The Best Camera For Shooting Music Videos in 2022

Music videos need to be as grand as the music itself. As award-winning artists like Taylor Swift, Drake, Kanye West, and many others would show us, music videos are an art form in and of itself. What makes a good music video anyway? Is it the concept, the quality, the artists in said videos? A good music video is determined at the very bottom of the production line of course.

There’s only so much you can do with raw talent and creativity. If you really want to create amazing music videos, then you’re going to have to invest in a good camera as well. Luckily, there are lots of amazing cameras for shooting music videos out there right now. If you want to get the best of the best, then check out this list of the best cameras for shooting music videos.

When it comes to cameras, one of the most popular names out there will always be Canon. They’ve produced a lot of great cameras over the last couple of years, and for music videos, the best they have has to be the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.

Let’s first talk about the 30.4 megapixel sensor. It’s not the best compared to other high-end cameras out there. However, the file is output at 6720 x 4480 pixels. That means when it comes to picture and video quality, the EOS 5D Mark IV is one of the top choices right now.  According to Canon, the sensor’s on-chip digital-to-analog conversion provides improved noise performance as well as dynamic range, which allows you to shoot videos without audio problems.

Dual Pixel Raw technology also allows you to fine-tune areas of maximum sharpness during post-production (currently only available in Canon’s own DPP software), but this feature has received less attention. Obviously, the resolution of the camera has improved since then. The native sensitivity of the Mark IV is in the ISO 100-32,000 range and can be extended to 50-102,400.

The camera also uses Digic 6 and a Digic 6+ processor. The Digic 6 is dedicated to metering. On the other hand, the Digic 6+ is intended as an overall processor. This includes a 61-point AF system with 41 cross-type sensors (5 are dual cross-type). The AF system is sensitive up to 3 EV (4 EV in live view). This provides good quality in dim lighting, so shooting in dark places is not an issue, but you can use a lens/teleconverter combo with a maximum aperture off. 

It’s worth noting that the camera is a real must-have for athletes, musicians, and wildlife photographers.

The EOS 5D Mark IV is undoubtedly the prime option for cameras right now. While there are more expensive cameras out there, the impressive features of the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV show that Canon will always be at the top of the chain.

Pros

• Versatile shooting capacity
• Continous 7.0 FPS shooting speed
• Expanded vertical coverage

Cons

• Fixed rear screen

Specification

• Price $2,699.00
• Video Capture Resolution 2160 p
• Max Resolution 30.4 megapixels
• ISO Range 100-32,000

The Blackmagic Design URSA Mini 4K Digital Cinema is designed to specifically cater to the market for video makers. Be it for a music video or even a short film, this video camera has all of the essential features that you need.

The Blackmagic Design URSA Mini 4K Digital Cinema might be expensive, but with a camera like this, it’s tough to deny that the price is well worth it. You can’t find a video camera that’s more perfect for music videos than this right now.

Pros

• No Overheating
• Professional Appearance

Cons

• Weight

Specification

• Price $3,999.99
• Video Capture Resolution 4K
• Max Resolution 76.6 megapixels
• ISO Range 3200

When it comes to cameras, Panasonic is and will always be a tried and tested name. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5  might be over a decade old already, but that doesn’t mean that it’s no longer a good camera. In fact, it’s the best budget-friendly option on this list right now.

The 2008 model Lumix LX3, the predecessor of the Panasonic LX5, was a huge hit for film producers and hobbyists. Most importantly, however, it is popular among readers of imaging resources. It isn’t hard to understand why; the LX3 has a sleek and compact form factor, an excellent wide-angle lens, superb image quality, and good manual exposure control options from smart auto to full.

To put it simply, it was almost an ideal pocket camera for enthusiasts. But about two years after the LX3 was announced, the rest of the high-end pocket cameras caught up and surpassed it in some areas. Obviously, it’s time for Panasonic to enhance the game, and they’ve been emphasizing it with the updated Lumix LX5. This camera offers improvements in almost all aspects. With the improvements, the Panasonic LX5 is even more popular compared to other models, even the most recent ones.

With the advanced sensor, the camera is able to take better pictures even in the dark. Based on the reviews of others, the Panasonic LX5 has the biggest, with surprisingly good detail and a surprisingly shallow field of depth.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5  proves that while old, some cameras are still more than capable of holding their own against the most modern releases. If you’re on a budget, this camera is still definitely worth getting.

Pros

• Best low-light condition quality
• Great built-in lens
• Cheap

Cons

• Lacks modern features

Specification

• Price $166.98
• Video Capture Resolution 720p
• Max Resolution 3200 megapixels
• ISO Range 80 - 12,800

Another household name when it comes to cameras is Nikon. The brand shares the top of the chain with Canon, and it consistently delivers amazing lenses and cameras on a regular basis. A good budget option from the brand is the Nikon D3500.

