A digital movie camera for digital cinematography is a motion picture camera that records footage digitally rather than shooting on film stock. Different digital cinema cameras produce a range of acquisition formats. Cameras intended for household use have also been utilized in low-budget independent films. Since the 2000s, digital movie cameras have dominated the motion picture industry.
Types: Professional Cameras
There are several movie cameras on the market that are specifically developed for high-end digital cinematography applications. These cameras usually have relatively big sensors, adjustable frame rates, recording options with low compression ratios or, in some cases, no compression, and the flexibility to use high-quality optics. Some cameras are pricey, while others are only available for rent. Some of the most popular professional digital movie cameras are the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K and the Arriflex D-21. Sony CineAlta offers consumer and professional cameras. Independent filmmakers have also used low-cost consumer and hybrid prosumer cameras for digital filmmaking. Though image quality is often far poorer than what can be generated with professional digital cinematography cameras, technology has continuously improved, most notably in recent years with the introduction of high-definition cameras to the market. These low-cost cameras are constrained by their very high compression ratios, tiny sensors, and optical quality. Many additionally have inbuilt lenses that cannot be replaced.
Resolution: Standard Definition
MiniDV was the leading standard definition consumer video acquisition format of the early 2000s. Steven Soderbergh utilized the Canon XL-1s MiniDV camera to film *Full Frontal*. The Danny Boyle-directed British horror thriller *28 Days Later* was likewise shot on MiniDV with the Canon XL-1, but with regular Panavision 35mm film lenses. The Sony VX-1000 was one of the first MiniDV cameras used on a feature film, shooting Spike Lee’s *Bamboozled*. Panasonic developed the AG-DVX100 in 2002, which was the first cheap camcorder to handle progressive scan at 24 frames per second on its 60Hz version, mimicking film motion characteristics and making film transfers easier.
Resolution: High Definition
Sony, JVC, and Canon introduced high-definition video acquisition to the consumer and professional markets with the HDV format. HDV cameras come with a variety of capabilities. Many cameras support progressive shooting modes, and some have sensors with a full 1920×1080 resolution. In addition, some Canon and JVC HDV camcorders can employ high-quality interchangeable lenses instead of the fixed lenses that come with most consumer cameras. The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is a “full-frame” format HDSLR camera that can shoot 1080p video at 24, 25, or 30 frames per second and has a maximum file size of 4 GB. Moviemakers are putting this camera to use as a low-cost technique to capture motion video. The Canon EOS 7D is an APS-C HDSLR that was used to film the independent horror films *Marianne* and *Sound of My Voice*. Both cameras were utilized combined to shoot point-of-view (POV) action scenes in *The Avengers* because they were inexpensive and compact, allowing them to shoot from various angles in confined spaces.
