Best Cameras – under $1,000

It is not that compact and capable cameras are foreign to FUJIFILM. In the past, we’ve already tested the X-T20 and X-T30 and could see a noticeable evolution in video quality and usability.

So, how do you innovate within a field you already did well? Apparently, the answer is easy. Make the tool even more desirable and keep its price extremely competitive. This is exactly what FUJIFILM did. The new X-S10 is built on the heritage of the X-T30, yet takes some fundamental elements from its older sibling, the X-T4. Maybe the most noticeable upgrade from the X-T30 is the inclusion of an In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) in this compact-bodied camera. 

Although the sensor and processor are similar to those found inside the X-T4, the X-S10 differentiates itself from the more expensive X-T4 by: 

• No 4K/50/60p internal recording (Up to 30p only) 
• No All-I recording (Long GOP only) 
• No high 400 Mbps data rate recording (Up to 200 Mbps only)
• No internal 10-bit recording

But in all honesty, for $999, we feel that the deal is still very good! Benefits like usable film simulation picture profiles (F-Log, ETERNA) next to the internal stabilization system and the possibility to connect the camera to an external recorder and get 4.2:2 10-bit via the HDMI connector make this little camera a true champion.

The FUJIFILM X-E4 is a rangefinder-styled mirrorless camera offering decent video (and stills) capabilities. Featuring the same 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 APS-C sensor and X-Processor 4 from the bigger X-T4, the X-E4 offers DCI/UHD 4K as well as slow-motion Full HD recording.

Additionally, the sensor's design also houses a hybrid autofocus system that combines 425 phase-detection points with a contrast-detection system for reliable AF performance. Internally, it records H.264/MOV 4:2:0 8-Bit DCI/UHD 4K25p or FullHD up to 200p. For external recording the X-E4 can output 4:2:2 10-Bit.

• Sensor Size: 23.5 x 15.6 mm
• Lens Mount: FUJIFILM X
• internal H.264/MOV 4:2:0 8-Bit: up to DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 23.976p/24.00p/25p/29.97p [100 to 200 Mb/s]
• external 4:2:2 10-Bit: up to DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 23.976p/24.00p/25p/29.97p

The Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera is certainly not the most recent camera but it still is a valid device for budget-minded filmmakers.

It is a tiny camera with a Super 16mm-sized sensor designed to be operated remotely. The image sensor supports 1080p video up to 60 fps. The camera is equipped with an active MFT mount that can accept native MFT lenses or be adapted to a wide range of other modern and vintage lenses using optional third party adapters.

Video is recorded to SDHC/SDXC memory cards using the 12-bit CinemaDNG Raw format or 10-bit Apple ProRes family of codecs. There is no screen or viewfinder built into this camera so keep in mind that you will need at least some sort of external monitor in order to work with this camera.

• Sensor Size: 12.48 x 7.02 mm (Super16)
• Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
• CinemaDNG (RAW): 1920 x 1080 at 23.98/24/25/29.97/30/50/60 fps (65 MB/s)
• ProRes 422 4:2:2: 1920 x 1080p at 23.98/24/25/29.97/30/50/60 fps (27.5 MB/s)

The Sony ZV-1 camera is a Jack of all trades.

Having a 1-inch sensor next to a built-in ND filter and fixed midrange zoom lens, vloggers will find it as a nice tool to work with and for professionals, it can be a nice modestly priced “throw in the bag” camera, one that can work well in many scenarios.

Last but not least, this is also a great family camera to have too. It was clear that Sony is trying to combat the popularity of using mobile phones for capturing videos with this camera.

A compact, yet pretty powerful little camera. The mirrorless design allows for both stills photography and decent video capturing. The Sony Alpha a6400 is an APS-C mirrorless camera that adopts many of the features of higher-end cameras.

This includes real-time eye AF and real-time tracking capabilities, high-speed shooting up to 11 fps, with AF/AE tracking, an upgraded BIONZ X image processing engine, an LCD touchscreen that tilts 180° up (good for vlogging!) and 74° down, UHD 4K movie recording with full pixel readout and no pixel binning and internal recording for time-lapse videos.

• Sensor Size: 23.5 x 15.6 mm
• Lens Mount: Sony E
• XAVC S: up to UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 24.00p/25p/29.97p [60 to 100 Mb/s]
• external 4:2:2 8-Bit: up to UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 24.00p/25p/29.97p

This is a very compact camera in a box-sahed housing. Good for rigging it to taste or mounting it on a gimbal for example. The Z CAM E2C 4K camera shoots UHD 4K up to 29.97 fps, as well as HD up to 59.94 fps, and records to an SDXC Class 10 card.

It features a 4/3" sensor with 10-bit color support. The camera supports recording video in MOV/MP4 using H.265 for 10-bit recording, while H.264 supports 8-bit recording. RAW recording in ZRAW flavour is also on board. Audio is recorded in 24-bit 48 kHz using AAC or PCM (PCM for MOV format only).

• Sensor Size: 17.56 x 13.11 mm (4/3")
• Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
• H.265/MOV/MP4 10-Bit: up to 3840 x 2160p at 23.98/24/25/29.97 fps
• H.264/MOV/MP4 8-Bit: up to 3840 x 2160p at 23.98/24/25/29.97 fps (230 Mb/s)

This is DJI's take on building an action camera. Perfect for creating social media videos or filming while skiing, surfing, biking, running, driving, ..you get the idea.

The Osmo Action 4K Camera sports a 1/2.3" CMOS sensor and a wide f/2.8 lens in a pint-sized package, allowing you to record high-resolution video up to 4K60wherever the action is. A front-facing color screen helps framing the shot in "selfie-mode".

