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Are you looking for the best cameras for vlogging? You’re in the right place. If you choose a suitable camera for vlogging, you should give priority to several things that may not seem as important for photography of photos. One of the most critical is an LCD screen that you can monitor while you are recording, which is a given with a smartphone, but something that only offers a handful of more regular cameras. An autofocus system that you can also keep track of during recording is also important.
Another essential thing to consider is audio quality, and more specifically, the scope with which you can improve the built-in standard microphone (s). For example, a camera that is entirely suitable for selfies may not have a separate port for microphones, meaning you should rely on the built-in microphones or record video on a different device. It is not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it limits what you can only achieve with the camera. It is a bit easier with smartphones since small lavalier type microphones can often be connected via the headphone port.
Vlogging has become hugely popular, and the increase in popularity shows no signs of delay. With our list of the best vlogging cameras, everyone can get started with vlogging and building an audience. Regardless of your experience level and goals, you should not have problems finding a great vlogging camera from this list, and you can use it to create your vlogs. Despite what you’ve been told, vlogging is not restricted to the rich and famous, and after you’ve bought a camera, you can create vlogs and tell your own unique story. Who knows, you might end up earning money from your vlog.
List of the best cameras for vlogging
These are the best cameras for vlogging currently on the market, ranging from smartphones and compact cameras for daily vlogging to interchangeable lens cameras for broader control and more professional results.
Sony ZV-1
The best camera for vlogging overall
![best cameras for vlogging](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1-116-1024x583.jpg)
- Best for: Beginner to intermediate
- Max video resolution/frame rate: 4K video at 30p
- AF points: 315
- Weight: 294g
- Battery life (CIPA): 260 shots
If you’re going to vlog, why not get a dedicated camera for the purpose? Although the Sony ZV-1 can take photos, it’s primarily a camera for vloggers, with 4K 30p video and a built-in three-capsule directional microphone for capturing flawless audio in all conditions. You even get a windshield included, making your audio even better in outdoor conditions.
It’s brilliantly optimized, with vlogging at the forefront of the design rather than an optional extra, and it’s easy for new users to get started with, while still offering enough depth for those who know what they’re doing. Sony is leading the way here, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see imitators from other manufacturers. Overall, this is one of the best cameras for vlogging.
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Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II
The best camera for vlogging if you’re on a budget
![](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2-112-1024x608.jpg)
- Best for: Beginner to intermediate
- Max video resolution/frame rate: Full HD at 60p
- AF points: 31
- Weight: 206g
- Battery life (CIPA): 235 shots
It is important to be careful when buying cheap cameras, as they often have a small sensor. This often means low dynamic range, poor image quality and a fairly minimal upgrade over your smartphone. However, the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II is a pleasant exception to the rule, with a 1-inch sensor that offers a significant, noticeable upgrade over a phone.
Add to that a 3x optical zoom lens and Full HD 60p video (not 4K, but hey) and you begin to see that you’re getting great value for your money here. Ideal for budget photographers who want to see real results, although the lack of a flip-around screen can make filming yourself a challenge. Overall, this is one of the best cameras for vlogging.
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Sony A7S III
The best high-end camera for vlogging
![best cameras for vlogging](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/3-98-1024x667.jpg)
- Best for: Advanced/professional users
- Max video resolution/frame rate: UHD 4K at 120p
- AF points: 759 phase-detection; 425 contrast-detection
- Weight: 614g
- Battery life (CIPA): 600 shots
The original Sony A7S was perhaps one of the few true game-changers in video over the past decade – a camera that, thanks to its maximum ISO of 409,600, could literally see in the dark. Building on its legacy, the Sony A7S III is one of the best mirrorless cameras for video out there, with not only industry-leading low-light performance, but also one of the best autofocus systems on the market. This is a serious camera for professionals, and the price obviously reflects that, but for your money you get one of the best UHD 4K videos out there, and that’s hard to argue with. Overall, this is one of the best cameras for vlogging.
