Whether you’re working independently or with a team, filming a documentary can be tough. Documentary filmmaking requires a great deal of planning and improvisation if you want the process to go smoothly. And despite the challenges, overcoming the long and grueling path to making a successful documentary film is possible. It starts by ensuring that your resources — including your documentary camera — help you craft the story that you want to tell.
You’re going to need affordable, versatile, and reliable gear. And one of the most important decisions you’ll be making is deciding which camera to use. Documentaries require a broader range of coverage, as well as more flexibility and resourcefulness from often smaller crews. Hence, it pays to have a camera that meets your project requirements.
But how would you go about the process of choosing the best documentary camera?
Must-ask Questions Before Choosing a Documentary Camera
Executing your vision depends on understanding the factors that contribute to how your camera sees the world. Your camera should help you tell a story, and every story is different. Let’s go over the unique requirements you should consider when searching for the best camera for documentary filmmaking.
Is your camera a long-term investment or a one-off?
If you have regular film work lined up, investing in a good camera is a great option. But if production is sporadic or you feel unsure if you have any projects coming up, you could save money by renting a camera instead.
What is your budget for equipment?
If you have a limited budget for equipment — after all, your camera isn’t the only gear you’ll need in your documentary equipment arsenal — then renting might be more practical for you. By opting to rent your equipment, you could free up funds for other areas of production, like casting, props, and the like.
Do you have any specific delivery requirements?
Whether you need high definition (HD), 4K display resolution, or 8-bit color graphics, the color grading will depend on where you plan to deliver your documentary. Color grading is the process of adjusting the brightness and color levels of an image to give your documentary a sharper, more refined look. If you are uploading your film straight to YouTube, for instance, you’ll have fewer technical requirements than if you plan to show it on TV or submit it to a film festival.
Do you have any specific technical and practical requirements?
If you have limited control over your lighting, choose a camera that works better in low light conditions. Same goes if you’re doing a lot of work on a stabilizer — a camera with autofocus will give you the artistic freedom to take better shots. On a similar vein, if you’re flying solo, limit yourself to what you can carry in one or two bags for ease of transportation.
The Best Documentary Cameras
Panasonic AG-CX10 4K 60p Professional Camcorder
The Panasonic AG-CX10 Professional Camcorder is one of the smallest and lightest 4K 60p camcorders on the market. Users are able to capture 4:2:2 10-bit recording at 60p when using an HDMI output, or 4:2:2 10-bit at 29.97p when recording internally. The AG-CX10 combines both Optical Image Stabilization and Electronic Image Stabilization across 5-axis for a crisp and clear picture. The professional camcorder has a Leica Dicomar 25mm wide angle lens with 24x zoom capabilities, and up to 48x zoom when using the digital iZoom.
Key Specifications:
- 4:2:2 10-bit 60p recording via HDMI output
- 4:2:2 10-bit 29.97p recording internally
- Hybrid 5-axis image stabilization
- WiFi connectivity for direct streaming in RTMP/RTMPS/RTSP protocols
- 24x zoom, up to 48x zoom with digital iZoom
- Leica Dicomar Wide-Angle 25mm lens
- High-speed AF, Face Detection AF
- Double SD card slot
Canon XF605 4K UHD 10-Bit Professional Camcorder
The Canon XF605 is an excellent and reliable option to use as a documentary camera. The professional camcorder has a 1” CMOS sensor, 5-axis image stabilization, and Eye Detection AF for incredibly sharp and clear footage. Users are able to continuously record in 4:2:2, 10-bit quality up to 59.94p in different formats for an easy production-to-post workflow. Additional features such as Slow and Fast motion recording up to 120fps unlock further creative potential.
Key Specifications:
- 4:2:2 10-bit 59.94p recording
- 1” CMOS sensor
- High-speed, high-accuracy AF with Eye Detection AF
- 15x optical zoom with 3-ring manual adjustment and 9-blade iris
- 5-axis image stabilization
- Frame, Interval, Slow, and Fast motion recording up to 120fps
- Up to four XLR inputs with XLR microphone adapter
Sony HXR-MC88 Compact Full HD Camcorder
The Sony HXR-MC88 is one of the more affordable and easy-to-operate video cameras on the list. Still, the Full HD Camcorder has a 14.2 megapixel, 1.0-type CMOS sensor and Fast Hybrid Autofocus. Users can also take advantage of the AF Drive Speed, which controls the swiftness that the focus changes. The HXR-MC88 has built-in ND filters with positions of 2 stops, 4 stops, and 6 stops to quickly adjust to outside lighting or to compensate for a wider iris.
Key Specifications:
- Full HD Camcorder
- 14.2 megapixel, 1.0-type stacked CMOS sensor
- Fast Hybrid AF
- Adjustable AF Drive Speed
- Built-in ND filter wheel
- Two XLR inputs
- Enhanced OLED viewfinder
- Dual SD card slots
- Compact and lightweight
Canon EOS C70 Digital Camera Body
The Canon EOS C70 gives creators cinema quality in a portable body (check out this hands-on review). The C70 incorporates Canon’s newer Super 35mm Dual Gain Output sensor that features Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus and more than 16 stops of total dynamic range for an incredible image. Canon’s digital camera is capable of recording in Canon Log 2 and Canon Log 3 picture profiles to use the full dynamic range of the high-quality sensor and give ultimate flexibility in correcting and grading. The EOS C70 has a built-in RF mount and is compatible with the EF mount adapter so users have a large lens selection.
