We don’t typically extensively cowl video gear right here at PetaPixel, however we thought it is likely to be useful to cowl among the finest hybrid cameras on the market — these cameras geared towards each photographers and videographers.
With the almost industry-wide transfer away from DSLRs and over to mirrorless have additionally come important developments in video expertise and efficiency in digital camera our bodies which might be historically stills oriented. An increasing number of individuals are enthusiastic about taking pictures video — whether or not it’s vlogging or filmmaking or one thing else — and increasingly more professionals are juggling jobs as each photographers and videographers.
As such, we wished to place collectively an inventory of cameras that finest swimsuit the wants of such customers.
What We’re Trying For
There are a variety of issues to think about in an inventory like this, which is at all times inherently fairly subjective. First, we’ve got approached this listing from the attitude of customers who do a comparatively even stability of pictures and video work — the alternatives must excel pretty equally as stills cameras and as video cameras. Subsequently, whereas some cameras are technically hybrid, just like the Panasonic Lumix S1H or Canon R5C, these had been disqualified as a result of they’re overwhelmingly geared extra towards video customers than photographers.
So, we’re taking a look at nearly each facet you need in an excellent hybrid digital camera for every class. For video, we wish cameras that excel in picture high quality, bit-depth, bitrate, codecs, inputs and outputs, filmmaking instruments like shutter angle or false colour, autofocus, rolling shutter, and so forth. For stills, we’re in search of issues like dynamic vary and total picture high quality, autofocus efficiency, construct and ergonomics, body charges, and all the opposite options that we shutterbugs love. And naturally, value and different elements just like the native lens ecosystem play a substantial position.
So, listed here are our picks for the most effective hybrid cameras at the moment available on the market, damaged down into seven classes.
At a Look
Finest General Hybrid Digital camera: Fujifilm X-H2s
Fujifilm’s flagship APS-C digital camera and long-awaited follow-up to 2018’s X-H1 was launched final yr to a lot acclaim. The Fujifilm X-H2s sports activities a stacked sensor design — the primary for an APS-C digital camera — with 26.1MP of decision, and Fujifilm’s proprietary X-Trans array, the X-H2s is a powerhouse digital camera. Because of the terribly quick readout velocity of the stacked sensor (1/180 of a second) and the brand new X-Processor 5, it might shoot 40 uncompressed RAW frames per second with steady autofocus and with none EVF blackout for as much as 140 RAW frames.
The X-H2s’s physique encompasses a appreciable grip, a PASM dial with seven customized modes, a 5.76m-dot OLED viewfinder with 0.8x (equal) magnification, vari-angle 1.62m-dot, 3.0” rear LCD, 1.28” prime panel LCD, 5-axis IBIS rated for seven stops, twin card slots (one CFexpress Sort B and one UHS-II SD), full-size HDMI Sort-A port, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-C port, and a big NP-W325 battery that’s CIPA rated for 720 photographs in Financial system Mode. An optionally available VG-XH Vertical Grip is obtainable, as is the Fujifilm FAN-001 Cooling Fan, which helps cool the digital camera physique to increase video recording time.
FAN-001 extends recording time
The digital camera’s video capabilities are as spectacular as its photograph options, putting the X-H2s firmly within the hybrid class. Inside 10-bit 4:2:2 recording in DCI 4K at as much as 120 fps (1080 HD at as much as 240 fps), in addition to 6.2K open-gate recording at as much as 30 fps. The latter is a relatively distinctive characteristic — Panasonic is the one different firm that permits for open gate recording in its hybrid fashions. The X-H2s gives not solely H.265 recording but additionally inner ProRes 422 HQ in each DCI 4K and open gate 6.2K. The digital camera’s full-size HDMI port permits for exterior ProRes RAW and Blackmagic RAW (with acceptable recorder) output at varied resolutions as much as 6.2K. Fujifilm additionally debuted its new F-Log2 gamma curve within the X-H2s, which helps greater dynamic vary and is especially conducive to filmmaking and HDR video.
Uniquely, the X-H2s permits customers to pick out both 14-bit or 12-bit readout when taking pictures video (F-Log2 is just out there with 14-bit). And because of the digital camera’s stacked sensor, DCI 4K reads out at an astonishing 9.5ms in 14-bit mode and a good higher 5.5ms in 12-bit, whereas open gate 6.2K is round 11.5ms in 14-bit mode. These are among the many finest rolling shutter values of any digital camera — hybrid or in any other case.
