Are you into vlogging, or do you wish to become a professional event shooter? Then, finally, the time has come to buy whatever you have been saving up for. But the problem is with tons of camera options available, and you might be confused about which one to buy. And that’s why you’re here; Right?
However, before all, let me congratulate you from my heart and tell you that it’s okay to be a little worried before you spend your hard-earned money on your passion. So many things are there to keep in mind – budget, brand, tech specifications, required accessories, and so on.
Need help? Here’s what you need to consider before buying your first video camera.
Purpose
First and foremost, you have to be clear about the purpose of your purchase before you start your search. For instance, if you want something for personal use like recording home videos, then a video camera under 500 dollars will do the job.
Similarly, if you are passionate about video blogging, I suggest using a camcorder because they are handy and great for video work. If you feel this is a nice idea, you can look at my top picks of Camcorders on filmosphere.com. However, I’m sharing my personal choices and not influencing your purchasing decision; I just want to reach you to the best available.
If you carry on your hunt keeping the purpose in your mind, you’ll get the best possible products in your search list. Now, have a close look at other important factors.
Budget
Of course, you can arrange your search list according to your budget by selecting the price range close to your budget. I suggest not to arrange your search list according to a low to high price range; hence, you could miss a good option.
It’s always good to compare the available features and prices between the available options. If your budget is pulling you back, I suggest looking for more, but never make a compromise on your desired features. Keep in mind that most of us consider the camera a one-time investment.
Features and Specifications
Recording Features: Getting a camcorder with multi-format recording options in full HD resolution at various bit-rate and frame rates will be a good decision. Several camcorders offer 4:2:2 10-bit 4K video recording at up to 120 FPS, but such 4K professional camcorders are slightly pricey.
If you’re looking for personal use, even for professional event shooting, an HD camcorder with a minimum 4:2:0 8-bit 1080P/30 FPS recording option could serve you the best at an affordable price.
Codec: Some camcorders record at H.265 to deliver small file-size video with good image quality, though the codec is difficult to edit. If your editing software struggles more with codec rather than file size, be aware of the video recording formats while choosing a camera.
Imaging Unit: The picture quality matters the most in the case of video. So, pay attention to whether your chosen camera has a decent image stabilization mechanism, image sensor, and processor or not. The large-format 1” type image sensor provides the highest clarity in low-light situations and at the highest zooming range.
Try to choose a camera with a decent optical zoom, minimum 18 MP sensor, and 5-axis optical image stabilization mechanism to get crisp and vibrant image quality.
Additional Handy Features: As a beginner, choose a camera that offers autofocus and auto-tracking options, including versatile manual buttons and rings. Such cameras will be easy to adapt for you.
Design and Ergonomics
If you go for an ultra-lightweight digital camera, check whether it fits in your hand properly or not. Some manufacturers make such funky cameras anti-slip, equipping rubberized grip on their bodies.
Some video recording cameras can be bulky and difficult to carry around. Here, the detachable handle could help you carry it with ease and reduce weight when you remove it. Some of such handles are designed with anti-shake components, making the camera more stable.
Display
Make sure the viewfinder of your camera is not touch-sensitive enough. Otherwise, it could create a problem while shooting by looking through it. On the other hand, the touch-friendly LCD screen comes in handy to adjust the camera settings, the composition aspects, and focus on the subject in no time.
Consider their resolution and display type to understand whether it can provide a bright and vibrant preview during day and night shooting or not.
Accessories
Besides the camera body, we often purchase different accessories like a camera lens, tripod, battery, external monitor, microphone, flashlight, and much more. While buying such accessories, make sure you’ve chosen compatible accessories to use with your future cameras as well.
Lens Cleaning Kit
During shooting, the dust and finger marks on the lens disturb us, and we tend to clean the camera lens using a nearby clear cloth. Don’t do that; it can lead to scratches on the lens. I suggest using a proper lens cleaning kit with a pure-water-based cleaning solution, microfiber cloths, cleaning brush, and air blower.
Conclusion
So, these are the things I want to make you aware of; hopefully, these purchasing tips will help you make the best possible purchasing decision.
That’s all from my side. Do you want to give any tips for future videographers before they purchase their first camera? If you have, leave a comment below.
