Last Updated on February 19, 2018 by Tim
Choosing a video camera to help you film your product or service offering, or to create educational or explanatory videos for Youtube can be tricky. If you are very short on funds for your startup, you can get by with filming from your smart phone, but for a couple hundred dollars you will be able to find a quality camera for vlogging or producing videos for Youtube.
Best Video Camera For Youtube
Canon Powershot S100
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Why we chose it:
- High number of customer reviews provides peace of mind.
- Price is affordable. Not too expensive and just right to avoid over-paying.
- Exceptional user reviews.
- Canon are renowned as the top brand in video camera technology.
Below are the best vlogging cameras, reviewed by quality, price and other main features of the camcorders that you can see on the market. You can always use your iPhone as mentioned, however as you’re about to find out, good cameras for Youtube are actually quite inexpensive considering the value they can provide to your business.
Best Video Cameras for Youtube Video
Brand & Model/ Category | Best Features | User Feedback | Price Expectations | Our Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smartphone | ||||
Apple iPod Touch 5th Gen | Brilliant 4- Inch Retina display with Multi-Touch IPS technology; Front-Facing FaceTime camera with 1.2MP photos & 720p HD video recording; Siri, Lightning to USB cable, QuickStart guide | Excellent | Mid-range | 4.5 / 5 |
ASUS Google Nexus 7 Android Tablet (16gb) | NVIDIA Tegra3 Quad-Core with advanced multimedia experience; 8 hrs+ HD video playback, 10 hours of web browsing & 10 hours of e-reading; up to 9.5 hrs battery life | Good | Mid-range | 4 / 5 |
Camera | ||||
Sony Cyber- Shot WX80 | 8x optical zoom + 16x Clear Image Digital Zoom; Wi-Fi enabled with Full HD 1080/60i with dual record of stills and movies; optical Image stabilization with 2-way active mode for smoother videos & stunning low-light performance | Very Good | Mid-range | 4.5 / 5 |
Panasonic HC-V10 Digital | HD video recording with powerful 70x enhanced optical zoom in compact design; captures spur-of-the-moment videos with ease. Intelligent Auto (iA) and Pre-Rec for pointing, shooting and easy capture | Very Good | Mid-range | 4 / 5 |
Video Camera Under $400 | ||||
Canon Powershot S100 | 12.1 effective megapixel with 1/1.73-inch high-sensitivity CMOS sensor; 3-inch TFT color LCD with wide viewing angle; 24mm wide-angle lens with optical image stabilizer & DIGIC 5 image processor | Very Good | High | 4.5 / 5 |
Nikon CoolPix S9500 | 22x optical Zoom-NIKKOR glass lens with 4.5-99.0mm focal length; 1080p Full HD Video with Stereo Sound; 3-Inch OLED Display with Mechanical and CMOS electronic shutter | Good | Mid-range | 4 / 5 |
Vlogging Video Camera | ||||
Sony HDR Handycam | Full HD with XAVC-S, 9.2MP, Exmor R sensor & B.O.SS stabilization; G Lens has 30x optical zoom &60x Clear Image Zoom; 3.0" LCD (Touch panel) with Wi-Fi/NFC, 32GB memory & Dual Video Format Recording | Good | Mid-range | 4.5 / 5 |
Canon EOS Rebel T4i | 18MP APS-C "Hybrid CMOS" sensor capable of 5 frames per second continuous shooting; 3.0” articulated touch sensitive LCD with 14-bit DIGIC 5 processor; ISO 100-12800, expandable to 25600 with built-in stereo microphone & external microphone input | Excellent | Very High | 5 / 5 |
Smartphones With Video Cameras For Vlogging
Many people will not think that they a camera phone will help them make great YouTube videos but the truth is a good smartphone can also give them amazing videosjust like w can fnd below.
Apple iPod Touch 5th Gen
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This phone is a great choice for many vloggers. The front camera takes great shots it has 30fps and 720p. It is budget friendly and is priced very affordably. It is a great video camera to buy because there are other features that comes with this phone.
Google Nexus 7
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If you are leaning towards Android, this is a great choice. It is easy to use and takes good videos. Also, uploading the videos that you took to social media or Youtube is very easy. It is not just a video camera; it is a phone that you can use for everyday living. One thing that you should think about is the lack of Micro SD. If you are going to record numerous videos per day, you might want to look for another option.
