The best camera for wedding videography

When choosing the best camera for wedding videography, you will need to consider more than just the specifications of the gadgets. Aspects like shoot location, weather, and natural lighting need to be understood even before you can start picking your gear.

Once you verify these environmental aspects, you need to choose a camera that is in sync with the natural factors to produce the desired results. Balance size, weight, performance, functionality, and cost when selecting a camera.

On the camera specifications, the main things to look at include your camera’s low-light performance, resolution, lens availability and options, image stabilization, and overall image quality.

Top camera for wedding videography

1. Sony New Alpha 7S III Full-Frame: Best Overall
2. Canon EOS R5: Best Runner-Up
3. Panasonic Lumix GH5: Best Budget Camera
4. Nikon D810 Full-Frame Camera
5. Canon EOS R6 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera

Sony New Alpha 7S III Full-Frame: Best Overall camera for wedding

1. Sensor: 12.1 MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor
2. ISO Range: 80-102400 (expandable to 40-409600)
3. Video: 4K recording up to 120 fps
4. Autofocus: 759 phase-detection points
5. Display: 3.0″ Touch LCD screen
6. Viewfinder: 9.44M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
7. Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB Type-C, HDMI output

This is by far my favorite camera for weddings. To effectively shoot moving or action shots, you need a camera with reliable autofocus technology. Advanced autofocus on the Sony Alpha 7S III Full-Frame allows you to create shake-free footage.

The camera features a 12.1-megapixel full-frame sensor, 4K recording up to 120 fps, and advanced autofocus capabilities. If you like creating slow-motion video effects, this camera does not disappoint. It comes with 4K video resolution shooting capability at 120 frames per second.

For those evening wedding receptions, the Full Frame Sensor on this camera will make it possible to shoot even in very low light conditions while still achieving quality output.

Canon EOS R5: Runner Up

1. Sensor: 45 MP full-frame CMOS sensor
2. Image Processor: Dual DIGIC X
3. ISO Range: 100-51,200 (expandable to 50-102,400)
4. Autofocus: Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with 1,053 AF points
5. Continuous Shooting Speed: Up to 20 fps (electronic shutter) or 12 fps (mechanical shutter)
6. Viewfinder: 5.76-million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
7. LCD Screen: 3.2-inch, 2.1-million-dot vari-angle touch screen
8. Video Recording: 8K at 30p, 4K at 120p, Full HD at 120p
9. Image Stabilization: In-body 5-axis IS
10. Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI
11. Card Slots: Dual SD UHS-II card slots
12. Battery Life: Approx. 320 shots (CIPA)
13. Dimensions: 138.5 x 97.5 x 88.0 mm (5.45 x 3.84 x 3.46 in)
14. Weight: Approx. 738 g (1.62 lbs) including battery and card

If the Sony New Alpha 7S III Full-frame was not available, this would be my go-to option. It is slightly cheaper and shoots 4K video at 120 fps and 8K at 30 fps.

The resolution and frames per second let you record high-resolution video quality. However, it is the camera’s inbuilt image stabilization that will set your work apart from the crowd with stable and professional wedding footage. It features a larger body, which I didn’t like.

Although it is seemingly larger than the Sony New Alpha 7S III Full-frame, it’s light and easy to carry around from one wedding venue to another.

Panasonic Lumix GH5: Budget Camera for Films

1. Sensor: Micro Four Thirds Live MOS
2. Image Processor: Venus Engine
3. ISO Range: 200-25,600
4. Autofocus: Contrast-detection AF with DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology
5. Continuous Shooting Speed: Up to 8 fps (AFS) / 6 fps (AFC)
6. Viewfinder: 2.36-million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
7. LCD Screen: 3.0-inch, 1.04-million-dot touch screen
8. Video Recording: 4K UHD at 30p, Full HD at 60p
9. Image Stabilization: Dual I.S. (In-Body and In-Lens Stabilization)
10. Connectivity: Wi-Fi
11. Card Slots: Single SD card slot
12. Battery Life: Approx. 290 shots (CIPA)
13. Dimensions: 122.6 x 71.6 x 44.3 mm (4.82 x 2.82 x 1.74 in)
14. Weight: Approx. 426 g

If you are on a budget but still want a good professional-level camera for your videography, the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 is a perfect pick.

Although it is a budget camera pick, you will still have 4K video recording at 60 frames per second and 6K resolution at 30 frames per second.

