Did you know that you can't just use your iPhone to shoot footage if you want your movie or series to be featured on Netflix? The best streaming service requires 90% of a program's final total runtime to be captured on approved cameras. These cameras aren't cheap, but a few surprisingly affordable models are on the list, such as the Panasonic Lumix S1H, the Canon C70, or the Sony FX3.
Shop the Canon Black Friday sale
Speaking of the Sony FX3, one of the most visually striking movies of 2023, The Creator, starring John David Washington, was shot almost exclusively on this $4,000 camera. It goes to show that you don't need the most expensive gear to produce amazing content. (Although I'm sure a lot of work went into post-production, but still.)
As a sucker for both movies and gear that makes them happen, I scoured the internet to find the cheapest camera deals on Netflix-approved cameras. Sadly, there are no half-price offers, but you can save a decent amount of money with the below deals. In the UK, I'd recommend this Panasonic Lumix S1H deal at Wex (was £2,799, now £2,499), while in the US, the same camera is the cheapest ever at Amazon:
For more offers, check out T3's best Black Friday deals and best Cyber Monday deals roundups. In case you're interested, here's the full list of Netflix-approved cameras (external link).