What camera has the best quality for videos??

What's the best video camera/camera (with view finder) for filming high quality videos?

• Answer:

  It depends on what other requirements you have. In my budget range, for a medium-large format camcorder, I like the Sony NEX-EA50UH I got a few months ago. Interchangeable lens system (E-Mount), large APS-C imaging sensor, XLR audio inputs and a few other handy features, it does more than I need. And the "viewfinder" mounts to the flip-out LCD panel. For second and third cameras (multi-camera shoots are fun), my Sony HDR-FX1 works great along with an HDR-HC1. When a small action cam is needed, I like my Sony HDR-AS30V. Lots of mounting options, a little lower profile than a GoPro, remote viewing and control, integration with a smartphone waterproof case, external mic input... but no need for a view finder... And when I want to do a big project, renting a camera like something from Red, silicon imaging or Blackmagic is fine. Clarification: Video capture has nothing to do with "filming". Film means unexposed film is loaded into a camera (that does not record audio so a separate audio recording system is required), light comes in through the lens and exposes the film - and when all the film is exposed, it is sent to a place for chemical processing. Sometimes these places have a service that scans the individual frames and digitizes them for use on a computer for editing. Digital video capture has light coming in to the video capture device and hitting the imaging chip (or array) which converts the image into a series of zeroes and ones that are written to the storage media (digital tape, flash memory, hard disc drive, optical disc). There is no film involved. My HDR-ASV30 is great as a helmet mount - and my NEX-EA50UH is not so great as a helmet mount - but both can provide "high quality video" capture. Then there are the more recent 4k cams that are great - assuming your computer and video editor can deal with the captured video... Audio is an extremely important part of moving images. So is lighting. And steadying devices (tripods, sliders, vest Steadycam systems, dollie/track systems, etc.). And without power, you won't be able to do any video. And after the video is captured, editing is huge so the computer hardware and editing application plays a large role in providing "high quality videos"... as does having a compelling story, project plan, script, soundtrack - maybe even special effects, stunts, wardrobe, makeup, cables, booms, stands, a crew that knows how to properly and safely use their equipment cost effectively... The camera is only one part of a much larger system that needs to work together to provide "high quality video"...