Although modern smartphones can shoot video in good quality, they still can not compete with video cameras. And if you want to shoot high-quality video in any situation, we will tell you how to choose the best video camera of 2020.
To do this, we studied both user ratings on Yandex.Market and expert opinions from Digital Camera, DSLR Buzz, CNET and other specialized resources.
Management features
A good camcorder should have manual control (the ability to adjust white balance, focus, aperture, etc.). In the end, it’s always better to have control over the camera, not only with the controls on the screen.
Matrix size
If you see strange fractions like 1/3 ″, 1/2 ″, 1/4 ″ this means the size of the matrix diagonally (it is written in inches). Typically, the larger the matrix, the better: there will be less noise, a larger viewing angle, and a sharper picture.
Viewfinder
This is another important thing to consider before choosing a camcorder - does it have a viewfinder. It will be a real salvation if you have to shoot in bright sunlight and you can’t see anything on the standard LCD screen of your camcorder.
Optical zoom
Digital zoom basically simulates the effects of zooming, by cropping and stretching a portion of the image. And optical zoom works in conjunction with the lens, changing its focal length in order to really move objects closer or closer without losing image quality.
In general, the presence of optical zoom is a must in any semi-professional and professional camcorder, but inexpensive amateur camcorders are often deprived of this function.
Image stabilization
Even if you shoot on the go, or even in a moving vehicle, this will not appear on the video quality if the stabilization function is turned on. It happens both optical and electronic. All you need to know is that optical image stabilization is done using hardware, while electronic stabilization is software-based. The first is preferable.
Which is better: camcorder or action camera?
In short, it all depends on the tasks for which the device is intended. If you need a very compact device suitable for shooting training and active activities, then choose one of the best action cameras, they are cheaper than a high-quality video camera.
If you need a camera for shooting without restrictions on the plots, with good sound and the ability to accurately crop the image, then it is better to buy a camcorder with optical stabilization, a viewfinder and good zoom. You will find such models in this rating.
10. Panasonic HC-VXF990
The average price is 48 990 rubles.
Specifications:
- 20x optical zoom
- UHD 4K video recording
- 18.91 MP matrix (1 / 2.3 ″)
- SD memory cards
- Wifi
- weight 396 g
The rating of video cameras for shooting video opens one of the best 4K models for amateur and semi-professional use. It comes with a tilted viewfinder, a Leica lens, and has a number of built-in functions for post-processing the image, such as post-zoom, post-pan, and post-stabilization.
In addition, its innovative HDR shooting mode allows you to make videos with excellent detail and sharpness. And Wi-Fi support makes the camera useful for various specific tasks, such as remote shooting.
pros: one of the smallest camcorders, excellent picture quality, you can transfer the footage to a computer via Wi-Fi, you can connect the camera to a smartphone.
Minuses: in low light there is a lot of noise, it is impossible to take a video immediately after turning on the camera, it gets ready for work for several seconds, while the record button is blocked.
9. Canon XA11
The average price is 84,990 rubles.
Specifications:
- 20x optical zoom
- Full HD 1080p video recording
- 3.09 MP matrix (1 / 2.84 ″)
- SD memory cards
- optical stabilizer
- weight 745 g
One of the best camcorders of 2020 provides excellent video quality due to its excellent signal-to-noise ratio. Her professional 20x optical zoom offers versatile zoom. And various shooting modes (portrait, on the beach, sports, snow, sunrise and sunset, spotlight, fireworks) allow you to choose the right shooting style for any situation.
The Canon XA11 camcorder is compatible with SDHC and SDXC memory cards, which provides very high bandwidth and ultra-fast data transfer speeds.
pros: programmable buttons (do not work in recording mode), microphone holder, can record on two cards at once.
Minuses: no Wi-Fi, simultaneous recording on two cards is possible only with a low resolution picture.
8. Panasonic AG-DVX200
The average price is 165,000 rubles.
