Vlogging, showing amazing sceneries in incredible travel videos, funny sketches, or another type of content, choose your poison. If you also have the creative bone in you and want to get started on Youtube, there is a tool that will probably come in handy, a camera. Might sound like an obvious thing to say, we’ll give you that. But without a camera, you can’t really create video content on YouTube. I mean, you could record your screen while gaming, draw, or use stock footage, but hey, you know what we mean. If you’re new to the filmmaking world, have a small budget, and don’t really know what gear you should get, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve picked the 5 best cameras for YouTube creators just for you!
The Compacts
For starters, if you’re looking for top-quality footage in a jacket pocket size, compact cameras are what you should look into. It is ideal for filmmakers that want a take-anywhere camera without compromising on quality. Nowadays it is hard to find a bad camera anyway, but here are two of them that will definitely check the right boxes for you.
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
The Canon PowerShot G7 is a very handy point-and-shoot camera and yet very efficient. With a 20 MP one-inch sensor and a 4K video resolution, it’s definitely a great compromise between size, price, and quality. This camera comes with YouTube live streaming support out of the box. Which is one of the main differentiators from other models. Its flip-out touchscreen allows you to view yourself, perfect for vlogging and styling your hair. Finally, it has a microphone socket that allows you to plug an extra mic, and thus get a better sound quality. However, there is no hot shoe for the mic so you’ll have to mount it elsewhere. In short, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is a no-brainer for any aspiring vlogger looking at our top 5 Cameras for YouTube Creators.
- Type: Compact
- Resolution: 20.1MP
- Effective focal length: 24-100mm
- Viewfinder: None
- Monitor: 3.0-inch tilting touchscreen, 1.04 million dots
- Max movie resolution: 4K 30p
- Size, weight: 105.5 x 60.9 x 41.4mm, 304g
- Price: $750
Sony ZV-1
The Sony ZV-1 is the main competitor of the Canon PowerShot G7 X. It delivers pretty much everything a roaming YouTuber needs, all in a pleasingly compact package. With Sony’s class-leading Real-time tracking and Real-time Eye AF systems, never worry about getting out of focus. It also has a built-in ND filter, among other features, that will allow you to shoot smooth movement on bright days. Plus the hot shoe can accommodate an external mic or LED light without blocking the side-flipping touchscreen. But it’s not completely flawless. It has average video stabilization, the controls are limited and it has a micro USB instead of the more versatile USB-C. This pocket-sized camera is perfect for creators who have limited video experience but still want to produce great footage.
- Type: Compact
- Resolution: 20.1MP
- Effective focal length: 24-70mm
- Viewfinder: None
- Monitor: 3.0-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 0.921 million dots
- Max movie resolution: 4K 30p
- Size, weight: 105.5 x 60.0 x 43.5mm, 294g
- Price: $850
The Mirrorless
Mirrorless cameras are hybrids for photography and video featuring a single, removable lens and a digital display. They are smaller and lighter than a DSLR but more complex and more powerful than a compact camera. They also allow you to control a lot more features when filming with the different lenses and capture more details because of the bigger sensors. One important thing to take into account if you’re looking to buy a mirrorless camera is that you will also need to have a budget for lenses. Which, not gonna lie, can be pretty expensive.
Sony Alpha 6600
The Sony Alpha models 6400 through 6600 have all almost identical features so if you’re looking for cheaper options you could look at the 6400 or 6500. We are recommending the 6600 for a few key features it presents. Firstly, the in-body image stabilization will help your handheld shooting be a lot smoother regardless of the lens you are using. It also has a mic and headphones port and an incredible Real-time Eye AutoFocus which is an incredible help when shooting a subject that moves back and forth in the frame. It has a battery capacity of about twice the size of the other models but if you’re not accustomed to Sony’s menus, you might find it frustrating to use. Also if you are planning to mount something on the hot-shoe, bear in mind that it will block the flip-screen. Regardless, it is a polyvalent camera that will really step up your content game.
- Type: Mirrorless
- Resolution: 24.2MP
- Effective focal length: N/A (depends on lens)
- Viewfinder: EVF, 2.36 million dots
- Monitor: 3.0-inch tilting touchscreen, 0.921 million dots
- Max movie resolution: 4K 30p
- Size, weight: 120 x 66.9 x 59mm, 503g
- Price: $2200 with an 18-135mm lens
Fujifilm X-T4
Fujifilm cameras have a sturdy and retro look but the XT-4 is the opposite of old-school. It is the most advanced APS-C camera and it packs a catalog of features you don’t know you need for your YouTube content. It is solidly built and weather-resistant with a fully articulating touchscreen. The XT-4 is a very versatile solution for filming footage, especially when you add slow-mo magic. It really is a step up from its predecessor but you could probably look into the XT-3 if you want a cheaper option. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity make up for the absent headphone port but it is a seriously capable tool for YouTube creators.
- Type: Mirrorless
- Resolution: 26.1MP
- Effective focal length: N/A (depends on lens)
- Viewfinder: EVF, 3.69 million dots
- Monitor: 3.0-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1.62 million dots
- Max movie resolution: 4K 60p
- Size, weight: 135 x 93 x 64mm, 607g
- Price: $2200 with an 16-80mm lens
The Action Camera
This category is going to be real quick. Action cams are often a must-have for YouTubers. To shoot sport shoots, underwater exploring or any action footages that requires a portable and small camera without compromising on quality.
GoPro Hero 9 Black
Even if in today’s world a lot of new action cameras have been surfacing, we have to stay with the one and only GoPro. We’re not saying there aren’t any other options out there. We’re just saying they are just not as good. With its 4K movie resolution, smooth stabilization, waterproof capacity, and compact format, the GoPro Hero 9 Black is probably the best you can find. Its mod accessories allow you to plug in a microphone, a LED light, and a screen, which is pretty cool. The Hero 8 Black might represent better overall value, but the Hero 9 Black is the best all-in-one YouTube action camera you can buy in our top 5 Cameras for YouTube creators.
- Type: Action
- Resolution: 23.6MP
- Effective focal length: 16-39mm
- Viewfinder: N/A
- Monitor: 1.4-inch display (front), 2.27-inch touchscreen (rear)
- Max movie resolution: 5K 30p
- Size, weight: 71x 55 x 34mm, 158g
- Price: $349.98 with a 1-year subscription to GoPro
The very-low budget
If you really can’t save up enough to buy a camera, there is an option that you might want to consider. It’s not optimal but you have to start somewhere. So no more excuses.
Your Phone
Finally, we won’t repeat it enough, why buy an extra camera when you already have a very good one in your pocket. The cameras of the latest generation smartphones are of the highest quality. Especially the camera of the iPhone 12 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy S21. They can shoot in 4K, up to 60fps, with a time-lapse feature, digital and optical image stabilization, optical zoom, you name it. They also have really good frontal cameras too. Don’t wait to get your content started!
That’s all for our Top 5 Cameras for YouTube Creators! Now, with these 5 cameras in mind, it’s time to choose which camera meets your needs for your YouTube content. But don’t forget that fancy cameras and pricy gear are not the keys to success. In the end what really matters is the story you want to tell, the emotion you want to convey. Stay tuned for more Youtube& filmmaking content insights with our blog.
Looking for music to enhance that story? Don’t hesitate to check the Content Creator playlist from BAM Music!
