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Stop motion photography is a classic technique in cinematography. It can be pretty interesting and fun to shoot; however, the right camera equipment is key for good results. So, whether you are a beginner or a professional, you could benefit loads from the right camera.
However, it can be difficult to find one. This is because now, not many models offer the dedicated features required. Thus, we have the complete guide to buying the best cameras for stop motion, along with some incredible options to consider.
Contents
Review of the Best Cameras For Stop Motion
It can be hard to find the perfect camera for stop motion photography. This is because a lot of research goes into finding a good unit. There are plenty out there that are duds, which makes it an even harder process.
Thus, we have some of the best ones out there in the market. Let’s take a detailed look at each product and see what they have to offer.
Best Overall: Nikon D3300
PROS
- Can let you shoot at high speeds of up to 5 frames per second
- Offers great performance in low light even at high ISO sensitivity
- Carries a guide mode which gives step by step help when needed
- Versatile as it enables one to capture vibrant colors as well as soft blurry backgrounds
- Features a compact and lightweight construction that allows it to be easy to handle and travel with
CONS
- Video files are limited to 20 mins
What Recent Buyers Report
This Nikon D3300 camera seems to be very popular among consumers. It truly is the best purchase, especially if one is on a tight budget yet doesn’t want to compromise on quality. The construction quality can be improved. However, the performance is remarkable. Furthermore, it is highly versatile and convenient to use.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There aren’t many units available at such an incredible price point. It works wonderfully well, even in low lighting conditions, and allows you to create beautiful panoramas too. It is easy and convenient to use, and the design is very practical. It is capable of capturing vibrant colors and soft blurry backgrounds.
Who Will Use This Most
We find this to be the perfect camera for beginners. It carries a feature which provides a step by step guide for when you need it. Therefore, the guesswork is taken out of the process. Furthermore, this product is constructed to be lightweight and compact, which allows it to be easy to handle and carry.
Bottom Line
All in all, this Nikon D3300 is great. It is perhaps one of the most affordable options out there for stop motion. The performance it gives is comparable to that of much higher-end products. It is easy to use and highly convenient too. Therefore, it proves to be a worthy investment in the long run.
- 24.2 MP CMOS DX format sensor
- 5 frames per second continuous shooting
- 11 AF points with 3d tracking
Runner-up: Nikon D810
PROS
- Provides professional video and audio capabilities
- Comes with in-camera editing features and excellent energy efficiency
- Offers meticulous autofocus, fast frame rates, and excellent image processing
- Capable of producing high-quality, noise-free images from ISO 64 to ISO 12800
- Designed with sequencer mechanism and electronic front curtain shutter system which nearly eliminate internal vibration
CONS
- Slightly on the higher end of the spectrum
What Recent Buyers Report
The camera Nikon D810 is one of the most loved products by the consumers. They find it to be worthy of the investment. This is because of its superior quality construction and reliability, as well as excellent performance.
Another great thing about it is the sequencer mechanism and electronic front curtain shutter system, which nearly eliminates internal vibration.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product stood out to us due to its meticulously designed body and the superior quality results it provides. The product has excellent energy efficiency and offers in-camera editing features as well. Plus, it has great autofocus, fast frame rates as well as superior image processing.
Who Will Use This Most
Since it features a highly reliable and durable design, it would be great whether you are a beginner or a professional. It is versatile and capable of working well under multiple conditions. Furthermore, it also offers in-camera editing, which is great for professionals.
Bottom Line
Nikon is considered to be one of the best brands out there for photography equipment. The D810 is one of their best cameras and a true masterpiece. It is highly convenient and meticulously designed. It shows off the brand’s commitment and capability. It truly is worthy of purchase.
- 36.3 MP FX format CMOS sensor without an Optical Low Pass Filter (OLPF)
- 30 percent faster Expeed 4 image processing engine. Shutter speed: 1/8000 to 30 sec
- 51point AF system and 3D color matrix metering III with a 91,000 pixel RGB sensor
Best for the Money: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
PROS
- Highly ergonomic and intuitive design with a full-touch screen LCD interface
- Offers built-in Wi-Fi, NFC technology and built-in GPS with geotag information
- Full-frame CMOS sensor is capable of shooting in nearly all lighting conditions
- High-performance DIGIC 6+ image processor for great speed and improved picture quality
- Superb Dual pixel CMOS AF allows responsive and smooth Autofocus during video or live video shooting
CONS
- Might not be suitable for those on a tight budget
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are very happy upon the purchase the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV unit due to many reasons. It is highly versatile and capable of performing well under a multitude of different conditions. Furthermore, the results it produces are of superior quality. It is highly convenient and ergonomic to use and travel with as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are many things about this unit that catch one’s attention. It has a highly ergonomic and intuitive design with a full-touch screen LCD surface. This makes it convenient. Furthermore, it offers built-in NFC and Wi-Fi technologies, making it easy to share images.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are someone who values accuracy and speed, then this Canon 5D Mark IV is a worthy investment for you. It is equipped with superior and advanced technology, which ensures clarity, accuracy, and high resolution.
