Saturday, August 16, 2025

The cost of shooting video

I was recently asked to recommend a camera for shooting high-quality video. Ten years ago, “good quality” meant 1080p, but today, 4K is considered the standard for decent quality. Most modern smartphones can shoot 4K video, though with some zoom limitations. Keep in mind, however, that a capable phone with 4K video will cost you over $1,000—likely rolled into the monthly payments you already make to your service provider.

So, what does a camera for video cost? If you buy refurbished to save money, expect to spend at least $500 on a camera body capable of 1080p and another $500 on a lens (minimum). For 4K video, plan on spending more than $1,000 for the body and again around $500 for a suitable lens.

You can find a helpful article recommending the best refurbished cameras for video here.

Shooting video also requires a powerful computer for editing and plenty of storage for saving files. That can easily add several more thousands of dollars to your budget.

So, the next time you hire a photographer for your wedding and request video, don’t be surprised—or complain—when the bill comes to a few thousand dollars.

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The cost of shooting video