If you want a multipurpose camera capable of taking amazing photographs and also able to record impressive 8K video footage, you are in the right place. As a nature photographer, I appreciate a camera that performs well in a broad range of situations—from photographing wildlife to recording YouTube tutorials. Here is everything you need to know about choosing one of the best 8K cameras for your workload.
Best Features of 8K Cameras
For this article, we will be focusing on the features necessary for a camera to produce a great 8K video. When it comes to making a decision, consider all arguments and choose a camera that matches workflow and artistic style.
8K Video Specifications
8K cameras offer certain frame rates and resolutions for their video options. For example, a camera may offer 8K filming at 30fps, 10-bit, and 4K at 60fps,12-bit. Digital zooming and other features may also be available just for 4K filming. When you read the specifications list, look for what the 8K option has to offer.
Continuously Recording Time
Recording 8K video footage generates a lot of heat and forces the camera to stop after a while. Each 8K camera features a continuous recording time—meaning how long you can film in 8K without interruption. If you are filming long scenes (e.g., YouTube tutorials, interviews, events, etc.), this feature is essential.
RAW Recording
RAW recording means exquisite details and plenty of room for video editing. It also means a lot of data being stored internally (on the memory card) or externally. Not all 8K cameras do this for 8K recordings. Now, if you need professional video quality and high resolutions, go for 8K cameras that support RAW recording.
Autofocus Performance
Autofocus is always important for recording video footage. It allows you to follow your subject smoothly and effortlessly, especially when filming fast-paced action. See how far the autofocus system can go when filming with 8K cameras. Considering speed, screen coverage, automatic detection and tracking, and user options.
Lens Range
No photographer or filmmaker will ever be satisfied with one lens. Choose a camera for which you can find a wide range of lenses, from prime to zoom, wide-angle, telephoto, and macro. It’s more sustainable to have a camera that fits many lenses than to buy a new camera to have access to a certain lens, for instance.
Price
An 8K camera can be an investment but ensure it fits your artistic purpose and certainly your budget. Choose the camera that allows you to have an efficient workflow and produce the video recordings you want whilst used at its maximum capacity. There’s no point in having an expensive camera with features you barely use.
Best 8K Cameras
RED V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV Cinema Camera
Why We Chose This Camera:
The RED V-RAPTOR [X] DSMC3 is the first large-format global shutter camera with plenty of versatility offering multi-format capture in 8K VV.
Camera Details:
- Sensor: 8K VV 35.4MP Global Shutter CMOS Sensor
- Resolution: 8K 17:9 at 120 fps & 8K 2.4:1 at 150 fps, 4K at 240fps
- Codecs: 16bit REDCODE RAW and/or ProRes
- Lens Mount: Canon RF Mount
The V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV DSMC3 cinema camera is a lightweight hybrid option that combines features from its predecessor alongside the advanced global shutter technology of the KOMODO. For a large format camera, it’s the first system that won’t cause any warping, otherwise known as the Jello effect, due to a rolling shutter. Integrated is a Canon RF lens mount, 2x 12G-SDI ports, and a CFexpress Type B media slot for recording up to 800 MB/s of video up to 8K 120p. And gives you the ability to do timelapse, speed-ramping, and capture ultra-high-quality stills.
An upgrade in the audio technology leveled up this model adding in newly engineered audio hardware. What this provides is more precise audio when connecting external microphones. Also in this model, we get in-camera processing and an on-sensor enhanced phase to detect autofocus, while also included is an all-new face-detection feature preventing you from focusing on your surroundings and exposing faces in the frame. With 4K and HD SDI monitoring capabilities, it ensures high-quality footage. Additionally, it offers discreet LUT management, allowing for precise color grading and customization.
Another mention worth including is the 17+ stops of dynamic range it comes with providing excellent low-light performance and now incorporated in this lineup, is the RED Global Vision. A suite of tools that uses global shutter and can provide ease in a production setting. One of these tools is the extended highlights mode that when adjusted in settings, can provide more detail for HDR finishes or softer highlights for SDR. RED Global Vision has also added the Phantom Track used for optimizing virtual production setups with GhostFrame TM or Frame Mapping.
Sony VENICE 2 8K Digital Motion Picture Camera
Why We Chose This Camera:
The Sony Venice 2 with 16-stop dynamic range and X-OCN Internal Recording onto a high-speed ASX card is a great option for any DP or camera assistant looking for an upgrade.
