There are a few sayings that people like to use to disregard the importance of your camera choice in filmmaking. The first one is that it’s not the camera, but the person behind it that makes the film. The second is that it is a poor worker who blames their tools. While I believe both are true to an extent, this disregards the fact that you still need to choose a camera with the tools you need to succeed. That’s where our list of best cameras for indie filmmaking comes in.
Some cameras will fit your workflow, aesthetic, or filmmaking style better than others. In large-scale filmmaking, the budget allows for cameras with hefty rental prices tags. Indie or low budget filmmakers, on the other hand, may look to purchase a camera so that they can work on their craft whenever the opportunity arises.
Key Features of a Filmmaking Camera
There are a several important factors to consider when deciding between cameras. However, before considering these factors, you should know what kind of work you hope to capture with your camera:
- Are you making commercials, short films, documentaries, or another type of media?
- Are you shooting with controlled lighting or in low-light situations?
- Are you aiming for run-and-gun or studio work?
I will highlight some cameras below that are good for each, but I can’t tell you which is the absolute best for your personal choice. Regardless of which aspect of camerawork you do you will need to consider the following….
Price
The price is likely the decision that will impact which types of cameras are available to you. Luckily for us, prices have come down significantly over the past decade while, at the same time, the quality has been steadily improving.
Lens Choices and Lens Availability
While this is becoming less of consideration as mirrorless cameras strongly muscle out DSLRs, you do still need to consider the range of lens options available to you when deciding on a camera. Many camera bodies work much better with lenses from the same manufacturer. While there are many adapters that will allow you to use many different lenses, both new and old, getting a lens designed to work with the your camera body has benefits such as improved auto-focus and metadata.
Low-Light Capability
While all cameras are getting better at filming in darker situations, some have really set the bar. Notably, Sony has made large strides in making cameras that can see even better than our eyes in the dark with minimal grain.
Sensor Size and Resolution
There are a mind-bogglingly large amount of combinations of sensor sizes and resolutions. Also, even sensors of the same size don’t do the same things. Also, a higher resolution may not get you a better image, depending on where you end up showing your footage. While this is a complicated subject, the basic idea is that a larger sensor will allow for better low-light performance and less grain in darker settings, shallower depth of field. It can also generally provide for a greater dynamic range (see below).
Camera resolutions now start with a minimum of Full HD, or 1920X1080p, going up to 8K, 7680 × 4320p. A higher resolution camera captures more detail in the image, generally resulting in sharper and more defined visuals. It provides flexibility in post-production, allowing for cropping, resizing, and scaling while maintaining image quality. Higher resolution is particularly useful for projects that require extensive editing, visual effects, or large-scale projection. It also future-proofs your footage, as higher resolution formats become more prevalent.
Dynamic Range
One of the most important factors, in my opinion, is dynamic range. Dynamic range is a camera’s ability to capture and reproduce a wide range of tones from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights in a scene. A camera with a higher dynamic range can retain more details in both the shadows and highlights, resulting in a more balanced and visually appealing image.
Build Quality and Weather Sealing
Not all cameras are manufactured with the same materials, nor to be used in the harshest of conditions. If you think you will be using your camera outside in inclement weather, consider the camera’s build and construction. Also note, to keep your camera weather sealed, you must also have a weather-sealed lens. Otherwise, you may have problems shooting in less-than-ideal situations.
Frame rates
Being able to capture higher frame rates to achieve slow motion can be either essential, a nice feature, or something that you will completely overlook depending on what type of shooting you do. If you shoot music videos or sports, you are more likely to need slow motion than someone shooting interviews.
Best Cameras for Indie Filmmaking
Best Budget Cameras
Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Why We Chose This Camera: The Blackmagic Pocket 4K has excellent image quality, a high dynamic range, the ability to shoot in Blackmagic’s proprietary BRAW, and a very high 12-bit recording format.
