Here is my dilemma. Since discovering OpenAI’s DALL•E 2 image generator a few weeks ago, I’ve had good success and great fun creating images I’m truly proud of. No, it’s not photography, but it’s still pretty amazing. More importantly, however, it raises a fundamental question: Is it ethical to publish AI-assisted images instead of photos of living, flesh and blood models, even with clearly-worded disclaimers? Frankly, I’m torn by this predicament.
If you’re not familiar with OpenAI’s DALL•E 2, spend three minutes reading our review from Feb ’23. In a nutshell, DALL•E 2 uses AI to convert plain language text strings into realistic—and/or wildly implausible—images and art. DALL·E 2 generated the image you see above based on my written description of my daughter’s West Highland White Terrier. Plus a red hat.
I’m not trying to fool anyone and neither is OpenAI. They make it very clear that DALL·E 2 must not be used for unethical, immoral or illegal purposes. They prohibit nudity and warn against infringing on the copyrights of others. DALL·E 2 renderings that appear on social media, news media and other vehicles of public consumption must include a clear disclosure that AI was used in the creation. Follow this link to read OpenAI’s Content Policy.
Then what’s the worry?
Critics I admire and trust have suggested that recent advancements in AI (e.g., DALL·E 2) threaten traditional photography, music composition and other forms of art, as well as all forms of written creations. And despite the fact that I’ve used it recently in a manner that possibly encourages others to do likewise, I have to agree that there are grave potential dangers.
Every week, it seems, we read news about the abuse of AI by students, online romance site cheaters, scammers and others. And now criminals (I can’t call them “pranksters” because putting lives at risk is not a prank) are using AI-driven voice synthesizers to automate swatting calls. If you don’t know, “swatting” is the reprehensible and condemnable practice of placing totally fictious emergency calls that trigger police and other public safety personnel to be dispatched to a specific location en masse to deal with an in-progress crime that does not exist.
Using AI-assisted artwork to illustrate an article is not a hazard of the same magnitude, but it’s not entirely innocent, either. There are rumors that some AI applications anonymously plagiarize the works of others in whole or in part. We’re not referencing DALL·E 2 here, and we’ve never seen verifiable evidence that copyright infringements actually occur.
So am I experiencing angst or a guilty conscience? A little of both, I’m afraid. I would never—not even in my craziest dreams—use AI of any type to write words for me. That fact makes me question whether or not it’s acceptable to use AI to make pictures except for my personal and private entertainment.
I rationalize all of this by thinking that written words are sacrosanct because they come from inside my head 100%. My words are influenced and tinted by others’ words, but they still originate within me. I don’t even use a thesaurus and so far haven’t regretted it. Photos, on the other hand, are external. And better yet, AI-conjured images are formed by my words. Even Plato said that all art is thrice removed from reality (or something like that).
So, see? I can talk myself into almost anything using this kind of logic and paraphrasing a famous philosopher.
I’ve also more-or-less convinced myself that, “someday, everyone will be using AI for nearly everything that requires creativity.” This may or may not be true, but even if it’s totally accurate, that’s not a legitimate excuse for me to help make this happen sooner rather than later. And it doesn’t mean AI-supercharged creativity will ever be ethical even if it becomes widely practiced.
The harsh truth is that those AI images, pseudo photos and other ersatz art all came from somewhere, just like the ripped-off high school term papers, romance site profiles, bogus CVs and other abusive abominations of AI. I’m not willing to believe (perhaps incorrectly) that a few hundred lines of computer code can create a lifelike photo of the Golden Gate Bridge, a Siamese cat—or anything else.
So you see, I’m sort of stuck. I guess I should ask AI for a resolution. So I did. Here’s how ChatGPT, also from OpenAI, suggested as a resolution.
“DALL-E is an artificial intelligence model developed by OpenAI that can generate images from textual descriptions. The ethical use of DALL-E to create photos and publish them depends on several factors.
“Firstly, it is important to consider the source of the textual descriptions used to generate the images. If the descriptions are generated in a way that infringes on someone’s privacy, dignity, or rights, then using DALL-E to create images from those descriptions would be unethical.
