Vlogging has taken the internet by storm. When you want to ask younger millennials what they want to be when they grow up, a significant portion of them will probably say vlogger or Youtuber. This is due to the fact that a lot of people have been sharing their passion - and even making a living - by making a video of their daily lives and posting it on the internet. In essence, if you own a smartphone, you already have a vlogging camera with you – it's small, portable, and always in your pocket.
However, the equipment you need depends on your requirements and style. So, whether you're a vlogger who wants to upgrade your equipment or a beginner who wants to dip your toes into vlogging and want a dedicated vlogging camera, we have your back! Check out our top 10 recommendations, plus our buying guide reviewed by photographer Kenneth Aballa!
An art director and a freelance photographer who shoots portraits, food, events, and products. Loves taking photos be it digital or film.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
A good vlog camera is one with a wide aperture. A wide aperture (lower f/stop, like f/2.8) allows the lens to capture more light and achieve a blurred background effect, which improves the aesthetic of any vlog.
A wide aperture will also keep the video looking great even in low-light situations, and help direct the viewers' attention to the subject. When doing landscape shots, a smaller aperture (higher f/stop, like f/11) will help capture as much detail as possible from foreground to background.
You should also look at the frame rate of the cameraーthe higher, the smoother. Frame rates of 24, 25, and 30 are commonly used and are usually enough. If you are looking to create smooth slow-mo videos, look for a camera that supports 60fps.
Optical Image Stabilization allows you to move around while recording videos. Perhaps you've watched shaky videos before and found them hard to watch. The shakiness just ruins the viewing experience. OIS can come built into the camera, or you can get special lenses with OIS.
If you're planning to sit in front of the camera and record videos, you probably don't need this feature. Still, it is great to have this option, especially when you go out and make videos outdoors.
You should also consider getting a camera with good autofocus. When vlogging, you'll shoot a recording of yourself. No one will probably be behind the camera to monitor the focus of the lens. This enables the camera to keep track of you and make sure you're always in focus while recording.
A thing to consider when choosing a vlog camera image quality it can produce. Smartphones and vlog cameras have been coming out with 4K recording capability. This allows you to broadcast your videos in a clear and stunning resolution. Keep in mind that the higher the resolution, the more details the video will have per frame.
Having a 4K recording capability will future-proof your camera. More and more people are buying 4K capable monitors and TVs, and phone companies upgrade their technology every year. It will also let you crop and zoom your videos while still keeping the shot's quality, so you'll have more creative chances in your editing.
However, 4K resolution videos consume a lot of space and they take time to edit and render unless you have a high-performing computer. Also, most people are consuming their media using their smartphones, which only allows them to view up to 1440p resolution. This means your 4K video will not be seen in its full, stunning glory.
The best camera is the one you'll use. If you want to travel for your vlog, it is best to get a camera that will be handy and easy to carry and move around with. A smaller size will also be lighter, so if you hold the camera in front of you, it will be easier on your arms.
Below are some of the cameras' features that are not essential, but will add great convenience and make your life so much easier. These include an external microphone input, a flip screen, and wifi connectivity.
Although cameras come with a built-in microphone, most of the time, the mic quality is not excellent. Connecting an external microphone for your vlogs will improve the audio quality and reduce wind noises.
Superior quality audio is a game-changer when it comes to video production. It will turn your ordinary, run-of-the-mill vlog into a professional production.
Editing the video alone takes a lot of time. Transferring hours of footage with a memory card or a flash drive will extend that time even more. Wi-Fi connectivity in vlog cameras will quickly transfer the footage to your smartphone or other devices, so it makes the transfer time shorter. You can even edit and post them on social media instantly.
Additionally, you can control your camera remotely or wirelessly through Wi-Fi connectivity paired with a camera app. This makes it especially useful when you're shooting your vlog alone!
Having a camera with a flip screen will let you see yourself as you're shooting the videos. Vlogging usually involves holding the camera in front of you, so having a flip screen will help you know if you are in focus and in the frame. Some cameras will even have a touch screen function for manual focus and easy controls.
Some features of cameras look good in paper but don't really serve a purpose when all you want to do is make vlogs. These specs are good to have but should not really a factor in choosing your vlog camera.
Zoom and megapixels make for beautiful photography. But if you only use your camera for shooting videos, you won't really need your camera to have impeccable zoom quality and a high megapixel count. Unless you're a travel vlogger, a camera with a zoom that can get up to 50mm is enough. And megapixels are only relevant for photography.
You'll want to shoot your videos in a well-lit environment to get the best image quality. The built-in flash won't really help increase the quality of your videos – even professional photographers use external lighting kits to produce high-quality photos.
This camera series is popular with a lot of famous vloggers, as it is one that will give you everything you need for vlogging and more! It can shoot in 4K resolution, and there's also an option to extract stills from the footageーa useful feature for video thumbnails!
The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III has an autofocus system accompanied by excellent tracking, unrivaled image stabilization, and f/2.8-1.8 lens. This camera also allows you to shoot videos vertically, enabling you to post your videos in your social media stories. The wifi connectivity even lets you live stream directly to Youtube!
