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If you’re starting a video content channel, livestreaming, or looking to create your first film, step one is getting a good camera to capture it all. The best cameras for video also happen to take great photos at the same time.
While your smartphone’s camera has plenty of high-tech features, it probably can’t compare to the amount of settings and options that a designated DSLR-type camera has. These cameras are carefully constructed for outstanding photo and video quality that a phone just can’t match, and are your best bet for a professional looking final product. The key to the right camera is narrowing down your specific needs, and not spending more money on unnecessary extras that you’re unlikely to use.
What Are the Best Cameras for Video?
Here are all the things you should consider before buying a new camera to record video, from its resolution to its battery life.
Resolution: It’s best to go for something that can film at least 4K video in 1080p. The standard resolution for online video is always evolving, but 4K UHD looks great no matter what, and will for some time still. A camera with around 20MP resolution, and a processor that can handle 30-120fps should also be more than enough to get the job done depending on what project you’re planning.
Ports: If your camera will be mostly in a stationary setup, such as for recording video in the same spot every time, an audio input makes it easy to connect mics or headphones. An HDMI port feeds data to your computer fast, which is ideal for photos and videos you’ll be loading into an editing application. It’s also perfect for playing back a video on your TV, showing friends and family your fresh footage in real-time.
Battery: For filming out in the field during extended shoots, battery life is crucial. With a reliably long-lasting battery, you won’t need to constantly be keeping an eye on your camera’s charge, or have a session cut unexpectedly short by a battery that ran out before you were done. A spare is always great to have, though it’s an added expense, so if you’re headed outside or traveling, make sure your camera’s battery can keep up.
Features: Every camera’s going to have some helpful extras packed in, and when used right, these can really improve the ease and outcome of everything you take. Things like image stabilization are a big assist to steady your shot, while Auto-Focus utilizes a multi-point system to detect faces and balance everything out in a matter of milliseconds. Stacking multiple exposures into one shot, capturing a time lapse, or nailing that perfect slo-mo sequence are all possible, along with literally hundreds of other options that’ll keep you experimenting and learning for a lifetime.
Screen: The small built-in screen is going to be a massive advantage, almost acting as your production assistant. Though nearly all DSLRs and digital cameras nowadays have one, they’re not all created equally. A screen that has the ability to flip up, down, out and all-around can be hugely beneficial when trying to capture shots at odd angles, and letting the subject see themselves in-frame during recording.
Zoom:If you’re not planning on using a separate zoom lens, make sure the camera’s got a good built-in zoom capability. Optical is best, since it’s simply magnifying the image and little quality is lost. Digital zoom can get you even closer, but may produce some blurriness, though they’ve gotten significantly better in recent years.
WiFi/Bluetooth:For fast and frequent uploads right from your camera to your content channel, built-in WiFi can remove the step of transferring everything to your computer first. It may seem like a novelty, but it speeds up the process significantly, especially if you’re frequently posting multiple times a day, or swapping files between friends. Bluetooth can also cut the cord(s) and let you wirelessly transfer files and connect to your other devices for added abilities as well.
Lighting: In an indoor studio, lighting can be set to a certain controlled consistency throughout all your videos, but taking things outside is when it can become unpredictable. That’s where having a camera with intuitive auto-sensing abilities saves time and cuts down the stress of striving for the perfect conditions. Even at night, the right camera with low-light abilities can still keep colors sharp and your subject brightly balanced.
File Format: If you plan to heavily tweak your photos and videos in an editing platform after filming, consider a camera that can handle RAW format. Though the file size is seriously larger than a JPEG, all the data and details of your photo (including things like colors and shadows) are perfectly preserved and professional looking for you to alter afterwards.
While they’re built to outshine phones in terms of professional photography and filming, it doesn’t have to be a choice of one or the other. Some modern cameras connect up to smartphones and utilize both, allowing you to instantaneously gain a whole extra screen, or command it remotely through the accompanying app.
All of these are solid workhorses, but if you’ll be filming at different locations, a lighter camera will be way easier to carry, and an included strap is a must too. Take a minute to figure out what you’ll need, then dive in to these four favorites for filming and taking photos.
