The Best 4K DSLR Cameras available today
Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH4
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH4, which was released in 2014, has made it to the top ten because it was the first Digital Single Lens Mirrorless camera with 4K video-recording capabilities. So, though it’s no longer the only 4K DSLM camera in the market, it blazed the trail for the succeeding models and made 4K mirrorless video-recording a norm in the industry.
The LUMIX DMC-GH4 made its mark in the camera world because of its stunning features. One of these is its 16.05-Megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor, which was newly developed at the time and lets the camera have quick response times while allowing it to take high-quality images. The sensor is paired with the quad-core image processor called Venus Engine, which boosts the camera’s resolution, sensitivity, color reproduction, and other aspects.
One of the best things about the LUMIX DMC-GH4 is that it lets you record videos in a wide range of formats, from basic ones like MP4 to advanced ones such as AVCHD and 200 Mbps All-Intra. It also gives you access to a wide range of video features including time lapse, stop-motion, time-code support, and variable frame rate. As a result, you can capture the exact type of video you want the first time around, and you won’t need to spend a lot of time and effort on the post-production editing.
Want to use the LUMIX DMC-GH4 outdoors but worried about its safety? There’s no need to fret since the camera is built to withstand harsh conditions. It has a magnesium alloy body that has excellently sealed joints and components to keep dust and water out and make the camera ideal for rough outdoor shoots. Its shutter, meanwhile, is specially designed to handle up to 200,000 releases, which means you can click away without having to worry.
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH4 is offered in two kits (body only and with video interface unit), so you can choose one that best suits your needs and budget.
Sony Alpha A7S
The Sony Alpha A7S is the smallest interchangeable lens digital camera in the whole world, and it has the first-ever full-frame sensor that has full pixel readout when shooting 4K videos. These two facts alone can easily explain why the A7S is on the top 10 list of cameras. Add this to the fact that it’s packed with exciting pictures, and you’ll see why it’s the camera of choice of many professional photographers.
The Sony Alpha A7S comes with the 12.2MP Exmor CMOS sensor, a full-frame sensor that lets you shoot both in broad daylight and in dark environments. It’s paired with the BIONZ X image processing engine, which produces low noise, has high sensitivity (up to ISO 409600), and has rich tonal gradations for clear and high-quality images.
Aside from its cutting-edge sensor and image processor, the Sony Alpha A7S comes with state-of-the-art video functions that every professional videographer will surely appreciate. These include time code, black level, XAVC S Full HD (1080) recording at 50Mbps, and even a 720/120p option that allows you to caption footage in slow motion. It can output 4K QFHD video to a third-party recorder through HDMI and record sound in the AAC/Linear PCM format.
All of these exciting features are packed into a surprisingly small body, which measures 5 x 1.9 x 3.7 inches. It’s made of magnesium alloy, which makes the camera incredibly lightweight (it weighs just 1.1 pounds) and extremely durable. It’s built to be resistant to dust and moisture, so you don’t have to worry about using it outdoors and exposing it to the elements. The tough body is paired with an XGA OLED Tru-Finder (which promotes easy image monitoring and review), a silent electronic shutter (which lets you discreetly shoot wildlife), and nine buttons that you can customize with 54 possible functions.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 4K
It might seem surprising that another Panasonic camera has made it into the top 10 list, but fans of the Lumix DMC-FZ1000 will understand why. It bridges the gap between DSLRS (which have great performance but are heavy, cumbersome, and pricey) and long-zoom compact cameras (which are cheaper and lighter but have poor image quality). So, if you’re in the market for a camera that takes great pictures but isn’t too heavy for your hands and wallet, this is the best choice for you.
The Lumix DMC-FZ1000 comes with a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 16x f2.8-4.0 25-400mm lens (which is specially created just for it) and a 1-inch 20-megapixel MOS sensor (which is larger than those you find in ordinary long-zoom compact cameras). This powerful lens-sensor combination — which is paired with the Venus Engine image processor — means that the camera can shoot crisp, clear images with low noise levels and high color quality.
The Lumix DMC-FZ1000’s video functions don’t disappoint, too. It was one of the first compact cameras that had the capability to shoot 4K videos at 30/25fps or 24fps in MP4 format (it can also record in AVCHD). You can use the camera to record dramatic slow-mo videos with its full-HD 120 fps function, or shoot a footage at 30 frames per second then go through the frames one by one to choose a still you like.
The FZ1000 comes with buttons that you can program according to your needs, so it’s easy to customize the camera and get instant access to the functions you always use. It also has a smartphone WiFi function, so you can connect it with your mobile device and remotely control the camera. Its body is made of durable plastic and is specially designed to give you superior grip and let you hold the camera even with just one hand.
