Сheapest 4k Сamera

What Is the Cheapest 4K Camera?

4K is a video resolution type that stands for “4000.” It is the number of pixels in width produced by equipment that records footage in this format. It provides a higher level of detail than any other resolution available to photographers or filmmakers today.

HD offers a very detailed and vibrant image on large screens too, but it’s still capable of only 1920px across, which is twice less than 4K has horizontally, and 4 times less overall. Recently, 4k cameras were so expensive, large and very heavy, but nowadays even a compact action camera can easily produce 4K footage.

Cheapest 4K Camera in 2021

Here is my list of 15 cheapest 4k cameras that cover different price ranges and camera types – action cameras, camcorders, DSLR and mirrorless camera bodies.

1. GoPro Hero 7 Black

If you’re looking for an action camera for affordable price, I recommend choosing GoPro Hero 7. It has a waterproof body, useful apps that provide superior phone integration, a touchscreen that allows previewing your videos and photos, and Cineform. We’re talking about the functionality of professional-level gear implemented in a miniature action camera. Design-wise, Hero 7 is nearly identical to its predecessor, GoPro Hero 6. The only difference are the new body color scheme and reworked microphone meant to improve the audio quality (But its quality is still too low). This is the best 4k video camera that has improved image stabilization system Hypersmooth, user-friendly UI, straightforward controls and the “Prepare it and forget it” philosophy.

2. Nikon D850

This 4K video camera is ideal for wedding, nature, portraiture, and action shots. The D850 has a state- of-the-art 45.4MP full-frame sensor, an innovative 153-dot autofocus system, a rotatable touchscreen, and offers a broad range of connectivity options. This model is the most impressive 4K DSLRs ever produced by Nikon. Also, since most of your video footage will be 4K, remember that the camera has to perform a huge amount of image processing to accommodate the video’s resolution. It means that the quality of the footage processing and the camera’s lenses will matter more than how much megapixels it has.

• View more about the best Canon for video.

3. Panasonic Lumix G7k

This 4K camera Panasonic represents a multifunctional video recording camera that offers great image quality, a highly efficient AF system, and 4K support packed into a tiny unit operated by external controls. The camera’s UI can be uncomfortable to use at times but has several neat functions such as the ability to employ the rear display as a touchscreen to determine an autofocus point. I recommend this camera for rookies who want to evolve as photographers and DSLR owners who want a compact spare camera. It’s especially great if you’re planning on recording a lot of videos. While it isn’t the cheapest 4K video camera here, it’s a good choice for high quality filming.

4. Panasonic Lumix FZ80

The DC-FZ80 is not the best professional video camera but can shoot beautiful videos too. It has a relatively small 1/2.33” sensor and offers an 18MP resolution. It’s supplied with a large lens that has a focal distance of 20-1200mm (equivalent to 35mm film) and a mind-blowing 60-times digital zoom. If you employ the zoom to the max, you can take pictures with a focal distance of up to 4800mm. The FZ80 has an integrated image stabilizing system known as Power O.I.S. It combines elements of optical and digital stabilization and is used for both image and video recording. It offers nice performance but starts to show flaws when taking photographs at 1200mm. To avoid this problem I advise purchasing a tripod that will ensure you to create sharp images and shake-free video footage.

• Read about best video tripods to take shoot clear and sharp videos at night.

5. Canon XC10

XC10 stands out from other Canon cameras because it’s a universal model that supports 4K and Full HD videos and 12MP photos. Another great feature of this camera is how comfortable it is to hold when shooting, leading to reduced camera shake. It has an integrated 1” sensor, Canon Log support, and twelve dynamic range settings. Optics-wise, the camera employs a fixed zoom supported by an optical picture stabilizer and an integrated ND filter. This 4K camera Canon has a lens with a focal length of 27.3-273mm for video recording and 24.1-241mm for taking pictures. It also has an extremely useful Vari-Angle touchscreen paired with a loupe that can be used to see the display better in direct sunlight. If you’re a beginner who spends more time recording videos than taking pictures, this Canon 4K video camera can become the perfect camera for creating almost cinema-level content. I also recommend this model to students who study cinematography or journalism.

6. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III

The Olympus Mark III represents everything you can want from a mirrorless 4K camera. Its 4K footage is of high quality, it’s comfortable to hold, includes a broad range of features, requires minimum space in your backpack, and takes stunning pictures. Among other impressive characteristics of this affordable 4k camera are a handy 3” rotatable touchscreen, integrated flash, and a 2.36m-point digital viewfinder. Considering the camera’s low price, advanced features, and several Art and Scene modes, it could be viewed as entry-level gear. But nowadays, it’s nearly impossible to tell apart such a progressive multifunctional camera from an enthusiast model.

7. Fujifilm X-H1

While there are lots of 4K cameras capable of recording videos in top quality, Fujifilm X-H1 remains my go-to choice when it comes to filmmaking. As expected from a 4K camera targeted at experienced photographers, professionals, and moviemakers, this model has an array of advanced functions such as integrated image stabilization. This feature is unprecedented in a Fujifilm product. X-H1 comes with a rotatable 3” touchscreen located at the back of the camera and attached by two joints. Thanks to the touchscreen controls, this model is far more user-friendly than X-T2. This cheapest 4K camera can be connected via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or NFC. Once you’ve linked it to your phone or tablet and installed the brand’s app, you can freely copy your photos and videos and share them on SM websites.

