If you are interested in pursuing filmmaking, you’ll need a creative mind, places to shoot and of course, the best digital camera for short films that your budget allows. You may be asking what is the best video camera for making short films?

There are many excellent cameras on the market today at various price points, which we will examine in a moment. First, just remember that great gear helps, but being a superb filmmaker is about being able to tell the story. An Agora Gallery ARTiclass can get you on your way to refining these skills.

So, now that you are ready to create your masterpiece, let’s discuss what to look for before you go on the hunt to find the best camera for making short films. You will want to know what kind of film you intend to focus on, your budget, camera brands you may prefer or have existing accessories for, and how much gear you desire to carry with you.

With many of us being on tight budgets right now, seeking the best budget camera for short films is at the top of the list, and we are here to help you with that decision. You will want to compare model choices based on things like sensor size, resolution, frame rates, auto focus, stabilization, low light performance and dynamic range. With those things in mind, here are our top 4 choices for the best camera for short filmmaking. 

1. Canon EOS R5

With 8K resolution and a 45 megapixel sensor, this camera is set to be a go-to rig in any filmmakers collection. It also features a wide array of frame rates and consistently reliable auto-focusing capabilities. It behaves like a large camera, but with a compact and easy to travel with size.

2. Sony A7 Mark III

This Sony is regularly considered one of the best video cameras for making short films. It is lightweight and compact, and showcases a full frame sensor with superb autofocus. This is a fantastic choice if you plan on trekking all over when making your films, as it travels easily with its petite size.

3. Panasonic Lumix S1H

The Panasonic mirrorless Lumix S1H is geared towards filmmakers with excellent video capabilities, an impressive selection of video recording formats, and a sensor that includes a low pass filter for less artifacts. Though slightly larger than others on this list, the Lumix is one you should certainly keep in mind as a best digital camera for short films.

4. Panasonic Lumix GH5S

Filmmakers and vloggers love the Lumix line, so here is another one for our list. Slightly more affordable than the S1H, this camera is a hybrid, allowing users to capture professional video along with great still shots. A 4/3 sensor, but higher megapixels allow this to be lighter and more compact than the S1H, without sacrificing quality.

We wish you many happy days of shooting and hope that this list gets you on your way to finding the best HD video camera for short films to meet your filmmaking goals.