Image quality is excellent, in both HD and 4K. A 24x optical zoom and 5-axis hybrid optical image stabilization offer plenty of compositional opportunities. The HC-X2000E employs an 18.9-megapixel, 1/2.5 MOS sensor and a Leica Dicomar lens.
Not only can it shoot 3,840x2,160 up to 60fps, but can shoot at 120fps at 1080p if you need slo-mo.
It features a large 3.5-inch colour touchscreen, has two XLR professional microphone inputs, and dual SD card slots. At 1.5kg it isn’t a casual option, but it is much lighter than its predecessor the HC-X1000 – and you can remove the handle with its built-in LED light and mic holder if you need to travel light. Able to record 2160p at 60fps, it’s designed for event videographers and enthusiasts. If you want to shoot like a pro, then Panasonic’s HC-X2000 is the best run-and-gun camcorder in our list. Mention 'camcorder' and most people think of affordable, consumer-friendly all-in-one video cameras, but there's also a growing market for professional camcorders that share the same broad design but are intended for professional news gathering and broadcasting, with underslung grips for low angle run and gun shooting or as shoulder mounted camcorders fitted to chest harnesses or rigs. A standard SMPTE timecode can be included on recordings.
The FDR-AX700 is one of the best camcorders for keen videographers and even aspiring filmmakers. The brand’s BIONZ X image processor keeps images crisp. Features include a 12x zoom, big 3.5-inch viewfinder, dual SD card slots, and advanced phase detection AF. The FDR-AX700 uses XAVC S for both 4K and HD recording, with 100 Mbps for 4K, and 50 Mbps for 1080p. Here are some great 4K camcorders that let you step up the quality without overstretching your budget.Ī superbly specified 4K camcorder, the FDR-AX700 has a one-inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor, and shoots 4K video in both SDR and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) HDR. It doesn't just give you a step up in resolution, it gives you some scope for cropping and panning later while you're editing your videos. Best 4K camcordersĤK video has become the new standard for serious filmmaking. Given the spec you might be hard pressed to justify spending more, making this one of the best camcorders for filmmakers on a budget. We particularly like the tethered USB cable, which makes it a doddle to recharge the camcorder and copy footage to a PC. The camcorder even has 5.1 audio capture. There’s a Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar 30x optical zoom, with an impressive 26.8mm wide-angle setting. Optical SteadyShot, with effective Intelligent Active mode technology, goes some way to combating handshake. You can even apply various visual effects without having to faff around with separate editing programs.
The camcorder records records simultaneously in XAVC S or AVCHD format and file-sharing friendly MP4 format, and you can edit in-camera using the onboard Highlight Movie Maker. Sony’s HDR-CX405 sells for under £200, but comes with a host of sophisticated tricks to help you make extremely polished movies. You don’t have to spend big to make great movies. From small, self-contained shooters designed for holidays and day-to-day casual shooting, to the best and latest 4K camcorders that produce footage of superior quality, there should be something for all users – and all budgets! We've put together a list of what we reckon are the best camcorders available on the market right now.
There's plenty to consider if you're shopping for the best camcorder with the market ranging all the way from budget-friendly consumer camcorder to professional camcorders for TV broadcast journalism and documentary filmmaking. You might normally think of smaller, inexpensive all-in-one camcorders for casual use, but there's a growing professional broadcast market too, as demonstrated by the recent Canon XF605 (opens in new tab), for example. Still not sure? Try Best cameras for video (opens in new tab)īut there's more than one type of camcorder.
Best 4K cameras for video (opens in new tab).Best cameras for vlogging (opens in new tab).