Have you found yourself overwhelmed when looking for a new camera to up your game as a content creator? Narrowing down the best choice can be difficult with so many professional cameras to choose from.
While these cameras are more expensive than beginner cameras, they offer a wide variety of impressive features.
Let’s dive in and look at the best professional cameras in 2022.
1. Panasonic LUMIX GH5
A powerful, rugged, and lightweight camera.
The Panasonic Lumix GH5 is a mirrorless camera built to meet the demands of creators who need high-quality images and videos. The camera comes to life with the 20.3 MP Digital Live MOS Sensor and the Venus Engine processor. The powerful processing capabilities work in tandem with the sensor to create stunning 4K video up to 60 FPS.
Never miss a moment with 12 FPS of continuous shooting and the built-in 5-axis sensor stabilization. Content creators will also enjoy the ability to enable Dual I.S. 2 for shake correction. The camera must be equipped with compatible Lumix lenses with O.I.S to use this feature.
Another great feature of the Panasonic Lumix GH5 is the AF System with DFD (Depth From Defocus). The DFD software calculates the distance to subjects and automatically adjusts the focus at lightning speed. Speaking of autofocus, it uses a 225-point system to ensure a crystal clear shot every time.
Key Features / Specs
- Image Resolution: M43 Digital Live MOS, 20.3 MP
- Video Resolution: 4K at 60 FPS
- Form Factor: Mirrorless
- View Finder: 0.76x OLED viewfinder
- Focus Type: Auto Focus and Advanced DFD
- Other Features: 6K+4K photos, dual SD card slots, built-in WiFi, mechanical + electronic shutter.
2. Canon EOS R
A good vlogging camera at a great price.
If you’re looking for a full-frame mirrorless camera you should seriously consider the Canon EOS R. The combination of the 30.3 MP sensor and the DIGIC 8 image processor delivers remarkable photo and video quality. This camera is also the first to support Canon’s RF mount lenses featuring a 54mm diameter and 20mm flange. Its electronic contact system improves autofocus and stabilization for the perfect shot.
Vloggers will love the Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, which uses 5655 phase-detection points to reduce the autofocus workload and quickly bring subjects into the frame. The integrated Movie Servo mode provides silky smooth focus changes between subjects. Using touch AF also allows you to use the LCD screen for quick adjustments.
While it does feature a built-in mic, this camera has a 3.5mm mic jack for equipping an external mic for improved audio performance. With too many features to list, there’s no doubt that the Canon EOS R is an excellent option among professional cameras.
Key Features / Specs
- Image Resolution: Full-frame CMOS, 30.3 MP
- Video Resolution: 4K at 30 FPS
- Form Factor: Mirrorless
- View Finder: 3.69m-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
- Focus Type: 5655 phase-detection points AF
- Other Features: WiFi + Bluetooth, Face Tracking.
3. Canon EOS R6
The best professional Canon camera for the price.
Professional cameras like the Canon EOS R6 embody what every content creator needs – versatility and functionality. The full-frame sensor and processing power bring photos and videos to life. Content creators can quickly view their latest work on the vivid vari-angle LCD touchscreen.
The 20MP full-frame CMOS sensor coupled with the DIGIC X processor produces beautiful images and videos. It also features a mechanical shutter capable of shooting up to 12 FPS, which is excellent at reducing motion blur. There is also an electronic shutter that shoots up to 20 FPS.
Record extraordinary UHD 4K video up to 60 FPS or capture slow motion in full HD at 120 FPS. Subject tracking ensures seamless transitions between subjects with 1053 AF tracking points. In addition, the EOS R6 is equipped with 5-axis in-body Image Stabilization (IBIS), creating smooth footage straight from the camera.
Key Features / Specs
- Image Resolution: Full-frame CMOS, 20 MP
- Video Resolution: 4K at 60 FPS
- Form Factor: Mirrorless
- View Finder: 3.69m-dot 0.5″ electronic viewfinder
- Focus Type: Dual Pixel CMOS AF with 1053 detection points
- Other Features: Built-in WiFi, Dual SD UHS-11 memory slots, supports external mic, weather-sealed body.
4. Sony A7 IV
Best professional hybrid camera for the money
The Sony A7 IV has many great features, which is why Sony professional cameras are so popular. Utilizing a Hybrid AF system, the A7 IV uses advanced AI-based and Real-Time AF software to deliver incredible focus accuracy. Using AI, the camera detects humans and animals based on their eyes and maintains focus as they move throughout the frame. The camera delivers clarity with ease by recognizing colors, patterns, and subject distance.
Numerous shooting modes like S-Cinetone produce picturesque colors and enhance skin tones for a natural look. The Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) mode supports recording HDR content directly within the camera. Additionally, recording in S-Log3 affords a 15+ stop dynamic range.
The 33MP back-illuminated CMOS full-frame sensor and BIONZ XR processor offer high clarity, low noise, and authentic color rendering. Impressive 4K recording at 60 FPS and the 7K oversampling create image quality that’s tough to match.
Key Features / Specs
- Image Resolution: Exmor R full-frame sensor, 33MP
- Video Resolution: UHD 4K at 60 FPS
- Form Factor: Mirrorless
- View Finder: Electronic OLED Tru-Finder
- Focus Type: 759 phase detection-point autofocus
- Other Features: Built-in Wi-Fi, external audio support, 5-axis SteadyShot stabilization, advanced external flash control.
