Whether you're a seasoned professional, content creator, or just someone who enjoys piecing together videos for fun, having the right tools can make or break your video. It’s not just about capturing footage, but creating a visually immersive experience that captivates your audience. This journey starts with the right camera, progresses through stable and cinematic recording, and culminates in editing. There are a number of tools that are crucial to this process. Whether you’re gearing up for your first shoot, or are a seasoned content creator looking to upgrade your toolkit, this article will cover some of the top tools for anyone working with video.
Your Main Camera
Setting the foundation of your video begins with selecting the right camera, and mirrorless cameras steal the spotlight here. Far from being only compact and lighter than most of their DSLR counterparts, these cameras are powerhouses when it comes to video. The first perk lies in their mirrorless design. With no mirror in the way, they allow for real-time live-view monitoring through the camera's electronic viewfinder. This feature gives you a 'what you see is what you get' experience, so you know exactly what you’re capturing, frame by frame. Beyond that, mirrorless cameras outperform in low-light conditions—great news for those low-light and night time shots. They also flaunt fantastic autofocus abilities and high frame rates for that super slow-mo effect, making them the best sidekick for capturing a wide range of creative vision.
If you’re after a top-of-the-line mirrorless camera that’s highly regarded amongst professionals and content creators, check out the Sony Alpha A7 MK IV. It’s one of the best you can get and delivers strong video performance as well as stills. It boasts a 61MP full-frame sensor, lightning-fast autofocus, 5-axis image stabilisation, and a broad sensitivity range from ISO 100-32000 and a wide 15+ stop dynamic range. This means super smooth footage with great low-light performance. Additionally, it has an advanced AI-based AF system that supports real-time eye AF and real-time tracking for intuitive AF control and subject tracking. It records high-resolution 4K full-frame video at up to 30fps and FHD up to 120fps. For more mirrorless camera recommendations, check out our Best Mirrorless Cameras.
Your Secondary Camera
A secondary camera isn’t entirely necessary, but depending on the type of content you are creating and shots you want to capture, it can certainly be worth having. If you’re someone who films solo, having a second camera set up so you can capture different angles more efficiently can save you a tonne of time and energy. In this case, another mirrorless camera might be what you need. If you want to capture adventure shots or film in wet or extreme environments, then an action camera will come in handy. Among the myriad options out there, action cameras have emerged as the undeniable favorite for secondary use so this is what we’re going to cover in this section.
Compact yet mighty, these rugged little performers are built to capture top-notch footage in some of the trickiest and most extreme situations – whether that's an off-road adventure or an underwater dive. The major appeal? It balances size, versatility, and quality like no other. Its dustproof, weatherproof design means it can handle the bumps and splashes that might leave your primary camera in tears. And guess what? It packs all this durability without compromising on video quality, can capture 4K footage like its larger counterparts, and often includes excellent built-in stabilisation, assuring smooth, professional-looking clips. The GoPro HERO series has long been the go-to action camera but there are now plenty more options worth considering. Check out our Top Action Cameras.
Drone
If you want to take your video content sky-high, consider adding a drone to your toolkit. They've become an indispensable ally for many filmmakers and content creators, taking video production to a whole new level. They bring a unique perspective to your videos, quite literally. Capturing stunning aerial or establishing shots, sweeping landscapes, and dramatic bird’s-eye views that were once out of reach, a drone places the power of a miniature airborne camera crew right in your hands. Whether you're an adventure vlogger looking to film your epic mountain ascent, a real estate marketer mapping out a property, or an indie filmmaker wanting to add Hollywood-style panning shots to your film, a drone can make your vision a reality.
DJI creates an awesome range of easy-to-fly drones that are capable of capturing stunning footage. Ideally, look for a drone that can shoot in 4K. Anything less and you might find your drone footage looking less impressive on bigger screens or high-resolution devices. The DJI Mini series are a good place to start for those who are new to drones and if you’re a professional looking for the best, consider DJI’s Mavic 3 drones. We’ve written an article about the Top Camera Drones for beginners here (also great for professionals, but great for beginners in the sense that they're easy to fly).
