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A best stop-motion cameras is a camera used to take the pictures that will be used to make a stop-motion video. To make a stop-motion video, you take a still, move the characters into a new position by a small amount, and then take another still. The characters, the lights, and the camera are what make up a stop-motion video set.
Stop-motion photography is becoming more and more popular as a unique way to show creativity. Back in the day, getting it just right took a lot of hard work and a lot of editing before production. The main part of the process is still hard do today, but editing has become much simpler. Let’s look at the best stop-motion cameras for beginners, experts, and everyone.
Best Stop Motion Cameras Comparison Table
| Camera Model | Max Resolution | Screen Size | Focus Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EOS R | 30.3 MP | 3.15″ | Dual Pixel CMOS AF | $1,799.00 |
| Fujifilm X-H2 | 30.2 MP | 3.0″ | Hybrid | N/A |
| Sony DSCHX80/B Camera | 18.2 MP | 3.0″ | Contrast-detect AF | $369.99 |
| Canon EOS 5D Mark IV | 30.4 MP | 3.2″ | Dual Pixel CMOS AF | $2,499.00 |
| Nikon D3300 Camera | 24.2 MP | 3.0″ | Multi-CAM 1000 AF | $446.95 |
| Canon EOS Rebel T7i | 24.2 MP | 3.0″ | Dual Pixel CMOS AF | $749.00 |
| Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III | 20.4 MP | 3.0″ | Contrast-detect AF | $1,199.00 |
| Nikon D500 | 24.2 MP | 3.2″ | Phase detect | $1,999.95 |
Canon EOS R
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Sensor | Full-frame CMOS sensor |
| Resolution | 30.3 MP |
| ISO range | 100-40,000 (expandable to 50-102,400) |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF with 5,655 AF points |
| Video | 4K up to 30 fps, 1080p up to 60 fps |
| Display | Vari-angle touchscreen LCD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI |
The Canon EOS R is likely one of the best cameras for making stop-motion animations. Its full-frame sensor gives it a good dynamic range, the autofocus can work down to -6EV if users need it, and the back screen can be tilted to make compositions easier without an external monitor.
It comes with stop-motion firmware that helps the camera and computer work better together and boosts the live view resolution to 1920 x 1280. But you should know that when this firmware is running, the HDMI output stops working. This means that you’ll have to do your composition and live view on the computer itself.
The Good
- Full-frame sensor for high image quality
- Excellent autofocus system
- Touchscreen LCD with different angles for different shooting positions
- 4K video capability
The Bad
- Compared to other mirrorless cameras, it is expensive.
- There aren’t many lenses for the RF mount, and there’s only one memory card slot.
Fujifilm X-H2
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Sensor | APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4 |
| Resolution | 26.1 MP |
| ISO range | 160-12,800 (expandable to 80-51,200) |
| Autofocus | 425 AF points |
| Video | 4K up to 60 fps, 1080p up to 240 fps |
| Display | Vari-angle touchscreen LCD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI |
This Fujifilm camera is so amazing that it’s hard to believe. It has a huge 40MP resolution that gives every shot really amazing detail. With Fujifilm’s long list of lenses and lenses from partners like Tamron and Sigma, there are a lot of great and affordable ways to get the most out of the sensor.
Fujifilm is also known for its color science, which makes sure that each photo has great color depth to make it look real. A sharp and detailed touchscreen that can be turned at different angles is great for composing and viewing images. You can also send a solid 1024 x 768 resolution to animation software.
The Good
- X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor for pictures that are clear and bright
- It has a fast and accurate autofocus system and can record 4K video at up to 60 fps.
- It also has a touchscreen LCD that can be turned to different angles for different shooting positions.
The Bad
- There aren’t many lens options for the X mount.
- Compared to other APS-C mirrorless cameras, it’s pricey.
- Compared to other Fujifilm mirrorless cameras, this one is bigger and heavier.
