Comparison of movie cameras

General

• Camera model – specific camera body models and variants, usually officially authorized
• Camera line – either the body family (similar bodies) or system family (complementary design)
• Manufacturer – company of origin
• Introduced – first year of known usage
• Weight – usually just the body, but may include accessories as mentioned
• MOS/sync – Sync-sound cameras are able to both maintain a constant speed (usually crystal lock) and run quietly enough not to be heard by the sound recordist. MOS cameras do not meet either one or both of these requirements, and are usually used either for applications where camera noise is not a concern, or non-standard camera speeds are required. A camera is also deemed MOS if it cannot hold a constant speed, regardless of its noise levels.
• Noise level – measured noise made by the camera, dB(A), with film and at a given distance from the film plane, usually one meter. MOS cameras do not have a measured noise level since they are not intended to be used with recorded sound and thus are much louder.

A limited number of cameras prior to the modern period are listed due to their prevalence in special applications.

Lens and gate aperture

• Lens mount – the type of mount required for using the camera. Certain lenses may not be able to be used with particular cameras if the mounts are incompatible. The lens mount must be shifted to be centered to accommodate the Super 16 format from standard 16.
• Aperture size – the size of the aperture of the gate.
• Aperture plate – is the gate removable for inspection and what accessories may it have?
• Lens interface – electronic information system located in the lens mount to communicate lens data to the camera and accessories.
• Ground glass – interchangeable ground glasses allow for the viewfinder to display whichever aspect ratio is being framed for.
• Frameline glow – can the camera make the framelines glow for easier viewing in low-light conditions?

Shutter

• Reflex – is the shutter a reflex mirror design?
• Design – rotary disc shutters have two common designs – a "half-moon" disc of 180° or "butterfly" of two e.g. 90° segments opposite each other which spin at half-speed.
• Location – where the shutter is centered
• Adjustment – how the shutter angle can be adjusted. Most manual designs can only be adjusted when the camera is not running, often with the lens removed. All electronic shutters allow adjustment at all times, including when the camera is running.
• Angles – shutter angles available and in what increments or stops, if not continuous.

Movement

• Movement type – design of the movement mechanism
• Pulldown claws – number of claws which engage the film perforations to transport the film while the shutter is closed. Some claws may have more than one pin in order to engage multiple perfs at a time.
• Registration pins – number of pins which engage the film perforations during exposure in order to ensure consistent image stability from frame to frame.
• Frame rate (forward) – range of speeds in frame/s (frames per second) and smallest increments of change allowed. Accessories noted where required for certain speeds.
• Frame rate (reverse) – range of speeds in frame/s (frames per second) and smallest increments of change allowed. Accessories noted where required for certain speeds.
• Motor – type of motor, voltage, crystal-controlled speeds (Xtal)
• Pulldown – negative pulldown options available
• Pitch control? – does the camera allow for adjustment of the pulldown claw to optimize camera noise and avoid perforation damage?

Viewfinder

General

A limited number of cameras prior to this period are listed due to their prevalence in special applications.