When most people think of DSLR or mirrorless cameras they think of the Canon R series, the Sony Alphas, Nikon, Panasonic or any number of options on the market. Their claim to fame? They can take photos and video. This is great for any marketing team as a campaign needs both photo and video content.
So how do both camera types compare?
Photos:
Hybrid cameras are usually great at taking pictures. Tons of megapixels, full frame sensors, sharp auto focus and RAW files make them an Instagram dream tool. The ability to have both video and professional photo is a huge value-add to a content creation team.
Cinema Camera’s on the other hand, don’t offer photo (with the exception of Canon’s amazing R5C); so, if you need stills content for your brand and can only afford one camera, get a DSLR or Mirrorless (hybrid).
Record Limit:
Many DSLR or Mirrorless cameras have a 30-minute record limit. If you are filming highlight reels or short content this is not an issue. However, if you want to film continuous conference talks, presentations or podcasts then you would need a Camcorder or Cinema Camera with unlimited record time to most efficiently capture your content.
Overheating:
This was the Canon R5’s biggest flaw; the camera was hot! Literally! Recording in 4K HQ or 8K will render the camera inoperable less than 30 minutes into a session (dependent on other factors as well). For a professional setting, this is not a usable solution (hence why Canon released its R5C with built in fans).
If you plan to record longer form content (10min+) then consider getting skipping on the DSLR or mirrorless; specially if you will be recording on 90+ degrees outside!
Productions are expensive and having to stop a shoot because of an overheated camera can cost thousands of dollars.
Cinema Cameras solve this issue by having vents and internal fans to cool the camera during recording; making them the clear choice for longer form content.
Price:
Generally, DSLR and Mirrorless cameras will be much cheaper than their Cinema counterparts. Canon’s Rebel 3 can go as low as $500 all the way up to the most high-end Mirrorless the Sony A1 clocking in at about $6,500.
However, Cinema Cameras is a different story. Yes, there are cheaper alternatives like the black magic pocket 4K at $1,500; but most Cinema Cameras will start around $5,500 like the C70 or $6,000 FX6 and range all the way up to $15,000 for the Canon C500 Mark II and $50,000+ for Red and Alexa Setups.
If you are on a budget, DSLR or Mirrorless are your best bet.
Modularity:
Modularity means the customization and adaption that you can do to your camera to adapt to different projects. This means mounting lights, microphones, ringing them on gimbals, drones, robot arms, cars, etc.
In regards to weight, DSLR or Mirrorless will be superior as they are lighter and easier to mount on gimbals, glidecams and other stabilizers. However, they don’t provide nearly as many connections and options for connecting wireless transmitters, follow focus, external monitors, profile XLR audio and many other features that a Cinema Camera can do.
The beauty of most Cinema Cameras is that they are designed to be modular; which means you can use them barebones with only a lens; or build them up into a production workhorse much easier than a DSLR or Mirrorless.
Video Format:
Many times, high-end video cameras command a higher price not necessarily because of a higher resolution or frame rate but because of better video formats. Many of use are used to .M4P (H.264) and .MOV from our phones and DSLRs or Mirrorless; however many cinema cameras can record in .MXF (X-AVC) files which all for multiple audio tracks, tons of meta data, and ease of edit at high bit depths (10-bit and beyond).
To put it simple; some editing files editing easier and smoother than others. Not all 4K video is created the same. A 4K .MP4 GoPro footage is more compressed and therefore harder for a computer to read and edit and a 4K Canon 300 Mark II. MXF File. Time is money; and the smoother and faster you can edit a project the better; that’s where these dedicated video formats come in handy and why you might pay more for a cinema camera.
Internal ND (Neutral Density Filters):
When recording video, the general rule is that your shutter speed should be twice your frame rate. If you are recording is 24fps (23.976p in most cameras) your shutter speed would be1/48 (or the closets you can get to it). If you are recording in 30fps (29.97p) your shutter speed should be 1/60 and so on.
The shutter speed affects the motion blur of the image. Too much motion blur (low shutter speed) and the image look as a drunken POV; too little motion blur (high shutter speed) and it looks robotic and mechanical. Also, the lower the shutter speed the brighter your image (as more light enters the sensor) and the higher your shutter speed the darker the image (as less light enters the sensor). See the chart below:
This means that if you are filming outside, your ISO (artificial light) is all the way down (to reduce grain), your aputure is set where you want it and your image is still too bright, you should not use your shutter speed to darken your image (as this will cause your videos to look robotic). The only other option you have is to put what’s called a neutral density (ND) filter. Think of it as sunglasses for your camera.
On DSLR and Mirrorless these are filters that you screw in front of the lens. This can be a bit cumbersome as you have to screw them in each lens (and quality ones run quite pricy). However, many Cinema Cameras have built in ND filters which means the cameras has multiple “sunglasses” that flip in front of the sensor with the touch of a button. An extremely handy feature!
Audio:
Lastly, Cinema Cameras take the advantage when it comes to audio. Most DSLR or Mirrorless only feature a 3.5mm jack for audio. While this might work for simple shotgun mics of lavs; it does lack the flexibility of mini or full size XLR cables designed for professional microphones that Cinema Cameras offer. Not to mention that many Cinema Cameras allow you to record multiple audio tracks at once.
Hope this helps explain the differences between DSLR/Mirrorless vs. Cinema Cameras and aids you in determining which one is right for your marketing team. Stay tuned for more articles and we will see you guys on the next one!