{"id":79487,"date":"2016-08-10T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-08-10T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=79487"},"modified":"2016-09-13T13:55:32","modified_gmt":"2016-09-13T18:55:32","slug":"the-difference-between-1k-and-10k-cameras","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/the-difference-between-1k-and-10k-cameras\/","title":{"rendered":"The Difference Between $1K and $10K Cameras"},"content":{"rendered":"

How do the dollars and cents compare with dynamic ranges and sensor sizes? Let’s examine the differences between $1,000 DSLRs and their higher-end $10,000 counterparts.<\/h2>\n

Cover image via Stamos SA<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

After I graduated film school, I got a job with a small production company<\/strong> and was able to save up enough to buy my first camera<\/strong>. I bought a (used, obviously) Canon 7D<\/a> from a kid in my class who was looking to upgrade to a 4k camera<\/strong>. He gave me the 7D, a couple of lenses, batteries, charger, viewfinder<\/strong> and some ND filters<\/strong> all for $1,000.<\/p>\n

To me, it was a great deal and allowed me to start shooting my own projects and learn how to get the most out of DSLRs<\/strong>. For him, it was a necessary transaction to help him upgrade to a new camera and build-out that was looking to ultimately cost him over\u00a0$10,000<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

It’s now been a good four years and I can’t rave enough about how well the Canon 7D has served me<\/strong>. We’ve been on hundreds of shoots<\/strong>, in all types of conditions, dropped and scraped and rained on and it’s never failed. Furthermore, I’ve never had a client or producer fault its sensor size or lack of 4k capabilities<\/strong>. The few times 4k\u00a0has been needed,<\/strong> a higher-end camera was either able to be provided or rented.<\/p>\n

However, I’ve recently found myself more and more drawn to several of the attractive new offerings<\/a> from Canon<\/a>, Sony<\/a>, BlackMagic<\/a> and RED<\/a> (along with the price drops associated with their second youngest generations). As contributor Lewis McGregor so beautifully\u00a0detailed his side of the 4k investment experience<\/a>, I’d like to share my research into what really differentiates the $1,000 cameras from the $10,000 ones<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Greater Dynamic Range Makes Cinematic Shots Possible<\/h3>\n

The higher-end cameras can often offer several more stops of dynamic range<\/strong>. This latitude<\/strong> allows shot compositions that the cheaper cameras just can’t possibly perform. For example, indoor shots that have bright windows are now possible without too many problems<\/strong>. Here’s a breakdown of dynamic ranges<\/strong> with some varying levels of cameras.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Low-Light Performance Solves Lighting Problems<\/h3>\n

With a lower-grade DSLR, lighting is a constant concern<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 but not in a good way. There is always a struggle to make sure you have enough of it. Often you don’t, so you need to spend either a good deal of time getting creative<\/strong> with what you have available, or with boosting exposure in post.<\/strong><\/p>\n

With a higher-end camera, low light is not always a hinderance<\/strong>. In fact, with a wide enough latitude, shooting in low-light situations can really be explored and utilized to help set mood and tell a story<\/strong>. Here’s a good breakdown video by James Drake<\/strong>.<\/p>\n