Video Camera Guide: BEST entry-level cameras under $2000
You’re on the hunt looking for the right camera for you. Maybe your a hobbyist looking to invest into something more “cinematic” or maybe you’re a 1-person marketing team and have been tasked to “make videos” so your company can go viral. Whichever it is, you’re on the search for the best kinds of cameras to help you capture the best footage ~ while staying on a budget.
This list is a compilation of all the cameras I’ve seen/used while working in my video production company here in the San Francisco Bay Area. (My personal favorite is the last one at the end.)
BLOG SUMMARY
1. Compact and Travel-Friendly Cameras
Options like the DJI Pocket 3 and GoPro HERO8 Black are perfect for vlogging, action shots, and portability.
2. Mirrorless Cameras for Beginners
Cameras like the Canon M50 Mark II and Sony a6400 deliver great video quality with features like autofocus and interchangeable lenses.
3. Full-Frame Cameras for Aspiring Professionals
Affordable full-frame options such as the Nikon Z5 or Sony a7II offer superior image quality and stabilization for more advanced creators.
4. Vlogger-Focused Cameras
The Sony ZV-E10 and Panasonic G85 are tailored for content creators with features like flip-out screens and lightweight designs.
5. All-Rounder Pick
The Lumix S5II, a versatile favorite, combines full-frame capabilities, in-body stabilization, and pro-level video features.
I. LOW-END Video Cameras
$300 - 500
These cameras are ideal for anyone whose entry level and wants something that’s easy to use, with pretty good quality. For the price, don’t expect the quality of a high-end RED camera…however they can still produce quality shots depending on the lighting & environment.
DJI Pocket 3
Pros:
Compact Size: Extremely small and portable, making it ideal for travel and vlogging.
Integrated Gimbal: Provides smooth stabilization for steady footage.
4K Video Recording: Capable of capturing high-quality video footage.
User-Friendly Interface: Easy to use with various creative features.
Cons:
Limited Manual Control: Compared to larger cameras, the Pocket 3 offers fewer manual control options.
Smaller Sensor Size: May result in reduced low-light performance and dynamic range.
Fixed Lens: The built-in lens limits flexibility in framing shots and adapting to different shooting scenarios.
GoPro HERO8 - Black
Features: 4K recording at 60fps, HyperSmooth 2.0 stabilization, waterproof up to 33ft, voice control.
Pros: Great for action shots, touch screen, excellent stabilization, versatile mounting options. Cheapest option on this list.
Cons: Limited battery life, small screen.
II. Mid-Range Video Cameras
$500 - $1000
Canon M50 Mark II
Pros:
Dual Pixel Autofocus: Fast and accurate autofocus performance, especially for video.
Vari-Angle Touchscreen: Flexible for vlogging and framing from different angles.
Compact Size: Portable and lightweight design, suitable for travel.
Good JPEG Quality: Produces pleasing out-of-camera JPEGs for quick sharing.
Cons:
Limited 4K Capabilities: 4K recording is limited to 24 fps with a significant crop.
Crop Sensor: APS-C sensor may not offer the same depth of field control as full-frame sensors.
Limited Native Lens Selection: Smaller selection of native lenses compared to some competitors.
Sony a6400
Pros:
Fast Autofocus: Advanced autofocus system with excellent subject tracking capabilities.
High-Quality EVF: Sharp and responsive electronic viewfinder for accurate framing.
Compact and Lightweight: Portable design suitable for travel and everyday carry.
4K Video Recording: Capable of recording high-resolution video with good detail.
Cons:
Limited Touchscreen Functionality: Touchscreen functionality is limited compared to some competitors.
No In-Body Stabilization: Relies on lens stabilization or external gimbals for smooth footage.
Battery Life: Average battery life may require carrying spare batteries for extended shooting sessions.
No Weather Sealing: Vulnerable to moisture and dust in outdoor environments.
Panasonic G85
Pros:
Weather Sealing: Offers enhanced durability, suitable for shooting in challenging conditions.
In-Body Stabilization: Provides steady shots even with non-stabilized lenses.
Vari-Angle Touchscreen: Facilitates easy framing from various angles.
4K Video Recording: Capable of capturing high-resolution video footage.
Cons:
Autofocus Speed: While improved over previous models, autofocus may still lag behind some competitors.
Menu System: Can be complex and overwhelming for beginners.
Limited Low-Light Performance: Micro Four Thirds sensor may struggle in low-light conditions compared to larger sensors.
Canon R50
Pros:
Full-Frame Sensor: Offers superior image quality and shallow depth of field compared to APS-C sensors.
Dual Pixel CMOS AF: Fast and accurate autofocus performance for both photos and videos.
Vari-Angle Touchscreen: Flexible for shooting at various angles and navigating menus.
Excellent Video Features: 4K video recording with Canon's renowned color science.
Cons:
Limited Native Lens Selection: Canon's RF lens lineup is still growing, with fewer options compared to DSLR mounts.
Price: Higher price point compared to some competitors in its class.
Single Card Slot: Might be a limitation for professional use or backup purposes.
Battery Life: Average battery life may require carrying spare batteries for extended shooting sessions.
Nikon Z30
Pros:
Compact and Lightweight: Portable design suitable for travel and everyday carry.
24MP APS-C Sensor: Offers good image quality and resolution for most photography needs.
Vari-Angle Touchscreen: Versatile for shooting at different angles and navigating menus.
Eye-Detection Autofocus: Reliable autofocus system for capturing sharp portraits.