The Nikon D3500 may be more than three years old, but it’s still the top pick for entry-level DSLR titles. Why is that so? This is partly due to the lack of good DLSRs in the industry. The thing is, however, the D3500 operates differently than most other cameras.

For beginners, DSLRs offer three major advantages over mirrorless alternatives. Those advantages include better battery life, handling, and value for money. One of the reasons for the latter is that, unlike the mirrorless rival EVF, the D3500 has an optical viewfinder, and its vast range of native lenses isn’t new enough to demand high prices. Another issue is the lack of movable screen and touch screen capabilities.

So the D3500 needs a little customization. If you think the touch screen is a bit of an issue, consider alternatives in mirrorless cameras, like the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 and Fujifilm XT200. The D3500’s 24.2 megapixel sensor produces surprisingly great results. However, you might have to invest in some additional lenses to really unleash that potential. Thankfully, Nikon’s DX system has a wide range of lenses to suit almost every shooting style and budget. We recommend purchasing the D3500 with the “VR” version of the kit lens (AFP DX 1855mm f / 3.55.6G VR). This is to provide easy vibration reduction at a very low additional cost.

The Nikon D3500 is a great option through and through thanks to its superb build and even more impressive list of features. It’s an amazing camera that will give you your money’s worth, which just shows how good Nikon can be.

Pros

• Excellent image quality
• Good size for DLSR
• Easy to use

Cons

• Needs additional lenses for max potential

Specification

• Price $550.00
• Video Capture Resolution 1080p
• Max Resolution 24.7 megapixels
• ISO Range 100-25,600

Mirrorless cameras are slightly more expensive than DLSRs, but the additional amount is more than justified. Mirrorless cameras are good on their own, and when it comes to music videos, the Canon EOS M10 Mirrorless Camera is an instant crowd favorite.

The EOS M10 has an all-plastic body with a simple finish that matches its color. There are black and white, but the device that Canon lent us is a gray variation. This camera was designed just for them, so it looks more consumer-friendly than professional tools. Above are the most important buttons and dials. The mode selection ring has a mains switch to switch between video capture, camera, and intelligent automatic mode.

There is a shutter button right next to it. This also gets caught in the setting ring and sets the ISO value, shutter speed, etc. Finally, there is a video capture button on the far right. The tilted display is also a touch screen. In other words, you can change the settings with just a few touches. In our experience, it was a combination of selecting settings via the display and adjusting values ​​(ISO, shutter speed, etc.) via the selector wheel.

Many users say that it’s easy to shoot. It turns on quickly and you can shoot within 5 seconds. The images produced by the M10 are at best satisfactory. The colors are natural and pleasingly vibrant, but I want a little more detail. The photos are bright and not overly contrasting, but the artifacts are already visible, even though the ISO is kept at a conservative setting (around ISO 200).

The Canon EOS M10 Mirrorless Camera might just be one of the best mirrorless cameras for music videos right now. What’s great is that it’s one of the cheaper versions too. If you want something new and impressive, then the Canon EOS M10 Mirrorless Camera might just be the way to go.

Pros

• Compact and lightweight
• Easy to use
• Great audio quality

Cons

• Not that practical for price

Specification

• Price $609.95
• Video Capture Resolution 1080p
• Max Resolution 18.0 MP
• ISO Range 100-12,800

Are you planning on shooting underground? What about a music video that’s filled to the brim with action? Then you’re not going to get results better than what you’d get with the GoPro HERO5 Black Edition Camera.

The Hero5 Black has a clean matte black look while maintaining the size of a matchbox. The 2-inch touch screen on the back is small, but it’s also vibrant and easy to read. Additionally, the small screen on the front shows information about recording mode, free SSH card, and battery level. At the top of the camera is also a large red button that GoPro calls the One Button Control. Simply press this rubberized square to turn on the camera and start recording immediately.

Users might see that the Hero5 Black no longer wears an ancestral protective case. This is because the camera is water-resistant up to 33 feet (10 m) right out of the box. It’s a little exposed compared to previous GoPro Hero models. 

This action camera also comes compatible with various accessories such as a waterproof Remo voice launch shutter button, and a Quik Key USBC for downloading and carrying files. The action camera also includes a portable MicroSD card reader. In addition to the action cam update, GoPro entered the drone market for the first time with Karma, an ultra-simple aerial photography solution that folds and easily fits in a backpack.

In truth, action cameras aren’t ever as strong as DLSRs or mirrorless cameras. However, the advantages they offer for certain types of shots are more than enough to keep anyone on their toes through an amazing music video.

Pros

• Voice activated controls
• Great video and image quality
• Good design

Cons

• Not that intuitive when it omes to desktop

Specification

• Price $426.99
• Video Capture Resolution 1080p
• Max Resolution 12 MP
• ISO Range 1600