Are you looking for the Best Cameras For Budget Filmmaking? Whether you are an amateur or professional filmmaker, budget filmmaking is no easy task. On the one hand, you want to create attractive images without breaking the bank. On the other hand, making a movie without proper equipment means compromising the quality of your work.

Fortunately, there are lots of budget-friendly cameras available in the market today that can help you achieve great visuals without depleting your bank account.

The 15 Best Cameras For Budget Filmmaking

1. Canon EOS M50

The Canon EOS M50 is a highly capable camera suitable for all types of budgets. The camera boasts abundant features including a 24.1-megapixel APS-C sensor, a three-axis stabilized gimbal, and Full 1080P HD video with HDR Movie Mode. The camera also supports Canon Log Gamma recording for the highest quality of video results.

Pros:

• 24.1-megapixel APS-C sensor
• Full 1080P HD video
• Three-axis stabilized gimbal
• Affordable

Cons:

• Does not come with a mic port
• Short battery life

2. PANASONIC LUMIX GH5

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 is one of the very best in terms of budget filmmaking cameras. It boasts an enhanced 20.3-megapixel Live MOS sensor and a 5-Axis Dual IS II image stabilization system. Additionally, the camera offers a 7.2fps burst mode, 4K video recording and high-speed 4K Photo features, along with unlimited in-camera recording time.

Pros:

• 20.3-megapixel Live MOS sensor
• 5-Axis Dual IS II image stabilization
• 7.2fps burst mode
• 4K video recording with unlimited in-camera recording time

Cons:

• High price tag
• No fully articulated LCD screen

3. Canon EOS 80D

The Canon EOS 80D is perfect for budget filmmakers as it comes in an affordable price range but offers an impressive feature set that can produce exceptional footage. The camera features a 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and a 10-second silent shooting mode. Additionally, the 80D offers a 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD, 7 fps burst shooting, and Full HD 1080P video recording up to 60fps.

Pros:

• 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen LCD
• 7 fps burst shooting
• Full HD 1080P video recording

Cons:

• No 4K video recording
• No integrated mic port

4. SONY ALPHA A6000

The Sony Alpha A6000 is a great option for budget filmmakers. Featuring a 24.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, the A6000 is capable of capturing stunning images and Full HD 1080P video. Additionally, the A6000 offers up to 11fps continuous shooting and comes with Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity.

Pros:

• 24.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• Full HD 1080P video
• 11fps continuous shooting
• Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity

Cons:

• No 4K video recording
• No internal flash

5. Panasonic GH4

The Panasonic GH4 is a great camera for budget filmmakers. It offers 4K recording at up to 30fps and Full HD 1080P at up to 144fps, making it perfect for slow motion footage. The camera is equipped with a 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor and a 5-Axis Dual IS image stabilization system.

Pros:

• 4K recording at up to 30fps
• Full HD 1080P at up to 144fps
• 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor
• 5-Axis Dual IS image stabilization

Cons:

• No 4K/60P video recording
• No internal flash

6. Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II

The Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II is a great camera for budget filmmakers as it features a 20.2-megapixel 1-inch type CMOS sensor and a 4.2x optical zoom lens. Additionally, the camera offers up to 8fps continuous shooting, Full HD 1080P video recording, a flip-up LCD screen, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Pros:

• 20.2-megapixel 1-inch type CMOS sensor
• 4.2x optical zoom lens
• 8fps continuous shooting
• Full HD 1080P video recording

Cons:

• No 4K video recording
• No external mic port

7. GoPro Hero 7 Black

The GoPro Hero7 Black is a great compact camera for budget filmmaking. It is capable of taking 4K videos at up to 60fps and 1080P videos at up to 240fps for stunning slow motion effects. Additionally, the Hero7 Black comes with voice control, waterproof construction, and GPS tracking.

Pros:

• 4K video recording at up to 60fps
• 1080P video recording at up to 240fps
• Voice control
• Waterproof construction

Cons:

• No LCD flip-up screen
• No external mic port

8. CANON REBEL T7I

The Canon Rebel T7i is an excellent camera for budget filmmaking. It offers a 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor and has an improved autofocus system. The camera supports Full HD 1080P video recording at up to 60fps and features a vari-angle LCD touchscreen with a maximum ISO of 12,800.

