What Video Camera Should I Buy?
51mBeginner2016-09-23
Authors

Erik Naso
Producer, Cinematographer, and Editor with 20+ years of experience
Course details
Video cameras have come a long way. They're smaller, lighter, and shoot in higher resolutions—4K and beyond. Now more than ever, we have to make the right choice on what camera to buy or rent for the type of productions we shoot. The lighting, the locations, the size of your team, and even the computer you use for video editing can all impact the decision.
Evaluating your production workflow and the camera options out there can save you time, money, and maybe even your sanity. Camera enthusiast Erik Naso is here to help. He'll teach you how to ask the right questions and pick the right camera—balancing "the camera I should buy" with "the camera I want to buy," so you end up happy with your purchase over the long run. Learn how to figure out your budget and needs; understand the different file formats, sensors, and lenses available; and choose the right accessories for any shooting situation.
Learning objectives
Understanding the camera components: sensor, lens, etc.
Evaluating audio inputs
Taking your type of production into account
Deciding on a budget
Choosing accessories such as tripods and gimbals
Camera codecs and media cost
Evaluating your production workflow and the camera options out there can save you time, money, and maybe even your sanity. Camera enthusiast Erik Naso is here to help. He'll teach you how to ask the right questions and pick the right camera—balancing "the camera I should buy" with "the camera I want to buy," so you end up happy with your purchase over the long run. Learn how to figure out your budget and needs; understand the different file formats, sensors, and lenses available; and choose the right accessories for any shooting situation.
Learning objectives
Understanding the camera components: sensor, lens, etc.
Evaluating audio inputs
Taking your type of production into account
Deciding on a budget
Choosing accessories such as tripods and gimbals
Camera codecs and media cost
Skills covered
Video ProductionVideoOne-Off
Concepts
0. Introduction
- 01 - Welcome
- 02 - Who this course is for
1. Breakdown of the Camera
- 03 - The camera
- 04 - The sensor
- 05 - Thoughts on light sensitivity
- 06 - Lenses and focal lengths
- 07 - Lenses and aperture
- 08 - Lens mounts and adapters
- 09 - Resolution and frame rates
- 10 - Audio
2. Understanding What Type of Productions You Shoot
- 11 - Different types of production
- 12 - News and photojournalism
- 13 - Documentary
- 14 - Event coverage
- 15 - Commercial production
- 16 - Narrative filmmaking
3. Other considerations
- 17 - Camera support
- 18 - Camera media
- 19 - File sizes and storage considerations
Conclusion
- 20 - Renting instead of buying
- 21 - Next steps
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