Best Cheap Camera For Youtube
If you are conscious about your budget, here are some cameras that can suit your needs:
Sony Cyber- Shot WX80
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A vlogger who is on a budget will like this camera. You can record videos on this camera with 8x optical zoom and at full HD. The processor is Exmor R and the sensor is 16.2 MP. If you are a vlogger who is always on the run, this model is perfect for you because of its compact and lightweight design, the camera’s price is low.
It would be best to also get the 16GB memory card, lens cleaning kit and the Sony case. You need to remember that if your space has a low lighting, this is not a suitable phone.
Panasonic HC-V10 Digital
You can get quality videos with this camera because it can record at HD 25 fps 720 p. It is only $200 and is perfect for wherever you go. However, if you are planning to film in a low light environment, this camera is not ideal for you.
Best Camcorder For Youtube Videos Under $400
If you like vlogging but not too specific about the equipment, these cameras might be good for you:
Canon Powershot S100
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This model can be bought at mid-range depending on some extras that come with it. This camera is lightweight, compact and easy to use which you can bring with you wherever you go. You can make great videos at 24 fps 1080p. This is an excellent choice.
Nikon CoolPix S9500
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This is a great choice for budget conscious vloggers. It has a lot of cool video recording features such as 18mp sensor, Wifi capability, image stabilization, replaceable battery and SD card slot. It is an excellent choice for zooming and getting all the details in the shot.
Top Rated Video Camera For Vlogging
Here are the best cameras for vlogging:
Sony HDR Handycam
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This is a camera that can help you record any type of videos in any lighting that you choose. One of its best features is the optical zoom which can reach up to 27x. Other cameras also offer this feature but zooming in that range can have a big impact in quality. This Sony model doesn’t have that issue. Its price tag is neither low nor high and is perfect for serious vloggers.
Canon EOS Rebel T4i
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This is a very high end camera with a price tag of $600 but if you are passionate about vlogging, this top notch equipment is great for you.
It is said to have a full HD 1080p and 30fps when you set it to its best operating quality. It is bigger than other models but it has a lot of function. The swivel screen captures and records all angles easily which for sure many vloggers would appreciate. A built in microphone is included which improves the sound quality of the video. The only setback of this model is its substantial weight.
How to find a Good Vlogging Camera
Budget
This is one of the most important factors you need to consider because basically, you are going to buy what your money can afford. The best cameras are compiled here from different price ranges. There is no need for you to over $1000 unless you are really serious regarding your recording. Buying a video camera priced at $100-$900 is a wise move.
Video and Sound Quality
Youtube manipulates the video quality of the upload for many users to help decrease loading time. It is usually around 360p to 240p. The internet connection speed is the determining factor of the change. You would then have to think about the internet connection that many people are using. Usually it is a high speed internet. However, only 1080p is the maximum quality of a video which a lot of people choose it to be.
Video quality is very important when picking a camera. The higher the resolution is, the more professional it looks. If you want to look into the technical aspect of your video, check out cameras that have programs or interchangeable lenses that you can use to alter the feel and look of the video clips.
When sound quality is being talked about, an external mic is an option to use for a lot of videos. It is standard to connect a 3.5mm mic and some can even connect wirelessly using Bluetooth. If you want clear voice and good quality for YouTube videos, you need to use external microphones.
Video Type: Where and When Will You Fill Them Video?
What are you going to do? Are you going to do vlogging or speak to them in a studio or at home? Do you need the video camera to be portable or you just need to put it on a tripod? What videos will you be filming? If you are going to be vlogging, a webcam is not enough. You need to purchase a good camera and use a tripod when filming.
You would probably need a green screen as well unless you have a specific design for the backdraft. The convenience and portability of a more convenient and smaller camera is best if you plan to film on the go, in public or just simply capturing your children at the park.
Think about convenience. It is always best to carry a small camera that is handy for quick memorable pop ups than to carry a big camera all day. If you want a point of view or action sports type of setup, a GoPro is a good choice. In conclusion, the condition of your surroundings should be one of the things to consider when getting a video camera.
Accessories for Recording
If you are going to handle the recording on your own, you need a tripod. If you want a better audio performance, you need an external microphone.
You also need to ask yourself if external lens are needed to be attached to your camera. The lenses that you can buy depend upon your camera purchase. This is not a basic question. It is more for an advanced and experienced Youtubers.
Summing Up
You can now choose the appropriate video cameras for your Youtube channel. From budget friendly to high end, you have the option to buy depending on your need.