Specifications:
- 13x optical zoom
- UHD 4K video recording
- 15.5 MP matrix
- optical stabilizer
- weight 2700 g
Equipped with a 4/3 ″ sensor, this professional camcorder supports DCI 4K video recording (4096x2160) at 24 frames per second and Full HD video at 120 frames per second.
It has manual focus, zoom and iris controls, records 4K video in MP4 or MOV formats and offers a wide range of focal lengths - 28-365.3 mm (35 mm equivalent).
It is worth noting two important features that are present in the Panasonic AG-DVX200 and are absent in most competitors:
- When you change the focal length, the focus does not shift.
- The angle of view does not change when the focus changes.
Similar features are usually found only in professional movie lenses.
pros: there is an infrared filter for night shooting (can be turned off), smooth and accurate focusing, improved stabilization using Advanced OIS technology to compensate for strong shaking.
Minuses: high price.
7. JVC Everio R GZ-R445BE
The average price is 15 990 rubles.
Specifications:
- 40x optical zoom
- 2.5 MP matrix (1 / 5.8 ″)
- SD memory cards
- video recording 1920 × 1080
- 4 GB of internal flash memory
- electronic stabilizer
- weight 290 g
There are many budget video cameras on the Russian market, but this one is one of the best. It is equipped with a capacious battery that can last up to 5 hours, and the compact case has good moisture and dust protection, so you can record video even during heavy rain.
Although the JVC Everio R GZ-R445BE is devoid of the frills inherent in more expensive models, it is a great option if you want to take the camcorder to the beach or on a trip.
pros: you can immerse in water to a depth of 5 meters, there is a 3-inch display, you can adjust the focus and white balance manually, there is an electronic video stabilizer.
Minuses: Mediocre in low light.
6. Panasonic HC-V770
The average price is 23 690 rubles.
Specifications:
- 20x optical zoom
- Full HD 1080p video recording
- 12.76 MP matrix (1 / 2.3 ″)
- SD memory cards
- Wifi
- weight 353 g
This is an ideal choice for those who do not pursue shooting in 4K, but at the same time want the recorded video to be of good quality.
Panasonic HC-V770 features include night mode, support for SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, as well as the ability to manually set the exposure and focus. It is compact, easy to use, and can be charged via a USB adapter with any good external battery.
However, keep in mind that this camcorder is made for people who are content with amateur photography, or just want to buy their first camcorder to find out what this device is capable of.
pros: there is wind protection, an excellent stabilizer, there is HDR.
Minuses: no viewfinder, not very capacious battery, which lasts for 1.5 hours of shooting, very few accessories in the kit.
5. Canon LEGRIA HF G50
The average price is 72,990 rubles.
Specifications:
- 20x optical zoom
- UHD 4K video recording
- 21.14 MP matrix (1 / 2.3 ″)
- SD memory cards
- optical stabilizer
- up to 2.05 hours of battery life
- weight 875 g
This camcorder is suitable for shooting 4K video at 25 frames per second or Full HD 1920 x 1080 at 50 frames per second. Users can choose from several shooting modes (snow, fireworks, sunset and sunrise, portrait, etc.).
A high-resolution viewfinder allows you to shoot even in bright conditions and from non-standard angles.
As with other expensive camcorders, the Canon LEGRIA HF G50 offers ample manual shooting options. In particular, it allows you to manually set the shutter speed and aperture value, as well as adjust the focus. And its built-in stereo microphone provides clear and clear sound when shooting.
pros: There is slow and fast shooting, a convenient 3-inch touch screen, thanks to a three-stage optical stabilizer, you can shoot without a tripod.
Minuses: when shooting at night, noise occurs, the auto white balance does not always work correctly, due to which the picture may turn blue or yellow.
4. Sony HDR-CX900
The average price is 55,890 rubles.
Specifications:
- 12x optical zoom
- video recording 1920 × 1080 (FullHD)
- 20.9MP matrix
- memory cards MS Pro-HG DUO, SDHC, SDXC
- optical stabilizer
- up to 2.15 hours of battery life
- weight 870 g
The full HD camcorder with wide-angle optics Carl Zeiss / Vario-Sonnar T * is equipped with a high-quality Exmor R CMOS sensor, which is ideal for capturing a bright and rich picture. And its compact body is incredibly convenient for people who need a strong and small device with good recording quality.
