DPReview.com is closing April 10th - Find out more

what is the best camera for video recording?

Started 4 months ago | Questions
sabir video maker
sabir video maker New Member • Posts: 2
what is the best camera for video recording?

I just like to ask what is the best option we have for recording videos. my purpose is to use for photography, short films and YouTube. I don't have budget issues. just want to know some best options.

-- hide signature --

sabir pathan

ANSWER:
This question has not been answered yet.
JasonTheBirder
JasonTheBirder Senior Member • Posts: 3,967
Re: what is the best camera for video recording?
2

sabir video maker wrote:

I just like to ask what is the best option we have for recording videos. my purpose is to use for photography, short films and YouTube. I don't have budget issues. just want to know some best options.

If you don't have a budget, you want it for YouTube, AND you want to make short films, I can't think of a better camera than the Panasonic GH6. I would also go for the A7SIII if you want full-frame and are not as concerned with photography.

Personally, I would get the GH6. (And the studio version of Davinci Resolve).

-- hide signature --

Wildlife YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WildEarthPhoto
My personal website: https://jpolak.org/

DMKAlex
DMKAlex Veteran Member • Posts: 6,721
Re: what is the best camera for video recording?

sabir video maker wrote:

I just like to ask what is the best option we have for recording videos. my purpose is to use for photography, short films and YouTube. I don't have budget issues. just want to know some best options.

If you want the best and money doesn't matter, just pick the top of the line (also the most expensive) of a certain brands that are know for video. You've got Panansonic, Olympus, Sony, Canon, Fujifilm & Nikon.

You need to be concerned with the form factor, that is, M43, APC and FF. FF camera may have better ISO low light capability but their lenses tend to be bigger and heavier. M43 is a lot more nimble. It makes a difference whether you're using it for gun and run (gimbel) or on tripod.

What also matter is your previous investment in a certain brands. You can't beat those knowledge and comfort of use, as well as lenses and accessories you may already own.

Personally, I am very happy with the Panasonic GH5, both for video and still photos.

 DMKAlex's gear list:DMKAlex's gear list
Panasonic GH5 Panasonic Leica Summilux DG 25mm F1.4 Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 Fisheye Panasonic Leica 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Panasonic Leica DG 50-200mm F2.8-4 +2 more
Sean Nelson
Sean Nelson Forum Pro • Posts: 16,109
Re: what is the best camera for video recording?
6

sabir video maker wrote:

I just like to ask what is the best option we have for recording videos. my purpose is to use for photography, short films and YouTube. I don't have budget issues. just want to know some best options.

Are you sure you don't have budget issues?  "Best" is an awfully open-ended question.

sludge21017
sludge21017 Veteran Member • Posts: 3,813
Re: what is the best camera for video recording?
5

I say we bankrupt him the OP.

JasonTheBirder
JasonTheBirder Senior Member • Posts: 3,967
Re: what is the best camera for video recording?

Sean Nelson wrote:

sabir video maker wrote:

I just like to ask what is the best option we have for recording videos. my purpose is to use for photography, short films and YouTube. I don't have budget issues. just want to know some best options.

Are you sure you don't have budget issues? "Best" is an awfully open-ended question.

That is true. My guess here was that the OP meant select from the usual suspects of hybrid cameras, especially since he said photography too. I figure that if he was seriously considering a cinema camera then he would not have posted this question in the first place.

-- hide signature --
apekkpul Senior Member • Posts: 1,497
Re: what is the best camera for video recording?
1

If budget is not an issue the have a look for these;-)

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/ARRI_ALEXA_35_vs_Sony_VENICE_2_8K_vs_RED_DIGITAL_CINEMA_RANGER_vs_RED_DIGITAL_CINEMA_Komodo/BHitems/1708577-REG_1672825-REG_1559613-REG_1598392-REG

These are out of my league, but if  I had a big budget for a hybrid camera, I would probably purchase the Nikon z9.

 apekkpul's gear list:apekkpul's gear list
Sony a7 IV Panasonic Lumix DC-S5II Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II Canon EF 24-70mm F4L IS USM +12 more
Off The Mark Veteran Member • Posts: 6,934
Re: what is the best camera for video recording?

sabir video maker wrote:

I just like to ask what is the best option we have for recording videos. my purpose is to use for photography, short films and YouTube. I don't have budget issues. just want to know some best options.

Quite simply, you can find very good hybrid cameras from most EVERY manufacturer: Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, Olympus / OMD Systesm, Fuji.

However, there is no perfect camera and they all make compromises in certain areas. You will have to judge what is something that you can compromise on, and what is something that you can't.

Do you know what your MINIMUM requirements would be? Would you be willing to use an HDMI recorder in conjunction with the camera? Is excellent tracking autofocus (like shooting sports or wildlife) a must-have for you?

-- hide signature --

What Middle School Is Really Like:
https://youtu.be/Q1Xtz5EqMuo

 Off The Mark's gear list:Off The Mark's gear list
Sony a6000 Sony a5100 Sony a6300 Olympus E-M1 II Sony a6500 +16 more
Andrew S10 Senior Member • Posts: 1,839
Re: what is the best camera for video recording?
3

If budget isn't an issue, why not get something like a Sony A1 for photos and Sony FX6 for video?

Why does it have to be an all-in-one camera?

Off The Mark Veteran Member • Posts: 6,934
Re: what is the best camera for video recording?

Andrew S10 wrote:

If budget isn't an issue, why not get something like a Sony A1 for photos and Sony FX6 for video?

Why does it have to be an all-in-one camera?

Good question.

