2016’s Best Mirrorless Cameras for Video Production

With affordability and versatility in mind, we’ve scoured the market for 2016’s best mirrorless cameras for video production.

Top image via Shutterstock

Much like the DSLR boom of the mid-2000s, filmmakers and videographers are flocking to the latest mirrorless cameras for video production. It’s easy to see why — these camera are affordable and can capture stunning footage in 4K. Here are the most popular mirrorless cameras for video production.

Sony a7R II

The Sony a7R II is a powerful all-purpose (photo and video) camera. If you’re looking for a real beast of a mirrorless camera, this is the one. The Sony a7R II is not just one of the best mirrorless cameras, but really one of the best overall cameras on the market.

Here’s some a7R II footage from darwinfish105.

Sony a7R II Specs:

• 42MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
• Sony E-mount
• Internal UHD 4K Video & S-Log2 Gamma
• NTSC/PAL video recording up to 29 minutes and 59 seconds
  • 4K up to 30fps
  • 1080p up to 60fps
• Max ISO 102,400
• 5-Axis SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization
• 3.0˝ LCD monitor
• Built-in Wi-Fi Connectivity

The Sony a7R II is available for $3199.

Alternative: You can also consider the Sony a7S II which is very similar at a lower price point — $2999.

The Sony a7S II is more extreme in low light, with a max ISO of 409,600. It also captures 4K up to 30fps and 1080p up to 120fps. So it’s better for slo-mo. Here’s our full review of the a7S II.

Fujifilm X-T2

In July of 2016, Fujifilm announced the X-T2 — the update to the very popular X-T1 — and the company’s first foray into capturing 4K video. It’s not the best video camera on this list, but it’s well worth the mention.

Here’s a look at some X-T2 footage from Fujifilm.

Fujifilm X-T2 Specs: 

• 24.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS III Sensor
• X-mount
• NTSC/PAL video capture up to 30 minutes
  • 4K at 30fps, 25fps, 24fps
  • 1080p at 60fps, 50fps, 30fps, 25fps, 24fps
  • 720p at 60fps, 50fps, 30fps, 25fps, 24fps
• 325-Point Intelligent Hybrid AF System
• 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot 3-Way Tilting LCD Screen
• Built-in Wi-Fi Connectivity
• Max ISO 51200
• Film Simulation and Grain Effect Mode

The Fujifilm X-T2 starts at $1,599 USD. Check out our Fujifilm X-T2 buying guide here.

Panasonic Lumix GH4

The Panasonic Lumix GH4 is certainly one of the most popular mirrorless cameras used by video producers. It’s a solid camera. It’s successor, the GH5, was recently announced for a mid-2017 release — so if you can wait to buy, there will most likely be a price drop coming soon.

Here’s a look at some GH4 footage from Panasonic Lumix.

Panasonic GH4 Specs:

• Micro Four Thirds
• 2x Crop Factor
• Video capture up to 220 minutes
  • 4K (4096 x 2160) up to 24fps
  • UHD (3840 x 2160) up to 30fps
  • 1080p up to 60fps
• 3˝ Touchscreen swivel OLED display
• Max ISO 25600

The MSRP for the GH4 is $1,499, but you can certainly find the camera around $1,200.

Sony a6500

The Sony a6500 is one of the newest cameras on this list. With its compact size, it’s great for shooters on the go — or it works great as a B-cam or action camera on set. It’s very easy to set and let it roll for 30 minutes straight.

Here’s a look at some footage from Sony.

Sony a6500 Specs:

• 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS Sensor
• 1.5x crop factor
• Sony E-mount
• NTSC/PAL video recording up to 29 minutes and 59 seconds
• Internal UHD 4K Video & S-Log3 Gamma
  • 4K up to 30fps
  • 1080p up to 120fps
• 3.0˝ tilting touchscreen LCD
• Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC
• Max ISO 51200

The Sony a6500 starts at $1,399.

Alternative: The previous Sony a6300 has dropped to $999. The camera also captures NTSC/PAL footage at 4K, up to 30fps and 1080p up to 120fps.

Panasonic Lumix G85 (G80/G81/G8)

The Panasonic Lumix G85 is the other new camera on this list. Depending on the market you’re in, the camera may also be called the G80, G81 or G8. The camera boasts a 16MP Micro Four Thirds sensor with 5-axis in-camera image stabilization. It’s not officially called the successor to the G7 — but this camera pretty much is.

Here’s a look at the G80/G81/G85 footage from Panasonic Lumix.

Panasonic G85 Specs:

• Micro Four Thirds
• 2x Crop Factor
• NTSC video recording
  • 4K up to 30fps
  • 1080p up to 60fps
• 16MP Live MOS Sensor
• 3.0˝ swivel LCD touchscreen
• Built-in Wi-Fi Connectivity
• Max ISO 25600

The Panasonic Lumix G85 starts at $899.

What did we miss? What’s your go-to mirrorless camera? Share your opinions in the comments below.