In this article, we take a look at 5 best cameras for filmmaking under $2000. If you are on a tight budget the following cameras will get the job done at an affordable price.
Bear in mind this is only a fun comparison of the specs of the available cameras under $2000 price range. Please treat it as such. There are many variables that come into play and we will try to consider each variable possible. This list will include both APS- C format and Full Frame format cameras.
Following are the cameras that are going to be considered for this article
- Sony Alpha a7C (Amazon, B&H)
- Fujifilm X-T4 (Amazon, B&H)
- Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 (Amazon, B&H)
- Nikon Z6 II (Amazon, B&H)
- Canon EOS R (Amazon, B&H)
Sony Alpha a7C
Sensor Size
The Sony Alpha a7C (Amazon, B&H) has a full-frame sensor (35.6 x 23.8mm).
Resolution and Frame Rates
The Sony Alpha a7C can shoot in 4K (3840 x 2160) UHD up to 30p in 8-bit 4:2:0. It does not shoot RAW but you can shoot in S-Log2 and S-Log3.
The 4K is supposedly downsampled from 6K footage. The best format to record in would be XAVC S 4K. Maximum fps in 4K is 30 fps. You get 120 fps in 1080p.
The data rates range from 60 Mbps to 100 Mbps.
ISO Range for video
The Sony Alpha a7C has an ISO range of 100 to 51,200 for video. Low light shoots should not be a problem with this full frame sensor. Sony is the world leader here.
HDMI Output
You get 8-bit 4:2:2 externally using the HDMI Type D.
Lens Mount
The Sony Alpha a7C has an E-Mount. It is compatible with every E-mount lens out there.
If you need a proper list of lenses that will be useful for you, you can read the following article.
Memory Card
Sony suggests UHS-II or higher is required for 100 Mbps recording.
Recording time limit
None. This is impressive for this price range. You can record in 4K until the battery dies or the card fills up.
Battery Life
The Sony Alpha a7C gives you 140 mins of actual recording time.
Image Stabilization
The Sony Alpha a7C (Amazon, B&H) comes equipped with 5-axis IBIS. Sony claims this gives the camera 5 stops of image stabilization. A lens with OSS can give you even better stabilization.
Audio
The Sony Alpha a7C supports a digital audio interface through the camera’s Multi Interface (MI) hot shoe. It also comes with an in-built 3.5mm headphone and microphone jack.
Size and weight
The official dimensions are 124.0 mm (W) x 71 mm (H) x 59 mm (D), it weighs around 509g. While it is pretty lightweight and compact, adding on accessories will change that.
Fujifilm X-T4
Sensor Size
The Fujifilm X-T4 (Amazon, B&H) has an APS-C type (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor, close enough to Super 35mm.
Resolution and Frame Rates
The Fujifilm X-T4 (Amazon, B&H) can shoot in DCI 4K (4096×2160) at 60p in 10-bit 4:2:0. It does not shoot RAW but you can shoot in F-Log.
The 4K is supposedly downsampled from 6K footage. The best format to record in would be All-Intra (ALL-I) compression. Maximum fps in 4K is 60fps. You get 240 fps in 1080p.
The data rates range from 50 Mbps to 400 Mbps.You will have to be careful when recording at 400 Mbps because it will fill up your card pretty quickly.
ISO Range for video
The Fujifilm X-T4 has an ISO range of 160 to 12,800 for video. Low light shoots should not be a problem, but it’s nowhere the class of the a7C.
Video Output
You get 10-bit 4:2:2 up to DCI 4K 29.97 fps.
Lens Mount
The Fujifilm X-T4 (Amazon, B&H) has an X-Mount. It is compatible with every X-mount lens out there. Fuji even has a few cinema lenses for this mount.
Memory Card
Fujifilm suggests an UHS-II or higher card for 4K recording, especially when trying to record at 400 Mbps.
Recording time limit
At 4K DCI at 60 fps the camera will only record up to 20 mins of footage continuously. The maximum amount of recording you can get without an external recorder is 30 mins in 4K DCI at 30 fps. If you want to shoot at 120 fps, then you only get 6 mins of continuous recording and you can only shoot up to 3 mins at 240 fps.
You can plan around it, while doing a short film or a shoot where you have some control over the length of your takes. Otherwise it is a problem.
Battery Life
The Fujifilm X-T4 (Amazon, B&H) gives you 85 mins of recording time in 4K 30p and 95 mins in full HD at 60p. If you choose to use face detection, it might be worse.