-- hide signature --

What Middle School Is Really Like:
https://youtu.be/Q1Xtz5EqMuo

 Off The Mark's gear list:Off The Mark's gear list
Sony a6000 Sony a5100 Sony a6300 Olympus E-M1 II Sony a6500 +16 more
Markr041 Forum Pro • Posts: 10,078
Re: what is the best camera for video recording?
3

Andrew S10 wrote:

If budget isn't an issue, why not get something like a Sony A1 for photos and Sony FX6 for video?

Why does it have to be an all-in-one camera?

No budget limitations, get an ARRI for video.

Actually, the Nikon Z9 seems the best hybrid.

 Markr041's gear list:Markr041's gear list
Panasonic ZS100 Olympus TG-5 Canon EOS M Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Nikon Z6 +5 more
kooistraalexander
kooistraalexander Regular Member • Posts: 362
Re: what is the best camera for video recording?

There is no "the best"

sabir video maker wrote:

I just like to ask what is the best option we have for recording videos. my purpose is to use for photography, short films and YouTube. I don't have budget issues. just want to know some best options.

-- hide signature --

www.movere-media.nl

 kooistraalexander's gear list:kooistraalexander's gear list
Sony a7 IV Sony FE 55mm F1.8 Sony FE PZ 28-135mm F4 G OSS Sony FE 85mm F1.8 Sony FE 35mm F1.8 +7 more
NickZ2016 Veteran Member • Posts: 5,836
Re: what is the best camera for video recording?

If budget really isn't an issue he could bankrupt a small country on lenses. Cameras? Even with a mid sized budget most people can manage with one body.

 NickZ2016's gear list:NickZ2016's gear list
Nikon D800 Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F1.4G Nikon AF Nikkor 35mm f/2D Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F1.8G Nikon 85mm F1.8G +4 more
John Koch Senior Member • Posts: 1,602
No budget issues? Then ...
3

... go hire a professional video firm to devise, direct, write, cast, shoot, edit, and distribute your work.  Your role, as senior executive producer and underwriter might be quite rewarding and gratifying.

The camera per se is only a tiny component of what a big budget project entails.  There is a plethora of other matters to attend.  One could spend a mint on a camera and not advance an inch towards producing something of any quality.  In fact, the more you spend on a camera, the more difficult it will become to produce anything at all, since there will be a greater learning curve, greater demand for ancillary equipment, and other factors needed to leverage or optimize the marginal advantages that a high-end camera might offer.   Even if you can afford a Hollywood-grade camera, such as an Arri Alexa or RED, such gear might be a bad choice.

To put things in perspective, an F35 jet is definitely a worse way for 99.99% of humanity to obtain an aerial photo than a $95 toy drone.  The former requires vast infrastructure and training to get off the ground.  The latter requires few skills at all and the penalty of a crash is minimal.

A DIY hobbyist or amateur is probably best off, these days, by shooting photos or video with a smart phone that is mid-grade or better.  There are thousands of apps to enable one to edit good work.

Very soon, you will discover that the choice of camera is a very small issue.  The greater hurdles are the quality of content, story-telling, audio quality, and the time it takes to edit a work that is good enough and short enough to retain viewer attention.

DMKAlex
DMKAlex Veteran Member • Posts: 6,721
Re: what is the best camera for video recording?
1

Lots of responses seem to center on the "No Budget" remark.

OP is in Parkistan which is in a very different standard of living of the western world where most of us are in this forum. May be it was an expression problem.

OP should clarify that remark and what and how he intend to use the camera.

 DMKAlex's gear list:DMKAlex's gear list
Panasonic GH5 Panasonic Leica Summilux DG 25mm F1.4 Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 Fisheye Panasonic Leica 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Panasonic Leica DG 50-200mm F2.8-4 +2 more
A127943
A127943 Regular Member • Posts: 226
Re: what is the best camera for video recording?

The one you have in your hands.

That will forever be the right answer.

EduPortas Contributing Member • Posts: 838
Re: what is the best camera for video recording?

sabir video maker wrote:

Define "best".

NottsPhoto Senior Member • Posts: 1,782
Re: what is the best camera for video recording?

sabir video maker wrote:

I just like to ask what is the best option we have for recording videos. my purpose is to use for photography, short films and YouTube. I don't have budget issues. just want to know some best options.

Toss up right now depending on priorities…

if you prioritise stills, then the Sony a7mkiv,

if prioritise video then the Fuji xh2s.

if prioritise budget but still want excellent images, then the Fuji xt-4.

Spending anything more than the above for a hybrid is wasting money.

In particular the xh2s may be one of the best cameras for video production full stop right now,  in particular it’s support for prores, and it’s 6k 3:2 aspect ratio are both substantial advantages from a workflow perspective and a much better ability to crop to vertical for thing like reels or tick tok.

-- hide signature --

www.pageonemedia.co.uk
Striving hard to be the man that my dog thinks I am.

 NottsPhoto's gear list:NottsPhoto's gear list
Fujifilm X-Pro2 Fujifilm X-T3 Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 R Fujifilm XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS Fujifilm XF 23mm F1.4 R +5 more
StoneJack Contributing Member • Posts: 986
Re: what is the best camera for video recording?
1

Definitely the best will be Nikon Z9 for overall hybrid video purposes. Otherwise, maybe Blackmagic, Arri, Sony or Canon.

 StoneJack's gear list:StoneJack's gear list
Nikon D7500 Nikon Z6 Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm F1.8G Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F1.8G +6 more
MrCrowley Regular Member • Posts: 177
Re: what is the best camera for video recording?
1

I have to laugh... before selecting any camera you need to know what your computer workstation can handle without beachballs etc... never mind the file piling device with attached lens 

 MrCrowley's gear list:MrCrowley's gear list
Nikon D800E Nikon D500 Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 Epson Stylus Pro 3880
Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum MMy threads