The Fujifilm X-H2s has all of it – wonderful picture high quality, sturdy construct, wonderful ergonomics, excellent autofocus monitoring and taking pictures speeds, and among the finest video specs of any hybrid digital camera. Whereas it isn’t full-frame, Fujifilm does have the most effective line-up of APS-C lenses – each Fuji branded and third-party – and its APS-C sensor intently mirrors the Tremendous 35 movie/sensor measurement historically utilized in filmmaking. Additionally it is considerably cheaper than any stacked-sensor full-frame digital camera, making it the most effective all-around possibility for many customers.
PetaPixel’s overview of the Fujifilm X-H2s will be discovered right here.
Finest Full-Body Hybrid Digital camera: Nikon Z8
Nikon is way from the primary identify anybody thinks of with regards to video — till the Nikon Z6 and Z7, nobody actually would have considered any of its cameras as true hybrids. And but, the Nikon Z8 is without doubt one of the finest cameras you should purchase, it doesn’t matter what you plan to do with it. Basically a smaller model of the Nikon Z9 (however $1,500 cheaper and 30% smaller), it is usually probably the most inexpensive digital camera available on the market with a full-frame stacked sensor — the subsequent non-Nikon possibility is $2,000 costlier. There may be nearly nothing the Nikon Z8 doesn’t excel at; panorama, portraiture, sports activities, wildlife, you identify it, it might do it. It’s additionally one of the feature-rich hybrid cameras ever made for video work.
The Nikon Z8 encompasses a 45.7MP BSI stacked sensor with the quickest readout of any interchangeable lens digital camera at 1/270th of a second, which allowed Nikon to cast off the mechanical shutter utterly. The physique encompasses a sturdy grip and bigger profile than many different mirrorless cameras, making it deal with someplace between a mirrorless digital camera and a DSLR. The Z8 additionally boasts a 3.2” 4-axis tilting touchscreen with 2.1m-dots, prime panel standing show, one CFexpress Sort B and one UHS-II SD card slot, backlit buttons, a full-size HDMI Sort-A port, and two USB-C ports (one for file transferring and tethering and one for battery charging and energy supply). One of many USB-C ports additionally helps USB-LAN connectivity when paired with a USB-C to Ethernet adapter for file transferring over FTP.
Full-resolution lossless compressed RAW is obtainable at 20 fps — 30 fps for JPEGs — for as much as 1,000 frames, giving the digital camera a just about limitless buffer, as much as 60 fps in DX crop mode (19MP), and 120 fps at 11MP — all with full autofocus and autoexposure efficiency. The Z8 additionally introduces pre-release seize, which commences burst taking pictures when the shutter button is half-pressed, and the buffer will repeatedly retain as much as one second’s value of frames prior to completely urgent the shutter button — that is nice for sports activities and wildlife shooters who’re anticipating an motion however don’t know when it would occur. I like the characteristic on my OM System OM-1 for wildlife pictures.
On the video entrance, the Nikon Z8 doesn’t disappoint, with video specs unmatched by every other hybrid digital camera available on the market. Full pixel readout permits for 8K UHD video at as much as 30p, and sub-sampled 4K UHD is obtainable as much as 4K 120p, each in 10-bit 4:2:0 H.265. ProRes RAW HQ can be out there (internally!) at sub-sampled 12-bit 4.1K (as much as 60p) or full pixel readout 5.4K (as much as 30p, APS-C crop). Lastly, Nikon’s 12-bit N-RAW permits for 8.2K at as much as 60p, 5.4K APS-C crop as much as 60, sub-sampled 4.1K as much as 120p, and UHD 4K at 120p with a 2.3x crop. N-Log gamma is obtainable in all modes and codecs aside from H.264, and Hybrid Log Gamma is obtainable in H.265. Whereas the Z8 can’t report RAW video for the whopping 2 hours and 5 minutes of its greater brother, it’s nonetheless able to a really respectable 90 minutes. I think utilizing the Nikon MB-N12 Vertical Grip would lengthen this considerably, as would possibly your taking pictures atmosphere.
The Z8’s 493-point section detection autofocus — which might focus right down to -9 EV (with an f/1.2 lens) in Starlight mode — mixed with its stacked sensor and new EXPEED 7 processor make the Z8 one of many best-performing cameras available on the market for autofocus velocity, monitoring, and accuracy.
