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The best YouTube cameras will vary from person to person. It depends on the type of material you create and where and how you film. Thus, we’ve collected a list of all-purpose mirrorless and miniature cameras for indoor and outdoor use, affordable high-end filmmaking tools, and compact, basic, and rugged “adventure” cameras that can travel anywhere and capture anything! Making sure you have the best camera for YouTube is the best way to start a channel or improve an existing one.
Although your smartphone may be adequate for recording YouTube videos, having a dedicated camera will significantly increase the quality of your work, both in terms of video and audio. Fortunately, if you’re seeking to enhance your video game, there are lots of solutions at various price points that will be more than competent of generating outstanding YouTube footage. We bought and tested cameras, and our recommendations for the best cameras for YouTube videos are listed below.
Here is the list of Best YouTube Cameras
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
Easily one of the best YouTube Cameras available on the market, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III. It’s not the best camera in any area, but it’s a fantastic jack-of-all-trades that can do everything YouTubers need it to do in a little body that you can virtually carry everywhere. This tiny camera can record 4K UHD video at 30p and HD video at up to 120fps, allowing you to create slow-motion effects. The Mark III version includes a 3.5mm mic jack, which improves audio quality.
The fixed 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 lens cannot be changed; however, this zoom range is adequate for most YouTube use, and the maximum aperture of f/1.8 is large enough to make the G7X Mark III useful in low light. Another significant benefit for YouTubers is that the camera can livestream, showing footage with a clean HDMI out. There are cameras with more advanced video specs available, but the vast majority of content makers will not require them.
Sony ZV-E10
Sony had been looking for a specialized mid-range vlogging camera for quite some time. While the ZV-1 small was good, what vloggers and YouTubers really wanted was a mirrorless camera that allowed them to change lenses and be more flexible in general. Step forward the Sony ZV-E10, an APS-C mirrorless camera with an abundance of video options. The detail and quality of 4K UHD are great, while Full HD may be cranked up to 120p for slow-motion recording.
Also, while an external microphone is usually preferable, if you’re on a tight budget, the built-in mics on the ZV-E10 do an admirable job, thanks in part to the bigger grille on top that allows for higher-fidelity sound capture. It’s not a flawless camera; there’s a noticeable rolling shutter effect when trying to pan in 4K, and the menus, as is so frequently the case with Sony, can be perplexing.
Sony Alpha A7S III
Sony spent five years to improve the video-centric A7S II to the Mark III, but the wait was well worth it for serious hobbyists and professional filmmakers. It may not have the 6K or 8K video resolution of some of its competitors today, and with only 12.1MP, it isn’t a super-stills machine either.
Apart from being a large and expensive cinema camera, it’s one of just a few that can shoot 4K at 60p full frame with no crop, recorded internally in 10-bit 4:2:2 with no time constraints, and with all advanced AF functions still operating. Instead of chasing headlines, Sony focused on providing filmmakers with the camera they required, with a wide range of codec options and no frame rate limitations. Thus, this product is one of the best YouTube Cameras available right now.
GoPro Hero11 Black
Despite looking like every other GoPro this side of 2019, with enhanced hardware and software, the Hero 11 Black is a victory on all fronts. The new, nearly square sensor is extremely adaptable, the camera’s software has been successfully simplified, and GoPro’s companion app, Quik, has been upgraded. The Hero 11 Black is a wonderful addition to the range, with best-in-class stability, great-looking video in all but dimly-lit and gloomy scenarios, and some interesting new modes like light painting.
The 8:7 aspect ratio of the Hero 11 Black is also a notable feature for video creators. Its film, which can be shot in 5.3K quality, 8:7 video at up to 30fps, can be losslessly cropped to make additional 4K portrait, landscape, and square segments from a single video. In addition to 8:7 video, the Hero 11 Black takes 5.3K resolution video at 60 frames per second, 4K resolution video at 120 frames per second, and 2.7K resolution video at 240 frames per second.
Fujifilm X-S10
The finest 4k camera for YouTube that we’ve tested is the Fujifilm X-S10. This mirrorless APS-C camera is Fujifilm’s first dedicated vlogging camera, and it packs a lot of functionality for a low price. It’s a wonderfully adaptable camera for a variety of video work, with an autofocus mechanism that can keep up astonishingly well in video and a high-frame-rate option in 1080p for slow-motion shooting.
