Ease of use and manual control are just some of the things you need to consider when choosing the best camera for video. These hybrid shooting options are our favourites from our tests

With dozens of cameras now featuring advanced video capabilities the choice of models can often be confusing. To make things clearer we explore the major factors to consider when choosing the best cameras for video. In this guide we’ll tell you what features you’ll need as well as a few must-have accessories.

In late 2008 the launch of the groundbreaking Canon EOS 5D Mark II DSLR ushered in a new era of filmmaking thanks to its Full HD 1080p video shooting. It blurred the lines between using DSLRs as stills cameras and traditional video cameras. Over a decade later the array of cameras offering the much higher resolution 4K shooting – and even Cinema 4K (at 4096×2160 pixels) – is quite astonishing.

So how should you go about choosing the best camera for shooting video – whether it’s a DSLR, mirrorless, compact, bridge, action cam or drone? This guide examines how to navigate your choices in order to make the best camera selection for your video shoots.

Camera types

Most current mirrorless and the best DSLR cameras shoot video and many can capture UHD 4K or 4K DCI. If you’re looking for a single camera solution that shoots still photos and video, these tend to be a good choice. DSLR cameras are designed for optical viewing of the image through your lens, and thus incorporate a mirror that must be locked up out of the way to shoot video. This requires a Live View feature and an LCD screen to see what you are shooting.

Mirrorless cameras, on the other hand, have no mirror to lock up and use Live View by default. Good examples of mirrorless cameras for video include the Sony A7S and A7 series, the Panasonic LUMIX series (including the GH5/S and the GX80) and the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K. For a wider range of options, check out our guide to the best mirrorless cameras.

Interchangeable lens DSLRs like the Nikon D7500 and the Canon EOS 250D / Rebel SL2 are mainly designed for stills photography, but they are one of the most affordable ways to get into creative 4K filmmaking. They are among the best APS-C cameras, and their sensor and diversity of lenses makes it easy to shoot ‘cinematic’ shallow focus shots. The downsides are you may need accessories to get the best out of them, they’re slower to use than dedicated video cameras, and audio recording can be tricky. If shooting in 4K is important to you and you have a bit more budget, check out our guide to the best 4K cameras for video.

Large-body ‘prosumer’ camcorders, such as the Canon XA45, have built-in zoom lenses and headphone sockets. They’re faster and easier to use than DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, so they’re good for shooting news and events, but they have fairly small sensors. That means they aren’t as good in low light, and you can’t get as creative with shallow focus. Cameras like Sony’s AXC700 and the Canon GX10 have larger one-inch sensors and can shoot UHD 4K video.

If capturing fast action is one of your shooting priorities then action cameras may be a great choice as a B-camera. These little cameras are tough and can be mounted on bikes, helmets, cars, your body, or even animals. Most of them don’t have screens but the more expensive ones let you monitor the image with a wireless monitor or an iPhone or Android app.

The best current cameras include the GoPro Hero7 Black (which shoots 4K video at 60fps and 1080 video at up to 240fps) on up to the current GoPro Hero10 Black, as well as the DJI Osmo Action, which also delivers 4K video and a host of other intriguing features.

Many of us have now eschewed investing in traditional cameras by shooting and editing video on tablets and smartphones. Smartphones are discreet and portable, and some of them can shoot great video in the right conditions, but you must remember that such footage won’t be as good as what you’ll get from a camera with dedicated video features.

For the purposes of this guide, we won’t recommend pro and digital cinema video cameras and dedicated cinema cameras, such as the Canon Cinema EOS system. These, of course, are among the best cameras for video that you can buy, but they are very expensive and it’s unlikely that you’ll need such cameras until much later in your filmmaking career. If you are interested in pro and digital cinema video, camera brands to look out for include Panasonic, Sony, Canon, JVC, ARRI, Blackmagic Design, RED and AJA.

How much should a camera for video cost?

As with any equipment purchase, it’s best to start off with a defined budget. It seems obvious, but always keep in mind if you have £500 to spend on a camera body, try to keep to that and examine the best options for that price point. You might also want to consider the secondhand market if you’re looking to get a bit more ‘bang for your buck’. Retailers like MPB offer great trade-in rates on your old gear, which you can apply to the cost of your new camera.

Another key factor to consider is whether you want an ‘all-in-one’ camera with a built-in lens or if you are simply adding a video option to your system.

For example, if you have a mirrorless camera you might want to stick with that system but upgrade to the latest model with the most advanced video options. Long-term DSLR system devotees, such as Canon and Nikon users, will usually have a variety of lenses in their kitbags so will already have a variety of creative focal lengths to work with. Many DSLRs are also very capable tools for filming and can often be purchased at a discount these days. For a look at the options, check out our guide to the best DSLRs for video. The following guides might also help you find the best camera for your needs:

And if you’re budding content creator with designs on conquering social media, you might want to check out our guies to the best cameras for YouTube and best cameras for TikTok videos. For a deeper dive into the many different camera types and features available, check out our range of camera buying guides.

What are the best cameras for video recording?