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Professional or amateur, if you’re making music, you’re making music videos. In the days of social media and video streaming platforms, an artist must have exposure. This means video. It means content. It also means having the proper equipment to create the video content.
If you have found your way onto this page, the proper equipment you’re looking for is the best camera for music videos. Having the right camera is going to mean a world of difference. A great camera will make a great music video and it may be the difference between a hack job that scares away the audience and an appealing video that captivates people’s attention.
What Kind of Camera Is Used To Shoot Music Videos?
When considering exactly which camera is best for music videos, you want to keep a few things in mind. First is that with music videos, you don’t often need to worry about the sound. Sound quality is not a hot button issue when camera shopping, since all the noises and the soundtrack will be added in the post.
The second thing to remember is that you don’t necessarily need a specific kind of camera to shoot music videos. Unless you work for a studio, a good ol’ fashioned, high-quality camera from your local tech store will do the job. You can even use a GoPro!
One of the most important things to look out for when buying a video camera to shoot music videos is the video quality. You absolutely, in the year 2020, must have a camera that can shoot in stunning 4K or even 6K.
You also want a camera that can capture great video in low-light situations. This will help you catch the atmosphere you’re looking for, making music videos that are emotional and melancholy.
You also want to have a lightning-fast frame rate for recording. This will result in the smoothest music videos possible.
A third bonus is slow-motion capability. This is a big one. It will let you unleash your inner artist, being able to manipulate the video by shooting some scenes in ultra slow motion for effect.
The Best Camera To Shoot Music Videos
We have put together a list of the greatest cameras on the market today. Keep reading to discover the best camera for music videos. Keep in mind that your preference will determine which camera is best for you. Pricing, style, need, and even color can have a big impact on which camera you decide to buy, as well as functionality, mobility, and versatility.
1. Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera
It’s hard to find a list of amazing cameras for shooting video without spotting the Alpha a6000 from Sony. It’s not the highest quality, not the most expensive, and doesn’t have the most high-tech features. However, the Alpha is an affordable option that makes exceptional music videos. This is thanks to its amazing 11 frames per second, one of the quickest speeds for recording that you can find.
The Alpha is also packed with ISO potential, ranging from 100 to 25,600, and can be expanded to a whopping 51,200. This makes shooting in low light easy and fun. You also get loads of customizability thanks to the wide range of color schemes, configurations, and styles. You can get the Alpha in either silver, white, graphite, or black.
Pros
- Tilting LCD screen w/ 921,000 dots
- Rugged Construction
- OLED electronic viewfinder
- High-resolution video
- Affordable
- Great ISO range
- Four available colors
- Four available styles
- 11 FPS continuous shooting
- Rechargeable battery included
- Fantastic user experience
- NFC + Wi-Fi capable
Cons
- No image stabilization
- The camera may overheat
2. Blackmagic Design URSA Mini 4.6K
The Blackmagic Design URSA Mini is a professional video-oriented camera that will take your skills and profile as a videographer to a whole new level. If you know the game and know how to play, and you are looking for an upgrade in equipment, the URSA should be top on your list when looking for the best camera for music videos.
Of course, the prestige of such a device comes with a boggling price tag, but it’s worth it. The resolution is premium, the sensor comes with a capability of 4608×2592 megapixels, and it can record video at crazy fast speeds (23 frames per second) thanks to its dual Cfast 2.0 cards.
It should be noted that the URSA does not use the typical ISO system that most cameras use. It instead employees a system of ASA; the options are 200, 400, or 800. Because of this restriction, the URSA is going to have a tougher time shooting at night or in dimly lit places. It is still a cinema camera, and it will shoot amazing videos, it is just better suited to bright environments with a lot of lighting.
Pros
- Outstanding resolution
- 4K footage recording
- Professional grade w/ high-quality video
- Camcorder-style side handle for easy shooting
- Included with color grading software
- Lightweight and durable
- Interface is easy to master
Cons
- Incredibly expensive
- Other additions may be needed (battery mount, shoulder rig, EVF)
- No ISO rating, not great for low-light shooting
3. GoPro Hero6
Everyone knows about the GoPro by now, and if you don’t then you have probably been living under a rock. These cameras are super popular for a reason. They are slim, sleek, lightweight, and can be mounted to just about anything.
