Mirrorless Cameras
Professional quality for serious family filmmakers. Interchangeable lenses, exceptional low-light performance, and cinematic image quality that will preserve your stories for generations.
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Why Choose a Mirrorless Camera?
Mirrorless cameras offer the best balance of quality, size, and features for family storytelling. Unlike DSLRs, they're designed with video in mind from the ground up.
With interchangeable lenses, you can capture wide environmental shots of family homes, then switch to a portrait lens for intimate interviews – all with the same camera body.
How to Get Professional Results
The 50mm Portrait Lens
A 50mm f/1.8 lens is your secret weapon for interviews. Position subject 2-3 metres away, shoot wide open (f/1.8-2.8) for beautiful background blur. This lens flatters faces and creates separation from the background.
Exposure Triangle Basics
For interviews: Shutter speed at 1/50s (for 25fps) or 1/60s (for 30fps). Aperture f/2.8-f/4 for flattering blur. Adjust ISO to expose correctly (Auto ISO works great). Exposure should make skin tones look natural, not too bright or dark.
White Balance for Skin Tones
Auto White Balance usually works well, but for critical interviews, set it manually. 5600K for daylight, 3200K for indoor tungsten. Correct white balance makes skin tones look healthy and natural, not orange or blue.
Focus Techniques
Use face/eye autofocus if available - it's often better than manual focus. If manual focusing, use focus peaking or magnification. Focus on the closest eye. For stationary interviews, you can lock focus and forget it.
Our Recommended Cameras
Sony ZV-E10
~$750-1000 (body) + ~$180-250 (16-50mm lens)Designed specifically for content creators and vloggers. Excellent autofocus, flip screen, built-in directional mic. Interchangeable lens system means you can grow. Perfect first 'proper' camera.
Check Price Affiliate linkSony A6400 + 16-50mm
~$1000-1250 kitFast autofocus, great 4K video, excellent APS-C sensor. Compact body perfect for family events. Reliable workhorse that's been used professionally for years. Huge lens ecosystem to explore.
Check Price Affiliate linkCanon EOS R10 + 18-45mm
~$1000-1250 kitCanon's newest APS-C mirrorless. Superb autofocus, 6K oversampled 4K video. RF lens mount is Canon's future. Amazing value for the image quality you get.
Check Price Affiliate linkNikon Z30 + 16-50mm
~$1000-1250 kitVlogger-focused design. No recording limit. Excellent 4K. Simple menu system great for beginners. Nikon colour science makes skin tones look beautiful straight out of camera.
Check Price Affiliate linkSony A7 IV + 28-70mm
~$3250+ kitFull-frame sensor for exceptional low-light and depth. 10-bit 4K, professional codecs, incredible autofocus. This is what professional family documentarians use. Investment that will last decades.
Check Price Affiliate linkCanon EOS R6 Mark II + 24-105mm f/4
~$4000+ kitFull-frame hybrid excellence. Amazing low-light (great for home interiors). Superb autofocus tracks subjects anywhere. 6K oversampled 4K video is stunning. Professional reliability.
Check Price Affiliate linkPro Tips
- Buy the camera body + kit lens to start - specialty lenses can come later
- Invest in a fast 50mm f/1.8 lens (usually $150-250) for beautiful interviews
- Set camera to video mode and never leave it - photo mode has different settings
- Use Picture Profiles (Sony) or C-Log (Canon) for maximum editing flexibility
- Extra batteries are essential - buy 2-3 spares, interviews drain power quickly