Photo by Anastase Maragos on Unsplash
Today we’re looking at the five best cameras for vlogging. If you’re a videographer, an independent vlogger, a YouTuber, or any other content creator, it is absolutely critical that you choose one of the best cameras for vlogging. It is imperative that you have a usable vlogging camera that can take amazing photographs and crisp 4K videos, especially if you want to gain followers, produce quality content, and appeal to a broader audience.
And while there are a lot of different things to consider when purchasing the best camera for vlogging, a lot of it is going to depend on the type of content you’re creating. Are you backpacking? Are you travel vlogging? Are you creating vlogs at home while doing product reviews? You’re going to have to answer a lot of these questions before you choose the perfect vlogging camera.
But the best thing to keep in mind, regardless of the type of content you produce, is that mirrorless cameras are the best for vloggers. You get the best control, the best quality, and optimum versatility when you use a mirrorless camera. These types of cameras offer perks like image stabilization, high image quality, beautiful 4K video capture with a high rate of frames per second – plus mirrorless cameras are more comfortable and easier to use for beginners and professionals.
1. Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera
The Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera is one of the fastest and most accurate cameras for any vlogger out there today. You can get continuous shooting at up to 11 frames per second with 24.2 megapixels. This means that all your photos and all your videos are going to be crisp and vibrant, with extremely natural colors. And for video recording, the camera offers multiple movie functions. You can do time-lapse, you can do slow motion, quick motion, and you can tweak your content without post-processing.
Another great bonus with the Sony Alpha a6400 is the tiltable LCD screen, which is customizable specifically for vlogging. It also has a rechargeable battery and comes included with a shoulder strap and other handy accessories. This is one of the best cameras that is designed with vloggers in mind. It’s extremely advanced, it has some of the fastest autofocusing in the world, and yes, it is capable of 4K HDR video. This camera has extremely positive reviews, it’s relatively inexpensive, and you get a wide array of touchscreen operations that make recording videos very easy.
Pros
- Amazing Upgrade from the a6000
- Effortless Autofocusing
- Real-Time Tracking
- Functional Touchscreen
- Ideal Travel Vlogging Camera
Cons
- No Exposure Dial
- No Joystick for Easier Control
2. Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II Vlogging Camera
The Olympus M5 Mark II is one of the more affordable cameras you can purchase for vlogging. The first thing you need to keep in mind is that there are newer models out there, including the M1 Mark II and the M5 Mark III. However, they are way more expensive. The M5 Mark II is still a fantastic camera that comes complete with 5-axis image stabilization, 10 frames per second of continuous shooting, and full HD video – and it’s crazily affordable.
It’s true that you get a slight bump from standard HD to 4K when you upgrade to the newest model, but it comes at an extortionate price. The M5 Mark II is an extremely useful camera for vlogging with a magnificent electronic viewfinder, integrated Wi-Fi technology, a powerful MOS sensor with a 40-megapixel high-res shooting mode, and an ergonomic design that makes it extremely comfortable for vlogging on the go. If you need to record yourself speaking while wandering around the city, this is the ideal camera to do it with.
Pros
- 40MP High-Resolution Mode
- Integrated Wi-Fi
- 5-Axis Image Stabilization
- Great Ergonomics for Filming While Walking
- Very Sharp Images
Cons
- No 4K Video
- Only 10FPS Continuous Recording Speed
3. Fujifilm X-T100 Mirrorless Digital Camera
The Fujifilm X-T100 Mirrorless Digital Camera is yet another amazing budget camera that is geared towards vloggers. It’s perfect for beginners, cheap compared to other similar models, and overall awesome value for your money. It’s aesthetically pleasing, it has something of a retro design, which is typical with Fujifilm cameras. But what you really get is a solid build quality. It really does feel like a solid, properly constructed camera. The X-T100 comes packed full of creative options, which is absolutely necessary for content creators. You also get the Fujifilm color profiles and many integrated options that will help you go from amateur vlogger to professional video creator!
