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Professional music video production is everything but simple. The music videos have to express the emotion and meaning behind the song in only a few minutes, and they play a big part in doing that.
The expectation of today’s viewers for high-quality videos unites all videos, whether they are for a lighthearted tune or something far darker. In the industry, respected videographers are known for their high-quality recordings, and choosing the correct camera may make all the difference.
| Image | Product Name | Editor's Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Sony Alpha 7S III | Check Price | |
 | PANASONIC LUMIX S1H | Check Price | |
 | Sony FDR-AX43 | Check Price | |
 | Canon EOS R6 | Check Price | |
 | Fujifilm X-T4 | Check Price |
Best Camera for Music Videos Reviews
We have examined one consumer-level cinema camera in this buyer’s guide but haven’t reviewed the expensive professional film crew models that can cost tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. These are typically reserved for large studios with specific requirements, although they are by no means necessary to produce beautiful music videos.
1. Sony Alpha 7S III
The traditional camera behemoths Canon and Nikon are only just catching up to Sony in the mirrorless camera market. The Sony Alpha 7 series has achieved enormous popularity, and their ‘S’ range is geared for professional video production. Sony spent more than four years to upgrade the A7 III to the S model, but the wait was worthwhile. It is, in our opinion, the best music video camera currently available.
In order to capture 4K video at up to 120 frames per second with full readout—where all light is read without crops, bins, or line skips—the back-illuminated 33 MP full-frame sensor and accompanying Bionz XR CPU are required. Due to the fact that darker conditions are frequently used in music videos, its low-light performance is among the best on the market thanks to dual-ISO technology, which may truly make a major impact.
Additionally, it boasts outstanding rolling shutter performance, making it particularly resistant to fast motion and flashing lights, both of which are essential for scenes in dance and EDM videos that use strobe lights. Additionally, its 5.5Ev in-body stabilization, which is almost as effective as a separate gimbal provided hands are kept somewhat stable, can be used for fluid handheld shots. The overheating that occurs in many mirrorless video cameras during heavy use has also been eliminated by Sony.
Now, it’s important to keep in mind that this camera is primarily intended for video creation, and images lack the resolution you may anticipate from a camera at its price point due to its rather low-resolution (12.1MP) sensor. The regular Sony A7 IV is an excellent option for those who need a photo and video camera, but be aware that it has much lower video capabilities than the A7III, which was specifically designed for video recording.
2. PANASONIC LUMIX S1H
Another company that had a head start in the mirrorless sector is Panasonic, which had great success with their small micro four-thirds (MFT) cameras. However, they are now succeeding greatly with their full-frame line, and the Panasonic S1H is an excellent video camera that should be carefully considered in addition to the Sony A7S III.
The Lumix S1H, on the other hand, has a bigger sensor and is capable of recording spectacular 6K footage at its highest resolution, in contrast to the Sony A7 III, which performs admirably in almost every challenging scenario and makes a terrific run-and-gun camera. Additionally, the Panasonic outperforms the Sony A7S III in terms of video, thanks to its arguably greater IBIS and useful features like the ability to adjust the shutter angle.
In terms of overall performance, the Sony A7S III outperforms this camera in a number of categories, including rolling shutter performance, low-light performance, and lens selection (where the Panasonic L Mount alliance is falling short). But for less money, you can acquire a better-balanced hybrid stills/video camera that, with a little work, can produce music videos of incredibly high caliber. You truly can’t go wrong with it because Netflix has even approved it for use in original productions.
3. Sony FDR-AX43
A ‘prosumer’, ‘dad-cam’ style camcorder, the Sony FDR-AX43 is made for amateurs who desire a quick and efficient way to record videos. Although they are less well-known now, they nevertheless have a position in the market.
Although it’s not as well-suited as a music video camera, it’s one of our favorite video cameras to bring to sporting events. It’s a terrific option for people who want to shoot music videos without the effort.
Compact and loaded with capabilities, the FDR-AX43. You can practically take it out of your backpack and press the record button to capture video footage that is a step above that of amateur music videos thanks to its 10x optical zoom, 4K filming, and low noise Exmor R CMOS sensor. Even while a built-in multichannel 5.1 microphone is quite excellent, music videos definitely won’t benefit much from that.
The FDR-AX43’s ease of use for beginners is its best feature. You won’t have to consider employing various lenses because it includes a versatile adjustable zoom lens that is fixed. That’s particularly helpful if you’re a dance or indie band who only wants to make videos to post on YouTube and other social media.
However, it is not without flaws, since its modestly sized sensor causes it to struggle in dimly lit environments. Because you can’t achieve any fascinating shallow depth of field lens effects or equivalent, not having an interchangeable lens also limits your creative options. Note that using this camcorder for any paid freelance work is not advised, as clients typically have expectations regarding the equipment utilized.
4. Canon EOS R6
Although it took them some time to adopt mirrorless technology, Canon is the most popular camera brand used in professional settings, and they have already established themselves as the best. A great hybrid camera for both photography and filming is the Canon R6.
The R6 has all the bases covered thanks to its 20MP dual pixel CMOS sensor, UHD 4K shooting up to 60p, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording in either C-Log or HDR PQ, and industry-leading in-body stabilization (rated up to 8EV of correction).
The Canon R6 is a more common hybrid camera, in contrast to the Sony A7S III and Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H which are essentially intended for video particularly. It is far less expensive as a result, and its visual capabilities are still adequate for enthusiast use. The main issue is that while recording 4K video for prolonged periods of time (30–40 minutes and beyond), it tends to get hot. This shouldn’t pose a significant challenge for the creation of music videos, but it will depend on specific use-cases.
The competition in this market sector is particularly fierce because products like the Sony A7 IV are similarly priced and offer advantages in several areas. But due of its superior ergonomics, improved AF performance, and IBIS that can cooperate with in-lens optical image stabilization, we like the Canon R6.
5. Fujifilm X-T4
Although they may not be as well-known as Canon or Nikon, APS-C mirrorless cameras from Fujifilm and Olympus are prized for their compact bodies and time-honored designs. The Fujifilm XT-4 is the greatest APS-C camera you can buy right now for video, and it’s clear that Fujifilm gave it extra thought to be a terrific option for video in particular.
The camera can record 10-bit footage in 4K at 60 fps and an astounding 240 fps in 1080p, in addition to having a gorgeous weather-resistant casing with classic dials and a fully articulating touchscreen. That translates to Full HD video in 10x slow-motion, which is still the highest resolution for the majority of music videos published to YouTube.
Additionally, it improves upon its predecessor’s in-body image stabilization, a genuinely revolutionary development that enables you to generate professional results without the use of a gimbal.
It’s important to note that there is now more competition than ever at this pricing point. While the Panasonic GH5 and GH5 II have smaller MFT sensors but more video tools and features, the Sony A7 IV and Nikon Z6 are full-frame cameras with better low light performance.
However, the XT-4 succeeds in luring photographers and videographers away from those options because, with its retro style, pleasant ergonomics, and selection of high-quality lenses, it is the kind of camera you want to own.
Final Verdict
If you’re new to this, you should take the time to master the fundamentals of your camera and become comfortable taking pictures of scenes. The camera is one thing, but it is only a tiny component of a much larger system.
In addition to any participating musicians, you might anticipate a director, lighting assistants, actors, and video editors. Of course, you can play a lot of these parts, but the point is that there are many things that are far more significant than the camera.
Before spending money on anything fancy, it is preferable for beginners to start learning video production and shooting techniques using whatever they have available to them. Employ a professional if you need something done quickly.
This is particularly true if you plan to film anything where you won’t have many opportunities, like a live performance or a place you rented out for the day.