“Secondly, the intended use of the generated images should be considered. If the images are used for commercial purposes without obtaining the necessary permissions or compensating the rightful owners, it could be considered unethical.
“Thirdly, it is important to consider the potential impact of the generated images on society. If the images are used to spread harmful or misleading information or to promote hate speech or discrimination, it would be unethical to create and publish them.
“In summary, the ethical use of DALL-E to create photos and publish them depends on various factors, including the source of the textual descriptions, the intended use of the images, and their potential impact on society. It is important to consider these factors and act responsibly to avoid any unethical behavior.”
Exactly what you would expect to hear from a machine, right?
But the second point hangs over my head like the sword of Damocles. “If the images are used for commercial purposes without obtaining the necessary permissions or compensating the rightful owners, it could be considered unethical.” Who are the rightful owners? Do they even exist? How could I possibly compensate an entity that I cannot identify? And is OpenAI intimating that the fruit of their algorithms requires any sort of “necessary permission?”
I do not enjoy conflict, but neither do I stringently avoid it. For now, I’ll set this controversy—and AI imagery—temporarily aside as far as Shutterbug is concerned and save it for the idle hours when I want a distraction that’s kind of like photography. Maybe someday soon digital cameras will have an AI mode that doesn’t require a subject.
What do YOU think? Please visit Shutterbug’s Facebook page and express your opinions. Have you tried AI imagery? What has been your experience? AI is an epoch-making phenomenon and we’d love to hear your opinion.
Disclaimer: As you’ve surely guessed, every image in this story was created with a big assist from DALL·E 2.
The biggest news last week, at least for us at Photography Life, was the launch of our new forum. We’ve been missing this feature for a while, and it took some time to get it up and running. But now it’s finally online and the discussions are in full swing. It also finally opens up the possibility of sharing your photos with us. It’s great that we can enrich each other in this way. By the way, we have other interesting things cooking, so stay tuned for more news from our team.
If you’re interested in photography, you probably know that Youtube can be an incredible resource for learning new skills, getting inspired, and connecting with a community of like-minded photographers. But with so many channels to choose from, it can be tough to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the 45 best photography Youtube channels out there, covering a range of genres, styles, and techniques.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to improve your skills, an enthusiast looking for new ideas, or a professional seeking inspiration, we’ve got you covered. So grab your camera and get ready to explore some of the most engaging and informative photography content on the web.
In no particular order (you will find some real gems throughout the list), here they are:
Thomas Heaton is a professional landscape photographer who shares his knowledge on his YouTube channel with 531,000 subscribers. His videos focus on teaching viewers how to compose beautiful landscape photos with tips on camera settings and techniques for finding the best light.
Jessica Kobeissi is a highly successful Lebanese American designer and photographer with nearly 2 million subscribers on her YouTube channel. Her content is highly engaging, as she generously shares her photography knowledge, provides step-by-step tutorials on editing, and showcases her unique creative process.
Have you heard of The Cooperative of Photography? They’re a really cool online magazine all about photography, with tons of useful and inspiring articles. But that’s not all – they also have a killer YouTube channel with over 1M subscribers and millions of views on their videos! They offer everything from tutorials and workshops to tips and hacks for both professional and beginner photographers.
Mango Street is a fantastic YouTube channel with more than one million subscribers that offers high-quality tutorials that won’t waste your time. They cover a wide range of photography topics, from camera settings to lighting techniques to post-processing.
One of the things that sets Mango Street apart is their attention to detail – they really take the time to explain things clearly and make sure you understand the concepts they’re teaching. If you’re looking for a channel that will help you take your photography skills to the next level, Mango Street is definitely worth checking out.
Mark Denney is a professional photographer, educator, and entrepreneur based in Florida. His channel focuses on teaching viewers about landscape photography and post-processing techniques. He offers helpful tutorials on topics such as composition, lighting, camera settings, and post-processing workflows. He has nearly 240,000 subscribers on his channel.
