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Best Budget 4K Cameras For Shooting Videos (2023 Picks)

DJI Osmo Action 8

Some people think that buying a camera is easy, but as I always say, when you have a fixed budget for a particular thing that you are about to buy, it becomes a bit confusing and it is a little bit hard to choose.

I am here to help you! In this article, you will find some of the best budget 4k cameras all over the market. The article includes five picks and all of them are different types of cameras so that you can choose easier.

A Quick Look At My Favorite Cheap 4k Cameras For Videos

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Best Camcorder
Sony FDR-AX43

Sony FDR-AX43

10
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Best Portable
Panasonic LUMIX FZ80

Panasonic LUMIX FZ80

9
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Most Durable
OLYMPUS Tough TG-6

OLYMPUS Tough TG-6

8.6
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Best Action Camera
DJI Osmo Action

DJI Osmo Action

8.5
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Best Overall
CANON EOS REBEL SL3

CANON EOS REBEL SL3

8.6
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Key Takeaways

  • If you are into sports such as biking, skiing or other extreme sports, the DJI Osmo Action would be a great camera for you.
  • If you’re looking for something more versatile that can also be used professionally, the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 is a good option.
  • There are three types of video cameras: Action cameras, Mirrorless Cameras & Camcorders
  • The most important things you should look for when buying a video camera are Camera type, sensor, recording capabilities, and features.

The Top 5 Best Budget 4K Cameras

5. Sony FDR-AX43 – Best Camcorder

Sony FDR AX43 2

What I Like

  • Great For Vlogging
    Can Be Used In Studios
    Great Zoom & Autofocus Capabilities
    Perfect For YouTubers

What I Don’t Like

  • No Viewfinder

Starting this article with one of the most famous brands all over the world, Sony. As you know, Sony has anything that you may need, especially when it comes to cameras. Well, in this case as a budget 4k camera I chose a famous camcorder from Sony.

Sony FDR-AX43 is a small camcorder or else way known as a Handycam because of its size. It measures 6.88 x 2.88 x 3.25 inches and weighs only 1 pound. It is fully portable based on its size and weight and also it is a durable camcorder that can be easily used outdoors.

This Sony camcorder has an EXMOR CMOS sensor, which is one of the greatest additions to camcorders, and it works fully combined with the BIONZ image processor. This combination is better than you can think of, and video recording is when this combination shines the most.

Every video, that you will record with this camcorder will be brought to you on 4K resolution. Everything is perfectly clear and every video is definitely lifelike and very natural.

It has a flippable LCD screen which is of average quality. This is acceptable though since we are talking about budget cameras for shooting video. The LCD screen is mainly used for monitoring anyways.

This camcorder works great with a WiFi connection and it is compatible with different devices. Besides WiFi the camcorder also uses NFC. Also, this camcorder has a built-in image stabilizer which will come in handy if you have shaky hands.

When this camcorder’s lithium battery is fully charged, it can be used to record up to 150 minutes easily. Definitely one of the best cameras when it comes to video recording, and an overall great camcorder for podcasting.

Why should you buy it?

This camera works great with a WiFi connection and it is compatible with different devices, which is a reason enough to purchase this camera.

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Sony FDR-AX43 Sample Photos


4. Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 – Best Portable

Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 3

What I Like

  • Very Versatile
    60X Optical Zoom
    Lightweight
    Easy To Use
    Great For The Price

What I Don’t Like

  • Battery Life Could Be Better

Panasonic is also a very powerful name and brand in the unstoppable industry of cameras in general. They have some of the most amazing cameras when it comes to recording videos and what deserves to be mentioned is that the Lumix series cameras, just like the camera that I chose, are some of the best ones.

This camera is a very compact one and it measures only 4.69 x 5.13 x 3.71 inches while weighing 1.36 pounds. It is known as the perfect camera for photographers or videographers who travel a lot.

The Panasonic Lumix FZ80 works with an 18.1 megapixel MOS sensor, and a special thing that it owns is the zoom ability o 60x. It works in the best way possible for whatever you need. Every picture that you may take, and every video that you may record, will be super clear.

As a 4K camera, the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 besides recording amazing 4K videos, also has a 4K photo button. While recording, you can easily take pictures even in the fastest moments.

This camera is also a great one when it comes to dark environments since it has an amazing low light ability. besides that, the camera fully reduces shake and doesn’t allow blur because it works with an Optical Image Stabilizer. Considering the price, the image stabilization technology in this camera is mind blowing.

