Videos can be created for completely different purposes: to capture unusual and interesting situations, replenish the family archive, participate in a competition, or even make a film. In each of these cases, it is difficult to do without buying a video camera, which will be an indispensable assistant in all cameramen's endeavors.
You need to choose such devices according to several parameters, including the size and resolution of the matrix, the quality of the shooting, as well as the range of functionality. It will not be easy for a non-professional to understand this, so our editorial staff has prepared a rating of the best video cameras for both amateurs and professionals. Let's explore the top rankings of 2020.
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TOP amateur cameras in the budget segment
PANASONIC HC-V270
The Japanese manufacturer offers a quality camera. She leads the best camcorders in 2020 for a well deserved Its distinctive feature is the 50x optical zoom. The cost of the camera is around 18 thousand rubles. It is small in size and fits very comfortably in the hands. The battery will last for several hours without charging.
The video is shot in Full HD, the size of the matrix is weak, but this does not affect the good video quality. In the presence of support for Wi-Fi and NFC, which allows you to quickly set up contact with a smartphone.
Users also like the 5-axis hand-shake system, video stabilization, and a radio nanny. The small screen only frustrates, the control of the settings in the menu is not very convenient.
The focal length is quite small. But it is suitable for those people who shoot videos for the soul, not interested in technical techniques.
CANON LEGRIA HF R806
A distinctive feature of the development of Japanese engineers is the slow motion option. At the same time, the user has a large selection of modes. With all its advantages, the camera weighs a little - 200 grams, and you can buy it for 16 thousand rubles. Isn't it a great set to deservedly enter the TOP rating of the best devices of the year.
The 3.28 megapixel matrix is quite decent for an inexpensive budget device. The quality of the images is good, but you need great lighting. In the dark, the quality drops very much.
The disadvantages end there. Overall, the device has a good battery life of 3 hours. It is convenient in practice and very quickly focuses on the subject when shooting.
PANASONIC HC-V380
The rating is continued by another development from Japan with a maximum optical zoom of 50 times and the presence of Wi-Fi options, remote control using a device. The cost for all these bonuses is 18 thousand rubles.
The manufacturer pays a lot of attention to the quality of the photo. The stabilizer proved to be excellent in practice. Users like the clear screen and the ease of use of the menu.
JVC EVERIO GZ-R495
A good camcorder equipped with a waterproof housing. With it, you can shoot even underwater. Users also like its autonomous characteristics.The camera will work on one charge under water for about 1 hour, and in normal mode - 5 hours. Its cost is in the region of 20 thousand rubles. Many divers have purchased it and recommend it to others. And you can no longer be afraid of shooting in the pouring rain with its help.
It is worth noting that the video camera will withstand frost at -10 degrees, snow and bad weather. There is 4 GB of internal memory. The optical zoom is 40x, which is a good indicator for this category of devices. The camera does not weigh much, it has a clear interface.
TOP video cameras with a budget of up to 50 thousand rubles
PANASONIC HC-V800
The cost of the camera is around 34 thousand rubles. With its help, you can shoot high-quality shots even in places with poor lighting. The matrix is calculated for 8Mp. The touchscreen is bright enough. There is support for Wi-Fi, standards and interfaces. There is an output for a headset and memory cards.
A wide-angle lens with 24x zoom is available. Also, the buyer can count on a variety of additions, among them the option to level the horizon, a set of lighting effects that will delight everyone.
SONY HDR-CX625
The camera is distinguished by the best properties of a 30x zoom, as well as a stabilization system with a variety of modes. You can shoot high-quality video when planes approach in the sky or birds in flight. You don't even need to use a tripod. The stabilization option is developed at the highest level. The cost of the camera varies around 27 thousand rubles. In the presence of a touchscreen display, support for Wi-Fi and NFC options.
TOP professional video cameras costing from 50 thousand rubles
INSTA360 PRO
The Chinese company Insta offers a unique professional video camera. Its cost is around 330 thousand rubles. It is presented in an unusual form. Supports shooting in 8K format.
You can shoot 360 degrees at once. It includes 4 cameras that create an 8K picture on a photo or video. You can stream content to the YouTube network directly from the camera in 4K format.
You can stitch 4K video in hardware and automatic modes. But for 8K you need to work on a PC. For photos, these rules do not apply.
The complete set from the manufacturer is delivered in a massive case. There is a rubber bandage for the lenses. The power key remains without equipment, and therefore it is better not to carry the camera in a bag, it is possible that you can easily start it up. This will lead to the realization that the camera is discharged to zero.
