It’s the age of homebrewed internet stardom. Everyone can become a YouTube sensation. Even cats and dogs have their own furry user accounts, although we suspect their humans do the actual filming. One thing, however, assuming budding media influencers don’t want to come off as cheapskates, those ever so photogenic pups and kittens need to be filmed by premium camera gear.
Whether it’s a cooking channel or a car tuning hints and tips account filmed directly out of a home garage, a makeup tutorial in the bedroom or a dance video out of a makeshift studio, the camera chosen for the feed needs to convey professionalism, needs to capture crisply focused content without fuzz or noise. In other words, YouTubers rely on premium camera gear.
If someone is looking to cultivate their YouTube audience, to create engaging and traffic-expanding video clips that’ll sizzle, here’s where to start.
The Right Setup for a Polished YouTube Recording Experience
Besides ring lights and a studio quality microphone hookup, we recommend a sturdy tripod. Something along the lines of an Ulanzi Zero F38 Quick Release Travel Tripod will work well in a situation where the star of the video isn’t moving around too much. Of course, if the media star, or star pet, is on the move, a one-handed camera with an image stabilization system is the only solution, light and easy to hold. DSLRs are, therefore, not likely candidates for this post.
Moving out of the vlogging accessory market and into the testing procedures our reviewers used to put the best camera candidates for filming YouTube videos through their paces, let’s see which models caught our enquiring eye. Bring along a green screen and your favorite video editing software; we’ll be editing bloopers faster than our pampered internet puss can knock over our backdrop.
Here are the cameras we’ve curated for this review, each one capable of transforming boring video productions into a million-dollar shoot, assuming some of the accessories we’ve covered are in place and cued for action.
Cameras for Filming YouTube Videos – Our Recommendations
Sony Alpha ZV-E1 Mirrorless Camera Body
Coming in at just under a compact 5” length, the Sony Alpha ZV-E1 packs a big punch in a small package. Expensive, its premium price is offset by premium features, including a full-frame 12.1 Megapixel rear-illuminated CMOS sensor and a blur eliminating 5-axis stabilization system. Equipped with 4:2:2 10-bit video recording at 4K 60p, this camera is aimed at Youtubers.
Check out the fuzzy built-in stereo microphone that crowns the camera, fully capable of 48KHz, 24-Bit audio recording. It’s there to capture every syllable of an influencer’s spoken words without picking up distracting clicks and pops on the intelligent 3 capsule microphone array, assuring clear, variable-direction audio. The LCD monitor is similarly capable, offering full articulation of the 3.0” touchscreen. That means the streaming host can flip the screen to see their feed in real time.
A number of digital filming aids have been incorporated into this Sony mirrorless to make the filming experience fun and intuitive. The autofocus is snappy due to the fast hybrid design, using both phase detection and contrast to lock without any kind of hesitation. The AI processing unit and dual BIONZ XR imaging engine inject more intelligence, adding multiple face recognition and auto framing. If a subject moves, the camera intelligently tracks and maintains a frame lock, almost as if a camera operator was at work, panning the lens.
Tester Inside Scoop – If anything, it was difficult to summarize all of these features in a few paragraphs. Our tester spent time playing with the AI framing and cinematic vlog settings, plus human pose estimation was put to work when tracking a real human, a “volunteer” staffer. As for how the camera treated appearance-conscious vloggers, soft skin effects and a one-touch background bokeh control gave us all online appeal, at least visually.
The Sony Alpha ZV-E1 can also function as a premium quality webcam, via a USB cable, includes scene adapting ISO sensitivity, and both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity are built in as standard. Recording in numerous video file formats, the 4K 60p feature is expandable, so 120p footage is possible. That’s good news for the S&Q (Slow & Quick) motion filmers who get a kick out of dramatic slow motion action scenes.
Canon EOS R10 Mirrorless Camera Body
The Sony camera that opened this review has set the bar. Fair enough, but YouTubers don’t necessarily need all of those features. And let’s face it, not everyone can afford an influencer-level camera like that. Enter the Canon EOS R10, an entry-level, vlogger capable videographer tool that dazzles in certain areas. For starters, there’s a significant price drop when compared to the above model.
