Last Updated on December 5, 2023 by Sharon Advik
Documentary making has been around for a long time, and it’s a great way to learn about the world around you.
It can also be a fun hobby!
Documentary making is a type of filmmaking that focuses on real people and events.
The process involves researching the subject matter, interviewing people with first-hand knowledge, and shooting video footage to document what’s happening in front of the camera.
You can make documentaries on any topic, but the most common ones are about nature or history.
Some other popular topics include science and politics.
You can even make documentaries about yourself or your family!
I have made many documentaries over the past few years, which is rewarding.
Over time, I have used many cameras and learned much about making a documentary.
I will share some of my knowledge about the best cheap cameras for documentary-making with you in this article so that you can start making your documentaries today!
Which is the Best cheap camera for documentary?
Here are my recommended top 10 Best cheap camera for documentary:-
Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (Best cheap camera for documentary)
The documentary I first made was about the taboo of body piercing.
It’s a sensitive topic that people have strong feelings about, and I need to be able to capture all those emotions with my camera.
I decided to make it because I wanted to prove that there’s nothing wrong with body piercing and also because I wanted to help other people who might be scared of trying it themselves.
I wanted to show that piercing can be beautiful and empowering but is not for everyone.
The biggest challenge was finding a good balance between showing the positive and negative sides of body piercing.
I looked at many cameras and read reviews online, but I needed help finding something with the right combination of specs and price.
Then I saw the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K!
This little gem has everything I need: it’s small enough to fit into my backpack, but it still shoots in 4K resolution—and it comes with an EF mount so I can attach any lens I want.
Features:
- 4/3″-Sized HDR Sensor
- Record DCI 4K 4096 x 2160 up to 60 fps
- Dual Native ISO to 25,600
- 5″ Touchscreen Display
- Active Micro Four Thirds Lens Mount
- Record up to 120 fps Windowed HD
- CFast 2.0 & SD/UHS-II Card Slots
- External Recording via USB Type-C
- 13-Stop Dynamic Range, 3D LUT Support
- Includes DaVinci Resolve Studio License
ISO/Shutter Speed:
I knew my Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K had a maximum ISO of 25,600 and a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000.
I knew this because I read it in the manual, which the manufacturer provided.
This information benefited me when I wanted to make a documentary about body-piercing taboos.
During one scene, I wanted to show people walking down the street and talking about their experiences with getting a tattoo or piercing.
Still, I would need to use a slow shutter speed for them to be heard over the background noise of traffic and other people talking.
The problem was that capturing all their faces clearly in one frame would be easier if I used such a slow shutter speed.
However, using an ISO of 1600 would allow me to capture those faces in focus while still getting enough light into the camera to see them clearly against the background noise around them.
Aperture/Field Of View:
I knew that the aperture would help me get everything into focus without worrying about getting too close or too far away from my subjects.
The gap also helped me with lighting because it allowed me to control how much light was entering the frame.
The aperture was f/5.6!
When it came time to shoot a scene involving a lot of movement, I could keep things in focus by adjusting the aperture so that only what was moving was blurry while everything else remained sharp.
It helped me create more dynamic shots that were also aesthetically pleasing.
White Balance/ Frame Rate:
However, when I tested out the white balance on my camera, I discovered that the light from the piercer’s lamp was causing our actors’ skin to look yellowish-orange in the shot.
I immediately adjusted the white balance setting on our camera to neutralize any yellowish cast on their skin, making them look much healthier and more vibrant.
I used to shoot at 24fps, but sometimes when I was not satisfied with the result of the video, so I changed it to 25fps.
I changed it because the 25fps is more cinematic and more pleasing to watch than 24fps.
It also meant they could safely get pierced without worrying about adverse effects from exposure to an unnatural color temperature!
Why is this camera the best?
It is the best camera because of its unlimited support for 4k video shooting, which allows users to shoot high-quality videos without any problems.
This camera also has a built-in microphone that can record audio in 4k resolution, so you don’t have to worry about buying an external microphone for your DSLR camera.
Conclusion:
It is the best cheap camera for documentary and cinematography because of its excellent performance and quality.
This camera is a significant investment for those who want to start a career in video production.
The abovementioned features make this camera an excellent addition to any filmmaker’s kit bag.
