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The best cheap video cameras show that good tools for making movies don’t have to cost a fortune. After deciding to follow our dreams, we started making videos. We’re getting our new business off the ground by opening a professional video-making agency. It was a new idea in the business world, and people liked it right away. We couldn’t spend a lot of money on well-known, expensive cameras because we were just starting out.
Instead, we go by the saying, “Spend less and get more.” Some trusted names in the camera business make pro-quality cameras that are within your budget. Here, we’ll show you how to do well by talking about what I’ve learned from using these cheap professional video cameras. Each one has pro features, and on top of that, they are all cheap and fun.
Best Cheap Video Cameras Comparison Table
Camera Model | Screen Size | Optical Sensor Resolution | Optical Zoom | Video Capture Resolution | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panasonic Lumix ZS100 | 3″ | 20.1 MP | 10x | 4K | $547.99 |
GoPro Hero9 Black | 2.27″ | 23.6 MP | N/A | 5K | $449.99 |
Akaso Brave 7 LE | 2″ | 20 MP | 6x | 4K | $139.99 |
Sony RX100 VII | 3″ | 20.1 MP | 8.3x | 4K | $1,198.00 |
Panasonic Lumix G9 | 3″ | 20.3 MP | N/A | 4K | $1,197.99 |
DJI Pocket 2 | 1.4″ | 64 MP | N/A | 4K | $349.00 |
Fujifilm X-T4 | 3″ | 26.1 MP | N/A | 4K | $1,699.95 |
Panasonic GH5 II | 3″ | 20.3 MP | N/A | 4K | $1,697.99 |
Panasonic Lumix ZS100

Specification | |
---|---|
Sensor | 20.1MP 1-inch MOS sensor |
Lens | 25-250mm f/2.8-5.9 Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens |
Video | 4K UHD at 30fps |
Image Stabilization | 5-axis Hybrid O.I.S. |
Viewfinder | 0.2-inch 1,166K-dot LVF |
All of Panasonic’s newest cameras, no matter how much they cost or how good they are, can record 4K video. This is a huge benefit for people who are just starting out. This feature isn’t found on very many cheap models. The ZS100 is the least expensive 4K video camera that lets you record great videos.
It can be used by amateurs to take pictures and make videos, and it can also be used by professionals who need a reliable compact camera. This device can record up to 120 frames per second of 1080p video and 30 frames per second of 4K video. The quality of the video is great. They call it the best point-and-shoot camera for video because of this.
The Good
- Large 1-inch sensor for better quality pictures
- Versatile 25-250mm zoom lens
- 4K UHD video recording
- Small and easy to move around
- Built-in viewfinder
The Bad
- Longer focal lengths have a smaller range of aperture sizes.
- There is no external mic input for recording.
GoPro Hero9 Black

Specification | |
---|---|
Sensor | 23.6MP CMOS sensor |
Lens | 16-33mm f/2.8 lens |
Video | 5K at 30fps, 4K at 60fps |
Image Stabilization | HyperSmooth 3.0 |
Display | 2.27-inch touch screen |
The main difference between the GoPro Hero 8 and the GoPro Hero 9 is that the Hero 9 has an LCD screen on the front. Now, if you mostly use it mounted to your helmet, chest, or handlebars, you probably won’t find it all that useful. However, it’s a great addition if you use it for vlogging, as a webcam, or to take selfies.
It also has a 20-megapixel sensor and can shoot up to 5K video, which might be too much, You can also take stills from the video with a resolution of 14.7 megapixels. These are great for sharing on social media. The back screen is 2.27 inches, which is bigger than the one on the Hero 8 black, and the Hypersmooth 3.0 video stabilization has also been improved.
The Good
- The 5K resolution makes for great video quality.
- HyperSmooth 3.0 makes image stabilization better.
- The design is waterproof and strong.
- Color display on the front for easy framing
- Lots of ways to mount it
The Bad
- Price point is fairly high
- Battery life is short, especially when shooting at higher resolutions.
Akaso Brave 7 LE

Specification | |
---|---|
Sensor | 20MP CMOS sensor |
Lens | 170-degree wide-angle lens |
Video | 4K at 30fps |
Image Stabilization | Electronic Image Stabilization |
Display | 2-inch touch screen |
There are a lot of cheap action cameras out there, but it can be hard to know which ones are worth buying. Even if something is cheap, that doesn’t mean it’s a good deal. But the Akaso Brave 7 LE is an inexpensive action camera that is worth the price. It can record 4K 30p video, which isn’t as good as 60p but still good enough for most purposes.
It also has a selfie screen for vloggers, which the GoPro Hero 8 Black doesn’t have. Even though the stabilization system isn’t as good as GoPro’s, it does the job well and makes the camera much easier to use by hand. As we said in our review, this is a “great value action camera that can be used in a lot of different ways.”
The Good
- Affordable price point
- Versatile 170-degree wide-angle lens
- 4K resolution and good video quality.
- Design that doesn’t get wet and lasts
- Touch-screen controls make it easy to use
The Bad
- There are few manual controls
- Some other systems work better than electronic image stabilization.
Sony RX100 VII

Specification | |
---|---|
Sensor | 20.1MP 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor |
Lens | 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens |
Video | 4K UHD at 30fps |
Image Stabilization | Optical SteadyShot |
Viewfinder | 0.39-inch 2,359K-dot OLED EVF |
This video camera is a great choice for people who like to make videos. The main difference between this model and its predecessor, the RX100, is that this model can record slow-motion videos at speeds of up to 1000 frames per second with a resolution of 270 x 800 pixels for 4 seconds or 1136 x 384 pixels for 2 seconds. It’s the best slow-motion camera because of this.
Because 4K is supported, you can record high-quality videos with rich, bright colors and great clarity and details that will blow people away. Using the option to shoot in slow motion, you can make strange artistic effects. Compared to other cheap modern cameras, the Sony RX100 IV is without a doubt the best.
The Good
- Large 1-inch sensor for better quality images
- Versatile 24-200mm zoom lens
- 4K UHD video recording system with great autofocus
- Built-in viewfinder
The Bad
- Price point is pretty high
- Longer focal lengths mean a smaller range of aperture sizes.
Panasonic Lumix G9

