Every vlogger's kit is built around a camera—but not all cameras are created equal. Everyone's needs are different, and no single camera can fulfill the needs of every vlogger on the Internet. Luckily, vlogging cameras are here to stay, and aspiring creatives are spoiled for choice with an option for nearly every skill level and purpose. If you are in the market for a vlogging camera, there is something out there for you, so let's jump in and take a look at our top vlogging camera recommendations of 2023.
Best Vlogging Camera for Beginners: Sony ZV-1 II
What We Like: Intuitive touch screen controls, powerful autofocus, f/1.8-4 lens, intelligent directional mic
What We Don't Like: Electronic stabilization, downgraded S&Q Shoot Mode
Sensor: 20.1MP 1" Exmor RS BSI CMOS
Video Resolution: 4K up to 30p / 1080 up to 120p
LCD Screen: 3" Side Flip-Out Touchscreen LCD
Connectivity/Remote: Bluetooth + Wi-Fi / Smartphone Connection
Battery Life: 290 Shots
Weight: 10.3 oz
Sony's ZV-1 II encapsulates many of the user-friendly qualities we look for in vlogging cameras today. It has big shoes to fill following its popular predecessor, the ZV-1, but we think that this little guy is certainly worthy of being your first vlogging camera.
Featuring an 18-50mm equivalent f/1.8-4 wide-angle zoom lens, the ZV-1 II's expanded frame is great for content creators looking to fit as much as possible at once. Pair this with powerful autofocusing that can track multiple subjects at once, including animals, and you've got a video camera that can be used for anything from your stationary vlog to get-togethers with family and friends.
Other useful features include the background defocus setting and soft skin effect, which allow vloggers to create content seamlessly without worrying about blemishes or fine lines. These are small details that will make a big difference when you're itching to upload your latest vlog. Of course, the intuitive touchscreen menu and stunning capture quality make the entire creative process seamless, so you can spend less time messing with settings and more time vlogging.
We should also mention the older ZV-1 model, which is still a great vlogging camera. While it suffers from minor usability flaws and a shorter focal length, the ZV-1 is a solid alternative with a lower price tag than the ZV-1 II.
Best Outdoor Vlogging Camera: GoPro Hero11 Black
What We Like: Image stabilization, background defocus, f/1.8 lens, Log profiles
What We Don't Like: Poor low-light performance, no touch control on front screen
Sensor: 27MP CMOS Sensor
Video Resolution: 5.3K up to 60p / 4K up to 120p / 2.7K up to 240p
LCD Screen: Front + Rear screens
Connectivity/Remote: Bluetooth + Wi-Fi / Smartphone Connection
Battery Life: 2–3 hours
Weight: 4.5 oz
If you're the adventuring type, then most of the cameras on this list won't make the cut for your rugged lifestyle. Enter: action cameras. With the abundance of action cameras on the market, there are numerous ways to capture the moment you jump out of a plane, parachute down into the ocean where you snorkel up to some coral reefs, swim onto shore, grab your board, ride some waves, bike up a mountain, and eventually build a fire in the jungle and relax for the night. That's a Tuesday for the GoPro Hero11 Black.
The upgraded Hero11 Black features a nearly square 27MP sensor and 8:7 aspect ratio that allows you to capture video in 5.3K up to 60p. For slow motion, you can record up to 120 fps in 4K and, for extra slow motion, 240 fps in 2.7K. Hypersmooth 5.0 digital stabilization is also on board and will prevent camera shake on the bumpiest of rides. There are front and rear LCD screens for easy monitoring and Wi-Fi / Bluetooth capabilities for getting your adventures online quickly for the world to see.
Best Compact Vlogging Camera: Canon PowerShot V10
What We Like: Built-in stand, optimized design for one-handed filming, reasonable price point
What We Don't Like: Inconsistent autofocus, poor accessory mounting
Sensor: 1"-Type CMOS
Video Resolution: 4K up to 30p
LCD Screen: 180° Tilting Touchscreen LCD
Connectivity/Remote: Bluetooth + Wi-Fi / Smartphone Connection
Battery Life: 1 hour
Weight: 7.4 oz
Looks can be deceptive, and the Canon Powershot V10 is no different. This quirky little camera is a pocket-sized powerhouse with a 19mm wide-angle lens, high-quality stereo sound recording, and a built-in 30° stand for capturing and sharing your unique story. We like this camera's design, which fits perfectly in one hand with the Record button resting directly under your thumb.
Design aside, the PowerShot V10 encompasses many of the features that make a vlog-specific camera so desirable. Users can enjoy Face Tracking, Smooth Skin mode, and a bevy of color filters to get the perfect shot. The built-in stand is another nifty bonus for users who don't want to carry a tripod. If you are looking for a no-frills vlogging camera that you can chuck into your pocket to take everywhere, this one is a solid bet.
Best Vlogging Camera for Streaming: Nikon Z30
What We Like: No recording time limit, great built-in stereo mic, simple interface
What We Don't Like: No headphone jack, digital stabilization, sometimes overheats while shooting 4K video
Sensor: 20.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor
Video Resolution: 4K up to 30p
LCD Screen: 3" 1.04m-Dot Free-Angle Touchscreen LCD
Connectivity/Remote: Bluetooth + Wi-Fi / Smartphone Connection
Battery Life: 330 Shots
Weight: 12.3 oz (body only)
With so many content creators pivoting to streaming, you might be interested in getting into this popular hobby yourself. Between its vlogging feature settings, unlimited recording time, and the ability to supply constant power, Nikon's Z30 is a great option for vlogging and streaming.
