Best Vlogging Cameras for Crystal Clear Image and Audio

Folks, your journey to becoming the next YouTube superstar begins with the right equipment. Creating dope videos for your followers requires more than skill and confidence. You might think that your smartphone can take the place of good vlogging camera, but the truth is that you will end up doing more harm than good to your mission. All those subscribers will begin to drop your channel with every video you upload. You don’t want that, do you?

Well, to drive the point home, look at it this way: smartphones and cheap GoPros have some of the worst audio recording capabilities. And that’s not all. These devices are limited to small lenses. Vlogging cameras, on the other hand, are designed to help you record crystal clear videos with impressive audio, allowing you to capture any event when you are on the go. Most of them come with an awesome resolution that promises to keep your subscribers glued to your channel for hours.

Vlogging cameras are great, but not all of them will do the job right. You need to be very cautious when purchasing this vlogging equipment to ensure that you give your viewers the quality they need (and deserve). We have gone out of our way to find the best vlogging cameras in the market and prepared a nice buying guide to help you get the right one for your needs. It’s time to become the superstar you’ve always wanted!

Top 10 Vlogging Cameras of 2020 Reviewed

1. Sony a7 III Full-Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera

Best Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Vlogging Camera

Looking into starting a Vlog? Or better yet looking into getting the best Vlogging Cameras to up your game? Sony has been in the game long enough to master the craft, and that’s why this a7 III Full-Frame Mirror less Interchangeable-Lens Camera which features 24.2MP BSI full-frame image sensor is the best bet for you. This beauty has 1.8X readout speed and is also back-illuminated.  It also comes with a 35mm full-frame image sensor.

This beast features 15 stop dynamic range and also boasts 14bit uncompressed raw for higher resolution and editable photos and videos. Its ISO ranges from 50 to a whopping 204,800. The camera is compatible with Sony E mount lenses. Sony a7 also boast up to 10 frames per second silent or a mechanical shutter with AE/AF tracking. For still images, you can expect its battery life to last you up to 610 shots through viewfinder, 710 shots through LCD monitor. For Movie and continuous recording, you can expect approximately 200 minutes through the viewfinder and 210 minutes through the LCD monitor.

Sony a7 features 693 phase detection, 425 contrast auto focus points, and w/93 percent image coverage. The device comes with Exmor R CMOS sensor. The whole package comes with a rechargeable battery, an AC adapter, a shoulder strap, Accessory shoe cap, Body cap, eyepiece cap, and a micro USB cable.  The metering type is 1200 zone evaluative metering.

Sony a7 III Full-Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable

Pros:

  • Better noise reduction
  • Faster burst mode shooting
  • Super detailed resolution

Cons:

  • Limited frames per second coverage for 4k videos
  • Low battery life
  • The menu could be better

2. PANASONIC LUMIX G7 4K Digital Camera

Best Vlogging Camera with 4K Video Capture

Panasonic Lumix G7 is the best camera for professional photo and video performance when thinking of going all Vlog. This camera features a 16-megapixel micro four-thirds sensor. This sensor comes without low pass filter for confidently capturing very sharp images with an artifact-free performance and high dynamic range. 

LUMIX G7 camera can pause and extract the photo moment from a 4K video. Lumix G7 comes in 4K enabled video shoot which amounts to 4 times better than full HD. This 4K video features super clear and superior detail than those from full HD camcorders. The 4K Photo comes in three modes, 4K burst for continuous shooting, 4K Burst S/S for a start and stop burst and lastly 4K Pre-Burst 1 second before shutter release for 60frames.

Lumix G7 comes with intuitive controls. The aperture is very easy to control, and the shutter speed can be controlled with both the front and rear settings. It also features high-resolution 2,360k-dot and OLED live viewfinder which boasts 10,000:1 contrast for unparalleled visibility. Furthermore, it features fast and precise auto focus tracking, high-speed auto focus with depth from defocus (DFD) technology, focus-peaking, and silent shooting. Through Wi-Fi, you can use the Panasonic image app to creatively manipulate images and videos by connecting to the camera, which grants access and control by using a smartphone or tablet. This camera is compatible with DMWFL58OL external flash and also DMW-MS2stereo/shotgun microphone.

