A quick guide to choosing the best mirrorless camera for 4K video recording. You can record high-quality videos for YouTube, video blogs in general, or small professional productions.
So, are you looking to make your videos stand out from the rest of the packages in the world now? You have come to the right place. 4K video quality is something our eyes cannot ignore, and it is quite obvious there is a difference compared to other popular video resolutions. However, it is still not the industry standard, especially since a lot of devices cannot fully support resolution for playback, just as many video cameras out there do not offer the resolution of shooting at all (but at least less).
If you’re in the mood to make sure your videos are top-notch and you want to invest in the future, today we’ve decided to help you find the best mirrorless cameras to shoot 4K videos. So, let’s read our reviews and choose the best mirrorless camera for 4K video recording.
Is a camera with 4K video quality worth it?
Is it worth rolling in 4K? We think so. Although the jump from 1080p to 4K is not as obvious as in the SD to HD era, it still has many benefits if you use a 4K video camera.
From now on, standard video playback websites like YouTube only support up to 1080p video quality (unless the person’s unit allows 4K, it will adapt). In our opinion, filming your videos in 4K will now leave room for future growth when 4K video quality becomes the norm. There are also quite a few other benefits to filming in 4K:
- You have more space for image stabilization.
- Better detail is due to the quadruple pixel compared to 1080p.
- Ideal for filmmakers that need versatility since it allows greater flexibility.
- Future compatibility.
- 4K images are obvious to the human eye if you plan to use your camera for photography as well.
How to choose the best 4K mirrorless camera for video recording
Prices
The main factor in determining the best camera for recording 4K videos for you depends on how much money you have saved (or how much you will decide to spend after reading this guide). They are not exactly cheap, and for those that are the most expensive, there is a very large price range that you will have to decide to enter. We try to find the best of the many price points to give you some options.
Camera type
There are some different types of video cameras out there that support 4K HD video resolution. We will try to grab some of each one to give you some options, and below are summaries of each one. Our best video camera guide will mention all of these as well in the near future.
DSLR
There are not many DSLR cameras in 4K movies. However, we found some to give you some options. They are typically the most popular types of cameras for photography and (now) video filming, but they usually only support up to 1080p (hence their lower price than many in the 4K world).
Mirrorless
The most popular type of video camera when it comes to filming videos in 4K. It is a step up from digital SLR cameras and although it continues to rise, they continue to make a name for themselves when it comes to more professional and higher-quality photography and video shooting applications.
Action cameras
They are ideal for sports and other activities that will move a lot, different types of weather, and resistant environments that require a more versatile camera and are smaller (you can use brackets and accessories to place them in different places). Many of these really come with 4K resolution.
Professional Degree
These are cameras that look like TV types and that newscasters use. They typically rest on their shoulders, are a bit larger (legitimately, they have more complex internal systems), and have higher costs than many others. This is when you begin to explore the cinematic aspect of your videos, especially in 4K HD mode.
Camcorder
Some call them old, while we still feel they are useful. They are cameras that were super popular until a decade ago. Fitting in your hand with a strap around your fingers, they may be the perfect solution for you.
Aim and shoot
They are what many associate with a “digital camera”: they are compact, they are ideal for the optical zoom and the autofocus, and they are not as loaded with characteristics and additional specifications as many others. Many only film in 1080p. However, we found some gems that possess our desired 4K to help.
360-degree camera
360 cameras are super cool on the market and have not stood the test of time (we are still seeing if they will be here to stay or not). However, some of them now record in 4K, so we thought that at least we would include it in this list. To summarize, these are the cameras that basically film the entire field of view around you in the panorama, with some giving you the option to then move the video around you.
Additional features
What extra capabilities do you want your camcorder to have? Apart from our main requirement of 4K HD quality, some have higher-quality image processors, autofocus systems, compact sizes, interchangeable lenses, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, low sensitivity to light, and much more. We list the highlights of each model to give you an idea of them.
Additional accessories
Do you need additional equipment to accommodate your 4K video camera? Tripods, external microphones, windshields, cases, and much more. Oh, and do not forget about lenses if you plan on grabbing an interchangeable model. Do you have your video editing and production software yet? Factor this into your budget.
The top 7 mirrorless cameras with 4K video recording
The most popular video format now is 4K. If you want to achieve a quality picture, promote your channel, or get the maximum number of subscribers who will appreciate your video, 4K is definitely the right choice for you. Most modern cameras, camcorders, action cameras, and even smartphones are equipped with 4K shooting capability.
We chose the best mirrorless camera for 4K video recording, suitable for creating high-quality videos. Let us know in the comments section if you have any questions or feel that you are missing a recommended camera, and we will keep it in mind.
Fuji X-T2
Over the past four years, a lot of new things have happened in the world of photography. One of the innovations that could attract the most attention is the Fuji X-T2. This camera proved how seriously Fuji began to take video shots. 4K UHD on this camera is created by over-sampling—that is, capturing more details than necessary. Thus, the clarity becomes higher, and the probability of the occurrence of artifacts is lower. Via the HDMI port, you can output 4:2:2 video. All those who have already evaluated the film simulation for photos will be happy to know that it is now available for video.
