What jax rox said - what's the project? Do you really need to buy a camera?
My wordy thoughts below are for shooting narrative films. Not 'run and gun' or documentary (with interviews, etc.)
If you're just starting in film, & especially if you're the writer or director, consider renting, or bringing in a cinematographer who has gear (and may bring nice ideas).
$5k USD is a lot for a first short film, just for a camera. You can get a decent DSLR for less than $1k, and rent specific lenses if needed. Your story, the choice of shots, and SOUND especially, is more important.
ex. DSLR -- Canon T3i or T4i, or Nikon D3200, or Sony Nexus 7(?) [ under $1k ]
- in your price range, produces lovely images with the film look, lightweight, shoot to SD cards (cheap), and have become kind of 'industry standard'. Easier to fit into tight spaces.
Takes practice to control the image - depth of field, steadiness, etc.
non-DSLR: Panasonic HVX 200 (shoots to P2 cartridges)
JVC GY-HD100U ($1800 or so) (I think this shoots to SD cards)
and lots of others [price varies]
- perfectly good, a bit simpler to use (in my experience); Panasonic is a well known brand, the HVX 200 is a workhorse camera often used in schools. Some people like these heavier, bigger cameras, find them easier to keep steady.
SOUND: more important than high-end camera body.
DSLR -- captures poor sound. So:
- Use separate sound recordist (a person, with good mics, boom & wireless lavs) , and sync the sound later. It's not so hard, and it's worth it. That is where it's worth spending more money.
(Wireless lavs can be a problem if the mic rubs on the clothing, but the right person can make it work.)
- Or use XLR adapter from BeachTek to capture somewhat better sound directly to camera. Maybe do that anyway just to have decent back-up sound. But the camera itself may make sounds, and the in-camera mic can pick that up)
You don't want to have to change your camera setups just because you're handicapped by trying to capture sound directly to the camera. If you want the shoot to sound professional, and have the freedom to pick your visual setups, work with a sound recordist.
Non-DSLR, like Panasonic -- usually has dual XLR inputs. Can get good sound.
But really, consider using a separate sound person.
Try to write a script that doesn't place impossible demands on the sound recordist, or will require lots of ADR (post-production re-recording of dialog.
Lighting - I don't know too much about it - I work with professional gaffers and the main lessons I've learned are:
- adjust your script if you can, to make the fewest possible lighting demands
- work efficiently so the light doesn't change while you're shooting (shoot in order of lighting setups, and don't wait to block scenes till you're on set - rehearse, work out shots in advance with crew)
I think a DSLR will get you more out of whatever lighting and equipment you have, but others may want to correct me on that.
Last word - if this film is still just an idea in your head, consider not buying anything yet, just storyboard it. Maybe use a Flip or whatever - Flip gets surprisingly good sound btw - to get mock-up clips, or turn the storyboard into an animatic. Then you will know running time, and what crew you would need, and so on. Then you can budget.
I hope this helps
Happy new year
