Best Camera For Concert Photography
Cameras that perform well in low light and have great autofocus in less time are a great option for concert photography. So before buying a camera what you have to look at is that the camera must have a very good low light ability to shoot at higher ISO settings, the main problem over here is that low light cameras don’t capture crisp and bright frames.
Another biggest problem faced is autofocus, as when you are in a concert you will be dealing with an artist who is performing on stage with full energy who will be roaming around every few seconds, so a camera must have good autofocus in less time when you are looking for concert photography.
Picking up the best camera requires lots of research and you need to be specific about your needs and requirements before searching for the best camera. Whether you are a professional or immature filmmaker or videographer or blogger, you would be using it for special purposes for which you require a camera that should be a video-centric camera with rich features.
Things to consider before purchasing any Concert Photography Camera
A normal lens is fine but they lag very much which needs specific adaptions that can boost the video making, this reduces your time to handle a camera and makes your videography more productive.
When you are out looking for a video camera then quick zooming in and out is necessary and after zooming as well the pictures and videos captured must have a crisp quality.
Most cameras only capture 8bit videos but the videos with 10 bits have high scope for editing later because 8bit videos have some limitations and breakups.
Top 10 Cameras For Concert Photography
Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K
It is an outstanding and specialized camera for professionals with high astonishing specifications, design, ergonomics, and price. This product is an upgrade of the 4k model which used micro third sensors and lens mount.
The camera is there for the visual, and the audio is just a reference. This may be a turn-off for some people, if you are using to using external audio recorders, it’s no big deal, crank up the mic input on the camera and you get a good reference to sync with.
The biggest issue is the white balance. In film mode, if you know what you are doing, it doesn’t matter, with how the camera records, color correcting is like magic. If you don’t know what you are doing with the footage after you shoot, then you will be in trouble.
Pros
Excellent video quality
Prevalent Canon EF mount
Awesome Value Proposition
Cons
No continuous autofocus
No tilting screen
Panasonic Lumix S5
The Lumix S5 is a compact camera with an impressive 24MP CMOS sensor with improved autofocus. Its standout features include dynamic range, 4K recording 96MP high-resolution RAW+JPEG. This camera is best for content creators who are looking for a high spec camera at an affordable price and in a portable way.
Features in Panasonic Lumix S5 are that it has an astonishing 24.2 megapixels of full-frame that comes with the CMOS sensor and the other surprising bit that you can notice in it is that it has a UHD 4K 60 video shooting and it comes with 10B internal recording.
Another very strong point that can promote you towards buying this Panasonic Lumix S5 is that it has a contrast-detect 225 area AFC system and comes with an ISO 100-5 1200 up to 7PS in this camera. Is best if you are looking for any sort of night mode photography or videography and it can sort out your purpose very easily.
Now coming to some more bits and finds that even a 96-megapixel high-resolution shot mode and is capable of shooting ISO 100-5 1200 at the negative range now coming to the physical design of S5 it has been borrowed from the S1 series of camera and footprints by left behind as it is lighter and this increases the portability of the camera so if you are shooting place that you are shooting from this and you are in a crowded place that won’t create any such difficulty.
Pros
Best in class performance
Compact full-frame quality
Dual SD card slot
Cons
Only contrast AF
3. Sony HXR- NX5R
This camera sets the standard of broadcast filming. This camera is a tried and tested camera by many professional filmmakers. The settings menu can only be opened by pressing a button on the left-side bottom below the hinge of the swing-out display, it’s a bit difficult for a full-sized hand’s thumb to reach the keys and come back again. If you are looking for good image stabilization in this camera then you would be disappointed. But it provides a good overall experience.
The main highlight about this camera is that it allows you to select from x-ray VCS 50 MB per second to HD flash recording, this is suitable for documentaries, corporate weddings, events, nature sports and journalism, and the NX5R shows at NTSC broadcasting frames which that ranges from 59.9 to 23.98.
Another very special thing about Sony HXR – NX5R, that it comes with built-in Wi-Fi and FTP wireless connections as well which enable you to send footage from your camera directly to your editor while you are on the location this improves your performance and efficiency there are three 1/2 point 8-3 m4s exam Essentials and a 20x optical zoom Soni lens that comes with it is clear image zoom provide sharpening and clear images the slow and put motion function in this camera enables you to record at night on some selected frame rates and this camera features media card slots that support recording on a memory stick, Pro Duo for SDHC/SDXC media cards.
Pros
3-chips ½.8 Exmor sensors
20x optical zoom
Dual media slots
Cons
It is on the Expensive Side
Heavy Weight
4. JVC GY-HM620
This is the next generation came with that guarantee delivery of great film whether it is for sports, documentaries or anything. This camera features a lightweight user-friendly design and provides the capacity for fast and efficient gathering.
The JVC GY-HM620 also offers you dual media card slots which are very helpful and thus will allow you to record virtually endlessly by swapping out media cards and due to this you can record endlessly, your efficiency will increase directly due to this. Now the camera imaging system consists of three 1/3 inch 12 bit CMOS sensors with 920 x 1080 resolution.
