Are you interested in getting your hands on one of those new high-resolution 8K cameras you keep hearing about but are unsure which one will work best for you? The available options are still limited and their prices and performance vary greatly. Finding the perfect 8K camera can be a challenge.
That’s where we come in!
After a lot of extensive research, we’ve compiled this detailed list of the best 8K video cameras. There is something here for everyone with excellent hybrid cameras that shoot still photography and video, high-end cinema cameras, 360° cameras, and drones.
Before we go into each of the cameras in detail, check out an overview of our top five 8K cameras below:
Below is our comprehensive list of all the best and most popular 8K cameras currently on the market. Let’s dive in and find out where each camera excels, where they could be improved, and more!
(Highest Resolution 8K Video Camera)
Blackmagic Design makes some of the most sought-after 4K and 6K video cameras globally. And the URSA Mini Pro 12K is their highest-resolution video camera yet. In fact, not only is it their highest-resolution camera, it’s the only camera with 12K video capabilities currently available to consumers, regardless of brand.
It features a large 79.6MP CMOS sensor and shoots stunning 12K footage that can be sampled down to 8 or 4K during video editing using professional programs like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. Alternatively, you can shoot 8K videos at 160 fps, 6K at 120 fps, and 4K at a mind-melting 220 fps. Its biggest downfall is the 3200 max ISO, which means it doesn’t perform exceptionally well in low-light conditions.
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(Most Affordable 8K Video Camera)
The Z Cam E2-F8 is a box camera that closely resembles the design of the Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12. What it lacks in name recognition, it more than makes up for in performance. It has a giant 61MP full-frame CMOS sensor that measures 35.97×23.98 mm. On top of that, it has no 8K recording limit, allowing you to work uninterrupted for as long as you want (or until your memory card is full).
Another thing to keep in mind is that it uses the Canon EF lens mount. This gives videographers access to a never-ending list of top-rated lenses perfect for video shooting. While there is no screen on the aluminum alloy body, the Z Camera app provides live previews with little to no lag and lets you quickly and easily adjust the camera settings.
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(Best 360° 8K Video Camera)
The Insta360 Pro II is the successor to the original Insta360 Pro and the most advanced 360-degree camera ever created. While most of you have probably never heard of this camera, there’s a good chance you have seen one mounted on top of a Google car driving around taking footage for Google Street View.
In total, it features six f/2.4 fisheye lenses that work together to deliver sparkling 8K stereoscopic videos and 12K images. In addition, it has four microphones for improved audio performance and multiple ventilation points for extended shooting. A few more advanced features include optical image stabilization, live streaming capabilities, and VR support.
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(Best 8K Video Camera for Travel)
Turning to another 360-degree camera, we have the Kandao QooCam 8K 360. Pound for pound, it can’t compare with the specs of the previous camera, but it costs only a fraction of the price. Moreover, measuring 145x57x33 mm and weighing only 245 grams, it’s a pocket-sized camera ideal for travel and everyday use.
My favorite characteristic of this camera is its 8K widescreen video option. While shooting 360-degree videos is very cool, the ability to film standard high-quality footage with the same camera is incredibly convenient. Other key features worth noting include the touchscreen OLED, great image stabilization, and stunning image quality.
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(Best Drone 8K Video Camera)
DJI might be the dominant player in the drone world, but thanks to the release of multiple successful drones like the EVO II, Autel Robotics is starting to make a name for itself. The EVO II has a 48MP 1/2-inch Quad Bayer sensor and is the first 8K consumer drone to hit the market. In addition to 8K/25p, other max video resolution options include 6K/30p and 4K/60p.
Another awesome perk of this drone is the ability to remove the camera and attach a different Autel Robotics camera. And the cameras on the EVO II Pro and the EVO II Dual are two terrific options. More professional features are the advanced obstacle avoidance sensors, a 40-minute battery life, and a video transmission range of nine kilometers.
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(Best Professional 8K Video Camera)
For the hardcore professional filmmakers out there, the Sony Venice 2 may very well be the best 8K camera ever built. While it comes with an incredibly hefty price tag, if you have deep pockets and want the cream of the crop, this is it. As the only camera on this list to garner Netflix’s stamp of approval, it’s a go-to choice for big production houses and independent documentary filmmakers alike.
The 8.6K full-frame sensor is interchangeable and can be replaced with the 6K sensor from the previous Sony Venice. The addition of eight high-quality motorized ND filters makes the colors pop and helps deliver 16-stops of dynamic range. Lastly, it uses the Sony E lens mount system, which is perfect for photographers and videographers already using other Sony cameras.
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While there are only a few cameras with 8K video capabilities currently available, you should consider getting one if you are a serious videographer, filmmaker, or content creator. They not only boast unrivaled video resolution, but many of them are among the top still photography cameras on the market.
Here’s a quick summary of the best 8K cameras we covered today.
Videographers who want the controls of a cinema camera but the portability of a mirrorless camera should opt for the Canon EOS R5 C.
The Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 12K is the number one 8K camera for people who want the highest video resolution possible.
For professional filmmakers with an unlimited budget, the Sony Venice 2 is an 8K camera unlike any other.
Vloggers and content creators who work with 360° footage should choose the Insta360 Pro II or the Kandao QooCam 8K 360.
And lastly, landscape and adventure photographers will love the unique angles and the smooth videos captured by the Autel Robotics EVO II 8K camera.
Here are a few of the most common questions (and answers) people have when considering purchasing a new 8K camera.
An 8K camera is any device that can record videos at resolutions of 8K (7680×4320 pixels) or higher. While it is still a relatively new technology, more and more 8K cameras are coming out every year.
At the moment, most 8K devices are high-end cinema cameras aimed at professionals. For the average consumer, only four mirrorless cameras and no medium format cameras with 8K capabilities currently exist. Outside of those, there are a handful of phones, drones, 360° cameras, and speciality devices that can capture images and 8K footage.
That depends! The simple answer, in terms of overall video resolution and picture quality, is yes. With four times as many pixels as a 4K video, another huge advantage is that you can initially record in 8K before oversampling the footage and playing it back in 4K or even 1080p Full HD. This technique leads to spectacular videos with even better quality than if you had initially shot them in 4K.
As to why 8K cameras might not always be the best for video, there are two primary reasons. The first is that very few monitors can even display 4K videos in their original quality, let alone 8K. And the second reason is that 8K video files are massive. For reference, only one minute of RAW 8K video takes up an average of 121.5 GB.
While there is quite a significant variance across the price ranges of 8K cameras, the one constant is that they are not cheap. All the 8K mirrorless cameras currently available are priced somewhere between $4000 and $7000. 8K cinema cameras are even more expensive, with some of them costing well over $50,000.
On the bright side, as 8K technology becomes more widely available in future years, the prices will drop. It wasn’t that long ago that 4K cameras were the new thing, and nobody could afford them, and now even most budget cameras feature 4K video.
If you are still not sure which camera to choose, try our posts on the best camera for music videos, the best video camera for sports, or the best Canon mirrorless for video next!