PANASONIC LUMIX G7 4K Digital Camera

Pros:

  • WIFI accessibility for Panasonic image app
  • Features intuitive controls
  • High-resolution viewfinder and LCD

Cons:

  • High battery consumption
  • Very fragile
  • Could use a more streamlined design.

3. Canon PowerShot SX730 Digital Camera

Best Affordable Vlogging Camera

PowerShot SX730 HS, which assumes a very simple build is the best vlogging camera you’ll ever lay your hands on. With this camera, you can capture both far, near and in between images with its 40x optical zoom. The zoom framing assistant will aid in taking the epic moments that you are so hungry for when using longer focal lengths

This camera features a 180 degrees tilting screen facing forward to put you in the middle of the selfie scene. It also features a smooth skin effect in all modes for enhancing the natural features. It comes with a versatile built-in Bluetooth, WIFI2 and also NFC3 technology for sharing your best moments. Canon PowerShot SX730 features 20.3 Megapixel 6 CMOS sensor for powerful imaging performance. This sensor is optimized for use in a few selected cameras. For high ISO, this sensor employs a sophisticated light-capturing design and also comes with reduced noise. It’s fast and captures rapidly moving data to its processor. It as well enables continuous shooting as well as auto focusing.

This PowerShot comes in a convenient size with a sleek design for ease of handling. It is the perfect carry-on camera which can easily slip into your shallow pockets discreetly. It features a large grip on the front as well as at the back of the camera and also a textured surface and a slip-resistant shape makes it easier handling it as well as feeling comfortable in your hands.

Canon PowerShot SX730 Digital Camera

Pros:

  • 3.0-inch tilt-type (180 up)
  • Comes with Self-portrait mode
  • 1080p full HD at 60p

Cons:

  • Not compatible with Apple computers
  • Weak wireless connection
  • Poor focusing ability

4. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II Digital Camera

Best Vlogging Camera for High-Speed Shooting

PowerShot, G7 X Mark II camera, assumes a compact design with a combination of exhilarating speed and performance. This device comes with a high-performance 1.0-inch 20.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor and a bright f/1.8–2.8 lens which will help capture your creativity by show of impressive images even when in low light conditions. Even when shooting with a high ISO, the Digic 7 image processor delivers cutting edge autofocus tracking, superb image clarity, as well as an enhanced IS.

The aperture features a bright f/1. 8 at a wide-angle, f/2. 8 (T) when zoomed, and 4. 2x (24-100mm) when fully zoomed. The beautiful background defocus is as a result of the 9-blade iris diaphragm. The intelligent IS. is responsible for clear and steady images. This IS analyzes the movement of the camera while applying the best shake correction feature. This camera also features continuous shooting mode at a total speed of 8 frames per second. This continuous shooting mode applies to RAW mode, JPEG mode, and also RAW+JPEG mode.

PowerShot G7 X Mark II also features a tilt-type touchscreen LCD which comes in high resolution. This screen tilts up to 180 degrees sideways and another 45 degrees downward. This feature is ideal for composing self-portraits while taking pictures in both low and high angles. The touch control feature allows for ease of accessibility and also intuitive control. G7 X Mark II also features wireless connectivity, raw camera conversion, full HD at 60 pixels and also picture style function.

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II Digital Camera

Pros:

  • wireless connectivity
  • Supports continuous shooting 
  • Very discreet and portable

Cons:

  • Does not come with original accessories
  • Could be less noisy
  • Could have a better design

5. GoPro HERO 7 Black

Best Waterproof Vlogging Camera

Stabilization is key for crisp, clear videos for your Vlog, and that’s why GoPro Hero 7 features hyper smooth video stabilization. The camera assumes gimbal-like stabilization even when it does feature gimbal. The camera is made in such a way that it can predict your movement while correcting for camera shake hence delivering cutting edge photographs and videos. GoPro also features time wrap video capture. This feature allows for stabilized time wrap even when on the scene. With this feature, you can speed up a scene up to 30X hence turning longer activities into brief shareable moments.

GoPro HERO 7 comes with a super photo feature which this camera intelligent adds a touch of HDR, local tone mapping, or even noise reduction hence optimizing your photos for great memories. What is more interesting about this GoPro HERO is its rugged and waterproof feature which allows it to capture the greatest moment you can’t otherwise capture with your smartphone. The camera can dive deep up to 10 meters without any housing.