You will need a bunch of batteries and some sort of mounting accessories but other than that youre good to go with this camera. If decent audio is needed, you will want to record it externally though.

• Sensor: 1-Chip 1/2.3" CMOS
• up to 4096 x 2160p at 24/25/30/48/50/60 fps (MOV/MP4 via H.264/AVC)
• Slow Motion: 240 fps Recorded at 1920 x 1080p

The Canon EOS RP sports a full-frame sensor and it is one of the first cameras featuring Cenon's new RF mount. the EOS RP supports UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution recording at up to 23.98 fps at 120 Mb/s, along with Full HD 1080p and HD 720p at 60 fps for slow motion playback.

When recording in-camera, 4K video has 4:2:0 sampling and 8-bit color depth, and 4:2:2 8-bit output is possible when using an external recorder. Audio can be recorded using the on-board stereo microphone or an optional external mic can also be used via the 3.5mm mic jack. A digital 5-axis IS can be engaged when recording video, it's not a mechanical IS, though.

• Sensor Size: 35.9 x 24 mm
• Lens Mount: Canon RF
• MP4/H.264: up to UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p

This is the successor to the original EOS M50, released a few years back.

The EOS M50 II is aimed at vloggers and content creators, offering a 24.1MP APS-C CMOS sensor in tandem with the DIGIC 8 image processor, which enable UHD 4K video recording at 23.98 fps, along with Full HD 1080p60. Sensor-based Dual Pixel CMOS AF has been improved with faster speeds and refined Eye Detection AF performance, and supports both Eye Detection and Face Detection focusing modes when working with Movie Servo AF to help keep things in focus.

• Sensor Size: 22.3 x 14.9 mm
• Lens Mount: Canon EF-M
• H.264/MP4: up to UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p

The Canon EOS M6 Mark II is even more compact than the EOS M50 II.

Its APS-C-sized 32.5MP CMOS sensor captures up to UHD 4K30p and Full HD 120p video, as well as supporting continuous stills shooting rates up to 14 fps with AF and AE tracking. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF provides 5481 selectable points for precise and smooth focusing for both photo and video. The camera features a 3.0" 1.04m-dot touchscreen LCD, which has a 180° tilting design for vlogging applications.

• Sensor Size: 22.3 x 14.9 mm
• Lens Mount: Canon EF-M
• MP4/H.264: up to UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 25p/29.97p
• external 4:2:2 8-Bit: UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) up to 25p/29.97p

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 MFT camera is the predecessor of the (very) popular GH5 and GH5s.

It features a 16.05-megapixel Digital Live MOS sensor and a 4-CPU Venus Engine, capable of capturing UHD 4K 30p/24p and DCI 4K24p. It also features a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, an OLED screen plus a built-in EVF.

This is a good all-rounder for both stills and video capturing for filmmakers on a budget or as an entry-level model. Micro four thirds glass is relatively affordable (and lightweight), no need for bulky and expensive full frame lenses.

• Sensor Size: 17.3 x 13 mm
• Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
• MOV/MP4: up to UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/24.00p/25p/29.97p [100 Mb/s]
• external: 4:2:2 10-Bit

Normally we don't cover camcorders here at CineD but the Panasonic HC-WXF1 UHD 4K Camcorder combines UHD 4K capture and several cine-style features not often found in consumer camcorders, so maybe this is something worth considering when starting out in the video business.

The HC-VX1's integrated f/1.8 to f/4 24x Leica Dicomar zoom works with the back-illuminated 1/2.5" MOS sensor to provide decent imaging, even at lower light levels. It records UHD 4K video at 24 or 30 fps, Full HD video at up to 1080p 60 fps, and up to 26MP still photos.

• Sensor Resolution: 8.57 MP
• Sensor: 1-Chip 1/2.5" MOS
• MP4: up to 3840 x 2160p at 30 fps (72 Mb/s)

THE original action cam. This new GoPro model offers a 23MP GP2 sensor and a front screen, it features up to 5K60p video and 23MP photo capture alongside new professional settings.

Over the years, GoPro managed to constantly improve their flagship series of GoPro action cameras and the HERO10 model was worth the wait. The front-facing color screen is a welcomed addition as well as the HyperSmooth 4.0 image stabilization. If you need something for filming on-the-go in rough situations, the GoPro is a good choice. However, you’ll need some additional accessories for capturing decent audio. And don’t forget to bring lots of batteries.

• Sensor: 1-Chip CMOS Sensor
• Resolution (effective): 23 Megapixel
• internal recording: up to 5120 x 2880 at 24/25/30/60 fps (100 Mb/s MP4 via H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC)

Offering numerous upgrades over its predecessor, the DJI Pocket 2 Creator Combo adds a 1/1.7" 64MP CMOS sensor, up to 8x zoom, a 93° angle of view, and four directional stereo microphones with DJI Matrix Stereo audio zoom, utilizing its lightweight, ultra-compact 3-axis gimbal stabilizer and 4K camera combination.

New software enhancements have also been added, including an updated ActiveTrack 3.0, built-in glamour effects, an AI editor, Hybrid AF 2.0, and motion-lapse, without the need for the smartphone app. It's got everything you need for a high-resolution mobile production to create family videos, add footage to your photo shoots, or vlog your latest streaming creations with smooth motion video.

• Sensor: 1-Chip 1/1.7" CMOS
• Focal Length: 20mm
• inernal recording: up to 3840 x 2160p at 24/25/30/48/50/60 fps (100 Mb/s MP4 via H.264/AVC, MPEG-4)