Best 16mm Lens Cameras: Super 16mm film has a distinct and lovely appearance that is difficult to duplicate digitally.
Even though the bulk of film and television productions are now shot digitally, many filmmakers still use the Super 16mm format and for an excellent purpose.
Images captured on 16mm lens cameras have a wide dynamic range, vibrant colors, and a lovely grain structure.
For these and other reasons, even large-scale film productions have switched to cameras that support 16mm.
While there will never be a digital alternative for shooting on real film, with the correct approach, you may get close to replicating the appearance of 16mm.
Here are some of the greatest cameras with 16mm lenses, which can be an alternative to traditional 16mm cameras.
Image | Product | Price |
---|---|---|
Canon EOS 5D Mark IVGood Choice
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Sony NEX-5TLGood Choice
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Nikon D500 DXGood Choice
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NikonZ 50 DXGood Choice
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Sony Alpha a6000Good Choice
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Best 16mm Lens Cameras
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
The EOS 5D Mark IV produces high-resolution pictures and 4K video files with exceptional clarity and depth. It has a full-frame sensor with 30.4 Megapixels, a 61-point AF system, and other operational improvements.
The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV camera combines Canon’s remarkable technical and engineering that can capture beautiful still images and 4K video nearly everywhere.
It comes with Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM Lens, which will allow you to take amazing photos and videos.
Its Intelligent Viewfinder II provides a bright, customizable view that incorporates several important camera settings for simplicity and comfort throughout all-day shooting.
Regardless of the task, the full-frame sensor produces outstanding results with efficiency and convenience.
With precise exposure and focus tracking, this camera can shoot at up to 7.0 frames per second.
With Canon’s DPP software, Dual Pixel RAW files allow for post-production adjustments. In addition, the Intelligent Viewfinder II provides a bright, clear view for all-day photography.
Key Features
- Stellar Image Quality
- 30.4 MP Full-frame Sensor
- EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM Lens
- ISO 100–32000
- Built-in GPS
Sony NEX-5TL
The NEX-5T is a strong, pocketable digital camera that can take amazing photos nearly anywhere. The big APS-C image sensor produces excellent image quality, while the Fast Hybrid AF and interchangeable lens capabilities allow for precise focusing.
Next on our list of best 16mm lens cameras, we have one from SONY. It comes with16-50mm Power Zoom Lens.
Sharing your photographs is also easier than ever thanks to the built-in NFC technology.
Simply tap the camera against another NFC-enabled device, such as a tablet or smartphone, to transmit images with a single tap.
For excellent performance, Sony’s innovative Fast Hybrid AF combines two technologies:
Auto focus with phase detection for rapid reaction, which is perfect for monitoring fast-moving objects and contrast. -detection auto focuses for more accuracy.
The NEX-5T is not only capable of producing stunning pictures, but it also has strong video capture abilities.
Shoot Full HD 1920×1080 movies in your choice of amazingly 60p, normal 60i, or cinematic 24p resolution1.
The AVCHD codec produces excellent image quality and MP4 codec produces smaller files that are easier to upload to the internet.
Use the new Exmor sensor, which has the same adaptive low noise technology as Sony’s high-end full-frame SLT-A99V DSLR, to take stunning low-light images. The sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to ISO 25600 on the NEX-5T.
Key Features
- 16.1 MP APS-C size HD image sensor
- Full HD Movies1 at 60p/60i/24p
- Sweep Panorama Technology
- Clear Image Zoom
- Auto HDR mode
- Up to ISO 25600 sensitivity with advanced noise reduction
Nikon D500 DX
The D500 is ready to follow your enthusiasm wherever it takes you, shooting everything in remarkable clarity, quickness, and sharpness.
The D500 is the perfect combination to your journey, from bustling, low-light cityscapes to exciting wildlife scenes and quick action pictures.
The quality of its cinematic 4K UHD footage will amaze you.
With this state-of-the-art 16-80mm DX-format zoom lens, you can take photographs and movies that are everything from average.
It spans wide-angle to portrait perspectives with absolutely excellent image quality, thanks to a fast f/2.8-4 aperture, VR image stabilization, and Nikon’s superior lens technology.
An excellent lens for capturing everyday life, giving a feeling of place, blog, low light, HD video, and much more.
Whatever you shoot, you can rest assured that the D500 will perform admirably time after time.
The D500 is a sleek and elegant camera that goes with you wherever you go, bringing amazing quality and performance with it.
The finest aspect is that visual quality isn’t sacrificed in the name of mobility. With its 20.9-megapixel CMOS sensor, the D500 achieves the ideal balance and can capture the finest details, colors, and patterns the world has to offer.
The D500 makes the most of every possible ray of light, allowing you to capture high-quality photos in low-light situations. Check out some of the best low light video cameras for an excellent photography experience.
The flexible D500 is not frightened by challenging low-light circumstances, down to -4 EV, with a native ISO range of 100 – 51,200, extendable to Lo 1 and Hi 5 (50 – 1,640,000 equivalent).
Nikon cameras and lenses offer unparalleled quality by revealing rich details in the dark.