Peter McKinnon is a Toronto-based filmmaker and photographer who shares his expertise on his channel. His videos focus on helping viewers learn the ins and outs of photography, from shooting technique to post-processing. He offers helpful tutorials on topics such as composition, lighting, camera settings, and post-processing workflows. He has over 5.8 million subscribers.
Kai W is a professional photographer based in Hawaii who specializes in underwater photography. His channel offers tips and tricks for taking stunning underwater shots, as well as details about the gear he uses. He also discusses topics such as composition, lighting, camera settings, and post-processing workflows for underwater photos.
Tony and Chelsea Northrup are award-winning photographers who specialize in wedding photography and travel photography. Their channel provides detailed tutorials on how to take amazing photos while traveling, as well as advice on how to compose and edit your images. Their channel has more than 1.5 M subscribers.
Jared Polin is a professional photographer and YouTuber who specializes in portrait and commercial photography. His channel offers advice on camera settings, lighting techniques, and post-processing workflows. His videos are detailed and thorough, covering all aspects of portrait photography from start to finish. The channel has 1.4 M subscribers.
Matt Granger is a professional photographer who specializes in travel photography. His channel has 680,000 subscribers. Matt offers advice and tutorials on everything from camera settings to photo editing techniques. He covers topics such as composition, lighting, camera settings, and post-processing workflows for travel photos.
AdoramaTV is a YouTube channel run by the popular camera retailer, Adorama. The channel has 1.22 M Subscribers. Their videos offer helpful tutorials on topics such as lighting, framing, and post-processing.
Laura Shoe is a professional photographer and YouTuber who specializes in landscape photography. Her channel has over 15000 subscribers. She offers tutorials on composition, editing, and image processing techniques for landscape photos.
SharkPixel is a professional photographer and YouTuber who specializes in portrait photography. Her channel offers tutorials on posing, lighting, and post-processing techniques for portraits. She has 7000 subscribers.
Sean Tucker is a professional photographer and YouTuber who specializes in travel photography and adventure photography. His channel offers tutorials on how to take stunning photos while traveling, along with tips on how to make your photos stand out from the crowd. His channel has nearly 530,000 subscribers.
Chris Burkard is a professional photographer and YouTuber who specializes in outdoor and adventure photography. His channel offers tutorials on composition, shooting techniques, and post-processing workflows for outdoor scenes.
Nick Page is a professional photographer who shares his expertise on his YouTube channel which has nearly 50K Subscribers. His videos focus on teaching viewers how to take stunning portraits with tips on composition, lighting, and post-processing techniques. He covers topics such as composition, lighting, camera settings, and post-processing workflows for portrait photos.
Eric Rossi is a professional photographer and YouTuber who specializes in wedding photography and portrait photography. His channel has nearly 40K subscribers offering tutorials on shooting techniques, camera settings, and post-processing workflows for wedding photos.
Michael The Maven is a professional photographer who shares his knowledge on his YouTube channel having 294K subscribers. His videos focus on teaching viewers about the technical aspects of photography as well as post-processing workflows for creating beautiful images.
Sekonic is a professional photography YouTube channel specializing in teaching portrait photography. This YouTube channel offers tutorials on posing, lighting, camera settings, and post-processing workflows for taking stunning portraits of your clients with over 36k subscribers.
Brian Matiash is a professional photographer who specializes in landscape photography and travel photography. His YouTube channel with nearly 20K subscribers offers tutorials on composition, shooting techniques, and post-processing workflows for outdoor scenes.
The Slanted Lens is a YouTube channel with 440K subscribers run by Jay P Morgan, a professional photographer based in Los Angeles. Their videos offer helpful tutorials on topics such as framing, editing, and lighting techniques for creating beautiful images.
Photography Concentrate is a YouTube channel run by two professional photographers based in Canada with 130K subscribers: Rob Symington and Christine Symington-Hargreaves. They offer tutorials on composition, editing, camera settings, and other topics related to capturing beautiful images with your camera .
SLR Lounge is a YouTube channel having 487K subscribers run by Pye Jirsa of Lin & Jirsa Photography in California . Their videos focus on teaching viewers about wedding photography from start to finish, from shooting techniques to post-processing workflows .
