Film video cameras are the ones used for professional motion pictures, documentaries, television shows, and high-budget music videos. Instead of standard digital that makes up a large portion of both professional and amateur filmmaking, these cameras use traditional film or a digital film sensor. Choosing the right film video camera with the right features, quality, and cost is crucial for making your filmmaking vision a reality.
Capture offers over 20 years of experience digitizing film formats like Super 8 film, 16mm film, and 35mm photo film into digital copies. Over that time, we’ve learned a lot about cinematic cameras, so we put together this list of the best film video camera recommendations.
Keep reading to understand what film video cameras are, factors to consider when choosing the best one for your needs, and the top 10 recommendations on the market in 2023.
Jump to:
- Understanding Film Video Cameras
- Factors to Consider When Choosing a Film Video Camera
- The Top 10 Film Video Cameras
Understanding Film Video Cameras
Traditionally, film video cameras were cinema cameras that used analog film formats. Before the rise of newer film types, the argument was between 16mm vs 8mm vs Super 8 film. Later, as the appeal of Super 8 or 8mm film cameras wore off, came other film options like IMAX film types, Super 16mm film, Super 35, IMAX HD, Maxi vision, and more.
While these different film types offer customization, quality, and differing features, the rise of the first digital camera meant that digital motion pictures have become significantly more popular. Still, many professionals prefer old video camera formats that still use film.
That’s because film has the potential to shoot at a higher resolution than most digital cameras due to more pixels per inch. Some filmmakers also prefer the hands-on and analog experience that only film cameras can offer. Finally, film captures completely real images with more subtle focus and potential for double exposure.
Digital cameras, like Digital SLR or DSLR cameras, are easier to edit and more affordable, but if you want that authentic filmmaking experience with higher resolution and dynamic range, and potential for double exposure and other experimentation, then you might prefer a professional camera that uses a modern film format.
Some of the options use digital technology to mimic the resolution, coloration, and flexibility of film types as well, as you’ll see with some of our choice for the 10 best film video cameras.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Film Video Camera
If you’ve decided to get a film video camera whether you’re a beginner or an experienced pro, there are some factors that you should consider during the buying process. Make sure you consider image quality, color reproduction, dim setting performance, camera design features, budget, and flexibility.
Image quality and resolution
Make sure you keep image quality and resolution in your mind when selecting the best camera for your needs. While most offer great image quality, some offer a higher frame rate or additional features like image stabilization that can improve the cine quality.
Dynamic range and color reproduction
Not all film projects require exceptional dynamic range and color reproduction, but if you want precise colors, crisp contrasts, or specific aesthetics, then this is a major consideration when choosing a movie camera.
Low light performance and noise handling
Light and noise are two of the most important things to consider when choosing a camera whether you are using it for Hollywood motion pictures, self-published documentaries, vlogging, or anything else. Will it pick up the right amount of noise and be able to capture clean, high-quality images in low light settings?
Ergonomics and camera design
You want the camera body to be easy to use, comfortable, and lightweight, especially if you want to film in action settings. Some of the cameras on our list are better than others for different types of situations whether that’s with a movie set or action shots on a safari. You might also prefer a certain style like vintage camcorder design, full-bodied television studio construction, or something else.
Cost and Availability
Some film video cameras are easier to find than others, so make sure you don’t choose a camera that you will never be able to find. For example, a Super 8 camera might be harder to find than a model that is still being made in 2023. Additionally, the cost can range significantly for film video cameras from around $1,000 or less to $50,000 or more.
Flexibility in post-production
If you are a cinematographer who wants to add effects, combine footage, perform video restoration, use a combination of practical and digital effects, or wants flexibility for other reasons, then you need to check the film type as well as the specific camera features to make sure it will offer all the flexibility you’re looking for.
The Top 10 Film Video Cameras
Now that you know some of the factors to consider when choosing a video camera for cinematography, here are the 10 best cameras to consider.
Arri Alexa Mini LF
This ProRes camera is advertised as “Large format, small camera” due to the large format capability as well as the compact, lightweight design. It also offers unmatched image quality and dynamic range, plenty of flexibility, bright accurate colors, and compatibility with various recording formats including 4.5k Open Gate and Super 35.
This camera was used for hit films like Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Fast X, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantomania. However, as one of the best cameras on the market used for major productions, it is costly for amateur use, costing around $100k.