In addition, the 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD of this model is additionally equipped with an electronic viewfinder. Add to this:
- 12x optical zoom, and 160x digital zoom,
- rich image settings
- the presence of a jack for a microphone and headphones,
- HDMI and USB ports
- as well as Wi-Fi and NFC support,
and understand why we gave this inexpensive and good camcorder an honorable fourth place in the ranking.
pros: there is image stabilization, there is a night shooting mode, video is recorded at a high speed (50Mbps), many different settings.
Minuses: cannot shoot in 4K, autofocus will at times defocus, which is why you have to manually adjust it.
3. Zoom Q8
The average price is 31 420 rubles.
Specifications:
- Full HD 1080p video recording
- 3 MP matrix (1/3 ″)
- SD memory cards
- weight 260 g
This compact and very lightweight camera allows you to record not only video, but also high-quality sound. For this, the delivery set includes not only a stereo X / Y microphone capsule, but also a fur wind protection. In addition, the device is compatible with almost all Zoom microphone capsules and allows you to connect an external microphone.
At the maximum possible resolution, the camera writes at a frequency of 30 frames / s, at a lower resolution (1280 × 720) - with 60 FPS. If necessary, you can connect Zoom Q8 to a computer via a USB port and work with video editing. There is also a small 4x digital zoom.
pros: there are three scene modes that allow you to use the camera in different lighting conditions, there is a special adapter for connecting to any holder for an action camera, the battery lasts for 2 hours when recording in 720p / 30 FPS mode.
Minuses: no viewfinder, no image stabilizer, no optical zoom.
2. Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera
The average price is 114,990 rubles.
Specifications:
- Full HD 1080p video recording
- SD memory cards
- up to 1 h of battery life
This small and stylish camcorder has a mini XLR mic input with phantom power support and supports remote control via Bluetooth. Out of the box, it is equipped with an MFT mount, however, you can put any lens using the appropriate adapter.
The ISO range of the camera is quite wide - from 200 to 1600. Users recommend using an optimal operating value of 800.
A feature of the model from Blackmagic is a rather large crop factor, which is 2.88. The word "crop factor" is used to correlate the size of a 35mm film frame to the size of the camera matrix. If very short, then the smaller the crop factor, the better. For example, in advanced camera phones there is usually a matrix with crop factor 6.
However, this can be attributed not only to the disadvantages of the device. The fact is that a large crop with a lack of sufficient depth of field forces the operator to act neatly and correctly: shoot from the right angles and with good light.
pros: new firmware regularly comes out, there is support for RAW DNG, excellent color rendering, it shoots very well both in daylight and at dusk.
Minuses: on a sunny day, the screen fades, short operating time.
1. Sony FDR-AX100E
The average price is 99,990 rubles.
Specifications:
- 12x optical zoom
- UHD 4K video recording
- 14.2 MP matrix (1 ″)
- memory cards SD, MS Duo
- Wifi
- optical stabilizer
- weight 790 g
It's time to introduce you to one of the best camcorders from Sony. The FDR-AX100E model is easy and convenient to operate, equipped with a viewfinder that displays a full-color picture even in bright sunshine, and can shoot in 4K at 25 FPS.
And its active image stabilization mode allows you to take non-greased frames, even if the operator shoots on the go or in conditions of strong shaking.
Her night infrared shooting mode is really excellent; Parents can easily take pictures of their children's faces during sleep without turning on the lights in the room.
The features of this camera also include such modes as high-speed video recording and golf shooting (a storyboard of what is happening in the center of the frame). And you yourself can choose the output format to HDMI.
pros: You can record 5.1 channel sound, you can manually adjust the focus and set the exposure.
Minuses: insufficient light sensitivity, due to the non-standard power connector, it is impossible to connect an external battery to the camera, you cannot quickly adjust the sound level (this option is hidden deep in the menu).