So, buy it now!
Sony A6400: (Best cheap camera for documentary)
I have always been drawn to biographical documentaries because they allow me to tell someone’s story without being limited by the facts or their actual life.
It’s like making up your own story but with a natural person as your guide.
I recently decided to make my next documentary on Winston Churchill, and as I researched his life, I became obsessed with his love of painting and photography.
Because of this passion, I knew I had to include some photos in my film.
I also knew that it would be essential for me to capture these images myself rather than hiring someone else who might need help understanding Churchill’s artistic vision as well as I did.
After looking at all the options available today, it seemed clear that Sony A6400 Mirrorless Camera would be the best choice for me—and now that it has arrived at my doorstep (and into my hands), I can’t wait!
Features:
- 24MP – APS-C CMOS Sensor
- ISO 100 – 32000( expands to 102400)
- 3.00″ Tilting Screen
- 2359k Electronic dot viewfinder
- 11.0fps continuous shooting
- 4K at 30fps and FHD at 120fps Video Recording
- Built-in Wireless
- 403g. 120 x 67 x 50 mm
- Weather Sealed Body
ISO/Shutter Speed:
I shot at ISO 400 and a shutter speed of 1/24th a second, making the image look sharp and crisp.
It helped me capture some beautiful shots of Churchill’s home in Buckinghamshire and his grave at Bladon Church.
I also used these settings while shooting at night in London because they allowed me to take photos without worrying about motion blur or graininess.
Aperture/Field Of View:
One of my biggest challenges was figuring out how to tell the story engagingly and interestingly for viewers who might need to learn more about Churchill.
One of the things that helped me was learning about aperture and the field of view.
When you’re filming in close quarters, an f/2 lens will allow you to get more light into your camera while still keeping it sharp enough to see what’s happening in front of you—but an f/1.4 lens gives you even more depth!
So when filming in some dark locations with low light levels, this knowledge helped ensure we got everything we needed before moving on to another scene.
White Balance/ Frame Rate:
I was filming in a dark room and wanted to get footage of the actor playing Churchill, but he wanted to avoid being bothered with lights or reflectors.
He also wanted to be able to move around freely.
The white balance on this camera is fantastic!
The images are crisp and clear, even in light conditions like those in a dimly lit room.
And because of its frame rate (up to 120 fps), I captured every movement the actor made without worrying about missing anything important from my shot list.
Why is this camera the best?
It is the best camera because of its many features and ability to shoot at a high frame rate.
It means I could get crystal-clear shots of the actor moving around in the dark without blurring or distortion.
It also has an impressive zoom lens that lets you get close-up shots at a distance without losing quality in your footage’s resolution.
Conclusion:
It is the cheapest camera for documentary filmmaking because it is easy to use, has a high frame rate, and has an excellent zoom lens.
This combination makes it possible for me to record every moment of action without missing anything important from my 4k shot list.
So, buy it now!
Panasonic Lumix G95: (Best cheap camera for documentaries)
I have been a big fan of Abraham Lincoln since childhood.
At that time, I did not know much about him except that he was the 16th president of the United States.
Later, I started learning more about his life and achievements, which made me admire him even more.
During my research, I discovered that one of his outstanding accomplishments was his ability to unite the country after it was divided into two parts during the Civil War.
It inspired me to make a documentary on his biography.
After Churchill, I wanted to do this project because, as an artist, I need to tell people about great historical figures who were able to achieve something significant during their lifetime.
This way, people can learn from them and hopefully will be inspired by their stories and actions.
I decided on Panasonic Lumix G95 because it has excellent image quality, allowing me to capture all aspects of Abraham Lincoln’s life without any problems with lighting or color balance problems.
Features:
- 20MP – Four-Thirds CMOS Sensor
- No Optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter
- ISO 200 – 25600( expands to 100)
- 5-axis Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 3.00″ Fully Articulated Screen
- 2360k Electronic dot viewfinder
- 9.0fps continuous shooting
- 4K at 30fps and FHD at 120fps Video Recording
- Built-in Wireless
- 536g. 130 x 94 x 77 mm
- Weather Sealed Body
ISO/Shutter Speed:
I knew I’d be in theaters and antebellum homes—where getting a good shot is difficult.
