The digital revolution has transformed filmmaking, bringing powerful video technology to a wider range of users than ever before. But from budding first-time cinematographers through to mid-sized professional productions, needs and budgets vary considerably: what may qualify as the best camera for cinematography at one one end of the spectrum may not satisfy needs at the other.
Whether you’re interested in shooting narratives, music videos, documentaries, web series, commercials, vlogs, travelogues – or any other form of filmmaking where the emphasis is on the art of visual storytelling – we’re assuming that you’re looking for the best camera you can afford. In this guide we recommend five different options for those wishing to up their creative filmmaking game. These include:
Choosing the Camera That’s Right for Your Film Making
The best cameras for cinematography should do the following:
- Capture high-resolution imagery
- Offer broad exposure latitude
- Produce great colors
- Provide easy monitoring and focusing
- Have impressive Audio capabilities
- Include extensive range of video codecs
Accordingly, these are the main considerations we’ve taken into account when compiling our guide.
But just as today’s filmmakers come in many forms, so too do today’s cameras. And not all of the best options are necessarily dedicated cinematography cameras. So how do we choose? Let’s take a look at the various options:
DSLR/Mirrorless vs. Camcorder vs. Cinema Cameras – Which are Best for Cinematography?
DSLR and Mirrorless
Although primarily designed for shooting stills photography, the video capabilities of many DSLR and Mirrorless cameras have become extremely impressive in recent years. What’s more, an entry- or prosumer-level DSLR or Mirrorless camera will usually be no more expensive (and often considerably cheaper) than a dedicated camcorder.
Despite this – and somewhat counterintuitively – video quality on the best Mirrorless or DSLR models will usually be better than on prosumer-level camcorders. What’s more, with a DSLR or Mirrorless camera you will likely also benefit from a greater range of lenses.
Camcorders
In fact the only real advantage offered by a camcorder is speed and ease of use. But if you are serious about filmmaking then this consideration is likely to be lower on your list of priorities than the ability to shoot high quality video, with full control over the results. For this reason we recommended skipping the camcorder category altogether, which is much better suited to filming events, corporate videos, or news footage than producing beautifully shot cinematic narratives.
Cimema Cameras
High quality cinema cameras are an entirely different matter though. Although cinema cameras share some similarities with the DSLR and Mirrorless systems – most notably the ability to use interchangeable lenses – cinema cameras are dedicated filmmaking tools and, unlike camcorders, are specifically designed with cinematographers in mind.
This being the case, cinema cameras tend to come without the stills-shooting capabilities that are the primary purpose of DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras, but which are largely just a distraction for those of us who are only interested in cinematography. Of this kind of camera, we recommend two different models here, at vastly differing price points.
Having said this, those cinematographers who are also interested in shooting stills photography from time to time will also find that they are covered for options in our guide.
Our Categories – Different Options for Different Needs
Now let’s look at our top picks. We’ve picked the best option for a set of different needs, which include:
- Overall Best for Cinematography (Moderate Price Points)
- Best Camera for Professional Cinematography (High Price Point)
- Best Camera for Cinematography and Photography Combined
- Best Camera for Cinematic Vlogging
- Best Entry-Level Camera for Cinematography on a Budget
Let’s get into it!
The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K – #1 Overall Best for Cinematography
Overview
There was a lot of hype and anticipation about the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K in the run up to its release, and we’re happy to say that the reality has not let filmmakers down. Indeed, the BPCC4 is our choice of overall best camera for cinematography on the market right now.
Despite sitting in the same price-bracket as many mediocre consumer camcorders, this is a genuine filmmaker’s tool. The BPCC4 is capable of producing highly cinematic footage of a truly impressive quality, capturing as it does 4096 x 2160 DCI 4K images at rates up to 60 fps – 120 frames in full-HD (although using this latter function means choosing cropped-sensor filming). Despite not having a full-frame sensor, beautiful shallow depth-of-field clips are entirely possible at smaller lens apertures.
Don’t expect any easy auto modes with the BPCC4 though: to get the best out of this camera you’ll really need to know what you are doing (or be willing to learn), as operation is entirely manual. So while it’s not for those who want a camera to do all the work for them, the advantage here is that the user retains full control over the end results.
Nonetheless, operation is very straightforward and hassle-free, due to an extremely simple and intuitively designed menu system. Operation feels a lot like a DSLR, only with bigger buttons and controls. And although not truly pocket-sized, the camera can easily be handheld if required. It’s also plenty light enough to be placed on a gimbal stabilizer, where it invariably produces quite astounding results.