Specification | |
---|---|
Sensor | 20.3MP Digital Live MOS sensor |
Lens | Micro Four Thirds mount |
Video | 4K UHD at 60fps |
Image Stabilization | 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 |
Viewfinder | 0.83x OLED LVF |
The Panasonic Lumix GH5 and Panasonic Lumix G9 have a lot of the same specs and features, but the Panasonic Lumix G9 is more focused on video, so you may be wondering why we rated it higher here. The reason is price: when bought brand new, the G9 is much cheaper than the GH5.
Even though it’s expensive and focuses on still photography, it gives videographers a lot to play with: it can shoot 4K video at up to 60fps, has very good in-body image stabilization, a 3-inch touchscreen on the back that can be flipped and turned to face forward, and microphone and headphone jacks for connecting your audio gear and listening to what you’re recording.
The Good
- Up to 60 frames per second in 4K video at high speed
- Excellent image stabilization with 5-axis Dual IS. Two large OLED viewfinders make framing and composition easy.
- The body is weather-sealed to make it last in different conditions.
The Bad
- Compared to some other mirrorless cameras, it has a smaller sensor size.
- Battery life is short
DJI Pocket 2

Specification | |
---|---|
Sensor | 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor |
Lens | 20mm f/1.8 lens |
Video | 4K at 60fps |
Image Stabilization | 3-axis gimbal |
Display | 1.3-inch touch screen |
The DJI Pocket 2 is great for vloggers who like to be on the go. It lives up to its name by being small and light, and it has a 3-axis gimbal that keeps the footage perfectly stable and level with the horizon. It’s a great step up from a smartphone if you want a vlogging camera you can take anywhere and use with one hand.
It has a lot of video options, like 4K at a smooth 60fps, HDR, and 8x slow motion. Overall, the image quality is good, but it can’t compete with a mirrorless camera in terms of dynamic range and low-light performance.
The Good
- It fits in your pocket and is easy to carry
- The 3-axis gimbal does a great job of stabilizing the image.
- With 4K at 60 fps, the video quality is good.
- Different ways to take pictures and features
- Touch screen that is easy to use
The Bad
- Battery life is short
- No way to connect an outside microphone
Fujifilm X-T4

Specification | |
---|---|
Sensor | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor |
Lens | Fujifilm X mount |
Video | 4K UHD at 60fps |
Image Stabilization | 5-axis in-body image stabilization |
Viewfinder | 3.69m-dot OLED EVF |
The Fujifilm X-T4 is better than the G85/G80 in low light and creative shallow focus because it has a bigger APS-C sensor. But it’s a lot more money. It shows colors well, has a good range of brightness, and has a lot of pro video features. It also has great image stabilization, ultra-fast autofocus, 4K slow motion, and HD slow motion that can be slowed down 10 times.
It can be set to log mode, which lets you take pictures with more contrast. It doesn’t have a headphone jack, but a USB-C to headphone adapter is included. It can only record videos for up to 30 minutes (20 minutes for 4k 60p). It’s also a great camera for taking still pictures.
The Good
- APS-C sensor with high resolution for great image quality
- Image stabilization built into the body makes photos and videos clearer.
- Large OLED viewfinder makes it easy to frame and set up the shot.
The Bad
- Price point is pretty high
- Battery life is short
Panasonic GH5 II

Specification | |
---|---|
Sensor | 20.3MP Digital Live MOS sensor |
Lens | Micro Four Thirds mount |
Video | 4K UHD at 60fps |
Image Stabilization | 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 |
Viewfinder | 0.76x OLED LVF |
The Panasonic GH5 II mirrorless camera (body only is about $1500) has a lot of professional video features in a small package. It has great image stabilization built right into the body and a good battery life for a mirrorless camera.
It can record in a number of 4K and HD video formats that are good enough for broadcast. It lets you keep a log. This is good for handling light with a lot of contrast. It’s sturdy and well-made, and you can add a pro audio module to it.
The Good
- High-quality video recording with 4K UHD at 60 frames per second
- Dual I.S. 2 image stabilization for sharper and more stable photos
- The body is weather-proof and can be used in a variety of conditions.
- Large OLED viewfinder makes it easy to frame and compose.
The Bad
- Compared to some other mirrorless cameras, it has a smaller sensor size.
- Body design that is pretty heavy and big
FAQs
What are the best budget camera for videography?
- Panasonic G85/G80.
- Fujifilm X-T4.
- Panasonic GH5 or GH5S.
- BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K.
- Canon XA60.
Which camera is best for video recording?
- Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro.
- Canon EOS C200B.
- Canon EOS C100 Mark II.
- Blackmagic Pocket CC.
- Panasonic HC-X1.
- Sony PXW-FS5.
- Panasonic Lumic GH5s.
What camera do Youtubers use?
It’s not surprising that the Canon EOS 70D has been the most popular camera among YouTubers for a few years. In fact, Canon is always on our best of vlogging lists, which tells us a lot about what cameras famous YouTubers use to make their videos.
What is better than 4K on a video camera?
What is the size of an 8k video? 8k is better than 4k. It is also called “Super Hi-Vision.” International broadcast standards define 8k resolution as 7680 pixels by 4320 pixels. This means that your recording device can capture 4 times more detail than 4k recording.