Looking for the best professional video camera or a 4K video camera to kickstart your video making journey? For many, a resolution higher than the standard 16:9 (or 1920x1080) is still not needed, but 4K and 8K videos are steadily gaining popularity, with popular platforms like YouTube hosting video content in 4K. Many televisions and screens now come 4K-ready, which means that the demand for HD cameras that deliver 4K quality is also on the rise.

So, let’s begin with a list to help you buy yourself the best video recording camera. Before we begin with the list, something that you should know is that a professional camera can cost you starting from 35,000 to basically anything, depending on the company and the make of the camera and of course, what do you want to use it for. Here’s a look at the best cameras out there in the market.

Panasonic HC-WXF991K

An impressive release from Panasonic, the Panasonic HC-WXF991K boasts of  heavy specs on paper namely, a 1/2.3-inch 8.29-megapixel MOS sensor, 30.8-626mm Leica lens (f/1.8-3.6), 20x optical zoom, 4K UHD 30p, 1080p FHD 60p, a 3-inch touchscreen LCD, microphone and headphone input, and Wi-Fi, among many others. The best part about this video recording camera is 4K post editing, which allows you to zoom, track or even stabilise the footage after you’ve shot it. Now, that’s impressive. Another feature that’s niche is picture-in-picture. This allows you to record reactions and images simultaneously. In a nutshell, this will allow you to capture multiple angles or viewpoints simultaneously for a great experience.

Sony FDR-AX100

Sony FDR-AX100 picks up where its predecessor, the RX100 left off. What makes it revolutionary is the fact that it was the first advanced level video    camera with 4K capabilities. Talking about features, it has loads of them. To name a few, it has a 1-inch 14.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, 29-348mm ZEISS lens (f/2.8-4.5), 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD, 4K UHD 30p at 100 MBps, FHD 60p, HD 120p, image stabilization, 12x optical zoom or 24x Clear Image zoom, 5.1 Dolby surround sound, USB charging, Wi-Fi and NFC. Though it inherits its image sensor from its predecessor, the new image processor helps it deliver more accurate reproduction and images of higher resolution. The camera also offers superb image stabilisation when shooting handheld. It also offers great battery life - more than 2.5 hours of 4K 30p recording is possible.

Canon XC10

This one is a versatile 4K video camera that is convenient and capable. It delivers the colour science Canon is known for and features a 1-inch 12-MP CMOS sensor, 27.3-273mm lens (f/2.8-5.6), 4K UHD 30p, FHD 60p, HD up to 120p and even a 4K timelapse function (wow!). The camera also offers Canon’s  C-Log and Wide Range Dynamic Gamma, which supplies the broadest dynamic  range and exposure latitude achievable from the sensor. The battery life of this video recording camera is excellent and it also features a rotating handgrip, which makes shooting awkward angles convenient and is a feature unique to this camera. It is a good choice for advanced amateurs and even professionals looking for a cost-effective option to shoot in 4K.    

So here are the top picks for you if you want to get started on your filmmaking journey. I hope this article comes in handy when you’re out to buy your next professional video camera.