RED Epic-W 8K S35
This camera combines film and digital features like classic cinema lenses that are designed for Super 35mm format with 8k recording ability. The sound quality is fantastic, and the sensor is great for higher frame rates or dramatic slow-motion footage.
The flexibility is unmatched when it comes to digital and film video recording compatibility in full HD, but the main downside is that it’s harder to find than many of the other film video cameras on this list, but most of the available RED cameras only offer standard digital video recording.
Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K
This digital film video camera offers a Super 35 12k sensor, ISO of 800, built-in ND filters, and multiple model upgrades and lenses to suit your filmmaking needs. The portable design, easy-to-use controls, digital film technology, and affordability as low as $5,000 makes it a decent choice for beginners.
The LCD touchscreen is also quite easy to use while also offering exceptional real-time playback to offer flexibility on whether you want to use the standard viewfinder or a more modern digital approach. It’s also compatible with multiple mic mounts, hand grips, and other accessories.
Canon C500 Mark II
This camera uses a 5.9K full frame CMOS sensor that supports Super 35mm and Super 16mm crop modes with SD card compatibility. The electronic image stabilization, color grading, modular design, and powerful image processor are why it was chosen as one of the cameras approved for Netflix productions.
Costing around $10 to $11 thousand, it is one of the most powerful options you can get for the low to mid professional film camera price range. Videographers also love the anamorphic lens support for a wide cinematic appearance with crisp video quality with high-level connectivity and interoperability. While vloggers might choose the Canon EOS mirrorless camera, this is better for ambitious cinematographers.
Sony FS7 II
This versatile Super 35mm handheld camera is exceptional for recording documentary films and has fantastic specs including smooth and powerful 6.1x zoom, manual and autofocus functions, active shooting camera body, and more. It also has a shoulder mount and is easy to control for precise filming.
While it was later replaced by newer models, you can still find it for around $10k, which is a great price for a cherished favorite alternative to pocket cinema cameras. Plus, it’s compatible with newer lenses and rigs for flexible customizations.
Panasonic EVA1
This cinema camera has a max shooting resolution of 4000x2000 and 8 megapixels per frame and offers dual-native ISOs. It only weighs 1.2 kg without a lens and the HDMI-compatible 3.5-inch screen is easy to detach and reposition for awkward or artistic filming situations. Plus, it’s readily available at retailers including Amazon for less than $6,500 and is more than a step up from the Panasonic LUMIX GH5.
Aaton Penelope
This vintage, completely analog Super 35mm film camera builds upon the early film advancements of major innovators like Leica, Kodak, Fujifilm, and Nikon. The bright viewfinder makes it easy to capture precise images while the compact and silent design with 3-4o fps excels when compared to other models from the same early 2000s era. If you can find it, you can’t go wrong with this camera for filmmakers.
Arriflex 435
This awesome camera was introduced in 1995 before the first digital camera for consumers. The 35mm film camera is beloved by filmmakers because of its flexibility for music videos, commercials, vlogs, and many other uses. Arri received a Scientific and Engineering Academy Award in 1999 for the powerful system that has flexible lens mounts, upgrade options including LCD panel, and advanced video assist.
Bolex H16
If you want antique filmmaking equipment that also offers great results, then this Bolex H16 from 1935 might be exactly what you’re looking for. It uses 16mm film and offers variable speeds of 1, 16, 24, 32, and 64 frames per second, audible footage indicator, footage counter, and manual rewind. It also has a tripod adapter socket and you can even view the 16mm film without a projector once you shoot the footage!
Kodak Super 8 Camera
While you might associate Super 8 cameras with the era before the best camcorders for home videos, this is actually a new model of Super 8 camera released by Kodak in 2016. You can use three different film stocks and the camera has an LCD viewfinder, works great in any lighting, and offers a fantastic balance between vintage cinematography and modern quality.
Conclusion
Whether you want a digital cinema camera for videography or a film video camera with exceptional features, it’s important to consider the image quality, sound quality, dynamic range, fps, ergonomics, cost, availability, and flexibility both in shooting and postproduction. The 10 listed above offer tons of great features and include a wide variety of different styles, lenses, and features to choose from.
If you choose one of the completely analog options, it’s still a good idea to preserve the footage in digital format to ensure it’s never lost. Capture will take exceptional care of your original film and offers a multi-million-dollar tracking and monitoring system to ensure it’s safe every step of the way because we create premium digital copies. Click here to learn about our film transfer services!
