While the 8K capability of some cameras might be really tempting, it could be too much for the needs of other users. This is why the 4K video feature is becoming more and more prevalent in mirrorless, DSLR, and even compact cameras. Further, newer camera models come with helpful features that will benefit 4K shooting even more. With this, it is no wonder why the 4K feature is gradually becoming the new standard in the field.

However, are all cameras good at stills can do great work at videos? Not at all times. As the old adage goes, you can’t always have it all. Nonetheless, there are cameras available that can do well on both sections. For instance, the Canon EOS R5. Besides its ability to deliver 4K and 8K videos, R5 is the current master when it comes to the world of photography due to its 45 MP full-frame CMOS 36 x 24 mm sensor. On the other hand, it also possesses the powerful, jaw-dropping Dual Pixel CMOS AF II that will benefit you even in shooting videos. That said, is the EOS R5 the perfect 4K cam? Well… not really.

Cameras are designed specifically to meet the needs of specific kinds of individuals. While the EOS R5 can offer you the best of both worlds, some might just want to pay for one specific function: 4K. After all, no one wants to pay for something that they won’t even use. In this case, 4K cameras with videos as a priority are the ones to search for. Some examples are the Sony A7S III and the Fujifilm X-T4 with 12 MP and 26 MP resolutions, respectively. Despite this fact, they come with the great bit depth, color sampling, frame rate, and more.

That being said, what should you get? Well, to give you better idea about them, we reviewed up to five 4K cameras on the market. Together with the help of our Photography Editor, Evangeline Summers, we give you our unbiased opinions about each of them. Besides the software, we also considered other basic sections such as ergonomics and price which (of course) as important as the ones mentioned above.

Best 4K Cameras Comparison & Rating

4K Cameras

Features

Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless Camera Body - Black
  • 4K video at up to 60p
  • 10-bit 4:2:2 recording
  • in-body stabilization
Sony NEW Alpha 7S III Full-frame Interchangeable Lens Mirrorless Camera
  • 10-bit 4:2:2 recording
  • no-crop full-frame 4K/60p
  • 12 MP BSI CMOS full-frame sensor
Canon EOS R5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera with 8K Video, 45 Megapixel Full-Frame CMOS Sensor, DIGIC X Image Processor, Dual Memory Card Slots, and Up to 12 fps Mechnical Shutter, Body Only
  • full-frame IBIS
  • 45 MP full-frame CMOS sensor
  • 8 stops 5-axis stabilization
Sony Alpha 1 Full-frame Interchangeable Lens Mirrorless Camera
  • 759-point phased detect AF
  • 4K at 20 fps
  • 5-axis in-body image stabilization
Panasonic LUMIX S5 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera, 4K 60P Video Recording with Flip Screen & WiFi, L-Mount, 5-Axis Dual I.S, DC-S5BODY (Black)
  • 24 MP CMOS sensor
  • 14 stops dynamic range
  • 30p 10-bit 4:2:2 UHD 4K full-frame 

1. Fujifilm X-T4

Fujifilm X-T4 Mirrorless Camera Body - Black
Specifications:
99% Overall

Type

Mirrorless

Sensor

APS-C

Megapixels

26.1 MP

Max Video

4K at 60p

99%
video features
98%
video quality
98%
ease of use
98%
value for money
Pros:
  • Has a longer battery life.
  • Offers faster shooting capabilities.
  • A 26 MP camera that can do 20 fps shooting.
  • Also offers 1080 video at up to 240fps.
  • Has 3.68M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder.
  • Comes with dual UHS-II card slots.
  • Operations and controls are very intuitive and can be easily executed.
  • New fully articulated rear touchscreen that is very responsive with just a gentle touch.
Cons:
  • Still expensive since it is still new.
Final Take:

Fujifilm X-T4 is one of the fewest cameras on the market that prioritizes video very well by chucking everything you need in a single body.

According to Summers, it is a new camera by Fujifilm so there is really a lot to expect from it. But anyone would be surprised at how much the brand has taken the job seriously to fashion its video features.

“Far from your regular cameras that can shoot 4K at 30 fps, it will allow up to 60 frames per second. This means that is more than capable to catch the scenes moment by moment and it will give you enough creative freedom over slow-mo effects.”

Summers also mentioned how it can display up to billions of colors due to its 10-bit internal recording. According to her, the color resolution is even bumped up when you use an external recorder to get the 4:2:2 video recording.

And to better aid in your videography needs, Fujifilm added its new 6.5-stop in-body stabilization to achieve clean shots. It is very effective in fixing small movements from the camera that cause blur. To boost its ability in shooting videos, Fujifilm also improved its face and eye detection and tracking. It is very effective and useful for specific types of shooting, though the absence of generic subject tracking might disappoint some.