Key Features
- Pro-grade image quality
- 16-80mm ED VR Lens
- 20.9MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor
- 10 fps Shooting for Up to 200 Frames
- Multi-CAM 20K 153-Point AF System
NikonZ 50 DX
The NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Lens has vibration Reduction (VR) image stabilisation and a zoom range of 16-50mm. It has a built-in lens and operates quietly, making it perfect for both videos and still photos.
The Z 50 collects more light than any other competitive camera system thanks to its widest lens mount, which means more of anything good—sharpness, colour, focus speed, low-light performance, and image quality.
In the tiniest interchangeable lens DX-format camera ever, the Z 50 provides the award-winning functionality of the Z series.
Videos and photos recorded in low light appear clean and modern thanks to a 20.9MP DX CMOS sensor, a powerful EXPEED 6 processor, and the light-gathering benefits of the wider Z mount.
With the Nikon SnapBridge software for Apple or Android, you can easily move images and movies from your camera to your phone through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
You can also use your smartphone as a remote monitor to view what the Z 50 sees, make camera adjustments, snap photos, and record video.
Key Features
- Durable, compact, and lightweight
- 20.9 MP sensor
- “Selfie” flip down touch LCD screen
- First DX-format mirrorless camera
Sony Alpha a6000
With the superior mirrorless DSLR that focuses on speed, you can push the boundaries of your creativity. 24.3MP clarity and the world’s quickest auto focus6 enhance every creative photo you take, from fast-action to candid.
The a6000 can capture 11 photographs in one second, which is ideal for catching fleeting moments. It’s also small and simple to operate.
You can adjust settings on the fly with two quick-access dials.
The newly developed Exmor CMOS sensor and BIONZ X processor provide 20 percent greater sensitivity than the NEX-7, resulting in breathtaking clarity in low light from ISO 100 to 25000.
Although its little size, the 6000 provides you full DSLR control and instant access to the features you will need shoot like an expert.
Rapid adjustment of shooting modes and camera settings is made possible by two dials on top and a control wheel on the back.
There are 7 customisable buttons in top to the Fn button, which can be set to any of 474 functions. By sliding up and down approx. 90° and 45°, the tiltable 3.0” (921k dots) Xtra Fine LCD Display makes it easy to picture above crowds or low to capture pets’ eye to eye.
The newly developed Exmor CMOS sensor and BIONZ X processor provide 20 percent greater sensitivity than the NEX-7, resulting in breathtaking clarity in low light from ISO 100 to 25000.
A pop-up flash and a conventional hot shoe for extra flash accessories are included in the 6000 for an extra blast of light.
Key Features
- Comes with 16-50mm and 55-210mm Power Zoom Lenses
- 24MP APS-C sensor
- Built-in OLED viewfinder
- Fast Hybrid AF (Auto Focus) with 179 phase-detection points
How to Achieve 16mm Film Look when Shooting Digitally?
Shoot Properly
When aiming to achieve a filmic appearance, many filmmakers make the error of increasing their ISO excessively high in camera.
The notion is that the additional disturbance will look like film grain, but digital noise, at least to my sight, does not resemble film grain.
Capture as cleanly as possible in camera, and reserve the grain for the editing room (more on that later).
Try to obtain the finest possible image area with the fewest digital artefacts possible, because it’s always easier to deteriorate your film after the fact than it is to save it in the editing room.
Don’t Use Full Frame
In digital terms, a Super 16mm frame size is roughly equal to the Blackmagic Pocket Camera. This indicates a high crop factor, implying a shallower depth of field. To get that appearance, shoot with a Micro Four Thirds camera or even a tiny sensor camera. If you just have a full frame DSLR, you can still make it work, but you’ll have to stop down your lenses and be more careful of the depth of field.
Use it Handheld
No doubt, recording handheld is a creative decision, but because lighter camera models are simpler to hold on the operator’s shoulder, many Super 16mm films are filmed handheld. If you like the S16 look, you probably like the handheld look as well, so if a run-and-gun approach matches your mood and plot, try removing the sticks for your shot.
Attempt to Make Tighter Shots
As previously stated, the Super 16mm format is very constricted; thus, closer pictures and wider lenses are more suited to accurately recreating the appearance of S16. That’s not to suggest you can’t use a wide-angle lens on S16, but a wide-angle lens on a full-frame camera would appear different than a wide lens on a genuine Super 16mm camera. Pick close-ups and medium photos if you don’t want to give yourself away (and you’re shooting with a big sensor).
Frequently Asked Questions
1.66:1
Based on the aspect ratio, a Super 16 frame is 20 to 40% bigger than a standard 16 mm frame. A Super 16 frame’s natural aspect ratio is 1.66:1, which is an excellent match for the HDTV aspect ratio of 1.78:1 (19 x 9) or the 1.85:1 theatrical distribution format.
16 fps.
16mm is 16 millimeters wide.
Frame rate is 24 frames per second.
Sound 16mm cine film contains just one side of sprocket holes and operates at 24 frames per second, or 36 feet / 11 metres per minute. An optical track was utilized in most 16mm sound films. When brought up to the light, this appears as a squiggly line along the side of the film.
Conclusion
So, this was all about the best 16mm lens cameras that you can buy on Amazon. 16mm is known to give a very vintage yet classic look, so consider all the above options if you are thinking about shooting in this genre.