It comes with accurate autofocus technology that will make it easy for you to professionally shoot your subjects. Camera shake is eradicated when shooting.

Nikon D810 Full-Frame Camera

1. Sensor: Full-frame (FX-format) CMOS
2. Image Processor: Dual EXPEED 4
3. ISO Range: 64-12,800 (expandable to 32-51,200)
4. Autofocus: 51-point Multi-CAM 3500FX II AF system
5. Continuous Shooting Speed: Up to 5 fps
6. Viewfinder: 100% coverage optical viewfinder with a 0.7x magnification
7. LCD Screen: 3.2-inch, 1.229-million-dot LCD
8. Video Recording: Full HD 1080p at 60p, 30p, 24p
9. Image Stabilization: No in-body stabilization (reliant on lens stabilization)
10. Connectivity: HDMI, USB 3.0, Ethernet
11. Card Slots: Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots
12. Battery Life: 1,200 shots
13. Dimensions: 153 x 116 x 81 mm
14. Weight: 980 g

If you want a full-frame camera but for a cheaper price range and from a different brand, the Nikon D810 full-frame camera is the best pick.

It is more compact, with the capability of shooting videos at 1080p resolution and 50 or 60 frames per second.

Just like the Sony New Alpha 7S III Full-frame Sensor, the large APS-C CMOS sensor on the Nikon D810 Full-Frame camera allows you to shoot quality photos and videos even in low-light conditions.

Canon EOS R6 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera: Canon Camera for Videos

1. Sensor: Full-frame CMOS
2. Image Processor: Dual DIGIC X
3. ISO Range: 100-102,400 (expandable to 50-204,800)
4. Autofocus: Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with 1,053 AF points
5. Continuous Shooting Speed: Up to 20 fps (electronic shutter) or 12 fps (mechanical shutter)
6. Viewfinder: 3.69-million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
7. LCD Screen: 3.0-inch, 1.62-million-dot vari-angle touch screen
8. Video Recording: 4K at 60p, Full HD at 120p
9. Image Stabilization: In-body 5-axis IS
10. Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI
11. Card Slots: Dual SD UHS-II card slots
12. Battery Life: Approx. 380 shots (CIPA)
13. Dimensions: 138.4 x 97.5 x 88.4 mm (5.45 x 3.84 x 3.48 in)
14. Weight: Approx. 680 g (1.50 lbs) including battery and card

Canon has not been left behind in its quest to create powerful mirrorless full-frame cameras. First, even before we get to the sensor, this is one of the cameras that is most flexible to work in all conditions, including rain. This is made possible by an all-weather body for outdoor shots.

Their Canon EOS R6 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera is one of the best full-frame cameras for capturing quick action shots like dance scenes.

Dim light is not a problem thanks to the large CMOS sensor and inbuilt image stabilization. Additionally, face-sensitive autofocus will capture emotions and eyes the best compared to other options.

Choosing the Right Cameras For Wedding Videography

There are a number of factors you need to consider when choosing the best camera. You can shoot a wedding with one camera.

However, you will need at least two cameras to maximize the quality of your output. Below are the most important factors you need to consider.

Image Quality

The image quality is a very important consideration. It will determine the quality of the photos and videos that you will capture. The video and image quality are determined by the quality of the sensor and lens.

24 megapixels will be the best quality sensor available. It will also be sensitive to low-light conditions.

Autofocus and image stabilization

At weddings, some events may happen very quickly and without the videographer expecting it. Before you can adjust your camera, the moment is either gone or recorded on a shaky camera.

To avoid this situation, you need to choose a camera with in-built image stabilization and autofocus to lock on to your subject with ease.

Battery Life

You need to choose a camera with a long battery life. This will come in handy when filming a long wedding ceremony. Alternatively, you can invest in buying extra batteries that you can replace when one dies.

Build and Size

When shooting weddings, you will need to carry your camera around, sometimes for long distances. A lightweight and portable camera will be better than a heavier one.

If you consider a backpack to carry your gadgets, make sure to consider some space for the lenses as well.

Lenses

Lenses will help take your work to the next level in terms of quality. When choosing a camera, make sure to consider whether the compatible lenses are readily available.

Photos and videos

You will need a camera that is capable of shooting both videos and still photos. 1080p and 4K will help create high-quality productions.

5 Best cameras for wedding videography?