8. YI 4K+ Action Camera

This model is the cheapest 4K action camera that supports recording 4K footage at 60 fps. However, that feature does come with several exceptions. For instance, the Ultra 4K mode, which provides the best quality, can only produce 30fps. Likewise, the 4K HD mode (which offers a 4,000x3,008 resolution in contrast to the regular 3,840x2,160px) has the same drawback. That being said, if you only use the standard 4K mode, you can choose between shooting with 60, 48, or 30 frames per second. Obviously, though, you’ll enjoy the best results at 60fps since it provides the sharpest, most pleasantly-saturated pictures.

Handholding the camera isn’t recommended since it leads to choppy footage caused by the fact that Yi’s stabilization system only works in 4K at 30fps or lower. Yet despite that drawback, it’s still a great option if you’re looking for the cheapest 4K camera for filmmaking. If you’re planning on using the camera for taking photographs, you’ll be impressed with the sharpness and colors offered by Yi 4K+’s 12MP pictures. Moreover, you can also take images in RAW format (although only when HDR is disabled).

9. Sony Alpha a6300

Sony a6300 is a mirrorless camera that shares the same 24MP introduced with a6000. However, this camera’s autofocus system, video recording-, viewfinder-, and design quality have been significantly improved. I believe that the a6300 is the best 4K camera under 1000 and I recommend it to everyone who is looking for gear that allows taking amazing photographs and 4K videos.

10. Nikon D500

The D500 is 20 MP DSLR camera with an APS-C image sensor. It boasts a burst shooting mode of 10fps that is paired with a 200-photo buffer for RAW files. This 4K camera Nikon D500 was designed with action-oriented videographers and photographers in mind since they don’t care about the smaller sensor and instead enjoy its additional reach. The camera has a 153-dot autofocus and a 180k-px RGB metering sensor powered by D5’s EXPEED 5 processor. The D500 allows recording video in either 4K or UHD and comes with a “SnapBridge” function that enables your phone to be constantly connected to the camera via Bluetooth.

I can definitely recommend this model to photographers in need of a sturdy DSLR 4K HD camera that is comfortable to hold and use. It’s especially well-suited for people who are planning to record sports events.

11. AKASO V50 Pro Native 4K/30fps

V50 Pro is the cheapest 4K action camera featured on this list. Even though this model is nearly 4 times cheaper than GoPro’s Hero 6, it offers surprisingly adequate video quality. Moreover, the camera allows recording time lapses in extremely high quality. It’s possible to record 4K footage at 30fps, which is reasonable considering how inexpensive the camera is. However, it’s recommended to shoot in Full HD and 60 fps instead to achieve the best results. If your goal is to produce a ton of 4K footage, you’ll need a large SD card. I suggest purchasing a card that has at least 64GB of storage space. Overall, this decent cheap 4K camera should satisfy both rookies and pros.

12. Camcorder AiTechny 4K

If you dream of hiking, recording your adventures, capturing the beauty of the ocean and the sky, this best budget 4k camcorder should be right up your alley. The AiTechny camcorder is extremely universe and can be used for all kinds of videos including trips, family parties, weddings, etc. It has a 4K resolution of 2,880x2160 at 24fps and is able to provide beautiful high-contrast imagery. The camera allows capturing breathtaking landscapes thanks to its wide-angle lens and taking close-up shots with the 16x digital zoom. However, be prepared that zoomed-in footage will lack clarity since this model doesn’t have an optical zoom. Even so, this is still probably the best cheap 4K camera in its category.

• Read more about best cheap cameras that can take good quality photos and sharp videos.

13. BlackMagic Design Production Camera 4k

This cheap 4K camera has a sturdy body identical to the BlackMagic Cinema Camera and has a width of 6.5”, is 5.2” tall, while weighing mere 3.8lbs. The camera comes with a 5” touchscreen with a decent 800x480 definition. The display offers high sharpness, but due to being very reflective, it can be hard to see during outdoor photoshoots. This issue is somewhat mitigated thanks to the provided rubber touchscreen hood. However, if you want to solve this problem completely, I advise attaching an extension to the hood or purchasing a focusing cover like photographers used to do back in the day.

14. Sony FDRAX33 4K

Sony released a small, user-friendly camera that weighs a mere 655g, meaning that for the most part, you can control it using only one hand. You can turn the FDR-AX33 on either by extracting the viewfinder or activating the 3-inch touchscreen. It’s a good choice if you’re looking for an inexpensive 4K camera. This model has the B.O.S.S. image stabilizing system. It allows you to examine how the camera’s lens is moving inside to prevent camera shake. FDR-AX33’s image stabilization is especially useful when recording footage on hiking trips or during close-ups.