Camera Details
- Price: $1,295
- Sensor Size: 18.96mm x 10mm (Micro Four Thirds)
- Maximum Resolution: 4096 x 2160 (4K DCI)
- Lens Mount: Active MFT mount
The Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is a remarkable camera that has gained widespread recognition and admiration from both amateur and professional filmmakers. It boasts a 4/3″ HDR sensor that captures stunning 4K footage with an impressive dynamic range of 13 stops. This means it can handle both bright highlights and deep shadows with exceptional detail and fidelity. The camera’s ability to capture ProRes and RAW files provides filmmakers with unparalleled flexibility in post-production, allowing for greater control over color grading and manipulation.
Another key feature that sets the Pocket 4K apart is its versatility. Despite its compact size, it offers a wide range of professional video recording options. It supports various codecs and formats, including CinemaDNG RAW and Blackmagic RAW. This ensures compatibility with industry-standard workflows. Additionally, the camera’s MFT lens mount provides compatibility with a vast array of lenses, allowing filmmakers to achieve their desired creative vision.
Blackmagic Pocket 4K features a user-friendly interface with easily accessible controls and a bright, responsive, and large 5-inch touchscreen for intuitive operation. The camera’s lightweight and portable design make it an excellent choice for handheld or gimbal-mounted shots, offering filmmakers greater mobility and flexibility on set.
Sony FX30 Super 35 Cinema Line Camera
Why We Chose This Camera: The Sony FX30 is built with a small cinema camera body, has great low-light performance, and comes at a very reasonable price point for what it offers.
Camera Details
- Price: $1,798
- Sensor Size: APS-C type (23.3 x 15.5 mm), Exmor R CMOS sensor
- Maximum Resolution: 3840×2160
- Lens Mount: Sony E-mount
- Maximum Frame Rate: XAVC S HD 240fps
The Sony FX30 is undeniably a remarkable camera that stands out in the market due to its exceptional features and performance. Much like it’s brothers, the A7SIII and the FX3, the FX30’s low-light performance is incredible. With its wide ISO range and excellent noise reduction capabilities, the FX30 allows users to capture breathtaking video even in challenging lighting conditions. It has 4K video recording at high frame rates, providing exceptional clarity and detail up to 240fps at HD resolution.
The Sony Fx30 also has the advanced autofocus system and image stabilization technology we have come to expect from Sony. The camera ensures smooth and steady footage, even when shooting handheld or in fast-paced environments. Additionally, the FX30 offers a range of professional video features such as zebra patterns, S-Log profiles, and customizable picture profiles, giving videographers full control over their footage.
This camera is great for someone who needs to shoot in challenging situations, such as low light scenarios and who is working with a tight budget.
Panasonic LUMIX S5 IIX Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
Why We Chose This Camera: This is versatile camera that has recording modes, and both 12-bit RAW and Blackmagic BRAW.
Camera Details
- Price: $2,197
- Sensor Size: 35mm full-frame (35.6 x 23.8mm) CMOS sensor
- Maximum Resolution: [6K] 5952×3968
- Lens Mount: L-Mount
- Maximum Frame Rate: (FHD) 1920×1080: Maximum output of sensor is 180fps
The Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX looks very slick with its all-black body… but this camera is much more than its style though. The colors of this camera are great, made for professional videographers with an external recorder offering 12-bit RAW and Blackmagic BRAW. RAW recording may sound overkill as it requires a lot of storage and can slow down your edit, but the power of it is truly something you should try before writing it off.
Another great feature is the ability to record ProRes straight to an SSD which allows you to have a much quicker editing workflow. This is perfect for people who need very quick turnaround from shoot to edit. SSDs allow your computer to read the data faster and ProRes is a very efficient codec optimized by all the non-linear editing software on the market.
The Lumix S5 IIX has dual native ISO at 640 and 4000 ISO, meaning it is very strong in low-light situations. The Lumix also has excellent dynamic range and stabilization.