CANON XF405
Compact professional device. Allows you to record 4K video at high frame rates. The price is slightly lower than the above model - 250 thousand rubles.
Let the dimensions of the gadget be compact, but all input and output interfaces are available. Everything is thought out to the smallest detail, and therefore shooting can be carried out with any parameters specified by the operator.
Recording is carried out on SD cards. There may be several of them. This helps to reduce the risk of data loss if controllers fail.
The top handle can be removed with a screw. It is possible to connect external sound sources through XLR audio inputs, which is 2.
There is a remote control for fine adjustment of levels. In the area of the front part of the grip there is a transparent window, which has an infrared illumination, allowing for night photography.
PANASONIC HC-VXF1
The camera costs around 55 thousand rubles. The device is very reliable and pleases with its technical characteristics. Battery installation is very simple - one click and you're done. There is a slot for charging, it is hidden in the side of the case. There is also a headset jack. The niche is hidden by a retractable "door".
The camera connects to power banks without any problems. To shoot 4K video, 8.57 is used, but only 8.29 are active.
The best camcorders - TOP 2019 for price and quality
Sony HDR-CX405
The review is opened by a good amateur camcorder from Sony with excellent shooting in 1080p. This resolution is supported not only for classic, but also for night shots, so you can capture your favorite moments at any time of the day.The matrix, judging by the reviews about the camera, is worked out very well, so the resolution of 2.29 megapixels at 1 / 5.8 inches cope with their tasks without any problems.
Although the HDR-CX405 is one of the cheapest camcorders in the rating, it has a variety of modes, including Beach, Fireworks and Landscape, allowing you to adapt shooting to your surroundings. The lens has excellent focusing capabilities and also supports manual exposure control. In addition to video shooting, this great camera for little money offers buyers the functions of a classic camera, eliminating the need to carry two devices at once.
Advantages:
- optical image stabilization
- ExifPrint and H.264 recording support
- comfortable 2.7-inch screen
- presence of a stabilizer
- battery capacity lasts up to 2 hours of continuous shooting
- small dimensions and weight
Disadvantages:
- noticeable noise when working in low light conditions
Canon LEGRIA HF R88
A relatively inexpensive, but good Canon camcorder is a great option for those who shoot mostly in low light. Thanks to a special mode, as well as aperture ranges from F / 1.8 to F / 4.5, the camera adjusts to the shooting conditions and gives an excellent picture at the output. This is facilitated by the excellent matrix of the camcorder with a resolution of 3.28 megapixels.
A wide focal range from 2.8 to 89.6 mm, as well as 32x optical zoom expand the operator's capabilities, while optical stabilization makes shooting more qualitative and comfortable. The format of the video itself can reach 1080p, while the frame rate can be increased up to 50 FPS. When taking photos, the considered inexpensive camera model allows you to use only 2.07 megapixels from the matrix, which, nevertheless, allows you to take pictures in Full HD format. At a price of 20,000 rubles, it is difficult to find a more decent video camera for that kind of money.
Advantages:
- maximum illumination - 4 lux
- wide-angle attachment included
- work with Wi-Fi and NFC
- 16 GB internal memory
- easy to operate
- quality stabilizer
- nice cost
Disadvantages:
- weak battery (up to 2-3 hours of shooting)
- picture distortions are noticeable when zooming in
JVC Everio GZ-R415
The legendary Japanese manufacturer of video equipment JVC also did not stand aside. The Everio GZ-R415 is one of the best budget camcorders on the list. Its main advantage is a chic lens with impressive optical and digital zoom: 40x and 200x, respectively.
At the same time, the aperture range is in the range from F / 1.8 to F / 6.3, due to which shooting in the dark, as well as capturing the smallest details of the photo, became available to the user without any additional settings.
The 3-inch touchscreen display is another major advantage of the lightweight and compact JVC camcorder, making operation as easy as possible. It should be noted the special Quad Proof technology, which protects the camcorder from all kinds of external influences, including shock, water and cold.
Advantages:
- matrix - 2.5 Mp, size - 1 / 5.8 inches
- the presence of protection against moisture and shock
- shooting resolution - Full HD
- capacious rechargeable battery
- face recognition function
- focal length - from 2.9 to 116 mm
Disadvantages:
- poor video quality, especially at night
- touch screen quality
Panasonic HC-V770
The new best Panasonic camcorder is the best budget model in our TOP, since the price of 19,000-20,000 rubles is definitely too low for the parameters it offers. The first thing that catches your eye when looking at a video camera is a MOS-matrix equipped with a 12.76 megapixel resolution and dimensions as much as 1 / 2.3 inches. The lens characteristics look more than decent against its background: optical zoom 20x, digital zoom - 60x, aperture - from F / 1.8 to F / 3.6.
