A modern camera is a device that combines many relevant functions. In addition to the primary task – the creation of clear images, DSLR and compact (digital) cameras offer users high-quality video. Thus, the shooting device acts as an alternative to a video camera, which is used by both amateurs and professionals – whether it be a children’s party, a picnic trip or another memorable event.
When choosing a camera for shooting video, buyers primarily pay attention to the following characteristics:
- Type of camera: According to experts, a mirror device is more advantageous than a compact (digital) device, however, the latter is more affordable.
- Format: The most popular are AVCHD, MP4, MOV, AVI.Max frame rate and resolution: These characteristics reflect the clarity of the recording and the quality of detail.
- The higher the score, the better.
- The number of megapixels of the matrix: For an excellent video, this parameter should not be lower than 15 MP.
- The size and weight of the device: These criteria make it easier to work with the camera, especially if video recording takes a lot of time.
- Manufacturer: Brand fame has a positive effect on its relevance. Among manufacturing companies, Panasonic, Nikon, Fujifilm, Canon, Pentax, Sony are in the greatest demand.
We present you a rating of the best cameras with good video. When distributing positions in the TOP, the following were taken into account:
- User reviews
- Expert opinions
- Photo and video quality.
For more our buying guides, take a look at the popular links: Nikon Lenses, Superzoom Cameras, DSLR Cameras.
Video Camera Reviews
Best Compact (Digital) Cameras for Shooting Video
#1 Canon PowerShot SX540 Digital Camera
Highlights of Canon PowerShot SX540:
20MP – 1/2.3″ BSI-CMOS Sensor
24-1200 mm F3.4-6.5 Zoom Lens
Large 3.0-inch LCD (approx. 461,000 dots)
Being the most affordable camera that shoots not only photos, but also video in good quality, this Canon model has become the most popular representative of the compact device category and has received recommendations and positive reviews from all 100% of users.
The main reason for this success of the camera, without a doubt, was the matrix with the best number of points for this budget – 20.3 effective megapixels. The resolution of the 5184 matrix by 3888 pixels is also an order of magnitude superior to many of its closest competitors, even much more expensive. Such high quality of the matrix provides excellent clarity and accuracy of color reproduction for digital cameras when shooting both video and photo. The camera is also convenient for viewing and transferring footage thanks to NFC support and video, audio and Wi-Fi interfaces.
In addition, Canon reviews often praise for a clear menu, a wide range of manual settings, high-quality stabilization, 200x zoom and good color reproduction. However, the battery is very average.
#2 Olympus TG-5 Waterproof Camera
Highlights of Olympus TG-5:
12MP BSI CMOS Sensor
TruePic VIII Image Processor
Waterproof to 50 feet, Dust proof: IP6X
A relatively inexpensive camera from a popular Japanese company is considered one of the best digital options for shooting video in the middle price segment. Its main advantages included a very elegant body with a thickness of only 32 millimeters and a weight of 250 grams.
Thinness, compactness and incredible lightness made the camera the best friend of active travelers and amateurs to film concerts and other mass events at which you can’t just turn around with larger equipment. At the same time, the camera is protected from dust, moisture, frost and, according to reviews, from shock, which allows you to use it anywhere and anytime.
Despite the miniature, the model is quite powerful and functional. On its lens there is a thread for nozzles designed to realize the photographer’s most diverse ideas – from a tele-converter for shooting distant objects to a fisheye filter to create curved panoramas. Shooting video is also at its best thanks to the ability to shoot in 4K quality and the best maximum frequency in the category of 480 frames per second.
#3 Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 Camera
Highlights of Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80:
18.1MP 1/2.3″ MOS Sensor
Lumix DC Vario 60x Zoom Lens
1.166m-Dot Electronic Viewfinder
Panasonic Lumix is a compact camera equipped with a super zoom. What is especially important for video enthusiasts, the device supports the maximum resolution for recording videos (3840 * 2160), in comparison with other rating nominees. Not the last role in the fact that the choice of many buyers falls on this model is affordable cost.
