Learning about Digital Cinema Camera Gear

Creating a compelling piece of cinema is not easy. It takes the right gear, technique, and a whole lot of work. There are endless combinations of cameras, lenses, microphones, and other accessories that work to produce your final product. Fortunately, achieving cinematic results has become increasingly affordable.

What Digital Cine Camera Should I Buy?

The camera you purchase should revolve around your needs and your budget. If you are new to filmmaking, consider more affordable options that can still produce impressive, cinematic shots. If you are a professional (or a budding professional), consider more advanced cameras that can take your work to the next level.

The Importance of Sensor Size

One of your first considerations should be sensor size. The image sensor is the heart of the digital camera. Many people believe the bigger the sensor, the better. In many ways, they are right, though size isn’t everything. In cinema, the standard sensor size is based on the Super 35 (3-perf 35mm) frame, which has a crop factor of approximately 1.5x compared to full frame.

Sensor size dictates many important filmmaking properties, including:

• Field of View
• Depth of Field
• Dynamic Range (specifically the size of the pixels in the sensor)
• Resolution (the combination of the sensor resolution and the camera resolution)
• Rolling Shutter

For more on the above, read Cinema Cameras: What Filmmakers Need to Know.

 

The Importance of Lenses

Lens preferences vary greatly among filmmakers. Your lens selection should be based on what you’re comfortable shooting with, but not at the expense of the production. Your film’s needs should come first. For more, read 9 Tips for Selecting a Cinema Lens Package.
So much of filmmaking comes down to the camera, sensor, and lens selection. However, there are many other considerations when buying digital cinema gear, such as recording capabilities, frame rates, codecs and bit rates, form factor and connectivity, and more. And making something look cinematic also requires professional set design, lighting, and shot selection. Please contact us for any questions about filmmaking. We are here to help!