Video CameraElectronics

What are the best 4K video cameras under $3000?

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Canon EOS R6 Mark II vs Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX vs Sony FX30

 vs Fujifilm X-T4 vs Panasonic LUMIX GH6 vs Sony Alpha a6300 vs Fujifilm X-T2 vs Blackmagic Pocket Camera vs Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH4

Specs

Lens mount

Canon RF

Weight

670 g

Video resolution

4K @60p, 1080p @120p

Dimensions

138 x 98 x 88 mm

Max resolution

6000 x 4000

Image stabilization

Sensor-shift

ISO Range

100-102400 (expands to 204800)

AF points

4897

Sensor type

24 MP full-frame CMOS

Wi-Fi

Yes

Sensor

-

Screen size

-

Touchscreen

-

Continuous drive

-

Shutter speed

-

Video

-

Battery

-

Build Quality

-

Warranty

-

Lens System

-

Lens mount

Leica L

Weight

740 g

Video resolution

6K @30p, 4K @60p, 1080p @120p

Dimensions

134 x 102 x 90 mm

Max resolution

6000 x 4000

Image stabilization

Sensor-shift

ISO Range

100-51200 (50-204800 boosted)

AF points

779

Sensor type

-

Wi-Fi

-

Sensor

24 MP full-frame CMOS

Screen size

3" TFT fully articulated

Touchscreen

Yes

Continuous drive

30 fps

Shutter speed

1/8000 - 60 sec

Video

-

Battery

-

Build Quality

-

Warranty

-

Lens System

-

Lens mount

-

Weight

-

Video resolution

-

Dimensions

-

Max resolution

-

Image stabilization

-

ISO Range

-

AF points

-

Sensor type

-

Wi-Fi

-

Sensor

-

Screen size

-

Touchscreen

-

Continuous drive

-

Shutter speed

-

Video

-

Battery

-

Build Quality

-

Warranty

-

Lens System

-

Lens mount

Fujifilm X

Weight

607g

Video resolution

-

Dimensions

-

Max resolution

6240 x 4160

Image stabilization

-

ISO Range

-

AF points

-

Sensor type

-

Wi-Fi

-

Sensor

26MP APS-C BSI-CMOS

Screen size

-

Touchscreen

-

Continuous drive

-

Shutter speed

-

Video

4K

Battery

-

Build Quality

-

Warranty

-

Lens System

-

Lens mount

MFT

Weight

823 g

Video resolution

5.7K, 4K

Dimensions

-

Max resolution

-

Image stabilization

-

ISO Range

-

AF points

-

Sensor type

-

Wi-Fi

-

Sensor

25MP MFT

Screen size

-

Touchscreen

-

Continuous drive

-

Shutter speed

-

Video

-

Battery

2200 mAh

Build Quality

-

Warranty

-

Lens System

-

Lens mount

E-mount

Weight

361 g (body)

Video resolution

UHD 4k, 1080p

Dimensions

120 x 67 x 49 mm

Max resolution

-

Image stabilization

-

ISO Range

-

AF points

-

Sensor type

24.2 MP APS-C Exmor CMOS

Wi-Fi

-

Sensor

-

Screen size

-

Touchscreen

-

Continuous drive

-

Shutter speed

-

Video

-

Battery

708 mAh (~350-400 shots)

Build Quality

Sealed magnesium alloy body

Warranty

-

Lens System

-

Lens mount

-

Weight

507g

Video resolution

-

Dimensions

-

Max resolution

-

Image stabilization

-

ISO Range

-

AF points

-

Sensor type

-

Wi-Fi

-

Sensor

24.3-megapixel X-Trans CMOS III APS-C sensor

Screen size

-

Touchscreen

-

Continuous drive

-

Shutter speed

-

Video

4k at 30 fps and 1080p video at 60 fps

Battery

708 mAh (~330 shots)

Build Quality

Dust and moisture-resistant body

Warranty

1 year

Lens System

Fujifilm X-mount

Lens mount

MFT

Weight

-

Video resolution

4K at 60p

Dimensions

-

Max resolution

-

Image stabilization

-

ISO Range

-

AF points

-

Sensor type

-

Wi-Fi

-

Sensor

-

Screen size

-

Touchscreen

-

Continuous drive

-

Shutter speed

-

Video

-

Battery

-

Build Quality

-

Warranty

-

Lens System

-

Lens mount

MFT

Weight

-

Video resolution

UHD 4k at 30 fps, Cinema 4k at 24 fps and 1080p at 96 fps

Dimensions

-

Max resolution

-

Image stabilization

-

ISO Range

-

AF points

-

Sensor type

-

Wi-Fi

-

Sensor

16.05-Megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor

Screen size

-

Touchscreen

-

Continuous drive

-

Shutter speed

-

Video

-

Battery

1860 mAh (~500 shots)

