Best Camera For Short Films
Did you have a revelation and discovered a filmmaker in you?? Or are you a person hiding a lot of stories waiting to make a difference with your artistic skills?? In any case, the artist in you needs awakening;
This can be done through Indie or short films as it allows you to convey your thoughts and ideas through short duration films, perfect for people who are just starting or are planning to delve into the realm of filmmaking.
Short films are a blessing in disguise as it allows artists to create content exactly the way they want them to be without any interference. But if short films are the soul of the content, then the camera is what piques the interest of the viewers by capturing little anomalies and brings content to life.
Hence investing in a camera is what your creative self should look into. Here is a list of best camera for short films that would kickstart your journey of filmmaking, So follow along!!!!!
BEST CAMERA FOR SHORT FILMS REVIEW
1. SONY A7 III - BEST MIRRORLESS CAMERA
Looking for a beast who packs in all the juice and still isn’t bulky? Then this camera is what you should be buying. It is a mirrorless camera that has great autofocusing capability with the potential to revolutionize the way you capture your films.
This camera can also track faces even if they are in motion which makes it even better for shooting action sequences, and this is one of the many reasons for making it into the list of best camera for short films.
The 24 megapixels BSI sensor captures 4K at 30 frames per second which are replete with details and the deep, bright colors will enhance the overall scene. In short, this camera is totally an overkill when it comes to shooting short films.
At this price, it offers ridiculous amounts of customizability, and you can also add an external lens based on your preference. The compactness of this camera make it suitable for people with small hands or for those you do long shoots causing minimum arm fatigue.
This camera comes with an articulated LCD which means that the screen is fixed on a hinge and can be repositioned, making it suitable for vlogging. In terms of an entry-level professional camera, this one has some great features along with the reliability of Sony. If all this doesn’t intrigue you enough, I don’t know what will!!
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2. CANON EOS REBEL - BEST CAMERA FOR BEGINNERS
Whenever you hear the name CANON, the first thing that comes to your mind is cameras, and that’s the legacy that this brand has created who is known for creating great cameras, and this is no different.
The CANON EOS Rebel comes with a new image processor that has the precise autofocusing ability and wide range compatibility making it a great choice for starters, especially for people who are looking for best camera for short films.
It’s compactness, and lack of weight makes it a mirrorless DSLR, making it one of the smallest DSLRs that you can own. It is capable of shooting 4K video, and 4K time-lapse is also supported. The 24.1 Megapixels sensor comes with dual pixel autofocus and an electronic viewfinder which ensures that your shots are on point, every time.
The DIGIC 8 image processor delivers superb image quality and has high ISO settings ranging from 100 to 25600. Due to this, the camera has superb low light performance that makes sure that even your moonlight shooting packs all the punch.
The 3.0-inch touchscreen is clear and crisp and offers good visibility, even in the sunlight so that taking and viewing shots becomes more fun.
The switches and controls can feel a bit flimsy at times, but when it comes to performance, it can beat a Mclaren if it comes to that.
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3. NIKON Z 50 DX - BEST VLOGGING CAMERA
The brand Nikon has always been known for its reliability and quality, and with the launch of Nikon Z50 DX, they are making a statement. No matter whatever checklist you might have for your filming needs, this camera will tick each one of that. The 20.9 megapixels sensor is so good you might not believe your own eyes when you first shoot from it, the autofocus is smooth and fast that makes fixating on subjects reasonably easy.
The JPEG IQ is tremendous, and the electronic viewfinder is mind-blowing. What shocks me is its ability to shoot in low light, the video output is noise-free even when the darkness levels are high, and It also offers a sturdy grip to provide you with extra stability in your video shooting efforts.
But their’s certain thing that you must know like, this camera has only one 1SDXC slot and the card slot can be irritating when trying to remove the card other than that it comes with a MicroUSB instead of Type-C if that concerns you. Summing up if you are looking for the best camera for short films then this can be the camera worth experiencing, and I’ll recommend you to use it with 16-50 F3.5-6,3 lens.
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4. OLYMPUS OM-D E-M10 MARK II - BEST CAMERA FOR PHOTOGRAPHY
If you haven’t heard of this brand then I must tell you that they were among the first ones who came out with a mirrorless camera. Since then they have only moved forward, building and upgrading on their foundations, and this camera reflects upon just that.
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 packs a 16 megapixels sensor that offers fantastic picture quality. It comes with an electronic OLED viewfinder that has 2.36 million pixels which makes it easy to view what is being shot. Thus you get unmatched precision with professional-level features that makes filming on this camera an utter delight and the image stabilization is like a cherry on top.
This camera is so compact and small that even single hand usage is possible, but don’t go on its size as it has ample features, and exploring them allows you the freedom to experiment and improve. Some features, like Live comp, focus stacking and Live time, will certainly blow you away.
The 14-42 mm lens that comes with it gives you a wide range of shooting options that a filmmaker requires. All these features make it a worthy competitor in the list of best camera for short films, but the fixed touchscreen can be a let down for some!!!
