After addressing the content creator paradox, showing that most content creators need more from their gear than Hollywood productions, I decided to make a wishlist of what I think the so-called “perfect camera” for video content creators would need, in order of priority with a small explanation:

• Full frame: Yes, old and acclaimed movies used deep DOF, but having a buttery smooth bokeh with accessible lenses is easily achievable with full frame, I cannot say the same with smaller sensors, for those there are just a few fast lenses and they are quite expensive.
• 6K: Yes, 6K, not 8K and not 5K, just 6K-UHD and not even 6K-DCI, that way we can stabilize the footage in post without being afraid of loosing some quality when delivering in 4K, 8K is overkill, and 5K falls short for 150% crop during heavy stabilization cases.
• LOG and 12 stops: I though of RAW, being able to correct the white balance and tint in post is amazing, but at the cost of huge files unless you are Nikon/RED, and you’ll have to denoise in post which is CPU/GPU intensive, so the cost outweighs the benefit, a good LOG profile with at least 12 stops would be enough, and most brands now have good auto white balance, well, most except Sony. And for that having at least 4:2:2 and 10-bit is mandatory.
• Full size HDMI: Yes, full size HDMI Type A is a must, micro and mini-HDMI jacks are two fragile, just put some full size HDMI Type A in the camera.
• 32-bit float audio recording: When you do run and gun filmmaking, the last thing you think is “are my audio levels clipping or too low?”, being able to lift or lower the levels in post production is quite nice.
• IBIS: Again, for run and gun filmmaking In-Body Image Stabilization is a must.
• Gyro data: After using Gyroflow, I think that having gyro data embedded in the footage is a must, is better to have it than don’t.
• False Color: After using false colors for exposure, you never go back to any other exposure method, it just works.
• Custom LUTs: This is a must, custom LUTs for preview in camera and trough HDMI, but well implemented and not like Sony does. Be able to record a sample pice of footage, grade it in Resolve, export the LUT and import it into the camera, and then have the same result available in the screen preview and HDMI as it looks in Resolve without any levels or color space change after the LUT.
• 4-Axis Tilting Touchscreen: Yes, Free-Angle Tilting is great, but if you have some port in use, then you cannot use the screen, that is why a 4-Axis Tilting Touchscreen is better.
• 120fps: I think that 120fps without any crop on the sensor is more than enough for slow motion.
• Open gate: For either reframing for vertical and horizontal delivery, or for anamorphic productions, this is a must.
• Custom desqueeze preview: Being able set a custom ratio for desqueeze to preview would be great.

Features that aren’t a deal breaker but would be appreciated

• Global shutter: I’m stretching the possibilities here, I know that kind of sensor is expensive, but hey, RED with the Komodo X and Sony a9 III did it.
• XLR jacks and phantom power: Being able to connect a high quality microphone like the Sennheiser MKH 416 or at least the Oktava MK-012 directly to the camera would be great, but with the availability of timecode and cheap external recorders, we have options.
• Built-in ND filters: Being able to shoot in sunny days without attaching a filter, adjusting the exposure with just a button, priceless, but again, ND filters exists and aren’t too expensive.
• External recording to USB-C: With the current CFexpress card prices, having the possibility to record trough a USB-C attached storage would be nice.
• Shutter angle: It would be cool, but I’ll not injure while setting the shutter speed in fractions.
• Built-in timecode: It would be great, but with the Rode Wirless Pro, not ultra indispensable.

Now, I didn’t included photo specs because most of hybrid cameras currently have good photo specs, so, at the time of writing, only 4 cameras almost fill all the checkboxes, The EOS R5 Mark II, EOS R6 Mark III, Lumix S5 II and Lumix S1 II, I hope this 2026 make other brands like Blackmagic and Sony produce cameras that can fill more checkboxes.