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Nikon Z50
Nikon’s APS-C mirrorless wonder is a slim and speedy machine, available as a vlogging kit
![](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/4-88-1024x697.jpg)
- Best for: Intermediate to advanced
- Max video resolution/frame rate: UHD 4K at 30p
- AF points: 209
- Weight: 395g
- Battery life (CIPA): 320 shots
The Z series made a big impression when it first appeared, thanks to the revolutionary Z-mount that provided faster communication between camera and lens than ever before. The Z50 is the first APS-C model in the series and offers an affordable entry-level model. We recommend it as part of the “vlogger’s kit” that comes with a mini tripod and mounting plate, as well as a RØDE microphone and a 16-50mm lens; if you already have these things, you can buy the camera body-only for about half the price. Either way, it’s one of the best cameras for vlogging.
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Canon EOS M6 Mark II
For doing a bit of everything, Canon’s mirrorless model is a definite hit
![best cameras for vlogging](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/5-76-1024x574.jpg)
- Best for: Enthusiasts
- Max video resolution/frame rate: UHD 4K video at 30p
- AF points: 143
- Weight: 408g
- Battery life (CIPA): 305 shots
Canon’s M-series was once a bit of a joke among photographers, but the EOS M6 Mark II showed that the line is alive and well. Equipped with an impressive 32.5 Megapixel APS-C sensor and the ability to record UHD 4K video, the EOS M6 II is a great all-around camera – it may not be the best at one thing, but it’s pretty good at everything, making it ideal for all-purpose vlogging. The autofocus system is hugely effective, and the ability to charge via USB is hugely useful for longer shots. The user interface is also good and user-friendly, making the camera easy to get to grips with. Overall, this is one of the best cameras for vlogging.
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Nikon D780
The best DSLR camera for vlogging
![](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/6-60-1024x731.jpg)
- Best for: Advanced and professional users
- Max video resolution/frame rate: 4K UHD video at 30p
- AF points: 273 (in Live View)
- Weight: 840g
- Battery life (CIPA): 2260 shots
Anyone who thought DSLRs were on the decline is wrong! The Nikon D780 is a triumph. It combines the ease of use of DSLRs with the advanced technology of mirrorless cameras to create a sublime camera for both stills and video. The cropped video images look incredible and the rugged weatherproof body is extremely comfortable in the hand – if you’re going out in harsh conditions, this is a great camera to have by your side. If the price is too high, you might consider the Nikon D750, which is a few years old but still one of the best cameras for vlogging.
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DJI Osmo Action
The best waterproof option for vlogging
![](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/7-48-1024x642.jpg)
- Best for: Beginner to intermediate
- Max video resolution/frame rate: 4K video at 60p
- AF points: N/A, fixed focus
- Weight: 124g
- Battery life (CIPA): Not specified; real world tests indicated about 2 hours per charge
DJI created a furor when it unveiled the GoPro-challenging Osmo Action, and although it’s now a few years old, we think it’s the most affordable action camera out there right now. The RockSteady image stabilization has turned the action camera world on its head with its silky smooth images, making it perfect for specialized POV work like mounting on the handlebars of a bike. The forward-facing screen, which GoPro then borrowed, is also great for vlogging, meaning you can film yourself and make sure you’re in the picture.
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Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II
![Best Cameras For Vlogging](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1-3-1024x751.jpg)
- Type: Compact
- Sensor: 1in
- Megapixels: 20.1
- Lens: 24-100mm (equiv.) f/1.8-2.8,
- Screen: 3in tilting touchscreen, 1.04million dots
- Max video resolution: Full HD
- Mic port: No
- User level: Beginner
The original PowerShot G7 X was a kind of hit-and-miss affair among photographers, but it certainly became one of the best cameras for vlogging. And now this update of the second generation seems to be just as right. Although it retains a 1in-type sensor from the previous model, you now get a recording option of 24p and 60p, a better battery life, and a touchscreen that is demonstrably easier to read thanks to the hinge now placed along the bottom of the camera. The newer DIGIC 7 processor accelerates performance in general, and the fact that you can slide it into a roomy box makes it a more portable option to record on the fly, where a DSLR would be impractical.
