Creating a music video requires capturing visually-stunning footage that matches the energy and emotion of the song. With so many camera options on the market, it can be challenging to determine which one fits your budget while still meeting your creative needs.
In this guide, we’ll review the top 5 cameras for shooting music videos in 2023 based on video quality, features, price, and more.
Key Factors For Selecting a Music Video Camera
When evaluating cameras for filming music videos, there are several key factors to consider:
Resolution – Most videos today are filmed in ultra high definition 4K, which offers increased sharpness and detail over 1080P HD. High frame rates (60fps+) are also useful for capturing fast action and slowing footage down.
Low Light Capabilities – Many music video scenes have moody or dramatic lighting. You‘ll want a camera that can shoot clean footage even in low light.
Stabilization – Whether recording handheld shots or fast-paced movement, stabilization keeps the footage smooth and professional looking. Optical and digital stabilization, gimbals, and more can assist.
Autofocus – Tracking and maintaining sharp focus on moving subjects like musicians can be difficult without advanced autofocus capabilities. This ensures your footage stays crisp as performers move around.
Price – Cinema cameras offer premium quality yet carry premium prices. More affordable mirrorless and DSLR options can still achieve gorgeous video suitable for music projects. Determine what fits into your gear budget.
Now let’s dive into the top cameras recommendations across various budgets and use cases.
1. Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro – Best Overall
Key Specs:
- 6K up to 50fps
- 4K DCI up to 60fps
- Dual Native ISO 400 and 3200
- 13 Stops Dynamic Range
- Electronic Image Stabilization
Price: $2,495
Blackmagic cameras have become hugely popular among indie filmmakers for their stellar production value to price ratio. The Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro packs impressive video performance into a compact form factor, making it our choice for best overall camera for music videos.
At the heart of this camera sits a 23.10mm x 12.99mm 6K Super 35 HDR CMOS sensor, which captures 6144 x 3456 video with 13 stops of dynamic range for incredible color and tonality. You get a dual native ISO of 400 and 3200 for exceptional low light capability. It can internally record 6K raw footage up to 50fps and capture 4K DCI resolution at 60fps for gorgeous ultra high definition shots with the ability to slow down footage smoothly in post.
The body design facilitates flexible shooting, with its bright 5” touchscreen display, professional ports, and storage capacity for an hour of 6K raw footage. A key advantage of this model over other pocket camcorders is its built-in electronic image stabilization, providing steady handheld operation.
Arguably best of all, the BMPCC 6K Pro comes bundled with DaVinci Resolve Studio video editing software (a $300 value)—Blackmagic’s acclaimed post-production program used widely in Hollywood productions. This makes post work even easier to achieve stunning graded looks for your videos.
Ideal For: Filmmakers wanting cinema-level quality and features in a highly portable form factor that fits into any gear bag. The integrated pro video editing software makes post work seamless.
Downsides: No continuous autofocus or in-body-image-stabilization means you‘ll have to manual focus and use lenses/gimbals for stabilization. The small design also limits the battery life compared to larger cameras.
2. Sony a7S III – Best Mirrorless Camera
Key Specs:
- 12MP Full Frame Sensor
- UHD 4K 120p
- 10-bit 4:2:2 Recording
- 15+ Stops Dynamic Range
- 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization
Price: $3,498
Sony‘s a7 series revolutionized full frame mirrorless cameras thanks to packing pro-level performance into portable designs. The a7S III brings their pedigree to the video realm as the best mirrorless camera option for music videos.
At the core you get a 12.1MP back side illuminated full frame sensor optimized for 4K video and extraordinary low light footage. It can capture UHD 4K resolution footage internally at a silky smooth 120fps for gorgeous slow motion. 10-bit 4:2:2 color depth provides over a billion colors for accurate grading flexibility in post. The dynamic range exceeds 15 stops for footage that retains details in shadows and highlights.
Sony also enhanced the image stabilization with a 5-axis system to allow for steady handheld shooting. The hybrid autofocus excels at maintaining focus on subjects quickly moving about the frame. For challenging conditions, the ISO ranges from 80 all the way up to 102,400.
The camera provides extensive connectivity via full sized HDMI and USB-C ports plus dual card slots. Physical controls allow easy access to settings adjustments. At 1.45 lbs, it remains highly portable for run and gun filming.
Ideal For: Music video creators wanting gorgeous full frame mirrorless footage with high frame rates and advanced tech for seamless shooting.
Downsides: More expensive price point and smaller megapixels (12MP) limit still photo resolution compared to other mirrorless models if you want a hybrid device.
3. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – Best DSLR Camera
Key Specs:
- 30.4MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
- DCI 4K 30fps
- Full HD 60fps
- ISO 100-32000
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF
Price: $2,499
The EOS 5D series helped pioneer DSLR filmmaking, making it a trusted choice among music video creators. The Mark IV iteration delivers fantastic quality for those who prefer an optical viewfinder and familiar Canon system.
