Top 5 Best Video Cameras for Vlogging
Vlogging has now surpassed a leisure pursuit. It’s an incredibly powerful marketing tool to put your brand out there, market your offerings, and hopefully, outshine your competition. Still, making the most out of this profitable form of blogging calls for more than just a beautiful studio or good lighting. A quality camera is a must-have to take your vlogs up a notch by delivering visually-captivating content to lure in prospects.
But how can you find the perfect camera that meets your specific vlogging needs and expectations? There are countless available, all with varied features, ranging from size, shape, and versatility to image stabilization, resolution, and, most importantly, pricing. So, making your pick can be a little tricky.
We get it! That’s why we’re dead set on making things a lot easier for you.
We took our time to try various cameras on the market right now. Here are the top five best options we found for vloggers this year.
OLYMPUS OM-D E-M5 Mark III
The Olympus is a feature-packed, ideally portable camera for different types of vlogging. It suits you if you’re interested in something in the mirrorless pool, with solid image stabilization and splendid phase-detect AF. Since it leverages a Four Thirds sensor, filming outdoors is a breeze.
The Olympus’ video offering is difficult to dismiss. You can opt for typical 4K clips at 30fps and a 102Mbps bit rate. But remember, the Cinema 4K footage at 24fps and a rate of 237Mbps is also within reach. Even better, you’re free to shoot full HD at 120fps, with impressive detail and excellent color rendition.
Unfortunately, the Olympus doesn’t come with a headphone jack.
Fujifilm X-S10
Tons of vloggers have a soft spot for Fujifilm X-10, and it’s all for a good reason. Like the Olympus, it’s also a compact, mirrorless option but more suited for intermediate or professional video creators. There’s a comfortable grip that grants you more control during shooting sessions.
The X-S10 brings to the table an APS-C CMOS 4 sensor that promises breathtaking images. We were awed by its excellent image stabilization, which allows for smooth performance, even when you’re on the move. Besides, you can effortlessly shoot uncropped footage at 1080p at 240fps, with a slow-motion feature, and at 4K at 30fps.
Despite the X-S10’s unique features, its battery is unreliable, making recording long videos a struggle.
Sony ZV-1
If you’re looking for a simple vlogging camera providing all the sought-after features in one compact package, this ought to be your first stop. Tell you what, the Sony ZV-I is built explicitly for vloggers.
It comes with a much-needed secure grip, reliable image stabilization, minimal weight, and fantastic recording capabilities, enabling you to shoot videos at 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 120fps. You could also choose slow-motion filming if it suits your vlogging style.
We liked the ZV-1’s ‘Product Showcase’ setting that allows you to change the focus from your face to an object. This is particularly handy if yours is a beauty and product business.
However, we realized the ZV-1 might shut down during continuous shooting in 4K due to overheating.
DJI Pocket 2
The DJI Pocket 2 ranks among the best because it actually is. Compared to some of the offers by the big boys, such as Fujifilm and Sony, this conveniently tiny video camera for vloggers is super affordable. Yet, it made it on our list for many other reasons.
The Pocket 2 guarantees steady footage, thanks to its motorized stabilization. Moreover, it comes with an AI editor, improved audio, top-tier image quality, and compatibility with an extensive list of smartphones.
Yes, this video camera may strain in low light, but this doesn’t trump its remarkable features designed to make your vlogging journey more fruitful and hassle-free.
GoPro HERO10 Black
At a glance, the Hero10 Black may look a lot like the GoPro HERO9 Black, but it delivers a better vlogging experience than its precursor. It features HyperSmooth 4.0 digital stabilization to ensure camera shakes never stress you out. Then, it brings you various frame rate and resolution options to pick from, including 1080p at 240fps, 4k at 120fps, and 5k at 60fps.
As you wait to enjoy all Hero10 Black’s perks, prepare to deal with overheating, especially when recording for extended durations.
With any of these cameras, your vlogging efforts could bear fruits sooner than anticipated. They enable you to produce visually appealing content that’ll have more clients knocking on your door. Of course, each option comes with it its pros and cons, which you should be comfortable with before making your purchase. Also, remember to factor in your shooting style, budget, and preferences when making your buying decision.