The camera records NTSE broadcasting compatible frames that reads upto 59.94p in AVCHD and this integrates a 23x fusion non-autofocus zoom lens and this also comes with manual focus and the zoom capability is with the built-in 3 position ND Filter.
Pros
Sharp and superior imagery
Supports dual and relay recording
Innovative features
Cons
Doesn’t support 4k recording
Doesn’t support 4k video
5. Nikon Z 7
Nikon Z7 comes up with little short of autofocus reliability and usability something at which Nikon DSLR has long excelled, Z7 gets 45.7 megapixels full-frame CMOS sensors which come with phase detection.
It has inbody 5 Axis image stabilization it helps very stable videos and this can help you out when you are shooting in crowded places the Nikon z7 comes with touch LCD so functions that you want to change while shooting or at any moment can be done very quickly when you get the facility of single XQD card slot.
It comes with 2 HD 4K capture of 2:30 p Nikon Z7 is the best out camera in the market that you can use for specially wedding and other crowded functions like concerts do it 7 comes with 10 with 4 is to 3 is to 2 and long output over HDMI and it gives up to 100 MBPS of 8-bit internal video capture
Pros
UHD 4k video
Sensor-based VR system
Plays well with third party lens
Cons
AWB can be neutral in daylight
No DCI 4K support
6. Canon VIXIA HF G50
The Canon HF G50 replaces the previously released G40 and marks the first VIXIA camera to offer a 4K recording. It has great features which make it stand at the first position in which are Boise performance, image quality, and compact size.
It is now being used by the production houses which makes it a very special product by Canon. It features 20x optical zoom, 5 axis image stabilization, five programmable buttons, 3inch touchscreen display, 4K UHD, dual SD card slots and etc. It has eight blade circular aperture which delivers better defocusing, especially when shooting with points of light in the background.
This camera reports of to UHD 4K 30 3840 X 2160 videos and separately it is available with SD card using the built-in dual SD card slot recording features also includes slow motion fast motion and interval recording in both HD as well as in 4K
The lens features of wide 29.3 angle of view and 20x optical zoom and this allows zooming 627 mm in 4K as well which is a grade level and the five-axis advance image stabilization reduces Shaikh and Zeta special tea at longer focus lens due to this you can record videos and capture photos without blurring them or without making any type of shaky videos due to this function also it includes 1/2 point 3 and UHD 4K CM voice sensor and Digi dv6 image processor for recording up to UHD 4K 30 video
Pros
SDXC flash memory
4K UHD compatible with 20x optical zoom
Cons
Heavy in weight
AWB is not impressive
7. Sony AX700
The Sony AX700 is a rock-solid pro-summer grade 4k Video Cameras that will serve the advanced amateur and professional alike. You can use them on many professional video projects and the sequences from the AX700 are virtually the same with a tiny visual cinematic edge going to the AX700.
What is the best about FDR-AX700 is the faster focus in low-light, low-contrast situations more focus points, Swappable SD Cards which allows for extended video recording while replacing cards. Never run out of memory, menu navigation while looking through the viewfinder (not possible with the AX100), work without your glasses, rear-mounted HDMI connection… facilitates running the HDMI cable from the camera to monitor in stabilizing rig. It also has a high-resolution tiltable screen with super capabilities of the high frame and slow frame video resolution.
Sony AX700 allows 4K and HD are recordings and it’s easy to use camcorder format using the HLG format HD are highly dynamic range images can be recorded and process for playback on HDR screens as well the 4K recording has made focusing more difficult, missed focus becomes exponentially more obvious when increase in resolution over HD so if you are focusing for women in at 4K can create an issue for you so it’s not too friendly for concert photographers if you are standing far away from your object especially in-crowd.
The proxy recording is a way by which you can speed up your editing and deliver your projects quickly. With this options of proxy recording, this lowers the resolution proxy files and captures alongside a full resolution of 4K videos for sharing and online collaboration and this efficient editing on underpowered computers as well when you are ready with your editing simply you can substitute proxy files with the full resolution once to finalize your videos this can help you to get your output soon.
Pros
Excellent high resolution
High Frame Rate Slow
Cons
Complex menu
Some software issues
8. Canon XC10
This best if you take this camera for what it is instead of comparing it to a DSLR or more advanced Cinema Camera. The camera is straightforward to use, has some clean basic features allowing ease of use.
This camera will serve as a travel camera with a 24-240mm lens, some great internal codecs, along some familiar functions. C-Log, 4K in 205/305 Mbps, HD 1080p60, 720p. 12MP stills in jpg, nice for sharing. The handling is easy and feels cool, yet handheld you can pull off steady shots, pans, and zooms. The full manual is mostly menu-driven, however, if you spend 30 minutes going through the camera. The LCD screen and viewfinder are a pleasure to use, bright in daylight if needed. Form factor, the rotating handle is agile and I tend to lean it forward to relieve stress on the wrist.
