I will guide you about best affordable camera for video recording in this article. I wil clear your all confusions and doubts and find a good camera for you.
Cellphones are now capable of recording in slow-motion and 4K, professional video cameras are available for less than $2000, and thousands of people are vlogging on a daily basis. However, with so many options available on the market, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Here are the recommendations of a filmmaker who has experimented with and tested dozens of cameras.
DOMINIC GOULD CREATIVE DIRECTION AND PHOTOGRAPHY
what is the best camera for video recording
what is the good camera for video recording
There’s an old saying that goes, “The best camera is the one you have with you at all times.” This is true in the sense that any camera is preferable to no camera, and we’ve all got to start somewhere, no matter how small. However, just as you wouldn’t use a hammer to drive screws into a wall, there are certain cameras that should not be used in certain situations, and others that would perform admirably in those same situations.
Photographic equipment featured in this article is equipment that I have personally used for a variety of projects such as music videos and events as well as weddings, interviews, and other personal projects Some of these cameras are excellent for music videos but terrible for weddings, and vice versa. Others are excellent for both. Everyone, from amateurs to professionals, can find something on this list that suits their needs.
Every camera on this list costs less than $2500, which, while it may be the price of a car in some cases, is on the lower end of the price spectrum in the world of video cameras, and is roughly the amount of money you’ll need to set aside to get the tech specs you’ll need to shoot professional-quality video. best affordable camera for video recording
The technical specifications of the cameras I’ll be comparing can be confusing at times, so before I get into the list of cameras, I’ll break down the 7 elements that, in my opinion, define an effective video camera for filmmaking on a budget.
4K RESOLUTIONS ARE AVAILABLE
Although most people do not watch videos in 4K on YouTube and even fewer people have screens that support 4K, I believe that it is important for filmmaking on a budget to have access to this technology. The most important reason is that it allows you to freely move your frame around when you’re editing your video. You have the ability to crop in and add zooms or pans that you were unable to do while shooting. Particularly useful for events and weddings where you are shooting on the fly and don’t have time to set up your shots. In addition, interviews or similar situations where you need two angles with one camera can be achieved by using the same clip but cropped in on different parts of the frame can be achieved by using a single camera.
STABILISATION ON THE INSIDE
Some cameras come equipped with in-built stabilisation, which allows for smooth and steady handheld shooting. Events and weddings, where you don’t have the luxury of planning your shot and how you want to move through the space, will find this extremely useful. You will be able to create more creative shots with free-flowing movement if you use internal stabilisation to eliminate camera shake from your footage. best affordable camera for video recording
SENSOR FOR THE WHOLE FRAME
The sensors in some cameras are significantly larger than those in others. In general, the larger the sensor, the greater the depth of field that can be achieved with your lens and the better the performance of your camera in low light conditions. Full frame sensors are ideal for use in situations where you are unable to control the lighting, such as weddings or live music performances. When shooting video, you can comfortably increase the ISO to 2000 or higher and expect your footage to still look good.
PROFILE OF THE LOG PICTURE
The log picture profile is a flat, almost grey-looking filter that reduces the brightness of your shot while increasing the brightness of the dark areas. This means that you will retain all of the information contained in your exposure and will have more freedom to experiment with your tone and colour when editing. The ability to work with this is something that is useful in almost any type of filmmaking, and you should definitely learn how to do so if your camera does not shoot in Raw.
ORIGINAL RAW RECORDING
The term “raw recording” simply refers to the fact that your footage is not compressed. This means that the files are much larger, but it also means that you will not lose any information. Compared to edited footage, raw footage is much easier to colour grade and generally looks better. Additionally, when editing, you will be able to adjust the white balance and ISO settings, allowing you to transform your footage in order to achieve a specific look without sacrificing any quality.
RATE OF FRAME CHANGE (SLOW MOTION)
When you shoot at 50 frames per second or higher to create slow-motion videos, some cameras will crop the image or downgrade the resolution to 1080p or 720p in some cases, depending on the camera. The ability to shoot slow motion at full resolution without cropping is available on some higher-end cameras, but it is a feature that you will have to pay for because most low-budget cameras are not equipped to deal with the data-rates and file sizes associated with shooting full sensor resolution at a high frame rate. It’s not a deal breaker, but if you’re looking for high-quality slow motion, it’s something to take into consideration.