Camera Details:
- Sensor: Interchangeable 8.6K Full Frame CMOS Sensor
- Codecs: X-OCN and 4K ProRes 4444/422HQ Internal Recording
- Lens Mount: PL and Sony E Mounts
The Sony Venice 2 is a Full Frame cinema camera worth looking into if you are a cinematographer or an operator. Equipped with two AXS card slots, the Venice 2 can capture X-OCN and 4K ProRes 4444, both 17:9 and 16:9 internally. It also has the option of interchangeable 8.6K or 6K image sensors, with 16 or 15+ stops of latitude and color rendition, giving the user incredible images straight out of the camera with minimal noise.
Another beauty of this cinema camera is its dual range ISO setting, offering base settings of 800 and 3200, ensuring excellent image quality in various lighting conditions. And looking at the high dynamic range, it can capture an extensive range of colors and intricate details. Thus a camera that was reduced in size and weight compared to its previous version, this camera pushes the limits when it comes to its image quality and grading in post.
Lastly, one newly included quality is a Zoom to Fit Monitoring feature permitting you to crop and adjust the viewing outputs (VF/SDI/HDMI) depending on your preferred aspect ratio. All while recording the Full Frame of the sensor for VFX and potential post-production reframing.
Fujifilm X-H2 Mirrorless Digital Camera
Why We Chose This Camera
The Fujifilm X-H2 is an affordable, multipurpose 8K camera that fits almost anyone’s requirements.
Camera Details:
- Sensor: X-Trans5 BSI Imaging Sensor
- Resolution: 40MP
- Lens Mount: Fujifilm X Mount
The Fujifilm X-H2 offers 8K video at 30fps and records 10-bit 4:2:2 ProRes footage internally. Although it can’t record RAW footage internally, the camera provides 12-bit RAW recordings via the Type A HDMI socket. It can film continuously for up to 160 minutes. If you need to film longer than that, you can use the X-H2 clip-on fan and extend your time up to 240 minutes.
A broad range of film simulation modes will help you produce exquisite video footage without post-processing. You can choose from realistic, colorful modes or nostalgic black-and-white ones. The X-H2 is great for beginning your journey in photography and filmmaking and experimenting with different techniques and styles.
The camera is lightweight and portable and features a wide dynamic range, improved autofocus, and in-body image stabilization systems. You can also add the optional VFT-XH File Transmitter to control up to four cameras (with VFT-XH battery grips attached) simultaneously and create the perfect setup for live streaming. The battery life for 8K videos is up to 100 minutes.
Canon EOS R5 C Mirrorless Digital Cinema Camera Body
Why We Chose This Camera:
The Canon EOS R5 is often the only camera a photographer or filmmaker needs, providing all the required professional features and versatility.
Camera Details:
- Sensor: CMOS sensor
- Resolution: 45MP
- Lens Mount: Canon RF Mount
EOS R5 C is not just fulfilling your 8K video requirements; it makes you want to record 8K videos even if you’ve never done it before. It provides 8K video 10-bit 4:2:2 recording at 60fps, internal and external RAW recording, and virtual limitless 8K shooting thanks to its built-in cooling fan. The camera features two memory card slots, the CFexpress Type B card slot, and the SD Card Type UHS-II slot, to let you record as much footage as possible. It also supports HDR recording in Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) and Perceptual Quantization (PQ) formats for maximized color accuracy and dynamic range.
The autofocus system features 1,053 Automatic AF zones and can detect and track people, faces, eyes, animals, birds, and vehicles. The image stabilization system is also better than in previous Canon versions. Overall, EOS R5 C is a great hybrid camera that satisfies photographers and videographers, amateurs and professionals, artists and journalists.
Sony Alpha a7R V Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
Why We Chose This Camera:
The Sony a7R V boosts its autofocus system with real-time recognition based on deep learning AI algorithms.
Camera Details:
- Sensor: Exmor R CMOS sensor
- Resolution: 61MP
- Lens Mount: Sony E Mount
With an impressive 61MP full-frame sensor and Sony’s latest BIONZ XR image processing engine, the a7R V provides all the versatility you need to go from taking breathtaking photographs to recording video footage. Its best feature is the autofocus system that embraces deep learning technology. Providing real-time recognition and tracking with fast performance over a wide area. The camera recognizes people, animals, birds, insects, cars, trains, and airplanes.
