There’s a recurring theme that sneaks its method into the feedback part of the YouTube channel. We’ve heard this identical assertion on The PetaPixel Podcast many instances as properly and it goes somewhat one thing like this: “Why do I’ve to pay for the video options on a digital camera once I simply take pictures?”
I’m gonna be completely trustworthy and state that my preliminary response is to “poo-poo” the assertion. In spite of everything, I wish to shoot video and stills, so I would like as many hybrid picture/video options as potential. Why would anybody favor to lose some video capabilities in the event that they don’t must? Properly, after fascinated by it extra, these people might need a degree.
We determined to choose one digital camera from every main model that particularly eschews the usage of video or not less than makes no compromises to photographic picture high quality. Then we will revisit the argument of picture over video and see if it holds any benefit.
At a Look
Fujifilm X-T5
When Fujifilm launched its 40-megapixel APS-C sensor, it made the X-H2 which was a full-featured video and stills hybrid system. Fujifilm acknowledged that some customers needed the identical decision however in a digital camera aimed towards the nonetheless photographer.
Enter the X-T5, a extra reasonably priced digital camera with the retro-inspired controls that Fujifilm is known for and a dependable autofocusing system as properly. Make no mistake, the X-T5 shoots wonderful video however the emphasis was clearly in the direction of pleasing the stills photographer and it made the digital camera wildly well-liked. The X-T50 can be a great choice for somebody who’s extra within the photographic expertise and desires to maintain the prices down much more.
Leica M11-D
Not solely does the Leica M11-D not shoot video, but it surely doesn’t even have an LCD display screen. This 60-megapixel rangefinder offers the purest type of photographic expertise whereas nonetheless taking digital pictures. No level in having video options in a digital camera that doesn’t have a display screen.
Actually, Leica not often put video capabilities into its M collection rangefinder cameras. The M240 dabbled within the video area and promptly wrecked it for the remainder of the cameras. There hasn’t been video in an M collection since. In order for you a really stills-based expertise that feels as near capturing analog as you may get with out really capturing movie, the M11-D is the one for you.
Sony A7RV
Sony is a big fan of the flexibility that comes with a digital camera that shoots each video and stills. Thus, all the present Sony mirrorless cameras are succesful video cameras, nevertheless, the Sony a7R V — which is a private favourite of mine — is the digital camera most aimed on the creator who values pictures above all else.
The 60-megapixel sensor is great for large prints and provides you numerous room to crop. It has a reasonably sluggish readout pace consequently although, so it’s not nice for video with rolling-shutter being an actual drawback. Additionally, the higher-quality video modes require heavy crops and subsampling to accommodate all these further pixels. This makes for pretty soft-looking video and a lack of wide-angle protection.
The Sony a7R V additionally has a novel LCD panel articulation which might be set to tilt solely which photographers love. In order for you a great Sony digital camera for pictures that is my really helpful selection.
OM System OM-1 Mark II
Olympus cameras have been by no means recognized for being notably wonderful video platforms. Frankly, when OM System spun off from the Olympus model, it didn’t make any main enhancements to video both and this leaves the system with video high quality that lags behind the competitors.
What the OM System cameras do very properly although is create compact and extremely sturdy physique designs that excel at out of doors journey and wildlife pictures. The OM-1 Mark II has dependable autofocus and loads of customization and management. I nonetheless use OM System cameras primarily for my fly fishing work as a result of they’re so good in rugged, out of doors conditions.
Hasselblad X2D
The Hasselblad X2D is a digital camera clearly designed for pictures as a result of it doesn’t have any video options in anyway. With its 100-megapixel sensor and top-quality glass, it could possibly ship the decision and dynamic vary to please probably the most discerning photographer.
Hasselblad toyed with video options on its X1D digital camera and the world erupted in protest. Therefore, the X2D foregoes video which might be a great factor as a result of increased megapixel sensors aren’t perfect for video. What the bigger sensor is sweet for is uncooked picture high quality, and matched with the compact nature of the X2D, you could have a great journey panorama digital camera.
Nikon Z7 II
Nikon has made enormous efforts to up its online game by creating wonderful hybrid cameras just like the Z8, Z9, and particularly the most recent Z6 III. Then it went forward and bought the Purple Cinema digital camera model and it’s now incorporating these LUTs to make its video providing even higher.
That is horrible information for the strictly stills creator however there may be nonetheless hope. The Z7 II has not but been up to date right into a video hybrid and it incorporates a non-stacked 45-megapixel full-frame sensor that gives probably the most dynamic vary of any digital camera in Nikon’s Z line.
Many cameras at the moment are incorporating stacked sensors which give massive advantages for each video and sports activities/motion pictures. Nevertheless, the compromises to get that further pace usually hurts dynamic vary. This truth alone makes the Z7 II perfect for the Nikon consumer who doesn’t want the most recent and biggest on the subject of video.