EFFECTIVE AF (Effective AF)
Every camera on this list has autofocus, but only a few of them are capable of performing well in a professional environment. Some cameras will focus back and forth and change the exposure in order to help get focus, which of course ruins your shot because it is out of focus. The focus of cameras with effective autofocus (AF) tracks smoothly between the subjects you’ve centred on, and you’ll always be able to find your focus without having to think about it. When it comes to autofocus, this is determined by how the cameras use the sensor to focus automatically, as well as by how many “AF Points” the specific camera has, as well as the quality of the lens you are using; some lenses have faster autofocus motors than others. Good AF, in my opinion, is essential for best affordable camera for video recording events, live music, and weddings, so if you’re in the business, it has
Read Also: Best camera for interviews
Panasonic GH5,- best mirrorless camera for filmmaking
Key features
The quality of broadcasting
The GH5 is capable of shooting 4K at up to 30p in 10 bit 4:2:2 at up to 1080p externally. This means that it records more information than the typical consumer 8 bit, 4:2:0 format, which means that your footage will hold up better to colour correction, grading, and special effects.
Motion in slow motion
In 4:2:0 8 bit internally, the GH5 can record 60p (2x) 4K slow motion, and in 10 bit with an external recorder, the GH5 is capable of recording 60p (2x) 4K slow motion. It can shoot at up to 180p in 1080p HD (that’s 6x slow motion for NTSC users, or 7.2x for PAL users).
Stabilisation
It has five-axis in-body image stabilisation, which makes it easy to hold the camera. Panasonic recently updated the firmware to include IS Lock, which allows you to take very steady static shots without the use of a tripod. This feature was previously unavailable.
Focus- best affordable camera for video recording
In addition to touchscreen focusing and programmable rack focus, there is advanced autofocus on offer.
Both a screen and a viewfinder are used.
The viewfinder is extremely sharp, with a resolution that is more than 50% higher than that of the previous GH4 or Canon’s EOS M5 best affordable camera for video recording. This makes eye-level photography a viable option, even for still photography. The touchscreen resolution is the same as that of Canon’s professional 5D Mk IV.
Dynamic range is a term that refers to the ability to change the course of an event.
You can shoot V-log with a 12 stop dynamic range if you pay for an additional $100 in equipment. In photography, dynamic range refers to how well a camera handles contrast. GH5 allows you to preview how the footage will look after LUT correction has been applied. V-log is a flat picture style that compresses highlights and shadows and is intended to be corrected or graded after the fact.
Audio- best affordable camera for video recording
It is equipped with microphone and headphone jacks, as well as two built-in microphones (one of which is for noise cancelling).
It is possible to purchase an additional $400 audio module that includes two professional XLR microphone inputs as well as physical dials and switches for changing audio settings and levels.
In addition, there are some other features.
It is capable of displaying professional waveform and vectorscope monitors.
There are two SD card slots, and there is no time limit on recording.
It’s a world camera in that it can record in either NTSC or PAL formats.
It is fully compatible with the DJI Ronin-SC handheld stabiliser, allowing you to pull focus and set quick autofocus directly from the stabiliser handle when using the stabiliser.
Limitations
The MFT (micro four thirds) sensor is smaller than the APS-C sensor used by Canon and the full frame sensor used by some Sony and Canon cameras, respectively. You won’t be able to get quite as creative with shallow depth of field unless you invest in a costly Metabones Speedbooster adapter that allows you to use lenses designed for larger cameras. Increased depth of field can be advantageous for documentary and event photographers, as it reduces the likelihood of focus errors.
Although the GH5 has better colours than previous Panasonic models, Panasonic’s colours are not as good as Canon’s when taken directly from the camera. However, being able to shoot in 10-bit 4:2:2 should make it much easier to correct and grade the footage.
Though not as good as the exceptional (and significantly more expensive) Sony A7S Mk II best affordable camera for video recording, the GH4’s low-light performance is significantly better than the older GH4. best affordable camera for video recording
When shooting at 24 frames per second, continuous autofocus isn’t as good as it could be.
In comparison to its predecessor, the GH4, it is both larger and heavier. It is, however, only marginally heavier than the lower-spec Canon 80D best affordable camera for video recording and only 100g heavier than Sony’s A7S II, despite the fact that it weighs 725g.
Should you purchase it?
At this price, the combination of broadcast-quality 4K, easy handholding, interchangeable lenses, and professional audio appears to be unbeatable for documentaries, news, and sporting events.
The Panasonic GH5S offers better low-light performance and video features (but does not include image stabilisation), but at a significantly higher cost.
The BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K best affordable camera for video recording offers many pro video features at a lower cost, but it is less convenient and robust than the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera.
Filmmakers who are looking for a more “cinematic” look may find the small sensor to be a hindrance. If you don’t need to shoot in 4K, the Canon C100 best affordable camera for video recording may be a better option for your needs. If you don’t require the professional features of the GH5, the G85 offers the same excellent image stabilisation (but without the IS lock) in a smaller body for less than half the price.
Levi Allen shot this adventure video entirely handheld with the GH5.
This video from RomsProd on Youtube shows how a pre-production GH5 performs in low light: it looks good to me. best affordable camera for video recording
to be at the top of your list of priorities.