So I wanted something to help me get as many great pictures as possible.
The Panasonic Lumix G95 has high-end features like a 24-megapixel sensor, 4K video recording capabilities, and an ISO range from 100-25600.
When I saw this camera had such a wide range of sensitivity settings, I knew it would be perfect for what we needed!
Because the camera has such high-quality specs and technology built into it, we got some fantastic shots under very dark conditions.
It made all the difference in our filming process!
Aperture/Field Of View:
I’m not going to lie: it was confusing at first.
It’s not like many cameras can shoot at apertures of f/1.8 or have a field of view as broad as 9mm (what?!)
But once I got used to the terminology, it became beneficial!
Not only did it help me determine which lenses would work best for different shots, but it also helped me understand exactly how much light could enter through each opening or lens.
That way, I knew exactly how dark or bright each scene needed for everything to come out right when I edited them together later.
White Balance/ Frame Rate:
I started by researching the white balance and found it was preset at 5200K.
It was great news because it meant my camera would automatically adjust itself to neutralize any color casts in the subject matter.
Next, I needed to determine the best frame rate for my subject matter.
Abraham Lincoln was known as an eloquent speaker, so I knew that capturing his voice would be vital in making this documentary feel authentic.
After some research, I decided on a frame rate of 25 fps because it gave me enough flexibility in editing while still allowing me to capture an authentic cadence in his speech patterns—which is hard to do with high frame rates like 60 fps or 100 fps.
Why is this camera the best?
Because it gave me the flexibility I needed to make this documentary.
Its wide dynamic range and high ISO sensitivity allow me to capture beautiful images in low and bright light.
I was also able to shoot using different frame rates for different situations, which can be complex with cameras that only offer one rate of speed.
Conclusion:
It is the cheapest camera for the documentary because it has all the features I need in a camera.
It’s lightweight, easy to use, and highly affordable.
If you’re looking for a camera to help you take your documentary to the next level, this is the one for you!
So, buy it now!
Canon VIXIA HF R800: (Best cheap camera for documentary)
In my last biography documentary filmmaking task, I recently had the opportunity to make a film about the life of Adolf Hitler.
The project is called “The True Story of Adolf Hitler,” based on my belief that history misunderstood Hitler.
I wanted to capture all aspects of his life—his childhood, rise to power in Germany, and his role in World War II.
I also wanted to include interviews with historians who have studied Hitler and his reign and people who personally knew him.
I needed a video camera that could deliver high-quality video in low light conditions (to show Hitler’s childhood home), record interviews with historians and people who knew him, and provide me with the flexibility to capture any moment that might come up during production.
After researching Canon VIXIA HF R800 cameras, I decided this was what I needed for this project.
Features:
- 20MP – Full-frame CMOS Sensor
- ISO 100 – 102400( expands to 50 – 819200)
- 3.20″ Fixed Type Screen
- Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder
- 20.0fps continuous shooting
- 5.5K at 60fps , 4K at 60fps and FHD at 120fps Video Recording
- 10-bit 4:2:2 at 4K 60p Color
- Built-in Wireless
- Built-in GPS
- 1440g. 158 x 168 x 83 mm
- Weather Sealed Body
ISO/Shutter Speed:
I was surprised by the variety of settings.
There are so many options!
But the most critical environment is ISO/Shutter Speed.
I set its ISO to 500 and the shutter speed to 1/4000 a second.
These settings were perfect for shooting in low-light conditions.
I use it to ensure that all my videos are as clear and crisp as possible.
It’s also great to ensure your video isn’t blurry or grainy.
Aperture/Field Of View:
The aperture and field of view are your camera’s following most basic settings.
The aperture is measured in f-stops and controls how much light enters your camera.
The lower the number, the more light can get in; the higher the number, the less light can get in.
I used an aperture of f/2.8 because it allowed me to capture as much light as possible without overexposing my footage.
White Balance/ Frame Rate:
White balance is another important setting on your camera.
It ensures that all your colors are as accurate as possible, regardless of the time of day (or what kind of lights are around).
I used a white balance of 6500K because it makes my footage’s colors look natural and crisp.
The frame rate is the number of frames per second your camera records.
I used a frame rate of 24fps because it’s the standard frame rate for film and video.
Why is this camera the best?
