The 7 Best Church Cameras For Live Streaming 2024

[@prochurchtools]

Looking for even MORE awesome church cameras? Here's my ultimate list for 2024: prochurchtools.com/best-church-cameras-buying-guide

[@joelwsmith]

As always, it's an honor and privilege to collab with Brady and Pro Church Tools!

[@prochurchtools]

You the man! 🫡

[@codynpatterson]

The s5 is for sure the best of the mirrorless for the price at this point. But s5ii is what people should be going with for significantly better autofocus over the original.

[@douglasyoung3654]

I own an s5. I agree overall.. it’s not totally as bad as people make it out to be.

[@joelwsmith]

100% agree, Cody. My lists that Brady pulled from are targeted primarily at live streaming. Since I don't recommend auto focus for most live stream situations, that was not really a major consideration in my selections. But it also makes sense for a hybrid do-all camera to have great auto focus capabilities for other uses like photography and pre-produced video content. I will probably add a note to the S5 that the S5 II is worth the upgrade for people looking to get better auto focus. Thanks for that reminder!

[@Studiotek]

​@@joelwsmith Make it the S5IIX and I agree 100%

[@joelwsmith]

@@Studiotek Absolutely! I am considering adding a note under the S5 that includes both of the S5 II models that will also highlight the better video performance and features available in the S5 IIX. 💪

[@FBCPlatteCity]

I’m looking at getting a Panasonic S5IIX. Any recommendations for lenses that would work well in a church context? Probably set up on a tripod about 60ft away from subject.

[@dorianwilliams7425]

Amazing video editing! What software are you guys using?

[@prochurchtools]

Da Vinci Resolve and Adobe Premiere Pro.

[@TheVanguard1]

Talk about timing. Just started looking for new church gear and this pops up within the first hour. 😂

[@prochurchtools]

We love to see it.

[@dougwaller976]

Love what you do Brady. I just wondered what your setup is for the pans and zooms you seem to manage to get on your fixed camera setup?

[@prochurchtools]

Yeah, we just ramped zooms. Nothing too fancy!

[@budget-church-livestreaming]

Wow, loving the Brady/Joel team-up on this one! Solid list overall!

[@prochurchtools]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheFandangovideoguy]

great list...I shoot ceremonies in churches and live events and my Canon XF300 has been very useful for over 8 years. a True pro camera...but it's time to upgrade. The XF605 was on my list but some reviews listed too much "noise" on the video under lower light levels..and the price was too high for me. I decided to get 2 Sony FX30 with f2.8 zooms instead but not the same thing. For some live events I MUST connect to video screens etc and having a true pro camcorder is the way to go. You list the pic quality as a 5...have you experienced excessive noise in low light? I know that camcorders may be a "dying breed" , but a good tool to have .

[@joelwsmith]

These cameras and ratings are taken directly from my website, so I can speak to that. Most people that say camcorders are not good in low light are usually comparing that performance to cameras in other categories. They're not really being fair and balanced by doing that either, so it tends to muddy the waters when searching for the right cameras for the job. As far as low light performance *from a camcorder* the XF605 is just about as good as it's going to get, and definitely will have better performance compared to the XF300. It obviously can't compare to the larger sensors in mirrorless and cinema cameras, though.

[@TheFandangovideoguy]

@@joelwsmith hi there. I may rent a XF605 and try it to see what quality I can get. I wish it was cheaper to purchase. Thanks for the info

[@MapleAvenue]

The S5ii has phase detect auto focus. Worth every penny difference.

[@prochurchtools]

Perfectly reasonable. For some churches, that extra $600 (basically a full third of the price) won't be worth that feature. For others, a must-have. I hear you.

[@special_edition]

Is it OK to mix cinema cameras such as C300 to Canon broadcast/live camera such as XA65 in the same time during the church service?

[@dustup2249]

Whoa. Imma come back after your man-crush intro is over. I was looking for camera equipment reviews.

[@prochurchtools]

Haha. Plenty of camera reviews on KZbin. Just trying to provide evidence for why you might want to listen to the cameras listed in this specific video.

[@Brian-Hansen]

Thanks Brady, this is a great list! My opinion, Camcorders are not dead.

[@prochurchtools]

Wouldn’t have included any if I thought they were dead! Just not innovating which to me is pointing to where it’s headed.

[@evercontreras7028]

Sony 6400 or Panasonic s5? Which one would you recommend?

[@joelwsmith]

Easy answer for me - Panasonic S5 pretty much every time. This is coming from someone that owned the a6400 for a few months and has shot with the S5 many times. The a6400 has way too many overheating and power issues for me to recommend it in good conscience. That's why the Panasonic S5 is my top pick mirrorless and the Sony a6400 is nowhere on that list. But it's not quite an apples to apples comparison either. The S5 and compatible full-frame lenses are going to cost more in comparison to the APS-C Sony Alpha cameras and many of the E-mount lenses.

