Pick Your Favourite: The 15 Best Video Cameras to Choose From

Mirror, mirror on the wall, what is the best camera of them all?

Unless you enjoy being bombarded with results, simply googling "video camera" is not an option. We have kept it short: this simple guide will inform you of the key features and pros and cons of the best video cameras grouped in the level of experience.

Looking for more equipment for your next project? Find all the must-have camera equipment.

5 of the best video cameras for beginners

1. Sony RX100 VII

• Type: Mirrorless
• Sensor: 20.1-megapixel 1 inch CMOS
• Native ISO range: ISO 100 - 12800
• Lens: 24-200 mm F2.8-4.5 Zoom Lens
• Screen: 3.0-inch articulating screen
• Continuous shooting speed: 90.0 frames per second (fps)
• Maximum Shutter speed: 1/32000 - 30 sec
• Movies: 4K in 30p/​25p/​24p

Pros:

• Outstanding image quality
• Effective autofocus system
• Lightweight and portable

Cons:

• Noisy results with darker environments
• Short battery life
• Tricky to hold

2. GoPro HERO10 Black

• Type: Sports and action
• Sensor: 23 MP
• Processor: GP2
• Native ISO range: ISO 100 - 6400
• Screen: LCD touch screen (back) + LCD screen for live preview (front)
• Shutter speed: is set to Auto (the camera will adjust its speed automatically, depending on its surrounding lighting conditions)
• Movies: Up to 5,3K with 60fps

Pros:

• User-friendly
• Powerful processor
• Excellent stabilisation
• New lens cover resists water
• Faster wired transfer mode

Cons:

• Small sensor (low light performance isn't the best)
• Weak battery life
• Heat limits long-form recording
• Not the best at low-light
• Not the best budget-wise

3. Panasonic Lumix DC-S1

• Type: Mirrorless
• Sensor: 24MP full-frame CMOS sensor
• Native ISO range: ISO 100-51200
• Screen: Articulated touch screen
• Continuous shooting speed: 9.0fps
• Maximum shutter speed: 1/8000 sec
• Movies: 6K video with full-frame capture

Pros:

• Unlimited video recording time
• Built-in Wireless (Wi-fi)
• Remote control with a smartphone
• Bluetooth

Cons:

• Weak battery
• Heavy body

4. DJI Pocket 2

• Type: Sports and action
• Sensor: 1/1.7" CMOS
• Native ISO range: 100-6400
• Lens: FOV 93° f/1.8 (equivalent format: 20 mm)
• Maximum shutter speed: 8-1/8000 s
• Movies: 4K in 24/25/30/48/50/60fps

Pros:

• Super portable
• Great stabilisation
• Full manual mode (you can adjust ISO, shutter speed, etc.)
• You can charge it while using it (via USB C)

Cons:

• Can't interchange lenses
• Inferior video quality in low light.

5. Panasonic Lumix GH5 II

• Type: Mirrorless
• Sensor: 20MP Four-Thirds CMOS
• Native ISO range: ISO 200 - 25600
• Screen: 3.0" 1.84M-dot rear touchscreen
• Continuous shooting speed: 12.0fps
• Maximum shutter speed: 1/8000s
• Movies: 4k in 60 fps

Pros:

• Good video quality.
• Comfortable to handle.
• Great battery life.
• Several recording formats for video.

Cons:

• Autofocus is mediocre.
• Poor low light performance

5 of the best intermediate video cameras

1. Sony ZV-E10

• Type: Mirrorless
• Sensor: 24MP APS-C
• Native ISO range: ISO 100 - 32000
• Continuous shooting speed: 11.0 frames
• Maximum shutter speed: 1/4000 sec
• Movies: 3840x1920

Pros:

• Great battery life
• Good autofocus
• You can switch lenses
• Selfie friendly

Cons:

• No image stabilisation
• No inbuilt flash

2. Sony A7C

• Type: Mirrorless
• Sensor: 24MP BSI CMOS full-frame
• Native ISO range: ISO 100-51200
• Screen: Fully articulating 921k-dot touchscreen
• Continuous shooting speed: 10 fps
• Maximum shutter speed: 1/8000 sec
• Movies: 4K 30p video, Full HD up to 120p

Pros:

• Great battery life
• Exceptional high ISO execution.
• Good microphone
• Amazing image stabilisation

Cons:

