Music Video Camera: Choosing the Best Camera for Music Videos
If you want to make a music video, you'll need something a little more flexible than the camera that is attached to your phone. Picking the right music video camera can be overwhelming, though, so we are going to help guide you through the process. In this post, we'll take a look at some of the things you may want to look for when choosing a camera to shoot music videos so you can make an informed decision.
Is there a "music video" camera?
With many products so highly specialized, you may think there is a certain camera you can buy that is just fantastic for shooting music videos. Sadly, this is not the case. Ultimately, shooting music videos is like shooting any other kind of creative video, and you'll need to find the camera that matches up with your goal. However, one thing to keep in mind is that if you will be using the camera only for shooting music videos, the audio capture on the camera itself isn't all that important. Music videos have a studio track overlaid on top of them, so whatever sound the camera captures is replaced anyhow.
How to choose a video camera for music videos
If the best camera for music videos depends on your needs, you must first determine what those needs are before deciding which is the best camera for you. Let's go down the list of camera types available, starting from the cheapest and moving on to the most expensive, and look at their strengths and weaknesses.
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Camcorders
If you need a cheap camera for music videos, camcorders are a good bet. They give a little more control than your phone does, but they are not so packed with features that you'll need to spend an arm and a leg to get one. Camcorders are also fairly portable, so they are good if you will be shooting in locations where carrying bulky equipment would be difficult.
DSLR Cameras
These are the cameras that professional photographers use. The keyword there is "photographer", not videographer or cinematographer. However, these devices produce very good pictures and are capable of recording video. They are also at least as portable as a camcorder. For these reasons, they are often the cameras of choice for amateur filmmakers and YouTubers. DSLRs also make a good camera for music videos. They are usually more expensive than camcorders but provide better pictures and more control over your shot.
Broadcast Cameras
These are professional cameras that come with professional features and offer professional results. All of that professionalism also come at a premium price, so broadcast cameras are more expensive than the previous options. They will run you at least a couple of thousand dollars. Unless you've already used a DSLR and determined that it doesn't give you enough control over your shot or that it doesn't output a high enough quality video, broadcast cameras are probably overkill for your music video.
Cinema Cameras
These make the absolute best 4k camera for music videos, but they make broadcast cameras look cheap by comparison. You'll be spending at least $10,000 and quite possibly a lot more, depending on the camera. Assuming you have the talent to make the most of it, they will provide you with the best picture possible, however. Some of these cameras go over 4k.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this has helped you narrow down the type of camera that is best for your music video project. Except for maybe a few low-end camcorders, all of these options are made by reputable companies that produce quality products, so you can't make a wrong choice. Ultimately, finding the best camera to shoot music videos will mean finding the camera in your chosen category that fits your budget and personal tastes. Once you have a great camera to shoot your music video with, you'll need a great video editor as well. VideoStudio will offer you all the power you need to make the most of your new camera.
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