Other outstanding benefits of the device are 4K and ISO100 video shooting. Video is recorded in AVCHD and MP4 format. Max video frame rate reaches 200 frames per second. Video recording time is limited to 4 GB or 29 minutes.
The camera demonstrates no less outstanding characteristics in the issue of creating images. Photos are obtained high-quality thanks to the optical image stabilizer, 18.9 MP matrix, macro mode, 100% viewfinder field of view and contrast autofocus. Users in the reviews mention the convenient touch screen and Wi-Fi interface.
Best DSLR Cameras with Good Video
#4 Nikon D7200 DX-format DSLR Camera
Highlights of Nikon D7200:
51 point autofocus system
No Optical Low-Pass Filter (OLPF)
24.2 MP DX-format CMOS image sensor
Nikon’s advanced camera is a great solution for perfectionists who want to take full control of their shots. One hundred percent field of view of the viewfinder shows the entire frame in the form in which it will be captured, so when using this model there is no doubt about the result.
At the same time, the settings for the shooting parameters are simple and obvious, because they are displayed on an additional screen in the upper part of the body while the image of the frame is displayed on the main screen. Thus, the user sees not only the picture, but also the most important parameters, including sensitivity, shutter speed and aperture, which allows you to more accurately and quickly set the desired settings. Also, the second screen can significantly increase battery life, because thanks to it, the energy-intensive main screen can be turned off.
Another important advantage of the camera was the ability to record audio comments for captured videos and photos so as not to forget anything. Also in reviews often note sound quality and reliability.
#5 Canon EOS 800D DSLR Camera
Highlights of Canon EOS 800D:
DIGIC 7 Image Processor
EOS integrated cleaning system
3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
The high, although not a record, number of effective megapixels of the matrix, a decent battery rated for 600 photos without recharging, and an impressive list of useful additions have made this amateur DSLR camera one of the best in the entire category.
In this development, Canon implemented the most advanced control technology – a large touch screen with the ability to rotate makes video shooting simple and very convenient in any light and even in bright sun, because the screen is easy to set at the right angle. This will help the shooter fully concentrate on creativity and perfectly control the situation.
In addition, the model received a microphone jack and the best number of interfaces, including a composite video interface and audio output for wired data transfer to other devices, as well as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC and a remote control connector that allows you to control the camera remotely. In the reviews, the model is praised for the convenience and excellent quality of shooting videos and photos even in the dark.
#6 Nikon D3500 DX-Format DSLR Camera
Highlights of Nikon D3500:
EXPEED 4 Image Processor
24.2MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor
Native ISO 100-25600; 5 fps Shooting
In this development, Nikon surprisingly combines low cost for an DSLR camera, good shooting quality and a capacious battery, designed for about 1,550 photos without recharging. At the same time, the model is relatively compact and weighs only 415 grams, taking into account the batteries, which, like a good battery, makes for long shots.
The undoubted advantage of the camera, which successfully captures both photos and videos, is Bluetooth support. This interface allows you to instantly send the footage to a computer or mobile device, as well as send photos to print directly, which saves time.
The device is notable for good photo and video quality, because its matrix has 24.2 effective megapixels, and the presence of not only multi-zone, but also three-dimensional color matrix metering, makes the camera suitable for any shooting conditions. Also, in the reviews, many note convenient control, decent stabilization and high autofocus speed.
#7 Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame DSLR Camera
Highlights of Canon EOS 5D Mark IV:
Touch screen LCD monitor
61 point AF system with 41 cross points
30.4 Megapixel Full-frame CMOS Sensor
Canon’s elite professional camera, which shoots excellent 4K quality videos, despite the sky-high price, has become not only the best, but also the most popular member of the rating, having earned a huge number of reviews.
