2016 welcomed a barrage of new cameras equipped with 4K video recording, and now almost every major camera manufacturer has implemented 4K shooting somewhere in their lines.
Perhaps most impressively, the technology has been successfully stretched over models of all billings. So, whether you’ve only got a few hundred pounds to spend or you're willing to stretch to a handsome four-figure sum, it’s likely you can afford a camera with the technology on board.
Just because two cameras have 4K recording, however, doesn't mean to say they're equal. The use of different sensors and different methods of capture, together with variations in output possibilities, mean two 4K cameras can behave quite differently.
Even something as simple as whether the camera uses the full width of the sensor or applies a crop factor is vital to consider, as this has a significant effect on your effective angle of view. And all of the above is before we even consider supporting features such as headphone sockets, focus peaking, zebra patterning and Log profiles.
To make things simple, we’ve rounded up what we think are the fittest 4K cameras on the market right now, and sum up why they've made the cut.
At the time of the A7S II's review we said it was the best video-shooting stills camera available, and while much has changed in the market we still reckon it’s a compelling option for the videographer. One of its major selling points at launch – internal recording of 4K footage – has since been matched by many others, but it’s the modest pixel count of its sensor that splits it from its rivals. We found its dynamic range to be very high, and consistently better than rivals at higher sensitivities, while noise was also shown to be lower than cameras with more populated chips. It also has the advantage of using the whole sensor width for recording video, and of being able to record to the memory card while outputting 4:2:2 footage to a HDMI recorder, but proves itself to be capable for stills shooting too. Autofocus is generally fast and built-in image stabilisation is a huge bonus, while the body is sturdier than its predecessor’s too. Overall, while it may not be the newest model, its sensor and video specs give it a handful of advantages over its rivals.
Read the full review: Sony Alpha A7S II
It’s hard to know where to start with the GH4. With both DCI 4K and UHD 4K on board, clean 10-bit 4:2:2 output and a huge range of recording formats, not to mention the option to use focus peaking and zebra patterning, and to append time code to footage, it’s a massively flexible tool for video. You can also extract 8MP frames from recording, but one of the main draws for videographers is the camera’s short flange back distance. This allows you to work with a plethora of additional optics via adaptors, including the popular Metabones Speed Booster XL, which widens the effective angle of view and increases the effective aperture. It’s just been superseded by the GH5, which we haven't yet tested – when we do it’s very possible that the GH5 will become our Lumix camera of choice for 4K. If its release pushes down the price of the GH4 , however, it seems likely that this camera will remain a tempting a choice for those on a budget.
Read the full review: Panasonic Lumix GH4
The previous APS-C-based A6000 was a big hit with enthusiast users, and the A6300 built on its success in many ways, not least with the inclusion of 4K video recording. The camera records 6K footage that’s downsampled to 4K for the benefit of quality, and uses the efficient XAVC S codec that has a rate of 100Mbps. This is joined by Log gamma modes, 120fps HD recording (also at 100Mbps) and enhanced zebra patterning to keep an eye on exposure. Our review found video quality to be excellent, with no obvious artefacts and very good sound quality from the on-board microphones too, although you can also attach an external microphone via the 3.5mm port at the camera’s side should you want to boost audio quality. You also benefit from a 425-phase-detect-point focusing system for rapid focus and a 2.36-million-dot OLED viewfinder, together with 11fps burst shooting at full resolution, all inside a dust- and moisture-resistant body. Now that the price has started to fall it would also be a fine choice as an upgrade over previous APS-C-based Sony models.
Read the full review: Sony Alpha A6300
The XC10 is perhaps the least-conventional model on this list, but it’s a viable alternative to the company’s other, pricier, Cinema EOS models. Designed for video but with high-quality stills in mind too, the model blends a 12MP 1-inch CMOS sensor with a 24.1-241mm image-stabilised lens, and packages it in a relatively compact body whose adjustable grip provides excellent flexibility. It records 4K UHD footage at 8-bit 4:2:2 footage internally, and you can call upon the Canon Log option to capture up to 12EV stops of dynamic range. You also get a built-in ND filter, clean HDMI output and focus peaking, and Canon even throws in a loupe so that you can use the rear LCD touchscreen much like an electronic viewfinder. With a smaller sensor than more traditional options, and at a similar price point, it may not be the best option for low-light shooting, but when you consider the zoom lens, form factor and value for money, it scores lots of points. The model was recently superseded by the XC15.
“The best Micro Four Thirds camera yet” was what we concluded from our time testing the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, and video is one area where Olympus has made significant improvements over previous models. Not only do you get 4K capture in both DCI and UHD flavours, you also get clean output over HDMI at 4:2:2, a headphone port for audio monitoring and the benefits of Olympus’s fast Hybrid AF system, which works in conjunction with the touchscreen for even easier subject selection. Whether you’re shooting stills or videos, you also get one of the most effective image stabilisation systems we’ve yet seen, which will please those who expect to be largely using the camera handheld. Other reasons why the camera walked away with a full five stars include its excellent weather-sealing, lifelike EVF, and the capability to fire at 18fps with continuous AF and AE tracking. Those who want to easily achieve a very shallow depth of field may not prefer the smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor over larger-sensor offerings, but with the right lens and technique you can still isolate subjects from their surroundings on such a camera without bother. In any case, while Panasonic may have had a head start with video, the OM-D E-M1 Mark II certainly sets the bar high for a flagship Micro Four Thirds camera.