This camera is a tremendous all-around camcorder.
It has all the features you could want in an action camera without being too bulky or expensive.
The 20MP sensor produces high-quality video and images that are perfect for any project you may have in mind.
The built-in wireless, GPS, and 1440g weight make this camera extremely portable so that you can take it anywhere!
Conclusion:
It is the cheapest camera for the documentary because it is easy to use and produces high-quality footage.
It has a built-in wireless feature lets you control the camera from your phone or tablet, making capturing those perfect shots even easier.
So, buy it now!
Canon 90D: (Best cheap camera for documentary)
My next documentary was a bit different from the old ones.
I’ve always been fascinated by the subject of population growth.
It’s a fascinating topic because it affects us all, but we don’t discuss it as much as we should.
Many people are afraid to talk about population growth because they’re afraid they’ll have to make changes in their life or the world around them.
But that shouldn’t stop anyone from discussing an issue that impacts everyone!
That’s why I decided to make a documentary on population growth.
It was going to be called “The Population Boom.”
But then I realized that there was another topic that might be more interesting: how our planet is changing because of increased populations and increased consumption patterns.
So now it’s called “The Planet Boom.”
I researched and talked with other filmmakers who had made documentaries before, and they all said Canon 90D was the best choice for me.
Features:
- 33MP – APS-C CMOS Sensor
- ISO 100 – 25600( expands to 51200)
- 3.00″ Fully Articulated Screen
- Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder
- 11.0fps continuous shooting
- 4K at 30fps and FHD at 120fps Video Recording
- Built-in Wireless
- 701g. 141 x 105 x 77 mm
- Weather Sealed Body
ISO/Shutter Speed:
The ISO/shutter speed settings were a big part of why I chose this camera over others—they’re perfect for filming indoors or outside in bright light, which means that even if there isn’t enough light in an area where I am filming, I don’t have to worry about getting grainy footage due to low light levels.
Its ISO can also go up to 25600, so I don’t have to worry about getting grainy footage when there is too much light in an area where I am filming.
While its Shutter speed can only go up to 1/4000 of a second, this isn’t an issue because it’s fast enough that I don’t have to worry about getting motion blur in my shots.
Aperture/Field Of View:
It has an aperture of f/2.8, which is fast enough that I don’t have to worry about getting motion blur in my shots, and it also allows me to get more natural-looking images.
The camera’s field of view (FOV) is the area you can see through the lens when filming, and this one can go up to 76 degrees.
White Balance/ Frame Rate:
The camera has a white balance of Auto, which means it will adjust to whatever lighting conditions are present when you are recording.
It also can go up to 30 FPS (frames per second), which I am still deciding if I like.
Why is this camera the best?
I like this camera because it is small and easy to use.
I love that it has a screen to see what I am filming and adjust the settings.
It has some great features for shooting in low light conditions, and the battery last about an hour which is more than enough time for me.
Conclusion:
It is the best cheap camera for documentary filming.
It has some great features that make it easy to use, and the quality is good enough for me to use in my documentary.
It is not too expensive so I can afford it, and it does not take up too much room, so it will be easy to carry around with me.
So, buy it now!
Panasonic HC-X1000 4K Ultra HD Wi-Fi Video Camcorder: (Best cheap camera for documentary)
I have been researching this topic for quite some time now and have discovered that many types of pollution occur in our environment.
Some of these include air and water pollution and land pollution.
These pollutants can cause many problems for humans and animals, so I made a documentary about them to make people more aware of this situation.
It will hopefully lead them to take action to reduce the amount of environmental pollution that is happening right now.
To create this documentary, I needed an advanced video camera that could capture clear footage while being handheld at all times during filming sessions; therefore, I decided to purchase Panasonic HC-X1000 4K Ultra HD Wi-Fi Video Camcorder because it has many valuable features that will help me in my documentary filming sessions.
Features:
- 24MP – Full-frame CMOS Sensor
- No Optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter
- ISO 100 – 51200( expands to 50 – 204800)
- 5-axis Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 3.00″ Fully Articulated Screen
- 3680k Electronic dot viewfinder
- 9.0fps (30.0fps Electronic) continuous shooting
- 6K at 30fps , 4K at 60fps and FHD at 120fps Video Recording
- 10-bit 4:2:2 Color
- Built-in Wireless
- 740g. 134 x 102 x 90 mm
ISO/Shutter Speed:
When shooting my documentary on environmental pollution, I used an ISO/Shutter Speed of 100 – 51200 and a max shutter speed of 1/2000.
