Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, churches continue to reach out to the people through the internet as it is safe and convenient. Many pastors and other church leaders are adapting and broadcasting their sermons through live streams.
Recording these live streams often need professional camcorders because most times smartphones just won’t suffice. There is a huge variety of camcorders available and we are going to review the best cameras for live streaming church.
Best Camera for Live Streaming Church: Canon VIXIA HF G21
Canon VIXIA HF G21 is well known for its impressive low-light performance and wide dynamic range. Canon’s CMOS Pro image sensor and 400x digital HD zoom lens pair up to record amazing full HD videos.
The camcorder design provides greater convenience and provides a 3-inches HD display for adjusting the camera’s settings. Another fantastic feature is dual SD card slots where the camcorder records simultaneously to provide backup. Not trying to exaggerate, but G21 has enough features for professional videography.
Pros
- Full HD video recording
- Dual SD card slots
- Optical image stabilization system
- Powerful image sensor
Cons
- Expensive
- No 4K video recording
Best Professional Camera for Live Streaming Church: Canon XA15 Prosumer Camcorder
Canon XA15’s full HD video resolution and high-quality video recording makes it ideal for recording religious congregations, gatherings, weddings, and other events. Canon’s remarkable HD CMOS Pro image is known for excellent performance even in low-light conditions.
Features like hybrid autofocus and image stabilization enhance the camcorder’s performance. Canon XA15 weighs below three pounds which won’t stress your shoulders while recording. Given all the features, Canon has undoubtedly made an impact on professional videography.
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Pros
- Full HD recording
- Wide DR Gamma mode avoid over-exposure
- Image stabilization and autofocus
Things to consider
- Expensive
- No 4K recording
Best Budget Camera for Live Streaming Church: Mevo Start
Mevo Start is an all-in-one camera that is highly compact and portable. It is in no way a professional camcorder, but its 1080p video resolution and battery life of approximately six hours make it a worthwhile purchase.
The Mevo iOS and Android controls most of the camera’s functions, and it’s pretty intuitive. Mevo also has three built-in mics for audio recording and allows external mics via a USB-Type C port. All in all, it is an ideal choice for those who want full HD recording at a minimum cost.
Pros
- Full HD video recording
- Affordable
- Built-in Wi-fi and Bluetooth
- Highly portable and compact
Things to consider
- The camcorder is not professional-grade
- Lens zoom not effective
Camera for Most Churches: Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Blackmagic cinema camera is a breakthrough for videographers who are on a budget. It records 4K videos at 120 fps with an aspect ratio of 16:9, which is impressive. On top of that, the camera provides dual native ISO and 13-stops of dynamic range, which means it still performs well even in low-light situations.
The body design is similar to a DSLR, making it quite handy and portable. In addition, the camera supports several storage options, including SD and CFast cards and SSDs via a USB-Type C port. Overall, a perfect choice for live streaming in churches.
Pros
- Affordable
- Impressive video quality
- Portable
- Great port selection
- Its proprietary software, DaVinci Resolve is awesome
Things to consider
- No in-body stabilization
- Auto-focus is quite rudimentary
- Limited battery life
Best Power-Packed Features Camera for Live Streaming Church: Sony NX5-R Professional Camcorder
Sony NX5-R professional camcorder is packed with powerful features and definitely lives up to the expectation. It supports full HD video recording at 59.94 fps as well as HD video recording. Along with this, Sony’s famous G lens provides 20x optical zoom and guarantees clear and crisp images.
Shooting videos are made incredibly convenient with function keys located on the camera and menu options displayed on the screen. Furthermore, it features two memory cards and could shuffle between the two while recording for your ease. It is worth the investment if you want to inspire the viewers.
Pros
- High-resolution video recording
- Dual SD card slots
- Built-in LED light
- Professional look and feel
Things to consider
- Expensive
- No 4K recording