These parameters combine to capture stunning 1080p movies at frame rates up to 120 FPS.Autoexposure support, manual adjustment of many parameters and a built-in illuminator allow you to make videos of much higher quality and adapted for professional shooting. And the presence of Wi-Fi, NFC and headphone and microphone inputs once again confirms that the HC-V770 is the best low-cost camcorder on the market.
Advantages:
- still photography at 6.03 megapixels with a resolution of 4736 × 2664
- it is possible to charge from other devices via the USB port
- high quality image stabilization
- fits nicely in the hand and folds compactly
- many different settings
- high quality microphone
Disadvantages:
- weak battery life - up to 2 hours
- no protective lens cap
- meager equipment
Sony FDR-AX53
Few would argue that Sony's camcorders are some of the best on the market. The FDR-AX53 model gives one more reason to make sure of this. The main parameter that buyers pay attention to is the camera's ability to record video in 4K format at a frame rate of 30 FPS, while Full HD videos can be smoother, as this figure rises to 60 FPS. Optical 20x and digital 250x zooms allow you to capture the most important details, even if they are difficult to get close to.
Ease of use is guaranteed by a 3-inch touchscreen display with stunning picture quality, as well as an intuitive menu and many additional add-ons. Optical stabilization always makes even the most dynamic videos high quality. And, of course, 6 lux illumination and NFC and Wi-Fi support perfectly complement a good and reliable Sony camcorder.
Advantages:
- Memory Stick support
- 4K video support
- quality lenses
- modern matrix 8.29 Mp (size - 1 / 2.5 inches)
- excellent functionality
- quality performance
- 5-axis stabilization system
- battery life
Disadvantages:
- turn off the camera by extending the viewfinder
- charging occurs only after switching off
- high price
Panasonic HC-VX980
The HC-VX980 cannot be ignored in search of the best camera in terms of price-quality ratio. The cost of 33,000-36,000 rubles guarantees a set of top features, thanks to which you can shoot truly professional videos. The first step in the camcorder is to highlight the excellent matrix of as much as 18.91 megapixels, thanks to which the camcorder works seamlessly with 4K format.
In addition, in terms of the quality of taking photos, the camera also shows itself perfectly: wide-format shooting of the 4992 × 2808 format clearly shows this. A lens with optical and digital zoom at 20x and 60x allows you to perfectly scale footage with minimal loss of quality. The camcorder's lens capabilities help you fine-tune the type of shooting, including exposure, and avoid noise when shooting in low light conditions.
Advantages:
- aperture range - from F / 1.8 to F / 3.6
- headphone, microphone jack
- quality lens from LEICA
- light weight
- excellent recording quality
- WiFi support
- good stabilization work
- HDR recording
- change of PAL / NTSC modes via a convenient touch screen menu
Disadvantages:
- slight fluctuations in brightness when adjusting focus
- slow menu response
JVC GC-PX100
It is worth paying attention to this model when choosing a camcorder for reportage shooting. The fact is that this camcorder, despite its lightness and compactness, is capable of shooting 1080p video at 50 FPS, both day and night. The 1 / 2.3-inch matrix received a resolution of 12.8 megapixels, so there can be no questions about the quality of the output material.
Optical stabilization will help you shoot both static and dynamic, while in the latter version, a sports mode that captures every moment is an excellent help. The presence of a flash allows an excellent camera from JVC to take excellent photos, which (however, as well as video) can be sent to any other device via Wi-Fi. The amount of 36,000-40,000 rubles for such a device, judging by the feedback from users of the best video camera, is sheer trifles.
Advantages:
- active overexposure indicator
- many additional shooting modes
- abundance of manual settings
- great scope of delivery
- comfortable design
- a wide variety of manual settings
- solid build
Disadvantages:
- F / 1.2 aperture not active in wide-angle shooting
- responsiveness of the interface
Panasonic HC-VXF990
Another creation by Panasonic has become one of the best camcorders in the rating, largely due to the detailed MOS-matrix. With its impressive 1 / 2.3-inch size and its stunning 18.91MP resolution, it allows you to create 4K video with a host of additional effects to enhance picture quality. As a camera, the camcorder also performs well, which is noticeable at the high resolution - 4992 × 2808.