Build Quality

Sealed magnesium body

Warranty

1 year

Lens System

-

Pros + Cons

Pro
 Good stablization

Comment

Pro
 SSD recording

Can write directly to external SSD devices (up to 2TB) over its USB-C socket.
Comment

Pro
 Video quality

Good video quality, features and performance.
Comment

Con
 Sinister black look

A question of taste of course, it seems to be an "award-winning design".
Comment

Con
 No tally lights

Comment

Pro
 Great autofocus

The autofocus is one of the best features about the a6300. It is consistently accurate, provides multiple focus points and focuses on those points very quickly.
Comment

Pro
 Excellent video quality

Due to the large sensor the SONY Alpha a6300 is able to shoot in a wide range of conditions. In fact, video is downsized from 6k resolution to 4k resulting in very detailed video regardless of lighting conditions.
Comment

Pro
 A flat color profile for video is available

a6300 supports a flat color profiles (S-Log2 & S-Log3) for improved dynamic range that can then be used when color grading in post. It can also preview how a graded footage would look.
Comment

Pro
 Fantastic image quality

With its 24-megapixel sensor the a6300 is set up to take some great shots. In both JPEG and RAW modes images have great dynamic range with minimal noise. The image processing is of note as it sharpens images without artifacts present. Additionally, the camera includes S-LOG 2, a camera mode which enables a wider dynamic range, better color accuracy and increased flexibility for post processing.
Comment

Pro
 Good low light performance

Due to its great video processing as well as excellent sensor the a6300 is able to handle low light conditions fairly well. Video and images are fairly sharp with few artifacts present.
Comment

Con
 Selection of lenses

It can be a challenge to find the right balance of features and performance with a limited lens selection. While common lenses are available, finding the right lens for the job using the E-mount system will take a bit more time.
Comment

Con
 Overheating issues

With regards to the a6300's 4k recording there were a number of complaints that the camera was overheating. Sony has released a firmware update which needs to be installed manually. The update can be downloaded at Sony's website.
Comment

Pro
 Fantastic pictures

Fujifilm’s X-Trans sensor enables the X-T2 to take fantastic pictures. Images consistently feature great detail, contrast and colour. The end result are images that have lifelike colors, great contrast and require little to no post processing.
Comment

Pro
 Excellent video quality

The X-T2 is able to capture 4k video at 30 fps and HD video at 60 fps. By capturing footage at a higher resolution then downscaling it to 4k, X-T2 produces very detailed video. Additionally, with its F-log colour mode, the X-T2 is able to capture even more dynamic range. The inclusion of a built in micro HDMI port as well as 3.5 mm audio jack allows for external devices to be connected as well. As such, the X-T2 is ideally set up to produce fantastic content.
Comment

Pro
 Excellent low light performance

The Fujifilm X-T2 features great sensitivity in low light conditions due to its great sensor quality and excellent image processing. This makes it a great investment if shooting locations include clubs, concerts or other dimly lit areas.
Comment

Pro
 Great build quality

The X-T2 is a rugged camera whose body is both dust and moisture resistant. Additionally, it has been rated to work in temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius. Photographers that have used this on shoots have testified to its reliability in poor weather conditions.
Comment

Pro
 Software updates

Previous versions of the Fujifilm X series have been improved over time with firmware updates. As such, the X-T2 will continue to be extremely capable in the long term.
Comment

Con
 No touchscreen

Touchscreens are common features on a variety of similar cameras. While the X-T2 has analog controls these have a tendency to slow down one's workflow.
Comment

Con
 No image stabilization

Optical image stabilization is not built into X-T2 so a lens that comes with image stabilization will have to be purchased separately. Fujifilm's X-Mount lens system has several to choose from.
Comment

Pro
 Affordable

Comment

Con
 No flip-out screen

Comment

Pro
 Micro Four Thirds compatible

Micro Four Thirds is an interchangeable lens system created by Olympus and Panasonic. The key benefit to this system is that there are over 60 lenses that are currently available for the LUMIX G4. In short, customers are buying into an incredibly rich and diverse ecosystem of lenses.
Comment

Pro
 Great build quality

The LUMIX GH4 is built using a magnesium alloy and this shows with respect to its durability and light weight. In addition to featuring a rubber handgrip, customizable buttons are also present. All these factors enable the GH4 to be used with one hand.
Comment

Pro
 Fantastic video quality

The CH4 records UHD 4k video at 30 fps and Cinema 4k video at 24 fps. At 1080 resolution it is capable of 96 fps. Since image stabilization is built into the camera, videos shot with the GH4 are sharp and beautiful.
Comment

Con
 Average low light performance

When shooting in low light, the LUMIX G4 tends to produce noisy images. Additionally, there is a slight tendency for images shot in low light settings to have a slight blue tint. While these issues can be somewhat corrected for with VLOG software and lens choice, this area needs improvement.
Comment
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