Filmmaking standards have evolved over time, and now, regardless of whether you are a professional or hobbyist cinematographer, everyone expects for your videos to be of the best possible quality. If you are entirely clueless on what camera you should opt for, the variety of filmmaking cameras in the market can quickly become inundating when one must make the decision of which device they should opt for. To assist you make the best use of your time, we have curated a list of the best filmmaking cameras, so you won’t have to scour the internet for endless hours.
#1 OverallFujifilm X-T3 Mirrorless Digital Camera
Intro
The Fujifilm X-T3 is often assumed to be a stills camera, but it is extremely capable of shooting some impressive videos in 4K. Unlike most of the other camera in the market, this one aptly captures both normal and wide format videos at 60 frames per second and also has a slow-motion effect. With an extremely impressive color sampling quality of 4:2:2 for videos saved externally and 10-bit for videos saved internally, users will certainly enjoy creating films from this camera.
It includes over 16 film simulation models with the most notable ones being the hybrid log gamma mode and the F-log gamma mode which are usually not available on some of the cameras or require for users to pay extra in order to have it as part of their camera. The Fujifilm X-T3 is one of the few mirrorless cameras to come with a large sensor that can achieve some of the previously mentioned standards.
Pros
- It can capture 4K quality videos at twice the speed of other regular cameras.
- The HLG and F-log modes give it an edge over some of its competitors
Cons
- It does not have an in-body stabilization like other cameras do, which forces users to invest in either a motion soothing gimbal or a tripod.
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#2 Canon EOS C200B
Intro
This camera is one of Canon’s best videography cameras as it provides filmmakers with all the things, they would need to create a beautiful film. The camera offers impressive dual pixel CMOS AF and brags a 35mm CMOS image sensor. It has the ability to shoot both 4K and HD videos at 60 fps and 120 fps respectively. It is equipped with features such as two XLR Inputs, a rotating 4-inch LCD Monitor, integrated electronic viewfinder, inbuilt ND filters and the most notable feature of them all being the Cinema RAW Light. This camera is ideal for individuals who are not constrained by budget and are looking for a solid machine that does not cost as much as the C300 Mark II.
Read our full Review of the Canon C200.
Pros
- Capable of shooting stunning 4K videos
- The camera’s touch screen is much improved than that of its predecessors, and it provides users with the ability to choose different autofocus modes.
Cons
- It is expensive
- The camera’s color sampling rate of 4:2:0 is slightly lower than that of other cameras such as the Fujifilm X-T3 whose color sampling rate is 4:2:2.
- Several users have complained that the camera’s touchscreen could use some improvement as it begins to tilt after it has been used a couple of times.
- The Cinema RAW light feature comes with limited support.
- It does not have a ProRes capabilities which can be inconveniencing, particularly for experienced users.
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#3 Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera
Intro
While it might not be the go-to camera for most cinematographers, the Blackmagic camera features on our list because it is one of the few cameras that are solely intended for videos. Its compact rangefinder design can easily fool you into thinking you can use it for stills, but that is not the case as it is a specialized camera.
This camera can effortlessly capture native 4K videos up to 60 frames per second and brags an 8.8-megapixel sensor. To use the camera, users require a lens mount and a micro four-thirds sensor which are available in plenty in the market. Users who wish to capture high-quality videos in their RAW format can do so and edit the videos later. The camera features 4 inbuilt microphones and a 5″ LCD touchscreen for operation.
Pros
- It can shoot RAW videos, unlike some of its competitors.
- Its carbon fiber composite build makes it extremely durable and long-lasting.
Cons
- It lacks continuous autofocus, which makes shooting moving objects difficult, especially for inexperienced cinematographers.
- It is limited to only shooting video, making it less than ideal for users who need a camera for multipurpose use.
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#4 Sony Alpha A6400 Mirrorless Camera
Intro
The Alpha A6400 appears on our list because it features Sony’s high-tech autofocus system and a flip-over screen that can be used for capturing selfies as videos. Cinematographers and more particularly vloggers will appreciate the flip over screen that may leave still photographers unfazed. This camera can capture 4K quality videos at up to 30 frames per second, and it has autofocus eye-tracking capabilities. It is the perfect all-round camera for vloggers or cinematographers whose focus is action subjects.
Pros
- It is extremely affordable.
- Videographers can self-film without having to mount the camera on a tripod.
- It is perfect for users who require complex autofocus.
- It has various connectivity options such as Bluetooth, NFC, and Wi-Fi, which come in handy for filmmakers.
Cons
- It lacks an in-body stabilization which forces users who need stabilized images to cough up more money.
- The camera’s electronic viewfinder and the rear screen could use some improvement as they are extremely old-fashioned.
- In comparing some of its competitors, the camera’s build and handling could do with some improvement.
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Conclusion
From a financial standpoint, cameras are a serious investment for anyone and not just filmmakers. This is why it’s extremely important to have the right one that is capable of meeting your needs and does not influence the kind of film you have to shoot. The list above consists of the best cameras for most budget ranges that you can consider for filmmaking. Each of the cameras in the list brings a set of amazing features that make filmmaking effortless and effective.