So you are a professional and need a camera that you can rely on. Your film or business depends on it.
Which one do you pick?
You can get some serious camera for under $6,000 nowadays. In this article we’ll compare the five best cameras for filmmaking under $6,000 that will take you to the next level.
This is only a fun comparison of the specs of these cameras. There are many variables that come into play and we will try to consider each one.
Here are the cameras considered:
- Canon EOS C70 (Amazon, B&H)
- Sony FX6 (Amazon, B&H)
- Red Komodo (B&H)
- Z CAM E2-F8 (Amazon, B&H)
- Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro G2 (Amazon, B&H)
Canon EOS C70
Sensor Size
The Canon EOS C70 (Amazon, B&H) has a Super 35mm-sized 26.2 x 13.8 mm sensor. The C70 has a Dual Gain Output sensor, like the Canon EOS C300 Mark III, and, dare we say, Arri Alexa.
With this technology you get a mind-bending dynamic range of 16+ stops.
Resolution and Frame Rates
The Canon EOS C70 (Amazon, B&H) can shoot in 4K DCI (4096 x 2160) up to 120p in 10-bit 4:2:2. It does not shoot RAW internally but you can shoot in Canon Log2 and Canon Log3.
The best format to record in is XF-AVC Intraframe (H.264). Maximum fps in 4K is 120 fps.
The data rates range from 160 Mbps to 410 Mbps for 4K.
ISO Range for Video
The Canon EOS C70 has an ISO range of 100 to 102,400. The native ISO is ISO 800 in both Canon Log2 and Canon Log3.
Low light shoots should not be a problem.
ND Filters
The Canon EOS C70 (Amazon, B&H) is equipped with in-built mechanical and motorized ND (neutral density) filters with up to 10 stops.
You get five steps from 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 stops. 8 and 10 are extended stops. Really impressive.
HDMI Output
You get the same video you would get internally. No RAW.
Vertical Shooting
The Canon EOS C70 (Amazon, B&H) has a vertical shooting mode. The UI can be modified to whichever mode you are shooting by rotating it to 90 or 270 degrees.
Mounts are also available on the right hand side of the camera to fix the camera on a tripod and facilitate shooting vertically without needing an L-bracket.
Lens Mount
The Canon EOS C70 (Amazon, B&H) has an RF-Mount. For help with lenses, check out this article:
Memory Card
The Canon EOS C70 (Amazon, B&H) has dual SD card slots that support UHS-II SD cards.
Recording time limit
The C70 has no overheating limitation. It has fan in built to prevent overheating.
Battery Life
The C70 gives you about 3 hours of actual recording time with a Canon BPA-30 battery.
Image Stabilization
The Canon EOS C70 (Amazon, B&H) has no IS in-built. It has digital stabilization but that is about it. You’ll have to rely on the IS available in lenses.
Audio
The Canon EOS C70 has 2 Mini XLR inputs. While some might consider this progressive, professionals might frown over the added cost of adapters.
Size and weight
The C70 comes in at around 1,430g. While it is pretty lightweight and compact for a cinema camera, adding accessories will change that.
For a more detailed look at the Canon EOS C70 (Amazon, B&H), please read the following article:
Sony FX6
Sensor Size
The Sony FX6 (Amazon, B&H) has a 35.7 x 18.8 mm full-frame sensor.
Resolution and Frame Rates
The Sony FX6 (Amazon, B&H) can shoot up to 4K DCI (4096 x 2160) up to 60 fps and UHD up to 120 fps.
The data rates range from 100 Mbps to 600 Mbps for 4K. You will have to be careful when recording at 600 Mbps in 4K because it will fill up your card pretty quickly.
ISO Range for video
The Sony FX6 (Amazon, B&H) has an ISO range of 160 to 409,600 in S-Log3. There are two Native ISOs for the Sony FX6: One at ISO 800 and the other is ISO 12800. It is a low light monster.
SDI Output
The best video format that can be exported is “16-bit” 4K Prores RAW via SDI. The maximum frame rate is 59.94p. You will need a compatible recorder for the same.
