Today, would-be filmmakers have access to some amazing cameras without spending a fortune. You can create high-quality videos with low-priced, consumer-friendly cameras – and that’s what this article is all about.

When looking for the best budget cameras for filmmaking, you will come across a large range of expensive to cheap cameras for filming, but it can be difficult to know just from the specs which of these are good cameras for filming and which should be ignored.

In this article, I will cover the key features you should look out for when browsing the best cameras for video, and will give detailed reviews of the top 5 video cameras.

The 5 Best Cameras for Filmmaking on a Budget

1. Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K

Kicking off our list of the best budget cameras for filmmaking is this quite fascinating pocket camera with immense abilities—the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera, quite popular among veteran filmmakers, but may be unfamiliar to people just getting into filmmaking.

Its build is so nifty-looking, you might dismiss the device at first sight as a toy for kids. But make no mistake about it—this camera is capable of delivering some stunning film work.

Pros

• It has a compact and pocketable design.
• It provides great picture quality and 4K resolution.
• It is highly Affordable.
• It has great audio quality as well.

Cons

• No in-body image stabilization.
• Average battery life.

2. Fujifilm X-T4

The Fujifilm X-T4 is another camera for your consideration with immense filmmaking capabilities at a really affordable price. It has everything you’d need in any filmmaking gear, along with good low light capability and a 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS).

All this lends it a much-needed steadiness for serious filmmaking. It also boasts unique technologies, such as its image manipulation feature.

The Fujifilm XT4 is, of course, perfect for taking normal shots, too, and forgiving that extra mechanical support needed for ordinary high-quality low light photography. For connectivity, you have the full built-in wireless, Bluetooth, and NFC options.

Pros

• 1/8000s high shutter speed.
• 4k 120 frames-per-second feature.
• In-body image stabilization.

Cons

• Lack of AF subject tracking in video.

3. Sony Alpha a6400 or Sony Alpha a6600 (for built-in image stabilization)

The Sony Alpha 6400 and 6600 are both great cameras worthy of serving as your go-to gear as a filmmaker, especially if you happen to be on the lookout for the highest bang-for-your-buck out there.

The Sony Alpha A6600 was introduced in August 2019 as the latest in the A6 line, with the 6400 released in January 2019. And just like their closeness in age, the differences between them are quite subtle, but when it comes to filmmaking, the most important new feature of the A6600 is its built-in image stabilization.

They’re both one of your best options when it comes to budget filmmaking and capturing in low light. They both feature impressive AF (which the company claims to be the world’s fastest at 0.02 seconds), both shoot continuously at 11 frames per second, and offer real-time AF tracking.

Pros

• Solid battery life.
• In-body image stabilization (IBIS) on the A660o.
• Real-time AF tracking.
• Very fast AF and eye AF.

Cons

• No in-body image stabilization (IBIS) on the A6400.

4. Canon 90D

Canon 90D is without a doubt one of the best APS-C cameras out there, beloved by both traditional Canon users and even folks who weren’t previously a fan of the brand.

If you’re looking for what makes this camera so special, you’ll likely find it in its convenient price relative to its numerous functionalities, its 32.5-megapixel native resolution, and also in the fact that it is a continuation of an already impressive line of products, which includes the Canon 80D and 7D Mark II.

At any rate, the 90D manages to take all the strengths of these cameras, and add significant improvements and novel features, including the major bump in native resolution.

Pros

• 11.0 frames-per-second continuous shooting.
• Autofocus at f8 with 27 focus points.
• External microphone and headphone port.

Cons

• Absence of image stabilization.

5. Panasonic GH5

The Panasonic Lumix is a solid series in the camera world with enough respect to warrant buying a product based on trust alone.

If you were to do so with the GH5, you would really have nothing to be afraid of in terms of quality, affordability, and longevity.

The GH5 is a pro mirrorless camera with a CMOS sensor of 20.2 megapixels, and a host of other incredible highlights. The most important of these, though, is its video capabilities in this context.

It does everything you’d want your video camera to do, and then some. It shoots in 4K, has great image stabilization, a fully articulated screen, and a solid 180 frames-per-second high-speed video capacity.

Pros

• 12.0 frames-per-second continuous shooting.
• 180 frames-per-second high-speed video.
• Electronic built-in viewfinder.
• 4K and 6K photo modes.

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Are DSLRs/Mirrorless Cameras any Good?

A common question asked by filmmakers trying to get things done on a budget is usually along the line of wondering whether or not DSLRs and mirrorless cameras can get the same job done that videos cameras will.

The answer to this is yes. DSLRs are actually great for filmmaking. A lot of established filmmakers, in fact, usually opt to still have a Canon DSLR with them, or a simple Sony mirrorless, no matter how many million-dollar devices they have at their disposal.

Also, modern mirrorless and DSLRs, as mentioned above, are great for low light conditions.

To Sum Up

As you can see, there’s a vast number of budget-friendly cameras out there just waiting for filmmakers such as yourself to discover.

All you need to do is consider your budget and what you’re looking for in a camera and then simply choose which one is right for you!

We hope this article on the best camera for filmmaking on a budget has helped you in making a camera choice.