There simply isn’t a lot to complain about right here. Some critics complain in regards to the 3.69m-dot EVF, which is decrease decision than the EVFs of many different high-end cameras, however Nikon’s EVFs are nearly as good as any I’ve used. The EVF is crystal clear with a excessive 0.8x magnification and is at all times at its highest decision and magnification it doesn’t matter what — many different cameras, just like the Sony Alpha 1, drop their decision and magnification at greater body charges, making the reported specs principally relevant solely to playback and menu.
In brief, you merely can’t go incorrect right here. At its unbeatable value level of $3,999 (given its specs), excessive decision, low native ISO of 64, excessive dynamic vary, distinctive efficiency, and unmatched video options, it’s the clear choose for the most effective full-frame hybrid digital camera.
Finest Funds Full-Body Hybrid Digital camera: Panasonic Lumix S5 II or S5 IIx
Panasonic didn’t come to play when it launched its second technology of the favored Panasonic S5 cameras. One of many spotlight options of the brand new Panasonic S5 II was the utterly revamped autofocus system, which, for the primary time in a Panasonic digital camera, lastly options section detection autofocus. And Panasonic’s first outing with PDAF was no smaller success — it’s genuinely wonderful, rivaling Canon, Sony, and the Nikon Z8/Z9 in lots of conditions.
The Panasonic S5 II encompasses a 24.2MP BSI full-frame sensor, 779 section detection autofocus factors, as much as 30 fps full-resolution taking pictures with the digital shutter, a 3.68m-dot OLED EVF with 0.78x magnification, 3.0” 1.84m-dot vari-angle touchscreen, twin UHS-II SD card slots, full-size HDMI port, and 5-axis IBIS rated for as much as 6.5 stops when utilizing Twin I.S. 2 with acceptable lenses.
On the video facet, open-gate 6K 10-bit 4:2:0 recording is obtainable as much as 29.97p, 6K and 4K DCI, 4K APS-C crop as much as 59.94p, and three.3K APS-C anamorphic as much as 50p can be found internally in H.265 and H.264. Gamma curves like V-Log, Hybrid Log Gamma, and Cinelike D2/V2 can be found, with V-Log that includes twin native ISOs of 640 and 4000. Different distinctive video options like shutter angles, vectorscopes, waveforms, and anamorphic desqueeze are additionally included. The digital camera additionally gives the flexibility to import LUTs (Look Up Tables) within the {industry} normal .dice format, which can be utilized just for preview or utilized on to the recorded footage.
Panasonic S5 IIx
The Panasonic S5 IIx, which runs $200 greater than the common S5 II, provides RAW video output by way of HDMI, inner ProRes seize (422 and 422 HQ), direct recording to an exterior SSD by way of USB-C and ALL-Intra codecs. Whereas S5 II homeowners should buy an improve for RAW video output, the improve prices the identical because the distinction between the S5 II and S5 IIx — if you would like that or any of the opposite options the S5 IIx gives, simply purchase it.
Panasonic cameras have at all times been an awesome place to search for powerhouse hybrid cameras. Nevertheless, the S5 II and S5 IIx up the ante by integrating PDAF and eradicating the problems that Panasonic’s DFD autofocus offered.
Finest Bang-For-Your-Buck Hybrid Digital camera: Fujifilm X-S20
Launched earlier this yr in March, the Fujifilm X-S20 surprised many with some relatively surprising options, notably on the video entrance. The Fujifilm X-S10 was already an excellent stills digital camera for its value level, so Fujifilm took issues to the subsequent stage with the X-S20, making it top-of-the-line price range cameras available on the market.
The Fujifilm X-S20 encompasses a 26MP X-Trans BSI sensor, 5-axis IBIS CIPA-rated as much as 7 stops, a 3.0” absolutely articulating touchscreen with 1.84m-dots, 2.36m-dot OLED EVF, hybrid distinction and section detection autofocus, a single UHS-II card slot, and a bigger, upgraded battery which is CIPA-rated for 750 photographs utilizing the LCD. On the stills facet, the X-S20 shoots as much as 20 RAW frames per second with the digital shutter (30 fps with a 1.25x crop). It has a wonderful autofocus system due to the brand new X-Processor 5 and improved autofocus algorithm inherited from the Fujifilm X-H2s.
Video is the place the X-S20 actually surprises for the cash. Inside H.264 ALL-Intra, H.264 Lengthy GOP, H.265 ALL-Intra, H.265 Lengthy GOP are all out there in each 8 and 10-bit 4:2:0 and 4:2:2. DCI 4K is obtainable as much as 59.94p, together with DCI 2K and Full HD at as much as 240p.