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5. PANASONIC LUMIX FZ300 - BEST ZOOM CAMERA
Leica DC Vario Elmarit, If this name sounds alien to you then prepare yourself to get intrigued. This is because it is the best in the class lens that this camera offers which is capable of shooting 4K videos which captures tremendous amounts of details and makes the colors pop. Today's digital cameras are affordable, and they produce high-quality digital images. Meanwhile, you can still find some dedicated photography purists who remain committed to traditional film cameras, sparking a robust film vs digital cameras debate.
Short films captured from this camera look perspicuous and makes your content stand out. The 12.1 Megapixels MOS sensor takes sharp and clear pictures. This is something not much seen with small sensor cameras, even the low light pictures carry a lot of details. This makes it a worthy competitor in the list of best camera for short films.
Editing videos is also hassle-free as the camera can shoot in RAW, making it absolute best for filmmakers. High-speed autofocus and the snug fit also ensures that your subject never leaves the limelight allowing you to be in control of your shots, always!!!
Also, the layout is smooth, and the build is sturdy, even if shooting in harsh weather is your thing, this camera won’t let you down, so freely unleash the adventurer in you!
Out of all the merits, there’s a small catch though, that when shifting from auto mode, the manual mode can get a bit tricky to handle. Consider doing it only when you are aware of all the technicalities.
PRODUCT DETAILS:
- Shoots 4K @30 frames per second
- 3.0-inch touchscreen with OLED viewfinder
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6. FUJIFILM X-T200 MIRRORLESS DIGITAL CAMERA
The biggest demerit of using a DSLR is that they are bulky and heavy which makes carrying them a big drudgery. This is where the mirrorless cameras come into play, mainly because they are compact and lightweight and are on par with DSLRs if not ahead and this camera falls in the latter category.
It comes with a host of features and a camera capable of shooting beautiful 4K videos at 30 frames per second. The 3.5-inch touchscreen is fairly large in comparison to the competition and comes with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The camera is capable of shooting exceptional videos, which makes it great for shooting short films.
Though the build is plasticky, the features that it comes with at this price point is commendable. If you are starting a new project and are looking for the best camera for short films that aren’t harsh on your savings, then this can be your best buddy.
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7. KODAK PIXPRO ASTRO ZOOM AZ901-BK 20MP DIGITAL CAMERA
Once a household name but lost its charm, Kotak might have encountered pitfall, but not this camera. The best thing that I like about this camera is that using it is so much fun.
It comes with a massive 90x optical zoom not offered by any other camera in this list. Also, this comes with a 20 megapixels CMOS sensor that offers great performance in terms of visuals.
The lens is 22mm wide, which means that you’ll be able to fit more in the frame, now that’s a blessing for short filmmakers. 3 inch LCD is fixed on a hinge that allows it 180-degree rotation ability, and the electronic viewfinder ensures that things don’t go out of focus for you.
It has an ergonomic grip design which provides a firm grip in the hands. At this price point, there’s not much to complain about, only that at maximum zoom the video can get a bit noisy.
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8. SONY ALPHA A6400 MIRRORLESS CAMERA
This camera is an upgrade to the Alpha a6000, offering better image quality than its predecessor. It also comes with than ISO higher than 1600, which means that the image and video will look brighter. Sony’s Real-time Eye autofocusing is industry-leading, and the best part is that it is supported on both video and audio.
If your filmmaking needs demand you to focus on multiple subjects at a time, then considering this camera can be the best option. This camera is suitable for, amateurs to professionals and its easy operationality with lightweight and customizability make it one of the best camera for short films. Other notable part is that this camera can directly be powered from a USB port.
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9. PANASONIC LUMIX G85 4K DIGITAL CAMERA
If you are looking for a camera to shoot videos for uploading it on YouTube or are a small creator wanting to make a mark, then the video and picture quality of this camera won’t disappoint you.
The 16-megapixels sensor is able to shoot 4K at 30 frames per second and 1080p at 120 frames per second and has plenty of shooting modes built in to choose from, so starting your filmmaking journey would be easy on this one.
It also comes with a pop-up flash if you need that extra light for enhancing the scene. The stabilization on this camera is top-notch that avoids blurry videos when shooting. Overall making it a good choice for beginners.
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10. CANON DSLR CAMERA [EOS 90D] WITH EF-S
Canon DSLRs are always known for their great picture quality and customizability. If you are specifically looking for a DSLR then buying this camera and pairing it with an 18-125 lens can work wonders for you. This camera is an excellent choice for shooting outdoors, macros or for shooting in general.
It comes with Eos Webcam utility that allows it to be used as a webcam if you have that kind of need. Comes with various modes for filming which will definitely appeal to the independent film artists who are just starting out. Thus, bringing it into the category of best camera for short films.
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CONCLUSION
After going through the above list, especially curated for the nascent filmmakers, making a choice for the best camera for short films must have become easier. Decide on a camera that can kickstart your filmmaking journey and offers features that are best suited to your needs.
Choosing a great camera will make sure that your films are full of color and contrast. Filming also means that little tweaks need to be made every now and then and choosing a camera that doesn’t come with tweaking related options can be a letdown. So choose wisely!!!!
