Blackmagic Design says that it is the same quality as their well-regarded stand-alone viewfinder. It also features “a built-in digital focus chart ensures customers get perfect viewfinder focus setup.”

Blackmagic PYXIS Pro Handle features

• Broadcast top handle for Blackmagic PYXIS cameras.
• Built-in HD OLED display with precision glass optics.
• Built-in stereo microphone.
• Record start/stop button.
• Assignable function buttons.
• Zoom control for compatible zoom lenses.
• 1/4″ mounting points for accessories.

Blackmagic Design PYXIS Pro Grip

Blackmagic Design also released a complimentary Pro Grip. This side handle comes with a hand strap, zoom rocker, and a Record/Stop button for your thumb. The zoom rocker is designed to work with stills lenses that have internal zoom motors. At the NAB 2025 show, Blackmagic Design showed it working with L-Mount lenses. They also showed pictures of it working with the older Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6IS USM Nano USM lens, with the external Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1 zoom controller. The USB-C ports on both handles feature locking connectors so your cables don’t loosen while shooting

By combining the combo of a top handle with a side handle, you’ll get a form factor very similar to a camcorder. But the real difference is that you’ll get a full-frame camera capable of shooting to Blackmagic RAW. Blackmagic Design also highlights that the PYXIS can upload directly to Blackmagic Cloud when connected to a network. This combination of features really highlights Blackmagic’s vision for the future of broadcasters being able to deliver cinema-quality images on the go.

Blackmagic PYXIS Pro Grip features

• Broadcast side grip for Blackmagic PYXIS cameras.
• Adjustable hand strap.
• Record start/stop button.
• Zoom control for compatible zoom lenses.

Pricing and availability

The Blackmagic PYXIS Pro Handle will be available in June or July for $895, and the Blackmagic PYXIS Pro Grip will be $119. However, we have already seen that some US pricing is subject to change.

For more information, visit the Blackmagic Design website here.

What do you think of the new side and top handle options? Would you use an ENG-style cinema camera with these new accessories? Let us know in the comments!