Fujifilm X-H2S Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
Why We Chose This Camera: This flagship APS-C camera from Fujifilm is definitely one of, if not the best, APS-C cameras on the market right now with a new log gamma, a super-fast rolling shutter, and no recording limits.
Camera Details
- Price: $2,399
- Sensor Size: 23.5mm x 15.6mm (APS-C) X-Trans CMOS 5 HS with primary color filter
- Maximum Resolution: 6.2K [3:2] – 6240 x4160
- Lens Mount: FUJIFILM X Mount
- Maximum Frame Rate: 1920×1080 – 240p
In terms of design and build, the X-H2S follows Fujifilm’s tradition of combining retro aesthetics with modern functionality. It features a robust and weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, providing durability and protection in various shooting environments. The camera also incorporates a large and bright electronic viewfinder (EVF) with a high-resolution OLED panel, offering a clear and immersive shooting experience. The X-H2S has a comprehensive set of controls and customization including a top-plate LCD screen for quick access to key settings, a dedicated exposure compensation dial, and numerous function buttons for efficient operation.
The Fujifilm X-HS3S has excellent rolling shutter performance, excellent dynamic range, and well thought out ergonomics with better ports, such as a full-sized HDMI port.
Best Mid-Budget Cameras
Sony FX3 Full-Frame Cinema Line Camera
Why We Chose This Camera: This is the perfect camera for a one-man-band filmmaker, being a compact size while still offering 12.1-megapixel full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor and up to 6.2k video.
Camera Details
- Price: $3,899
- Sensor Size: 35 mm full frame (35.6 x 23.8 mm), Exmor R CMOS sensor
- Maximum Resolution: 6.2K [3:2] – 6240 x4160
- Lens Mount: Sony E-mount
- Maximum Frame Rate: Full HD video – 240fps
With industry-leading phenomenal low-light performance, Sony has been killing it in this area since the first A7s was released. The camera boasts an impressive native ISO range of 80-102,400, expandable up to an astonishing 40-409,600. This means that even in dimly lit environments, the FX3 produces remarkably clean and noise-free images, allowing you to capture stunning details and colors with minimal noise interference. The camera’s high sensitivity is achieved through its 12.1-megapixel full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor which, combined with advanced BIONZ XR image processing, delivers outstanding low-light capabilities.
So what is inside this beast of a camera? Aside from the low-light capabilities, the FX3 can shoot 4K footage at up to 120 frames per second which is amazing for those who need slow motion. The camera includes features like S-Cinetone color profile, 15+ stops of dynamic range, built-in image stabilization, XLR audio inputs when using the top handle, and advanced autofocus, making it an excellent choice for filmmakers seeking high-quality and immersive cinematic experience.
Canon EOS R5 C Mirrorless Digital Cinema Camera Body
Why We Chose This Camera: The Canon R5 C is an excellent cinema camera with great ergonomics, great monitoring, excellent sharpness, and one of the rare cameras to offer 8K resolution.
Camera Details
- Price: $3,999
- Sensor Size: 35mm full frame CMOS sensor – Approx. 36.0 x 24.0 mm
- Maximum Resolution: 8K – 8192 x 5464
- Lens Mount: Canon RF mount
- Maximum Frame Rate: 4K / FHD recording: up to 120FPS
The Canon R5 C has one of the highest resolution sensors on the market today at 8K, giving you incredible detail as well as amazing options in post-production. The camera also records both internally and externally to RAW with an excellent selection of different levels of compressed codecs. Canon also made many improvements over the previous R5 model including a better dynamic range and larger fan to combat overheating.
The Digital Image Stabilization is excellent and, when paired with Canon lenses such as the Canon 24-70mm lens, it works exceptionally well. This is truly a cinema camera and a photography camera in one. When it comes to monitoring, you get excellent tools such as waveform and false color. You can get very detailed with exactly what information you would like to show on your screen, including anamorphic mode, which is great for filmmakers who want to shoot with anamorphic lenses. You also get a very rare dedicated timecode port, focus ring customization, a tally light, and an electronic level.
