Best Filmmaking Cameras on the Used Market in 2024

Summary:

The video reviews 10 filmmaking cameras available on the used market, focusing on their price, features, and image quality. Honorable mentions are given to additional cameras.

Panasonic GH5: Affordable, adaptable, with excellent IBIS and 4K 10-bit internal recording [0:00:20].
Panasonic S5: Full-frame sensor, ProRes and Blackmagic RAW capabilities with external recorder, but has slow sensor readout and recording limits [00:01:49].
Arri Alexa Classic: High-end image quality, but heavy and lacking modern features [00:03:02].
RED DSMC2: Access to RED's image quality at a lower price point, but requires proprietary media [00:03:40].
Sony A7S III: Industry-standard sensor with great dynamic range, fast readout, and low light performance, available at a reduced used price [00:04:15].
Canon C200: Versatile cinema camera with Super 35 sensor and EF mount at a low price, but has quirks like 8-bit 4K and massive RAW file sizes [00:05:19].
Canon C70/C300 Mark III: High sharpness and dynamic range with advanced features, including efficient CF ExpressB card slots on the C300 Mark III [00:07:02].
Canon C100 Mark II: Simple to use with low maintenance costs, shooting 8-bit full HD [00:08:05].
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro: High image quality with a bright LCD and internal ND filters, dual native ISOs, and Blackmagic RAW recording [00:08:41].
Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2: Full-size cinema camera with a metal body, interchangeable lens mount, dual gain sensor, and fast readout speed [00:09:27].

Sony A7S III camera body marked with its approximate used market price of $2500. [ 00:04:45 ]

Panasonic GH5 [0:00:20]

Color grading GH5 footage in DaVinci Resolve. [ 00:01:24 ]

Available used for $400-$600.
Great community support for mods and upgrades.
Features:
- IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization)
- 4K 10-bit internal recording (with Vlog license)
- Adaptable lens mount
- Good battery life
- Anamorphic 4x3 mode for open gate

Panasonic S5 [0:01:49]

Table detailing Panasonic S5 internal recording modes and limits. [ 00:02:41 ]

Available used for around $700.
Features:
- Full-frame sensor.
- ProRes and Blackmagic RAW with external recorder.
- Internal 4K 10-bit recording.
Drawbacks:
- Slow sensor readout speed (20ms in full-frame 4K).
- 30-minute recording limit in 4K 10-bit due to overheating concerns.

Arri Alexa Classic [0:03:02]

Filmmaker operating the bulky Arri Alexa Classic camera on their shoulder. [ 00:03:20 ]

Provides high-end image quality.
Can be found used for around $4,000.
Drawbacks:
- Heavy (15 lbs).
- Lacks internal ND filters.
- Limited audio inputs.
- High power consumption (100 watts).

RED DSMC2 Cameras [0:03:40]

Table showing current and old naming conventions for RED DSMC2 cameras. [ 00:04:06 ]

6K Dragons available in the $3,000-$4,000 range.
Offers access to RED's image quality.
Drawbacks:
- Requires RED mags instead of universal data mediums.

Sony A7S III [0:04:15]

Line-up of Sony cameras, highlighting the A7S III's used price of around $2500. [ 00:04:49 ]

A7S3 is more affordable than FX3/FX6 on the used market ($2,500 compared to $3,500/$5,000-$6,000).
Features:
- Excellent sensor and image quality.
- IBIS system.
- Good battery life.
- Fast readout speed.
- Autofocus.
- Low light performance.

Canon C200 [0:05:19]

List of the Canon C200's perceived downsides and quirks. [ 00:05:42 ]

Available used for $1,000-$1,500.
Features:
- Canon cinema body design.
- Internal ND filters.
- Full-size XLR inputs.
- Super 35 sensor with EF mount.
- Good battery life.
- SDI and HDMI outputs.
Caveats:
- 8-bit 4K recording restricted to CLOG 3 on SD cards.
- Optional 12-bit Canon RAW recording to CFast cards with large file sizes.

Canon C70/C300 Mark III [0:07:02]

Canon C70 footage with an approximate used market price of $2600. [ 00:07:19 ]

C70 available for around $2,600 used, C300 Mark III for around $3,600.
Features:
- 4K Super 35 DJ1 sensor.
- High level of sharpness.
- Large dynamic range.
- Internal ND filters, XLRs.
- CF ExpressB card slots (C300 Mark III).

Canon C100 Mark II [0:08:05]

Canon C100 Mark II camera showing approximate used price and monitoring tools. [ 00:08:18 ]

Can be found for as low as $650 used.
Shoots 8-bit full HD to SD cards.
Simple to use and maintain.
Features:
- XLR inputs.
- ND filters.
- Good battery life.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro [0:08:41]

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro with an approximate used market price of $1600. [ 00:08:51 ]

Available used for around $1,600.
Features:
- Blackmagic image quality.
- Dual mini XLR inputs.
- Bright LCD screen.
- Internal ND filters.
- Internal Blackmagic RAW and 6K.
- Dual native ISOs.
- EF mount ProRes recording.

Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 [0:09:27]

Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 showing card slots and audio controls. [ 00:09:42 ]

Available used for around $2,000.
Features:
- Full-size cinema camera body made of metal.
- Interchangeable lens mount.
- Quad card slots.
- Dual gain 4.6K sensor.
- Fast readout speed.
- Dual XLR inputs, internal ND filters.

Honorable Mentions [0:10:16]

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera Original [0:10:21]: Only shoots HD, but beautiful HD and has a cult following. Can be found for around $650.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera original footage with approximate used price of $650. [ 00:10:31 ]
Lumix S1H [0:10:33]: Netflix approved, capable of open gate. Comes in at around $1,400 but has a horrendous rolling shutter.

Top display of the Panasonic S1H camera. [ 00:10:37 ]
Sigma FP [0:10:43]: Can be found for around $1,000. Has Cinema DNG RAW in 4K and an interesting operating system.

Sigma FP menu showing CinemaDNG RAW recording options. [ 00:10:53 ]