The landscape for digital filmmaking has forever been changed in the last decade.

Let’s begin back in 2008, we were introduced to a little camera called the Canon 5D Mark II. Just like any pro-grade camera at the time, the 5DII was an amazing stills shooter. But unlike any DSLR camera 13 years ago, the 5D Mark II shot video so well that it practically demolished the biggest barrier to entry for aspiring independent filmmakers — finding a reasonably priced cinema camera.

The biggest camera manufacturers started paying more attention to video following the industry-rocking success of the 5DMII. Over time, these camera giants developed a line-up of extremely capable video shooters inside the shells of what used to be stills-only prosumer bodies across succeeding product generations.

We soon saw the Panasonic GH2 released in 2010, where a lot of amateur filmmakers found opportunity with this relatively inexpensive camera, where you could install hacks to squeeze out every bit of quality by increasing the bitrate. But where the GH series really took off was with the GH4 in 2014, the first compact system camera to offer 4k.

A little prior to that in 2013, Sony released the Sony A7S. This 12MP camera was dedicated for filmmakers, and notable for it’s low image noise, crushing its competitors (see this comparison).

Fast forward to the present day and we’re now spoiled more than ever with a ton of options for accessible cameras for filmmaking. So to help you get started with your filmmaking journey, we’re rounding up 7 of the best cameras for filmmakers in 2021 that can be had for under $1,000.

Panasonic GH5 – The Best Budget Camera for Filmmakers?

Recently featured as one of the best Vlogging cameras under $1000, First on the list is the filmmaking community’s “go-to” cameras. And rightly so — the Panasonic GH5 has everything professional videographers and independent filmmakers could want from a main camera.

It shoots best-in-class 4K footage up to 60 FPS and will take care of your hankering for slow-motion sequences with its Film Riot-approved 1080p at 180 FPS recording without breaking a sweat. I say that because if you look at the current landscape of top-shelf cameras in 2021, you’ll likely run into an uncomfortable number of overheating complaints.

The micro four thirds wonder that is the GH5 also boasts a 5-axis in-body stabilization which you’ll appreciate when you start working with legacy or manual cinema lenses. If you want to stay native, Micro Four Thirds has many great lenses, and we’ve also featured a list of the Best Panasonic Video Lenses, according to pros.

There’s also the GH5’s CineD and CineV profiles (and optional V-Log firmware upgrade), internal 10-bit recording, and LUT monitoring feature to help you get the most out of your footage in post.

Though brand new they’re about $1400 for this kit on Amazon, do a bit of digging and you’ll find a used GH5 in a very good condition under $1000 on eBay. Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, or want to become a YouTuber (oh, here’s how much they make). At that price point, you’ll have a hard time finding a camera as well-specced as this one.

The original Panasonic cameras received slack for it’s smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor, but Micro Four Thirds has a lot of advantages vs Full Frame cameras, especially for video.

Here’s Ryan Connolly with a comprehensive review of the GH5 which includes a pretty neat comparison against the A7SII. Spoiler alert: under ideal conditions, the GH5 out-resolves and produces cleaner footage than the full-frame contender.

Sony A7S II – The Best Video Camera for Low Light

Yes, there is an A7S III (though at $3500). But draw comparisons to the A7S II (or even the original A7S) and how much are you actually gaining? Compare the sensor scores and other metrics tested by DxOMark, and what you’ll find is that what you really gain is features.

The original a7S was a very special camera when it released back in 2013 for a lot of reasons. It was the first camera to make use of the entire width of the full-frame sensor to record 4K footage. Second, it can see in the dark and cranks out very usable footage shot at 50,000 ISO.

Have a look at Philip Bloom’s “Now I See” and witness the original a7S’ superpower to turn night into day.

The Sony a7S II improves upon the original’s shortcomings and now lets you shoot 4K up to 30 FPS internally, 1080p at 120 FPS for better slow-motion, while adding IBIS and S-Log 3 into the available picture profiles — all these quality-of-life upgrades while you keep the same insane low light performance.

You can find a used a7S II on eBay a little over that $1000 mark. For filmmakers who are shooting guerilla-style documentaries or videographers doing a lot of event coverage, the Sony a7S II is a no-brainer.

DJI Osmo Pocket 2 – Best Video Camera for Travelers Who Want a Small Camera

The DJI Osmo Pocket 2 is possibly the best sidearm for the job for all you aspiring vloggers, travel filmmakers, and documentary shooters out there (here’s a useful guide on videography tips and tricks to get started).

Many might be skeptical about the image quality you can get out of a 117-gram camera — perhaps even more so in low light — so let’s dispel any doubts straight away with this cinematic night reel shot in Osaka.

You can get the same silky-smooth, cinematic sequences for your travel films and vlogs quite easily thanks to DJI’s reliable 3-axis gimbal stabilizer. Like many cameras quadruple its size and weight, the Pocket 2 shoots 4K up to 60 FPS, and 1080p at up to 240 FPS.