[@evercontreras7028]

@@joelwsmith thanks for that info!

[@markjuliestutzman4490]

On the Canon site all the information that I can find states that the auto tracking tool requires the separate "Auto Tracking Application RA-AT001" . In your guide for the CR-N100 PTZ camera, you state "Good auto tracking built-in (no additional hardware/software required)". Help me understand what it actually is, built in or an add on. Also our present joystick camera controller works with IP VISCA. Would this camera work with VISCA? Thanks

[@joelwsmith]

The Canon CR-N series of PTZs has auto tracking capability built-in. The only thing you have to do is purchase the additional license to activate auto tracking and then add the feature to the camera through a browser connection. You do have to use a computer with a browser to setup the camera(s) and add the auto tracking feature, but the computer does not have to install or run any special software because it is all run within the camera. The browser is just used as the portal to administrate all the settings. The Canon CR-N series also supports VISCA over IP.

[@og6015]

Hello. Thank you for the very helpful information. Please what lens will you say is best with the Sony A7S III please?

[@prochurchtools]

I love the Sony 24-105mm f4.

[@thinkabove]

what camera, lens, and lighting are you using in this very video in your studio?

[@prochurchtools]

instagram.com/reel/CxI14D_uGBn/?igsh=MWw2NnNiMmNxenN0dg==

[@GeneralGarvel]

Oof! I haven't felt this much disagreement with a video in so long! Thankyou for making me feel alive. Love your content.

[@prochurchtools]

Haha. Love it. So many good options out there nowadays that there are a lot of great picks that got left off.

[@jocelitojoe]

Interesting mirrorless choice...

[@joshpetermann]

Canon XA55 significantly outperforms the newer XA65 in low-light (grab the XA75 if you have to have the newest). The 1” sensor makes a HUGE difference.

[@joelwsmith]

Great thoughts, Josh. I definitely mention low light performance in comparison to the XA75 in my recommendation for the XA65. The XA55 has been discontinued though, so it is basically only possible to purchase used at this point. The discontinued XA45 became the XA65. They both have the smaller sensors. BUT, they also have a 20x optical zoom that comes in handy for a lot of churches and larger venues. The discontinued XA55 became the XA75. They both have the 1" sensor. BUT, they only have a 15x optical zoom, so you trade off some focal length for better image quality and low light performance. Of course, I also emphasize that lighting is ultimately more important than the lens and camera when it comes to overall image quality. First things first. 😎

[@joshpetermann]

@@joelwsmith 💯 Great points. 🫡

[@BenDahl]

Just curious, @prochurchtools have you ever reviewed the Fujifilm X-H2s or X-H2?

[@joelwsmith]

The Fujifilm X-H2S is the runner-up on my list for best mirrorless cameras for live streaming. I shot with it a bit last year. What would you like to know?

[@BenDahl]

@@joelwsmithhi Joel, thank for your reply! Mainly I’d like to know how it stacks up against the other cameras mentioned in the video. I’ve been using an X-T2 for over 7 years and I’ve loved it.

[@joelwsmith]

@@BenDahl I personally love Fujifilm X cameras for their straight out of camera looks. I think the X-H2 or X-H2S will be an excellent upgrade from the X-T2.

[@joelwsmith]

@@BenDahl Sorry if I already responded to this earlier. KZbin is bad about showing all the comments, and I didn't see a reply from me.

[@karunyachurch]

Thanks👍❤

[@Casa242]

I need the "for dummies" version of this video - I don't understand a lot of the technical jargon 🙃

[@prochurchtools]

Haha. Yeah, those specs can certainly feel like a lot at times.

[@joelwsmith]

Always feel free to reach out with any questions and I'd be happy to explain everything. I understand it's daunting and a lot of information to take in (my brain even hurts after writing these super detailed articles, and I deal with these facts every day). 😊

[@TheDallasDwayne]

Why does the Panasonic S5 have a 1/10 Live Features rating?

[@calebcarr1925]

A7siii does not have a 24mp sensor as stated in the first lower third pop up. It has a 12.1mp sensor. Making it better in low light.

[@prochurchtools]

Great catch! That's my mistake. Really one of the only weaknesses of the A7S III, that sensor which helps with low light doesn't give you a ton of resolution for photos.

[@TyroneLT]

@@prochurchtools with the right budget the low light is a plus if the camera is dedicated to video only, while other cameras are used during the service for photography.