They are also fine-tuned for shifting content from the camera to your other devices. This is why the Hero6 comes with a Wi-Fi capability that is not only built into the device, but is also outputting at 5GHZ. This means you can edit on your phone or tablet while on the move.
And that’s not all. The Hero6 is available just about anywhere you can buy a smartphone. They come with a 12MP lens that shoots at 30 frames per second and captures high-definition video in 1080p.
The Hero6 is designed for movement, which is why the image stabilization system built into it is nearly unmatched. You get some of the smoothest recording possible, even better than some extremely expensive “professional” units.
Pros
- Image stabilization
- Very smooth video recording
- Handheld mode & mounted
- Easy to use
- High functionality
- Quality video
- Exceptional connectivity
- Widely available
- Affordable & solid value
- Voice-command capable
Cons
- Not great for commercial projects
- Better for amateur music videos
- Voice controls are not reliable
4. Canon EOS Rebel T2i
This is a great little camera for shooting music videos that comes in at less than 1,000 bucks. Even without the extortionate price tag, this is by no means a discount camera.
The Rebel T2i has an impressive 18MP system and a powerful CMOS sensor. These are the top two ingredients for recording the sharpest, clearest images for your music videos.
It also has a pretty powerful ISO range of between 100 and 6,400, expandable to an outstanding 12,800. This makes it an excellent machine for shooting fast-paced videos in warehouses, basements, or at night.
You are sure to receive high-definition content at 1920×1080 each and every time you use this camera, ensuring your music videos are striking and intense.
Pros
- Design is lightweight
- Affordable on most budgets
- Quality LCD screen
- Enhanced user experience
- Recording speed of 24 frames per second
Cons
- The lens comes separately
- The housing is cheap and not great quality
5. Nikon D500 DSLR DX-Format Camera
The D500 camera from Nikon is right in the middle of the scale, not cheap or poor quality, but not overly expensive either. This is a reasonable camera for creating music videos. The construction is rugged. It shouldn’t break if you drop it.
The D500 comes with 20.9 MP and can record at a nearly unbelievable framerate of 10FPS. This will work to capture all the tiniest details in your videos, allowing you to shine through with your artistic flair.
Thanks to the improved light sensitivity offered by the high ISO rate of between 51,200 and 164,000, the D500 is ideal for nightly shooting. It will capture all the light and produce shockingly crisp low-light videos. Great for creepy or stylish music videos, and everything in between.
Pros
- UHD capable
- Sleek design
- Pricing is reasonable
- Lightweight and compact
- Used by nearly 100 million people worldwide
- Great low-light shooting
- High framerate of 10 FPS
Cons
- 20MP is much lower than other cameras in the same price range
Video Cameras For Music Videos
The difference between “video camera” and “camera” is not what it used to be. All of the cameras we’ve mentioned in this list are also video cameras. They can capture still images with the same precision when they capture videos.
This is the main focus of these cameras in the article – to be the best camera for music videos. However, if you really want to push the envelope and purchase a device that not only looks like a traditional camcorder but also puts all the other cameras to shame (it also costs about as much as a fresh kidney), then we have one video camera to add to the list.
6. Canon VIXIA HF G21
This is a true cinematic video camera. Professional, powerful, and shooting the best video possible, the VIXIA comes with a massive price tag.
This is the camera you want when trying to go pro, moving up from amateur shooting to making music videos that cost money. If you want music videos that stand above the others on the most popular video streaming platforms, this is a must.
The 35mm lens has an 8-blade aperture that is fully circular, shooting at 1080P with 60 FPS in an MP4 format. You can shoot video in slow motion, fast motion, and standard. The Wi-Fi is built-in. The zoom is exceptional. This is a well-rounded video camera that can take your shooting skills to the next level, allowing you to build a professional profile.
Pros
- Dual SD
- Full HD video
- Great manual focus ring
- Remote control + Wi-Fi
- Professional
- Very Robust
Cons
- Extremely expensive
- Can be cumbersome
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