Tony & Chelsea Northrup’s Photo Walks are videos that explore different locations around the world with Tony & Chelsea Northrup as they discuss the importance of light , composition , gear ,and other aspects of photography on their youtube channel having 1.58M subscribers.
The Camera Store TV is run by two pro photographers, Chris Niccolls & Jordan Drake , who have 336K subscribers providing video reviews of cameras , lenses , accessories , and more . Their videos also include helpful tips for getting the most out of your gear .
Fro Knows Photo is run by Jared Polin having 1.42 M Subscrbers , a professional portrait & commercial photographer . His videos cover topics like composition , gear , shooting techniques , editing , printing , storage , workflow , marketing , business tips , etc .
DigitalRev TV is run by Kai Wong with 1.86M subscribers , a professional photographer based in Hong Kong . Their videos cover topics like gear reviews , camera settings , shooting technique tutorials , post-production tips & tricks , interviews with other photographers , etc .
The Art of Photography TV is hosted by Ted Forbes , a professional photographer based in Texas with a channel having 794K subscribers.This educational series covers topics like composition , gear reviews , lighting techniques , post-production workflows , interviews with other photographers & creatives , etc .
James brings you along on his picture shoots and offers useful tutorials. You’ll receive a fantastic review of fundamental photographic knowledge in particular. He has 200k subscribers on YouTube.
Chris will demonstrate some budget-friendly camera equipment possibilities. His honest personality makes him appealing. You’ll get a good supply list and information on cameras and lenses. He has 400k subscribers on YouTube.
Joe Allam has a popular YouTube channel with more than 200k followers. He used to create educational films about the creative travel lifestyle with an emphasis on travel photography, filmmaking, and technology.
He has a YouTube channel with around 400k subscribers. From his videos, you can learn the basics of Cinematography. You can learn how to use different Sony cameras. He also gives lens reviews.
He uses both traditional film and some digital when shooting on his channel with 351K subscribers. He spends a lot of time discussing his film experiences, photography compositions, planning, and other topics.
She speaks extensively about editing, fashion, and portraiture. It’s fantastic to see a fresh approach to editing, which is what I enjoy with her content. There are 560K subscribers on the channel.
In his channel, he teaches his viewers about photography and videography. His channel with 188K subscribers has numerous videos on cameras, lenses, tutorials, and crazy shoots.
Skyler is a food photographer who has 260K subscribers on his channel “We Eat Together” in which he educates his audience about creating epic food photos.
Signature Edits with 140K subscribers, provides photography tips and tutorials, editing techniques, Lightroom tips and workflows to improve your photography skills.
Daniel Schiffers channel having 2.26 M Subscribers walks you through tutorials in an effective manner. You can learn a lot about video color correction and several other things in FCPX!
Brendan Li makes travel videos. He offers tips on shooting well-known locations and using creativity when there are few resources available. He has half a million subscribers on YouTube.
Her channel has great travel tips. You can find new perspectives on photography, brilliant content about art, life and work. She has one million subscribers.
He discusses photography and tech related topics. His tutorials are quite thorough and cover a lot, especially his photography tutorials. He has 432K subscribers on his channel.
I hope this list of the best youtuber photographers will keep you busy learning fresh photography content for a long time, bookmark this page to keep it handy.
In the quickly evolving world of camera technology, if you are a student or beginner filmmaker, it is often difficult to know what to look for in a camera, especially if you are not up to date. But don’t worry.
We have examined dozens of cameras and weighed them against several parameters before listing the top 13 that we feel are the best filmmaking cameras for beginners.
What makes an excellent filmmaking camera? A variety of parameters, really. The first thing is the ability of the camera to shoot DCI 4K or at least 4K UHD. These days 4K is the bare minimum when shooting films. Whether you’re a filmmaker shooting a documentary or a YouTube content creator, you need to make your films and videos future-proof. And 4K is mandatory for that. Filmmakers also look for the option to record crisp audio quality. An overwhelming number of filmmakers, beginners and pros alike, use external mics to record crisp audio quality. That’s why they need the option to plug in an external mic using a mic port. Budget is also important to someone who does not make a living as a professional from filmmaking. But these are just a few of the parameters.