The battery life of the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 is dependent on what you use to capture pictures or videos. When used with the viewfinder, it allows you to capture 240 shots, and when using the LCD screen you can take up to 330 shots.

Why should you buy it?

This camera fully reduces shake and doesn’t allow blur because it works with an Optical Image Stabilizer.

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Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 Sample Photos


3. OLYMPUS Tough TG-6 – Most Durable

OLYMPUS Tough TG 6 2

What I Like

  • Very Durable
    Waterproof & Weatherproof
    Great Straight Out Of The Box
    Good For Photos & Videos
    Great For Travelers

What I Don’t Like

  • Software could be better

Hence its name, this camera is one of the strongest ones that you can find on the market nowadays. As some of you may already know Olympus has some great cameras and they are well worth the price.

The OLYMPUS Tough TG-6 is a very well-built camera and it is known as a pocketable camera because of its size. It measures 2.6 x 4.4 x 1.3 inches and weighs 9 ounces. I have listed this camera as the most durable one and it totally deserves to be named like that. It can withstand almost everything. It is dustproof, freezeproof, shockproof, crushproof, and also, it is anti-fog.

This camera features a 12MP CMOS image sensor and it works combined with the True Pic VIII image processor. For pictures and videos, this camera does a perfect job when it comes to quality. It has an amazing 4K resolution and it works perfectly fine.

The OLYMPUS Tough TG-6 owns a built-in macro lens, and it has a zoom ability of 8x. It is a camera that records wherever you want and whenever you want, with great video quality. It is definitely one of the most amazing cameras underwater and above water.

When this camera is fully charged it allows you to take approximately 340 images while for video it may depend on the way you use it, it varies from 30 minutes up to 110 minutes of recording.

Why should you buy it?

This camera does a perfect job when it comes to quality, and it is the most durable camera you can get.

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OLYMPUS Tough TG-6 Sample Photos


2. DJI Osmo Action – Best Action Camera

DJI Osmo Action 8

What I Like

  • 4K Recording Capabilities
    Can record underwater
    Very Versatile
    Great Image & Video Quality

What I Don’t Like

  • A bit Expensive For Some

When somebody mentions DJI the first thing that comes to someone’s mind is the drones that they produce, right? Well, to me too! DJI is one of the most important brands of drones in general. The DJI Osmo Action just as the name implies is an action camera. It is a great one and it does its job perfectly fine when it comes to 4K.

This camera’s full-body measures 2.56 x 1.65 x 1.38 inches and its weight is 4.4 ounces. It is made of metal and based on that it is a very strong camera. It is water-proof and can be used underwater easily at 36ft. Also, you shouldn’t worry in any way about its strength because it is also drop-proof and dustproof.

The CMOS sensor that this camera is packed with has a size of 1/2.3 inches and it has a resolution of 12MP. It is the main reason why the pictures and videos are perfectly clear. Since we need cameras including 4K, this one is indeed amazing. Besides 4K, you are also able to record n HDR. HDR helps you bring better quality videos when it comes to color accuracy.

This camera also uses the RockSteady technology which works perfectly. Just as its name tells, it is an image stabilization technology that will help you bring steady videos even if you have shaky hands. Another thing that should be mentioned is that with DJI Osmo Action, you can record 8x slow-motion videos that work at a 1080p resolution on 240fps.

Unfortunately, the camera isn’t wireless, but it can connect to your devices via a USB.

The battery life allows all-day usage of only short footage, when you need more, I would advise you to bring an extra battery with you.

Sure, this can’t compete with a full frame mirrorless camera, but considering the price and its portability, it’s definitely a professional video camera for recording video & superb image quality.

Why should you buy it?

This camera is waterproof and can be used underwater easily at 36ft, and it is also drop-proof and dustproof.

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DJI Osmo Action Sample Photos


1. Canon EOS REBEL SL3 – Best Overall

Canon EOS REBEL SL3

What I Like

  • Best Canon Camera On A Budget
    24 Megapixel Resolution
    Very Easy To Use
    Great For Beginners
    Great Colors On Photos & Videos

What I Don’t Like

  • Video Could Be better

DSLR cameras are the most amazing thing that you can use for photos and videos as well. Well, you may already know that Canon has some of the greatest cameras, and it is one of the best brands for cameras in general. The Canon EOS Rebel is definitely one of the best ones when it comes to shooting videos with great video quality.