It doesn’t finish there. Distinctive to a digital camera at this value level, the Fujifilm X-S20 gives 6.2K open-gate recording as much as 29.97p in varied codec flavors. Moreover, ProRes RAW and Blackmagic RAW output can be found by way of HDMI — sadly, the digital camera solely has a micro-HDMI port. Nonetheless, that is fairly a characteristic at this value stage! Fujifilm additionally contains the brand new F-Log2 gamma curve for optimum dynamic vary, and the digital camera is suitable with the Fujifilm FAN-001 to increase video recording limits.
Finest Hybrid Digital camera for Vloggers: Sony ZV-E10
Whereas lots of the cameras on this listing are targeted on extra severe video customers — these making narrative, documentary, business, or different varieties of work — there’s an ever-growing variety of of us entering into vlogging. These cameras usually have completely different necessities from a digital camera just like the Nikon Z8 — value and measurement maybe being the 2 most essential.
An important vlogging digital camera additionally requires wonderful autofocus monitoring, a flip-out LCD display, an awesome choice of wider-angle lenses, and, ideally, some high quality audio capabilities. In my view, issues like a full-frame sensor and extremely excessive dynamic vary are of lesser concern, at the least for many customers.
The Sony ZV-E10 fulfills most of those necessities and, maybe unsurprisingly, is explicitly constructed with vloggers in thoughts. That includes a 24.2MP APS-C sensor, BIONZ X processor, and a 425-point Quick Hybrid AF system that covers 84% of the sensor discipline, the ZV-E10 is a vlogging powerhouse at solely $698 for the physique. Sony’s Actual-time Eye AF and Actual-time AI monitoring are one of many digital camera’s finest options, permitting customers to give attention to creating content material with out concern about whether or not the autofocus is maintaining. Actual-time Eye AF can prioritize human and animal eyes and produce seamless, real-time give attention to transferring topics.
Full pixel readout with 6K oversampling produces finely detailed 4K UHD footage with no recording restrict. A particular S&Q (Gradual & Fast) mode lets customers select body charges between 1 and 120 frames per second in 1080p Full HD. Each S-Log2 and S-Log3 gamma curves can be found, as is HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma). The ZV-E10 additionally gives specialised video modes resembling Product Showcase, which makes use of AI for easy autofocus transitions between a topic’s face and an object that’s positioned in entrance of the lens. Face-Precedence AE (Autoexposure) easily adjusts publicity on a topic’s face and is even capable of keep away from abrupt publicity modifications if a topic rapidly turns away from the digital camera. Refined colour science is obtainable to optimize pores and skin tones, and Delicate Pores and skin Impact will be engaged to melt and easy wrinkles or blemishes on a topic’s face — this impact will be tweaked to the person’s desire.
The ZV-E10 additionally encompasses a 3-capsule directional mic built-in into its prime plate, which is particularly designed for recording audio in entrance of the digital camera. The digital camera comes provided with a windscreen for cleaner outside audio. A conventional 3.5mm mic jack and a headphone jack are additionally out there for customers who require extra severe audio recording. The digital camera additionally sports activities Sony’s Multi Interface Shoe, which helps sure digital audio gadgets for superior audio recording, such because the Sony ECM-M1 Compact Digital Shotgun Microphone.
A entrance tally mild to let the person know they’re recording and a USB-C port, which permits for live-streaming and tethering, spherical out many of the digital camera’s fundamental options.
On the stills facet, the digital camera lacks nothing besides an EVF — so all picture preview and overview should be executed with the rear LCD. However the ZV-E10’s 24.2MP APS-C sensor is a stellar performer, and the digital camera is able to as much as 11 fps in RAW. All the options out there for video, resembling Actual-time Eye AF, are additionally out there when taking pictures stills.
Sony additionally gives a fairly sturdy choice of APS-C lenses — the most effective outdoors of Fujifilm — particularly with the numerous third-party choices. The Tamron 11-20/2.8 Di III-A RXD (16-25mm FF-equivalent) is a superb possibility for vloggers needing a quick wide-angle lens, and the Sigma 18-50/2.8 DC DN Modern (27-75mm FF-equivalent) is a implausible, light-weight regular vary zoom for Sony APS-C cameras.
