10 Best Camera for Music Videos 2023 Reviews, Updated List Guide

The music industry is growing at a pretty fast pace. In line with this growth is the surging demand for quality video content. Indeed, to get those high views on YouTube, one needs to leave nothing to chance in delivering award-winning music videos. Behind every great video is a great camera.

Indeed, the last thing you want to compromise on is the quality of this all-important gadget. But in a market full of different products and with user reviews being more confusing than ever, arriving at an informed decision isn’t always easy. With a busy filming schedule to put up with, you may not have all the time in the world to toy with different options. And that’s precisely why we exist – to closely observe different cameras and provide you with independent feedback.

Our verdict on the best camera for music videos is that such a camera needs to:

• Deliver great image quality
• Great focus accuracy
• Refined AF system
• Compatibility with lenses

Camera for Music Videos – Comparison

Of course, the list of things to consider goes on and on – and that can easily leave one confused. Fortunately, here’s a quick round-up of the 10 high-quality cameras for video recording to break this down for you.

1. Canon EOS 5D DSLR Camera

The best camera for shooting music videos is one that’s powerful and versatile. Clearly, the Canon EOS 5D fits that description and that’s because of its 7.0 FPS and full-frame CMOS sensor. You can, therefore, bank on this machine to deliver high definition images with every tiny detail captured (thanks to its 30.4-megapixel quality).

Looking to shoot in low light conditions? This one offers you a standard 100-3200 ISO which can always be expanded into 50-102400. This is the kind of flexibility you need to approach delicate tasks with confidence. To top it all up, the Canon EOS 5D comes with a touch-screen LCD monitor which is quite easy and fun to operate.

Pros

• Powerful and versatile
• Fast and accurate sensor
• Expandable ISO
• Friendly LCD screen

Cons

• Its LCD screen cannot be tilted

2. Nikon D500 DSLR DX-Format Camera

A rugged camera that’s capable of delivering great shots is all you’ll ever need when faced with the job of recording HQ videos. The Nikon D500 is a reasonably-priced camera that’s both powerful and rugged.It packs 20.9MP DX-format lenses. This is just as powerful as you’ll ever need to capture those tiny details in demanding conditions. On top of that, this unit comes with enhanced light sensitivity thanks to a standard ISO of ISO51200 which can be further expanded to ISO1640000.

And if you thought Canon EOS 5D was the king with its 7.0FPS, this one is sure to stun you with its 10FPS. A higher FPS means it can record more frames faster and, therefore, capture all those tiny details in better fashion.

Pros

• Ability to record UHD content
• Sleek and beautiful
• Affordably priced
• Small and light
• Used by over 95 million people to-date

Cons

• 20MP megapixel is lower compared to other high-end cameras

3. Canon EOS 60D DSLR Camera

If you’re looking for a cheap camera for music videos, the Canon EOS 60D should not miss out of your bucket list. Designed with the capability to record 1080P, high-definition content through manual controls, this cute camera remains a trusted option for many videographers.

Besides that, it offers a 9-point AF system which helps simplify the recording process when one is operating alone. As you know, a strong AF system comes in handy when one is recording fast-moving objects.To top it all up, the camera boasts wireless flash control. That’s in addition to ISO 100-6400 which can be further expanded into ISO 12800.

This, therefore, means that this camera would still be a perfect bet for shooting videos in dim light.

Pros

• Excellent balance
• Superb quality
• Great pricing
• Easy to operate even when one is recording alone
• Has manual controls for better focus

Cons

• Has an awkward mode dial lock in place

4. Blackmagic Design URSA Digital Mini 4.6K Camera

The Blackmagic Design URSA camera is one of those you go for when you’re looking to take your career to the next level. It’s, therefore, not a surprise to see that it goes for such high price tag. But is the price justifiable?

Well, in our opinion, the answer to this question depends on how you plan to use the camera. We like the fact that it offers a great resolution. Its sensor packs 4608×2592 pixels which, no doubt, would offer a great boost for you.One difference you have to note is that unlike other cameras, this one doesn’t use the usual ISO rating.

Instead, it uses the ASA option. It has three ASA options namely 800, 400, and 200. In our opinion, these options are quite limited and, therefore, this camera may not be the best pick for shooting in low light conditions.

On a positive note, it comes with 2 slots that are fitted with Cfast 2.0 cards which do an incredible job of recording HQ content at fast speeds. And to crown it all up, it offers a 23FPS capacity – clearly, a speed that comes second to none.

Pros

• Incredibly fast speed
• Ideal for recording 4K content
• Easy to use
• Reliable performance

Cons

• Heavy especially when used for long recording sessions

5. Sony Alpha a6000 Digital SLR Camera

Who said you have to break the bank to acquire a high-quality camera that can get the job done? The Sony Alpha a6000 DSLR camera is one of those often underrated cameras that tend to surprise when put to the test.First off, it operates at 11FPS which as you’ll agree with me is one of the fastest recording speeds we’ve come across so far in this review.

Besides that, this tiny camera has a tilting LCD screen and means it’s pretty rugged.Its Viewfinder is yet another stunning feature as its an OLED electronic viewfinder.

Its high resolution is a sure-bet for anyone looking for a better user experience. To top it all up, it comes with ISO 100-25600 which can be expanded to IS51200 for even better light sensitivity.

