Live music is one of the trickiest to capture on video, and the video camera you use plays a crucial role in the success of your recording. So you may be wondering: how do you even to start to choose the right video camera?
We know – it’s a confusing choice. There are so many excellent brands on the market today with great audio visual quality and detail. To give you a head start, here are three of the best video cameras for recording live music:
Best Video Cameras for Recording Live Music Reviewed
Despite its smaller size, the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K will take your live music to the next level. This handheld camera utilizes professional features to give your music and videos that “Hollywood look”. This miniature digital video camera comes with a Canon EF mount so you can take advantage larger EF photographic lenses to create better quality videos with defocused backgrounds.
Its standout feature is its 6144 x 3456 Super 35 Sensor that allows you to shoot with a shallow depth of field and anamorphic lenses. It has an amazing dynamic range of 13 stops and a dual native ISO up to 25,600 so you can shoot in both bright sunlight and extreme darkness.
Recording live music becomes so much easier with its internal CFast 2.0 and SD/UHS II card slots to capture longer clips to an external drive. Its super sensor also blocks thermal noise for better quality sound. This camera also features a raw format and 422 resolution options to simplify the editing process.
With its multiple resolution feature, the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K is designed for better, faster editing and color correction. It aids your post production process so you can re-frame and zoom wide shots without compromising your video or audio quality.
This advanced digital camera features an elegant design made of lightweight carbon fiber polycarbonate composite. It allows you to shoot up to 60 fps in full resolution and 120 fps in windowed.
Features:
- Super 35 Sensor (6144 x 3456)
- 13 stop dynamic range
- Dual native ISO up to 25,600
- 60 fps full resolution
- Active Canon EF mount
- 5-inch LCD screen
- ProRes 422 options
- Lightweight carbon fiber polycarbonate
- Complete bundle: EDGE V-mount battery, LP-E6 dummy battery power cable, D-tap wall charger
Weighing only 1.6 pounds, the Canon VIXIA HF G21 Full HD Camcorder is a compact, lightweight camera that combines professional features with a user-friendly design.
It is a versatile camera that stands out against others on the market because of its 20x High Definition Optical Zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent of 26.8-576mm for better quality and sharpness. Its .84-inch HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor works great in both high and low light environments for a wide dynamic range.
This camcorder is one of the best choices for live music recording because it features a dual recording feature – two memory card slots compatible with SDHC and SDXC memory cards for longer and uninterrupted videos. Your recordings are simultaneously stored into both memory cards so you get instant backup of your footage.
Its relay recording feature automatically switches from one card to another in case the memory in one of them is already full. It also offers an easy-to-access menu with its 3-inch LCD screen complete with capacitive touch.
The Canon VIXIA HF G21 Full HD Camcorder ads a professional touch to your videos and pictures by the inclusion of its unique feature: the 8-blade Circular Aperture. Its main function is to weed out distracting light points to prevent out-of-focus images.
If you’re a beginner, this camera will make an excellent entry-level video recorder. It guarantees that your live music will be recorded in high-quality MP4 or AVCHD files that are internet-ready and easy to share.
Features:
- 20x Optical Zoom lens
- 8-blade circular aperture
- 2.91 megapixel HD CMOS Pro Image Sensor
- Full HD 1080/60p video and audio recording
- Simultaneous and relay recording feature
- Optical image stabilization system
- 3-inch LCD touchscreen with electronic viewfinder
The Zoom Q8 Handy Video Recorder is specially designed to bring your music recordings to life with its high definition camera and interchangeable microphones. It features dual combo XLR/TRS inputs that can connect to external microphones and support audio recordings up to 24-bit/96k.
This camera focuses on versatile and high quality audio with its detachable X/Y microphone that you can mount onto your guitar or mic stand when you go live. It allows you to capture the audience experience and drown out background noise from the room.
Its compatibility feature includes a system of interchangeable mic capsules that are easily swapped out like the lens of a camera.
This handy video recorder is the total package – the perfect combination of complete professional features and an easy-to-use interface. It has a large LCD touch screen where you can easily access the menu. It also features an HDMI and USB output so you can connect to your computer for easy editing or live streaming.
The Zoom Q8 Handy Video Recorder is designed to be lightweight and portable. Coupled with its wide 160-degree angle lens and flexible mount, it’s the perfect on-the-go recorder for out-of-town concerts or music festivals.
Features:
- 3M high definition video mode
- 160-degree wide angle lens with selectable viewing anglese
- Rotating LCD touchscreen
- Detachable X/Y stereo microphone
- Dual combo XLR/TRS inputs
- Interchangeable mic capsules
- 4x digital zoom
- 24 mbps and 16 mbps for increased storage capacity
- 60fps at 720p for fast video capture
To Sum it up
Remember that in the big world of recording live music, not just any camera will do. The video cameras on this list give you the best value so you can produce high-quality recordings at an affordable price.
FAQ: Frequent questions
🏆 Which is the best?
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 6K Camera EF Mount
🔍 How did we test them?
We tested 20 products, researched 19 sources, evaluated 113 reviews and spent 14+ hours on our guide.
🤔 What should you look at before buying?
When choosing it's best to make a decision based on the price/quality, functionality and compatibility with other devices/technologies.
