Amp Up Your Motion with This List of Video Cameras

October 22, 2015

By Greg Scoblete

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Blackmagic Design URSA Mini

With the Mini, Blackmagic has taken pity on the forearms of filmmakers everywhere with a camera that retains many of the valuable features of the URSA but at a little more than a third the weight. You can store ProRes files internally to a pair of CFast 2.0 cards and record audio from external mics via a pair of XLR inputs. With the 4.6K, Super 35mm-sized sensor, you’ll get a whopping 15 stops of dynamic range. The 4K sensor model offers a still-very-respectable 12 stops of dynamic range. Both can capture HD at a motion-slowing 120 fps. 

Prices: $4,995 (4.6k sensor, ef mount), $2,995 (4k sensor, ef mount)

Sony PXW-X200 

The X200 sports a fixed 17x optical zoom lens (29.3-499mm, 35mm equivalent) and three, 1/2-inch CMOS sensors. It can record HD video using a lightly compressed 10-bit file in Sony’s XAVC codec with bit rates topping off at a hefty 112MB/s. The lens has three manual rings for focus, zoom and iris control. You’ll find a 3G-SDI interface for outputting a 1080/60p signal to external recorders, cinema-friendly picture profiles, time code in/out and focus assist.

PRICE: $5,269

Canon XC10  

The XC10 delivers 4K recording in a compact, DSLR-style package, with 3840 x 2160 resolution recording via a 1-inch, 13-megapixel CMOS sensor. Footage is saved internally to a CFast 2.0 memory card, but if you want the full 12 stops of dynamic range, output a 4K Canon Log file via HDMI. A built-in f/2.8-5.6 lens with a 35mm equivalent focal length of 27.3-273mm is for video (and 24.1-241mm for stills).

PRICE: $2,499 (64GB SANDISK CFAST 2.0 CARD AND READER INCLUDED) 

Panasonic AG-DVX200PJ

The AG-DVX200PJ is a fixed lens camcorder with a newly designed Four Thirds CMOS image sensor capable of 12 stops of dynamic range. The camera will record 4K video (4096 x 2160) at 24 fps as well as HD up to 120 fps. On the optics front, you’ll find a built-in 13x Leica Dicomar f/2.8-4.5 zoom lens with three manual rings for focus, iris and zoom as well as a 72mm front filter.

PRICE: $4,195

JVC GY-LS300CHU 

The LS300 boasts a Super 35mm-sized 4K sensor and an active Micro Four Thirds lens mount, so it’s the perfect complement to mirrorless owners looking to step up their video game. If you just need to shoot HD, the camera supports 1920 x 1080p60 recording (422) at 50MB/s. The LS300 is very customizable, with 10 function buttons on the exterior that you can program to your heart’s content.

PRICE: $3,909

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