Lens Mount
The Sony FX6 (Amazon, B&H) has an E-Mount. It is compatible with every E-mount lens out there. For more information about the best E-mount lenses read the following article:
Memory Card
The Sony FX6 (Amazon, B&H) has dual CFexpress Card Type A slots.
These slots are compatible with SDXC cards. Sony doesn’t include a card in the camera package, and CFexpress Type A cards are still rare (and expensive).
Recording time limit
None.
Battery Life
You get about 105 mins (1 hour 45 minutes) of operation with a BP-U35 battery and 215 mins (3 hour 35 minutes) of operation with a BP-U70 battery.
The FX6 draws about 18 Watts. I believe with three batteries you should be able to get through even the most demanding days.
Image Stabilization
The Sony FX6 (Amazon, B&H) has no internal image stabilization. You’re restricted to what the lenses are capable of doing. It does have digital stabilization but that is no professional’s first choice.
ND Filters
The Sony FX6 (Amazon, B&H) comes with an in-built electronic ND filter. The range is from 2 to 7 stops.
You will save a ton of time (and money) by not having to change filters also while changing lenses.
Audio
The audio is recorded as Linear PCM in 24-bit mode. The cold shoe can transmit power directly to a Sony mic or XLR. The 2 XLR inputs are on the top handle of the Sony FX6. Thankfully, the top handle comes with the camera so is not an added expense.
It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Size and weight
The Sony FX6 (Amazon, B&H) weighs only around 890g (body only); lower than the Red Komodo’s weight by 10g. Adding on accessories will change that.
For a deeper understanding of the FX6, we suggest you read the following article:
Red Komodo
Sensor Size
The Red Komodo (B&H) has a Super 35mm sensor (27.03 x 14.25 mm).
Shutter type
The Red Komodo has a global shutter, which is useful in situations where rolling shutter artifacts are an issue. In this regard it is unique amongst the cameras compared here.
Resolution and Frame Rates
The Red Komodo (B&H) can shoot RAW 6K (6144 x 3240) up to 40p in compressed Redcode RAW.
You get 120 fps in 2K. The max data rate for 6K recording is 280 MB/s.
SDI output
The camera has a 12-G SDI port for external recording. The external output is 10-bit RAW 4:2:2 (up to 4K DCI 60p).
If you record to an Atomos Ninja V (Amazon, B&H) you get Prores RAW but I don’t see why. anyone would do that.
ISO range for video
The Red Komodo (B&H) has an ISO range of 100 to 25,600 for video. It also claims to come with Dual Base ISOs at ISO 100 and ISO 1250 RAW video. Probably the worst camera on this list for low light video.
Lens Mount
The Red Komodo (B&H) has an RF-Mount. However, it has not been activated at the time of writing this list. So you will not have the proper autofocus that you would get with the Canon EOS C70 (Amazon, B&H).
Memory Card
The Red Komodo (B&H) has a single memory card slot compatible with CFexpress Fast 2.0 cards.
Recording time limit
There is a recording time limit of 2 hours but that should be plenty for most people.
Battery Life
The Red Komodo (B&H) gives you about 90 mins of recording time.
Image Stabilization
The Red Komodo does not have an in built image stabilization.
Autofocus
The C70 and FX6 have the best video autofocus money can buy. The Komodo has barebones AF. Better than nothing, but not by a whole lot.
Audio
The Red Komodo only comes with an in-built 3.5mm microphone jack.
Size and weight
The camera weighs around 900 g (excluding battery and memory cards). While it is pretty lightweight and compact, adding on accessories will only make it heavier. You do need to add a few accessories to get going and it also adds significantly to the cost when compared to the other cameras here.
Z Cam E2-F8
Sensor Size
The Z CAM E2-F8 (Amazon, B&H) has a full frame sensor (35.97 x 23.98 mm).
Resolution and Frame Rates
The Z CAM E2-F8 (Amazon, B&H) can shoot up to 8192 x 3456 (8K) at 30p in 12-bit Z-RAW.