On the downside, when compared to today’s Mirrorless and DLSR cameras, the BPCC4’s autofocus system is a little disappointing, and lacks true continuous AF, only offering tap AF via the LCD. The other notable let-down is poor battery-life (typically 30 or 40 minutes max shooting time before the battery needs replacing). So if you plan on doing a full day of filming, you’ll need to have multiple batteries permanently on-charge as a back-up.
These minor gripes aside, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is clearly among the very best cameras for cinematography available right now, and with its highly competitive price and relative ease of use it takes our overall number one spot.
Pros
- Great dynamic range
- Good low-light performance
- Beautiful sharp 5 inch 1920 x 1080 full-HD touch display
- Amazing price
- Highly responsive LCD controls
- Full-size HDMI port
- Very good internal mics
- Mic In and Headphone Monitoring jacks
- Offers an incredible range of supported codecs and formats, including RAW, 12-bit video
Cons
- Not full-frame
- Poor battery life, so you’ll need to stock up on a lot of spares or invest in the separately available Battery Grip
- No viewfinder
- No built-in image stabilization, although can be used with stabilized lenses
- 4/3 sensor, smaller than a full-frame camera (for a similar experience but with a bigger sensor, there’s the 6K version, although this costs roughly twice the price)
- Some users have reported loose battery doors as being a design issue
- Lackluster autofocus performance
Canon EOS C200 – Best Camera for Cinematography for Pro Indie Filmmakers
Overview
By far the most “serious” cinematography camera on our list, the Canon EOS C200 may seem very expensive compared to the other cameras we look at here. But rest assured that this is the real thing, and is actually relatively cheap when compared to cinema cameras with similar specs.
Nonetheless, given the initial investment required, the C200 will largely appeal to more experienced cinematographers looking to move up from their DSLR or Mirrorless setup to a dedicated cinema camera. True, the C200’s spec is probably not sufficiently heavyweight to satisfy big budget productions who would normally rent Red or Arri equipment. But for indie filmmakers wanting to purchase their own gear, or smaller productions in need of a convincing B-cam, the C200 has little competition.
The C200 features a beautiful high-res CMOS sensor with advanced Dual Pixel Auto Focus. This performs especially well when set via the touch-sensitive LCD, and the possibility to single-handedly control focus via the camera’s built-in monitor makes this one of the best cinematography cameras for use on a gimbal right now.
But the feature that will have most filmmakers lusting for this camera is undoubtedly the ability to shoot 4k at 60fps and to record RAW internally, using a newly developed compressed RAW codec that Canon calls Cinema RAW Light. All in all the EOS C200 is a very desirable piece of kit that easily qualifies as the best camera for cinematography for those willing and able to make a serious investment.
Pros
- Relatively small and light
- Best touch-screen face-tracking AF on the market
- Beautiful 4K video
- Ability to record RAW with up to 15 stops of dynamic range
- Built-in ND filters
- Great low-light performance with ISO usable up to at least 32,000
- Well designed and easy to use
Cons
- Expensive
- Shooting RAW will require enormous amounts of disk space for backup, adding considerably to running costs
- If you are a professional working in a fast-turn around sector of the industry, bear in mind that the C200 doesn’t meet certain broadcast standards (e.g. 10-bit video) and RAW Light footage will need to be converted in order to satisfy some clients’ needs
Sony Alpha 7III – Best Camera for Cinematography and Photography Combined
Overview
The Sony a7III is another camera that generated a lot of excitement prior to its release. And just as with the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, the hype around the Sony a7III was entirely justified. Indeed the a/7III has gone on to become an industry standard – both for filmmakers and stills photographers. In fact this is likely the best option out there right now for those looking for a formidable two-in-one video and photography package. And one that comes with a full-frame sensor, no less.
In addition to its well-endowed 24 megapixel image sensor, the Sony Alpha 7III boasts super fast autofocus with facial recognition right across the frame; both a high resolution LCD and an electronic viewfinder; great battery performance; and, most importantly, stunning full-frame 4K video.
On the downside, while the LCD does at least tilt for easier waist-level operation and monitoring, it is not fully articulating, so you may want to invest in an additional top-mount monitor. Also be aware that Sony’s own lenses tend to be quite expensive so unless you go for third-party options, adding a second lens to your kit may cost just as much as the camera itself.