Sony DSCHX80/B Camera
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 1/2.3″ Exmor R CMOS sensor |
| Resolution | 18.2 MP |
| ISO range | 80-12,800 |
| Autofocus | 5-point AF system |
| Video | 1080p up to 60 fps |
| Display | 3″ tilting LCD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, NFC, HDMI |
The list of features for the Sony DSCHX80/B shows how powerful this point-and-shoot camera really is. Its 18.2 MP Exmor R® CMOS sensor lets the camera get four times more light than other sensors, and the Bionz X image processor reduces noise and makes sure that all details are captured correctly.
The Sony DSCHX80/B has a Zeiss® lens with a 30X optical zoom, and it has an intelligent autofocus system that uses a spatial object detection algorithm. The camera also has a mode called “Manual,” which lets you change ISO, aperture, and exposure values by hand.
The Good
- Small and light make it easy to carry.
- LCD that tilts for a variety of shooting angles
- Wi-Fi and NFC connections make it easy to share and control from a distance.
- Affordable price point
The Bad
- Compared to the other cameras on this list, it has a small sensor and can’t autofocus.
- No 4K video capability
- When there isn’t much light, a smaller sensor could make the image quality worse.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Sensor | Full-frame CMOS sensor |
| Resolution | 30.4 MP |
| ISO range | 100-32,000 (expandable to 50-102,400) |
| Autofocus | 61-point AF system |
| Video | 4K up to 30 fps, 1080p up to 60 fps |
| Display | 3.2″ touchscreen LCD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, NFC, GPS, USB 3.0, HDMI |
This is probably one of the best DSLR cameras you can buy right now to take photos or record videos. The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV can also be used to take up to 7 photos in a row. It can also record 4K videos at 30fps. The 30MP full-frame CMOS sensor and DIGIC 6+ image processor make sure that every picture you take meets the highest professional standards.
The camera has an ISO range of 100–102,400, which lets you take pictures even when the light is bad. Also, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV has a 61-point autofocus system that keeps your photos sharp even when you’re shooting fast-moving objects. It is important to know that you have to buy the lenses for this camera separately from the body.
The Good
- Full-frame sensor to get high-quality pictures
- It has a fast and accurate 61-point AF system and can record 4K video.
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF makes autofocus in video mode smooth and accurate.
The Bad
- Compared to other DSLR cameras, it’s pricey.
- The heavy and bulky body may not work for everyone.
- Compared to some other full-frame cameras, it has a small dynamic range.
Nikon D3300 Camera
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 24.2MP DX-format CMOS sensor |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 4 Image Processor |
| ISO Range | ISO 100-12800 (expandable to 25600) |
| Video Recording | Full HD 1080p Video Recording |
| Autofocus System | 11-point AF system |
| LCD Screen | 3.0-inch LCD screen |
| Battery Life | Up to 700 shots per charge |
This is the best stop-motion camera on the market because it has great features and is easy to carry around. It has a 24.2 MP CMOS sensor that lets you take photos with the most accuracy and precision. With the 5 fps continuous shoot rate, it won’t be hard to take small pictures for stop-motion animations.
The optical low-pass filter will help you get even more accurate shots without having to deal with chromatic aberrations. Because the ISO range is so wide, you can take pictures in all kinds of light, from bright rooms to dim nature. Using the EXPEED 4 processing engine gives you a flawless burst rate of 100 JPEG images.
The Good
- Good picture quality
- Light and easy to work with
- Affordable entry-level DSLR
The Bad
- There aren’t many autofocus points
- There is no Wi-Fi built in.
Canon EOS Rebel T7i
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 24.2 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor |
| Image Processor | DIGIC 8 Image Processor |
| ISO Range | ISO 100-25600 (expandable to 51200) |
| Video Recording | Full HD 1080p Video Recording |
| Autofocus System | 45-point all cross-type AF system |
| LCD Screen | 3.0-inch Vari-angle Touchscreen LCD |
| Battery Life | Up to 820 shots per charge |
The Canon EOS Rebel T7i is the best camera for stop-motion animation if you have never used a DSLR camera before. It has a 24.2 MP sensor that lets it take standard-quality pictures without blurring or bleeding colors. Also, the low pass filter makes sure that no colors have changed, no matter how the light is.