Canon EOS R5
The unique R5 stands out as a venerable however very succesful stills digital camera. With its non-stacked 45-megapixel sensor, it avoids the lack of dynamic vary related to the newer stacked sensors and retains the associated fee down as properly. The R5 has wonderful ergonomics and a great steadiness between a cushty grip and transportable measurement for journey.
Though you may shoot first rate video on the R5, the video mode is kind of tough to find at first because of an obtuse consumer interface and the brand new R5 II shoots higher high quality video anyway. So long as you don’t want the most recent autofocus capabilities accessible in that new mannequin, the unique R5 makes for a wonderful stills digital camera selection.
Pentax K1 II
The K1 II is the one DSLR on our listing however it’s nonetheless one in all my favourite cameras for out of doors panorama footage. The physique is rugged and powerful, and the 36-megapixel sensor delivers wonderful dynamic vary. The even older K1 takes barely sharper pictures however the K1 II is the present mannequin and regardless, the standard is gorgeous.
You possibly can fortunately ignore the video mode on the K1 II as a result of it’s restricted to 1080p and is basically an afterthought on this digital camera. I like the again panel design which is right for pictures however not a lot for video functions. There can be no selfie vlogging with this digital camera.
Panasonic S1R
Panasonic, greater than every other firm, has pushed its line of cameras in a video-centric course. It makes arguably one of the best video hybrid cameras available on the market and to my chagrin, has catered to photographers much less and fewer.
Make no mistake although, Panasonic cameras can take unbelievable pictures and there may be one mannequin particularly that provides photographers a bonus. The S1R is the oldest mirrorless digital camera on this listing however you may nonetheless purchase it new. It has a great physique design with a strong 47-megapixel sensor at its coronary heart. This sensor will nonetheless give one of the best mixture of dynamic vary and element out of all of the Panasonic our bodies. The rear panel does not totally articulate which many photographers favor.
Sadly, this digital camera exhibits its age regardless of the excessive picture high quality it could possibly produce. It doesn’t have any of the trendy options like hybrid part detection autofocus that make the newer Panasonic cameras so succesful. I actually hope that Panasonic makes a digital camera that’s extra devoted to what photographers worth once they do lastly replace the S1R.
Maybe You Purists Had been Proper
Look, I’ll be the primary to confess that I actually favor a digital camera that may do each video and stills. I additionally don’t assume that eliminating video options is sensible or fascinating. Nevertheless, I do see that with present digital camera expertise the way in which it’s, there’s a dichotomy between the world of video and stills.
I’ve come to comprehend that wanting a digital camera that’s made for a extra singular goal and which has some advantages for pictures on the expense of some video efficiency is completely legitimate. As we’ve seen, these cameras do exist however they typically have comparatively excessive megapixel sensors and are typically older fashions.
Bigger sensors which might be non-stacked in design with increased megapixel counts are nice for pictures whereas on the identical time are much less perfect for video. Larger megapixels imply throwing away extra of these pixels to facilitate frequent video resolutions and this results in softness within the recordings. Larger megapixel sensors additionally are inclined to have sluggish readout speeds if they don’t seem to be stacked designs and this causes rolling shutter points which impacts video capturing in an enormous method. Nevertheless, mechanical shutter utilization when taking images makes rolling shutter a non-issue even when the sensor does learn out slowly. It does beg the query although of how lengthy producers will proceed to make use of these extra conventional sensors.
Stacked sensors then again are all the fad proper now they usually have enormous advantages for each video and motion pictures, however they do quit some dynamic vary, and I can see why some clients would favor cameras with “older” sensors. Know-how that’s perfect for pictures is commonly lower than perfect for videography — and vice-versa. Possibly there’s something to be stated for requesting merchandise which might be extra suited to stills and fewer so for videography. Sadly, that additionally appears to return with a value.
It seems that many of the cameras on our listing are typically dearer. Larger megapixels price extra money and prestigious cameras price much more than that. I feel it’s additionally necessary to level out that not all photographers want and even want actually excessive numbers of megapixels, however that appears to be what you’re left with as your choice. I don’t need to convey the message that solely the extra area of interest cameras above are suited to pictures. However if you would like a extra reasonably priced digital camera with extra affordable ranges of decision it’ll by default be designed to attraction to a extra substantial pool of potential patrons and the producers will undoubtedly endeavor to make these cameras as versatile as potential. Which means you’re going to get a digital camera with not less than a good stage of emphasis being positioned on video efficiency.
In truth, the video options of a digital camera must be there regardless as a result of each fashionable digital digital camera outputs a video sign to the LCD panel and EVF. The thought is that you just would possibly as properly have the choice to document that feed. Even the Leica M11-D is pulling a video sign off of the sensor in case somebody desires to place the Visoflex EVF on it. It’s for this very cause that it gained’t price any much less cash to the buyer to easily ignore the video features of a digital camera. It is sensible to supply each high-quality stills and video options from a purely sensible perspective until the digital camera is designed to be very area of interest or very specialised. As we’ve seen now although, that tends to additionally imply very costly.