Furthermore, it even has a newly designed sequencer mechanism due to which internal vibration is greatly reduced.
Bottom Line
Overall, this unit is one of the best ones out there in the market. It is slightly on the higher end of the spectrum, but the results it provides are worthy of the splurge. It delivers high resolution and high-quality images that, too, with precision and accuracy. Therefore, it is a worthy investment.
- New 30.4 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor for versatile shooting in nearly any light, with ISO range...
- 4K Motion JPEG video (DCI cinema-type 4096 x 2160) at 30p or 24p; in- camera still frame grab of 4K...
- Superb Dual Pixel CMOS AF for responsive and smooth AF during video or live view shooting; LCD...
4. Nikon D500
PROS
- Versatile as it can work excellently in low light conditions as well
- Sleek and beautiful body allows it to be portable and travel convenient
- Highly durable as it’s built with rugged magnesium alloy carbon fiber materials
- Offers built-in Snap Bridge (Wi-Fi + Bluetooth) capabilities for easy sharing of pictures
- Excellent processing power and technological advancements offer clarity, speed, and great resolution
CONS
- Some buyers find that the metering needs to be tweaked a bit more
What Recent Buyers Report
Consumers seem to be very fond of the Nikon D500 camera. It has received largely positive reviews and rightfully so. It provides excellent performance in low light as well, which is one thing that spoke out the most about it to the buyers. Furthermore, it is great to travel with and ergonomic to use.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There isn’t much to complain about in this unit. It simply is so well-built and features a superb design. The overall construction is meticulous, and it is fitted with multiple features to ensure excellent performance. Furthermore, it has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that allows it to easily share images.
Who Will Use This Most
This is the best investment for those who like to travel. Firstly, it has incredible features and construction that allow it to produce excellent results despite the time of the day. Thus, it has great low light performance as well. Furthermore, it is compact and sleek that allows it to be portable and easy to handle.
Bottom Line
There aren’t many products out there quite as good as the D500. The pros it offers largely outweigh the cons, which is why it is such a great investment. It is very sturdy and built to last; thus, it will be long-lasting. Furthermore, its versatile nature and the quality of results it produces are simply phenomenal.
- 20.9MP DX format CMOS sensor. Viewfinder: Eye level pentaprism single lens reflex viewfinder
- Expeed 5 image processor; Monitor size: 3.2 inches diagonal
- 3.2 inches 2,539k dot tilting touchscreen LCD
5. Canon EOS Rebel T7i
PROS
- Compatible with a wide variety of lenses
- Can offer high-speed continuous shooting with up to 60 frames per second
- ISO range of 100 to 25600 allows confident shooting even in low lighting conditions
- Offers built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth, allowing easy connection to compatible devices
- Features 24.32 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor and DIGIC 7 image processor for colorful and detailed photos
CONS
- Built-in image stabilization requires improvement
What Recent Buyers Report
The camera Canon EOS Rebel T7i seems to have really impressed the consumers. Buyers find that it offers some incredible features and is a rather reliable companion for photography endeavors.
It is highly versatile and great for creating stop motion videos. Furthermore, it’s compact and lightweight, too, which allows it to be easy to handle.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are many features of this product that are truly remarkable. Firstly, it offers easy connectivity to compatible devices via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, adding to the convenience.
Furthermore, the Rebel T7i can offer great performance in low lighting conditions due to its ISO range of 100 to 25600. Moreover, it is also compatible with a wide variety of devices.
Who Will Use This Most
Well, this unit is great for beginners at the craft. The design is lightweight and portable; thus, it won’t be a problem to handle.
Furthermore, using the device is pretty easy, and the design is practical and simple as well. It can be great for a wide number of conditions and is compatible with a variety of lenses as well.
