Types of Video Cameras

 

The product line of professional video cameras can be overwhelming; especially considering each camera type may have a specific use. In buying video cameras consider your needs and budget. While all cameras share the same characteristics, such as lenses, focus, zoom and sound inputs, the technical details vary greatly.

Types of Professional Video Cameras

1. Studio Cameras - Studio cameras are designed for use within a TV production studio. They generally are attached to large, mechanical stands with wheels to be moved around, have no recording device and send their signal to the production control room, and can be used in conjunction with other cameras.

The stand is as much part of the camera as the camera is. It has controls to adjust the focus and zoom without touching the actual camera, the ability to be pushed around the studio and an attached monitor to see the image without a viewfinder.

2. ENG & EFP Cameras - An ENG camera, which stands for "electronic news gathering," is essentially an entire studio in one camera and the most popular camera type for general purpose shooting. These cameras can record to tape or digital, broadcast zoom, receive multiple sound inputs through XLR cables, set the focus and aperture controls manually and generate color bars. These cameras are usually used on a collapsible tripod or mounted to a shoulder harness.

An EFP camera is similar to an ENG and used for filming on location.

3. Prosumer Cameras - This category of cameras is made for users who want professional quality video at a reasonable, consumer price. These provide sufficient quality for small-scale projects and are the lowest priced traditional cameras for production purposes. They may have some technical drawbacks compared to higher-priced cameras, such as one sensor instead of three, standard definition instead of HD, interlaced instead of progressive and recording to tape instead of a digital format.

To label this category as low-grade would be a mistake, since these will still provide many features of professional shooting such as focus, gain, XLR sound input and long shooting duration. Models such as the Sony HVR-A1u and the Canon GL-2 are popular choices.

4. DLSR Cameras - The use of DSLR cameras, which stands for digital single-lens reflex, has risen dramatically. These cameras previously were used only for still photography. After HD video was added to their capabilities, they have become a simple way to create high-quality video.

These cameras don't offer many controls beyond focus, aperture, white balance and zoom, but can create HD-quality video relatively cheap. Smaller-scale productions may find these to be a perfect fit.

Camera Prices

Kodak Zi6 Flash Media Camcorder – $146.23

Pros: High Quality, High Def, Fits in a pocket, Easy to use, removable memory.

Cons: Zoom is mechanical

Nikon D3100 DSLR Camera - Twin Lens - $798.85

Features:

Supplied with Genuine Nikon 18-55 VR Lens
Supplied with Genuine Nikon 55-200 VR Lens
14.2 Megapixel
Large 3" Monitor
ISO Sensitivity 100-3200
Live View with Scene Auto Selector
Continuous 3 fps Shooting
11-point AF System
Built-In Pop-Up Flash
Full HD 1080p Movies

Samsung Galaxy S3 - $849.99

PROS: Has a massive 4.8'HD Super AMOLED touch screen with resolution 720 x 1280 pixels.

The phone runs on Android 4 Ice Cream Sandwich OS, powered by 1.4GHz Quad Core processor

The phone has an 8MP camera with auto focus, LED Flash and has a 1.9 MP secondary camera

CONS: Samsung achieved top position in mobile world due to best hardware at aggressive pricing 

 but HTC ONE-X is quad core too clocked at 1.5 GHz and available at lesser price.