Buying your first camera for videography doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact the world of features, specifications, and brands isn’t as daunting as it might first seem. To help you out here’s 2 features on video cameras to look out for that we believe are important in all videography cameras.
Video Frame Rates
At a minimum you want to find a camera that can record full HD at both 30fps and 60fps. For reference full HD has a resolution of 1920 by 1080, and is sometimes referred to as 1080P. Being able to record at 30fps will allow you to produce realistic and lifelike video footage when played back at 1x speed. This is a standard frame rate for social media videos, interviews, and TV programmes.
However, recording at 60fps is where your creativity is really going to come through. Video footage recorded at 60fps can be slowed down by 50% to make it match the standard frame rate of 30fps. This means your footage is going to be shown in 2x slo-motion. This is going to allow you to produce smooth and cinematic b-roll footage for you to use in your video projects.
Ports and Outputs
Starting out it will just be you and your camera. But as you develop as a videographer we can almost guarantee you’ll want to invest in more kit, and therefore you need to future-proof yourself. One of the most essential ports you will need is a microphone port. This will allow you to plug in an external microphone to your camera, meaning you can capture much better audio.
We also recommend your camera has a HDMI port. This will come in handy if you want to link your camera to an external monitor. External monitors allow you to see much more of what you’re filming and allows you to not have to rely on the small LCD screens almost all cameras come with.
In the grand scheme of things, there isn’t a perfect first camera because everyone’s needs are different. Try your hardest to work with what you have and keep your creativity alive until you can afford to upgrade! Being a great videographer doesn’t come from having the best gear, it comes from having the right mindset and passion.
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