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Best Rated Professional (Pro) Camcorders – Comparison & Reviews | 2023

March 20, 2023 by  
Filed under Digital Camcorders



Pro Camcorders

Pro 4K Camcorders 2023

Best-Rated Professional (Pro) Camcorders (2019-2020) – This is a roundup of the best-rated professional camcorders. Professional (Pro) camcorders are larger than consumer camcorders, have larger imagers, superior image processors, and larger brighter lenses. They provide superior video which is a favorite of indy and professional videographers.

Professional camcorders have advanced features such as 24p, time code, and XLR Audio inputs that professionals demand. Some of these camcorders have been used in films seen on the big screen, or used for documentaries. 4K Ultra HD Pro Camcorders are starting be much more popular and dominate the marketplace. Broadcasters will want camcorders with 3G-SDI, HD-SDI outputs. These top professional camcorders below are ones that have met Smart-Review’s ratings for best camcorders. See our glossary of terms at the bottom of the page.

Best Rated Professional 4K & HD Camcorders 2023
(Best features, imagers, and lenses)

Sony Pro HXR-NX80 4K Ultra HD Camcorder
*New Model
Panasonic HC-X2000 4K Ultra HD Camcorder Canon Pro XA70 4K Ultra HD Camcorder Canon Pro XA11 Full HD Camcorder
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12x optical zoom
Flash Memory
4K Ultra HD
1-inch Imager
3.5 inch LCD
Native 24p
XLR Audio Inputs
HDMI out
f/2.8-4.5 Lens
29mm – 348mm
UHD 4K @ 24, 30p
1080p @ 24, 30, 60, 120p
100Mbps Bit Rate
Infrared NightShot®
Built-in WiFi & NFC
Headphone Jack
Dual Card Slots
Built-in ND Filters
4K HDR
273 point AF
(3840 x2160) UHD
S-Log2 and S-Log3
24x Optical Zoom
Flash Memory
4K Ultra HD
1/2.5-inch imager
3.5 inch LCD
Native 24p
XLR Audio Inputs
HDMI out
f1.8 – 4.0 Lens
25mm – 600mm
UHD 4K @ 24, 30, 60,
1080p @ 24, 30, 60, 120p
High Bit Rate
– – –
Built-in WiFi & NFC
Headphone Jack
Dual Card Slots
Past Model
Built-in ND Filters
5 Axis Stabilization
Video Light
15x Optical Zoom
Flash Memory
4K Ultra HD
1-inch imager
3.5 inch LCD
Native 24p
XLR Audio Inputs
HDMI out
f/2.8 Lens
25.5mm – 382.5mm
UHD 4K @ 24, 30,
1080p @ 24p, 30p, 60p
High Bit Rate
Infrared Night Vision
Built-in WiFi
Headphone Jack
Dual Card Slots
Built-in ND Filters
Wide Dynamic Range
5 Axis Stabilization
Dual Pixel CMOS
20x Optical Zoom
Flash Memory
Full HD 1080p
1/2.84-inch imager
3.0 inch LED
Native 24p
XLR Audio Inputs
HDMI out
f1.8 – 2.8 Lens
26.8mm – 576mm
– – –
1080p @ 24, 30, 60p
35Mbps Bit Rate
Infrared Night Vision
– – –
Headphone Jack
Dual Card Slots
– – –
Wide Dynamic Range


Best Rated Pro Camcorders with HD-SDI, 3G-SDI Output | 2023
(Best features, imagers, lenses and ideal for broadcasters)

Sony Pro PXW-Z90V 4K Ultra HD Camcorder Panasonic AG-CX10 4K 60p Camcorder Canon Professional XA75 HD Camcorder
Panasonic Pro AG-UX180 4K Ultra HD Camcorder

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12x optical zoom
Flash Memory
4K Ultra HD
1-inch Imager
3.5 inch LCD
Native 24p
XLR Audio Inputs
HDMI out
f/2.8-4.5 Lens
29mm – 348mm
– – –
UHD 4K @ 24, 30p
1080p @ 24p, 30p, 60p, 120p
100Mbps Bit Rate
Infrared NightShot®
Built-in WiFi & NFC
Headphone Jack
Dual Card Slots
3G SDI, HD SDI
Built-in ND Filters
4K HDR
273 point AF
(3840 x2160) UHD
S-Log2 and S-Log3
built-in 2.4/5 GHz
24x Optical Zoom
Flash Memory
4K Ultra HD
1/2.5-inch imager
3.5 inch LCD
Native 24p
XLR Audio Inputs
HDMI out
f1.8 – 40 Lens
25mm-600mm
– – –
UHD 4K @ 24, 30, 60p
1080p @ 24p, 30p, 60p, 120p
High Bit Rate
– – –
Built-in WiFi
Headphone Jack
Dual Card Slots
3G-SDI
Built-in ND Filters
Wide Dynamic Range
5 Axis Stabilization
4:2:2 10-bit HDMI
Ethernet & NDI|HX
P2 MXF File Format
15x Optical Zoom
Flash Memory
4K Ultra HD
1-inch imager
3.5 inch LCD
Native 24p
XLR Audio Inputs
HDMI out
f2.8 – 4.5 Lens
25.5mm-382.5mm
– – –
UHD 4K @ 24, 30, 60p
1080p @ 24, 30, 60p

High Bit Rate
Infrared Night Vision
Built-in WiFi
Headphone Jack
Dual Card Slots
3G-SDI
Built-in ND Filters
Wide Dynamic Range
5 Axis Stabilization