There are two crop modes of Super 35 and Super 16 which allows you to use different lenses to get closer to your subject by cropping in on the very large, high-resolution sensor. This is a very true hybrid camera that does a great job of balancing the needs of a videographer and photographer.
Best High-End Cameras
Sony FX6 Full-Frame Cinema Camera
Why We Chose This Camera: I personally use and love this camera due to its versatile nature, including its built-in electronic ND. The camera is very lightweight making it perfect for run-and gun shooting, or as a proper cinema camera.
Camera Details
- Price: $5,998
- Sensor Size: 35 mm full-frame, single-chip CMOS image sensor
- Maximum Resolution: 8K – 8192 x 5464
- Lens Mount: Sony E-mount
- Maximum Frame Rate: Full HD video – 240fps
One of the standout features of the FX6 is its advanced autofocus system. It employs Fast Hybrid AF technology, combining phase-detection and contrast-detection autofocus for precise and reliable subject tracking. The camera features real-time Eye AF and real-time tracking, enabling accurate and continuous focus on moving subjects. This is particularly useful for capturing fast-paced action or interviews when maintaining sharp focus is crucial.
The Sony FX6 supports internal recording of 4K footage at up to 120 frames per second. It offers a range of professional codecs, including XAVC S-I, XAVC S, and XAVC HS, providing flexibility in terms of image quality and file sizes. The camera also supports 16-bit RAW output via its SDI output, allowing for maximum post-production flexibility and dynamic range. Furthermore, the FX6 incorporates S-Cinetone, a color profile inspired by Sony’s highly acclaimed VENICE cinema camera. S-Cinetone delivers rich and cinematic colors straight out of the camera, reducing the need for extensive color grading in post-production. I have found this to be a phenomenal upgrade and love shooting in this mode when I don’t need the benefits of shooting in Log.
One of the most useful features of this camera is the built-in electronic variable neutral density filter system, offering seamless control over exposure without the need for external filters. This allows filmmakers to maintain their desired depth of field and shutter speed in changing lighting conditions, making it easier to achieve the desired cinematic look. This saves massive amounts of time on set as switching NDs externally is very laborious.
In terms of design and usability, the FX6 is compact and lightweight, making it highly portable and well-suited for handheld shooting. It features a 3.5-inch LCD touchscreen for intuitive menu navigation and quick access to key settings. The camera also offers multiple recording options, including dual card slots for simultaneous recording or extended recording times.
Canon EOS C70 Digital Camera Body, RF Mount
Why We Chose This Camera: This camera takes a lot of the excellent features of the Canon C300 Mk III such as the sensor, the internal ND, battery type, fully functional audio system — but it’s offered in a much smaller package.
Camera Details
- Price: $5,499
- Sensor Size: CMOS Super 35mm image sensor
- Maximum Resolution: 4206 x 2280; Approx. 9.6 megapixels
- Lens Mount: Canon RF mount
- Maximum Frame Rate: 2K 180fps in Super16 mode
The C70 supports 4K video recording up to 120 frames per second (fps) in 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log 2 and 3, providing flexibility in post-production workflows. It also offers the ability to record in Canon’s proprietary XF-AVC format or the highly efficient MP4 format, allowing users to choose the best option based on their specific needs.
For content creators who require a compact and lightweight setup, the C70 excels with its ergonomic design. It features a built-in motorized neutral density filter system, offering up to ten stops of ND filtration. This eliminates the need for external ND filters, simplifying the setup and allowing for quick adjustments to exposure in various lighting conditions.
Another notable feature of the C70 is its versatile lens mount system. It supports Canon’s RF lens mount, which opens up a wide range of lens options, including the acclaimed RF lenses and EF lenses through an adapter. This compatibility gives users access to a vast selection of high-quality lenses, catering to different shooting styles and creative preferences.
