If you happen to find yourself swimming in gift vouchers following the silly season, then you can rest assured that we here at Motion Array have a pretty good idea of how to spend them. Because in preparation for the new year, we’ve tracked down the must-have video gear to own in 2018.
And the best part about them? They’re all under $1000!
Summary
Top Video Gear for Less than $1000
1. Canon G7 X Mark II – $649
Tired of lugging that DSLR around with you? No problemo! Now you can sub it out with this compact little beast.
Don’t let its tiny size fool you. The G7 X delivers crisp, quality video and with its DIGIC 7 image processor, makes a great companion when filming in low-light conditions.
With the G7 X users can film 1080p videos at 60 frames per second which automatically save in MP4 format (making social media uploads super seamless) and the camera’s built-in optical image stabilizer also means that you should be able to coast by without a tripod.
Another cool feature on the G7 X is its flip-out screen which allows users to go full selfie mode while they film. Vloggers rejoice!
2. DJI Spark Portable Mini Drone – $399
Thinking of making 2018 the year you embrace drones? Sweeeeeet! Just know there’s no better place to start than with the DJI Spark. This palm-sized device is the perfect option for newbie droners and at the humble price of $399, it allows you to test out your aerial navigation skills (or lack thereof) without making a massive investment.
The DJI Spark comes with a 1-mile range and a top speed of 31 MPH. It shoots 1080p video and also comes with a range of features including Shallow Focus mode which allows you to get all artsy by focusing on your subject and blurring your background out.
3. DJI Mavic Pro – $759
If you’re looking for something a little more advanced than the DJI Spark then it’s big bro (a.k.a. the Mavic Pro) is the way to go. This guy comes with a 4-mile range, a top speed of 40MPH and the capability to shoot 4K videos at 30 frames per second.
What’s more, the Mavic Pro comes with a build-in obstacle-avoidance feature (wish I had one of those) which will no doubt assail the concerns of any nervous beginners. It’s “Return-to-Home” mode also allows the Mavic Pro to automatically find its way back to you if it ever drops offline (…wouldn’t mind one of these either).
4. Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 – $149
This sleek, snazzy, and SUPER sturdy tripod was a big seller in 2017 and it’s little wonder why. The Vanguard Alta Pro extends to a maximum height of 69.12 inches (well above many others in its field) and can handle a load of up to 15.4 pounds….not bad given that it only weighs 5 lb itself.
Its three-section legs can adjust to 25, 50, and 80-degrees allowing for a multitude of different angles. And if you’re in the business of making your viewers extremely dizzy, the Alta Pro doesn’t disappoint with its fluid-like ball head that rotates a full 360 degrees.
5. GoPro Hero 6 Black – $499
The first thing you need to know about this nifty little device: the image quality is stunning! No really, just check this video out. So, how does GoPro do it? Well, unlike its predecessor the Hero 5, the Hero 6 can now shoot 4K video at 60fps but the real game-changer this time is its built-in stabilization system which ensures that every shot has that smooth, professional feel to it.
On top of that is the convenience factor. All photos and video taken with the Hero 6 are automatically sent to your phone where the GoPro app will prepare them for upload to your social media channel of choice.
The Hero 6 also comes with a built-in voice activation prompt that allows users to verbally command their device to start and stop filming—an extremely important feature for when your mid-bungee jump.
6. Adobe Premiere Pro – $19.90/month
Here at Motion Array, we love sure do love our Adobe Premiere Pro. But with its latest release, we’re loving it all the more! With the added features of Immersive Media (for seamless VR editing), Project Locking, and Multiple Open Projects to allow more than one editor to tackle a single project at a time, Premiere Pro has really upped the game in 2018 and reaffirmed its position as one of the best professional editing programs on the market.
7. Rode VideoMic Pro+ – $274
What good is top-rate video if your sound sucks?
If you haven’t yet, it’s definitely time to invest in a solid on-camera mic and in 2018, the name in the game is none other than old faithful: Rode. With Rode’s VideoMic Pro+, all you need to do to point and shoot the directional mic towards your subject to capture quality sound while adequately blocking out all background noise. And like all of Rode’s products, the VideoMic Pro+ is light, portable and extremely easy to use. This little guy’s the best bang for your buck you’re gonna find!
With new products coming out all the time, this list is bound to change throughout the year and when it does, we’ll be sure to update you. But for right now, as we enter into 2018, this video gear is some of the best going around for under $1000. Each is certainly worthy of consideration should you feel so inclined to splash out and treat yourself to a new year’s gift!
