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While purchasing new A/V equipment for your church may feel daunting, it doesn’t have to be. Taking the time to invest and assess your ministry’s tools is a necessary and exciting step toward reaching your goals and fulfilling your mission!
Now more than ever, many churches want to broadcast their services online but don’t know where to start when exploring video recording equipment. Even churches that already live stream might want to level up the quality and experience for both those behind the camera and those tuning in. Thankfully, there are so many video cameras to choose from, regardless of your church’s budget or experience!
Here are the best video cameras of 2023 for live streaming church services and some important considerations to make before buying.
Budget—How much are you able to spend on your church’s video camera and any additional equipment? You don’t need to spend a fortune to capture high-quality video, but being aware of your church’s budget will make your search for the best live streaming camera that much easier!
Technical experience—Assess the experience of those that will be operating your church live streaming camera. If you have full- or part-time staff on your media team, they’ll most likely be better equipped to handle a more advanced camera than a rotating group of volunteers.
Live streaming provider—Are you currently using a live streaming provider to stream your church services? If so, it never hurts to double-check your provider’s minimum camera specifications and recommendations. The best church live streaming providers, like Subsplash Live, are compatible with most current cameras on the market.
Technical requirements—There are plenty of compatible cameras out there for any budget, but the best camera for live streaming your church is the one that fits your needs. Start by considering things like your minimum video quality (720p, 1080p, 4k) and your typical streaming setup (tight shot of one person or zoomed out with many people).
There are many kinds of live streaming cameras for churches to choose from, each with advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a quick rundown:
Budget-friendly cameras for beginners:
This webcam is a great way to elevate your video quality without breaking the bank. Plus, it’s easy to use and set up—just attach to your computer screen with a built-in clip and plug into the USB port, or switch it up with the mini tripod! A webcam like this is ideal for simple setups, like your pastor sitting down or standing at the pulpit framed in a tight shot with little movement.
Camcorders like this are perfect for beginners who want something more robust than a webcam and to develop their videography skills. With the Sony CX405, your church can choose to operate it on a tripod or the standard handheld method. The portability and zoom functionality make this a great choice for small indoor or outdoor events.
Affordable church video cameras for intermediate users:
This mirrorless camera is a good choice for those with some experience, but are eager for something with high-quality streaming capabilities. The Panasonic Lumix G7 offers customization through a wide range of interchangeable lenses and high-resolution recording at the fraction of the cost of more advanced cameras.
Much like the Panasonic Lumix G7, this camera is one of the best cameras for leveling up your church’s live streams. The Sony Alpha a6100 offers full exposure control—meaning this camera is great for low-light or bright church events. No more dark, hard-to-see streams during worship!
Church live streaming cameras for intermediate users & budgets:
Panasonic HC-WXF1 UHD 4K Camcorder with Twin & Multicamera Capture
In addition to being able to capture your church’s services in 4k resolution, this Panasonic offers in-camera editing and creative effects (like “dolly zoom” and slow motion). Plus, a secondary camera is built in to simultaneously record two different angles.
This Canon DSLR offers a suite of powerful features all in one lightweight device. With an intuitive touchscreen monitor, adjusting settings before or during your church’s live stream is even easier! Plus, DSLR cameras like this one offer the ability to maintain focus on busy or changing scenery, which is great for more visually-active church services.
Top-tier cameras for professional quality live streaming:
This PTZ camera offers 20x optical zoom and remote control capabilities, which is suitable for most medium-to-large worship spaces. Remotely, your team can control focus, iris, shutter speed, and gain in addition to the standard pan, tilt, and zoom. Additionally, this nifty PTZ camera comes with a variety of preset positions for even easier church live streaming!
Sony PXW-Z90V 4K HDR XDCAM Camcorder
From optical image stabilization to impressive customizable styles and configurations, the Sony PXW-Z90V will not disappoint in providing cinema-quality video for your church live streaming.
Now that you’ve found the best live streaming camera for your church, it’s time to start broadcasting your church services and events. Don’t know where to start? You’re in luck— Subsplash Live makes it simple to stay connected with your church community by live streaming to your website, mobile and TV apps, media libraries, and more! Plus, Subsplash Live is compatible with almost all recording devices, so you can get started today with your mobile device or laptop before even receiving or setting up your new camera.
Already using the Subsplash Platform? Log in to your Subsplash Dashboard today to discover more about Subsplash Live, or schedule a call with your Client Success Manager!
[.blog-contact-cta] Get in touch with our team of ministry experts [.blog-contact-cta] to find out more about leveraging Subsplash Live to connect with your community.