Users can enjoy taking full advantage of the camera's DX-format 20.9MP CMOS sensor for video and stills, making this camera versatile and functional in multiple workflows. It features all the essential vlogging functions, including an intuitive menu system, selfie controls, and powerful autofocus.
Continuous recording for a little more than two hours makes the Z30 an especially enticing option for when you need extended recording time for things like interviews and conference calls. Add on its vast compatibility with different web conferencing apps, and you have a great little camera for vlogging, streaming, conferencing, and so much more.
We also want to shout out the Canon EOS M200, another great camera with some handy vlogging features. Available at a lower price than the Z30, this camera can be purchased as a web streaming kit for those looking for a simpler vlogging-and-streaming camera.
Best Vlogging Camera for Filmmakers: Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX
What We Like: Cinematic video features, great stabilization, SSD recording
What We Don't Like: Price point, no tally lights
Sensor: 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor
Video Resolution: 6K up to 30p/ 4K up to 50p
LCD Screen: Free-Angle Tilting Touchscreen LCD
Connectivity/Remote: Bluetooth + Wi-Fi / Smartphone Connection
Battery Life: 370 Shots
Weight: 1.64 lb
Designed for the content creator who dabbles in professional workflows, Panasonic's Lumix S5 IIX hosts a bevy of sophisticated features to please even the most ambitious vlogger and filmmaker. Users can record an impressive 6K video for up to 30 minutes, while unlimited 4K video capture is available, as well. The camera also benefits from upgraded image stabilization that anticipates and counteracts movement like walking, appealing to vloggers who enjoy a walk-and-talk format. Even streamers can use this camera with its Wireless IP streaming, USB tethering to smartphones, and Wired IP streaming support.
Panasonic has packed in so many features there isn't enough space in this article to list them all. So, we'll list our favorites: unlimited record times, 14+ stops of dynamic range, high frame rates, 10-bit internal recording, high-fidelity sound, time lapse, log profiles, free-angle LCD screen, weather-sealed construction, wireless footage transfer, and on and on. If you're a vlogger who values cinematic capture, the S5 IIX is a great option for you.
Best Vlogging Camera for Photographers: Canon EOS R50
What We Like: Lightweight, user-friendly Creative Assist mode, good ergonomics, price
What We Don't Like: Limited lens options, short battery life
Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
Video Resolution: 4K up to 30p
LCD Screen: Articulating Touchscreen LCD
Connectivity/Remote: Bluetooth + Wi-Fi / Smartphone Connection
Battery Life: 370 shots
Weight: 13.2 oz
Vlogging cameras aren't just useful for creating vlogs. For native smartphone users, a vlogging camera can be an accessible way to get into photography, too. For newbie photographers or photographers looking for a vlogging camera, we like Canon's EOS R50.
This compact, lightweight camera enjoys a powerful 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor and DIGIC X image processor to deliver high-resolution imagery. It is capable of processing high-speed bursts and high-resolution 4K video, and features enhanced subject tracking that detects people, animals, and vehicles. Prospective photographers might be drawn to this little guy for its solid capture quality, powerful AF, reasonable price, and practical size.
Of course, the R50 comes with a selection of vlog-centric features to optimize content creation. Users can select from a variety of aspect ratios and creative filters to achieve their desired look, while product showcasing modes make for a more seamless recording experience.
Best Walk and Talk Vlogging Camera: DJI Pocket 2
What We Like: Gimbal level stabilization, easy to carry around, 64MP sensor
What We Don't Like: Can overheat, noisy in low-light
Sensor: 64MP 1/1.7" CMOS
Video Resolution: 4K up to 60p
LCD Screen: Fixed
Connectivity/Remote: Bluetooth + Wi-Fi / DJI Mimo App Control
Battery Life: Up to 2 hours
Weight: 4.1 oz
The DJI Pocket 2 might be a few years old, but it is still an excellent gimbal + camera duo that can slip right into your pocket. It makes walk-and-talk recording simple and clean with no need to worry about bumpy terrain.
While it may not have all the high-end features of a dedicated mirrorless or DSLR style camera, the Pocket 2 fills the needs of many vloggers who want to pull out a camera and start recording in seconds―and it can record in 4K up to 60p. Couple the Pocket 2 with the Creator Combo and you'll get audio and lensing options for unparalleled content creation.
Additional features that vloggers will love include ActiveTrack 3.0 (for subject tracking), glamour effects, motion lapse, four stereo microphones, audio zoom, app compatibility with preset shooting patterns, and the ability to livestream your footage right to the Web.
The Pocket 2 is a fun little camera with great video resolution and a gimbal that outperforms the in-body stabilization on some much bigger high-end cameras, which is why it's our top pick for walk-and-talk vlogging.
Did we leave out your favorite vlogging camera? What are some features you would like to see in future vlogging cameras? Let us know in the Comments section, below.
0 Comments