[@anotherintrospekt6596]

Plus over 15 stops of dynamic range 🙂

[@hugged-by-a-card]

On each camera below it you have a number out of 10 and a lot of the cameras are low on live features does that mean recording live from your church service on Facebook it doesn't do well. We are a small church and wanting to do better quality

[@prochurchtools]

Great question. Those ratings aren't necessarily a reflection of a cameras ability to live stream well - all of these cameras can live stream well. That's more about specific live production features like tally lights, optical zoom, etc.

[@r3drang3r69]

Blackmagic has a nice workflow with camera, atem, iso recording, multi M/Es etc… I’m working on a complete production with blackmagic and everything compliments each other

[@joelwsmith]

Joel here. Brady pulled a lot of this info directly from my site, and I speak specifically on how I choose scores and why some scores appear to be unusually low or high for certain camera categories. You can find that information at the bottom of every one of my camera list articles, and it will give you a better idea of why you're seeing those numbers. Essentially, all scores are considered across ALL camera categories, so the live features in mirrorless cameras are extremely limited when compared to a $50,000 broadcast studio camera system that is designed specifically for live production. The low score for live features just means it's not going to come with native tools like tally, intercom, remote control of multiple cameras, remote control of motorized zoom or focus, and other things that come in handy for live multi-cam production. If you need more help making sense of all the options, or just have any additional questions, definitely feel free to reach out and I'd be happy to help any way I can. 👍

[@thejacevekexperience]

I just want to point out that this video is advertising itself as being about LIVE STREAMING, but LIVE STREAMING seems to be low down on the videos priorites. It doesn't matter what a camera can record internally on a live stream. Please create content that is matching the title for which it is advertised. Otherwise, you are kinda wasting our time. Thanks.

[@thejacevekexperience]

Not withstanding the PTZ stuff, which is whatever.

[@patricklacson]

I think your price for the Panasonic S5 is incorrect. It is not available new for $1197 but $1797

[@joelwsmith]

At the time this video was published, the price for the Panasonic S5 was in fact $1,197 USD. As I'm typing this comment, the price of the Panasonic S5 is still, in fact, $1,197 on B&H's website.

[@patricklacson]

@@joelwsmith You're right! I stand corrected. Thank you for the great content.

[@benjamin.kelley]

I remember when we bought our Canon XA-45. I was new to video, I had enough knowledge set the camera up to get the best image possible. I've tried everything with these cameras and they still look like a potato. The Canon XA line of cameras is garbage - you'd probably get better performance on a used gh5 and mft prime lens. What's even better is after I kept on begging to sell it and get a different camera it was decided that we would buy another one. That's about the time I stepped down from anything video for our church.

[@prochurchtools]

Yeah, the image quality from camcorders can’t hold a candle to the other options.

[@joelwsmith]

In general, the image quality from all camcorders cannot compete with mirrorless or cinema cameras. It inherently comes down to the built-in lenses, what is required to make those lenses parfocal, and the smaller sensors in all camcorders. That is one reason why my scores for camcorder image quality are so low in comparison to other camera categories. But it's always a trade off in terms of expectations, needs, physical distances, and budget. Camcorders still have a place and fill many needs. Ultimately, it's all about lighting. A camera is only as good as the light you give it. First things first.

[@ardorministries]

Camcorders are still part of the conversation?

[@prochurchtools]

For some.

[@joelwsmith]

Absolutely.

[@ruff1draft]

The Panasonic GH5S should also be on this list

[@joelwsmith]

There are tons of great cameras out there, for sure. However, the GH6 won by a landslide compared to the older GH5S in terms of image quality, dynamic range, recording formats, addition of ProRes, and even price point.

[@JayPatel-lw3oz]

The best PTZ money can buy is the fr7

[@DD23-1]

A7S3 Sensor is not 24.2MP, its 12MP!

[@prochurchtools]

That’s correct ⬆️

[@jonathanMallard]

T3i lol 😂 classic

[@prochurchtools]

Never forget.

[@joelwsmith]

I also used a T3i exclusively for over 3 years while working for a church. That camera and I became best buddies very quickly. I loved that little beast. I just don't miss having to stop shoots every 11 minutes to press record again, LOL! Sometimes I miss the simplicity, but I'm also thankful for how far we've come in such a short time. 😆

[@joshpetermann]

Biggest handicap for all of these mirrorless options but Sony-third-party and/or overall lens selection. 🥲 Significantly affects their affordability if you want high-quality glass.

[@codynpatterson]

The s5 has a HUGE selection of lenses between the L-Mount and adapting to Ef-Mount. Ef-mount being one of the largest if not the largest selection of lenses for both quality and price! Definitely a great option. I’ve got both L lenses and Ef lenses on my lumix cameras and they are great!