It has 45 focus points, all of which are cross-type, so the pictures you take will have clear and sharp parts. Because the grip is so deep, you have a lot of control over how the camera moves and don’t have to worry about losing it. The negative magnifying glass and the SET button are the two most important ones that you can change.
The Good
- System for focusing quickly
- Excellent image quality
- Touchscreen LCD with different angles to make shooting easy
The Bad
- You can’t record 4K video
- It’s not cheap for an entry-level DSLR.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 20.4 Megapixel Live MOS sensor |
| Image Processor | TruePic VIII Image Processor |
| ISO Range | ISO 200-25600 (expandable to 100-25600) |
| Video Recording | 4K Video Recording |
| Autofocus System | 121-point all cross-type on-chip Phase Detection AF |
| LCD Screen | 3.0-inch Vari-angle Touchscreen LCD |
| Battery Life | Up to 310 shots per charge |
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is a small and compact camera that you can take anywhere and use to make amazing stop-motion videos. There are many features on the camera. With a 20MP live MOS sensor and 5-axis image stabilization built into the body, it gives other cameras in the same price range a run for their money.
If you’re on a tight budget, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is small and easy on your wallet. It has a dynamic ISO range, especially when it comes to high ISO settings. The good thing about this camera is that it has a higher live view resolution than many other stop-motion cameras. The body is made of strong, weather-resistant material, so it can easily handle rough weather and keep the data safe.
The Good
- The design is small and light.
- Excellent image stabilization system 4K video recording capabilities
The Bad
- Sensors that are smaller than some of the competition.
- Battery life is short.
Nikon D500
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 20.9 Megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 5 Image Processor |
| ISO Range | ISO 100-51200 (expandable to 50-1640000) |
| Video Recording | 4K UHD Video Recording |
| Autofocus System | 153-point AF system |
| LCD Screen | 3.2-inch Vari-angle Touchscreen LCD |
| Battery Life | Up to 1240 shots per charge |
The next thing is a real treat for all professionals who have a set budget. The Nikon D500 has a CMOS sensor with 20.9 megapixels and a wide ISO range from 100 to 51,200, so you can make high-quality stop-motion videos in any lighting situation. It’s a great professional stop-motion camera with an Expeed 5 Image Processor and a touchscreen LCD that tilts to 3.2 inches.
Now you can record amazing 4k UHD videos at 30 frames per second. The camera can also take 10 frames per second continuously for up to 200 shots. Even though it doesn’t have as many pixels as some higher-end cameras, it’s a good choice for professionals who want to make stop-motion videos but don’t want to spend too much on a camera.
The Good
- Excellent autofocus system
- Fast continuous shooting speed
- Robust and durable build quality
The Bad
- Relatively expensive for a cropped-sensor camera
- No built-in image stabilization
FAQs
What kind of camera is best for stop motion?
The Canon EOS R is likely one of the best cameras for making stop-motion animations. Its full-frame sensor gives it a good dynamic range, the autofocus can work down to -6EV if users need it, and the back screen can be tilted to make compositions easier without an external monitor.
Do you need a DSLR for stop motion?
DSLRs are almost always used for professional stop-motion productions. This is because you have full control over settings like aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and focus, and the images are better because of it.
Can you do stop motion with a camera?
Set the camera up on a stable tripod so that it doesn’t move while you’re taking the picture. Set up the shot so you can see the subject(s), and make sure the tripod is firmly in place. Set the exposure and focus manually because you don’t want them to change.
Is stop motion costly?
Stop-motion doesn’t cost any more than good computer animation, though. Budgets are very flexible and depend on what and how you will shoot your stop-motion. Claymation, action figures, and object animation are at the lower end of the scale. At the higher end, there are puppets that are made to look like miniature versions of real places.