Pros:

• 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor
• Full HD 1080P video recording at up to 60fps
• Vari-angle LCD touchscreen
• Maximum ISO of 12,800

Cons:

• No 4K recording
• No external flash

9. Sony Alpha a7S II

The Sony Alpha a7S II is a great choice for budget filmmakers. It features a 12.2-megapixel full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor and offers 4K video recording, S-Log2 gamma, and S-Gamut picture profiles. Additionally, the camera features a 5-axis image stabilization system and a maximum ISO of 409,600.

Pros:

• 12.2-megapixel full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor
• 4K video recording
• S-Log2 gamma and S-Gamut picture profiles
• 5-axis image stabilization system

Cons:

• No external flash
• No integrated mic port

10. Nikon D3500

The Nikon D3500 is an excellent choice for budget filmmaking due to its low price point. The camera features a 24.2-megapixel DX-format image sensor and offers Full HD 1080P video recording at up to 60fps. Additionally, the D3500 has up to 5fps burst shooting and comes with a 3-inch LCD screen.

Pros:

• 24.2-megapixel DX-format image sensor
• Full HD 1080 video recording at up to 60fps
• 5fps burst shooting
• 3-inch LCD screen

Cons:

• No 4K recording
• No external mic port

11. Panasonic Lumix FZ1000

The Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 is a great camera for budget filmmaking due to its impressive feature set. It boasts a 20.1-megapixel 1-inch type sensor and a 16x optical zoom lens. Additionally, the camera offers 4K video recording at up to 30fps and has a maximum ISO of 25,600.

Pros:

• 20.1-megapixel 1-inch type sensor
• 16x optical zoom lens
• 4K video recording at up to 30fps
• Maximum ISO of 25,600

Cons:

• No external mic port
• No built-in stabilization

12. Canon PowerShot G9X Mark II

The Canon PowerShot G9X Mark II is an excellent budget camera for filmmaking. It features a 20.1-megapixel 1-inch type CMOS sensor and offers 4K video recording at up to 30fps. Additionally, the G9X Mark II has up to 8fps continuous shooting, a tilting LCD screen, and Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity.

Pros:

• 20.1-megapixel 1-inch type CMOS sensor
• 4K video recording at up to 30fps
• 8fps continuous shooting
• Tilting LCD screen

Cons:

• No dual native ISO
• No external mic port

13. Sony Alpha a5100

The Sony Alpha a5100 is an excellent camera for budget filmmakers. It offers a 24.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and Full HD 1080P video recording at up to 60fps. Additionally, the camera boasts an up to 11fps continuous shooting rate and a tilting LCD screen.

Pros:

• 24.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
• Full HD 1080P video recording at up to 60fps
• 11fps continuous shooting
• Tilting LCD screen

Cons:

• No 4K video recording
• No external mic port

14. Sony Cyber-shot RX100 MkIII

The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 MkIII is an ideal camera for budget filmmakers interested in capturing high quality 4K videos. The camera features a 20.1-megapixel 1-inch type Exmor R CMOS sensor, a built-in ND filter, and a 24-70mm equivalent F1.8-2.8 lens.

Pros:

• 20.1-megapixel 1-inch type Exmor R CMOS sensor
• Built-in ND filter
• 24-70mm equivalent F1.8-2.8 lens
• 4K video recording

Cons:

• No external mic port
• No integrated flash

15. Panasonic Lumix LX10

The Panasonic Lumix LX10 is an excellent choice for budget filmmakers. It offers 4K video recording at up to 30fps and Full 1080P HD video at up to 120fps. Additionally, the camera features a 1-inch type 20-megapixel MOS sensor and a built-in 0.2-inch viewfinder.

Pros:

• 4K video recording at up to 30fps
• Full 1080P HD video at up to 120fps
• 1-inch type 20-megapixel MOS sensor
• Built-in 0.2-inch viewfinder

Cons:

• No external mic port
• Limited lens selection

Final Thoughts On Best Cameras For Budget Filmmaking

When it comes to budget filmmaking, the 15 cameras listed in this guide are the best options for aspiring filmmakers. All of these cameras offer great image quality and advanced features, so you should be able to achieve attractive visuals without spending a ton of money. No matter which camera you choose, it’s important to remember that regardless of equipment, the creative process and the quality of your artwork are more important than the gear.