GoPro comes with inbuilt voice control and voice recognition settings which make it possible for you to command and instruct your camera to take certain actions. This includes “GoPro, take a picture. Voice control is key for accessibility purposes. Live streaming makes it possible for you to share your best moments through your Vlog autonomously. You have the option of storing the videos on the SD card after streaming. You can expect nothing short of 4K60 video coupled with 12MP photo.

GoPro HERO 7 Black

Pros:

  • Wireless connection for live streaming
  • Waterproof up to 10 meters
  • Voice control feature

Cons:

  • Grainy pictures in a little lighting
  • Cannot simultaneously record and stream in 4K
  • No preview for 4k/60 for all modes

6. YI 4K Action and Sports Camera

Best Action and Sports Vlogging Camera

YI 4K Action and Sports Camera is crafted to take superb image quality photographs which will boost your Vlog. This camera records 4K videos at 30fps, 1080p videos at 120fps and 720p videos at 240ftp. This camera also processes 12MP raw images with its inbuilt Sony IMX377 image sensor. The camera features Ambrella dual-core A9SE75. YI 4K Action and Sports Camera is reinforced with Advanced video stabilization (EIS). This camera has the capability of capturing super smooth footage at a speed of 2.7k/60fps.

YI 4K Camera comes with a high capacity rechargeable lithium-ion battery which can keep the camera up and running for up to 120mins for 4K/30fps videos.  The camera also features a high performing cooling system which prevents the camera from overheating while enabling stable video recording. The intuitive touchscreen UI which comes in 2.2 inches boast of a high resolution (640×360) yet very responsive to touch. The screen allows for previewing and also shooting. The camera has an inbuilt voice command that makes shooting even easier.  The screen is made with Gorilla Glass Retina for scratch resistance and daily damage.

YI 4K Action and Sports Camera also come with instant sharing capabilities which are made possible through the wireless connectivity for Bluetooth and high-speed WIFI support for a wireless remote-control couple up with the Y Action app used to edit photos and videos instantly. The camera always updates to the latest firmware automatically.

YI 4K Action and Sports Camera

Pros:

  • Scratch-resistant Gorilla glass retina LCD screen
  • Inbuilt Voice Command for ease of shooting
  • Long Battery life for high-quality shooting mode

Cons:

  • No support for an external microphone
  • No support for external flash 
  • Not waterproof

7. Canon EOS M6 Body (Black)

Best Vlogging Camera for Hih-Speed Continous Shooting

EOS M6 by Canon is an interchangeable lens camera which comes in a light and compact design. This camera combines both face detection and also dual pixel CMOS autofocus mode. It has high-efficiency focus time to help you capture every moment as it takes place. The inbuilt 24.2 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor helps achieve clear, detailed, and vibrant images and videos. 

The memories created through the images and videos can be shared easily to your friends and loved ones through its built-in wireless connectivity like Bluetooth and WIFI and NFC2. The EOS M6 assumes a stylish design model which is small and discreet and produces stunning images. This makes the camera very portable. Wherever you go, snap it out of the bag and record your favorite moments.

This camera features a high-speed continuous shooting mode which enables you to capture a high moving object ensuring that you capture every moment as it happens. The M16 has the capability of taking 7fps and nine fps with AF lock. The Digic 7 image processor is the heartbeat of the M16 which powers the camera for high-quality images and fast operations even when in low lighting conditions. The improved noise reduction aids in keeping the images sharp even when operating using high ISO. You can expect full HD of 60p (1080p) which is backed by stereo sound in MP4 format. Features IS, coupled with Optical Lens IS for reduced blurring. The camera features a touchscreen LED which tilts 45 degrees down and 180 degrees sideways.

Canon EOS M6 Body (Black)

Pros:

  • Intelligent Digic-7 processor for clear, detailed images
  • Wireless connectivity for sharing moments
  • Small compact and portable model design

Cons:

  • Very pricy
  • Does not come with the lens
  • Low battery life

8. Polaroid Cube HD 1080p Lifestyle Action Video Camera (Black)

Best Compact Vlogging Camera

Polaroid Cube comes in a compact cubic fashionable design style, making it loveable and portable as well. Record your favorite moments with this world most fun camera. However, don’t be fooled by its minute size. This camera combines a CMOS 6-megapixel sensor with 124-degree wide-angle lens to bring you the best images, clear and precise. 