Regardless of price, the 24.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor, although sized for APS-C systems, is designed to capture noise-free 4K motion video with tons of color depth. And remember, Canon cameras have a reputation for good cinematic quality filming, and the Canon EOS R10 is no exception to this rule. A Digic X image processing engine is embedded in the circuit architecture, processing full 4K 60 frames per second footage.
Our tester felt compelled to get up from behind his desk and take the sturdy camera body for a stroll. We could picture a Youtuber doing this, perhaps to film the latest episode of a travel vlog or participate in an extreme weather challenge. The all-weather sealing in the Canon EOS R10 didn’t seem to notice the chill conditions or the heavy rain. In fact, the YCbCr 4:2:2 color space recording and HDR video recording looked absolutely vibrant, the downpour captured in all its light refracting hues in superb ultraHD.
Tester Inside Scoop – The dual pixel CMOS AF II lens focusing kept subject blur at bay on our feeds, and the Canon RF lens mount system made sure shoot versatility was evident in every second of our clips. YouTubers might just feel themselves gravitate towards this model, especially if they’re on a budget and want to film outdoor channel content.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built-in, the camera is optimized for 4K video feeds, adding advanced subject tracking and a lightweight build into the very healthy mix. However, there’s no in-body image stabilization. For that feature, buyers will need to shop for lenses with stabilization. What it does have going for it, though, is a 2.36 million dot EVF (Electronic ViewFinder), an ergonomic shape, and a fully articulated 3.0” rear monitor with Live View and easy-navigate menus.
GoPro Hero 13 Black Compact Camera
Be prepared to buy into a rich ecosystem of connectable mods when purchasing a GoPro Hero 13 Black. Always popular among adrenaline sport junkies because of its diminutive size and high-quality video, skateboarder and mountain biker content creators can bruise their shins in confidence, safe in the knowledge that this camera will capture every split second of detail in pro-grade 5.3K motion picture detail.
The GoPro Hero 13 includes action filming features that its faithful use base actually want, including 400 fps burst slo-mo, 156° field of view wide angle recording, a selfie-focused forward-facing screen, and a waterproof build that’ll record underwater clips at a depth of up to 33 feet. That, after all, is the camera’s main claim to fame, its rugged casing and film anywhere attitude.
Assuming the user is landbound, Hypersmooth 6.0 turns on to smooth out vibrations. If the camera is mounted on a bike or low on a skateboard, action tricks get filmed in vibration-stabilized 10-bit color in either 4K or 5.3K UltraHD. Other features that might raise an eyebrow in the action-oriented community are the built-in HDR, the capacity to wirelessly timesync multiple Hero 13 Blacks, and the GPS based video recording, so action YouTubers can track data of a once-in-a-lifetime bike ride or a Nascar track record can be captured and effortlessly shared online.
Tester Inside Scoop – Our tester pulled his mountain bike out of retirement and mounted the Hero 13 on its handlebars. As expected, the weatherproof little black box handled every climate, and its image stabilization system smoothed out the bumpy ride. He also took along several “mods,” the ultra wide angle lens and anamorphic attachment, creating wildly immersive videos.
Sound quality was impressive. The audio tuned out background noise, pulling in voice narration. Finally, Wi-Fi 6 was on hand to quickly transfer content to the GoPro Quik app for editing. An external mic might be a good extra purchase, though, in case there are lots of loud action scenes and a need for crystal-clear narration.
Sony Alpha 6700 Mirrorless Camera
For those times that every cat whisker, bead of fitness video sweat, and cooking tutorial skillet sizzle needs to be boosted by APS-C framed 4K, the Sony Alpha 6700 is a worthy candidate for the job. Its 26 Megapixel BSI CMOS sensor renders every moment of a YouTuber’s feed in crisp, immersive detail. Outstanding video shoots are just the start of its story; plenty of vlogger specific features are waiting to be discovered.
Machine learning and a newly updated BIONZ XR image processing engine play a large part in making the camera a content creator’s dream match. For those who get restless during their recording sessions, 759 point autofocus and AI enhanced subject tracking are activated to keep them in the center of the frame. That video is 4K 60p, a 10-bit flicker-free 4:2:2 oversampled recording with full anti-shake compensation added courtesy of a built-in 5-axis image stabilization system. This isn’t a go anywhere GoPro, but it’s pretty close, and quite capable of AI tracked action feeds.