2. Sony A7S III

Sony NEW Alpha 7S III Full-frame Interchangeable Lens Mirrorless Camera
Specifications:
98% Overall

Type

Mirrorless

Sensor

Full Frame

Megapixels

12.1 MP

Max Video

4K at 120p

99%
video features
97%
video quality
98%
ease of use
98%
value for money
Pros:
  • The AF system is reliable and works even in low-light conditions.
  • Can record 240p in HD.
  • Comes with a 12.1 MP BSI CMOS full-frame sensor.
  • Sports 5-axis in-body stabilization.
  • Features 1440K-dot fully-articulating 3” touchscreen LED screen.
  • Can deliver 16-bit Raw video output up to 60p.
Cons:
  • Only comes with a 12 MP resolution.
Final Take:

While others are designed to achieve a balance between stills and videos, Sony A7S III is fashioned to focus on the latter category. It is really not the best choice for photographers due to its 12 MP resolution, but for videographers… it is an absolute masterpiece.

“Though it can’t compete with the high-resolution category of stills, its video capabilities and features are one big, fat package,” said Summers. “It can shoot 4K videos in 120p just like the other leading camera models, but where it excels the most is the uncropped 4K 60p full frame videos.”

Summers said that it is impressive what A7S III can do, as if it doesn’t have a limitation. Aside from being able to utilize all the special AF options of the cam even at 240fps in HD, the bit depth and color sampling are pleasing due to its 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording. Most of all, you can enjoy the 4K capability of the A7S III since it has no limit in terms of recording time. You can even name your videos now for fast and easy file customization.

As for its AF system in video, you get effective autofocus even at low-light conditions. The AF can be adjusted to give you the control you need. Further, with just a tap on the screen, the camera will start tracking with the aid of activated face or eye detection. You won’t be disappointed in its performance since it is capable enough to follow subjects even if they are facing away from the camera. Yet, it isn’t as smart as other AF system like Canon’s; however, given the other video capabilities of A7S III, it is one great 4K camera.

3. Canon EOS R5

Canon EOS R5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera with 8K Video, 45 Megapixel Full-Frame CMOS Sensor, DIGIC X Image Processor, Dual Memory Card Slots, and Up to 12 fps Mechnical Shutter, Body Only
Specifications:
97% Overall

Type

Mirrorless

Sensor

Full Frame

Megapixels

45 MP

Max Video

8K DCI at 30p

97%
video features
98%
video quality
96%
ease of use
95%
value for money
Pros:
  • Has 3.15” fully articulating touchscreen.
  • Allows 35 MP frame grabs from 8K videos.
  • Has the most flawless AF system available on the market.
  • A powerful full-frame camera that can excel both in photography and videography.
  • Sports 45 MP full-frame CMOS 36 x 24 mm sensor.
  • Comes with 5-axis stabilization that offers up to 8 stops.
Cons:
  • Heats up when used to record anything more than 4K at 30fps.
Final Take:

It is undeniable that it is a giant due to its powerful Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system. Canon brought this to a whole new level when it made the extra powerful technology available both in stills and videos. Not just that: you can also enjoy it in ALL video resolutions and ALL frame rates. What’s even better is that R5 is capable of applying the AF even on animal subjects on the move! With just the right simple settings, you are ready to track even the wildest and shyest deer in the forest.

According to Summers, the system is known for its very aggressive tracking and focusing skills that remain unbeatable on the market.

“The performance is unbeatable that finding your subjects (regardless of the movements) will bring you to tears. The way the AF locks and stays with the subject is really overwhelming; be it face, head, or eye-tracking.

“Once the camera has recognized the human subject, the focus stays where it should be even if the bride is wearing a veil or momentarily gets her face blocked with a bouquet or hands and whatsoever,” Summers said.

On the other hand, while it suffers from overheating at anything above 4K at 30fps video recording (especially 8K at 30 fps), the quality is unquestionable. Every footage comes out rich and detailed that every single subject would stand out beautifully. It even comes with an IBIS that ensures you get nothing but divine videos, as if you shot them with a 5-star gimbal.

4. Sony A1

Sony Alpha 1 Full-frame Interchangeable Lens Mirrorless Camera
Specifications:
96% Overall

Type

Mirrorless

Sensor

Full Frame

Megapixels

50 MP

Max Video

8K at 30p

98%
video features
98%
video quality
97%
ease of use
92%
value for money
Pros:
  • Sports dual card slots for SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-II cards or the new CFexpress Type A format.
  • Can capture bursts at 30fps for electronic shutter and 10fps for the mechanical shutter.
  • Features a 9.44m dot EVF with 0.9x magnification.
  • Has a 5-axis in-body SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization.
  • Comes with Ethernet and high-speed USB-C ports.
  • Has a 3.0" tilting touchscreen with 1.44M-dot resolution.
  • Also has 425 contrast AF points.
Cons:
  • Extremely pricey compared to other models on the list.
Final Take:

Sony A1 beats Canon EOS R5 in terms of video capabilities. Unlike R5, Sony made the perfect tweaks in A1 to create an effective passive heat dissipation system. With this, besides 4K, it can deliver 8K videos without heaving up fast. The best thing about it is that its 4K videos can take up to 120 frames per second, making it very powerful than any other options out there. This, of course, also widens your options for your video projects.

