The best video cameras of 2020

This segment contains pretty good amateur cameras that are designed to perform simple tasks - for everyday shooting a family chronicle, celebrations, creating simple documentaries and presentations. Their advantages, in turn, include compact dimensions, reduced weight compared to professional units. Consequently, users can comfortably shoot with one hand. It is worth noting that models with a viewfinder are rarely found in the budget segment. With interchangeable lenses are almost not available. Given these circumstances, we paid due attention to the market segment, and selected the most worthy of solutions (sometimes at the expense of price).

Opens the Top 10 camcorders model Sony FDR-AX53 mid-user level, which supports 4K resolution. The device attracts by the presence of intelligent autofocus. There is a five-axis optical stabilization that can become a real lifesaver in the hands of an inexperienced buyer. In any case, many novice users speak positively of the Balanced Optical SteadyShot technology. It is worth noting the ability to record sound in 5.1 format. At the same time, the gadget received a rather large 1 / 2.5-inch Exmor R sensor. Paired with a wide-angle 26.8-mm ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T lens, it is possible to record decent video in MPEG4-AVC / H.26 format to external Flash memory .

In search of a good budget camcorder with 4K, many users have already opted for the Panasonic HC-VXF990. The shooting frequency is 50 frames per second. Optical magnification is 20 times, and digital is 1500x. The focal length of high-quality optics varies in the range from 31 to 752 millimeters. The size of the matrix is ​​1 / 2.3 "with a screen diagonal of 3 inches. From the battery, this device is able to work for 1 hour. The weight of the structure is 396 grams. The strengths of this gadget include a hybrid stabilization system, automatic horizon alignment, a tilted viewfinder, and the ability to broadcast images from two smartphones at once.

Almost a professional camcorder this year was offered by SONY. The HXR-MC2500 received a proprietary lens with an advanced, sophisticated design. For the budget and mid-market segment this is definitely the top solution. The camera has a wide viewing angle, suitable for shooting in small spaces.For example, for shooting from below. The optical system of the novelty has incorporated the best practices of the brand, is reliable and durable. SteadyShot is responsible for image stabilization. The manufacturer equipped the gadget with 32 gigabytes of internal memory, which is enough to store a variety of multimedia materials. There is also a slot for increasing the storage of information. You can save video to optical media, including DVD or Blu-ray. The battery lasts for 14 hours of continuous operation.

The position of the ex-leader in the segment of good amateur camcorders with 4K goes to the Panasonic HC-VXF1. The relatively inexpensive model received a 24x zoom and an advanced auto-focus system. Good quality is due to the presence of a 25 mm wide-angle lens. A good set of professional functions has been implemented, including the EVF electronic viewfinder, as well as a ring with simple manual settings. It is worth adding that the model received an improved and larger MOS-sensor with an aperture of F1.8. Even in poor artificial lighting, the video is pretty high quality. The wide-angle mode, with which you can take cool selfies and view them on a clear LCD, deserves special attention.

The best video camera of 2020 in terms of price / quality is the Canon XA11, equipped with 20x optical zoom and support for a wide dynamic range. In addition to everything else, this unit has a compact design and low weight. To cope with the shooting of news events will help high-quality HD CMOS Pro sensor, as well as 20x optical zoom. The strengths of the device include an upgraded circular aperture, capable of taking truly realistic photos. The strengths of Canon optics traditionally include simple controls, as well as the modest size of the model.

The professional segment features large, powerful solutions with interchangeable lenses. Such units are designed to be carried, not held in hands. But for contrast, we picked up more compact models, representatives of modern form factors. Massive dimensions, as you know, are due to the abundance of technology. They can have a huge amount of settings for professionals, and provide for some experience for proper operation. As for the set of interfaces and options, it is necessary to compare, since different brands are pleased with different pricing policies and proprietary technologies.

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera model, equipped with a Super 35 sensor for a lens with an EF mount, replenishes the rating of video cameras in 2020. Provides shooting in 6K format. By the form factor, it’s clear that this is not a classic professional model, although 13 steps of the dynamic range are implemented, as well as two IPS values ​​of about 25,600. You can make excellent videos in HDR in low light. Easy access to the most important options is achieved thanks to a well-thought-out design and a 5-inch touch screen. The result is simple cropping as well as focusing. Dynamic range supports 13 steps. Auto focus on all lenses for this model. Implemented metadata support.