It possesses a 30.4MP full frame CMOS sensor to capture incredible levels of details with a 100-32,000 ISO range to accommodate diverse lighting scenarios. This feeds impressive 4K 30fps footage into the Dual Digic 6 processors, with clean full HD resolution at 60fps with 7fps burst shooting available.
Canon‘s renowned Dual Pixel AF offers smooth, precise autofocus when tracking moving subjects during filming, preventing your footage from looking soft when focus gets lost.
With its optical viewfinder and classic DSLR ergonomic body, the 5D Mark IV provides a comfortable shooting platform veterans will be immediately familiar operating. It has the durability to withstand demanding shoots. Extensive EF mount lens compatibly unleashes limitless creative lens options too.
Ideal For: Music creatives who still prefer DSLR shooting or already own Canon EF glass they wish to continue using. It‘s fantastic full frame image quality and familiar formfactor offer a very capable system.
Downsides: 4K limited to 30fps means less slow motion flexibility compared to mirrorless rivals. No image stabilization means you‘ll have to use lenses or accessories to stabilize handheld shots.
4. Fujifilm X-T4 – Best APS-C Value
Key Specs:
- 26.1MP APS-C Sensor
- DCI/UHD 4K 60fps
- F-Log Recording
- 5-axis In-Body Image Stabilization
- ISO 160-12800 (extended: 80-51200)
Price: $1,699
Fujifilm‘s mirrorless X-T series offers gorgeous video and stills in a robust weather resistant metal body at reasonable prices. The X-T4 is their newest flagship model that becomes an affordable top pick for music videos wanting professional 4K footage.
It possesses Fujifilm’s high performance X-Trans CMOS 4 APS-C sensor alongside the speedy X-Processor 4 to enable highly detailed DCI and UHD 4K recording at 60fps with 240fps full HD also available. You can capture flat F-Log profiles for advanced color grading flexibility later.
A key advantage of the X-T4 is its advanced image stabilization with 5-axis sensor shift built into the body itself, achieving up to 6.5 stops of compensation for ultra steady handheld shots. Autofocus reliability sees a nice bump too for tracking moving subjects.
The X-T4 retains the lineup‘s signature analog-style dials to easily control shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation and more on the go. Its weather resistant chassis and ample battery life let you shoot for extended periods without interruption.
Ideal For: Music video shooters wanting excellent stabilized 4K footage from a highly portable APS-C mirrorless camera priced affordably compared to full frame models.
Downsides: Smaller APS-C sensor can‘t quite match full frame cameras in extreme low light conditions. Autofocus still trails behind performance of Sony/Canon but works reliably.
5. Sony FX6 – Best Cine Camera
Key Specs:
- 10.2MP Full Frame Sensor
- 4K 120fps
- 10-bit 4:2:2 XAVC HS
- 16 Stops Dynamic Range
- Electronic Variable ND Filter
Price: $5,998
If your budget allows, stepping up to a true digital cinema camera like the Sony FX6 will provide unmatched quality tailored towards crafting cinematic music videos. It offers premium features to maximize creative possibilities.
At the core lies a 10.2 megapixel full frame back illuminated CMOS sensor larger than traditional Super 35 cinema models. This extra surface area captures more light and delivers 16 stops of dynamic range for incredible tonal reproduction from shadows to highlights that colorists will love grading. You can shoot gorgeous 4K resolution footage up to 120fps for silky slow motion cuts.
Sony also packed in Electronic Variable ND filtering to manipulate exposure right from the body without needing external filters. Intuitive auto and custom white balance options deliver accurate colors for every lighting scenario. The autofocus reliability excels at tracking subjects moving throughout scenes.
The internal XAVC recording enables 10-bit 4:2:2 color with extra picture profile modes like Cine EI to simplify matching cameras on multi-cam shoots. Genlock and Timecode sync make the FX6 suitable for large production shoots alongside other high-end cinema gear too.
Ideal For: Premium music video work wanting the pinnacle of digital cinema camera quality to achieve truly cinematic looks and seamless operation on professional productions.
Downsides: Extremely expensive price tag. More complex menu system and manual focus operation make it less beginner friendly. Significant weight requires more heavy-duty support gear.
Final Recommendations For Filming Music Videos
I hope this guide covered the key points for selecting the right camera to match your music video creative vision and budget needs.
Investing in lenses, lighting gear, stabilization accessories, and post-production software are also vital parts of production workflows to nail the atmosphere your track deserves. Storyboarding shots in advance and studying cinematography techniques will further elevate results.
Remember that masterful filming stems foremost from a creative eye for striking visuals combined with meaningful messaging—not merely fancy tech. So use the camera as a tool to manifest the compelling stories living inside both the music and your mind as the director.