If you don’t want to wait till the end and want to straightaway move to the list, then here it is –
Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera (Our choice)
Panasonic Lumix GH6
Nikon Z30
Canon EOS M50 II
Sony ZV-1
Panasonic Lumix DC-G100
Canon G7 X Mark III
Canon EOS R10
Sony a6400
Canon EOS R7
Fujifilm X-S10
Sony a7 III
OM SYSTEM OM-5
Now let’s discuss some parameters before jumping right into the best part.
Minimum Resolution
As I mentioned above, 4K is the bare minimum. Anything less than that, and your films are already backdated. If anyone plays them back on a big high-resolution tv, the lack of resolution will be glaring.
Great built-in audio or audio in port
Ideally, you need at least the second option. The incredible video starts with excellent audio, period.
Vari-angle screen
While having a vari-angle screen is excellent, it’s not mandatory. You can use an external monitor to overcome this issue with some cameras. However, if you have a bright vari-angle screen, it helps to shoot vlogs.
Image stabilization
Optical image stabilization, whether lens- or body-based, is a must-have—without optical image stabilization, you’re forced to use a tripod or electronic image stabilization. The first is a limiting thing, and the second eats away into the resolution.
Compatible Codecs
Look for cameras that offer the largest selection of codecs. This will help you to streamline your post-processing routine.
The Cameras
Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera (Our choice)
If you’re serious about filmmaking or want a camera with advanced filmmaking features, you should choose something like the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema camera. Even though this isn’t the best film camera you could lay your hands on, for the price, it offers incredible value for the money. This camera is designed for filmmakers, and beginners and enthusiasts would find it worth it. The camera supports a range of codecs, including a bunch of Apple codecs. DCI 4K in 75 fps and 2.8K RAW mode in 4:3 anamorphic at up to 80 fps. The 5-inch touchscreen offers one of the best menu systems you will come across. The dual native ISO option allows for greater dynamic range, especially when working in low-light conditions.
Pros
Excellent menu interface.
Dual native ISO.
DCI 4K shooting.
Range of codecs supported.
Cons
The rear LCD screen does not tilt or flip.
Rating – 9.0/10
Panasonic Lumix GH6
The Panasonic Lumix GH6 is an upgrade of the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II that, in turn, came as an upgrade to the GH5. One of the significant improvements of the GH6 is that it can record 4K 60p 4:2:2 10-Bit footage unlimited internally. The GH6 comes with a powerful Boost IS mode. This mode works best when video-recording subjects that are stationary. This is a mode that makes a tripod redundant for such shoots. Autofocusing is one of the strong points of the camera. The Manual Focus Assist option and the Focus Limiter Range Set options help precisely lock focus when recording.
Pros
Unlimited 4K 60p 4:2:2 10-Bit footage internally.
Autofocusing is excellent.
Manual Focus Assist option for precise focusing adjustment.
Boost IS mode.
Cons
Battery performance has dropped on the GH6.
Apart from face tracking, autofocusing falters when tracking other subjects.
Rating – 9.0/10
Nikon Z30
This APS-C sensor-powered Nikon Z30 mirrorless camera is an excellent tool if you’re looking for a camera that’s easy to use and offers powerful 4K/UHD video capabilities. The Z30 is Nikon’s entry-level mirrorless camera geared for both still shooters and filmmakers. But primarily for content creators and filmmakers. The deep hand grip, the easy-to-access recording start button, the built-in 4K UHD shooting option at 30p, and the opportunity to use an external mic to get crisp audio- everything is geared towards a video camera.
Pros
UHD/4K at 30p.
Excellent hybrid autofocusing with face and eye tracking.
Built-in stereo mic.
Option to plug in an external mic.
Live streaming option at 60p.
Excellent grip.
Cons
Not the best for advanced video production.