This camera’s dimensions are 2.7 x 4.8 x 3.6 inches and it weighs 1.5 pounds. As you can notice, it is lightweight and it is a great travel companion. The SLR 3 is known as one of the lightest and smallest EOS DSLR cameras when compared to the others.

The sensor that this camera owns is one of the most powerful ones. It is the 24.1 MP CMOS APS-C sensor, that brings to you high-resolution pictures, and impressive 4K videos. Every picture and every video comes with the richest details possible. What plays one of the main roles in this camera is also the DIGIC 8 Image Processor. The combination of the sensor and the processor is one of the best things that you can find.

As mentioned above the videos come in 4K and what is special is that it can also record time-lapse videos, all of them in 4K. It is definitely a plus because in other cameras time-lapse videos are not brought with the best quality.

There’s the focus that plays one of the most important roles in this camera, it is the fastest and the most accurate that you have ever noticed on a camera.

The battery life is also a thing that amazes every photographer. It is a camera that can stay with you for up to 1550 shots.

This camera paired with a camera slider is capable of capturing in hollywood-like movies.

Why should you buy it?

This camera is the best overall because every picture and every video comes with the richest details possible.

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Canon EOS REBEL SL3 Sample Photos


Things You Need to Consider Before Buying a 4K Camera

Buying a camera is not a walk in the park, and for some, it can be considered the hardest thing to do. There are some important things that should be taken care of, or some important things that you as a buyer should consider. Those important things are:

Type

Knowing what type of camera you are after is the easiest thing in finding the best cheap 4k camera. As you can notice, in the article I mentioned different types of cameras, action, point and shoot, camcorders, and DSLRs. That means that 4K cameras are of any kind and you can choose based on your preferences.

Anyways, it is definitely better if you know what type you need more before choosing one.

Sensor

The sensor of any camera is the thing that drives the camera and the part that converts the light that comes through the lens into an image. Not every camera has the same sensor and if you are a professional you should definitely take a deeper look at it.

The cameras that I mentioned above work all perfectly fine and all of them have impressive powerful processors within. They definitely help you capture better pictures & shoot films with great video quality.

4K

For the best video quality, a 4k camera is a must. Video quality is dependent on many factors, but the resolution is the main one.

Hence the title, the 4K ability is what we are looking at in this article, right? Well, always make sure to look for more information regarding this feature.

There are many cameras on the market nowadays but not every camera has the 4K feature. Make sure it does before you choose one!

Features

Not only 4K is the most important thing to look at. A camera should also have different features. For example, many cameras now have image stabilization, and I think that it is quite important.

Always check out more!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is meant by 4K resolution?

4K is one of the most famous resolutions of cameras nowadays. It is a horizontal display that is brought to you at 3840 x 2160 pixels.

Are 4K cameras expensive?

When the 4K resolution was firstly created, cameras were extremely expensive. Nowadays, as many resolutions are available, the prices have gone lower, and you can find a 4K camera for under 1000$. Still, they are known as high-end cameras.

What type of camera brings 4K resolution?

Based on every camera that I mentioned in this article, you can clearly notice that you can find 4K resolution in different types of cameras. Camcorders, DSLRs, action cameras, and point-and-shoot cameras. All of them have 4K resolution!

Can phones record in 4K?

We are used to phones that record HD videos, but you should know that new models of phones, the new launches from well-known brands, bring the 4K recording on phones as well. However, you shouldn’t expect it to be the same as with a professional camera.

Final Words

Here it is, some of the best budget 4k cameras that you can find on the market nowadays! What I would like to mention again is that it is not the easiest thing in the world because it is quite challenging, and you should definitely be careful when choosing.

However, if you take a closer look at the most important things that should be considered, you will be easily able to find the best budget 4k camera.

Further Reading

If you liked and enjoyed what you read in this article, I think that if you are searching for other things regarding photography in general, I have prepared some other articles that may help you! Anyways, it fully depends on what you are looking for.

For example, while we are at 4K I would highly recommend you take a look at some of the most well-known budget video cameras in general form, and also, I have listed some amazing budget cinema cameras, of course, if you are a professional on that field.

In order to make it more interesting, I would gladly recommend you guys take a deeper look at some amazing and interesting cameras to shoot underwater.

Now, there’s nothing left to say besides having fun!