by Tom Barrance | Updated September 2021
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I’ve picked the best camcorders, SLRs and mirrorless cameras you can buy in the entry-level price range. All of these cameras can shoot 1080p Full HD.
I’ve explained the differences between these kinds of camera, and their advantages and disadvantages here. Basically, camcorders are smaller and easier to use, but SLRs and mirrorless cameras offer more creative possibilities and a more ‘film-like’ look.
If you’ve got a good smartphone (e.g. iPhone 13 or later) I’d seriously consider kitting it out for video rather than buying an entry-level camcorder. You could add a better camera app, a microphone, and a electronic stabiliser for well under
Avoid very cheap camcorders with unfamiliar brand names: most are poor quality and have fixed non-zoom lenses (they only have digital zooms).
Camcorder with microphone input: Canon HF-R70o and 800
The Canon HF-R800 (now discontinued) can record in a range of AVCHD and MP4 formats, including the 24fps that filmmakers like.
The zoom doesn’t go that wide – only 32.5mm equivalent – but there’s a filter ring so you could fit a wide angle adapter. It has a fairly large 3 inch touchscreen. Most importantly, it’s the cheapest good-quality camcorder you can buy with a microphone input socket. The older HF-R700 is almost identical.
Find used HF-R800 on eBay | Find used HF-R700 on eBay
Small wide-angle camcorder: Panasonic HC-V180
The Canon HF-R800 (now discontinued) can record in a range of AVCHD and MP4 formats, including the 24fps that filmmakers like.
The zoom doesn’t go that wide – only 32.5mm equivalent – but there’s a filter ring so you could fit a wide angle adapter. It has a fairly large 3 inch touchscreen. Most importantly, it’s the cheapest good-quality camcorder you can buy with a microphone input socket. The older HF-R700 is almost identical.
Find used HF-R800 on eBay | Find used HF-R700 on eBay
The big advantage of this little Panasonic is its genuine wide angle lens (28mm equivalent). So you can get in close for dramatic perspective and better audio.
It’s the first low-end Panasonic with optical image stabilisation. It’ll shoot in AVCHD and MP4, so it’ll be compatibile with most editing programs. If you use a Mac and want to save space, it also records in iMovie’s native iFrame mode. You can shoot time-lapse, and it can also record full 1080p HD with 50% slow motion.
But there’s no microphone input, headphone socket or viewfinder. The 2.7 inch touchscreen could be fiddly if you have large hands. Low-light performance from the 1/5.8” sensor – and battery life – isn’t great.
Check price/buy new
Find used Panasonic V180 on eBay
SLR or mirrorless
If you want an SLR or mirrorless camera in this price range, you’ll need to buy used.
The
DSLR has a large APS-C sensor, which is good for shallow depth of field, and it has Canon’s excellentYou can install free Magic Lantern firmware (at your own risk) to add more video features.
It’s bigger and heavier than the camcorders, though it’s relatively light for a DSLR. Battery life is better than mirrorless cameras.
Find used
Canon EOS-M
The original Canon EOS-M was the first mirrorless camera with a Canon APS-C sensor. At around
As with Canon SLRs,
I own one: it’s really small and neat and produces lovely images. Downsides: the touchscreen interface is slow to use, there’s no eye-level viewfinder, and battery life is poor so you’ll need spares.
It has the same range of video options as the T4i, and you can install Magic Lantern firmware for extra video features.
Find used EOS-M on eBay
If you can afford a bit more it’s worth seeking out the newer EOS M3 (review). It has a tilting screen, better controls, and the option to add an electronic viewfinder.
Find used EOS M3 on eBay
DJI Osmo Pocket
The original version of DJI’s tiny stabilised camera is a neat alternative to a camcorder. It has a 4K camera with a 28mm equivalent lens, and can record 1080p slow motion. I’d buy the wireless module and extension rod as well – it makes the camera much more useful. More about the Osmo Pocket
What else you’ll need
Here’s my basic filmmaking kit list.
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