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Which Digital Cine Camera is Best for Your Needs?

Which Digital Cine Camera is Best for Your Needs image

Photo by ipopba via iStock

 If you are interested in the world of film and want to invest in a digital cine camera but don’t know where to start your search, you’ve come to the right place! This article shares some of the best cinema cameras for filmmakers available today. Moreover, with various budget-friendly, mid-range, and professional options, there’s a camera here for you, regardless of your budget or skill level.  

One spectacular resource with tons of used digital cine cameras in stock and a place I have bought and sold countless photo and video gear throughout the years is MPB. They are a trustworthy and reliable online platform selling used photo and video kit at unbeatable prices. 

Additionally, every camera at MPB is meticulously hand-inspected by skilled product specialists and backed by warranties, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free. Another awesome feature of MPB is that you can trade in and sell your old camera equipment to help offset the cost of new-to-you gear you want and need.

With that said, it’s time to jump in and learn more about three of the best digital cine cameras on sale today!

Table of Contents

A Budget Digital Cine Camera

Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K image

One of the planet's most popular digital cinema cameras is the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (BMPCC4K). It’s a budget-friendly camera with a powerful Four Thirds image sensor released in 2018. Because of its low price and portable size, it’s a go-to option for film students, entry-level videographers, and run-and-gun documentary filmmakers.

The signature feature of this digital cine camera is its high-quality 4K video. It captures DCI 4K at frame rates up to 75p and UHD 4K as high as 60p. Also, it can record beautiful slow-motion footage directly in the camera at 2.6K/120p and 1080p/120p. The large 5-inch touchscreen LCD and dual SD card slots are two more fantastic video features. 

Additionally, hundreds of amazing Micro Four Third lenses are at your fingertips courtesy of its Micro Four Thirds lens mount. One must-own video lens for the BMPCC4K is the Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 II ASPH Power O.I.S. Its wide field of view (FOV) and optical image stabilization lead to smooth, stunning results. 

If you are on an even tighter budget, check out the Original Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera. And if you want a budget 6K camera, I recommend the new Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K. 

Now, here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of this budget digital cine camera: 

  • Camera Type: Cinema Camera
  • Sensor: Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
  • ISO: 400 - 3200 Dual Native ISO (Expandable to 100 - 25,600)
  • Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • Autofocus: Touchscreen Autofocus
  • Video: 4K/75p, 2.6K/120p, & 1080p/120p
  • Size/Weight: 177.8 x 96.5 x 86.4 mm / 680.38 grams
  • Microphone/Headphone port: Yes/yes
  • Stabilization: No (Compatible with stabilized lenses)
  • Touchscreen: Yes

Check out the video above by CineChimp to learn why the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is still a beast in 2023.

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A Mid-Range Digital Cine Camera

Canon Cinema EOS C300 II Camcorder image

Once you start to get more serious about your work, a top digital cine camera is the Canon Cinema EOS C300 II Camcorder. It launched in 2015, and although it has since been replaced by the Canon Cinema EOS C300 III, it remains an excellent camera. And checking in at roughly a third of the price (with many similar specs), the C300 II provides more bang for your buck.

The Super35 CMOS sensor provides a classic look craved by directors, and the two DIGIC DV 5 image processors help the camera's Dual-Pixel autofocus run accurately and responsively. With this camera, you can shoot 4K/30p and 2K/120p slow-motion movies using the professional XF AVC Codec.

On top of that, it has a compact design, a fully weather-sealed body, and advanced audio controls. Besides filmmakers, the C300 II is a wonderful option for sports, wedding, and event videographers. Two of the best video lenses in the Canon EF lens lineup to pair with this camera are the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 L II USM and the Canon EF 11-24mm f/4 L USM. 

Now, here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of this mid-range digital cine camera: 

  • Camera Type: Cinema Camera
  • Sensor: Super35 CMOS Sensor
  • ISO: 160 - 25,600 (Expandable to 100 - 102,400)
  • Lens Mount: Canon EF Mount
  • Autofocus: Touchscreen Dual-Pixel Autofocus
  • Video: 4K/30p & 2K/120p
  • Size/Weight: 149 x 183 x 183 mm / 1800 grams
  • Microphone/Headphone port: Yes/yes
  • Stabilization: No (Compatible with stabilized lenses)
  • Touchscreen: Yes

Check out the video above by No Film School to learn more about the one-of-a-kind Canon Cinema EOS C300 II Camcorder.

A Professional Digital Cine Camera

RED Epic W Helium 8K image

For professionals, a killer digital cine camera is the RED Epic-W Helium 8K. It debuted in 2016 and is just one of the many great cameras in the jaw-dropping RED digital cinema camera lineup. While the Red Epic-W Helium 8K is not cheap, it’s a worthwhile investment that will more than pay for itself in the long run.

The first thing that jumps off the page when looking at the specs of this camera is its industry-leading 8K video capabilities. Combining that high resolution with professional Codecs like REDCODE RAW, Apple ProRes, and Avid DNx gets you one of the few cameras with Netxlix’s official stamp of approval.

Other highlight-worthy features of this camera include its 16.5 stops of dynamic range, super-slow-motion video, and heavy-duty build quality. The high dynamic range gives you more control in post-production, and 2K/300p super-slow motion is a creative tool that will help your work stand out from the crowd.  

One final thing to note about the Red Epic-W Helium 8K is that it has no native lens mount. Instead, it uses interchangeable lens mounts, giving you access to every video and cinema lens ever made. From high-end lenses like the Fujinon ZK19-90mm T2.9 Cabrio - PL Fit to the award-winning Canon CN-E 18-80mm T4.4 - EF Fit, you can use them all!   

Now, here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of this professional digital cine camera: 

  • Camera Type: Cinema Camera
  • Sensor: 35.4MP Super35 CMOS sensor
  • ISO: 100 - 800 
  • Lens Mount: Interchangeable Lens Mounts
  • Autofocus: Yes
  • Video: 8K/30p, 4K/120p, & 2K/300p
  • Size/Weight: 143.85 x 125.5 x 95 mm / 1540 grams
  • Microphone/Headphone port: Yes/yes
  • Stabilization: No (Compatible with stabilized lenses)
  • Touchscreen: Yes

Check out the video above by samfregonese to see some epic footage shot on the RED Epic-W Helium 8K. 

Final Thoughts on Digital Cinema Cameras

Digital Cinema Cameras image

Photo by lisegagne via iStock

While DSLR and mirrorless cameras are great for hybrid shooters, they are no match for digital cine cameras when it comes to video. Whether you are brand new to the world of cinema, studying in film school, or are a professional filmmaker, owning one of these powerful video cameras can help take the quality of your content to a whole new level.

 Above, we reviewed three of the best cinema cameras on the market, but they certainly aren’t the only ones out there. So, if you want to keep browsing, here are a few more amazing used digital cine cameras in stock now for unbeatable prices at MPB:

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