Rating – 7.5/10
Canon EOS M50 II
If you’re looking for the best entry-level film camera for beginners, you must have seen or eyed the Canon EOS M50 at least once. The EOS M50 Mark II is the upgraded version of the original EOS M50 and comes with a few upgrades. The first and most important is the new Eye tracking feature that makes it much easier to track a subject when shooting videos. If you’re a vlogger or YouTuber and produce shorts (the vertical video format), you will love the new built-in vertical video shooting option on the EOS M50. YouTube live streaming option available.
Pros
Improved autofocusing tracking with eye tracking.
Vertical shooting option.
YouTube live streaming.
Cons
Can’t use dual-pixel CMOS AF during 4K 24p shooting.
Heating issues in 4K shooting.
Rating – 8.0/10
Sony ZV-1
Sony’s first attempt was creating a dedicated mirrorless camera to shoot vlogs and video content. The Sony ZV-1 packs a lot of features that can make filmmakers and content creators happy. First, the directional microphone makes it possible for the user to record crisp sound quality without the need for a second plugged-in mic. The ZV-1 can shoot 4K clips at 30p and full HD clips at a maximum frame rate of 120p. And if you love to shoot on the go, you will love the convenience of the Sony GP-VPT2BT Bluetooth shooting grip.
Pros
1-inch BSI sensor for decent video quality.
4K 30op videos.
Fully articulated touchscreen display.
Directional mic built-in with crisp audio quality.
I can charge it while using it (a big plus for vloggers).
Cons
Cant swap the lens for a different one.
Rating – 8.0/10
Panasonic Lumix DC-G100
The Panasonic Lumix DC-G100 has a 20.3-MP Live MOS micro four-thirds sensor. It is the first camera that comes with Ozo Audio from Nokia. This is a set of three directional microphones that you can set using different combinations. The camera shoots 4K 30p and full HD at a maximum frame rate of 120p. The camera has a dedicated selfie mode activated when the LCD screen is turned forward. The camera is shipped with the 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. But other options are also available. The one thing that works against the camera is the electronic image stabilization because it eats into the camera’s resolution.
Pros
Dedicated auto selfie mode.
Features Nokia Ozo Audio.
Extremely lightweight camera.
Options to use multiple lenses.
Cons
Image stabilization is electronic.
Rating – 7.5/10
Canon G7 X Mark III
The benefit of a stacked image sensor and the advanced DIGIC 8 image processor. The Canon G7 X Mark III is a compact camera geared towards still shooters and filmmakers looking for a beginner camera. The camera can shoot 4K 30p straight out of the box, and with a firmware update, even 24p is also available. Full HD video recording is possible at 60p. The tilting screen goes 180 degrees when tilting up and 90 degrees when tilting down.
Pros
Stacked CMOS 1-inch type sensor for excellent low-light performance.
Built-in ND filter option for broad daylight shooting.
YouTube live streaming is supported.
Vertical video capture.
Comes with a USB-C connector for fast charging and data transfer.
Cons
The grip isn’t the best in the business.
The position of the dedicated record button is goofy.
Rating – 7.5/10
Canon EOS R10
The Canon EOS R10 is an APS-C mirrorless camera powered by a 24.2-MP sensor paired with the DIGIC X image processor. The camera is capable of producing 4K UHD 8-Bit recording. You can choose either the 30p option, where the full sensor real estate (6K) is utilized to sample the videos, or you can choose a higher frame rate, but the actual sensor real estate utilized drops. For users looking for a wider angle of view, the oversampled 6K area is a better option as long as you’re ok with the 30p option. As a filmmaker, you would prefer the 24p option anyways, but even if you’re a YouTuber or social media content creator, I feel the larger real estate is the better option.
Pros
Dual pixel CMOS autofocusing.
Excellent subject tracking for a diverse variety of subjects.
Oversampled 4K shooting using the 6K real estate.
Cons
Heavy cropping of 4K footages at 60p.
No optical image stabilization.
Rating – 8.0/10
Sony a6400
In approximately the same price range as the Canon EOS R10, you get the Sony a6400. This camera has the exact sensor resolution, but the sensor is BSI CMOS and not an FSI as the Canon EOS R10. That means better you get better low-light performance. The rear LCD screen is a tilting screen and not a fully articulated one. The camera captures 4K footage at 24p by utilizing the full width of the sensor. However, when shooting in 4K 30p, a cropped real estate of the scene is utilized.
