If you want to buy or hire a camera to shoot a video but you lack the in depth knowledge of all the technical bits, you will find yourself facing quite a daunting task getting your head around which camera will be best for you. With so many brands of cameras, and so many different features, it can be confusing knowing which one will get your job done in the best way possible, and for your budget. Luckily, companies like The Michael Group specialize in all aspects of video production, and are able to provide you with some advice regarding cameras!
When you’re shooting a professional video, these are some of the basic things you will need to consider and look out for when looking at a camera. We’ve tried to interpret the jargon for you below:
Lighting
Even though lighting is often separate to a camera, you still need a camera that can CAPTURE light sufficiently, in many conditions. One thing that you will need to look at when considering the lighting quality that a camera can capture is the chip size. To put it simply, the greater the chip size, the better your image quality – in terms of focusing and light. A bigger chip size will give you a better image and light quality, but will also be more expensive.
Sound
Sound is another pivotal part of video production. Different cameras are able to capture sound in various ways. For example an XLR camera will give you the best options in terms of sound as it enables you to attach microphones among other things to your camera so that sound is clarified and captured optimally.
Clarity
Most importantly, you will need a camera that will give you good visual clarity. Megapixels and various other photographic aspects affect this element. The higher your megapixel count, the better – but it is not the only factor. You will also want to consider things like HD and Hi Res. These two words are golden. An HD camera or lens is going to give you the best clarity when shooting, and the higher a resolution, the better the clarity. This should be your standard when looking for a professional video camera!
Additional factors:
If you have already been on a camera-scouting mission you may have come across the terms CMOS and CCD sensors. Although this can get quite technical, basically put CMOS and CCD are image sensors and concerns the way these sensors control how light and color is electrically converted. There are pros and cons to both these sensors – however, with technological improvements, CMOS sensors seem to be the choice giving most value, as they allow for less battery consumption and great image quality.
Additionally, things like lenses, battery life, size and ergonomics will differ from camera to camera and are things that a buyer can be subjective about. The above summary is what will distinguish the quality of your film. Some popular and well-distinguished camera brands include Sony, Panasonic, Canon and Phantom, however it’s quite hard to favor one brand over the other, as markets and technology are every changing. Its best to shop around and find the best value for money!
Remember, there are companies like Michael Group Ltd that specialize in attending to all your filming needs, from pre-production and camera selection to post production, which could make your task a whole lot simpler!