“It comes with a 50.1 MP full-frame EXMOR RS CMOS back-illuminated sensor which will assure you that you have great quality stills and videos,” said Summers. “Though it isn’t the best in low-light situations, you can still capture a decent amount of detail for night shoots.”

The AF system of A1 also hits the subject with a bull’s eye precision. Thanks to the 759-point phased detect AF that covers at least 92% of the frame, it can comfortably track subjects. Compared to Canon EOS R5, however, A1 has specific settings you must set to prioritize your specific subject. This includes the ‘Bird’ and ‘Human’ options. Hence, with the right settings between the human, animal, and bird eye-detection, it will automatically follow the moving subject on the frame.

5. Panasonic Lumix S5

Panasonic LUMIX S5 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera, 4K 60P Video Recording with Flip Screen & WiFi, L-Mount, 5-Axis Dual I.S, DC-S5BODY (Black)
Specifications:
96% Overall

Type

Mirrorless

Sensor

Full Frame

Megapixels

24.2 MP

Max Video

4K at 60p

96%
video features
96%
video quality
95%
ease of use
96%
value for money
Pros:
  • Offers 96 MP RAW+JPEG shots.
  • The dynamic range is around 14 stops.
  • Brags 24.2 MP full-frame CMOS sensor with no AA filter.
  • Features a 3-inch 1.84M-dot fully articulating touchscreen.
  • Comes with dual SD card slots.
Cons:
  • Only relies on the Contrast AF system.
Final Take:

Panasonic AF system for stills and videos can’t really compete with what Canon offers; however, in the category of videos, Lumix S5 has a lot of other things to boast. This includes the 4K/60fps 10-Bit 4:2:0 videos and the powerful 6.5-stop image stabilization using its compatible lenses. It can also deliver 10-bit 4:2:2 UHD 4K full-frame video at up to 30p. With all this, you can be certain that you’ll get decent footage every single moment.

“You can also rely on its quality due to pixels that are approximately 5.93 microns, thanks to its 24.2 MP spec,” said Summers. “This also results in S5’s ability to handle low-light conditions while keeping the noise controlled at a relatively impressive level. As for the dynamic range, it comes with 14-stops which can challenge the famous EOS R5. It can gather enough details and the colors seem very natural.”

The 10-bit video option can only handle a maximum 30-minute recording but this is not a problem at all. Starting the new video can’t be instant and as for other modes, the time limit is not applicable.

With all this, it is true that Lumix S5 is not as grand as other cameras on the market such as Sony A1, EOS R5, or X-T4. Yet, for a relatively lower price, you have a dependable 4K camera with all the brilliant specs - especially when it comes to dynamic range. It even includes the video features of the pricey S1H. So, would it be a worthy consideration for you? Definitely.

Best 4K Cameras - Buyer's Guide

stills, videos, or both?

Having a camera that can perform well both in photographs and videos is a good thing. Such a versatile camera will definitely benefit you; however, if you think you won’t be using it that much for stills and it would just cause you a fortune to afford that high-end camera, just opt for the one that will serve the purpose you need.

frame rate

While there are lots of cameras now that can shoot in 4K, not are all capable of offering high frame rates. Having a high frame rate allows you to capture more data and details; thus, your the movements of the subject in the video become smoother. It will also benefit slow-mo effects while keeping the quality of the video at acceptable levels.

image stabilization

Capturing videos, especially for film projects, force camera users to move. While a gimbal is a good alternative to counteract blurriness, an in-body image stabilization will do more. This will aid your camera sensor to achieve stable, shake-free videos.

bit depth

As much as possible we would recommend getting a 4K cam that saves videos at 10-bit. This means better details and dynamic range. Most of all, it 10-bit gives you more color to work with and it translates to  smoother transition of colors.

Best 4K Cameras - FAQs

Are 4K UHD and Cinema 4K the same?

There is no difference between 4K and UHD. Both terms just refer to the resolution 3840 x 2160 pixels. On the other hand, Cinema 4K or DCI 4K comes with 4096 x 2160 resolution.

Is the screen important in 4K cameras?

Yes. Having a tilting screen will benefit you more over fixed screens. When recording videos, the former will allow you to easily get shots even at awkward angles and positions by simply adjusting the screen.

Do I need gimbals for my 4K camera?

Most professional cameras now come with IBIS. This should stabilize little movements while you are standing; however, if you plan to record footage while running or walking, a gimbal might be needed.

Does the frame rate affect the quality of 4K?

Yes, frame rates have direct effects to the quality of the 4K video. The higher the frame rate, the smoother the video would be in terms of actions of moving objects.

Author

Santi Bongco is an editor at SolidSmack which is the leading site for 3D CAD, robots, cool product designs, and other technologies. For the past seven years, he taught robotics and developed innovative 3D printer ideas with his students. He also helped in developing some innovative digital ideas and products for various digital marketing businesses and big companies in Asia. Now, aside from exploring buffet restos in California, he enjoys leading groups of our in-house experts in trying some of your favorite products and electronic brands to write insightful reviews for you. PS: He loves reviewing appliances and taking them home to personally ‘try’ them.