Whether a beginner or not, this camera will give you everything you need for vlogging. This camera is famous for its excellent gimbal stabilization. While other cameras have digital stabilization, the DJI Pocket 2 has a physical gimbal that keeps the actual camera steady.
This creates smooth, professional-looking footage with no ounce of shakiness. Even with the small screen adjusting the exposure, ISO, and shutter speed are extremely easy and made even easier with the corresponding app, DJI Mimo. The app lets you add a professional touch to your videos straight from your phone!
This camera is fantastic, especially for travel or on-the-go vloggers. If you want a portable camera that can fit into your pocket, well, this one will fit into the tiniest of pockets! Now you can shoot wherever, whenever.
This Sony ZV-1 camera is built specifically for vloggers. It enhances the video shooting experience by adding ergonomic designs and features. It combines all the beloved features from previous camera models, like the bright 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 lens and the smart autofocus.
It also includes Sony's latest Real-time tracking and Real-time Eye AF systems. Reviews for this model say that the video stabilization is average to above average, but as a whole, this camera is still one of the top performers - excellent for studio-quality bedroom vlogs.
This Sony camera makes it easy to shoot high-quality vlogs with pleasing background blurs and consistent focus. As a plus, it comes with a windshield that helps counter wind noises when shooting outdoors.
If you want a camera that is small, portable, and lightweight but still gives you high-quality videos, then look no further. This one can even give you those underwater shots! This GoPro version still has that wide-angle, action-oriented field of view, so you'll be able to share the sceneries around you with your viewers effectively.
GoPro cameras, since the 5th version, have allowed users to take hands-free footage simply by using voice commands. This voice command is very convenient and comes very handy for those filming by themselves.
While this camera may not be enough for vloggers who want even more video customization options, this is a very capable camera. It's a great starter camera and one that lets you shoot in multiple environments.
This is an excellent camera with great features but won't overwhelm you with customization options. This camera is Canon's first foray into the world of mirrorless 4K cameras. However, the downside is that the 4K footage is cropped to make room for digital stabilization.
The interchangeable lens also allows you to customize the camera to however broad or narrow you want your shots to be. This camera is perfect for vlogging in any kind of setting. It is compact and very portable, so it's great for travel vlogs or talking-to-the-camera-in-the-bedroom type of vlogs.
When it comes to quality cameras, you can never go wrong with Nikon. And this camera is an example of that if you’re on the hunt for a basic camera that can do the job. It is capable of capturing Full HD, 1080p videos and even comes with a time-lapse feature that’s great if you want to add variety to your vlog entries.
It is portable enough to bring with you to travels should inspiration strike you. Moreover, it has an intuitive, vari-angle LCD touchscreen monitor that allows you to shoot in different perspectives. Uploading your photos is also a breeze because of the NikonBridge app, which facilitates automatic transfer of photos to your other devices!
This camera offers great features for a more affordable price. This is one of the more budget-friendly models in Panasonic's line of interchangeable lenses, perfect for those just starting to vlog. This camera is great for on-the-go footage because of the in-body image stabilization and great autofocus.
You can choose to use the high-quality viewfinder or the touchscreen LCD that flips out depending on your needs. This product offers you everything you'll need from a vlogging camera, and it will cost you less than other models out there. It is surely one of the sturdiest models out there, with the magnesium alloy build.
If you’re on the hunt for a budget camera, look no further than Canon. It is considered an excellent brand by camera enthusiasts, so it is a great choice. Moreover, it is a nice pick if you’re looking for a DSLR camera without breaking the bank. It is ideal if you want to upgrade your vlogging tools from using your smartphone to a camera.
It has got all the basics that you need without being too complicated - perfect for beginners. That way, you get to have more options when shooting videos or capturing images. Not to mention, it is also ideal for travel and with its built-in Wifi function, you could instantly share your creations on your social media platforms!
The Sont RX100 Mark VII is Sony's latest iteration of the RX100 series. The best camera to shoot with is definitely the one you have with you. If you want a camera that you can easily take with you, the handiness and portability of this camera can't be beaten. Especially with the built-in premium 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 lens.
If this model is too expensive for you, it is worth looking at the previous versions of this series, as they're still great and capable cameras. It features Sony's latest generation eye-tracking autofocus, and now it even has animal eye autofocus, too!
For cameras that you will take as you go out and about, you'd want something light and portable. This one only weighs 448 grams! This little camera can shoot amazing quality videos - you can shoot full 1080p HD at 60fps, which makes it great for slow-motion effects in videos. It can also go up to 4K with 15fps.
It has great face detection, too, so you wouldn't have to worry about your face not being in the frame and focus. You can't go wrong with this model - Fujifilm cameras have amazing quality shot straight from the camera. This is perfect for those who want to do minimal editing to their footage.
Our list above includes a variety of camera types. If you're interested or want to get to know more about them, check out the links below discussing the different types.
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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