Pros
BSI CMOS sensor technology.
4K 24p uses the entire sensor width.
Autofocusing performance is excellent.
Internal UHD 4K
S Log 3 support plus HLG.
Cons
The rear LCD screen is a tilting screen and is not flippable.
4K 30p utilizes a cropped segment of the sensor.
There are no 10-Bit video options.
Rating – 9/10
Canon EOS R7
The Canon EOS R7 has the critical advantage of body-based image stabilization rated at up to 7 stops. The EOS R7 can shoot 4K 30p using the entire sensor width, oversampling the footage for better detail. However, if you push the recording to 4K 60p, the camera uses a cropped version of the real estate or a subsampled aspect, depending on your preference. The cropped version is a 1.81x crop. The rear LCD screen is fully articulated, allowing greater freedom than tilting screens. Additionally, the camera comes with HDR PQ to assist with HDR recording. You also get C-Log 3 for preserving a greater degree of dynamic range that you can play around with when post-processing your footage.
Pros
Only 4K 30p using the oversampled full sensor width.
Offers both microphones in and headphone out options.
Up to 7 stops of image stabilization.
Fully articulated LCD screen.
HDR-PQ and C-Log options are available.
Cons
4K 120p option unavailable.
Rating – 8.0/10
Fujifilm X-S10
The Fujifilm X-S10 is powered by an APS-C BSI CMOS sensor paired with an X-Processor 4 image processing engine. This interchangeable lens mount camera system lets you choose different lenses per your filming requirements. The camera can shoot DCI UHD 4K at a maximum frame rate of 30 fps. Full HD videos can be recorded at 240 fps. The in-body 5-axis image stabilization system offers excellent stabilized footage rated at up to 6 stops. This comes in handy when shooting videos. Also helping the process of filmmaking is the vari-angle LCD screen.
Pros
5-axis body-based image stabilization system.
Excellent vari-angle touchscreen.
DCI UHD 4K 30p
Full HD at 240p.
Option to use multiple lenses.
Cons
Battery life isn’t one of the strengths of the camera.
Subject tracking isn’t excellent.
Rating – 8.5/10
Sony a7 III
The Sony A7 III is a full-frame mirrorless camera initially geared for photography. This camera, however, offers a few video options that entry-level / beginner filmmakers could use. The camera can shoot UHD 4K at 30p with the HLG and the S-Log3 Gamma options. This allows you to shoot for HDR displays and capture a more extensive dynamic range—however, no 10-Bit recording option (not even with HDMI). Image stabilization is a great tool, and the Sony a7 III comes with a sensor-shift type 5-axis image stabilization system.
Pros
Excellent image stabilization.
Several customizable buttons.
Microphone and headphones for monitoring audio.
Large number of lens options.
HDR-HLG, Sony S-Log 2, and S-Log 3.
Cons
No 10-Bit recording option.
Touchscreen functions are a bit difficult to work with.
Rating – 8.5/10
OM SYSTEM OM-5
The OM SYSTEM OM-5 looks like a mirror image of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III. However, there are some improvements, albeit only a few. One of the more significant improvements is the camera can shoot DCI 4K at a frame rate of 24p and 4K/UHD at a frame rate of 30p/25p and 24p. Also, the Live ND filter option makes shooting with wide-open apertures in broad daylight much easier. Another improvement in the OM SYSTEM OM-5 is the superior autofocusing especially subject tracking using facial features.
Pros
DCI 4K at 24p.
UHD 4K at 30p/25p and 24p.
Built-in ND filter option.
Better autofocusing with better face detection.
Cons
Physically identical to the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III.
Rating – 7.5/10
Conclusion
Based on all the parameters, we have selected the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera as our top choice as the best film camera for beginners. It brings an excellent combination of features, affordability, and handling.
Make sure to look at all the cameras we reviewed, as some may have a particular feature or look you are looking for, and this may include price.
