If you’ve been around the video world for any amount of time, you know that this is THE question that gets asked on message boards, in user groups, and on all kinds of websites. Everyone wants to make certain that they are choosing the right tool for the job.

Legal videography, deposition video in particular, is a niche field. The basic premise of recording a “talking head” is right in line with most ENG/EFP cameras, however, the specific requirements of deposition video are not taken into account by most manufacturers.

This doesn’t mean you can’t find a suitable camera for legal video, and it would be easy to tell you which one works best for me, but it all boils down to what you need.

Here’s how you choose the best camera for your deposition video business.

Know the Class of Camera

Video production equipment typically gets categorized into either consumer, prosumer, or professional feature sets and price points. Many manufacturers create products that are geared specifically toward each category. Of course, there are cameras that blur the lines and can be useful across the spectrum.

Let’s break them down.

Consumer Cameras

These cameras are designed for mom and dad to capture video of their kids’ soccer game or school play. A lot of effort will be invested in making them easy to operate for untrained users. Most options will be automated and flexibility will be limited.

Consumer cameras are perfect for the targeted user group, but videographers that utilize equipment to make money should steer clear.

Prosumer Cameras

Cameras that fall into this category can be useful and even appropriate in some circumstances for legal videographers. But more often than not, they fall just short of the requirements that professionals demand.

Prosumer cameras may be useful in certain circumstances as a B camera, but most of them are not designed to handle the daily workload of professionals.

When considering these cameras, evaluate carefully their intended use, feature set, build quality, and interoperability with your current gear.

Professional Cameras

These are the tools that are designed and developed specifically with reliable, daily use in mind.

Professional cameras have all of the technical features necessary to stand up to the most rigorous use and image quality to go along with it.

What defines the professional class?

Many legal videographers have the urge to place equipment purchases into the professional class based on price.  Many videographers will quickly learn that is not always the case.  Most will quickly learn there are a number of camera choices that are not “professionally” priced but “reasonably” priced. Often these choices will easily fit the bill for legal video acquisitions and productions.

Most professional video cameras will provide for broad flexibility, functionality, durability and carry a lengthy expected tour of duty. Most professional cameras can be used for a broad array of tasks and will hold up to wear and tear much better than cameras in the consumer and prosumer classes.

Evaluating Your Needs

Regardless of your budget or your length of time in business, every videographer must identify specific needs for a camera purchase.

• Some simply need a backup camera.
• Some legal videographers need a workhorse that will carry them four to five years into their careers.
• Some litigation videographers only provide deposition videography and never intend to bust that component of their business model.
• Some expect to venture into additional forms of legal videography.
• Some need to purchase a camera for additional service requests that have nothing to do with the legal system at all.
• Other legal videographers are seasoned and simply require a long awaited camera upgrade to take advantage of a growing and prosperous business.

Every videographer should choose the best camera for both current and  future needs.  Evaluating your needs should become paramount even before your search for the best camera begins.

Industry Requirements

Some requirements are inherent to the legal video profession and some needs are personal preference oriented.

One requirement for all litigation videographers and his/her camera is the ability to generate time and date as required by most industry standards.  Not every camera handles character generation adequately.  While most professional video cameras provided for both flexibility and format display, some will  not send time and date through all output connections and cables, namely FireWire!

Consider Your Workflow

Each video professional has a specific workflow designed around business concepts and need.  When purchasing a new video camera one should always consider workflow.  Workflow is the chain in production from acquisition to delivery.  Many litigation videographers fail to consider how a new camera will fit into their workflow.

Unless one looks at both existing and future workflows a new camera purchase can actually decrease productivity and increase production costs. Take care in choosing new cameras that record in widescreen only and have a plan for dealing with that.

When choosing a camera for legal video work you should considered the profession in which we are in.   We work with attorneys who want things yesterday and forget to request things until tomorrow.  My point: a fast turnaround should be paramount for every litigation videographer.

That fast turnaround should not compromised quality.  Therefore, a new camera purchase should provide for high quality, untethered workflow and meet the needs of legal video production  as bound by your business’ direction and model.

Getting Answers From Those Who Know

Often, we as consumers like to think we know what is best and trust our own experiences, judgement and instincts when purchasing equipment.  For true legal video veterans this is most often the case.  However, for those new to the industry a little field specific experience and guidance goes along way.

Often the best decision making information comes from those who are accustomed to working in the industry. These individuals often have wonderful technical knowledge as well as experiences with trial and error.  Those new to the legal video field can do themselves right by inquiring about camera choices from those who know best.  Ask and you shall receive!

Camera Demonstrations

In today’s world, both prosumer and professional video equipment, including video cameras, are difficult to get your hands on for test runs.  The Internet has made it easy to get a list of features and specifications for specific components however, the Internet also has reduced the number of store fronts that make “demoing” a potential purchase next to impossible.

A Camera in Hand is Worth More Than a Decision of Despair

Whenever a videographer has the opportunity to test equipment before buying, the decision on which camera to buy becomes less of a burden.

There are a number of opportunities to try equipment to see if it fits the specific needs of legal videography.

• Rent Equipment
• Borrow Equipment
• Visit Brand Specific Dealer Store Fronts
• Shadow Videographers Using Prospective Equipment

When you have an opportunity to use a specific camera you have the ability to discover how it will perform in the field.  The best opportunities of benefit are those which put you in the exact acquisition situations and environments the camera is designated for.  That would include depositions. It is every wise to test drive as many video camera choices as possible.

Purchasing Today or Purchasing Tomorrow

Every litigation videographer wants the latest and greatest.  Often videographers will wisely hold off on a camera purchase knowing a new series of cameras is about to be released.  However, there also exists some danger in hesitation buying.

Every piece of equipment you purchase requires the need to earn income for your business.  Sometimes a delay in choosing and purchasing equipment results in delayed revenue earnings.

There is a fine line between buy now or buy later.  As demonstrated, each camera purchase deserves exploration.  A wise business owner begins exploring the options before a purchase is necessary and continues to explore until the decision is made.  However, at some point the videographer must act!

Choose Wisely

No equipment purchase should be based on irrational, hasty decisions.  The video camera is especially important to legal videographers and it deserves proper attention.  After all, your video camera is often the most valuable piece of equipment in your arsenal.  Choose it wisely!