Movie Makers: Great Video Cameras for Your Next Shoot

Panasonic AG-AC30 
This HD video camera is packed with a 20x optical zoom, wide-angle 29.5mm, f/1.8 lens that taps a five-axis hybrid stabilization system to keep blur at bay. It features a backside illuminated sensor for improved low light performance. There’s an integrated LED light capable of 300 lux of illumination at 3.3 feet. High-quality audio recording is available via two-channel XLR audio inputs with phantom power. There are a pair of SD card slots that support either simultaneous or relay recording with hot-swapping. Manual mavens will appreciate the camera’s three manual rings around the lens to adjust iris, zoom and focus. The 0.24-inch EVF can be tilted up.  
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Canon Vixia HF G40  
This budget-minded HD camera can record at up to 60 fps in either MP4 or AVCHD formats and features a built-in 20x zoom lens. The five-axis image stabilization system has a dynamic mode designed to reduce distortion while walking. You’ll frame your shot through a 3.5–inch OLED touch panel screen or a tilting EVF. There are two new Looks settings, including Highlight Priority which delivers an HDR effect, and a Wide DR Gamma mode that greatly boosts the dynamic range.  
usa.canon.com

Olympus Stylus Tough TG-Tracker
Think of Olympus’ newest action cam as a GoPro meets Fitbit. The Tough TG-Tracker is loaded with sensors including GPS, an electronic compass, an accelerometer, a thermometer (active only underwater), a barometer, a manometer and a water detector. Data harvested from these sensors is used to help automatically compile highlight clips in the camera by detecting rapid changes in movement, for instance. The camera is waterproof to 30 meters without a housing, can survive falls from up to 2.1 meters and can endure up to 220 pounds of pressure without cracking. It records 4K video at 30p or full HD at up to 60p via a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor. 
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Kinefinity TERRA 
Closest in spirit to a RED (minus the huge price tag), the boxy TERRA can be easily outfitted with extra, largely proprietary, modules (monitors, etc.) as your filmmaking needs evolve. It has a Super 35mm-sized sensor available in either 5K or 6K resolution. 4K frame rates top off at 100 fps while 2K footage can be recorded up to 200 fps. The 5K model has a dynamic range of up to 15 stops. You’ll have your choice of a Canon EF mount body or a KineMOUNT, which is a variant of a PL mount that accepts PL mount and Nikon F mount adapters. Prices range from $4,600 (5K) to $5,400 (6K).  
kinefinity.com

Sony PXW-Z150 
For cinematic 4K filmmakers, Sony’s PXW-Z150 delivers a wealth of sophisticated controls in a camcorder-like form factor. It starts with a 1-inch stacked CMOS sensor with full pixel readout that supports 4K and high frame rate HD video recording. Footage is saved to a pair of SD cards. There’s a built-in 12x optical zoom lens (29-348mm), a high-contrast OLED viewfinder and a 3.5-inch display for composing your work. A built-in, four-stop ND filter helps you battle bright sun while three manual lens rings let you manually dial in iris, zoom and focus. There’s Wi-Fi to support live streaming, remote control or wireless FTP. 
pro.sony.com

Sony FDR-X3000R 
The newest 4K action camera from Sony boasts a new Balanced Optical SteadyShot technology to keep footage stable and motion blur at bay. It has a 1/2.5-inch CMOS sensor You can record 4K time lapse videos and HD video at up to 100p. It’s dust and splash proof and ships with an underwater housing that can descend down to 60 meters underwater. It also ships with a wrist-worn remote that can power up the camera and is 30 percent smaller than the prior model.
www.sony.com

Canon XC15 
With a 1-inch CMOS sensor and 10x fixed lens, this hybrid camera is equally at home recording 4K video and snapping stills. It ships with a microphone adapter with two XLR inputs for capturing high-quality audio. The XC15 records 4K video at 30p to a CFast 2.0 memory card and full HD video up to 60p and 12-megapixel stills to an SD card. 
www.usa.canon.com

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