It allowed me to shoot at night with very little light and captured images in great detail.
The image stabilization on this camera is superb, and I have never had a problem with it.
It allows you to shoot images in low light without worrying about camera shake.
It is a huge selling point since I always look for ways to save time and money while shooting my films.
Aperture/Field Of View:
It also has an aperture of F1.7, allowing me to take good-quality photos even when little light is available.
It has a large sensor size to perform well even in low-light conditions and during nighttime shoots.
It will help me capture images without additional lighting equipment, which would be very expensive and inconvenient when filming outdoors.
White Balance/ Frame Rate:
I also like that this camera has an option for white balance, which will help me get a consistent color palette throughout my film.
The frame rate is also very good at 60 fps, so I can slow down footage without worrying about any loss in quality.
It is beneficial if I am filming something that needs to be slowed down, such as a fight scene or an action sequence.
It also means I can use this camera for slow-motion shots without worrying about quality issues.
Why is this camera the best?
It is a perfect camera that has a lot of features that are helpful to me as an indie filmmaker.
It can record 4K video at 60 fps, which is great if I need slow-motion shots or want to use some footage in a film project.
The autofocus feature is also handy when filming people talking or doing things that require good focus.
Conclusion:
It is the cheapest camera for documentary filming because it is easy to use and has many features that help me make the best films possible.
The price is also very reasonable, so I can save money on lighting or camera equipment.
So, buy it now!
Canon XA11 HD Camcorder Bundle: (Best cheap camera for documentary)
When I was younger, I would make documentaries about my friends’ lives and their experiences with Technology.
But as we grew older and our lives changed, so did our interactions with Technology—and those changes inspired me to make the following documentary on Technology, which is why I chose the Canon XA11 HD Camcorder Bundle for making the next documentary Technology.
I needed a camera to capture everything from every angle and in great detail to tell an accurate story of how people interact with new technologies, especially regarding things like phones, computers, and other devices that change so quickly.
Features:
- 20MP – Full-frame CMOS Sensor
- ISO 100 – 102400( expands to 50 – 819200)
- 3.20″ Fixed Type Screen
- Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder
- 20.0fps continuous shooting
- 5.5K at 60fps , 4K at 60fps and FHD at 120fps Video Recording
- 10-bit 4:2:2 at 4K 60p Color
- Built-in Wireless
- Built-in GPS
- 1440g. 158 x 168 x 83 mm
- Weather Sealed Body
ISO/Shutter Speed:
Its ISO range of 24 to 6400 is excellent for shooting in dimly lit rooms or at night.
The shutter speed is also adjustable from 1/3200 to 1/10000.
The camera has a built-in microphone to record audio directly into your videos.
This information helped me make a documentary about Technology and its impact on society.
For example, I wanted to film my friend riding his bike at night in the rain, but the lighting was too low to get good footage with my old camera.
But now that I have a camcorder with a high ISO range and fast shutter speed, I can capture all kinds of cool things that happen when it’s dark outside!
Aperture/Field Of View:
This camera has an aperture of F1.8-F2.8 and a field of view of 80 degrees.
It means it can capture a lot of light and has a wide range of peripheral vision.
These specs are perfect for shooting documentaries because you want your footage to be as bright as possible so that it doesn’t look washed out when editing it later.
This may sound like technical jargon, but it can help ensure your next shoot goes off without major hiccups!
White Balance/ Frame Rate:
The camera has a white balance of 6000K, which means it can adjust its colors to be more accurate when shooting in different environments.
It also has a frame rate of 50 fps, which is excellent if you want to slow down your footage later in editing.
Why is this camera the best?
The camera has excellent picture quality and is very easy to use.
It’s also lightweight and portable, so you don’t have to worry about weighing down your bag!
The most important thing is that this camera doesn’t cost too much money, making it the best budget option if you’re looking for a new camcorder!
Conclusion*:
It is the best cheap camera for documentary filming because it has excellent picture quality and can be used for many situations.