5. Sony A7 III
The best budget-friendly professional video camera.
The Sony A7S III is a backside-illuminated full-frame camera optimized specifically for video. Its 12.1MP sensor provides crisp low-light images with ISO from 40-409600, 15+ stops dynamic range and 3X in rolling shutter reduction. Content creators will appreciate the intuitive LCD touchscreen, which turns around for self-recording.
Record phenomenal UHD 4K video with frame rates up to 120P. The Exmor RS BSI CMOS Sensor and BIONZ XR image processor deliver improved clarity and up 10 FPS of continuous shooting. Consistently achieve your desired aesthetic with custom colour and gamma adjustments.
If you’re a videographer looking at professional cameras, the Sony A7S III is a fantastic choice. You’ll never need to worry about blurry shots with the 759 phase-detection point and 425 contrast-detection area autofocus system. The 5-Axis image stabilization works to create smooth shots by detecting and counteracting five types of camera shake.
Key Features / Specs
- Image Resolution: Exmor RS full-frame sensor, 12.1MP
- Video Resolution: UHD 4K up to 120 FPS
- Form Factor: Mirrorless
- View Finder: QXGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF
- Focus Type: 759 phase detection-point autofocus
- Other Features: Built-in Wi-Fi, external audio support, dual memory card slots, weather-resistant.
6. Canon C70
A great camera for in-studio shooting.
The Canon EOS C70 is a cinema camera perfect for filming in a studio setting. Its exceptional image capabilities stem from the super 35mm Dual Gain Output (DGO) sensor. This camera is also the first cinema EOS camera to feature a built-in RF lens mount.
The two mini-XLR inputs offer professional audio quality in any environment. A high frame rate allows 4K recording up to 120 FPSor 180 FPScropped to 2K. Another unique feature is the built-in motorized ND filter, enabling you to select up to 10 stops of neutral density.
The Canon EOS C70 can take images while recording a video in select video modes. This feature is great for making thumbnails. The EOS iTR AF X autofocus enlists the help of a head-detection algorithm that enhances the distance and tracking of subjects to keep them in focus.
Key Features / Specs
- Image Resolution: Super 35mm Dual Gain Output (DGO) sensor
- Video Resolution: UHD 4K up to 120 FPSor 180 FPS (cropped 2K)
- Form Factor: Mirrorless
- Focus Type: EOS iTR AF X autofocus
- Other Features: Cube LUT Support, dual memory card slots, enhanced image stabilization, timecode input/output.
7. Canon EOS R5
An excellent daily camera if you want the TOP specs.
The Canon EOS R5 is one of the most robust and reliable professional cameras for sale. Capture incredible images and videos with the 45 MP full-frame sensor. High-speed continuous shooting up to 20 FPS and the Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system track even the quickest moving subjects.
Enjoy steady imagery with the 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization, which offers eight stops of shake correction. The Movie Servo AF mode enables the camera to track subjects and bring them into focus naturally. The Touch AF system allows you to touch the LCD screen allowing for more refined focus control.
The lightweight camera body has four control dials and a joystick for selecting focus points and menu options. Take your content creation to a new level with the Canon EOS R5.
Key Features / Specs
- Image Resolution: Full-frame CMOS Sensor, 45MP
- Video Resolution: 8K at 30 FPS, 4K at 120 FPS
- Form Factor: Mirrorless
- View Finder: 5.67m-dot 0.5″ electronic viewfinder
- Focus Type: 1053 selectable focus points autofocus
- Other Features: Built-in Wi-Fi + Bluetooth, deep learning AF, DIGIC X Image Processor, dual memory card slots, external audio supported.
8. Sony A1
The best professional camera on the market for those who need the TOP specs.
If money is no object and you need a fully loaded camera, the Sony A1 camera is the one for you. With a 50.1MP full-frame CMOS sensor, it’s an absolute powerhouse designed to perform beyond expectations.
The Exmor RS image sensor has high-speed shooting capabilities up to 30 FPS of continuous footage. Capture breathtaking 8K video or 4K with 5.8K oversampling. AI-based AF tracking uses color patterns, distance, and face/eye movements to provide seamless focus transitions between subjects.
A standout feature on the Sony A1 is called Pixel Shift Multi Shooting. In this mode, the sensor works with the image stabilization system to take 16 photos of different exposures to accumulate 199MP of information for impeccable image quality and color accuracy.
Key Features / Specs
- Image Resolution: Full-frame CMOS Sensor, 45MP
- Video Resolution: 8K at 30 FPS, 4K at 120 FPS
- Form Factor: Mirrorless
- View Finder: 9.44m-dot QXGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF
- Focus Type: 759 phase detection-point autofocus
- Other Features: Built-in Wi-Fi + Bluetooth, deep learning AF, DIGIC X Image Processor, dual memory card slots, external audio supported.
How to Make Money Professional Cameras
I hope this guide made upgrading your camera set up an easy process. Now that you are equipped for the job let’s make sure you’re getting the most out of your new camera. Interested in content creation but don’t know where to start? Check out my brand new 10 Day Creator Challenge here!
Let’s get lost in the next one!
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