The C70 also has professional-grade audio capabilities with two XLR inputs and a built-in stereo microphone. This allows for direct audio recording with high-quality preamps, ensuring clear and crisp sound capture.
RED Digital Cinema KOMODO 6K Camera
Why We Chose This Camera: This is a camera you’re most likely to see on huge Hollywood productions — and for good reason.
Camera Details
- Price: $5,995
- Sensor Size: KOMODO 19.9 MP Super 35mm Global Shutter CMOS
- Maximum Resolution: 6K – 6144 x 3240
- Lens Mount: Canon RF mount
- Maximum Frame Rate: 120 fps at 2K 17:9 (2048 x 1080)
This is by far the most expensive of the cameras on this list, but it still falls into the territory of a camera an aspiring cinematographer or videographer could purchase without paying the same price as a down payment on a house. RED Digital is one of the most renowned names in digital cinema imaging technology. The company is constantly upping the game on what a camera can do in terms of performance, image resolution, dynamic range, and features.
When the Komodo was released, it sent a shockwave through the market as RED was offering an extremely compact, very high resolution, RAW capable camera at a price point well below their norm. The Komodo supports HDR capture, allowing filmmakers to capture a wider range of light and shadow details in their footage. This feature enhances the overall image quality and provides greater flexibility in post-production color grading. This is something that you have to see in person to fully understand. The camera offers dual native ISO settings (800 and 3200), providing enhanced sensitivity in low-light conditions while maintaining excellent image quality and extremely minimal grain.
The Komodo, unlike many cameras that utilize a rolling shutter, incorporates a global shutter, which eliminates the undesirable rolling shutter effect. This feature is particularly valuable for fast-paced action shots and situations where precise motion portrayal is critical.
The RED Komodo is designed with modularity in mind, allowing users to customize and expand the camera’s functionality as needed. It offers an expanding ecosystem of accessories, including lens mounts, handles, and power options, enabling filmmakers to tailor the camera to their specific requirements. The very small cube size also allows for very easy use with many gimbals — even single grip ones.
Best Bang for Your Buck
Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro
Why We Chose This Camera: The camera is small, affordable, while still offering 6K resolution — making it the ultimate workhorse for on-the-go indie filmmakers.
Camera Details
- Price: $ 2,535
- Sensor Size: Super 35 – 23.10mm x 12.99mm
- Maximum Resolution: 6K – 6144 x 3456
- Lens Mount: Active EF mount
- Maximum Frame Rate: 120 fps in 2.8K 17:9 and 1080p
At the heart of this camera is a Super 35mm HDR sensor with a resolution of 6144 x 3456 pixels. This high-resolution sensor, combined with an impressive 13 stops of dynamic range, allows for exceptional detail and rich color reproduction.
The Pocket 6K Pro is capable of recording footage in up to 6K resolution at 50 frames per second (fps) or 4K resolution at up to 120 fps for smooth slow-motion shots. The camera also supports professional-grade codecs, such as Blackmagic RAW and ProRes, providing filmmakers with options for optimal image quality or efficient data compression, depending on their specific needs.
The camera features a built-in five-inch touchscreen LCD that provides intuitive control over settings, menu navigation, and playback. This allows for quick and easy adjustments on the fly, without the need for external monitors or complicated menu diving. It offers dual card slots for recording to CFast 2.0 and SD UHS-II cards simultaneously, providing backup or extended recording capabilities.
In terms of ergonomics and design, the Pocket 6K Pro features a compact and lightweight body that is easy to handle and operate. The camera also incorporates a high-capacity NP-F570 battery, providing extended shooting time without the need for frequent battery changes.
Overall, the Blackmagic Pocket 6K Pro offers a compelling combination of high-resolution image quality, flexible lens compatibility, professional-grade video codecs, intuitive touchscreen control, built-in ND filters, and robust connectivity options.