Image Stabilization
The Fujifilm X-T4 (Amazon, B&H) has a 5-axis in built image stabilization system. Fujifilm claims that this provides 6.5-stops of image stabilization.
This is a useful addition for videographers who want to do run and gun shoots. This can help you be independent of a gimbal or a tripod.
Audio
The comes with an in-built 3.5mm microphone jack.
Size and weight
The official dimensions are (W) 134.6mm x (H) 92.8mm x (D) 63.8mm. It weighs around 607g (including battery and memory cards).
While it is pretty lightweight and compact, adding on accessories will change that.
Film Simulation
You get all the Fuji colors as with the X-T4. Here are some examples:
- Provia
- Velvia
- Astia
- Eterna
- Eterna Bleach Bypass
- Acros (B&W)
- and more.
A Grain Effect mode is also available to replicate the look of old film photos with an organic textured appearance.
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
Sensor Size
The Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 (Amazon, B&H) is a full-frame sensor (35.6 x 23.8mm).
Resolution and Frame Rates
The Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 (Amazon, B&H) can shoot in UHD 4K (3840×2160) at 30p in 10-bit 4:2:2. It does not shoot RAW but you can shoot in V-Log.
Being able to shoot in 10-bit 4:2:2 is a sizable advantage for the Lumix DC-S5.
Maximum fps in 4K is 30fps. You get 180 fps in 1080p. There is a crop at 180 fps and the AF switches to MF.
The data rates range from 20 Mbps to 200 Mbps.
Anamorphic Recording
The Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 allows the user to record in an anamorphic 4:3 (3328×2496) 4K 30p recording mode in 10-bit 4:2:2 using the APS-C crop sensor size. This is a serious advantage of this camera.
To know more about anamorphic lenses, check this out:
HDMI output
The external output is 10-bit 4:2:2 up to UHD 4K 60p. The camera has a Type D micro HDMI port.
Exposure aids
The DC-S5 provides you with LUT view assist and waveform in the camera to help you get the exposure right. This will help you a lot out on the field.
ISO range for video
The Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 (Amazon, B&H) has an ISO range of 640 to 51,200 for video in V-Log. The DC-S5 stands out with it’s Dual Native ISO technology. ISO 640 and ISO 4000 are the two native ISO values.
Low light shoots should not be a problem.
Lens Mount
The Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 (Amazon, B&H) has an L-Mount. It is compatible with every L-mount lens out there.
You get an option of three brands who make lenses for the L-mount:
- Leica
- Panasonic
- Sigma
Panasonic’s Lumix S series lenses are your best bet and provide a wider range of lenses than the other two.
Memory Card
The Lumix DC-S5 has dual memory card slots. Panasonic suggests an UHS-II card for 4K recording.
Recording time limit
At 4K UHD (3840×2160) 29.97p 10-bit 4:2:2 150 Mbps the camera has a 30-minute limit.
You can record 8-bit 4:2:0 100 Mbps with no time limit.
Battery Life
The Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 gives you 40 mins of recording time. If you choose to use face detection, it’s even worse. That’s not good.
Image Stabilization
The Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 (Amazon, B&H) has a 5-axis in built image stabilization system. Panasonic claims that this provides 5-stops of image stabilization. This stabilization combined with lens stabilization can give unto 6.5 stops of image stabilization.
Audio
The Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 comes with an in-built 3.5mm microphone jack.
Size and weight
The official dimensions are (W) 132.6mm × (H) 97.1mm × (D) 81.9mm. It weighs around 714 g (including battery and memory cards). It is not the lightest camera in this list and adding on accessories will only make it heavier.
Nikon Z6 II
Sensor Size
The Nikon Z6 II (Amazon, B&H) has a full frame sensor (35.9 mm x 23.9 mm).
Resolution and Frame Rates
The Nikon Z6 II (Amazon, B&H) can shoot in 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD) at 60p in 8-bit 4:2:0. There is a crop of 1.5x at 4K 60fps.
The maximum fps in 4K is 60fps. You get 120 fps in 1080p.
If you want to shoot in RAW, you will have to get a paid firmware update and use an Atomos Ninja V (Amazon, B&H).
The data rates goes up to 144 Mbps.
ISO range for video
The Nikon Z6 II has an ISO range of 100 to 51,200 for video. The native ISO in N-log is ISO 800. Low light shoots should not be a problem.
