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The best portable professional video cameras
Best cinema cameras will deliver high-quality video, offer a wide range of codecs, have a modular design and interchangeable lenses
The Sony FX6 certainly gives you bang for your buck and it’s packed full of sought-after features
SPECIFICATIONS
Sensor size: Full frame
Sensor resolution: 10.2MP
Card slots: 2x CFexpress Type A or SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots
Lens mount: Sony FE
Max shooting resolution: 4K
Display size: 3.5-inch touchscreen
EVF: No
REASONS TO BUY
+ Cheapest full-frame cinema camera ever
+ Advanced Alpha hybrid AF
+ 10-bit 4:2:2 4K/120p and 240fps HD!
+ Advanced Alpha hybrid AF
+ 10-bit 4:2:2 4K/120p and 240fps HD!
REASONS TO AVOID
– No internal Raw recording or EVF
– No built-in image stabilization
– CFexpress Type A cards expensive
– No built-in image stabilization
– CFexpress Type A cards expensive
Impressive autofocus, excellent dynamic range and RAW output – it’s a professional powerhouse
SPECIFICATIONS
Sensor size: 26.2 x 13.8 mm (Super35)
Sensor resolution: 4096 x 2160 (8.85 MP)
Card slots: CFexpress x 2, SDXC x 1
Lens mount: EF or PL
Max shooting resolution: 4K
Display size: 4.3-inch
EVF: (Optional)
REASONS TO BUY
+ Cinema RAW Light output
+ 4K up to 120fps, 2K up to 180fps
+ Dual Gain with 16 stops dynamic range
+ 4K up to 120fps, 2K up to 180fps
+ Dual Gain with 16 stops dynamic range
REASONS TO AVOID
– The C70 is similar and cheaper
One of the best value cameras considering it shoots in stunning 12K
SPECIFICATIONS
Sensor size: 27.03×14.25mm (Super35)
Sensor resolution: 79.6MP
Card slots: 2x CFast 2.0 slots, 2 x SD UHS-II slots
Lens mount: PL, optional EF or F
Max shooting resolution: 12K
Display size: 4-inch touchscreen
EVF: Optional
REASONS TO BUY
+ It shoots in 12K and nothing else does!
+ 8K and 4K are useful and beautifully filmic
+ Built like a tank to last for years
+ 8K and 4K are useful and beautifully filmic
+ Built like a tank to last for years
REASONS TO AVOID
– Super 35 is not full-frame
– AF is very limited
– Only records in Blackmagic Raw
– AF is very limited
– Only records in Blackmagic Raw
If you can forget 12K the Mini Pro G2 delivers amazing dynamic range and will save you a few thousand
SPECIFICATIONS
Sensor size: 25.34 x 14.25 mm (Super35)
Sensor resolution: 4608 x 2592 (12MP)
Card slots: CFast x 2, SDXC x 2
Lens mount: Canon EF
Max shooting resolution: 4.6K
Display size: 4-inch
EVF: Optional extra
REASONS TO BUY
+ Excellent dynamic range
+ Convenient storage options
+ Built-in ND filters
+ Convenient storage options
+ Built-in ND filters
REASONS TO AVOID
– Bulky when loaded up
An all-in-one package for those who want a cinema camera and a gimbal
SPECIFICATIONS
Sensor size: Full frame CMOS
Stabilization: 4 axis
Card slots: 1 x CF Express 1x DJI Pro SSD
Lens mount: DJI DL Mount
Max shooting resolution: 6K
Display size: 5.5in LCD touchscreen, 1920×1080
EVF: No
REASONS TO BUY
+ All-in-one package
+ Built-in ND filters
+ Solo or crew operation
+ Built-in ND filters
+ Solo or crew operation
REASONS TO AVOID
– A lot of learning
– Non-standard battery type
– Proprietary media need for 6K
– Non-standard battery type
– Proprietary media need for 6K
These box-style cameras offer a smaller alternative to your standard cine cam
SPECIFICATIONS