Pros
Excellent battery life
Easy to use
Cons
Doesn’t have an XLR input
9. Sony FDR AX100
The AX100 has an integrated autofocus system that works by contrast so it will work best when the light conditions introduce contrasts in the scene such as immediately after the rain, sunsets, light shows/fireworks at dusk, etc.
The lower the contrast, the lower its capacity to obtain tack-sharp autofocus, shots with the AX100 at dusk, for example, will usually require manual focus. The same thing happens for autofocus too, it tracks better objects with better contrast. Also at night autofocus will set on those lights or illuminated areas that give the best contrast.
The LCD screen can be too small while comparing it with its rival cameras. The camera can be operated in full auto, semi-auto and manual. Recording video in low light produces acceptable results. The camera is built for low-light recording and does a very good job. The camera also integrates a neutral density filter for bright environments with 3 settings that can be operated automatically or manually. Setting up the camera could be a problem sometimes, especially to fine-tune the shot. Many adjustment tools are hidden behind different menu layers. The manual buttons, although very useful, require to rotate a small dial that gives a lot of precision, but is very slow.
The camera lens is Zeiss and sports a 62mm thread that accepts a large variety of filters, threaded converters, telephotos, especially and macro lenses. The main lens is not interchangeable.
Pros
Low light compatibility
Easy to use
Have wifi and NFC.
Cons
Needs to be updated
10. JVC GY HM170
The GY-HM170 is a high-end consumer camcorder with many professional features. It can record excellent video in UHD, has a 12X zoom lens, and, through its attached handle, provides inputs and power for XLR microphones. Feature for feature, it is far less expensive than its competitors.
This camera is fully packed. It has a mind-blowing performance and it records in 4k. With this JVC aims to make 4K recording accessible to a very wide group. It has a ½.3-inch 12.4-megapixel CMOS sensor, 29.5-354mm lens (f/1.2-3.5), 12x optical zoom, 4K UHD 24p at 150 Mbps, FHD 60p, 3.5-inch angle touchscreen LCD, image stabilization, nine custom buttons, two-stop neutral density filter, dual SD cards, dual XLR connectors via detachable handle, microphone input and headphone input. This is one of the few camcorders that shoot 8-bit 4:2:2 internally.
It also supports live 4k output via HDMI and low-resolution web-friendly files too. These files can be quickly transferred from a smartphone or PC and could be edited immediately via iMovie or any other production software.
Pros
Built-in Neutral Density filters
Zooming is very smooth
Cons
Battery life is not very good
11. Panasonic HC-X1000
The Panasonic HC-X1000 4K DCI, Ultra HD, Full HD Camcorder can help ease your transition or allow you to jump right into 4K. The camera shoots and records cinema 4K at a true 24p, and UHD at broadcast compatible frame rates, so it fits smoothly into your existing broadcast workflow.
Video quality is excellent, especially in FHD 1080p. This camera captures exclusively at 4K UHD then subsamples down to create a 1080p video, with that the field of view is unchanged, and the noise experienced in 1080p is almost nonexistent. It shoots Cinema 4K UHD at 24p and standard 4K at 60p at an impressive bitrate of up to 150 Mbps. Battery life is remarkable, roughly four and a half hours of continuous recording time.
The X1000 supports a multitude of professional-level features that set it apart from the contenders on this list. Namely, triple manual lens rings to control zoom, focus, and iris as well as a full-sized HDMI port and dual XLR inputs to handle pro-level high-performance microphones. Another unique feature is the in-camera 4K video editing feature, which allows users to perform full pans, tilts, zooms, and stabilization in-camera while maintaining HD. picture quality. The tiltable LCD monitor makes it very easy to Handel the camera and shoot easily and helps it making as natural as it can make.
Pros
SD Flash Memory
Bigger LCD screen
Easy to handle low-resolution
Cons
Complicated settings
Hard to set up
FAQ :-
Que 1) Many people are confused while purchasing a camera for concert photography?
The very simple solution for this is to look into your needs and requirements if you need a camera for concert photography and your role is to make videos in short distances then choose your camera according to the best specs available for short distance camera videos and if you have to mostly shoot from the crowd or from far away distances for the performer on the concert then you should focus upon buying a camera that has good video stabilization that has the good zoom in and zoom out and can focus easily from far away as well basically you have to buy a camera according to your needs and requirements and your needs and requirements will be specified when you are clear with the type of work that you will be taking with that camera.
Que 2) Will the focus and image quality degrades if shooting from far with zoomed in?
Yes, zooming does reduce your picture quality because it operates by cropping the image this structure this textures are a smaller number of pixels and results in lower resolution than with an optical zoom feature which maintains a higher number of pixels and a higher overall resolution so before buying and camera if you have any requirement for zooming in a lot of times Then look for a camera that has optical resolution so that by zooming and your photos don’t get degraded in terms quality.
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