20x Optical Zoom
Flash Memory
4K Ultra HD
1/2.3-inch imager
3.5 inch LCD
Native 24p
XLR Audio Inputs
HDMI out
f1.8 – 2.8 Lens
29.3mm to 627mm
– – –
UHD 4K @ 24, 30, 60p
1080p @ 24, 30, 60p

High Bit Rate
Infrared Night Vision
Built-in WiFi
Headphone Jack
Dual Card Slots
3G-SDI
Built-in ND Filters
Wide Dynamic Range
5 Axis Stabilization


Best Rated Professional HD & 4K Camcorders 2023
(Best features, imagers, and lenses)

Canon XC10 4K Professional Camcorder
(2016 Model)
Panasonic AG-DVX200 4K 4/3rd imager Pro Camcorder Sony HXR-NX100 NXCAM Pro HD Camcorder Sony NEX-VG900 Interchangeable Lens Camcorder
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10x Optical Zoom
Flash Memory
4K Ultra HD
1-inch Imager
3.0 inch LCD
Native 24p
Mic & Headphone Jacks
HDMI Out
f2.8 – 5.6 Lens
27.3 – 273mm
4K UHD @ 24, 30fps
1080p @ 24, 30, 60fps
12 stops of dynamic range
305 Mbps record
Cfast Recording
SD Card Recording
Wide DR Gamma
100 to 20,000 ISO
Past Model
13x Optical Zoom
Flash Memory
4K Ultra HD
4/3-inch MOS imager
3.5 inch LCD
Native 24p
XLR Audio Inputs
Infrared Night Shooting
HDMI Out
f2.8 – 4.6 Lens
29.5mm – 384mm
DCI 4K @ 24fps
UHD 4K @ 24, 30, 60fps
1080p @ 24, 30, 60fps
12 stops of dynamic range
Five-axis Hybrid IS
Dual Card Slots
10 bit 4:2:2 Out
Past Model
12x Optical Zoom
Flash Memory
High Definition
1-inch Imager
3.5 inch LCD
Native 24p
XLR Audio Inputs
Headphone Jack
HDMI Out
f2.8 – 4.5 Lens
29mm- 348mm
Dual Card Slots
1080p @ 30p
1080p @ 24p
1080 @ 60p
720p @ 60p
ND Filters
Color EVF
Past Model
20x Optical Zoom
Flash Memory
4K Ultra HD
1-inch CMOS imager
3.5 inch LCD
Native 24p
XLR Audio Inputs
Infrared Night Shooting
HDMI Out
f2.8 – 4.5 Lens
24.0mm – 480mm
DCI 4K @ 24fps
UHD 4K @ 24, 60fps
1080p @ 24, 30, 60fps
Triple Manual Rings
ND Filters
Five-axis Hybrid IS
Dual Card Slots
8 Gamma Curves
Past Model


Related Article: Smart-Review | Camcorder Buying Guide (HD & 4K)

Related Article: Best Rated 4K Ultra HD Camcorder – Reviews and Comparison

Related Article: Best Low Light Camcorders – Reviews and Comparison

Glossary of Terms
Recording Bitrate in Mbps = Camcorders compress video to fit on memory cards or internal memory. The higher the bitrate, the better the quality of the video, as it is less compressed and has fewer artifacts caused by this compression.
Built-in WiFi & NFC = Modern camcorders have wireless WiFi and NFC built into them. This provides wireless control of your camcorder from a tablet or smartphone, and an ability to transfer video wirelessly. Almost all camcorders today have built-in WiFi.
3G SDI, HD SDI Outputs = These are specialized outputs, mainly used by broadcasters to transmit their video. HD-SDI transmits up to 720p or 1080i, while 3G SDI transmits up to 1080p Full HD. SDI can send an uncompressed signal to a transmission station or a broadcast truck.
XLR Terminals = Only on professional camcorders, XLR Terminals are used primarily as a balanced audio connector for high quality microphones.
Time Code = Using a Time Code allows for synchronization of audio and video. Very useful for editing.
Optical Zoom = This is the maximum zoom using the lens of the camcorder. A 10x zoom brings the action in about 10 times closer at its maximum.
LANC Terminal = This allows Tripods which have a control handle, to connect to the LANC Terminal (through a cable) and allow you to control the camera from the controller on the Tripod.
Flash Memory = This refers to the way the camcorder records video. Flash memory camcorders normally record to memory cards (SDHC or Memory sticks if a Sony). There are some that have no card, and just have a fixed amount of internal memory such as the Flip Camcorders.
Dual Flash = This type of camcorder has both internal memory and can also record to memory cards.
Imager = This refers to the Imager of the camcorder, where the light hits from the lens. This is like the retina of the eye. The larger the imager, the better the quality of the video and better low light performance. High end pro camcorders generally have a larger imager. Larger is better. A 1/2.6-inch imager is double the size of a 1/5.2-inch imager.
Megapixels = This refers to the camera function in the camcorder. This is the amount of megapixels available to take a snapshot picture while using the camcorder.
Dual Card Record = This means that the camcorder can simultaneous record to two memory cards at the same time. Thereby making a perfect backup, should one memory card fail during recording.
Uncompressed Out = This type of camcorder can also record video to an external recorder “uncompressed” for maximum quality.
IEEE 1394 = This refers to firewire, which is a connector like USB 2.0 to give a fast connection from your pro camcorder to your computer to transfer video.