This is a powerful professional video camera, the size of the CMOS sensor, which is 1 / 2.3-inch. In addition, this model is equipped with a DIGIC DV6 image processor. The camcorder received an excellent 20x zoom lens. The wide-angle focal length is 29.3 millimeters.The combination of a 4K CMOS sensor with the indicated dimensions and image processing technology allow you to get 4K UHD in high quality without any special skills. Of particular note is the quality of Full HD, due to the support of oversampling HD processing. The camera can shoot video in a variety of formats, including the MP4 UHD 150 Mbps.

If you don’t know which flagship camcorder to buy, you should pay attention to the Panasonic AG-CX350 with a 24.5-mm wide-angle lens, which guarantees a minimum of distortion to the edge of the frame. In addition, it supports 20x optical zoom with a high 49 centimeters. Hybrid Log-Gamma compatible with HDR allows you to maintain dynamic range in any conditions for creating content. In this case, the gamma characteristic can be selected from 8 different modes, which is a good indicator. We should also talk about a highly sensitive MOS sensor with high definition matrix. There is a built-in five-axis hybrid image stabilizer. Video recording in 4K is carried out with a color rendering depth of 10BIT. Frame rate up to 50 / 59.94P.

Compact and at the same time high-performance professional-grade camcorder was offered by Sony. Model PXW-Z190 with 4K shoots at a frequency of 50r / 60r. The device received a 1/3-inch 3CMOS-matrix, as well as an advanced zoom lens with 25x zoom. The model can shoot in HDR with support for the advanced HLG standard. The device supports a wide range of formats. Two slots for installing SD-cards are implemented at once, and a port for 3G-SDI. The new auto focus system, in turn, supports face recognition. You can connect UWP-D11 and UWP-D12 series radio microphones.

The best professional camcorder of 2020 is the Canon EOS C200 equipped with a Super 35mm 4K CMOS sensor with an effective 8.85 megapixels. In addition, the flagship model received a powerful Dual DIGIC DV6 image processor. This gadget allows you to shoot movies in Cinema RAW Light format with support for 4K DCI 50P, recorded on an internal memory card such as CFast 2.0. This unit supports shooting at 150 Mb / s and 2K / Full HD video at 35 Mb / s. Files are stored on the SD card in MP4 format, respectively. Separately, it is worth noting the 15-speed dynamic range of RAW Light and the 13-speed range in MP4 format. Canon Log / Log 3 support is provided.

Does it make sense to talk about auto exposure, scene programs, white balance, shutter speed and other parameters that are as informative as Japanese characters for the average buyer? I think no. Therefore, if you do not know how to choose a video camera, you buy equipment for the first time, then, first of all, you need to compare popular models in the same price category, taking into account key parameters:

1. Matrix type - CCD sensors in general have good parameters, but they cope with specific conditions worse, are more expensive than CMOS. The latter quickly began to improve, and today are used even in professional models. The main disadvantage is the tendency to heat and the appearance of noise. It is worth saying that the actual image quality is more dependent on the size of the sensor, and not on the type of matrix.
2. Sensor size - this parameter is measured diagonally, measured, respectively, in inches. The larger the dimensions of the matrix, the better will be the quality of the picture, provided other things being equal, of course. Professional sizes use at least 1/3 "sensors.
3. Interchangeable lens - as practice shows, the ability to change the staffing element to another (differing in parameters) is available only for representatives of the premium class.This significantly increases the scope of application of technology, because you can use a special lens for shooting football matches, nature and more.
4. 3D shooting - such a picture gives the impression of the presence of depth, but you will have to pay extra for an illusory deception, since not all stereo pairs can simultaneously shoot at high quality from different points. As a rule, such cameras have a twin lens.
5. Focal length - the distance from the optical center to the matrix, at which the sharpest picture is obtained. The larger the EGF, the higher the viewing angle, as well as the degree of approximation of the scene.
6. Aperture - This indicator is measured in F. First of all, the aperture value is important when shooting in low light conditions.
7. Optical zoom - The main advantage over digital is that high image quality is achieved regardless of proximity, because the entire effective matrix area is used.

Do not forget to watch reviews from professionals, read reviews from ordinary users.

Thus, when buying a budget model, you should pay attention to the size of the matrix, the quality of focusing and shooting in low light. Today, finding a review on a good model is not a problem. If you don’t know which camera to buy this year from the premium segment, you should pay attention to a much larger list of components, which is known to users for whom this segment was created. We, in turn, will summarize in the rating, compiled on the basis of reviews and opinions of the publisher:

1. Good budget camcorder - Sony FDR-AX53;
2. For price and quality with 4K - Canon XA11;
3. Best Professional Camera - Canon EOS C200.