Plus, everything you need is in the box. The moment the camera arrives at your door, you can take it out of the package and begin shooting. It’s light and great for traveling, it’s ideal for vlogging around your hometown, and it’s a fantastic option for those who don’t want to lug around a lot of heavy equipment just to take some high-quality videos. It even has a surprisingly large 24.2MP sensor!
Pros
- Sizable 24.2MP Sensor
- Advanced Filter Modes
- 3-Way Tilting Screen w/ High-Resolution
- Newest Bluetooth Technology
- Easy File Transfer
Cons
- Limited Touchscreen Functionality
- Only 15FPS When Shooting 4K
4. Canon EOS M6 Mark II Mirrorless Vlogging Camera
Meet the Canon EOS M6 Mark II Mirrorless Vlogging Camera. This is by far the most expensive camera we’re going to talk about today. It’s also the most reliable and most highly advanced. It uses a huge APS-C sensor with a whopping 32.5 megapixels. That is staggering for such a lightweight and durable mirrorless camera. It also has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and an HDMI output for all your transfer needs.
The M6 Mark II has different shooting modes, including night mode and portrait mode. You get high-speed continuous shooting at an outstanding 14 frames per second. The autofocusing is quick, the 4K UHD video is flawless, and the LCD screen is specially designed so that you can watch yourself filming with perfect clarity. This is the best vlogging camera if you have a fair chunk of change to spend. The image processor, the face tracking, the eye detection technology – they’re all of the highest calibers. This really is top of the line stuff and it’s worth every penny!
Pros
- Ridiculously High Image Quality @ 32.5MP
- 4K UHD Video
- Amazing Design w/ Useful Viewfinder & Powerful AF
- Continuous Shooting up to 14FPS
- Superior Face-Tracking Technology
Cons
- Slightly Expensive
- Poor Battery Life
5. Sony ZV-1 Camera for Vlogging & Content Creators
Last on our list for today is the Sony ZV-1. This camera is specifically designed for vlogging and content creators. If you’re a professional vlogger, this is the camera you need. It’s absolutely perfect. Even when compared against a full-frame DSLR or a more expensive mirrorless camera, it is better in every aspect. The lens is incredibly fast, the button layout is fantastic, the front flip screen makes taking videos of yourself incredibly easy, and the camera works great indoors without any extra lighting.
This isn’t the largest or the most impressive camera from Sony, but it is a reasonably priced option that is a great starting point for anyone interested in vlogging professionally. The camera is designed to keep your face clear and bright, prioritizing you above everything else in the frame. This means you can easily blur the background by simply pushing the defocus button. The fast hybrid autofocus works instantly to lock onto your eyes in real-time, plus the on-board microphone works to give you amazing sound quality in all of your uploads. For under $1000, this is one of the better dedicated cameras for vloggers.
Pros
- Dedicated Vlogging Camera w/ Microphone
- Face Priority Autofocusing
- Auto Exposure for Highlighting Your Face
- Amazing Sound
- Outstanding Selfie Quality
Cons
- Must Remove Tripod Mount to Change Batteries
- No Mode Dial
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve seen the five best cameras for vlogging that are available on the market right this very second, it’s time to look at the most important features and why you need them.
Considering a vlogging camera is going to be used primarily for taking video, an external microphone port is essential. With a quality microphone port, you will dramatically improve the sound quality of your content. Without proper sound, you will lose subscribers because people won’t be interested in listening to you. A quality external microphone port can make the difference between engaging your followers or turning them off.
The second most important thing is an LCD screen that can flip to the front. You want a fully articulating screen so that you can see yourself while filming. This is essential because you always need to ensure that the framing is perfect and that you or your products are in focus. With a proper LCD screen, you can film while ensuring consistent framing and proper lighting.
The final thing you want to consider is 4K video. Just a few years ago, nobody would have cared about 4K content. But today it is absolutely necessary. No respectful vlogger is going to record and upload anything less than 4K quality. YouTube and other streaming platforms cater to 4K content, and your viewers will expect the absolute best in terms of video quality. Always make sure that your vlogging camera has 4K capabilities.
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