If you’ve clicked through to this page, it means that you’re looking to buy a camera that takes video and also pictures. In this handy buyers guide, I’ll be discussing how to decide what you should be looking for in general when it comes to these cameras. I won’t give a list of the best ones since this can change over time. However, this page has an up to date list of the best cameras for video and pictures.
Feature Set
When looking for a camera that takes video and pictures, the first thing that you need to consider is the kind of video that you want to record. If you have no desire to record in 4K, then you should immediately disregard this option. It may be the case that you don’t have the ability to watch the footage in 4K, or your PC is unable to edit the footage. In this case, it would be unwise to spend the money on a camera that can take 4K video.
Likewise, there are more cameras entering the market that are capable of recording in slow motion. If this isn’t need, then don’t opt for one that has this feature.
However, a nice feature to look for when purchasing a camera for both video and pictures is the ability to bolt on accessories to it. This can include additional microphones, as well as adding on an extra flash to the unit.
Budget
Unless you can get a rebate from the manufacturer, I would strongly recommend that you do not deviate from your budget. Doing so can have a huge impact on other areas of your life and you need to consider if spending X amount on a camera is really worth it....
Overall Usage
An important thing to consider is what proportion of your time you’ll actually be using the camera for, and for what use. This is really important if you have an urge to spend more time in taking videos instead of taking pictures, and vice versa. In addition to this, will the videos and pictures be personal, or are they going to be used to promote a business? This could be by way of setting up a brand on Instagram, or setting up a YouTube channel. The difference in the quality can have a massive impact on the engagement rates of the audience.
With respect to photos, some compact cameras can now take photos in the RAW format which allows a great degree of flexibility (over JPEG) when it comes to editing the photos on a PC. If this is something that you think you will need going forward, then it would be important to invest in a camera that can take RAW photos.
Durability
This may sound like a strange thing to look for in a camera, but it’s important that it is durable. In situations where the camera is being used to take a video, it may result in the camera being put into less than ideal environments. There is the possibility that the camera may fall. Due to this, it’s important to choose one that is durable. However, even if the camera is not going to be put in harms way, it’s important to choose one that will last the test of time. These are precision pieces of equipment, and as such expensive. Due to this, they should really be able to stand the test of time.
Easily available spares
When it comes to spares, the main spare part than you would need to consider is that of the battery. If the camera is going to be used a lot, then it is important to have backup batteries. There are two reasons for this. The first is that with repeated charging, the overall lifespan of the battery will start to fail. By having a supply of batteries, it means that you won’t have to resort to cheap, generic knockoffs further down the line.
Tied to this is the fact that if you’re on holiday, it’s better to have charged batteries so that you won’t ever miss a shot. The batteries are really small and can easily be slipped into a carrying case.
Ease of Use
If you are new to photography, it would be worthwhile to select a camera that is easy to use, instead of opting for one that has a lot of lenses to swap out. Many compact cameras have the option for you to alter their settings, as well as having the option to have the best settings selected for you. This is really the best of both worlds and is a great way to make sure that the video and pictures look amazing each time. It also makes videography and photography a lot more enjoyable.