Bottom Line
Last but certainly not least, this unit is another one of Canon’s best cameras. It delivers superb performance throughout the day and even at night in low lighting as well. It is designed to be convenient and ergonomic. Plus, it is compatible with a wide variety of camera lenses.
- 24.2 Megapixel CMOS (APS C) sensor
- Built in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth Lens used: EF S 18-55 millimeter f by 4-56 IS STM (at focal length...
- High Speed continuous shooting at up to 60 fps Weight Approx 1877 ounce or 532 grams (including...
Comparison Chart of the Best Cameras For Stop Motion
What is Stop Motion?
Simply put, stop motion is a kind of technique in cinematography. It has been around for quite a while and is a rather old concept now.
However, it is pretty interesting and fun overall. It combines elements from photography and film production and is the perfect amalgamation of them. It is also considered to be a part of creative animation.
A very simple way to explain the concept would be to think of it as somewhat similar to a time-lapse. The only difference is that in a time-lapse, you are capturing a moving object whereas, in a stop motion video, you will move the object yourself and animate it.
Thus, you basically shoot an image and then move the object according to design, then shoot another image. This goes on until you complete the entire idea you have in mind. Afterward, you combine and edit those images to form a movie.
What Makes a Camera Great For Stop Motion?
You may wonder what exactly it is about a camera that deems it good for stop motion. Well, there are certain features one needs to be mindful of. These are particularly important when looking into buying a good camera for stop motion as they have a profound impact on the end results.
Electronic Shutter
It is considered that mechanical shutters can pose difficulties when it comes to recording stop motion videos. This is because of how long a stop motion video takes to shoot.
Electronic shutters, however, are much more durable and a better option for Stop motion. Thus, it’s important to opt for a camera with an electronic shutter to avoid any problems.
Manual Focus
When shooting animations, the focus needs to be constantly changed; therefore, autofocus isn’t important for stop motion. However, the presence of manual focus is crucial; thus, don’t opt for a camera that doesn’t offer manual focusing as it would be a wasteful investment.
Remote Control and Live View Mode
For your own convenience, it’s important to buy a remote for the shutter release. This is important because manually doing it over and over again may disturb the camera. This may take a toll on the end results.
Furthermore, make sure that the camera has a live view mode capable of running for a long time without heating issues as making a stop motion video takes a lot of time input.
People Also Ask
When it comes to buying photography equipment, people tend to have a lot of questions in their minds, as it can be a rather daunting task. Therefore, we took your most frequently asked questions and answered them, so you can make smarter buying choices.
How Much is a Stop Motion Camera?
These are available in a wide range of prices, actually. You can get a good stop motion camera anywhere from between $500 and $4500. It is a pretty wide range.
However, the difference between the products will be visible in their construction and the number of features the individual products offer.
How Do You Make a Stop Motion Video with a Camera?
The first thing to do is to decide the concept and have a good idea of what you want to achieve. Afterward, it’s important to have a background and constant lighting conditions. This is because even little change in lighting, exposure, etc. can be noticed in the end video.
Then, you need to make sure that your camera is steady and stationary. You can use a tripod stand for this. After choosing the format you want to film in, you can then start executing your idea and filming.
Can You Use a GoPro For Stop Motion?
Yes, it can be used for stop motion even though GoPro cameras aren’t technically designed for the job as they lack the support for stop motion software. But this doesn’t mean they can’t be used. One is still able to get some interesting and fun results.
How Long Does it Take to Make a Stop Motion Video?
It depends upon a number of factors, such as the time you allocate to the project, frame rate, technical effect, and difficulties. Plus, it also depends upon how long your video will be. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a week.
How Many Frames Per Second is a Stop Motion?
The frame rate you work with is perhaps one of the most important factors needed to be taken into consideration.
For stop motion, 30 frames per second are the maximum you need. Plus, professionals don’t actually use above 24 frames per second, whereas for amateurs, 15 frames per second are good.
Conclusion
Stop motion photography has been around and is considered to be kind of a classic in cinematography. The concept is old yet intriguing and quite fun. The results are truly worth the trouble.
However, when it comes to the equipment used, one needs to choose carefully. Not all cameras now are equipped with the features required for stop motion. Some are not compatible with the software.
Given all this, the process of buying the right camera for stop motion is a rather daunting one. Thus, this post was aimed at helping you find the perfect model.
It included all that you need to know about the buying process, answered your most asked questions, and even recommended some incredible products to consider. Hopefully, by the time you reach this section, you will have a good idea of which product to invest in.
