Choosing a Cinema Camera (DSLR to Cinema Post #2)

How many times have you shot video with your trusty DSLR only to find the footage is out of focus or to have the camera shut down because its overheating? Would a “real” cinema camera solve all your problems? Here is the second in a series of articles by Ben Long about making the transition from a DSLR to a cinema camera. –Sonja Schenk

by Ben Long

There are a lot of considerations that go into the selection of a cinema camera. Image quality, of course, but also size and weight, lens selection, output options, audio capabilities, third-party accessory support, and many others. Mostly likely though, the single most important parameter that you’ll consider will be cost. Finding a camera with perfect features does you no good if you can’t afford it.

Consequently, one of the first decisions you should make when shopping for a mid-to-high-end cinema camera is to select a price point. Fortunately, in the cinema camera market there are not a huge array of pricing options (I say “fortunately” simply because this lack of options makes for easier decision-making). While digital still cameras are often priced only $100 or $200 apart, cinema cameras are divided into price tiers that are thousands of dollars apart.

How Much Do They Cost?

At this time of this writing, cinema cameras break down into roughly the following price points. Remember, we’re not considering DSLRs here. As discussed in Part One, our goal is to get away from DSLRs and into a system truly designed for video production. Also, be aware that these cinema camera prices are just for the camera body. Lenses and other accessories will cost extra.

$2000 or less Cinema cameras available at this price, like the Canon C100, are limited to HD video. The one exception is the 4K Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera, but with its point-and-shoot body style, it’s more like a DSLR than a film camera. Also, this price doesn’t include a lens or any of the high-end I/O (like an Atmos Ninja) that you might want, so you’ll actually spend quite a bit more than two grand to get a usable system with this camera.

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera is the only 4K option priced below $2000.

$3000-6000 This is the entry point for 4K cinema cameras, and the price varies depending on model and what type of lens you buy with it (if you buy one at all). For this price, you’ll get a large sensor, interchangeable lenses, and a variety of pro features.

The Sony PXW-FS5 XDCAM super 35 camera body falls in the $3000-6000 price range.

$6000-9000 This is where you’ll find the industry workhorse cameras: the Canon C200, the Panasonic AU-EVA1, and the Sony FS7. Here you’ll get less compression and possibly 6K video, as well as additional high-end features such as PL mounts for cinema lenses.

Panasonic AU-EVA1 Compact 5.7K super 35mm cinema camera fits into the $6000-9000 group.

$9000-15000 At this price range, you find the DP favorites: the RED cameras make their appearance here, along with the Panasonic Varicam line, and the Canon C300.

The Canon C300, in the $9000-15000 category, is popular with professional DPs.

$15,000+ If you’re considering a camera in this price point, you’re probably not reading a beginning-level article like this one. Still, it’s fun to look at these cameras and check out their specs if for no other reason than to see what the future will like like at the lower price points. High end features always migrate down, so looking at these cameras is a look into the future. At present, this is where you’ll find cinema cameras with full-frame sensors that can record 8K video.

The RED Monstro shoots 8K video with frame rates up to 60fps and a full-sized image sensor that will set you back over $50K.

Again, because of the big jumps between price tiers, you won’t find yourself thinking “this camera is nice, but for just a few hundred dollars more I could get that camera.” Either you can afford a $10,000 camera or not. If not, then you know that you only need to consider the first tier, and there are only a few cameras there to consider.

Note, too that cinema cameras tend to have a long lifespan – they don’t get replaced every year. So unless you happen to be buying right at the end of the product’s life, you won’t have to worry if you should wait to see what’s coming next. Nevertheless, it’s good to do a little research to find out if your camera of choice might be replaced soon.

Finally, there is another pricing option which is to buy a used camera. For example, at the time of this writing, people are moving away from the Canon C100 cameras that were very popular a few years ago because they only shoot HD. But you may not need 4K for your project and if so, this is a great camera that can be had at a very good price point.

For the projects I’m going to be shooting I can’t justify $10K, so I decided to go in at the $3000-6000 range. There are several options in that category, so before I decide on a camera body, my next consideration is…

Next up: Image Quality