Best Cinema Cameras for Your Next Documentary

Documentary films frequently require a completely unique set of desires, capabilities, and needs. This is in particular real in terms of the digital camera device that you select to make use of. Having a pleasant camera for the task is an age-antique adage that’s specifically important for this documentary camera here filmmakers.

Due to the regularly rapid, sudden nature of documentary filmmaking, there are a few precise questions you should ask about your digital camera device.

You’ll need to consider such things as:

• Does this digicam gadget provide a stable automobile-cognizance machine?
• What’s the burden of this digital camera bundle?
• What digital camera will offer a codec with the least amount of record garage area?
• While almost every camera available on the market today may be geared up and used as a documentary digicam, we’re going to take a look at our exceptional out-of-the-field alternatives available on the market.

Some of these not-unusual requests and needs of the documentary cinematographer are:

• Built-in ND filters
• High ISO performance
• XLR/audio capabilities
• Robust features (high-speed, in-digital camera IS)
• Plus, generally ease of use

A desirable documentary camera package will carry out quite in every category and seize fantastic photos, given a smart and creative plan for cinematography.

Whether you’re filming the subsequent hit docu-series for Netflix or a movie about your eccentric pals, allow’s study a few documentary cameras today!

Sony FX6/FX9

Sony keeps marking itself as an optimum documentary camera maker with its new FX6 and FX9 line. These cameras function as full-body sensors and cover all the desires of the documentary filmmaker, along with built-in ND, XLR, and an ergonomic shape thing.

These ultra-dependable cameras have discovered themselves taking pictures many high-quit documentaries and truth TV suggests.

The FX6 offers a 10.2 megapixels BSI-CMOS, full-body at four.2K. While the FX9 offers a 24.Five-megapixels 6K HDR sensor.

The FX6 doesn’t offer certain functions like dual native ISO, locking E-mount, and Super 35mm mode (simplest in HD), yet it’s still regarded tremendously in the cinematography panorama.

Sony FX6 key spec notes:

• 4K 10.2MP complete-frame returned-illuminated CMOS Exmor R sensor
• Recording as much as 4K 120p / HD 240p, 10 bit four:2:2 color intensity
• 15+ stops of dynamic range
• ISO up to 409, six hundred
• S-Cinetone profile (extensively utilized in FX9)

Sony FX9 key spec notes:

• 6K complete-frame again-illuminated CMOS Exmor R sensor (can only internally document in resolutions of up to
• 4K DCI)
• Locking E-mount
• DualBase ISO 800/4000
• ISO variety up to 102,700
• 4K Super 35mm mode

Canon C300 Mark III / C500 Mark II

You’re searching at the photo above and questioning, “That’s the equal camera!” And, yes, I’d say the precise equal factor, however, there’s a large difference. Still, design-sensible Canon has caught to the “If it ain’t broke, don’t restoration it” technique.

The C500 Mark II offers a complete-frame CMOS sensor at 5.9K with up to 15+ stops of dynamic range in CineLog-2, while the C300 Mark III offers a 4K Super35 sensor with 16+ stops of dynamic variety.

The C300 Mark III trumps the C500 Mark II in low-mild seize. This is due to the C300’s Dual Gain Output (DGO) which gives even better performance at higher ISOs, greater dynamic variety, and a capacity to erase any noise inside the shadows completely.

Even even though the C500 Mark II gives 60fps in 4K and 120fps in 1080p, the C300 is faster. Offering 120fps at 4K and 180fps at 1080.

From enjoyment, I can say the C300 Mark III is a well-rounded camera that’s a joy to use, generating some of the richest and maximum dynamic photos I’ve taken so far.

C300 Mark III key specs:

• Super 35mm dual advantage output (DGO) sensor 4K 120fps, 2K crop 180fps HDR
• Cinema RAW light and XF-AVC H.264 codec
• EF lens mount, DIG! C DV7 image processor
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF and face detection
• LM-V2 four.Three″ LCD touchscreen display
• 12G-SDI and four-channel audio recording
• 2x CFexpress slots, Canon Log 2 and 3
• Electronic photo stabilization
• Proxy recording, anamorphic lens aid

C500 Mark II key specifications:

• Full-body CMOS sensor, DIG! C DV 7 chip
• Full-body, Super 35, and Super 16 modes
• DCI 4K/2K, UHD 4K, and HD modes
• User-changeable lens mounts
• DualPixel CMOS AF
• Internal Canon RAW mild recording
• Internal XF-AVC recording
• 2 x CFexpress card slots, SD card slot
• Canon Log 2 and Log 3 gamma
• 4-channel audio recording

Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K

This beast of a digital camera is nothing short of wonderful. The URSA Mini Pro 12K digital camera from Blackmagic design has been the cross-to digicam for characteristic films and classified ads over the last few years, with its 12,288 x 6480 12K Super 35 sensor and 14 stops of dynamic variety.

This camera gives a significant range of capturing resolutions and body costs—from 12K 75fps, 8K 160fps, and 4K Super 16 as much as 240fps—four-role ND filter wheel, consumer changeable lens mounts, Dual Cfast or SD card recording, or even direct SSD recording via its built-in USB-C connection.

Made from lightweight magnesium alloy, the united states Mini Pro 12K is a first-rate lightweight, yet robust construction of a digital camera, strong for hand-held work or tripod-based totally photographs.

URSA Mini Pro 12K key spec notes:

• 12,288 x 6480 12K Super 35 sensor more than one excessive speed body fee (12K/60fps; 8K/120fps; 4K/160fps; 4K
• Super16/240fps)
• Recording directly to a flash disk or SSD thru USB-C
• Interchangeable lens mounts
• 14 stops of dynamic range
• Dual Cfast 2.0 / SD card recording