Three Sony Cinema Camera Options for Any Budget
- The Best Sony Cinema Camera for Around $2,000
- The Best Sony Cinema Camera Between $3,000 - $4,000
- The Best Sony Cinema Camera Over $4,500
- Final Thoughts on Used Sony Cinema Cameras
- Camera Type: Cinema Camera
- Sensor: Super35 CMOS sensor
- ISO: 640 - 25,600
- Lens Mount: Sony E Mount
- Video: 4K/60p & 1080p/120p
- Size/Weight: 111.3 x 128.7 x 172.4 mm / 830 grams
- Autofocus: Yes
- Microphone/Headphone port: Yes/yes
- Stabilization: No (stabilized lenses are available)
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Camera Type: Cinema Camera
- Sensor: 8.9MP Super35 CMOS sensor
- Native ISO: 2000
- Lens Mount: Sony FZ Mount
- Video: 2K/60p & 1080p/60p
- Size/Weight: 151 x 189.7 x 210 mm / 2200 grams
- Autofocus: Yes
- Microphone/Headphone port: Yes/yes
- Stabilization: No (stabilized lenses are available)
- Touchscreen: No
- Which Canon Video Camera is Best for Your Needs and Budget
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- Camera Type: Cinema Camera
- Sensor: 8.9MP Super35 CMOS sensor
- Native ISO: 1250
- Lens Mount: Sony FZ Mount
- Video: 4K/60p, 2K/60p & 1080p/60p
- Size/Weight: 130 x 125 x 191 mm / 2200 grams
- Autofocus: Yes
- Microphone/Headphone port: Yes/yes
- Stabilization: No (stabilized lenses are available)
- Touchscreen: No
- Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
- Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 4.6K - Canon EF Fit
- DJI Ronin 4D-6K
- Panasonic Varicam Super 35
- RED Weapon 8K Helium Kit
- Canon Cinema EOS C500 II
Photo by ipopba via iStock
Sony has long been one of the signature camera manufacturers in the world, and their lineup of high-end cinema cameras is absolutely amazing. With that said, if you like to shoot video content and are looking for a new camera, you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we share three Sony cinema camera options for any budget. So, whether you are a beginner saving up for your first proper video camera, or a professional looking to upgrade your current one, this article has something for you. Moreover, thanks to innovative online platforms like MPB, buying a used Sony cinema camera has never been cheaper and easier.
MPB is a trustworthy and reliable online platform selling used photo and video kit at unbeatable prices. All their cameras are carefully hand-inspected by knowledgeable product specialists and backed by a six-month warranty, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.
We have bought, sold, and traded in countless photography gear throughout the years using MPB's one-of-a-kind online marketplace and have always been blown away by the results. That’s why we are stoked to recommend them to you here today.
Ok, what are we waiting for? Let’s dive in and learn which Sony cinema camera will help take your videography or film career to the next level!
Table of Contents
The Best Sony Cinema Camera for Around $2,000
If you are on a budget, the top Sony cinema camera is the Sony PXW-FS5 II. It debuted in 2018 and immediately became one of the most popular compact camcorders on the market. It can record 4K/30p and 1080p/120p internally and 4K/120 and 1080p/240p externally.
Our favorite spec of the PXW-FS5 II is the upgraded color algorithm. It uses the same advanced color science as the flagship Sony Venice, making colors look softer and more natural (especially skin tones). Another cool feature is the “Instant HDR” mode. It all but eliminates the need to color-correct footage and is ideal for live streaming.
Other highlights of this camera include an easy-to-use mechanical ND filter wheel, a digital zoom, and two SD card slots. The zoom is particularly interesting because it can enlarge 1080p footage by up to 200% and 4K footage by up to 150%, even when using fixed prime lenses.
Here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of this amazing Sony 4K cinema camera:
The Best Sony Cinema Camera Between $3,000 - $4,000
For people who are willing to expand their budget a bit, an excellent Sony cinema camera is the Sony PMW-F5 Kit. It was released in 2012 and was recently discontinued by Sony in 2021. However, don’t let that scare you away. It’s an incredible cinema camera that still has tons of value in 2023, and its price has never been lower!
At its core rests a powerful 8.9-megapixel Super35 image sensor capable of recording internal 2K video and external 4K video. One important thing to note is that you must have the AXS-R5 recorder (sold separately) to record 4K footage. Also, the PMW-F5 boasts Sony’s XAVC codec and professional video profiles like S-Log.
The camera’s 14 stops of dynamic range, long-lasting battery, and the PL Mount lens adapter are a few more impressive features. The wide dynamic range is ideal for editing, the battery life gives you more freedom in the field, and the lens adapter lets you use cinema lenses from companies like Canon, Leica, Zeiss, and more.
Here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of this amazing Sony 4K cinema camera:
Learn More:
The Best Sony Cinema Camera Over $4,500
Last but not least, if you are a professional, one of the best Sony cinema cameras is the Sony PMW-F55 CineAlta 4K Kit. It is one of the few cameras on the short list of Netflix-approved devices and is a go-to choice of many television networks, Hollywood studios, and streaming platforms.
It shares the same high-resolution sensor and many other video specs as the Sony PMW-F5, but one big difference is that the F55 records 4K internally. Another key difference is the inclusion of a global shutter which eliminates rolling shutter distortion and motion skew.
Additionally, we love the modular design. It allows you to customize the camera to best suit your needs and will help improve your workflow speeds when operating the camera. The list of available modular attachments includes external recorders, monitors, digital viewfinders, support rings, and more.
Here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of this amazing Sony 4K cinema camera:
Final Thoughts on Used Sony Cinema Cameras
Photo by dpmike via iStock
We hope you have found this Sony cinema camera review helpful during your search and that you now feel one step closer to pulling the trigger on your next camera. However, if you still feel the need to research more options, check out the list of other great digital cinema cameras below.