Cinematography and photography differ in terms of equipment used primarily in terms of the type and complexity of equipment utilized for each medium.
In cinematography, the primary equipment used includes a high-quality digital or film camera, along with a variety of lenses, external monitors, matte boxes, follow focus systems, and camera stabilizers such as tripods or gimbals. Additionally, cinematographers often work with lighting equipment such as LED panels, softboxes, and reflectors to achieve the desired lighting effects for a scene. Sound recording equipment, such as boom microphones and audio recorders, are also integral to capturing high-quality audio alongside video footage.
On the other hand, photography typically utilizes a standalone digital or film camera with a range of different lenses suited for various styles and compositions. Additional accessories such as tripods, camera straps, and external flashes may be used to enhance the quality of the photographs. Photography does not require the same level of complex equipment as cinematography, as the focus is mainly on capturing a single moment in time rather than telling a visual story through moving images.
Overall, while both cinematography and photography share similarities in terms of camera equipment, cinematography requires a more extensive array of gear to support the creation of dynamic moving images, whereas photography tends to focus more on capturing still moments with a simpler set of equipment.