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The best cinema cameras take high-quality video and have features that you probably won’t find on the kind of camcorder you’d use to film your family reunion. Digital cinema cameras usually have interchangeable lens mounts, Super35 or full-frame sensors, resolutions that start at 4K.
The best cinema cameras is the modern version of the film production camera that was used in the past. The goal of these cameras is to mimic the range and tonal qualities of celluloid while getting rid of a lot of the work that usually goes into making a film.
We’ve put together a list of some of the best cinema cameras for beginners on the market to help you make your choice. This list has a variety of cameras that cover a wide range of prices, uses, and brands, so you’re sure to find something that works for you.
Best Cinema Cameras Comparison Table
| Camera Model | Genre | Modes | Price | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony FX6 | Cinema Camera | 4K, HD, FHD, S35 | $5,998.00 | Visit Website |
| Blackmagic Pocket 6K Pro | Cinema Camera | 6K, 4K, HD | $2,495.00 | Visit Website |
| Panasonic HC-X1 4K Ultra HD | Camcorder | 4K, UHD, FHD | $2,697.99 | Visit Website |
| Canon EOS C300 Mark III | Cinema Camera | 4K, FHD, 2K | $10,999.00 | Visit Website |
| Canon XC10 4K | Cinema Camera | 4K, FHD, HD | $1,599.00 | Visit Website |
| Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 12K | Cinema Camera | 12K, 8K, 4K | $9,995.00 | Visit Website |
| Z CAM E2 Professional 4K | Cinema Camera | 4K, FHD | $1,999.00 | Visit Website |
Sony FX6
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Sensor | Full-frame Exmor R CMOS |
| Effective Pixels | 4096 x 2160 |
| Lens Mount | Sony E-mount |
| Recording Format | XAVC-I, XAVC-L, MPEG HD422 |
| Slow Motion | 120fps in 4K |
| Built-in ND Filters | 4, 16 and 64 stops |
Even though the Sony FX6 can’t shoot in 6K or 8K, we still think it should be on top because of how beautiful the 4K it makes is. Even if you didn’t crop the video, most TVs wouldn’t show it in its full glory anyway.
It has the best cinema cameras as the Sony A7S III, but it has been improved so that it works better in low light and can shoot in DCI 17:9 CRK instead of just 4K. It also has an XLR input and filters that are built in.
The Good
- Great performance in low light
- Options for high-quality internal recording
- Versatile E-mount lens system
The Bad
- Compared to other choices, it is expensive.
- Requires external recorder for ProRes RAW
Blackmagic Pocket 6K Pro
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Sensor | Super 35 HDR CMOS |
| Effective Pixels | 6144 x 3456 |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF |
| Recording Format | Blackmagic RAW, ProRes |
| Slow Motion | Up to 120fps in HD |
| Built-in ND Filters | 2, 4, and 6 stops |
Blackmagic is known for making best cinema cameras for prices that seem too good to be true. The 6K Pro, which improves on the original 6K, keeps this promise. It has a Super35 sensor that can shoot 6K raw or up to 4K in ProRes 4:2:2 HQ.
It can record to either a CFast card or a less expensive external SSD connected via USB-C. It has two native ISO settings of 400 and 3200, making it a good performer in low light, if not a great one.
The Good
- High-quality image with a wide range of tones
- A small body with a big sensor
- Built-in ND filters
The Bad
- Battery life is short
- Longer recordings need an external SSD.
Panasonic HC-X1 4K Ultra HD
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 1-inch MOS |
| Effective Pixels | 4096 x 2160 |
| Lens | Leica Dicomar 20x optical zoom |
| Recording Format | MP4, MOV, AVCHD |
| Slow Motion | Up to 120fps in FHD |
| Built-in ND Filters | 1/4, 1/16, 1/64 |
This best cinema cameras is a great choice for anyone who makes a living by filming documentaries, sports, and other events. It has an LEICA lens with a 20x optical zoom and a 24-inch wide-angle lens that was just released.
For the convenience of the photographer, the camera has two slots for SD memory cards. It moves the cards from slot 1 to slot 2 on its own. If you change the memory cards at the right time, you can keep shooting for many hours.
The Good
- Image stabilization and a 20x optical zoom lens make for a high-quality 4K image.
- Built-in ND filters
The Bad
- Compared to other options, it has a smaller dynamic range.