Read: casey neistat best vlogging camera
Canon 5D Mark III
Excellent for: experimenting with different lenses and shooting raw footage on a tight budget.
I recognise that the Canon 5D Mark III is lso best affordable camera for video recording the underdog on this list, but I felt it deserved to be included nonetheless. In the Citrus Daze music video (shown below), I used the software because it was my first music video and I was working on a tight budget, but I still wanted the ability to manipulate colour.
This camera is unique among the others on this list because there is an online plugin available that allows you to use it for things that Canon never intended.
You can get a plugin called Magic Lantern from the internet that allows you to record in raw format with your camera. Canon equipped the sensor with Raw capabilities, but they are not allowing people to use them (presumably so that they can continue to sell their $10,000 cinema cameras…), but a third-party software company called Magic Lantern discovered a way to hack the camera sensor to allow it, and they are sharing their findings with the world.
Canon is obviously not happy about it, and they will not repair your camera if something goes wrong after you’ve installed the plugin. However, I personally believe it is well worth the effort, as it will raise the video quality to a level that surpasses that of any DSLR on the market and will provide you with a professional appearance on a budget.
You can get it from Amazon by clicking here:
The Canon 5D Mark III best affordable camera for video recording is the oldest and least expensive camera on this list, and on paper, it appears to be a poor choice for filmmaking. In addition to not shooting in 4K, it also does not have internal stabilisation or a log picture profile, among other things. What it does have, on the other hand, is an absurd number of lens options. Almost every professional video lens that has been released in the last decade has been compatible with Canon’s EF mount. This means that, in my opinion, this camera is the ideal starter camera for learning about lenses, which is essential when getting started in the filmmaking industry. Being able to experiment with a variety of lenses will aid you in developing your own style and discovering your own voice as a filmmaker. The Canon 24-105mm f4 L series is an excellent lens to start with because it is extremely sharp and covers nearly all of the shooting situations you will encounter.
Sony A6500
Pocket-sized, reasonably priced, with a lot of internal technology and excellent for vlogging.
The Sony A6500 is a mirrorless APS-C camera best affordable camera for video recording with an APS-C sensor. There are a few features that distinguish the A6500 from the competition. For starters, it’s extremely small. It is small enough to fit in a jacket pocket when not in use. But don’t be fooled by its diminutive size; its compactness makes it an excellent choice for mounting your camera on a gimbal or stabiliser. When it comes to software, it also packs a significant punch. With 4K, you can crop in and reframe when editing, and it also has the ability to shoot 120fps slow motion (5x slower). It has internal stabilisation, which makes it easy to shoot handheld, a log picture profile, which makes it easier to colour grade, and good autofocus for when you’re on the go. When all of these factors are considered, I believe it to be an excellent camera for vlogging or travel/lifestyle videos.
You can get it from Amazon by clicking here:
“Without a lens, it can be tucked away in a jacket pocket.”
Its sensor size is a disadvantage; with an APS-C sensor, it struggles to capture clean footage when shooting at ISOs higher than 1600. As a result, I would not recommend this camera for filming weddings or events because you will be forced to use ISO settings of 2500 or 3200 to compensate for the lack of light. It is possible to purchase this camera for less than $1000 brand new, though be aware that Sony lenses are on the expensive side; if you are on a tight budget, I recommend purchasing a good third party zoom lens like the Sigma 18-35mm Art lens with a lens adapter instead.
A few other manufacturers produce APS-C mirrorless cameras in the same price range, such as the Fujifilm X-T2 and Canon M5, which are both excellent cameras in their own right. However, the Sony A650 best affordable camera for video recording has everything these cameras have combined, plus a few additional features.
Sony A7III
The all-purpose event camera with exceptional low-light capabilities.
The Sony A7III best affordable camera for video recording is a full frame camera that takes us back into the world of full frame cameras. A full frame sensor with incredible low light performance is housed behind this camera, which incorporates all of the excellent software from cameras such as the A6500. The Sony A7III and A7SII are capable of shooting at ISO 3200 without generating any grain or noise, and even at ISO 6400/12800 with only the tiniest amount of grain or noise generated. There are log picture profile options, super quick autofocus (one of the fastest available), and in-body stabilisation on the A7III. It shoots 4K at normal speed, 120fps in 1080p, and has log picture profile options. And all of these features are contained within a camera body that is small enough to be mounted on almost any gimbal currently available.
It’s a little on the expensive side, but you’re getting a lot of great photography features in one package (e.g., eye-locking autofocus, an updated sensor, and 10 frames per second continuous shooting), and a new body can be had for under $2000. The autofocus speed and low light capability make it a close second to the ideal camera for weddings, events, and live music photography.
