3 people ask this every day, please search the sub before posting More on reddit.com

Hi dave – if you want a professional “cinematic” large sensor camera for TV promos below $5000, the $4999 (body only) Canon C100 and the $4499 (with 18-200 manual zoom lens) Sony FS100 are pretty much the two best choices on the market today. More on creativecow.net

depends what you consider to be “professional,” but the FX3, FX6, BMPCC pocket 6k, and the canon C70 are probably the leaders in that price range More on reddit.com

Wow a job with a theoretical unlimited budget AND you get to keep the equipment after? What a dream!! From your description of the locations being a lighthouse and boats, it's going to be a challenging shoot for sure. You are going to want a camera body that can stand up to the conditions but you'll also want an additional b cam just incase things don't go to plan. So really you're buying two cameras, lenses, audio and lights. While it may be a tough call and I wouldn't blame you for doing otherwise but technically to produce the best piece without worrying the client over cost would be to rent everything involved, especially so if there is a set shoot schedule. I can understand charging extra for an additional lens that's required to get a certain shot and then keeping it after but since you're starting from seemingly scratch, that's a bit rough on the client. But hey if they're loaded and for it then why not! I say the above because people are recommending cameras that are long in the tooth, avoid the c100, it is not a camera that is up for this kind of work in the standards of 2021. The new c300mkiii is considerably better than its c300 mkii and not to say that the c300mkii is a bad camera it's just tech has come a long way and you could rent the c300mkiii instead. Renting would mean you skimp on nothing, you could get everything you need for cheaper than buying half rate equipment. Only you know what would be best for this production though. Good luck! More on reddit.com