The a7R V provides 8K video 10-bit 4:2:0 recording at 24/25fps, producing video footage at a 7680 x 4320 resolution. It features image stabilization with an 8-stop compensation effect and 15 stops of dynamic range. In addition, the a7R V includes a four-axis multi-angle LCD monitor, two CFexpress Type A/SDXC media slots, and a 9.44-million dot electronic viewfinder.
The heat dissipation mechanism was improved to offer extended recording times. Sony also improved the design, making the a7R V more dust and moisture-resistant, durable, and reliable.
Nikon Z 9 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body
Why We Chose This Camera:
The Nikon Z 9 has the most powerful Nikon engine yet, deep learning-based subject detection, and Eye AF tracking.
Camera Details:
- Sensor: CMOS sensor
- Resolution: 45.7MP
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z Mount
Videographers and filmmakers will appreciate the Nikon Z 9’s 8K 10-bit 4:2:2 video recording at 30fps with a continuous recording time of up to 125 minutes. The camera provides both internal and external 12-bit RAW video capturing, 20 custom wide focus area modes, and a professional focus and tracking system with autofocus refresh rates up to 120 cycles per second.
The full-frame 45.7MP sensor and the Expeed 7 processor offer ultra-fast burst shooting and AF speed, an improved buffer capacity, and support for filming sports and fast-moving wildlife. In addition, Z 9 automatically recognizes people, animals, birds, cars, bicycles, motorcycles, trains, and airplanes. The new firmware added Auto Capture mode, both for photos and videos, which triggers the camera whenever motion is detected.
The Z9 benefits from a broad range of Z lenses from Nikon and, with the FTZ adaptor, Nikon’s F lenses also. It’s hardly a camera for which you can’t find the right lens.
Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera
Why We Chose This Camera:
The Sony Alpha 1 is Sony’s flagship camera—and they didn’t make any compromise in building it.
Camera Details:
- Sensor: Exmor RS CMOS sensor with integral memory
- Resolution: 50.1MP
- Lens Mount: Sony E Mount
The Sony Alpha 1 provides internal 8K video 10-bit 4:2:0 recording at 30fps and unlimited recording. It features the BIONZ XR image processing engine, which is 8x faster than previous models, and the new 50.1MP Exmor RS CMOS sensor for high-resolution photos and videos, improved color accuracy, and up to 15 stops dynamic range. It also has the 9.4 million dot OLED Quad-XGA electronic viewfinder, with a world-first refresh rate of 240 fps and a tilting touchscreen LCD.
The phase-detection autofocus system is fast and efficient, with up to 120 calculations per second and real-time tracking and Eye AF for humans and animals. It features 759 selectable phase-detection points and covers approximately 92% of the image.
Furthermore, the Alpha 1 features built-in five-axis optical image stabilization and the same cinematic looks included in cinema line cameras. You’ll have sharpness, clarity, and natural skin tones instantly.
Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 12K OLPF Camera
Why We Chose This Camera:
The Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K OLPF is not just another 8K camera. It is a 12K camera able to record 80MP per frame in Blackmagic RAW.
Camera Details:
- Sensor: CMOS sensor
- Resolution: 80MP
- Lens Mount: PL Mount
The Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K OLPF has a mini body but a powerful soul. It features 12K video recording at 60fps and 8K video recording at 120fps, a 14-stop dynamic range, a native ISO of 800, RAW recording support, and an interchangeable lens mount that gives you access to PL, EF, and F mount lenses. It also includes DaVinci Resolve Studio software.
In terms of accessories, the Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K OLPF comes well-prepared. Built-in ND filters, dual CFast and UHS-II SD card recorders, a SuperSpeed USB-C expansion port, a microphone, and a speaker will make your life easy.
But its true power stands in its incredible resolution that produces an ultra-wide dynamic range, vibrant colors, and all the detail there is to capture. The Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K OLPF can fulfill any dream, from standard motion films to shooting live-action, working with CGI, or recreating vintage looks.
Conclusion
8K cameras are the perfect hybrid gear for taking photographs and recording videos. If you are a journalist, content creator, photographer with an interest in filmmaking, or filmmaker with an interest in photography, you need reliable and versatile gear to help you out in any scenario. A minimalist gear approach supports your artistic journey without being a burden on your back, budget, or mobility. Choose the proper camera for your workflow and consider 8K cameras.