Sensor size: MFT (Micro Four Thirds)
Sensor resolution: 10.28MP
Card slots: 1 x CFAST 2.0
Lens mount: MFT
Max shooting resolution: 4K
Display size: None
EVF: No
REASONS TO BUY
+ Small and light
+ Lots of lenses available
+ ProRes and Raw recording
+ Lots of lenses available
+ ProRes and Raw recording
REASONS TO AVOID
– Doesn’t come with a battery
– No screen
– Only one card slot
– No screen
– Only one card slot
The BS1H is a full-frame version of Panasonic’s original box camera – the BG1H
SPECIFICATIONS
Sensor size: 35mm full-frame
Sensor resolution: 24.2 megapixels
Card slots: 2 x UHS II SD
Lens mount: Leica L
Max shooting resolution: 6K
Display size: None
EVF: No
REASONS TO BUY
+ 12-bit raw video when using an external recorder
+ Excellent low light performance
+ Live streaming capabilities
+ Excellent low light performance
+ Live streaming capabilities
REASONS TO AVOID
– No screen
– Doesn’t come with a battery
– Doesn’t come with a battery
This Netflix-ready cinema camera is a full-fat alternative to the Lumix S1H
SPECIFICATIONS
Sensor size: 24.89 x 18.66 mm
Sensor resolution: 6340 x 3232 (20.5 MP)
Card slots: SDXC x 2
Lens mount: EF
Max shooting resolution: 4K
Display size: 3.5-inch
EVF: No
REASONS TO BUY
+5.7K downsampling works well
+Dual-native ISOs
REASONS TO AVOID
–Reflective screen
–Mediocre AF
Canon’s first RF cinema camera might not be as advanced as the C300 III but if you don’t need RAW it’s a winner
SPECIFICATIONS
Sensor size: 26.2 x 13.8 mm (Super35)
Sensor resolution: 4096 x 2160 (8.85 MP)
Card slots: SDXC x 2
Lens mount: RF
Max shooting resolution: 4K
Display size: 3.5-inch
EVF: No
REASONS TO BUY
+4K up to 120fps, 2K up to 180fps
+Dual Gain with 16 stops dynamic range
REASONS TO AVOID
–No raw output
–Cannot use PL lenses
You’d have to have pretty big pockets to fit this camera in but it’s a great bit of kit nonetheless
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: Super 35
Megapixels: 8.8MP (native 4K)
Lens mount: Canon EF
4K/6K frame rates: up to 60/50p
Standard ISO range: 400, 3,200
Memory cards: 1x SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-II, 1x CFast
REASONS TO BUY
+Great value for the spec
+Built-in ND filters
+Blackmagic Raw and ProRes
REASONS TO AVOID
–
It’s not a small camera!
–No continuous AF, AE or IBIS
–Screen is tilt-only
Don’t let the fact it’s 5 years old put you off – for a budding cinematographer it’s affordable and feature-full
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: MFT
Megapixels: Not quoted
Lens mount: MFT
4K/6K frame rates: up to 60/50p
Standard ISO range: 400, 3,200
Memory cards: 1x SD, 1x CFast
REASONS TO BUY
+ Excellent range of ports
+ Giant 5-inch touchscreen
+ Shoots RAW video
REASONS TO AVOID
– No flip-out screen
– No ND filter
– No continuous AF
They’re still pretty hard to come by but if you can get one it’s totally worth the wait
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: Full frame
Sensor resolution: 12.1MP
Lens mount: Sony FE
4K frame rates: 120p max
4K sensor crop factor: 1x
Standard ISO range: 80-102,400
Memory cards: 2x SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS II)/CFexpress Type A
REASONS TO BUY
+ 4K 120p
+Active cooling
+ 627 AF points
+ Carry/filming handle included
REASONS TO AVOID
– Pricier than the A7S III
– Alpha design, not FX
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