Cons:
Limited Lens Selection: Nikon's Z-mount lens lineup is still expanding, with fewer options compared to DSLR mounts.
No In-Body Stabilization: Relies on lens stabilization for reducing camera shake.
Average Battery Life: May require carrying spare batteries for extended shooting sessions.
Plastic Body Construction: Feels less robust compared to metal-bodied alternatives.
Sony ZV-E10
Pros:
Interchangeable Lenses: Provides versatility for different types of photography.
Flip-Out Screen: Facilitates easy framing for vlogging and selfie shooting.
Good Autofocus: Reliable autofocus system for capturing moving subjects.
4K Video Recording: Capable of recording high-resolution video footage.
Cons:
Plastic Build: Build quality may feel less premium compared to other models.
Limited Weather Sealing: Not as weather-resistant as some higher-end cameras.
Battery Life: May not be as robust, especially during continuous video recording.
III. High-End Video Cameras
$1000 - $1800
Nikon Z5
Pros:
Full-Frame Sensor: Provides high image quality with excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field.
5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization: Reduces camera shake for sharper handheld shots.
Weather-Sealed Body: Offers protection against dust and moisture for shooting in challenging conditions.
Reliable Autofocus: Utilizes Nikon's proven autofocus system for accurate subject tracking.
Cons:
Single Card Slot: Might be a limitation for professional use or backup purposes.
Limited Native Lens Selection: Nikon's Z-mount lens lineup is still growing, with fewer options compared to DSLR mounts.
Average Battery Life: May require carrying spare batteries for extended shooting sessions.
No 4K at 60fps: Limited to 4K at 30fps, which might not satisfy users looking for higher frame rates.
Sony A6500
Pros:
APS-C Sensor: Offers good image quality and high-speed performance in a compact form factor.
5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization: Reduces camera shake for sharper handheld shots.
Fast Autofocus: Advanced autofocus system with excellent subject tracking capabilities.
4K Video Recording: Capable of recording high-resolution video with good detail.
Cons:
Limited Battery Life: May require carrying spare batteries for extended shooting sessions.
No Weather Sealing: Vulnerable to moisture and dust in outdoor environments.
Menu System Complexity: Sony's menu system can be overwhelming for beginners and less intuitive compared to other brands.
Lack of Touchscreen Articulation: Screen doesn't fully articulate, limiting flexibility for vlogging and self-recording.
Sony a7II or A7III
Pros:
Full-Frame Sensor: Offers superior image quality and shallow depth of field compared to APS-C sensors.
5-Axis In-Body Stabilization: Highly effective in reducing camera shake for sharper images.
Fast Autofocus: Advanced autofocus system with good subject tracking capabilities.
Robust Build Quality: Metal-bodied construction feels durable and premium.
Cons:
Price: Higher price point compared to some competitors in its class.
Battery Life: Average battery life may require carrying spare batteries for extended shooting sessions.
Limited Touchscreen Functionality: Touchscreen functionality is limited compared to some competitors.
Single Card Slot: Might be a limitation for professional use or backup purposes.
Fujifilm X-S20
Pros:
APS-C Sensor: Offers good image quality and high-speed performance in a compact form factor.
Film Simulation Modes: Unique feature offering diverse color profiles to emulate classic film stocks.
Robust Build Quality: Metal-bodied construction feels durable and premium.
Excellent Physical Controls: Intuitive layout with dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation.
Cons:
No In-Body Stabilization: Relies on lens stabilization for reducing camera shake.
Limited Video Features: Capable of 4K video recording but lacks advanced video functions found in some competitors.
Electronic Viewfinder: Some users might prefer an optical viewfinder for a more traditional shooting experience.
No Weather Sealing: Vulnerable to moisture and dust in outdoor environments.
Lumix s5ii
(Kasey’s Personal Pick)
Pros
Image Quality: The Lumix S5 features a 24.2 MP full-frame sensor that delivers excellent image quality with good dynamic range and low-light performance.
Compact and Lightweight: Compared to other full-frame cameras, the S5 is relatively compact and lightweight, making it a good choice for travel and street photography.
Stabilization: It has a 5-axis in-body image stabilization system that helps reduce camera shake and allows for smoother video recording and sharper images in low light.
Video Capabilities: The camera offers impressive video features, including 4K 60p recording, 10-bit internal recording, and V-Log support, making it suitable for videographers.
Autofocus: The S5 has improved autofocus performance with face, eye, and animal detection, which is reliable for both stills and video.
Weather Sealing: The camera is weather-sealed, providing some protection against dust and moisture, making it more durable in various shooting conditions.
Dual SD Card Slots: It includes dual SD card slots, allowing for flexible storage options and backup.
Cons
Autofocus in Low Light: While improved, the autofocus can still struggle in low-light situations compared to some competitors.
Unable to Record to External SSD: This camera is unable to record externally which may be difficult if you’re shooting in 6k/have giant project files. The Lumix S5iix does include this feature.
Limited Lens Selection: Although the L-mount alliance is growing, the lens selection is still more limited compared to other systems like Sony or Canon.
Menu System: Some users find the menu system complex and not as intuitive, which might require a learning curve.
If you’re interested in learning more about video production, Kasey is available for 1:1 coaching. He’s worked with many freelancers and entrepreneurs, helping them master their creative tools - whether that be camera settings or editing software. If you are struggling to create and need guidance from someone whose been there, reach out today!
