UPDATE : Check out the updated list for 2018 here.

 

In this filmmaking related Blog Post, I will sort out my top 8 best filmmaking cameras for all the Independent Filmmakers, for different budget ranges and various shooting needs.

NOTE : This article is aimed mainly towards the filmmakers or anyone who are mostly concerned about the video feature of a camera. If you are more interested in photography, then this article may not be for you.

I have been an Independent Filmmaker, Editor and Director of Photography for almost 4 years now and in this span of time I have shot a few Short Films, Commercials and Music Videos covering a range of genres and production budget. As an Independent Filmmaker I constantly face the challenge of squeezing out the maximum quality of production from the minimum amount of investments. So, today I am going to share my knowledge about what could be the best options when it comes to best filmmaking cameras for a particular shoot.

Let’s begin from the lowest end of the spectrum of my list of best filmmaking cameras. The first few camera options shoot only 1080p HD footage but can be very good choices for low budget filmmaking even in 2017 as I think 1080p HD still has a long way to go.

1. Canon EOS 700D : Around Rs. 35,000/-

This is the most obvious choice among the list of best filmmaking cameras for all the aspiring Independent Filmmakers just starting out to make their first Short Film. Pair this up with a Canon 50mm f/1.8 Prime Lens and you will easily get the dreamy and cinematic shallow depth of field look in your footage. Check out the following pros and cons of the camera.

Pros :

1. Flip-Out Screen : Very helpful in different shooting scenarios and a must-have for Vlogging.
2. High ISO Sensitivity : Decent Low Light performance.
3. Good Price to Quality Ratio : The footage are very Editing and Colour Grading friendly, you wouldn’t need an expensive computer to handle the footage. A decent computer would be enough. The total workflow is pretty inexpensive. If you decide to stay on Canon side, then even if you upgrade your camera in the future, you can still use the lenses you will buy for this camera and you can use this camera as a B camera in the future or to shoot behind the scenes.
4. Touchscreen : Very helpful in navigation.
5. Supports the FREE Technicolor Cinestyle Picture Profile to improve the dynamic range.
6. Light Weight : You wouldn’t need a heavy tripod either. You can also BUY the cheap tripod I use from this link.
7. Can be used for Photography as well.

Cons :

1. Not so good Auto Focus in Video Mode.
2. Low Dynamic Range : You have to compensate with lights and proper cinematography.
3. Rolling Shutter Issue.

2. Canon EOS 80D : Around Rs. 75,000/-

If you have some extra money to spend or if you are a bit more serious about your investments or you are simply looking for an upgrade, then this can be a great option. It has all the features of the 700D

and even more. It also has superb auto focus ability in video mode unlike the 700D. This one is a well balanced entry in this list of best filmmaking cameras.

Now some future proofing with 4K.

3. Sony RX100 Mark V : Around Rs. 75,000/-

Even though this is a non-interchangeable lens compact camera, the camera has some great features to consider in my list of best filmmaking cameras.

Pros :

1. 24mm-70mm equivalent High Quality Zoom Lens : Covers most of the used zoom range for filmmaking.
2. f/1.8 to f/2.8 Aperture Range : Very good for low light shooting and shallow depth of field.
3. 1 inch Sensor : Pretty big sensor for a compact camera. Improves low light capability.
4. Very fast Auto Focusing System.
5. Slow Motion Capability.
6. 4K Video Recording.
7. WiFi and NFC.
8. 180 degree tiltable screen.

Cons :

1. Very compact camera and does not look or works like a professional cinema camera.
2. Non-Interchangeable Lens.

You can also consider the RX100 Mark IV with similar features in much lesser price point.

4. iPhone 7 Plus or any other Smartphone with DJI Osmo Mobile or the DJI Osmo : Around Rs. 50,000/-

This is probably the best option to get awesome looking cinematic 4K footage inexpensively. Chances are you already have an iPhone 7 or any similar smartphone which shoots decent 4K footage natively. The 4K footage from the iPhone 7 Plus looks really awesome and cinematic. You can attach it with a DJI Osmo Mobile and use the whole rig as a steady cam to get fluid moving shots. Just download the Filmic Pro App from the App Store to get manual controls over the video camera of the iPhone to set exposure and focus manually and you are good to go. Otherwise you can go for the standalone DJI Osmo, which is also a motorized gimbal stabilizer with an awesome in-built 4K camera. This is the most versatile entry in my list of best filmmaking cameras in 2017.

The next 4 Cameras are possibly be the best choices for 4K Cinematic Video capability in the market right now in 2017. You can’t go wrong with any of the picks.

5. Sony a6500 : Around Rs. 1,00,000/-

Pros :

1. S-Log 3 Flat Picture Profile : Extends the Dynamic Range which is essential to get the Cinematic Look.
2. APS-C Sensor : Other cameras with much higher price tags have Micro Four Thirds Sensors. It is good to know that Sony hasn’t compromised in this matter.
3. Very quick Phase Detection Auto Focus.
4. 120fps Slo-Mo Recording in 1080p Full HD Resolution in 100mbps Bit Rate.
5. External Microphone Input.