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Sony RX100 Mark V
![](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2-3-1024x708.jpg)
- Type: Compact
- Sensor: 1in
- Megapixels: 20.1MP
- Lens: 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8
- Screen: 3in tilt-angle display, 1.22million dots
- Max video resolution: 4K
- Mic port: No
- User level: Enthusiast
While the previous RX100 Mark IV was already equipped for high-quality 4K video recordings, the pocketable Mark V made several important steps for the videographer, making it one of the best cameras for vlogging. Perhaps the most important addition is phase-detection AF pixels on the sensor, allowing the camera to maintain better locking of the subject during recording. Also, facial recognition is effective here, helping the camera to understand what it focuses on.
You also get a SLOG2 option and much better shutter performance than the Mark IV. However, there is no microphone port, so you need to use a microphone and an external recorder (or your phone) if you want to improve the quality of the camera’s microphones.
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Canon EOS M6
![Best Cameras For Vlogging](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/3-3-1024x814.jpg)
- Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: APS-C
- Megapixels: 24.2MP
- Lens mount: Canon EF-M
- Screen: 3in tilting touchscreen, 1.04million dots
- Max video resolution: Full HD
- Mic port: Yes
- User level: Beginner
With a flip-up screen and a microphone port, and Canon’s first Dual Pixel CMOS AF system on board to keep everything sharp during shooting, the EOS M6 is an excellent choice for those who want to stay both installations compact and portable. The video is limited to Full HD recordings, although you have a 60p option if you need it, and built-in digital image stabilization also helps if you record on the go. The current collection of compatible lenses is not the widest.
Still, if you pair the camera with the EF-M 11-22 mm f4-5.6 IS STM lens, you will have a useful focal range of 18-35 mm (in terms of 35 mm- equivalent)) to work with, along with the benefit of Canon’s STM technology to keep focusing. If you need 4K, the recent EOS M50 is also an addition to the list, although this is accompanied by a handful of restrictions, such as no Dual Pixel CMOS AF in 4K and a 1.6x crop factor.
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Panasonic Lumix G85
![](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/4-3-1024x890.jpg)
- Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: Micro Four Thirds
- Megapixels: 16MP
- Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds
- Screen type: 3in tilting touchscreen, 1.04million dots
- Max video resolution: 4K
- User level: Beginner/enthusiast
With a wide range of functions, a weather-resistant body, and sharp image quality due to the lack of an optical low-pass filter, the Lumix G85, also called Lumix G80, is one of the best cameras for vlogging. And yet, even here it seems, with 4K recording, a microphone input, flip-out touchscreen, and quick focus to also recommend it even further. The camera can use face detection to lock subjects as they move, and although there is no phase fix AF on the sensor, the focus changes can be smooth and smooth during recording. You also benefit from active image stabilization of both the sensor and lens (assuming you are using a lens with OIS), which is useful if you plan to move while you are shooting.
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Panasonic Lumix GH5
![](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/9-1-1024x767.jpg)
- Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: Micro Four Thirds
- Megapixels: 20.3MP
- Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds
- Screen: 3.2in tilting touchscreen, 1.62m dots
- Max video resolution: 4K (DCI)
- Mic port: 3.5mm
- User level: Professional
Until the arrival of the GH5S, the GH5 served about a year as the flagship-mirrorless video-focused camera from Panasonic. However, it does not go anywhere, simply because the ‘S’ variant has surfaced. For some people, it remains even the best option when you need something with this level of control over video recordings – and we’re talking about a lot of power here – largely thanks to the sensor-based image stabilization system, which is absent from the GH5S.
This is great if you have to walk around while filming, and the further advantage of a 20.3MP sensor gives you a bit more flexibility if you want to grab the odd thing. The GH5S certainly has some advantages over the older GH5, but for most people, the GH5 certainly is one of the best cameras for vlogging.
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