We take a look at choosing between the ALEXA Mini, RED RAVEN, URSA Mini Pro, a7S II, or GH5. Here are the 5 best cameras to rent or buy for video production.
Lower prices and new top-tier features make choosing the right camera difficult. This roundup will help you find the right camera for the job.
Like never before, camera manufacturers are tuning in and intently listening to their customers’ feedback. That means companies like ARRI, RED, Blackmagic, Sony, and Panasonic are pushing out some of their best models to date, and packing them with the features and improvements we’ve been begging them for.
ARRI overhauled the form factor of the ALEXA, moving toward a more modular design with the Mini at the behest of MOVI and drone pilots. Panasonic’s GH5 is rocking the DSLR/mirrorless shooter industry with powerful in-camera stabilization and high frame rate options for 4K, making it a great option for travelers and small-budget documentaries. And Blackmagic took a bold step away from functional minimalism with the URSA Mini Pro’s programmable buttons and sought-after ENG functionalities, such as internal ND filters.
In this camera roundup, I’ll be sharing my recommendations for how (and when) to use these stellar cameras:
- ARRI ALEXA Mini
- RED RAVEN
- Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro
- Sony aS7 II
- Panasonic Lumix GH5
I’ll cover their most popular features, pros and cons, price points, best-use scenarios, and even share the inspiring work by DPs who are using these cameras to create truly cinematic work.
My Process for Rating and Reviewing These Cameras
When researching this camera roundup, I used several benchmarks to help compare these models. I grade each camera in the following areas:
- Rental price
- Estimated cost-to-rig
- Portability
- Pros & cons
- Best uses
I based all rental prices and cost-to-rig estimates on a four-day rental period from the rental house LensProToGo (my personal go-to rental company for about 99% of my projects).
I based the portability rating on my own experience with the cameras — as well as from user feedback pulled from B&H and Amazon. My ratings use the following scale:
- 1 — not portable
- 2 — difficult to transport
- 3 — somewhat portable
- 4 — portable
- 5 — highly portable
I’ve also included a link to the best in-depth reviews of each camera, as well as finished films shot using these cameras.
Let’s get to it.
1. ARRI ALEXA Mini
Best Uses
Mid-range budget feature films and short films, commercials, or music videos shot in low or natural light environments — and anything in true anamorphic.
Review
Far and away the most expensive option in our review today — but rightfully so in many respects.
The ALEXA Mini was originally a companion camera to the larger ALEXA unit. Its modular design makes it an extremely versatile camera. Designed largely based on user feedback, the form factor was a highly sought-after improvement suggested by MOVI and drone pilots who wanted the excellent quality of the ALEXA sensor, but in a smaller form factor.
A recent firmware update allows DPs to shoot full gate on ALEXA’s 4:3 sensor, making it an excellent choice for cinematographers who want to shoot true anamorphic without cropping the sensor.
Rental price (4-day rental) — $2,365.00
Click here for the LensProToGo Rental Kit for the ARRI ALEXA Mini.
Cost-to-rig — $1,800-$2,450
Portability — 4
Portable (Note: Depending on your rig configuration, the ALEXA Mini can be very portable, or downright stone-like.)
Pros
- Modular design makes it extremely versatile, and it integrates nicely with drones, MOVIs, and Ronins.
- Unparalleled color science and beautiful skintones.
- 4:3 full sensor license allows you to shoot true anamorphic without cropping the sensor.
- Can be stripped down and highly portable or rigged to the hilt, depending on your needs.
Cons
- Does not shoot true 4K (3.2K upscaled in camera)