Its completely articulated screen makes it suitable for both walk-and-talk vlogs and recordings that demand a more studio setup. Furthermore, it is one of the few cameras in its price range with in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which can assist smooth out camera shake when shooting handheld. Still, it is one of the best YouTube Cameras that you can consider.
Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera
While the Fujifilm X-S10 is a terrific all-rounder, there are some outstanding options at slightly cheaper price points, especially when lens costs are considered. The Sony 6400 is one such camera that is ideal for vlogging on YouTube. While it lacks in-body image stabilization like the Fuji, it is well-built and very portable, with a plethora of native and third-party lens options to gradually enhance your setup.
The best feature, though, is Sony’s superb autofocus technology, which includes a highly dependable face and eye tracking capability. The battery life is significantly better than that of the Fujifilm, and there is no time limit on recording, which is ideal for longer uninterrupted shoots. Overall, it is one of the best YouTube Cameras that you can buy.
Panasonic GH5 Mark II
Panasonic’s first-generation GH5 camera was excellent for creating YouTube material. It provided a comprehensive set of video capabilities in a sturdy yet lightweight housing. The Mark II builds on that good basis with a few adjustments and one key addition: built-in wifi live streaming. The GH5 II works with YouTube right out of the box thanks to compatibility for the RTMP / RTMPS protocol, which is a significant plus if your channel’s audience prefers real-time content.
Movies sent over Wi-Fi automatically change their resolution to match the strength of your connection, achieving a respectable 1080/60 fps. Do you need some sharp B-rolls? When you’re not online, our tests revealed that the GH5 can take stunning 4K footage, with 10-bit 4: 2: 2 video and super-smooth Full HD slow-mo.
DJI Pocket 2
The DJI Pocket 2 is the best camera for YouTube travel videos for YouTubers on the go and travel vloggers who normally work alone. It is a pocket action camera with an inbuilt 3-axis gimbal that will be available in 2021. The motorised gimbal provides very smooth shooting. It also enables you to create breathtaking moving time-lapse videos. The most interesting feature of this camera is its Active Track 3.0 mode.
It employs AI technology to track and lock on to subjects as they move. This means less time spent worrying about framing and more time spent recording. If you are a vlogger, Instagramer, TikToker, or influencer, we recommend purchasing the Creator Combo Pack. It includes a tripod and a cordless external microphone to improve the quality of your content. Currently, this is one of the best YouTube Cameras that you can buy right now.
Logitech Brio 4K
If you’re looking for a simple and affordable camera for YouTube, the Logitech Brio 4K is an excellent choice. It is a webcam that is compatible with all major operating systems, laptops and tablets. You can clip it directly to your device, stand it alone, or mount it to a tripod using the threaded hole on the bottom of the camera.
It’s great for live streaming to YouTube, Twitch, Zoom or Microsoft Teams, but you can also use it to record YouTube videos. One thing to note, however, is that it has a maximum resolution of 1080p when recording. It’s a terrific option for gamers, product reviewers, and professionals. So, if you want one of the best YouTube Cameras, we highly recommend this product.
Panasonic Lumix GH6
Every YouTuber will have a different skill level, with some boasting much more advanced video knowledge than others. If you’re someone who likes to get under the hood of a camera and tinker with your video footage until it’s perfectly fine, then the Panasonic Lumix GH6 is for you. This is one of the best consumer camcorders ever made.
The beating heart of the camera is its new 25MP stacked sensor, which allows for much faster readout speeds and means it puts far more video options at the user’s fingertips. It can shoot using just about every imaginable codec a filmmaker or YouTuber could want, and it can hit 5.7K resolution at 30fps in Apple ProRes format.
Final Words
Our selections above are what we believe are the best YouTube Cameras to buy right now, based on their needs. While all of the top YouTube cameras on this list will assist you in creating great videos, some are better than others depending on your requirements. Fortunately, we believe the list we’ve collected above covers most, if not all, of the features you should seek for in a YouTube camera.