While this might seem like overkill, the camera has a wide dynamic range and access to Sony E-mount lenses, we felt it was just the right feature set for a YouTuber who wants their channel to gain views and likes. The human pose estimation, making a dance video with multiple subjects? The AI processor recognizes the intended subject focus and prioritizes them in-frame. With ISO 100 to 32000 low light performance and a rich color palette that can reproduce skin tones precisely, via its S-Cinetone setting, expect this camera to find its way into makeup tutorials and all sorts of glamor shots.
Tester Inside Scoop – It’s a camera with remarkable still image qualities, a real digital high-performance heavyweight, but we wanted to review its video talents more than anything else. To that end, we’ve blocked out everything else. The 4K video is fun enough, seen live on the vari-angle 3.0” touchscreen monitor, all 1.03 million dots of its screen providing flippable, selfie-friendly functionality.
Footage recorded was richly detailed and sharply focused. It was difficult, if not impossible, to fool the framing functions of the camera, as the BIONZ engine and deep learning processor could register biometrics and track faces or human poses. The Sony Alpha 6700 is quite simply a superior content creation camera, able to shoot high speed 4K 120p clips, and it’s one that can work well in action or static feeds, or anything between.
Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III
Passionate for video creation and media sharing on a popular social platform like YouTube? The shopper wants to get into filming and create their own channel but doesn’t have the wherewithal to purchase a premium model. That’s a problem. The Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III exists to solve that stumbling block to video making success by providing quality filming at a reasonable price.
Sure, there’s no interchangeable lens system, but the inbuilt optics have 4.3x zoom and f/1.8 – 2.8 low light performance. Some lighting fixtures for a home studio are advisable, but if the user wants to rely on this camera for a noise-free video composition that won’t fill up with shadows and dimly snagged highlights, the large aperture on this lens is a sign of good things to come.
Of those good things, the large 20.1 Megapixel stacked CMOS sensor occupies 1.0” of real estate inside its inner workings, guaranteeing a feed quality that’s on par with much more expensive models. A 4K 30p motion picture quality is standard, as displayed on the 3.0” touchscreen LCD monitor that nearly fills the entire back of the camera. That screen flips all the way around, allowing quick selfies and live streaming. Small it may be, but this camera incorporates all of the usability we’ve come to expect from Canon engineers.
Tester Inside Scoop – Just because the Canon website advertised this model as ‘Video Creator Inspired,’ we weren’t tempted to take this slick piece of promotion at its word. We spent a whole morning testing the Canon PowerShot G7X Mk III, hoping we’d stumble on content that would go viral.
On the assumption that we’re not ready for online stardom just yet, the review continued. The lens works across a conventional 24-100mm focal length, and it has a 9-blade diaphragm for pleasing bokeh. Optical stabilization is also built in, but a tripod would still be a good investment.
Naturally featuring Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, we also took note of the large 3.5mm microphone port, perfect for hooking up a studio-quality mic.
Level Up Your YouTube Videos
Do buy all the kit, the studio-grade microphone, the tripod, the lighting and backdrops, but don’t skimp on camera capabilities. The temptation will be to find a model that shoots 4K video, then wait for the likes and new viewers to roll in. If the feed is dark and noisy, however, the ultraHD video appears on viewer screens as 4K sharpened noise and shadow. So, on top of hyper-marketed 4K, good low light performance and color depth are desirable.
A popular model like the GoPro Hero 13 Black relies on dynamic videography settings, on modes that smooth live feeds and infuse them with immersive, heartbeat accelerating energy. You feel every twist and dip as a mountain bike races down a dirt track. Going in another direction, perhaps makeup tutorials, a large sensor and a high dynamic range are both important, as is a lens system that’ll get the best out of any composition. The Sony A6700 and its AI framing talents are a good choice on this occasion.
Invest in all the right equipment, even a green screen setup if that’ll liven up your YouTube channel, but always remember the heart of the channel, apart from yourself, of course, is the camera. By buying the best camera for filming your YouTube videos, gain rich highlights and dynamic compositions, footage that never leaves you out of the frame and never slips focus. Trust us, it’s the best approach if you want engaging content, the kind that’ll grow traffic and those all-important channels subscriptions.