Convenient control is the result of detailed elaboration of the large camera screen, as well as the creation of a clear and simple menu that allows you to make many fine adjustments. The diaphragm works well throughout the range from F / 1.8 to F / 3.6, so the user can enjoy every second of using the camcorder with high quality video recording.
Advantages:
- compact size and streamlined shape
- headphone and microphone outputs
- convenient compact camera
- viewfinder
- increased battery life
- improved software
- high quality night shooting
Disadvantages:
- some modes are only available in Full HD
Sony FDR-AX100E
Raising the question of which camcorder to choose for professional shooting, it should be borne in mind that the cost of such camcorders is very solid. In particular, the FDR-AX100E model has a price tag of 73,000-78,000 rubles, but the device fully justifies the means. The impressive size of the 1-inch sensor of 14.2 megapixels allows you to shoot the ideal quality 4K video, and this applies not only to day, but also to night shooting.
Despite the fact that the aperture range is wide - from F / 2.8 to F / 4.5, each of these values works properly, with a characteristic difference for them. The presence of 5.1-channel sound recording is a necessary attribute of a professional video camera, so the FDR-AX100E, of course, received a detailed study of this parameter.
Advantages:
- optical zoom - 12x, digital - 160x
- increased matrix sensitivity
- high quality assembly
- viewfinder
- variety of manual settings
- the presence of an innovative lens ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T
- lots of professional special effects
- support for Dual Video Recording option
Disadvantages:
- no critical remarks found
Canon XA35
You don't need a 4K camcorder to be a professional cameraman. For example, Canon XA35 offers only Full HD-shooting, but the output video turns out to be many times higher quality than devices with Ultra HD support. In most reviews about the camera, buyers highlight just the perfect study and selection of parameters.
In particular, you can manually adjust exposure, white balance, active mode, focusing and even aperture in detail (the range of which, by the way, ranges from F / 1.8 to F / 8). The large 3.5-inch touchscreen provides quick access to each of the settings, as well as allows you to view all the footage and send it online via Wi-Fi. A unique function of the best video camera Kenon is remote control, thanks to which even the operator himself can become a participant in the video at the same time.
Advantages:
- rich set of camcorders
- minimum illumination - 0.1 lux
- support for two memory cards
- availability of programmed buttons
- high-aperture lens
- optical zoom - 20x, digital - 400x
Disadvantages:
- video quality with contrast changes
Sony HXR-NX100
One of the most popular professional video cameras can be used to create both films and reports. Convenient shape, relatively compact dimensions and, of course, top-end characteristics more than justify the price tag of 95,000 rubles. A powerful 14.2-megapixel sensor combined with a high-quality lens makes every movie irresistible, regardless of the light and time of day.
Features such as a strong viewfinder, stable 50 FPS and remote control make the task as easy as possible for the operator. Headphone and microphone jacks are indispensable attributes of a professional camera, and work with all types of memory cards allows you not to boot up when choosing a drive.
Advantages:
- aperture from f / 2.8 to f / 4.5
- high quality photography
- point control focus
- excellent picture quality
- original "G Lens"
- many additional functions
- convenient control
- support for two memory cards
Disadvantages:
- lack of wifi
- poor light sensitivity
Panasonic AG-UX90
The latest camcorder model in our rating costs about 130,000 rubles, but the price and quality of the camera are fully consistent with each other. Suffice it to say that the camera shoots videos not in 4K, but in Ultra HD 4K, which is one and a half times higher. This is made possible thanks to a 17.78MP MOS sensor and a gorgeous lens with aperture ranging from F / 2.8 to F / 4.5.
The camcorder also works great in photo mode, allowing you to shoot again in 4K and apply some effects to the pictures. A great variety of manual settings fit into a simple and intuitive menu driven by a 3.5-inch touchscreen display. Naturally, not everyone can afford such a camcorder. However, for professional filming, you can hardly find anything better on the camcorder market.
Advantages:
- excellent optical stabilizer
- ExifPrint and H.264 recording support
- many accessories included
- the picture quality is at a very high level
- advanced wide-angle lens
- well thought out management
- the highest functionality of the presented models
Disadvantages:
- lack of NFC and Wi-Fi
Which video camera is better to buy
After reviewing the rating of the best camcorders for amateurs and professionals, the buyer will definitely conclude that the choice in this segment is quite wide. You need to look for a suitable option, first of all, by the quality of the camera, and only then by the price. In addition, you should pay attention to the functionality and other additional parameters of the camcorder.
