Top 5 Cameras for Rent or Purchase Ideal for All Video Shoots

Choosing the Perfect Camera for Your Video Production

Top image via Blackmagic Design.

Lower prices and new top-tier features make choosing the right camera difficult. This roundup will help you find the right camera for the job.

Camera manufacturers like ARRI, RED, Blackmagic, Sony, and Panasonic are listening to their customers and delivering some of their best models yet. They are packed with the features and improvements we’ve been asking for.

For example, ARRI redesigned the ALEXA Mini to be more modular, making it a favorite among MOVI and drone pilots. Panasonic’s GH5 offers powerful in-camera stabilization and high frame rate options for 4K, making it perfect for travelers and small-budget documentaries. And Blackmagic’s URSA Mini Pro features programmable buttons and sought-after ENG functionalities.

In this camera roundup, I’ll share my recommendations for the best cameras to use:

ARRI ALEXA Mini
RED RAVEN
Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro
Sony aS7 II
Panasonic Lumix GH5

I’ll cover their most popular features, pros and cons, price points, best-use scenarios, and even showcase inspiring work shot with these cameras.

My Process for Rating and Reviewing These Cameras

When researching this camera roundup, I used several benchmarks to compare these models. I graded each camera based on:

Rental price
Estimated cost-to-rig
Portability
Pros & cons
Best uses

I based all rental prices and cost-to-rig estimates on a four-day rental period from the rental house LensProToGo (my personal go-to rental company for about 99% of my projects).

I rated the portability based on my own experience and user feedback. The scale I used is as follows:

1 — not portable
2 — difficult to transport
3 — somewhat portable
4 — portable
5 — highly portable

I’ve also included links to the best in-depth reviews of each camera, as well as finished films shot using these cameras.

Let’s dive in.

1. ARRI ALEXA Mini

Best Uses

The ALEXA Mini is perfect for mid-range budget feature films, short films, commercials, or music videos shot in low or natural light environments. It excels in true anamorphic shooting.

Review

The ALEXA Mini is the most expensive option in this review, but it’s worth it. Its modular design makes it incredibly versatile. The form factor was a highly sought-after improvement suggested by MOVI and drone pilots who wanted the excellent quality of the ALEXA sensor in a smaller size.

A recent firmware update allows DPs to shoot full gate on ALEXA’s 4:3 sensor, making it an excellent choice for cinematographers who want to shoot true anamorphic without cropping the sensor.

Rental price (4-day rental) — $2,365.00

Click here for the LensProToGo Rental Kit for the ARRI ALEXA Mini.

Cost-to-rig — $1,800-$2,450

Portability — 4

Portable (Note: Depending on your rig configuration, the ALEXA Mini can be very portable, or downright stone-like.)

Pros

Modular design makes it extremely versatile, and it integrates nicely with drones, MOVIs, and Ronins.
Unparalleled color science and beautiful skintones.
4:3 full sensor license allows you to shoot true anamorphic without cropping the sensor.
Can be stripped down and highly portable or rigged to the hilt, depending on your needs.

Cons

Does not shoot true 4K (3.2K upscaled in camera)

In-depth Reviews

Looking for more on the ALEXA Mini? Check out this in-depth review by Atlanta-based filmmaker, Brent Zaffino.

Inspiration

2. RED RAVEN 4.5K

Best uses

If you’re working on a budget and need a camera for graphics-heavy projects shot in artificial light environments, the RED RAVEN 4.5K is the perfect choice. It’s also a favorite among high-end wedding videographers.