Pros
- Full-frame 24 MP image sensor
- 4K video
- Good low-light performance
- Long battery life
- Dual HD card slots
- Great autofocus
- High resolution touch screen and EVF
- Stereo mic jack
- Stereo headphone monitoring jack
- Small and lightweight
Cons
- LCD is tilt only, not fully articulating
- Additional Sony lenses tend to be expensive
Nikon D3300 – Best Entry-Level Camera for Cinematography on a Budget
Overview
First the good news: the Nikon D3300 is a very affordable entry-level DSLR capable of producing both stills and video footage of a quality normally associated with cameras costing twice the price – if not more. With that said though, let’s be totally clear that the Nikon D3300 would be few people’s first choice for either of these tasks.
The D3300’s sensor is small, its low light performance fairly poor, its overall features and connectivity quite limited, and its video capabilities basic. It’s also quite a few years old now. But at the price, you can do a lot, lot worse. And if you are a new filmmaker moving up from a smartphone or compact camera, the D3300 with its interchangeable Nikon lenses and full manual controls will totally transform your output and workflow. Sure, there probably won’t be any D3300 footage screening at your local IMAX theater any time soon, but as a first step on the cinematographic path, you can do a lot worse.
Note that although the Nikon D3400 has been superseded by the more recent D3400 and D3500 models, for filmmaking we recommended the D3300 over its more recent siblings as the D3400 has only mono microphone capability, and the D3500 no external mic port at all.
Pros
- Great price
- 24.2 megapixel image sensor
- Small and lightweight
- Full HD 1080p video at 60 frames per second
- Produces very sharp images at lowest ISOs
- External stereo mic jack
Cons
- Not full-frame
- No 4K
- 3-inch screen is non-touch, non-articulating
- Noticeable noise from 400 ISO and beyond
- Only 95% viewfinder coverage
- Only 11 AF points
- Plasticy build
- No weather sealing
Panasonic Lumix GH5 – Best Camera for Cinematic Vlogging
Overview
The Panasonic Lumix GH5 is a great little camera for high-quality cinematography on a mid-sized budget. While it’s small and lightweight, the Lumix GH5 shoots 4K video and packs in both an articulating touchscreen and a fantastic high-resolution electronic viewfinder. All of which make it ideal for the lone operator looking for a top-quality option for filmmaking on the move.
Amazing in-body stabilization means that you can often get away with hand-holding without a gimbal stabilizer. And the inclusion of Panasonic’s Cine-D color profile makes for easy and attractive grading. Build, design, and layout of controls are all excellent, and the GH5’s numerous functions are quickly accessed without the need to dig deep into labyrinthian sub-menus.
While the Lumix GH5 is primarily a video camera, it’s also capable of producing some great looking stills. In fact, although not quite as persuasive an option as the Sony Alpha 7III (above), the ability to extract 18 megapixel still images from the GH5’s video footage makes it an appealing option for those in need of both 4K video and high resolution photos of the same source.
The only major compromise with this camera is the fact that its image sensor is not full-frame; instead Panasonic have used the considerably smaller Micro Four Thirds format. If you’ll largely be uploading your videos to sites such as YouTube and Vimeo this will not be of major concern. But those interested in making dramatic shorts, documentaries, music videos etc. for screening elsewhere may want to consider some of the better-endowed options we look at here instead. Just bear in mind that moving up to something like the Sony Alpha 7III will cost you a significant amount more money.
Overall though, this is a fantastic little tool for filmmaking that will appeal to vloggers and YouTube filmmakers looking for something portable and affordable, yet capable of producing highly attractive imagery on the go.
Pros
- 4K video at 60p
- Dual SD card slots
- Big, bright, high-resolution EVF
- 3.2 inch articulating touchscreen
- WiFi, NFC, and Bluetooth
- Weather sealed
- Good dynamic range
- Great in-body stabilization
Cons
- Not full-frame
Final Thoughts
As we’ve seen, the best cameras for cinematography combine the ability to shoot high quality video; record audio via external stereo microphones; quickly and accurately track focusing via a touch screen; and ideally will support a broad range of video formats and codecs. However, precisely which is the best camera for your cinematography will depend on your own specific needs and budget. Whatever your personal requirements though, there’s sure to be a model above that will satisfy all your filmmaking needs. Happy shooting!