And of course, the camera is now equipped with a headphone port. With weather protection, the viewfinder’s quick focus will ensure you can shoot great videos in 4K and stylize them to your taste. A separate plus is the retro design of the mirrorless Fuji X-T2.
Pros
- Excellent design
- Vastly improved autofocus
- Fantastic image quality
- X-Trans CMOS sensor
Cons
- Lacks internal stabilization
- Weak battery life
- No touchscreen
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Sony a7S
This is, by far, one of the best 4K video cameras on the market at the moment and is backed by many user reviews on the Internet. It is a mirrorless camera with a 12.2 MP full-frame sensor, interchangeable lenses, and a very wide sensitivity range of ISO 50 to 409600. The internal processing engine is also of very high quality (it has a high BIONZ X speed) and gives immense detail with rich tonal gradations and lower noise.
The uncompressed 4K video resolution goes up to 3840 x 2160 pixels and also has some additional XLR audio inputs for external microphones to capture better-quality audio.
Take the Sony a7S if you have the money; you will not be disappointed with the quality you get, not to mention the relatively affordable price it brings (compared to others in this class).
Pros
- Incredible low-light performance
- New Touch UI
- Fully-articulating touchscreen
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- No 6K or 8K video
- Still images are only 12MP
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7
Here is a very popular Panasonic mirrorless camera for 4K video recording. With 24 options for compact lenses (micro four-thirds), you have some options if you want to customize your clips. It has a 16 MP sensor, low-light support, and an ISO of up to 25600. The design is not necessarily as compact as others, but it is still feasible for most applications that do not involve running with your camera.
You can also record photos in 4K, so if you also wanted a camera that was ideal for photography, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 is nice to grab, as it is quite cheap compared to other heavy hitters in the best category of 4K cameras for video.
Pros
- Excellent handgrip
- Superb EVF
- Responsive touchscreen display
- Electronic shutter enable silent shooting and fast shutter speeds
- 4K video/4K Photo
Cons
- The top plate, dials and buttons have a plasticky feel
- Low-resolution previews in 4K photo mode via the EVF
- APS-C rivals offer a better dynamic range
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Samsung NX500
This is another of the cheapest 4K video cameras here. However, do not let that fool you when it comes to the overall quality of the unit. The NX500 is popular among photo and video enthusiasts on a tight budget, giving us interchangeable lenses, a zoom lens and 16–50mm flash, a 28 MP BSI APS/C sensor, a super-fast autofocus system, a very stable lens, and a conveniently compact design.
The image processor is called “DRIMe Vs,” which is considered one of the best processors of the brand because it provides solid speed, performance, and accuracy for their images and video clips. It is also quite versatile with most conditions you will find yourself filming in. Buy the Samsung NX500 if you do not want to spend an arm and a leg on a 4K video camera.
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Panasonic Lumix GH4
This is a mirrorless camera for 4K video recording (without the mirror) on the Micro 4/3 system. This camera system has a sensor a little smaller than the SLR, but the difference in image quality is minimal in photography and non-existent in video. The most appreciated feature of the GH4 is the ability to record video in 4K format with bit rates in the order of 200 Mbps. The shape, size, and weight are very similar to a medium-small SLR but are very oriented to video recording, and in fact, it is often said that it is a video camera that offers the possibility of taking photos as an extra.
It is surely the best value for money in 4K recording for the semi-professional and professional environment. In addition, it has a very large variety of recording accessories and video professionals love to use this camera.
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Sony A7R II
Sony confidently occupies top seats with its Alpha-free mirrors, regularly raising image standards. Camera The Sony A7R II is the latest in its series of mirrorless cameras with full-frame matrix Exmor K BSI CMOS, whose resolution is 42 megapixels. As for photographers and operators, this camera provides a wide range of possibilities. The only image processor, BIONZ X, is worthy of placing the camera among the best on the market today.
4K video resolution of the 3840×2160 camera shoots at 30 fps. A display with a rotation of 1.228.800 pixels provides comfort when shooting video and self-portraits. Five-axis image stabilization works for both photos and videos. The camera is also equipped with an electronic viewfinder.
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Olympus camera OM-D E-M1 Mark II
Slightly cheaper you will get the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, although it’s still not even close to being a tool for a beginner-student blogger. Like the Panasonic GH4, it can shoot up to 4096×2160 (4K DCI) while still having a steep stabilization system. This is a thing of paramount importance if you record videos more often on the go or on the road than in a quiet environment. But the maximum frames per second for video is only 30. And you cannot fail to mention the display, which can be deployed 180 degrees.
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That’s all for now, friends. These are some of the best mirrorless cameras for 4K video recording. Which one is in the number one position in mirrorless cameras for 4K video recording? That depends on your needs. The truth is that they all work great.