You want to get a new camera for your stop motion project, but you’re not sure what type and model is best for it? here you’ll find answers!
Each camera has its advantages and disadvantages, and they are sometimes far apart in terms of price. In this article you will find an overview of the properties of the different types and some purchase recommendations.
In general, digital SLRs (DSLRs) can provide better pictures and more setting options, but are also more expensive. Compact cameras are the small and practical all-rounder, they are cheaper than DSLR, but are now also very powerful tools. Other options include practical complete packages for stop motion shooting, or shooting with a smartphone.
If you buy a camera through one of the links in this article, I get a small commission – but it will not cost you a penny more to buy it.
Compact Cameras
A compact or “point and shoot” camera has probably everyone at home, who wants to do more than just cell phone snapshots. They are (as the name suggests) compact and easy to use.
Newer models already offer all the settings that are important for a Stop Motion rotation, such as manual exposure and focusing. Also in terms of image quality, they are for your first Brickfilm projects more than fine.
If you want to get a compact camera, then take a look at these current models or look for compact cameras on Amazon. You will find good compact cameras usually in the price range of 150 € to 500 €.
Sony DSC-HX60 Digitalkamera (20,4 Megapixel, 30-fach opt. Zoom, 7,5 cm (3 Zoll) LCD-Display, Exmor R CMOS Sensor, NFC/WiFi) schwarz
409,00 €Canon PowerShot SX620 HS Digitalkamera (20,2 MP, 25-fach optischer Zoom, 50-fach ZoomPlus, 7,5cm (3 Zoll) Display, CMOS-Sensor; DIGIC4+, optischer Bildstabilisator, WLAN, NFC, HDMI) Kamera schwarz
Panasonic DMC-TZ71EG-S Lumix Kompaktkamera (12,1 Megapixel, 30-fach opt. Zoom, 7,6 cm (3 Zoll) LCD-Display, Full HD, WiFi, USB 2.0) silber
322,05 €Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR)
Digital SLRs – or DSLR for short – are the professional models among the cameras. They are characterized by interchangeable lenses, accessories, perfect picture quality and almost unlimited setting options.
With a DSLR you really have all the settings under control, and a whole new world of design options with a variety of compatible lenses. The whole course, of course, has its price, a current starter model with standard lens you get from about 500 ¬, for better housing and special lenses, but you can easily spend € 1,000 upwards.
For professional stop motion productions almost exclusively DSLRs are used, because here you have full control over settings such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO and the focus and the images are accordingly higher quality. Current SLR cameras can also be controlled remotely with the computer – with special stop motion software you have all the settings and the current image section in view via the computer screen.
Sony Alpha 6000 Systemkamera (24 Megapixel, 7,6 cm (3″) LCD-Display, Exmor APS-C Sensor, Full-HD, High Speed Hybrid AF) inkl. SEL-P1650 Objektiv schwarz
Nikon D5300 Kit DX 18-55 VR
638,37 €Canon EOS 80D DSLR Digitalkamera inkl. EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 is STM Objektiv (24,2 Megapixel, 7,7 cm (3 Zoll) Display, DIGIC 6 Bildprozessor, NFC und WLAN, Full HD), schwarz
The biggest advantage of a SLR camera is the interchangeable lenses. For a stop motion film with the little figures, a macro lens is especially useful. This allows you to get very close to the action and to display the LEGO© figures in full screen. The Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX Macro Lens is available for cameras from Canon, Nikon and Sony – with it you can take the faces of your LEGO figures very large.
Other Alternatives
There are other ways to easily make stop motion movies. So some manufacturers offer complete sets, including mini camera and matching software. Especially for children, this is the easiest way to shoot a Brick movie.
But even with the smartphone and a suitable app can turn great movies. Just search the App Store or Play Store for “Stop Motion”. To make your iPhone or smartphone the perfect stop motion tool, but you still need a way to mount it on a tripod and to fix it.