Leica D-Lux Typ 109
Leica is known for making top-quality lenses, but it also makes a mean range of cameras. The Leica D-Lux Typ 109, which has made its way into the Top 10 Cameras list, is a great choice if you’re looking for a compact camera that’s packed with lots of useful features but won’t break the bank.
The D-Lux Typ 109 comes with DC Vario-Summilux 24-75mm f/1.7-2.8 lens that has a fast aperture and an excellent zoom range. It also has a large 12.8M Four-Thirds CMOS sensor (which has an impressive light-gathering ability and excellent control over depth of field) and an ISO that can reach up to 25600. All of these combine to let you take clear, detailed, and high-contrast images whether you’re shooting during bright, sunny days or in low light conditions.
Of course, the D-Lux Typ 109 doesn’t stop at taking pictures. It can also take high-resolution NTSC or PAL UHD 4K videos and save them as MP4 files. Recording in 4K results to high-definition videos that are so clear and crisp that you can even grab stills from them and turn these into pictures.
You don’t even have to be physically near the camera to shoot videos or take photos; with its WiFi and near field communication (NFC) technology, the camera can be connected with your smartphone, and you can use the latter to remotely operate the camera. This is a great feature particularly if you want to shoot wildlife or if you’d like to take family pictures and want to be in the photos.
The D-Lux Typ 109 may not have a touchscreen unlike other cameras, but it makes for up this with its high-res integrated viewfinder. With this feature, you can perfectly frame your subjects and ensure your photos have excellent composition. It also has a 3-inch, 921k dot resolution LCD screen that lets you easily see what’s going on in front of your lens.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Many people dismiss the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV, saying that it’s eerily similar to its predecessor (the RX100 III) and that it shouldn’t be placed on the top 10 list of cameras. But we beg to disagree; if you’re looking for a compact camera that shoots excellent 4K videos but won’t drill a hole into your wallet, the RX100 IV is one of the best choices for you.
Admittedly, Sony has “recycled” the features of the previous RX100 models, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, the RX100 IV has inherited most of the fantastic features of its older cousins: fast 24-70mm equivalent F1.8-2.8 lens, a pop-up electronic viewfinder, and a small, compact body that can easily fit into your pocket. But what makes it different than the other models is its upgraded sensor: a large, one-inch 20.1MP stacked CMOS sensor. Basically, this new sensor allows the camera to have a faster data readout, faster continuous shooting, and minimized rolling shutter. It’s also what gives the RX100 IV the ability to shoot 4K videos with high frame rates and capture footage in cinematic super-slow motion.
Sony has built the RX100 IV to have an Anti-Distortion Shutter, which ensures that you can capture super-fast motion (such as an athlete in motion or your kids playing in the backyard) without distorting the image. The shutter also lets you shoot clear pictures even in extremely bright environments, which means you can capture every moment at the park, the beach, and other places you usually visit in daylight.
Like many modern cameras, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV has a magnesium alloy body that makes it highly durable and super lightweight. It’s also specially designed to be less than two inches thick when turn off, which means you can easily slip it into your pocket, purse, or backpack.
Panasonic LUMIX G7
What do you get when you cross a DSLR with a mirrorless camera? More likely than not, you’ll get the Panasonic LUMIX G7, which has made its way to the Top 10 Cameras list because of unique mix of features. It’s ideal both for intermediate shutterbugs who are still finding their way around cameras as well as professional photographers who are looking for additional control over the images they shoot.
So what’s inside the Panasonic LUMIX G7? Well, you’ll get a 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor, which is paired with the upgraded Venus Engine 9 image processor to produce excellent image quality and great overall performance, no matter what lighting condition you work with. You can go up to ISO 25600 to enjoy great sensitivity when in low light environments or go down to ISO 100 to take clear, crisp photos even when in extremely bright light.
The LUMIX G7 can take 4K videos at 100Mbps with frame rates of either 24p or 30p and saves these in MP4 format. It also supports 1080p/60 Full HD videos and saves these in either MP4 or AVCHD. The G7 doesn’t stop at taking great videos, though; it comes with the 4K Photo modes (4K Burst, 4K Pre-Burst, and 4K Burst (S/S), which let you record one-second videos to ensure you’ll capture the moments that simple photographs can’t. You can then sort through the frames and choose the best still you’d like to keep.
You don’t have to worry since taking photos and shooting videos can be easy with the G7’s 2,360k-dot OLED electronic viewfinder. Through it, you can accurately view the scenes before you and ensure you’ll get the best possible angle. You can also easily share your images and videos through the camera’s integrated Wi-Fi connectivity, and you can even use this feature to remotely control the camera through your smartphone or tablet.
