Video Camera Guide: Best entry-level cameras under $2000
I. LOW-END Video Cameras
$300 - 500
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 s5
(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.
Viewfinder Resolution: The electronic viewfinder resolution is lower compared to some other full-frame cameras, which might affect the shooting experience for some users.
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.