Another stand-out feature is the ActiveTrack 3.0 that’ll have the camera follow the subject and keep it in frame which is perfect for single-person crews. You can see how that works in DPReview’s coverage of this awesome little camera.

The DJI Pocket 2 retails at $349 gimbal only, or you can spring for the Creator Combo kit that adds a wide-angle lens, wireless mic transmitter and more goodies for $499 brand new.

Panasonic G100 – The Best Value Vlogging Camera

Also featured as one of The Best Small Cameras, Panasonic markets the G100 as the “vlogger’s camera.” And on the surface, the G100 does check a lot of boxes for the vlogging crowd — it’s lightweight and compact, shoots 4K, has a flippy screen, and supports vertical video recording.

But don’t let the “vlogging camera” moniker fool you. If you step away from all the marketing for a second, you’d hopefully see the Panasonic G100 as a very capable filmmaking tool at its core. The G100 shoots 4K up to 30 FPS and has V-Log L straight out of the box. It’s also dwarfed by its GH5 cousin in terms of size, making the G100 perfect for a stealthier approach to filmmaking.

It should be noted that the G100 does crop in a little further when you use the electronic image stabilization and when you shoot in 4K. It also has a 10-minute limit on 4K recording. But at this price point, I can’t really complain all that much.

For $750, you can get your hands on a brand new G100 with the 12-32mm kit lens. Check out CineD’s mini documentary shot with the G100 paired with an anamorphic lens and see if it deserves a spot in your camera bag.

DJI Mini 2 – The Best Entry Level Drone for Filmmakers

If you’ve been itching to add sweet, sweet aerial shots to your projects, the DJI Mini 2 is the drone to get. It’s the perfect first drone for anyone just starting out as a filmmaker for several reasons.

One of which is the stunning 4K/30p footage you can get out of such a tiny, beginner-friendly drone. Next is the expanded range of up to 6.2 miles thanks to DJI’s OcuSync 2.0 that provides better protection against interference between the drone and the remote. Another substantial upgrade over the original Mini is the more powerful motors that are also significantly quieter. DJI claims that the Mini 2 can withstand 19-24 mph winds — quite impressive for a drone of this size.

With a $449 sticker price for the standard package, you’re getting a ton of bang for your buck with the DJI Mini 2. Here’s Indy Mogul putting the pocket-sized drone through its paces. Plus, you can easily make your money back by selling stock footage, as there’s a great demand for drone footage.

iPhone 12 Pro – The Best Video Camera is…

How do you become a videographer? Start with what many consider the best camera – the one you have with you.

The 6-year-old iPhone 5S that shot is still a plenty capable camera even by today’s standards. But the current generation iPhone 12 Pro takes the whole “democratization of filmmaking” spiel in the article’s intro to a whole new level.

With HDR recording capabilities at 4K/60p, optical stabilization, a trio of standard, ultra-wide and telephoto lenses; there’s no excuse for you not to start production for your short film even if you only have your iPhone to work with. No, you can’t even pull your grain and noise-phobia card when shooting in low light. Just watch Film Riot’s bare and unlit low light test for the 12 Pro for reference.

If you’re a budding creative who’s looking for a phone upgrade, I think the iPhone 12 Pro is an easy choice to make for less than $1000. Watch Matti Haapoja capture some crispy photos and videos using the iPhone 12 for a complete rundown of its filmmaking chops.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K – “Poor Man’s RED Camera”

Caleb of DSLR Video Shooter dubs the Blackmagic Cinema Camera 4K as the “poor man’s RED” and I honestly can’t come up with anything better to describe such a phenomenal camera at this price point. In a nutshell, the BMPCC 4K has the spec sheet to stand alongside Netflix-approved cameras.

The BMPCC can shoot 12-bit RAW and 10-bit ProRes at 4K/60p. It also boasts a Dual ISO feature that lets the micro four thirds sensor read two native ISOs to reduce signal noise. Now it’s not a7S-levels of night vision, but low light footage shot at 25,600 ISO from the Pocket Cinema Camera will still be very much useable with a bit of love and denoising in post.

Just like the Panasonics we’ve touched on, this cinema camera is on the very robust micro four thirds ecosystem that offers multitudes of cinema lens options and accessories, most notably the Metabones EF to m43 Speed Booster. However, unlike the previous Panasonics and the other four cameras that made this list, the BMPCC 4K is nowhere near as user friendly.

With a bit of research and bidding war savvy, a used BMPCC 4K can be found in the wild for a hair below the $1000 range. You are, after all, getting a serious cinema camera for your money. So if this is your first foray into filmmaking, the BMPCC 4K might not be the camera for you. But for those willing to spend the time to get more in-tuned with the technical aspects of the job, especially in post-production, I think the BMPCC 4K is an amazing and affordable cinema camera that you won’t outgrow anytime soon.