Finest Hybrid Digital camera for Low Gentle: Sony Alpha 7S III
Sony’s Alpha 7S line has at all times been geared towards video customers, with the low-light capabilities being touted particularly. The Sony Alpha 7S III adopted within the footsteps of its predecessors with a 12MP full-frame sensor, although this time, it makes use of a 48MP BSI quad-Bayer sensor with 2×2 binning for improved dynamic vary. 12 megapixels could not appear nice today for stills shooters, however it’s sufficient for individuals who solely put up on-line or don’t want tremendous massive prints with ultra-fine element. I nonetheless have and infrequently use my Nikon D700 and Nikon D3 (additionally 12MP), and I’ve taken a few of my finest images with that digital camera.
The decrease megapixel rely has a number of benefits, most notably the sensor’s extraordinarily quick readout velocity, which permits for 4K at as much as 120 frames per second, making this the one full-frame hybrid digital camera to shoot 4K at 120fps with out a crop. The quick readout additionally allows the digital camera to provide the bottom rolling shutter of any full-frame hybrid digital camera available on the market at below 9ms, and the massive pixels additionally make the digital camera a low-light beast. The Alpha 7S III, like a lot of as we speak’s cameras, encompasses a twin acquire sensor, with the primary base ISO at 640 and the second base ISO sitting at a staggering ISO 12,800 in S-Log2 / S-Log 3; in Hybrid Log Gamma, these values are ISO 100 and ISO 2000. So far as stills pictures goes, the digital camera has a base ISO of 80 with a second acquire at ISO 1600.
Most excitingly, the dynamic vary at ISO 12,800 is just about the identical because the dynamic vary at ISO 640. Although a few of that is undoubtedly as a result of inner noise discount, the Alpha 7S III nonetheless produces very detailed footage.
Rounding out among the finest options for each video and stills customers are twin card slots — each supporting UHS-II SD or CFexpress Sort-A, a full-size HDMI Sort-A port, USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 Sort-C port, Multi Interface Shoe, in depth weather-sealing, and a speedy hybrid AF system with Actual-time AF Monitoring and 759 phase-detection factors that cowl 92% of the sensor. It additionally options Sony’s unmatched 9.44m-dot EVF with an infinite 0.9x magnification and a excessive 25mm eye level.
Finest Hybrid Drone: DJI Mavic 3 Professional and DJI Mavic 3 Professional Cine
DJI dominates the patron and prosumer drone {industry}, and there’s a motive for that: it makes rattling good drones. I personal the DJI Mavic 2 Professional, which is an distinctive piece of kit, however I can’t lie and say I don’t yearn for its successor, the implausible DJI Mavic 3 Professional, and its barely upgraded sibling, the DJI Mavic 3 Professional Cine. The Mavic 3 Professional brings tons of latest and nice options to the desk, and most notable are its developments in pictures and videography options.
Up from the Sort-1 measurement sensor within the Mavic 2 Professional, the Mavic 3 Professional’s main digital camera sports activities a 4/3 measurement sensor with 20MP of decision. A 24mm full-frame equal lens sits in entrance of the sensor, with an aperture adjustable from f/2.8 to f/11. Just like the Mavic 2 Professional, this digital camera is Hasselblad branded and gives the outstanding Hasselblad Pure Coloration Resolution (HNCS). The Hasselblad branding isn’t only a advertising level — the HNCS produces the identical pure and extremely correct colours within the firm’s medium format cameras.
Along with the a lot bigger sensor, the Mavic 3 Professional provides two new cameras: a 70mm (equal) f/2.8 lens paired with a 48MP Sort-1/1.3 and a 166mm (equal) f/3.4 lens mated with a 12MP Sort-1/2 sensor.
The 24mm digital camera gives 5.1K video at as much as 50 fps in 10-bit 4:2:2 H.265 (H.264 can be out there). The Cine model goes a step additional by providing 10-bit ProRes 422 HQ (ProRes 422 and ProRes 422 LT are additionally out there). DCI 4K can be on faucet at as much as 120 fps and 1080 HD at as much as 200 fps. The 24mm digital camera additionally helps D-Log, D-Log M, and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) for individuals who need to have most latitude in put up. The 70mm and 166mm cameras provide 4K UHD recording at as much as 60 fps in H.264, H.265, and the assorted ProRes flavors.
Each cameras are rated for 43 minutes of most flight time (37 minutes of hovering time), and the utmost horizontal velocity of both is 46.98 miles per hour (21 meters per second). They each provide inner reminiscence, with the Mavic 3 Professional sporting 8GB of storage, whereas the Cine model gives considerably extra at 1TB.
For a extra thorough overview and particulars in regards to the efficiency of the Mavic 3 Professional, take a look at PetaPixel’s overview of the Cine model.