You can get it from Amazon by clicking here:
Canon EOS R- best budget camera for videoa rcording
The Canon EOS R best affordable camera for video recording has a long battery life, beautiful colours, and the best autofocus available, making it an excellent choice for documentary filmmaking.
The Canon EOS R represents Canon’s first foray into the full frame mirrorless market, a segment that was previously dominated by Sony until 2019. The Canon EOS R outperforms the Sony A7III in a few areas, but it falls short in other areas. Canon has always claimed to have the best “in-camera colours,” and after using both the EOS R and the A7III, I can say with confidence that they are correct. The Sony footage appears a little lifeless when it is not colour graded, whereas the Canon footage jumps off the screen without any adjustments. If you’re shooting in log mode, which both cameras are capable of, there’s nothing to be concerned about.
Another outstanding feature of this camera is its autofocus, which is the fastest and most accurate I’ve ever experienced. If you’re the type of filmmaker who prefers to point and shoot, this autofocus feature will make your life a whole lot easier. The battery life on the EOS R is also excellent; it uses the same batteries as the 5D III, which means they are easy to come by and are extremely affordable.
You can purchase the Canon EOS R from Amazon by clicking on the following link:
In the case of interviews or documentary work, the EOS R is a fantastic camera to have in your arsenal. Battery life, combined with autofocus and beautiful natural colours, make it the ideal camera for going out and shooting without any concerns.
However, not everything is sunshine and rainbows in the Canon mirrorless world; there are a few dark clouds in the sky. It crops your field of view by approximately 1.7 times if you are shooting in 4K with this particular camera. This means that your 24mm lens has been transformed into a 40mm lens, which is extremely inconvenient.
In the time that I owned this camera, I only ever shot in 1080p, which was a little frustrating at times, but not nearly as frustrating as a massive crop that destroys your wide angle lenses in the first place. On top of that, the camera only shoots slow motion at 100 frames per second in 720p, so if you want slow motion, you’ll have to sacrifice quality.
And if you thought Sony lenses were expensive, the EOS R introduced a brand new lens mount called RF, which has only a handful of lenses available so far, each of which costs an arm and a leg to buy and maintain. I strongly advise you to purchase the Canon adapter in order to use the older EF lenses instead.
Blackmagic Pocket 4K
If you want to achieve the most high-end look possible for less than $2000, then you need to go for the cinematic look.
We’ve finally arrived at the camera I currently own, the one to which they’ve all been building anticipation. This is the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (I know, it’s a mouthful, but let’s just call it the BM4K for short). In comparison to other cameras, this one stands out because it is a cinema camera rather than a DSLR or a Mirrorless. This camera is not intended to be used for taking photographs; rather, it is intended to be used for filmmaking on a tight budget. Apart from the 5D III with Magic Lantern, it records Raw video, which means that it is completely uncompressed, unlike the other cameras on this list. This will give you the ability to colour grade to your heart’s content without losing quality, as well as adjust your white balance, ISO, and contrast in raw controls while editing so that you don’t lose quality as you would if you were simply changing the exposure as you would in regular colouring. Another reason why I believe this camera is the best camera for filmmaking on a budget is because of the menu system on the camera. It’s extremely user-friendly, has everything you need laid out exactly where you’d expect it to be, and is extremely responsive when it comes to changing settings.
The BM4K can shoot in 4K at 50 frames per second, making it the only camera capable of shooting slow-motion in 4K, and it can shoot in 1080p at up to 100 frames per second. The camera also has all of the exposure and focus assist features you could possibly want, which makes it extremely simple to get your shots ready.
You can get it from Amazon by clicking here:
“For me, the BM4K is the ideal camera for creating music videos, short films, and commercials.”
However, the micro four thirds sensor in this camera is significantly smaller than the APS-C sensor in the Sony A6500 best affordable camera for video recording, which is a drawback in some situations. In other words, if you put a 24mm lens on it, it will turn into a 45mm lens, which is a little ridiculous. A speedbooster lens adapter, on the other hand, can prevent all of this from happening.
An optical lens mount converter with a piece of glass inside that amplifies the light coming through the lens, reducing the crop on your camera to about 1.2/1.3 and also giving you an extra stop of light on your aperture, which can come in handy when shooting at night. It follows that you will have to spend some additional money on the speedbooster, which will cost you between $300 and $600 to purchase.
The BM4K also consumes batteries at an alarming rate; I have nine batteries for it and charge them continuously throughout the day when I’m not shooting. For those of you who shoot weddings or interviews, this is something to keep in mind in case your battery dies during a critical moment such as the exchange of wedding vows or something similar.
The BM4K is, in my opinion, the ideal camera for music videos, short films, and commercials because of its colour control and the look that can be achieved with a camera that costs less than $1300 brand new.
best affordable camera for video recording
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