• Small finder
• Slow response to adjustments in camera settings
• No built-in flash.
• Complicated menu system

3. Canon EOS C70

• Type: Mirrorless
• Sensor: 35mm Dual Gain Output (DGO)
• Native ISO range: ISO160-25600
• Screen: 3.5 inch LCD Touch Panel
• Maximum shutter speed: 1/2000
• Movies: 4K recording up to 120FPS

Pros:

• Image quality
• Fantastic ergonomics
• Good touch controls
• Precise autofocus

Cons:

• Lacks RAW recording
• Unconventional mount points
• No Wi-fi
• No navigation by touch
• Some SD card issues

4. Fujifilm X-T4

• Type: Mirrorless
• Sensor: APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
• Native ISO range: 160-12800
• Resolution: 26.1MP
• Lens: X mount
• Monitor: 1.62m-dot articulating screen
• Maximum continuous shooting speed: 15fps
• Movies: 4K at 60 fps

Pros:

• Simple manual controls
• Variety of available lenses
• AF performance
• Image and video quality
• Film simulations
• Improved battery life

Cons:

• No direct headphone output (adapter required)
• Can't navigate the main menu using the touch screen.

5. Nikon Z6 II

• Type: Mirrorless
• Sensor: 24.5MP
• Native ISO range: 100-51200
• Monitor: 2.1m-dot tilting screen
• Maximum shutter speed: 1/8000 sec
• Maximum continuous shooting speed: 14fps
• Movies: 4K at up to 30p

Pros:

• Image quality
• Superb built quality

Cons:

• The screen only tilts (not fully articulated)
• No internal 10-bit recording

5 of the best video camera for professionals

1. Canon EOS R5

• Type: Mirrorless
• Sensor: 45MP CMOS
• Native ISO range: 100-51200
• Monitor: 3.2″ Fully Articulated Screen
• Maximum shutter speed: 1/8000 sec
• Maximum continuous shooting speed: 12.0fps
• Movies: 8K - 8192 x 4320 video

Pros:

• Excelent image quality and autofocus
• Fantastic set of video features
• Great ergonomics

Cons:

• Expensive
• 8K video will require lots of storage capacity
• Overheating

2. Panasonic Lumix S5

• Type: Mirrorless
• Sensor: 35mm full-frame (35.6mm x 23.8mm) CMOS sensor
• Native ISO range: ISO 100-51200
• Monitor: 3" 1.84M-dot fully articulating touchscreen
• Maximum shutter speed: 1/8000 sec
• Maximum continuous shooting speed: 7 fps
• Movies: 4K at 60p

Pros:

• Fantastic image quality
• Impressive video capabilities
• Small and lightweight
• Good handling and controls

Cons:

• Poor autofocus

3. Sony A1

• Type: Mirrorless
• Sensor: 35mm CMOS
• Native ISO range: 100-32000
• Monitor: 3'' Tilting
• Maximum shutter speed: 1/32000 sec
• Maximum continuous shooting speed: 30.0 fps
• Movies: 7680 x 4320 at 30p

Pros:

• Fantastic image quality
• Superior ergonomics
• Good battery life
• Great autofocus

Cons:

• The screen is not fully articulating
• Irregular multi Shot mode
• Autofocus is affected in low light conditions
• Price

4. Sony A7S III

• Type: Mirrorless
• Sensor Size: Full Frame
• Base ISO: 50
• Resolution: 12.1MP
• Lens: Sony E
• Monitor: 1.44m-dot articulating screen
• Maximum continuous shooting speed: 10fps
• Movies: 4K at 120fps

Pros:

• Excellent low-light execution
• Responsive autofocus
• Large battery capacity
• Doesn't overheat

Cons:

• No 6K or 8K
• Poor resolution for stills

5. Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 6K Pro

• Type: Mirrorless
• Sensor Size: 23.10mm x 12.99mm (Super 35)
• Dual native ISO: 400 and 3200
• Monitor: 5" touchscreen
• Maximum continuous shooting speed: up to 60 fps in 6K 2.4:1, 120 fps in 2.8K 17:9 and 1080HD
• Movies: 6144 x 3456 (6K) up to 50 fps

Pros:

• Great quality both in light and dark
• Allows a wide variety of lenses

Cons

• Price

Closing thoughts

Hopefully, you now have your eye on one or two options. Why not try them out before committing? Rent or subscribe to your next camera now.

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