Key Specifications:
- Super 35mm Dual Gain Output Sensor
- 16 stops of total dynamic range
- Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus
- Canon Log 2, Canon Log 3, PQ, HLQ picture profiles
- Built-in ND filters
- Built-in RF mount with EF mount adapter compatibility
- 9×16 Vertical Shooting
Sony FX3 Full-Frame Cinema Line Camera
The Sony FX3 is another cinema grade option for documentary filmmaking (check out our hands-on review of the camera). The FX3 Cinema Camera can capture footage in up to 4K/120p with more than 15 stops of dynamic range. Video can be recorded in 10-bit depth and 4:2:2 sampling to pair with S-Log3 and S-Gamut3 picture profiles for exceptional post-production color reproduction and grading. The FX3 also comes with an attachable XLR handle for more professional audio recording.
Key Specifications:
- Records in 4K up to 120fps
- 15+ stops of dynamic range
- 10-bit depth, 4:2:2 sampling
- S-Log3, S-Gamut3 picture profile
- High-speed AF including Real-Time Eye AF
- E-mount compatibility
- Attachable XLR handle
- In-camera image stabilization
Canon AX11 Compact Professional Camcorder
The Canon AX11 is an inexpensive and proficient camcorder for beginners and students. The AX11 records in Full HD up to 59.94p in different bit rates and codecs (AVCHD, MP4). With dual SD card slots, creators can internally record footage in these different bit rates and codecs simultaneously. There are two XLR inputs with phantom power to easily capture interviews, sound effects, and more. The AX11 is easy to navigate and monitor with a 3.0-inch LCD touchscreen display.
Key Specifications:
- Full HD up to 59.94p
- MP4 and AVCHD codecs in different bit rates
- 20x optical zoom
- Two XLR inputs with +48v phantom power
- 3.0-inch LCD touchscreen display
- Dual SD card slots
- Highlight priority mode
Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro
Blackmagic’s Pocket Cinema Camera is an insanely powerful and capable video camera. The Super 35 Sensor captures footage in a wide variety of resolutions including, most notably, 6K up to 50fps. Alongside robust resolutions, the 6K Pro records in Apple ProRes and Blackmagic RAW formats to ease the post-production workflow. Conveniently, the Pocket Cinema Camera uses an EF mount so users have a great selection of attachable lenses.
Key Specifications:
- 6144×3456 Super 35 Sensor
- Full 6K up to 50fps
- 4K 10-bit ProRes, and 6K 12-bit Blackmagic RAW formats
- Native ISO up to 25,600
- 13 stops dynamic range
- Internal ND filters of 2, 4, and 6 stops
- EF lens mount
- 5-inch LCD screen
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
Our list wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t include a mirrorless camera. The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S is a powerful beast that allows you to shoot in 4K and has a sensor resolution of 10.2 megapixels, delivering an ultra-wide dynamic range. These specs optimize the camera for movie recording, especially in low-light environments. Its low-light performance is so good that you can focus precisely even when filming under a starlit sky. This makes it perfect for nighttime nature scenes and documentaries.
You can also easily swap lenses when using the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S. Plus, it can shoot videos in different aspect ratios, like the 17:9 Cinema 4K and the 16:9 4K UHD.
Key Specifications:
- 10.2MP high-sensitivity MOS sensor with multi-aspect and dual native ISO
- Unlimited in-camera recording of C4K
- 4K Anamorphic professional video production
- 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording
- 3,680k-dot, Large OLED LVF
- Precise focusing even in -5EV situations
Canon EOS C100
The Canon EOS C100 is a cinematic-style camcorder with a Digital SLR-sized sensor and interchangeable EF mount lenses that capture impressive images and HD videos. You might ask, why you would want to shoot a documentary on a digital camera? The answer boils down to sensor size — the sensors in DSLRs are huge. The Canon EOS C100 has a Super 35mm CMOS with a sensor size between full-frame and APS-C sensors. This gives you the creative freedom to experiment with your shots.
Other notable features of the Canon EOS C100 is its continuous autofocus, 1080p HD video capture, and removable hand grip, making it perfect for one-man documentary shoots.
Key Specifications:
- Canon Super 35mm CMOS Sensor
- Canon DIGIC DV 4 Image Processor
- Simultaneous AVCHD and MP4 Recording
- Slow and Fast Motion Recording
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF
- 59.94p Frame Rate
Blackmagic Design BMPCC Pocket Cinema 4K
The Blackmagic Design BMPCC Pocket Cinema camera is frequently used for documentaries, as it has all the features you would need in a portable and affordable design. Its Micro Four Thirds sensor allows you to capture DCI 4K video with up to 13 stops of dynamic range. And if that wasn’t enough, this camera also has advanced Blackmagic Design color science and RAW recording features so you can seamlessly mix footage from this camera as well as other types of cameras.
The Blackmagic 4K is also incredibly user-friendly. It has a large and bright 5” touchscreen, professional audio with built-in microphones, and more.
Key Specifications:
- 4/3 size sensor
- MFT Lens Mount
- 13 stops of dynamic range
- Dual native ISO up to 25,600
- High-speed USB-C connection for direct external recording
- Excellent low light performance and wide dynamic range