It’s also straightforward to carry around, so you don’t have to worry about the weight of your bag!
So, buy it now!
Sony a7 III: (Best cheap camera for documentary)
I have always been interested in Technology and how it affects our lives.
I love the idea of a world where Technology is used to help us, not hurt us.
Technology has changed how we live in so many ways, but there is still so much more that you can do.
I believe that Technology will continue to change the world as we know it, and it’s up to us as consumers to ensure that the Technology being developed is used for good.
I wanted to document this process of technological change by creating a documentary on Technology.
After filming this documentary, I realized there were still so many unanswered questions about how Technology affects our lives today.
I have shot a lot of different topics and subjects, but the one that has always fascinated me the most is Technology, that I why I made a second documentary on it.
When researching for my next documentary on Technology, I realized that Sony a7 III Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera would be perfect for the project.
Features:
- 24MP – Full frame BSI-CMOS Sensor
- ISO 100 – 51200( expands to 50 – 204800)
- 5-axis Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 3.00″ Tilting Screen
- 2360k Electronic dot viewfinder
- 10.0fps continuous shooting
- 4k at 30fps and FHD at 120fps Video Recording
- Built-in Wireless
- 650g. 127 x 96 x 74 mm
- Weather Sealed Body
ISO/Shutter Speed:
It has an ISO range of 100-51200, which you can extend to ISO 50-204800.
That means you can use it in almost any situation, from bright sunlight to dimly lit homes.
The shutter speed is also impressive; it goes up to 1/8000 of a second and down to 30 seconds, giving you plenty of options for taking pictures in different conditions.
Aperture/Field Of View:
The aperture field of view on this camcorder made it so easy to shoot our documentary on Technology!
It has an impressive f/1.2 aperture, which means that in dark scenes like when we were filming inside pubs or coffee shops at night, there was no pixelation or loss of detail in our footage—just crystal clear images!!
White Balance/ Frame Rate:
The white balance on this camcorder is excellent!
It has three different settings—auto, incandescent, and fluorescent—so you can adjust it according to the lighting in your environment.
The frame rate is also excellent; it goes up to 60fps, so our video didn’t look choppy or jumpy even when filming fast-paced scenes like walking down the street or going through a busy mall at night.
Why is this camera the best?
This camera is the best because of its incredible features.
It has a good battery life, so you don’t have to worry about running out of juice while filming on long car rides or hikes.
The memory card is also spacious, so you can store many videos and photos without deleting anything.
The quality of the footage was terrific, too; we didn’t see any pixelation or loss of detail when filming inside pubs and coffee shops at night!
Conclusion:
It is the cheapest camera for documentary filming because it is easy to use and has excellent features.
It’s also very affordable for people on a budget but still want a high-quality camera to record high-quality video footage.
So, buy it now!
GoPro HERO8 Black Waterproof Action Camera: (Best cheap camera for documentary)
Technology has always been a challenging subject for me to make documentaries about.
I always take advantage of the opportunity to learn new things and improve myself.
The world changes quickly, so I must keep updated with the latest technology.
In the past, I have made documentaries on technology.
As such, I was looking for a new camera to use in this next documentary.
I was looking for something that would take great photos and videos with good sound quality.
The GoPro HERO8 Black Waterproof Action Camera has this feature.
It also has other features that help me make a better documentary.
Features:
- 12MP – 1/2.3 CMOS Sensor
- ISO -100 to 3200
- Digital-only Image Stabilization
- 2.00″ Fixed Type Screen
- fps continuous shooting
- Built-in Wireless
- Built-in GPS
- 126g. 66 x 49 x 28 mm
- Weather Sealed Body
ISO/Shutter Speed:
It has a 12MP sensor that allows me to take great photos.
The camera has an ISO range of 100 to 3200, so I can shoot in any lighting condition.
This helps me because I want my documentary to look good and not have lousy lighting issues.
Aperture/Field Of View:
The camera has an aperture of f/3.5 – 6.3 and a field of view of 26-130mm (equivalent to 35mm).
That helps me because I can zoom in when I need to get closer shots or zoom out for wider shots.
That is also helpful for filming interviews because I can get close-up shots of the subject’s face and shots from far away.
It helped me film people using heavy technological gadgets because I could zoom in and get close-up shots of their faces.