HDMI output
The Nikon Z6 II has the ability to output 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 in N-Log. It can also record. to BRAW or Prores via a recorder like the Atomos Ninja V (Amazon, B&H).
Lens Mount
The Nikon Z6 II (Amazon, B&H) has an Z-Mount.
To read more about Z-mount and its lenses, we suggest you read the following article.
Memory Card
The Nikon Z6 II (Amazon, B&H) has two memory card slots, one compatible with CF Express Type-B and XQD cards, while the other compatible with SD UHS-II cards.
Recording time limit
In 4K UHD at 30 fps you will only be able to record up to 30 mins continuously.
While shooting at 120 fps you get a 3 min recording time limit.
Battery Life
The Nikon Z6 II gives you 100 mins of recording time.
Image Stabilization
The Nikon Z6 II (Amazon, B&H) has a 5-axis in built image stabilization system.
This is a useful addition for videographers who want to do run and gun shoots. This can help you be independent of a gimbal or a tripod.
Audio
The Nikon Z6 II comes with an in-built 3.5mm mic jack to record audio.
Size and weight
The official dimensions are (W) 134 mm × (H) 100.5 mm × (D) 69.5 mm. It weighs around 615g (including battery and memory cards). Adding accessories such as an external recorder, mic etc will increase that.
Canon EOS R
Sensor Size
The Canon EOS R (Amazon, B&H) has a full frame sensor (35.9 x 24.0 mm).
Resolution and Frame Rates
The Canon EOS R (Amazon, B&H) can shoot in 4K (3840×2160) up to 29.97 fps with a crop factor of 1.8x in 8-bit 4:2:0. The Canon EOS R does shoot in Canon Log.
Maximum fps in 4K is 24fps. You get 120 fps in 720p. It’s the oldest camera here and it shows.
The data rates range from 26 Mbps to 480 Mbps. One needs to be careful when dealing with bit rates of 480 Mbps, it will fill up your card quickly.
ISO range for video
The Canon EOS R has an ISO range of 100 to 12,800 for 4K video. For 1080p it goes up to 25,600. Low light shoots should not be a problem.
HDMI output
You need to use an external recorder to get 10-bit 4:2:2 at 4K UHD up to 29.97p.
Lens Mount
The Canon EOS R (Amazon, B&H) has an RF-Mount.
To learn and find your RF lens, we suggest you read the following article:
Memory Card
Canon suggests a UHS-II SDXC card for 4K recording at 480 Mbps.
Recording time limit
In 4K UHD at 30 fps you will only be able to record up to 30 mins continuously.
Battery Life
The Canon EOS R has a battery life of 4 hours for video. This is really impressive, considering the competition.
Image Stabilization
None! You will have to depend on the image stabilization in the lens or use other stabilizing means, such as a gimbal or a tripod. This can be problematic for many beginners.
This is a place where this camera falls seriously short when compared to its competitors.
Audio
The Canon EOS R (Amazon, B&H) comes with an in-built 3.5mm microphone jack.
Size and weight
The official dimensions are (W) 135.8mm × (H) 98.3mm × (D) 84.4mm. It weighs around 660g (including battery and memory cards). While it is pretty lightweight and compact, adding on accessories will change that.
For a deeper and better understanding of the Canon EOS R, here is a detailed article:
We hope that reading this article helped you make an informed decision for your shooting needs. Let us know if we missed anything about any camera or a better camera in this price range.
So, which among these is your preferred camera for filmmakers? S5 also comes with external raw 12 bit
Thank you for providing this info.
You’re welcome!
And where is GH5? Which of this 5 is better than GH5?
Panasonic Lumix S5 vs Lumix GH5: Conclusion
The Lumix GH5 is now more than three years old and uses a smaller sensor than the Lumix S5. It’s also maintained its value, so that while it is the cheaper option, that’s probably not going to be the most important factor in choosing one of these two cameras.
Lumix S5 does have a larger sensor, the promise of better quality in low light and more ‘cinematic’ depth of field.
Lumix S5 has Panasonic V-Log built in, where it’s a paid-for upgrade on the GH5, and the Lumix S5 will also benefit from a firmware upgrade later in the year which will offer 5.9K raw capture over HDMI to an Atomos Ninja V recorder.
The Lumix S5 offers a remarkable combination of power and value in the current FULL FRAME market, but the GH5 still has the specs, features and capabilities to meet it head-on, for video capture at least.
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/panasonic-lumix-s5-vs-lumix-gh5-which-is-best-for-video-vlogging-and-filmmaking