5-axis HYBRID O.I.S.+, 49-area AF system.But, this little monster could be a perfect backup for scouting and minor pick-up/B-roll coverage. Will this ever be your A-cam on a shoot? Probably not. As either an easy-to-use run-and-gun option or a pinch backup, the LX10 is another affordable option well under $1,000. You’ll also get a built-in Leica DC Vario-Summilux f/1.4-2.8 lens, which should cover pretty much all the shots you need with its 3x zoom range (offering the equivalent of 24-72mm coverage).īelow, I list the price at $699, but you can usually find this camera on sale for much cheaper.
With a 20.1-megapixel sensor, the LX10 can record UHD 4K video at up to 30fps. Plus, the LX10 is extremely affordable, and it shoots excellent photos and video alike. With a point-and-shoot like the Lumix LX10, you’re really investing in compactness with the bonus of a better lens than what you’ll likely find on a GoPro. Even in 2021, you should never rule out a good point-and-shoot camera. For many, the notion of using a point-and-shoot camera for anything other than travel photography might sound a bit silly, but hear us out. Moving up from action cams and smartphones, there are still plenty of other camera options that are cheap and affordable outside of DSLR and mirrorless. And, voilà, he had a new client wanting him to shoot a more professional-looking video. I’ve told this story on this blog before, but I once saw a videographer go into a coffee shop, shoot a quick video of the shop and his coffee being made, cut it together on Adobe Rush, then DM it to their Instagram account on the spot. For instance, you can use your phone to shoot a quick spec video for a client or map out lighting when you scout. There are other ways your phone can act as a fully-realized filmmaking camera. There are tons of “iPhone specific” film festivals that have cash rewards for the winners and runners-up. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t use this thing for practical purposes on jobs, spec shoots, and smaller film festivals. While there are stunning examples of Hollywood filmmakers using phones to shoot their film, it’s highly unlikely any of us will see our iPhone movies on the silver screen.
CHEAPEST ACTION CAMERA 4K MOVIE
Come on, man! Shoot that movie with your iPhone! But, it doesn’t mean your phone can’t help you in different ways. I know, at this point, saying you can use your iPhone to shoot a major motion picture is a little bit of a meme, and easy to say when your main commercial A-cam is a Canon C500 and you’re consistently getting good paying gigs. As we’ve seen with the rise of smartphone camera technology, as well as the rapid adoption of iPhones being used for major motion pictures, these latest mobile camera phones are becoming quite impressive and powerful.
So, whatever your film and video needs may be, instead of blowing your entire budget with a new $5,000+ cinema camera, here are six options for high-quality, capable video cameras all under $1,000.Īfter considering an action cam like the GoPro Hero9, you might want to also take a hard look at the smartphone in your pocket for your filmmaking needs. Your gear doesn’t necessarily determine the quality of your story.
CHEAPEST ACTION CAMERA 4K FULL
It’s to tell a story in a compelling way, full stop. (Case in point, Sony just announced the Alpha 1, a 50MP 8K video behemoth.) But, the point of videography and filmmaking isn’t just to chase the highest pixel count or technology. You’ll also probably hear anecdotes of growing up with a cheap camera in their hands, as well as war stories of shooting their first shorts or features on a shoestring budget with the cheapest camera they could find.Īnd, yes, there are plenty of amazing cameras currently on the market, and new technological breakthroughs coming almost every day. If you listen to any notable indie filmmaker or auteur director speak, they’re going to talk about an undeniable passion for film. Don’t blow your entire budget on an expensive camera! Let’s explore the best video and filmmaking cameras under a grand.