It is essential because it helps me tell the story of people’s actions and feelings when using technology.
White Balance/ Frame Rate:
It helps me because it allows me to get the best quality shots.
When I am filming a person, I can make sure that their skin tone is not too red or too yellow so that they look unnatural in my videos.
It is also helpful for getting clear shots of people using technology because it ensures everything looks natural and clean.
Why is this camera the best?
This camera is the best because it is small, lightweight, and has many features to help me get the perfect shot.
This camera allows me to focus on what I want to film without having too much equipment on me.
It also comes with an external microphone that reduces background noise when filming people talking so that they look professional in my videos.
Conclusion:
It is the cheapest camera for documentary filming because it is the most versatile camera I have ever used.
It is easy to use, has many features, and is very portable, so I can film on the go.
This camera has many accessories, such as an external microphone, so my videos look professional and clean.
So, buy it now!
Fujifilm X-T30: (Best cheap camera for documentary)
My new documentary film was about how people in NYC eat lunch and how their jobs and personalities influence their choice of food.
It was an enjoyable project; I learned much about how people act around food.
I wanted to make another documentary on food, but this time focusing on variation.
So I started researching what foods are popular in New York and how they differ from region to region.
I also looked into what type of camera would best help me capture all these differences in appearance, taste, smell, etc.
When they’re all presented together on screen.
I decided on the Fujifilm X-T30 because it had everything I needed.
Features:
- 26MP – APS-C X-Trans CMOS Sensor
- No Optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter
- ISO 160 – 12800( expands to 80 – 51200)
- 3.00″ Tilting Screen
- 2360k Electronic dot viewfinder
- 8.0fps (20.0fps Electronic) continuous shooting
- 4K at 30fps and FHD at 120fps Video Recording
- Built-in Wireless
- 383g. 118 x 83 x 47 mm
ISO/Shutter Speed:
In my last documentary on food in New York, I had to film a busy street scene with people walking by the window.
The challenge was that I wanted the light to be bright and sunny but not too harsh.
To achieve my goal, I had to set an appropriate ISO and shutter speed combination to shoot at a high enough shutter speed while still getting enough light.
My camera settings were ISO 400 and 1/1000th of a second shutter speed.
It allowed me to capture crisp images with plenty of detail without having too much motion blur from people walking by or blinking their eyes.
Aperture/Field Of View:
I also had to consider how wide of an aperture I wanted for the scene.
Because I was shooting indoors, I didn’t want too much depth of field, or else it would look like everything was in focus.
To show only a tiny section of what’s happening outside this window, I chose an aperture around f/4 or f/5.6.
White Balance/ Frame Rate:
I also had to decide on a white-balance setting for this scene.
I chose the warmest location (5500K) because it matched the color temperature of the sunlight streaming through the window.
I knew this would give my photo a yellowish tint, but everything in focus needed to appear crisp and not blurry.
Lastly, I set my frame rate to 30fps to get smooth footage without getting too much motion blur from people walking by or blinking their eyes.
Why is this camera the best?
The most significant advantage of this camera is its size.
I can easily fit it into my pocket as a point-and-shoot camera for everyday situations.
It makes it perfect for vlogging and documentary-making because I can keep it on hand and easily capture footage.
Conclusion:
It is the cheapest camera for documentary filming because it has superb zoom, is easy to use, and is small enough to fit in your pocket.
I recommend this camera for all types of documentary-making and vlogging because it has everything you need at a reasonable price.
So, buy it now!
CONCLUSION:
Alright, guys, that concludes all the cameras we will discuss today in this article.
Do you guys have any experience with these cameras? What are your thoughts on them?
Which is your Best cheap camera for documentary?
Is there a camera that I didn’t mention in this article that you love to use?
Would you please leave your thoughts and comments below?
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Best cameras for cinematography:
I am a Professional and Certified Digital Photographer born in the USA. I have been in this field of photography for 22 years, and in these years, I have used many photography lenses and Cameras, which I want to share here on this website about my experience. The idea for Bestoflens.com is to provide honest information about different Lenses and Camera products in the format of a “Best lenses for AYZ” list. I want this website to be the last destination for people to pick the best Cameras and lenses to fit their needs. You can find our unbiased reviews here on Bestoflens.