With 2017 coming to a close, we take an in-depth look at the top-performing video production gear released in the past year.
We can all agree that 2017 was a heck of a trip. But as we ride this year to the very bitter end, let’s indulge in one of America’s favorite pastimes: looking at shiny new things consolidated into convenient lists. We’ve gathered some of the best cameras, gear, and accessories that have graced us with their introduction to the market in 2017. This year we’ve seen some newcomers to the industry topple the typical leaders in each category, which is very exciting to see.
Best Mirrorless Camera: Sony A7R III
Sony’s newest addition to their Alpha series, The A7R III is a force to be reckoned with in the mirrorless camera division. With an industry-leading megapixel count of 42.4 MP this camera will capture anything and everything you need in a sharp image. You can also shoot video in 4K S-Log, giving you a wide range of opportunity during color grading in post. Sony’s Alpha series cameras seem to be on the top of the game, consistently outranking the previous camera giants such as Canon and Nikon in the mirrorless camera division. So hats off to you Sony, and may your high quality camera reign last long.
For more information on this camera, take a look at PremiumBeat’s review of this camera here.
Specs:
Best Cinema Camera: Sony VENICE CineAlta 6K Digital Cinema Camera
It seems to me that 2017 is the year of Sony. This 6K goliath is everything you need in a cinema camera. It comes with 8-stage built-in ND Filters, and boasts an excellent 24.7 MP sensor. The Venice is currently available for pre-order arriving in 2018, and with a price-point of $37,000, you might have to save up a bit to afford this one. Sony has been slowly taking over the camera scene in the past few years, and the Venice might boost Sony to becoming an industry leader.
For a deeper review of this camera, check out this review.
Specs:
- Full Frame 36x24mm sensor
- 15 stops of dynamic range
- 10bit XAVC, with 16bit X-OCN RAW external
- 24volt power
- Lemo plug for accessories
- 4096×2160 to 60fps
- 6038×4032 to 24fps, 4096×3432 Anamorphic available by license
Best DSLR: Canon EOS 6D Mark II
Image via Canon.
If you are looking for a quality, reliable DSLR, Canon is usually the place to go. The Canon 6D Mark II is no exception. With a native ISO at 40,000 and a 26.2 MP full-frame sensor, this camera provides quality images and a stable platform to perform all of your media needs. Canon has been the top gun in the DSLR game for a very long time, but if it wants to shift to the current market trends and stay at the top, they are going to need to start expanding their mirrorless camera arsenal as soon as possible.
Specs:
- 26.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
- DIGIC 7 Image Processor
- 45-Point All-Cross Type AF System
- Full HD Video at 60 fps; Digital IS
- 3″ 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF and Movie Servo AF
- Native ISO 40000, Expanded to ISO 102400
- 6.5 fps Shooting; Time-Lapse & HDR Movie
- Built-In GPS, Bluetooth, & Wi-Fi with NFC
- Dust and Water Resistant; SD Card Slot
Best Action Camera: GoPro Hero 6 Black
In the action camera category, it’s hard to beat the almost decade-long industry leader every year, and 2017 is no different. The GoPro Hero 6 Black is an absolutely astounding camera that has been integrated with wide variety of upgrades since its Hero 5 predecessor. It comes with a stunning in-camera stabilization system that almost mimics the smoothness of a gimbal, and now zoom capabilities to get in closer to the action. A new fun feature added to this series is the voice activation mode, where you only have to say a voice command to get the GoPro to start recording. If you’re in a tight spot and pressing the record button could compromise your shot, this feature will come in handy. It will be hard for another company to topple this industry giant in 2018, but we are keeping our eyes peeled for any potential challengers in the future.
Specs:
- HERO6 Black automatically sends your footage to your phone where the app turns it into a QuikStory-an awesome edited video.
- With 4K60 and 1080p240 video,HERO6 Black delivers 2x the performance compared to HERO5 Black. With an all-new GP1 chip optimized for GoPro capture, HERO6 Black delivers vastly improved image quality.
- With the most advanced video stabilization yet, HERO6 Black captures super smooth footage whether it’s handheld or mounted to your gear. HERO6 Black is waterproof to 33ft (10m) without a housing.
- Now featuring touch zoom and an updated UI, the 2-inch display makes it easy to frame shots, change settings, and play back footage.
- Featuring 5GHz Wi-Fi, you can copy photos and videos over to your phone 3x faster than with HERO5 Black.
Best Lighting Product: Aputure 300D
This beast from Aputure is arriving onto the cinematic lighting scene blazing hot. The 300d is a LED light that rivals (and in my opinion, beats) the conventional tungsten fresnal lights used right now in the industry. It has the same light output as a 2k tungsten bulb, which is crazy impressive when looking how light and portable it is. It also comes with remote control capabilities to adjust your lighting at fast paces to match your rate of speed on set. The future of cinematic lighting is the LED, and the 300d is the first affordable one introduced to the market that is sure to replace the traditional leaders in tungsten lighting.
Take a look at this article for more information.
Specs:
- Light with Controller & Power Supply
- Wireless Remote with 492′ Range
- 5500K Color Temperature
- Bowens Front Mount, Quiet Fan
- V-Mount Battery Plate
- Built-In Handle
Best Stabilizer: Zhyiun Crane 2
Zhiyun has placed itself on the map with its new stabilizer, the Crane 2. This excellent gimbal comes at an affordable price of only $749.99, and with a 3.2 kg max payload, it can handle a myriad of mid-sized cameras as well as a few cinema cameras like the Canon C200. It comes with an intuitive OLED panel to adjust settings, and the ability to connect your smartphone through the Zhiyun app to control a wider range of features. If you’re in the market for a new gimbal then the Crane 2 is the best bet of 2017, beating out DJI—the traditional leader of gimbals.
Specs:
- FF Control for Select Canon DSLRs
- Maximum Payload: 7 lb
- Pro-Grade Image Stabilization
- OLED Display
- Camera Control via Handgrip Buttons
- 6000mAh Battery Runs up to 18 Hours
- Power Select Sony Cameras via Gimbal
- Quick Release Camera Plate
- Gradual Power-Down Protects Camera
Best Mic: Rode VideoMic Pro+
The VideoMic Pro+ is one step up from Rode’s VidMic Pro. This mic features LED-centric buttons compared to the switches on its predecessors, as well as a removable battery for quick hot-swapping while in the middle of a shoot. One cool feature it has is a peaking safety button that when pressed records normally in the left channel, but the right channel records at a -10dB shelf, which can save you in post in case you have some unwanted audio peaking. Probably the best thing this mic offers is the auto-power on feature, which when attached to your camera immediately powers on without having to press a button. This could have saved so many takes in my time as a filmmaker where I forgot to turn on the mic.
Take a closer look at this microphone in this review.
Specs:
- Automatic Power Function with Plug-in Power
- Power via LB-1, 2 x AA Batteries, Micro USB
- Ships with LB-1 Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery, Detachable 3.5mm TRS Cable, Micro USB Cable
- Built-in Battery Door
- Optimised Windshield Shape
- Digital Switching
- 10-year Extended Warranty when you Register Your Microphone
If you want to see more of our camera and gear lists, take a look at our other content below:
-
Choosing the Right Camera for Your Corporate Video Gig
-
Choosing the Right Gear for Your Documentary Project
-
Mobile Filmmaking: The Best Audio and Video Gear for Your Phone
-
Need to Shoot Overhead Video? Check Out This Setup
-
The Perfect Run-And-Gun Filmmaking Kit Under $5,000
Earn money doing what you love
Join our community of talented artists,
filmmakers, and musicians.
Cover image via Shutterstock.