Many people invest so much money in equipment trying to get the best quality video output. From a high-quality digital camera to Zhiyun Crane 2, these pieces of equipment will significantly impact your budget.
However, you can reduce your spending by going for the most affordable options on the market. Check out the best cheap 4k camera for taking high-quality videos.
What is a 4K Video and why do you need 4K?
If you're still not convinced about the benefits of shooting videos in 4K by now. Check out these practical reasons!
1. 4K Gives You More Options
Shooting in 4K enables a better video source, which allows you to zoom in smoothly. You don't necessarily need to work in 4K simply because you're shooting in that resolution. Sometimes, the best option is 1080p. When you have different options at your disposal, you can produce dramatic effects with better connections with the subject.
With 4K, you can add movement and crop any shot without losing image quality. If you want fairly high-resolution to use on the internet, shooting in 4K can help you achieve that.
2. Storage Is Cheap
You may be reluctant to jump to 4K due to increased demand for storage. If you're using your phone, you should not store videos on it for long. Since videos take a lot of space, it would be best to move them to your computer. It would help if you also considered purchasing portable hard drives such as Seagate Backup Plus and WD Passport.
They are inexpensive and will help you store many videos. And if you don't want to worry about storage again, go for external drives with cloud storage services.
3. 4K Capture Looks Better
If you want your end product to be in 1080p, shooting in 4K and down-sampling will give you a higher video quality. Your images may not be four times better, but you will end up with a noticeably sharper output. Your camera will likely record 4K at a higher bitrate, thereby lowering chances of color banding. This way, you'll be able to capture more color detail.
You can down-sample 6k or 8k images to 4k using premium compact cameras to get excellent video quality. Many cameras are good for doing that.
4. You Can Stabilize Your Footage in Post
Holding your camera still when shooting is a great way to ensure that your video turns out great! This can be difficult sometimes, and purchasing a Zhiyun Crane 2 can be expensive. 4K enables the production of software-stabilized footage by stretching the image.
By shooting in 4K, you'll achieve this without any loss in image quality. Software stabilization will also allow you to take advantage of 2K (1440p).
5. You will thank yourself in the Future
1080p videos don't look too good on a big 4K panel. They need to upscale the HD video before it can fit the screen, and most televisions are not good at this. Larger displays produce worse images. If you buy a new 8K television with higher resolution, your 1080p won't look good at all. So, it is best not to sacrifice image quality for storage space.
Cheap 4K Action Camera
AKASO Brave 7
This action cam has a newborn front screen for taking selfies and point-of-view videos with the real-time display in front of the camera. The vivid 2.0” rear touch screen is easy to operate and very convenient. AKASO Brave 7 4K action camera is waterproof and comes without a case. It enables you to shoot 4K video and high-quality 20MP photos.
If you want a camera that offers a hands-free experience, you'll love the 2.4 GHz WI-FI-supported remote control on this camera. You can control the vlogging camera from a distance, making it perfect for taking a selfie or filming sports.
Cheap 4K Camcorder
1. Sony 4K HD video recording FDRAX33
The Sony 4k HD video recording fdrax33 is good for capturing 4K/24P/30P videos that far exceed HD resolution. This camera can automatically create highlight7 videos in MP4 from many different clips. With NFC2/Wi-Fi, you can control, connect, backup, and share wirelessly. Your camcorder allows you to broadcast live using upstream live-streaming.
2. Sony FDRAX 53 Camcorder
This top-class 4K Handycam allows you to shoot 4K images containing more detail than the Full HD (3840 x 2160) pixels. You are sure to achieve the exact images you aim for with Fast Intelligent AF and Balanced Optical SteadyShot™. The Sony FDRAX 53 Camcorder has a microphone structure that captures an all-surrounding ambiance. It even enables you to gain control of pro-style/manual functions or play with time in motion.
Cheap 4K Video Camera
1. Panasonic G7
The Panasonic G7 has a design similar to that of a DSLR and can compete with the likes of the Sony a6000 in terms of control. So, if you want extra control, this affordable video camera might be best for you. It comes with a fully-articulated touch screen and a 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor. You can shoot4K (UHD) video at about 100Mbps, 30p/25p + 24p.
Enjoy remote shooting with Wi-Fi and image transfer while using this camera. Panasonic is the best specified when taking video and stills into account. It is very portable, especially when you consider the size of lenses you can attach.
2. Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K
The Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70 can record smooth QFHD 4K videos in 3840 x 2160 resolution at 30p (60Hz). Its 4K technology is good at capturing fleeting images at 30 fps in 8mp equivalent resolution. After shooting, you can easily select the in-focus area using the Post Focus function. You can adjust the depth of field with the Focus Stacking function.
Conclusion
Shooting in 4k is an excellent way to produce a smooth video even when you zoom in. Don't break the bank trying to make your videos better. There are many different cheap 4k cameras for taking high-quality videos. Feel free to choose from any of the above-mentioned cameras and have fun while shooting!