Camera Accessories
Camera Lenses
Your choice of lens can dramatically transform your video's look and feel. Each type of lens, from wide-angle and telephoto to prime or zoom, lends a unique perspective and style to your footage. The depth of field, the field of view, and the level of distortion—all are controlled by your lens of choice. For videography, versatility is king, making zoom lenses a reliable workhorse. An excellent mid-range zoom lens, such as a 24-70mm lens, can handle a wide variety of shooting conditions, from tight interiors to wide landscapes. If low-light performance is a primary need, consider prime lenses. They typically have wider maximum apertures (lower f-numbers), allowing more light into the camera for those dimly lit scenes. Versatile primes like 35mm or 50mm lenses can be a dream for videographers. Macro lenses are your best friend for intricate close-up shots, while a good wide-angle lens can do wonders for capturing expansive landscapes or architectural footage. Remember, the lens you choose can dramatically impact the story you tell.
Camera Tripod
An unsung hero of videography and photography is the humble tripod. A tripod is fundamental to capturing steady, professional-quality video. Primarily, a tripod provides stability. Even the steadiest hand can't compare to the unwavering support of a tripod. It eliminates camera shake, ensuring clean, focused shot capturing, and it's a must-have whenever you're working with long lenses or shooting in low-light conditions, both of which can be pretty unforgiving to even slight camera movement. But a tripod isn't just about stability. It's also a terrific tool for framing and composition. With your camera secure, you can manipulate pan and tilt for perfect composition, or lock it in place to keep a static shot. Plus, for those videos where you need to be in front of the camera instead of behind it, a tripod is going to be your best mate on set. From interviews and time-lapses to landscape shots and anything in between, a reliable tripod is crucial.
Gimbal / Stabiliser
If you’re after super smooth cinematic footage, consider adding a gimbal or camera stabiliser to your kit. They offer stability that surpasses anything handheld filming can achieve. While handheld filming may pass for certain shoots, it's not always sufficient for professional-quality production. This is where gimbals and stabilisers come into play. They ensure your camera movements are silky smooth, no matter what type of terrain you are navigating. Providing more than smooth tracking shots, gimbals allow for creative, complex movements that were previously only possible with bulky, expensive equipment. Think sweeping crane shots, energetic following shots, or slow, cinematic pans, all with just the flick of a wrist from your regular mirrorless or action camera. Take a look at our Top Gimbals and Stabilisers.
ND Filters
Let's shed some light on filters, specifically the Neutral Density or ND filters. Although small in size, the role they play in shaping the quality of your video footage is anything but. Often referred to as "sunglasses for your camera," ND filters reduce the intensity of all wavelengths of light reaching your camera's sensor, without affecting the colors of the scene. It’s all about control - they enable you to manage the amount of light that enters your camera, giving you the flexibility to use wider apertures or slower shutter speeds in bright lighting conditions. When it comes to videography, having a set of ND filters in your bag can be as crucial as your lens choices, giving you superior control over the depth of field and motion blur. These tiny tools can dramatically enhance the professional finish of your footage, especially when shooting in challenging lighting conditions.
Powerful PC or Laptop
Now that you’ve got all the tools to capture your video, we need to consider the post-production stage. This is where the second half of the magic happens. Here, the make-or-break tool is certainly your editing workstation. Whether you opt for a desktop PC or a laptop, it's the heart and brain of your editing process that turns your raw footage into a polished final product. A beefy PC or laptop allows you to run video editing software smoothly, manage large files, and preview your edits in real-time. It's crucial to remember that video editing is resource-intensive - you don't want to be lagging and freezing while cutting together your masterpiece.
When it comes to specs, aim for a minimum of a quad-core i7. This will ensure your system can handle the heavy lifting required in video editing. As for memory, 16GB is a good starting point, but if you're working with 4K footage or complex animations, don't hesitate to crank it up to 32GB or even 64GB. You'll need plenty of space to store all that high-quality footage so a 512GB SSD or larger is a good idea. You may wish to add an external hard drive to store and back up extra files too. Graphics card matters as well— ideally look for one on the higher end of the Nvidia GTX 3000-series (or the AMD equivalent). Consider a custom PC from PB Tech if you want a computer that's affordable and powerful. What's more, you can upgrade these PCs as required - adding in new parts for greater performance. Be sure to also check out our Best Laptops for Video Editing.
Last but not least, don't skimp on your monitor—having accurate colours can be crucial when colour grading your footage. Check out some of our Top Monitors for Creative Professionals.
Gear Up at PB Tech
Whether you're a professional filmmaker, an eager content creator, or a beginner eager to tell stories through video, the right gear can significantly enhance your video production game. As we wrap up, we hope this guide has been helpful in equipping you with the right gear for your videography journey!