The maximum fps in 4K UHD is 60 fps.
The data rates goes up to 500 Mbps in H.264 whereas in Z-RAW it goes up to 1.2 Gbps. Be warned, your card might fill up quicker than you can say “action.”
ISO range for video
The Z CAM E2-F8 (Amazon, B&H) has an ISO range of 400 to 125,000 for video. It has dual native ISOs, one at ISO 400 and the other at ISO 1250.
It’s not a low light camera like the three cameras covered above, but it’s better than the one coming next.
HDMI output
The Z CAM E2-F8 (Amazon, B&H) has the ability to output 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 up to 60fps in Z-Log. It can also record to ZRAW or Prores RAW via a recorder like the Atomos Ninja V (Amazon, B&H).
Lens Mount
The Z CAM E2-F8 (Amazon, B&H) has an EF-Mount. You also get a variety of mounts to choose from namely, PL mount, MFT and M mount.
Autofocus
None.
Memory Card
The Z CAM E2-F8 (Amazon, B&H) uses CFAST 2.o memory cards.
Recording time limit
None.
Battery Life
I don’t have reliable info on this.
The Z CAM E2-F8 (Amazon, B&H) has a DC 6.8V ~ 16.8V (2-pin LEMO socket), with LEMO connector as its power source. It is compatible with Sony NP-F series but batteries are not included in the box.
Image Stabilization
None.
Audio
The Z CAM E2-F8 (Amazon, B&H) comes with an in-built 3.5mm mic jack to record audio. It also comes with a 5-pin LEMO port for dual channel XLR microphone and you will have to get an XLR adapter for that.
Size and weight
The Z CAM E2-F8 (Amazon, B&H) weighs around 1090g (including battery and memory cards). It is one of the heavier cameras on this list. Adding accessories such as an external recorder, microphone, etc. will only increase that.
Some countries have good after sales support and service, but some don’t. Also, Z-RAW isn’t a universally accepted codec.
Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2
Sensor Size
The Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro G2 (Amazon, B&H) has a Super 35mm sensor (25.34 x 14.25 mm).
Resolution and Frame Rates
The Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro G2 (Amazon, B&H) can shoot in 4.6K (4608 × 2592) up to 120p in 10-bit 4:2:2 in BRAW, and 4K UHD up to 150p in 10-bit 4:2:2. Max frame rates is 300 fps in 1080p.
For 4.6K RAW, the maximum data rate is 274 MB/s. In Apple ProRes XQ the data rates go up to 360 MB/s.
ISO range for video
The URSA Mini Pro G2 has an ISO range of 200 to 3200 for 4K video. Low light shoots will be problematic with this camera.
SDI output
You need to use an external recorder to get 10-bit 4:2:2, limited to 4K at 60fps.
Lens Mount
The Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro G2 (Amazon, B&H) has an EF-Mount. It can also be swapped for a PL mount or an F mount. For the best lenses check out this article:
Memory Card
The URSA Mini Pro G2 has two CFast 2.0 card slots, two SD UHS-II card slots and one USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 expansion port for external media for Blackmagic RAW and ProRes recording.
It is really versatile and useful.
Recording time limit
None.
Battery Life
You get 12v DC power supply to power the camera. I don’t have reliable info on its actual mileage. It is a power hungry camera.
Image Stabilization
None.
Autofocus
None.
Audio
The Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro G2 (Amazon, B&H) comes with an two XLR inputs switchable between mic, line and AES audio. The XLR inputs are phantom powered. This is a huge advantage for the URSA Mini Pro G2.
Size and weight
The URSA Mini Pro G2 weighs around 2.30 kgs (excluding battery and memory cards). This is the heaviest camera on this list. Adding on accessories will increase it even more.
If you would like a more in-depth comparison of the cameras in this list, check out these articles:
If I had to pick one all-round champion, I’d pick the Sony FX6 (Amazon, B&H). It can handle more kinds of shoots making it a solid investment in this troubled economic climate.
I hope this article has helped you make an informed decision for your filmmaking needs. Let us know what you think in the comments below.