Cons :

1. Complicated Menu Navigation.

The next 3 cameras in my list of Top 8 Best Filmmaking Cameras are very expensive considering the low-budget nature of Independent Filmmaking in India. But, still these can be considered as very good investments if you are serious about filmmaking and this is something you just don’t do as a hobby or passion and want to make a living out of it. Even a lot of professional filmmakers regularly use these cameras and when used properly, these cameras can produce awesome cinematic footage. I will recommend you to buy these products only if you do not intend to use the camera only in your personal projects, but in commercial works too. So the final 3 cameras in my list of best filmmaking cameras are…

6. Panasonic GH4 : Around Rs. 1,30,000/-

This is a mirrorless camera with a micro four thirds sensor. It shoots 4K footage internally with Panasonic’s V-Log Flat Picture Profile. This is a very good camera considering its’ price point.

Pros :

1. 4K Internal Video Recording.
2. V-Log Flat Picture Profile.
3. 1080p HD in 200mbps Bitrate : It looks way sharper than a Full Frame Canon 5D Mark III‘s lower bitrate 1080p Footage. The footage from the GH4 holds much more information.
4. 4:2:2 10-Bit video can be recorded through external recorders.
5. Can act almost as an APS-C Sensor Camera when used with a Speed Booster.

Cons :

1. Micro Four Thirds Sensor : You have to invest in Micro Four Thirds Lenses which will not support your Full Frame Camera if you ever plan to switch.
2. Tough to get shallow depth of field and also wide angle shots due to the smaller sensor size.
3. Poor Dynamic Range.
4. Not so good Low Light Performance.

Sometimes it is a good idea to buy only the body of the camera, if you already have some lens lying around or if you want to invest separately in good quality lenses. If you want to know which are my top picks for the best lens options for your Canon DSLRs in 2017 then go to this article.

7. Canon 5D Mark IV : Around Rs. 2,35,000/- (Body Only)

The previous generation of this beast, the Canon 5D Mark III has been the go-to camera for most Independent Filmmakers around the world for quite a few years now. Now, Canon has recently launched the upgraded version of the camera, the Canon 5D Mark IV with some key improvements.

Pros :

1. DCI Standard Wide 4K Video Recording.
2. 35mm Full Frame Sensor : Very easy to get the shallow depth of field.
3. Excellent for photography.
4. Easy Menu Navigation.
5. Connectivity Options.
6. High ISO : Good Low Light Performance.
7. Fast Auto Focus System.

Cons :

1. Sensor Cropping in 4K Video Recording.
2. Video Recording Limit.
3. Bad Compression : Very Huge File Sizes in 4K.
4. Rolling Shutter Issue.

8. Sony a7s Mark II : Around Rs. 2,30,000/- (Body Only)

Now this is the camera for all the Independent Filmmakers to look for even in 2017 and are in the top of my list of best filmmaking cameras. It is a 12 Mega Pixel Mirrorless Camera which shoots stunning 4K footage internally with its whole Full Frame Sensor even in extreme low light conditions. It supports Sony’s “S-Log 3” Flat Picture Profile which extends its Dynamic Range to around 15-Stops, which is incredible. Cinematographers have been able to match its quality to professional cinema cameras with much higher price tags from RED and ARRI.

Pros :

1. Internal 4K Recording : With Full Frame Read-Out.
2. High Bit Rate.
3. Slow Motion Capability.
4. Low Light Monster : Unmatched low light capability.
5. 4:2:2 uncompressed video recording capability through external recorders.
6. In-body 5-Axis Image Stabilization.
7. S-Log 3 Flat Picture Profile : 15-Stops of Dynamic Range.
8. Compact Size.
9. Can be easily used with Canon EF Lenses with an adapter.

Cons :

1. Rolling Shutter Issue.
2. 12 Mega Pixel : Not that good as a professional photography camera.
3. Overheating issue during long period of use in extreme conditions.
4. Complicated Menu Navigation.

All the BEST BUY Links are given for your convenience. You can use the links to BUY any of the products and that will also help this Blog to grow.

BEST BUY links for U.S. residents :

1. Canon EOS 700D

2. Canon EOS 80D

3. Sony RX100 Mark V | Sony RX100 Mark IV

4. DJI Osmo Mobile | DJI Osmo

5. Sony a6500

6. Panasonic GH5 | Panasonic GH4

7. Canon 5D Mark IV (Body Only) | Canon 5D Mark III

8. Sony a7s Mark II | Sony a7s

I hope this Blog has been helpful and has shed some light on this very topic. Please like the post. Share it with your other aspiring filmmaker friends. Leave a comment.

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