15. Sony Fdr-x1000V/W

This is a miniature camcorder that supports 4K videos. Moreover, in theory, this 4K camera Sony is capable of recording 4K at a faster rate than GoPro equipment. While this model allows you to choose between 60 and 100 Mbit per second, GoPro cameras have a maximum rate of 60Mbit/s. Regarding recording settings, you are presented with a broad range of modes that save footage in different formats. Let’s take a look at MP4 as an example. A resolution of 1080p grants you a recording speed of 60fps, while 720p increases that figure all the way to 100fps. If you decide to record in 240p, you can enable super slow-mo mode with 200fps. As mentioned above, 4K can be recorded either at 100 or 60 Mbit/s at 30fps if you shoot in Sony’s in-house developed XAVC S format. If you use this codec to record in other resolutions, you can generate 120fps in 1080p and 240fps in 720, which is quite impressive. Overall, this camcorder offers everything one might expect from an inexpensive 4K camera.

15 Cheapest 4K Cameras

Image	NAME	DETAILS
	GoPro Hero 7 Black OUR CHOICE	12MP 4K/30 fps	Check PRICE →
	YI 4K+ Action Camera CHEAPEST	12MP 4K/60 fps	Check PRICE →
	AKASO V50 Pro Native 4K/30fps	20 MP 4K/30 fps	Check PRICE →
	Camcorder AiTechny 4K	48 MP 4K/24 fps	Check PRICE →
	Nikon D850 4K NIKON	45.7 MP 4K/30 fps	Check PRICE →
	BlackMagic Design Production Camera 4k	20MP 4K/60 fps	Check PRICE →
	Sony FDRAX33 4K 4K SONY	16MP 4K	Check PRICE →
	Sony Fdr-x1000V/W	8.8MP 4K	Check PRICE →
	Panasonic Lumix G7k	16 MP 4K	Check PRICE →
	Panasonic Lumix FZ80	18.9MP 4K	Check PRICE →
	Canon XC10 4K CANON	12 MP 4K	Check PRICE →
	Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III 4K OLYMPUS	16 MP 4K	Check PRICE →
	Fujifilm X-H1 4K FUJIFILM	24.3 MP 4K	Check PRICE →
	Sony Alpha a6300	24.2 MP 4K	Check PRICE →
	Nikon D500	20.9MP 4K	Check PRICE →

How to Choose 4K Camera?

There are several aspects you have to keep in mind while searching for the cheapest 4K camera:

FPS Count

Most cameras are only capable of recording 4K footage at 25 or 30 frames per second max. That being said, more expensive models, like the ones offered by GoPro, raise the bar up to 60 fps. What this means is that a camera will capture full-frame pictures 60 times each second. Such a framerate is particularly needed for filming sports events, where shooting in 30fps won’t provide fluent footage. 60 fps footage is great for making slow-mo videos during the editing process since it will still look smooth.

Data Storage

Give preference to cameras that have a MicroSD slot (or maybe even 2) so that when you run out of internal memory mid-shoot you can avoid deleting files and simply insert a different SD card.

Wi-Fi Connection Availability

The majority of cheap 4k cameras that have Wi-Fi connectivity are also supplied with a dedicated app. Before you make any decisions, you should do some research and learn what each app has to offer. Personally, I like GoPro’s app since it allows working with files while they’re still on the SD cards as well as recording photos and videos. However, it does lead to the camera heating up far quicker than usual.

Image Stabilization

The availability and quality of the IS system is one of the most important characteristics of action cameras. The best brand in this regard is Sony, with GoPro slowly reaching that level, but still not being there yet. Image stabilization allows reducing camera shake, which is a real issue since micro-movements occur even when the camera is left untouched with a mechanical stabilizer.

Camera Type

There are many types of 4k cameras you can choose from, including DSLR, camcorders, mirrorless, and action cameras. You need to determine the field in which you’re going to use the camera. If you’re planning on recording vlogs and adventures, I suggest purchasing an action camera due to its compact size. On the other hand, if you want to shoot movies and ads, it’s better to buy a DSLR or a mirrorless model.

Controls

The type and complexity of controls depend on the purpose of your camera. For action videos, you require a simple model that allows starting recording with a single press of a button. Meanwhile, if we’re talking about professional videos, you need to have access to a broader range of settings and features.

Audio

The majority of cameras boast good audio recording capabilities, including jack for mic input. The audio quality is greatly affected by wired mics, especially if you are recording on a crowded street or in windy weather.

Actually, this is one of the most important parameters. Even if a 4K video seems good, it can be rendered unwatched if the quality of the audio is bad.

Is It Possible to Record Good 4K Videos on Smartphone?

4K support is becoming more and more common. Even though smartphones that allow recording 4K footage are still a novelty, it’s not an uncommon feature. Actually, they’ve been available since about 2013, when Qualcomm released Snapdragon 800 chipsets that gave brands the potential to develop gadgets capable of recording 4K videos.

Nowadays, 4K isn’t a mysterious exotic function, but something that is included in almost any flagship phone of all the major companies. Smartphone cameras are best suited for recording short films. For instance, Samsung Galaxy S8 offers 4K support and has a front-facing 8MP camera and a back 12MP camera.

Ann Young

Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more