Gear of the Year Winners 2025: Cameras
Posted on Oct 27, 2025 by Pro Moviemaker
The best of the best!
We reveal the worthy winners in our ninth annual celebration of top-tier moviemaking cameras
Every year, the Pro Moviemaker Gear of the Year Awards shine a spotlight on the cameras that make a difference in filmmakers’ lives. These accolades reflect real-world performance, not just spec sheet hype. From mirrorless marvels to powerhouse cinema rigs, this year’s deserving winners represent the pinnacle of creativity, reliability and innovation. Here’s why these cameras topped the charts in their respective categories.
1. Hybrid/Crossover
Canon EOS C80
Canon’s C80 bridges the gap between a cinema and a mirrorless camera like no other. It inherits the colour science and image pipelines from Canon’s Cinema EOS line but conveniently packages it in a body that’s friendly to hybrid shooters. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF system makes pulling focus seamless, while the kit’s internal recording formats deliver pro-grade footage straight to the card. At the same time, it can shoot stills at a resolution high enough to satisfy demanding crossover creators.
2. Camcorder
JVC GY-HC550ESBN
Camcorders still matter in professional production, especially for streaming, and JVC’s GY-HC550ESBN proves why. This well-connected camcorder is built for live broadcast, ENG and field production in ways that mirrorless cameras can’t match. The ability to deliver high-quality streaming directly from the camera itself, combined with its excellent connectivity, makes it a go-to for news and events.
3. Cinema Camera
RED V-Raptor X
For ambitious cinematic production, Red continues to set the standard. The V-Raptor X brings together the brand’s famed Raw recording with premium resolution and frame rates, delivering staggering image quality for the highest levels of production. Its modular design means it can be tailored to any shoot, whether mounted on a gimbal, drone or kitted out for studio work, and it can now be bought with a Nikon mount.
4. PTZ
Canon CR-N700
Canon’s CR-N700 shows how far PTZ cameras have come. Now matching the image quality expectations of high-end productions, it’s not just about remote control convenience any more. With 4K/ 60p 4:2:2 10-bit output, advanced Dual Pixel autofocus and excellent low-light performance, the CR-N700 is perfect for live productions. Smooth pan-tilt-zoom operation and easy integration into IP-based workflows make it a dream.
5. Mirrorless
Nikon Z 6III
Nikon’s Z 6III proves that mirrorless technology has reached new levels of maturity. Sitting in the sweet spot between affordability and quality, it combines a newly developed full-frame sensor with improved autofocus, superb dynamic range and excellent low-light performance. Its professional features enable filmmakers and hybrid creators to achieve cinematic images without compromising on speed or reliability.
Editor’s choice
BirdDog X5 Ultra
Birddog continues to break new ground in IP production with its new X5 Ultra, a PTZ superbly designed for the NDI era. It delivers 4K video quality with ultra-low latency, making it ideal for live broadcasts and remote production workflows, while its AI-assisted autofocus and colour controls make it stand out in a crowded market. The X5 Ultra is set to become a vital piece of modern filmmaking infrastructure.
Blackmagic Pyxis 6K
Blackmagic Design has a knack for shaking up the industry with its bold and innovative ideas, and the Pyxis 6K is no exception. This full-frame camera is compact, affordable and still offers cinematic 6K image capture. It provides internal Blackmagic Raw and ProRes recording, wide dynamic range and an excellent array of connectivity options, all in a body that is far less expensive than traditional cinema cameras.
This article was first published in the November/December 2025 issue of Pro Moviemaker