The top device is equipped with a Full Frame matrix with a record resolution of 6720 by 4480 pixels and an impressive number of pixels of the photosensitive matrix, equal to 30.4 megapixels. Such a high quality matrix provides an excellent 4K image suitable for viewing on a large screen. Another distinguishing feature of the Canon camera is the ability to adjust autofocus, which allows you to significantly increase focus accuracy using fine-tuning.
Also in the reviews, many buyers are delighted with the amazing color reproduction, speed and sensitivity of autofocus, as well as the LiveView option, which automatically focuses on the face. In this case, the camera lies perfectly in the hands, copes well with the processing of RAW files, supports wireless interfaces and two memory cards.
Best Mirrorless Cameras for Shooting Video
#8 Fujifilm X-T3 Body – Black Mirrorless Camera
Highlights of Fujifilm X-T3:
X-Processor 4 with Quad CPU
2.16m-Point Phase-Detection Autofocus
26.1MP APS-C X-Trans BSI CMOS 4 Sensor
Multifunctional and smart, this stylish camera will definitely become the best friend and assistant to traveling bloggers who want to share everything they see with the world, and even professional journalists. A matrix of more than 26 effective megapixels with a resolution of 6240 by 4160 and the ability to shoot 4K video at a speed of 50/60 frames per second make the camera indispensable for high-quality shooting of the most important sports and cultural events.
Moreover, the model can take excellent photos in motion thanks to the outstanding burst mode, the speed of which reaches 30 frames per second. The pluses included the presence of a sync contact on the case, a special connector for connecting an external flash, a microphone input, a headphone jack rarely found on cameras, and the ability to connect a battery pack.
Excellent quality of shooting is recognized by many users and experts. Nevertheless, not everyone considers the price justified due to the lack of a stabilizer, equipment without a lens and the scarcity of formats.
#9 Sony Alpha ILCE-6000 Mirrorless Camera
Highlights of Sony Alpha ILCE-6000:
3.0″ 921k-Dot Xtra Fine Tilting LCD
Tru-Finder 0.39″ 1,440k-Dot OLED EVF
24.3MP APS-C Exmor APS HD CMOS Sensor
A light and compact camera at a price not too high for a device with removable optics is considered by many buyers and specialists as the perfect balance between practicality, accessibility, shooting quality and functionality. Such a successful combination of these properties allowed the Sony camera to win hundreds of positive reviews and a place among the best in our review.
Of course, unlike the much more expensive top-end cameras, the Alpha ILCE-6000 does not shoot 4K video, but the device boasts a unique and very rare opportunity – shooting Full HD video in 3D, which will undoubtedly delight fans of three-dimensional files.
This is not just a fashionable feature, because thanks to a matrix of more than 24 effective megapixels, image quality is not inferior to materials shot in the same resolution for an elite camera for a hundred thousand rubles. Also, the best features of the model, as the reviews show, are the availability of HD-video output for broadcasting video to a TV directly without loss of quality.
#10 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Camera
Highlights of Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II:
Micro Four Thirds System
2.36m-Dot LCD Electronic Viewfinder
TruePic VIII Dual Quad Core Image Processor
A reliable camera with a rotary touch screen and a full set of equipment, including an optimal lens, has become a leader in the review, primarily due to the effective electronic stabilization when shooting video, which allows you to shoot as smoothly and accurately as possible not only from a tripod, but also from your hands, as evidenced by numerous reviews and tests.
No less significant advantage of the model is its generosity in video formats. Indeed, unlike all kinds of competitors, Olympus supports not only MOV and MJPEG, but also the AVI format, which most modern technology can handle without any additional programs.
A camera that shoots excellent 4K video with excellent color reproduction is renowned for stable operation even with very heavy use. Users note an instant reaction to commands, pleasant ergonomics, a good supply of battery, manufacturability. According to reviews, the image is incredibly sharp and crisp even at dusk or at night.
Final Thoughts
I hope you have found the best video camera for yourself after this tutorial. If you would like to comment, notice that the article content has not been updated in time, or suggest a camera I did not include, please use our contact form to stay in touch.
Have fun and good luck!
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