Nikon has been the go-to for families looking to capture family vacations, graduations and weddings for generations. I remember my father lugging around a Nikon to my college graduation back in the day, and I’m very proud to say I took my Nikon video camera to my son’s preschool graduation last year.
Nikon has the name recognition, but Nikon also feels nostalgic. When you’re shooting with Nikon, it almost feels like you can be connected to the photographers who came before you, both in and out of your immediate family.
I love Nikon for these reasons, and many more, but what truly convinced me to be a die-hard Nikon fan was the first Nikon video camera I purchased, which just so happened to become known as the best Nikon camera for video in the 2000s: the Nikon D90.
While the Nikon D90’s features are almost laughable now, when it dropped in 2008, it was the first Nikon video camera. DSLR users could previously not shoot movies on their cameras.
So, just over a decade later, what has changed in the Nikon video camera world? And what should you be looking for while you’re shopping for a Nikon camera for videography?
Table of Contents
- What Features Should My Nikon Video Camera Have?
- A Mirrorless Nikon Camera for Videography: Nikon Z6
- A Nikon Camera for Videography for the Budget-Conscious Buyer: Nikon D500<
- The Best Nikon Video Camera for Professional Videographers: Nikon D850
What Features Should My Nikon Video Camera Have?
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
When shopping for a Nikon video camera, the primary thing you should be considered about is your budget.
Nikon features such a wide range of Nikon DSLR video cameras and Nikon mirrorless video cameras that you are bound to be able to find one that fits your price range, but you need to know what that price range is before you start searching. Otherwise, you’re sure to fall into gear acquisition syndrome and buy a camera with features you don’t need and won’t use.
It’s also important to note that while one Nikon video camera may feature incredible added features, like fast burst shooting or filters, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should buy it. In fact, you should probably have a list of added features you are looking for before you even begin shopping.
Finally, you should be looking at video quality. If you aren’t an advanced photographer or into technology, though, it can difficult to sift through bitrates and processor information. So while you’re shopping for a Nikon video camera, I recommend watching multiple test shoot videos on YouTube.
To make this process a little easier, I’ve provided video tests for each Nikon video camera I recommended.
A Mirrorless Nikon Camera for Videography: Nikon Z6
As you can see in Jevaughn Smith’s video, the Nikon Z6 is the best Nikon for videography. Period. Nikon used this mirrorless body to do something it could never do before with its DSLR line: create a compact camera that can shoot cinematic quality video in 4K with a full-frame sensor.
This Nikon video camera can shoot in the following resolution and frame rate options:
- 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD): 30p, 25p, 24p
- 1920 x 1080 (Full HD): 120p, 100p, 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p
- 1920 x 1080 (Full HD in slow motion): 30p 4x, 25p 4x, 24p 5x
Unfortunately, along with the good news comes the bad news: each video clip is limited to 29 minutes and 59 seconds, unless you’re shooting in slow motion with your Nikon video camera, then that limit is 3 minutes.
The Nikon Z6 also outshines similar cameras from other manufacturers when it comes to its bitrate of 144Mbps.
Nikon Z6 Specs:
- 4K video
- 24.5MP full-frame sensor
- In-body image stabilization
- ISO range of 100-51,200
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- 273-point AF system
- 12fps burst mode
- 310-shot battery life
Nikon Z6 Pros:
- 4K video capabilities
- Touchscreen LCD
- High-resolution EVF
Nikon Z6 Cons:
- Short battery life
- Limited lens options (though this is improving rapidly)
Putting the specs of the Nikon Z6 aside, the bright contrasts, incredible low-light shooting, and crazy autofocus of this Nikon will convince you it is the best Nikon camera for video in a matter of minutes.
Keep Reading: Nikon D800 Review
A Nikon Camera for Videography for the Budget-Conscious Buyer: Nikon D500
Huge shout out to Andru Milla for doing this quality video test on the Nikon D500. The Nikon D500 is considered the best Nikon DSLR for video by many videographers, despite the fact that it is now aging.
The Nikon D500 was released by Nikon in 2016, making it 2 years older than the Nikon Z6 and therefore just a little bit cheaper.
This Nikon video camera features almost all of the same features as the Nikon Z6, making it a great choice for the budget-conscious videographer.
For instance, the Nikon D500 shoots 4K video (and was, in fact, one of the first Nikon cameras to be able to do so), features a good ISO range with usable footage even into the 12,800 range, and a touchscreen LCD.
Nikon D500 Specs:
- 4K video capabilities
- 21MP sensor
- 10fps burst mode
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- 153-point AF system
- ISO range of 100-51,200
- 3.2″ tilting touchscreen LCD
- 1,240-shot battery life
Nikon D500 Pros:
- Fast, accurate autofocus
- Durable body fit for extreme weather shooting
- 3.2″ tilting touchscreen LCD monitor with 100% screen coverage
Nikon D500 Cons:
- 4K crop factor of 2.25x
- Poor Full HD video capabilities
The Best Nikon Video Camera for Professional Videographers: Nikon D850
I count on DSI to bring me unbiased video tests on a weekly basis, and their Nikon D850 camera test above is no different.
But, if it isn’t clear in the video, the Nikon D850 is not a Nikon video camera for beginners. In fact, I would argue it isn’t even a Nikon video camera for intermediate videographers. You should have extensive experience working with Nikon cameras before diving into this one.
This camera features 4K video with 30fps, the capability to shoot in pretty much any lighting, and 45.7MP of resolution, making all of your photos and videos crystal clear.
Nikon D850 Specs:
- 45.7MP full-frame sensor
- 4K video capabilities
- ISO range of 64-25,600
- 151-point AF system
- 3.2″ tilting LCD touchscreen with 2.36m dots
- 7fps burst mode
- Built-in Wi-Fi
Nikon D850 Pros
- Incredible full-frame image sensor
- 4K video
- Fast and accurate AF system
Nikon D850 Cons
- Expensive
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth aren’t always reliable
With that, you have a few great choices for your next Nikon camera for videography!
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Hero photo by Volodymyr_Shtun via Shutterstock.