The long-awaited successor to the D300S arrived last year, and Nikon certainly didn't hold back with the specs. With a fresh 20.7MP sensor, a highly advanced 153-point AF system and 10fps shooting for up to 200 frames supported by features such as a tilting touchscreen and whole suite of connectivity options, the camera made a strong impression against its chief rival, the Canon EOS 7D Mark II . Video-wise, there’s lots to love. The camera is capable of 4K UHD capture at 30p/25p/24p, and while the 1.5x crop factor applied to this (on top of the existing APS-C crop factor) may be seen as a drawback, you could also argue that it’s an advantage on a camera designed with sports and action in mind. Other video features include ports for both microphone and headphone sockets, as well as a Flat Picture Profile, zebra patterning and Power Aperture Control. You can also record at 60fps, but, as is the case on most other 4K models, only in Full HD quality. It’s fairly pricey for an APS-C-based camera, although it currently has the honour of being the cheapest DSLR to offer 4K, so it’s a no-brainer if you want to take advantage of the format without switching to mirrorless.
Read the full review: Nikon D500
The X-T2 was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the past 12 months, and showed just how much more seriously Fujifilm was taking video recording with its X series. Its 4K UHD footage is created by oversampling – i.e. capturing more detail than required – so the output footage ends up with better clarity and less risk of artefacts. You can also output 4:2:2 footage through the camera’s HDMI port (albeit in 8-bit) and access a Log gamma profile while doing so. Users who enjoy using Fujifilm’s Film Simulations modes for stills will no doubt be pleased to know that you can also use these for video, although the inclusion of a headphone port only on the optional grip, together with the 10-minute time limit on 4K footage (at least without the grip), may discourage some. Still, with weather-sealing, a cracking viewfinder and fast focusing, there’s plenty to get excited about. Ultimately, if you want a smart, retro-styled camera that can shoot high-quality stills and detailed 4K footage, it’s hard to think of a more fitting solution.
Read the full review: Fuji X-T2
It might be one of Panasonic’s more junior offerings in its Lumix range of mirrorless cameras, but the Lumix G80 (known as the G85 in the US) has the advantage of being relatively new, and thus kitted out with the latest technology. The Dual IS Mark II system means you benefit from both body and lens image stabilisation, and the former also works to steady unstabilised optics. Footage itself can be recorded at up to 30p, at a bit rate of up to 100Mbps, and you can also call upon zebra patterning and focus peaking to help when recording. Panasonic’s clever Live Cropping feature is also on board, and this allows for professional-looking panning and zooming all in-camera, although this is output at HD quality. One sore point is that there's no headphone port for audio monitoring, although this isn't a glaring oversight when you consider the model’s target market; what’s more key is that there is a microphone port. The fact that the camera ‘only’ has a 16MP sensor is somewhat offset by the fact that it has no optical low-pass filter; we found this recorded excellent details, and with moiré only occasionally visible in footage.
While the RX10 III may not appear to be all that different to the existing RX10 II, it boasts a significantly longer 24-600mm lens alongside its stacked 1-inch type 20.2MP sensor. 4K UHD footage is captured with 1.7x more information than actually required without any pixel binning, before being downsampled to 4K for the sake of quality. This happens at a 100Mbps maximum bit rate, and you can boost the camera up to 960fps for slow-motion footage too. All of this is supported by a clean HDMI output, zebra patterning and both microphone and headphone ports. You also get an S-Log2 gamma profile in addition to the Picture Profiles (which you can adjust), and Sony’s Gamma Display Assist mode to help you get a better idea of what graded footage would look like. Sadly, Sony dropped the ND filter present in the RX10 II for this iteration, which may not please some videographers. Its effective image stabilisation system, sharp lens and DSLR-style handling make it a winner, but at around $1,500 or well over £1,000 it’s not a cheap option, particularly when you consider the 1-inch sensor won't give you the kind of scope you may get from something larger. Still, the cost is reflected to some degree in that excellent lens. For something similar but more affordable, the Panasonic FZ2000 / FZ25000 is also recommended.
Read the full review: Sony Cyber-shot RX10 III
Sony has enjoyed much success with its RX100 line, and its latest RX100 V picks up from where the Mark IV left off. Many of its video specs are shared with the RX10 III, with footage recorded at 1.7x the amount required and subsequently downsampled to 4K. You can record at up to 30fps and take advantage of the stepless control ring around the lens, while supporting functions include an S-Log2 gamma profile, focus peaking, zebra patterning and slow-motion recording. Naturally on such a small camera you don't get ports for microphones or headphones, although the lack of a touchscreen may bother people more. Still, you do get Sony’s excellent hybrid AF system for focusing. Add a built-in ND filter, high-quality EVF, a tilting screen and a super-fast 24fps burst-shooting mode with autofocus and auto-exposure maintained throughout, and it’s amazing that something so powerful can still slip inside your pocket. The price tag is significant, but if it’s beyond your budget there's still the RX100 IV, which manages to offer 4K shooting and plenty of shared technology at a keener price point.
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