Apart from breaking through creative barriers, perhaps the biggest challenge that student filmmakers face is finding the right equipment on a budget. If you have limited funds but are intent on becoming a professional filmmaker, here are some of the cameras that you can consider.
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Top 5 Cameras for students for awesome Filmmaking
#1:- Nikon D5600 Wi-Fi DSLR
At around $600, the Nikon D5600 Wi-Fi DSLR is a beast that’s armed with a 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and can capture full high-definition (FHD) 1080p resolution videos at 60fps. These are just some of the reasons why the list of affordable cameras for student filmmakers by Adorama is topped by the Nikon D5600 Wi-Fi DSLR. It also comes with Nikon’s Multi-CAM 4800DX autofocus system, a 2016-pixel RGB sensor that’s ideal for low-light shots, and a 3.2-inch tilting touch screen LCD with 1,036,800 dots. Enabled with Wi-Fi, near-field communication (NFC), and Bluetooth connectivity, this device allows for the seamless transfer of videos to other devices. It’s a legitimate movie-making camera at the price of a mid-range smartphone.
#2:- Canon T3i
Still available at certain retailers for $500 to $600, the Canon T3i is another fairly affordable but powerful option in the realm of DSLR videography. In a Tech Crunch camera comparison, the site reveals that this camera has a dedicated movie mode that’s accessible right on the dial, allowing users quick access to its 50fps to 60fps settings for 1080p resolution videos. The videos captured by its 18-megapixel CMOS sensor can be easily viewed through the articulated 1.04 megapixel LCD. Nearly 10 years after its release, the Canon T3i remains a highly recommended camera for budding new filmmakers. The T3i’s larger size and light weight also makes it easy to control.
#3:- Panasonic HC-VX981K Ultra HD Camcorder
What’s perhaps most impressive about the $700 Panasonic HC-VX981K is how it can connect via Wi-Fi to another mobile device for its Twin Camera feature, which enables multi-camera scene recording. The resulting footage can then be manipulated through its in-camera editing software which enables 4K post cropping, zooming, panning, and even subject tracking stabilization. While proper filmmaking will of course entail separate dedicated editing software, the HC-VX981K’s in-camera editing features can streamline the editing process and lessen the post-production work. Its LEICA Dicomar Lens is capable of up to 20x optical zoom and also comes with a 5-axis Hybrid Optical Image Stabilization feature. Its built-in HDR mode is no slouch either.
#4:- Sony Alpha 6400
Retailing for around $900, the compact and lightweight Sony Alpha 6400’s 24.2MP APS-C sensor can shoot 4K resolution videos at 30fps, and HD resolution videos at up to 120fps. Equipped with an advanced auto-focus system that uses 425 points, this camera can very quickly adjust to maintain focus when the camera is turned to other subjects. With ISO settings of up to 102,400, student filmmakers interested in shooting low-light situations will have much to experiment with. This one can also transfer files via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC. It is hailed by a lot of users as the best camera for vloggers.
#5:- Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera
If you have at least $1,000 to spend on a camera for movie making, make it the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera. With the ability to capture RAW ready footage, you won’t have to rely on compressed video codecs that churn out substandard footage which make color grading impossible. It also gives the option to shoot 4K, Ultra HD, and HD videos. At the same time, Engadget’s dedicated review of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera warns that it does come with a steep learning curve, and will likely need certain upgrades to reach its full potential in the hands of any filmmaker. Be that as it may, this compact beast is without a doubt one of the best choices in this price range – a true entry-level cinematic camera with all the features needed to make full-length films.
For more practical information for student filmmakers, check out our guide to the Best 4K video editor for Windows & Mac in 2020.