- Not many slow-motion choices
Canon EOS C300 Mark III
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Sensor | Super 35 Dual Gain Output (DGO) |
| Effective Pixels | 4096 x 2160 |
| Lens Mount | EF |
| Recording Format | Cinema RAW Light, XF-AVC |
| Slow Motion | Up to 120fps in 4K |
| Built-in ND Filters | 2, 4, 6 stops |
The best cinema cameras is probably the best video camera for shooting high-quality footage that looks great in a studio or shooting a documentary while running and gunning with a handheld camera in low light.
With a Super 35mm sensor that can record 4K video at up to 120 fps, you’ll have plenty of DCI 4K to use, which is recorded directly to your CFexpress card. This cinema camera body stands out from other mirrorless or DSLR cameras.
The Good
- High-quality image with a wide range of tones
- Touch-focus Dual Pixel CMOS AF
- Built-in ND filters
The Bad
- Compared to other choices, it is expensive.
- Not many slow-motion choices
Canon XC10 4K
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 1-inch CMOS |
| Effective Pixels | 3840 x 2160 |
| Lens | Fixed 10x zoom with image stabilization |
| Recording Format | MP4, MXF |
| Slow Motion | Up to 120fps in HD |
| Built-in ND Filters | 1/4, 1/16, 1/64 |
This best cinema cameras is there to help you make your videos more advanced and dramatic. The camcorder can be useful for professionals or people who have been working in this field for a while.
The Canon XC10 4K Camcorder is small, light, and flexible. It can take 12 Megapixel digital still photos and is easy to use for 4K/Full HD video recording. This all-in-one camcorder is easy to use and can meet a wide range of video and photo production needs.
The Good
- Small and easy to carry
- Good picture quality and great color accuracy
- Built-in ND filters
The Bad
- Compared to other options, it has a smaller dynamic range.
- Not many slow-motion choices
Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 12K Camera
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Sensor Size | 27.03 x 14.25 mm |
| Resolution | 12,288 x 6480 |
| Frame Rates | Up to 60 fps in 12K |
| Recording Format | Blackmagic RAW, ProRes, and DNx |
| Lens Mount | PL, EF, or F mount available |
The best cinema cameras is URSA Mini Pro 12k is a great camera with a lot of power and features that costs just under $6,000. It has an great Super 35mm sensor with a 12K (12,288 x 6,480) resolution and 80 megapixels per frame.
Aside from the resolution, the Ursa Mini Pro 12K shoots at an insanely deep bit depth of 12-bit to Blackmagic RAW, which is not only RAW but also a fairly light codec that can be edited completely from a well-powered laptop.
The Good
- The highest level of detail at 12K resolution, which is unmatched.
- There are many options for frame rates, up to 60fps in 12K.
- It can record in different formats, such as Blackmagic RAW, ProRes, and DNx.
- Multiple lens mount options available for versatility
The Bad
- Compared to other cameras on the market, it has a high price.
- The big and heavy size may not work for all filming situations.
Z CAM E2 Professional 4K
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Sensor Size | 4/3″ |
| Resolution | 4096 x 2160 |
| Frame Rates | Up to 120 fps in 4K |
| Recording Format | ZRAW, ProRes, and H.265 |
| Lens Mount | Interchangeable MFT mount |
The Z cam E2 has features that are only found on high-end cameras like Arri and Red, such as its own raw codec called Z Raw and ProRes. It can shoot DCI and UHD 4K at 160fps for slow-motion shots and full HD at 240fps for super slow-motion recording.
It has 13 stops of dynamic range when using ZLog or 16 stops when using WDR mode, and its popular Micro Four Thirds mount makes it compatible with a lot of lenses. The best cinema cameras is easy to control with an app on your phone.
The Good
- You can choose a frame rate of up to 120fps and a high-quality 4K resolution.
- The ZRAW recording format has a wide dynamic range and many options for color grading.
- The camera is small and light, making it easy to move around and film in tight spaces.
- The interchangeable MFT mount lets you use a wide variety of lenses.
The Bad
- Compared to other cameras, it has a small number of lens mounts.
- Some users have said that their cameras get too hot during long filming sessions.
FAQs
What does a movie camera do?
A cinema camera is a professional video camera made to record high-quality video for use in making movies and TV shows. Compared to consumer-grade video cameras, they are usually made to have better image quality, a wider range of tones, and more advanced features.
What are some important things to think about?
When choosing a cinema camera, it’s important to think about the camera’s resolution, dynamic range, performance in low light, lens compatibility, recording formats, and budget.
What are some of the best-selling movie cameras on the market right now?
The ARRI Alexa Mini LF, the RED Komodo, the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro, the Sony FX9, the Canon C300 Mark III, and the Panasonic EVA1 are some of the most popular cinema cameras on the market right now.