Pros

• Affordably priced
• Rugged design
• High-resolution capacity
• Expandable ISO for better light sensitivity
• Hybrid autofocus for optimal image quality

Cons

• Tends to overheat when used continuously for 1 or 2 hours

6. Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Looking to save every penny when shopping for the best camera for videos? Perhaps you need to give Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 a try. Its megapixels are reasonably high at 10.1 meaning you can pretty much capture videos that can pass the quality test; any day.In fact, of the 4 LX cameras Panasonic has ever released, this one is the one with the greatest power.

You can even tell when you take a closer look at its metallic body and plenty of external controls.We’d recommend this to anyone who is after an ergonomic camera for daily use. Its fast, native, lens is an added bonus – oh and don’t get us started on the multi-aspect sensor which comes in handy in providing unmatched panoramics.

Pros

• Great, ergonomic design
• Quite advanced in technology
• Superb for small-scale use
• Great autofocus features
• User-friendly
• Cheap

Cons

• May not record great videos in poorly lit conditions

7. Fujifilm X-T2 Digital Camera (Mirrorless)

A good music video recording camera under 1,500 can always offer you a bunch of good features especially if you settle for one like Fujifilm X-T2. Powered by a 24.3MP CMOS sensor, this device does an incredible job of recording high-quality images while eliminating the effect of false colors.

On top of that, this unit is designed to be resilient against external factors such as a change in weather. This is achieved through a 63-point weather sealing design. Its LCD monitor is designed to tilt in addition to featuring an OLED ultra-fast real-time viewfinder with a magnifying ability.

Pros

• Rugged and resilient design
• 11 FPS for enhanced recording speeds
• Ideal as an entry-level camera
• Affordably priced

Cons

• They could have made their UI friendlier

8. Nikon D5200 Digital SLR Camera

This low-priced DSLT camera comes with a 24.1MP lens complete with a CMOS sensor for enhanced performance. This is further complemented by the use of a standard ISO of 100-6400 which can be further expanded to 25,600.

Therefore, you can count on this versatility to capture good images even under low light. The cameras speed is, however, a bit on the lower side as it spots 5FPS. That means it only captures 5 frames per second and that’s quite slow.

Nonetheless, we’re glad to note that it delivers crystal clear, 1080P content – a feat we can attribute to its full-time contrast-detect AF system.

Pros

• High-quality images captured
• Great performance even in low-lit conditions
• Great LCD with 3-inch vari-angle
• Affordably priced

Cons

• Poor battery
• Terrible at recording fast-moving subjects

9. Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Who said that when you go for an under 1,000 budget you have to put up with mediocre speeds and quality? The Canon EOS Rebel T2i is clearly designed to overcome this cliche. First off, it spots an incredibly powerful 18MP system which comes complete with a CMOS sensor.

That’s pretty much all you need to record high-quality images even when the conditions don’t favor such an outcome. And to top it all up, you end up with an ISO of 100-6400 which can be further expanded to 12800 for enhanced shooting quality in dimly lit conditions. This ensures you end up with HD 1920×1080 content which is ideal for any great music video.

Pros

• Lightweight design
• Affordably priced
• Fantastic user experience
• Great final product
• Remarkably good LCD screen
• Ultra-high recording speed at 24FPS

Cons

• Its lens is sold separately
• Cheap, plasticy housing

10. GoPro HERO6 Black

A good life is one that knows no limits. If you’re the YOLO type, the GoPro Hero6 is the dandiest camera you’ll ever find. It’s cute, light in weight, resilient and above all incredibly effective at transmitting content. First off, it comes with a built-in 5GHZ WiFi capability which makes it easy to transfer content to your phone for editing. And don’t let its small size fool you; this tiny machine is capable of recording HD 1080p content a feat we attribute to its remarkable 30FPS and 12MP lens. 

And to crown it all up, this GoPro camera for music videos boasts built-in image stabilization for super smooth footage recording.

Pros

• Super-smooth footage
• Works great whether hand-held or mounted
• Great touch responsiveness
• Enhanced user experience
• Great connectivity to other devices
• Built-in voice command prompts control

Cons

• Not recommended for major, commercial projects
• Unreliable voice controls

Also read: Insights into the 10 Best GoPro Case – In-Depth Reviews

Camera for Music Videos – Buying Guide

The decision on the best camera to settle for should always be based on your needs, future plans, skill level and budgetary limits. But just to give you a good idea on what sets a perfect camera apart, these are the 4 factors to always take into account.

Megapixels (MP)

Avoid going for a camera with low megapixels. The lower the megapixels, the lower the quality of output is likely to get. We’d recommend 20MP and above for music videos.

Frames Per Second (FPS)

A high FPS means more detail and higher quality of content. A 10FPS rating an above would be superb for commercial content.

ISO Rating

Look for a camera with expandable ISO rating. This will help you upgrade accordingly when required to record in low light conditions.

Auto Focus (AF)

This feature comes in handy as it’s a time saver. But it would also be ideal to go for a camera that offers great manual controls as well – these come in handy in attaining the highest possible level of quality possible.

Which One Is The Best?

Our editors unanimously agreed that Nikon D500 DSLR DX-Format Camera would be the best pick out of this list. 

The second runners-up position goes to Blackmagic Design URSA which missed out on the top slot due to its hefty price tag and terrible performance in dimly lit conditions. The third position goes to the budget-friendly Canon EOS Rebel T2i.

Final Words

The jury is out! If you want a high-quality camera, you have to insist on getting the best specs. And as we have seen in this comprehensive review, you don’t always have to fork out a huge chunk of cash to get the best deal. 

So, grab yourself a camera of choice and go ahead to record those high-quality videos like a pro.