The CMOS sensor records crisp, clear images with both the 720 and 1080 shooting mode. The wide-angle lens can capture big and vibrant scenes effortlessly. Polaroid Cube comes with a built-in rechargeable battery which can record up to 90 minutes of continuous shooting per charge. The camera does mount magnetically, or w/Clip for enhanced action applications the camera can mount onto any object or device including bicycles, tripods, helmets and so forth. 

This camera supports up to 32GB micro SD which is inserted into the camera and removed to transfer images onto another device. The camera is splash-proof, which means it can only withstand a small amount of water. However, it is recommended that you use a waterproof casing while taking underwater images and videos

Polaroid Cube HD 1080p Lifestyle Action Video Camera

Pros:

  • small and compact design
  • supports 720p-1080p
  • can mount onto anything

Cons:

  • Not waterproof
  • Low battery life
  • Restricted features

9. Olympus PEN E-PL9 Body

Best Vlogging Camera Under $500

Olympus PEN E-PL9combines both style and compact design into a high definition camera. Its lightweight and the compact body does not take away from its modest capabilities. E-PL9 comes with a 16 Megapixel live MOS sensor. This camera comes in a range of colors including brown, white black and also blue. This camera is no doubt the best camera for vlogging. E-PL9 is compatible with all Olympus M-Zuiko lenses which allow you to take images from any distance. 

The camera boasts a TruePic VII image processor as well as a 3 inch 180-degree flip-down screen with touch-enabled for ease of accessibility. Now is that not just incredible? It doesn’t end there. This amazing device also features an In-body-3-axis image stabilization and can also shoot clear still images and videos at 4K.

Olympus PEN E-PL9 comes with wireless connectivity which allows you to transfer your images directly from your camera to your iOS or Android phone. The Bluetooth connectivity lets your smartphone know when there are images to be transferred, which are then stored in your smartphone’s camera roll. The images are transferred through WI-FI. The E-PL9 allows for both automatic shooting mode and also manual shooting mode for full control.

Olympus PEN E-PL9 Body only with 3-Inch LCD (Honey Brown)

Pros:

  • Lightweight and compact design
  • Wireless connectivity
  • High Definition images and 4K videos

Cons:

  • Low battery life
  • Not water resistant
  • A bit pricey

10. GoPro HERO5 Black — Waterproof Digital Action Camera

Best Waterproof Vlogging Camera

Stunning images always make your Vlog both attractive and also engaging, and that’s why you should consider GoPro HERO5, which processes stunning 4K videos and 12MP images. This is possible in single, Burst and also Time-lapse modes. More to this, this Go-Pro is waterproof and can withstand pressure up to 33 ft underwater so that you can capture every moment without limitation. The body of this camera is made to last you a lifetime giving you the very best. 

Go-Pro allows you to preview and playback your footage and shots, trim your videos and also alter settings on the 2-inch display. The LCD panel is touch enable for ease of accessibility. The Hero5 automatically sends both your photos and videos straight to your phone through Quick Stories. Go-Pro features Voice control which enables you to operate the camera hands-free using voice commands. The Go-Pro comes with one button for controlling all the features and settings of this camera.

Go-pro features video stabilization which enables you to take stunning and smooth videos regardless of whether its handheld or mounted on your gear. It also allows you to access your content from anywhere through its cloud-based subscription. With this feature, this camera automatically uploads your content to the cloud for you.

GoPro HERO5 Black — Waterproof Digital Action Camera

Pros:

  • cloud storage optional subscription
  • Features voice control 
  • Quick stories enabled

Cons:

  • Does not come with a charger
  • No support for external flash and lenses
  • Does not support live streaming

How to Choose the Best Vlogging Camera: The Ultimate Buying Guide

Are you a Vlogger? Just like a hunter, the camera you use to capture your videos determines the kind of quality you are going to have. It could be a camcorder, DSLR, point-and-shoot or a smartphone camera. Each one of these has its own pros and cons whether in terms of the features or price. That’s why you should take every precaution when picking the right camera to buy. The following are some of the questions you need to ask.

What Type Of Camera Do You Want?

As earlier stated, there are different types of vlogging cameras including camcorders, DSLRs, point-to-shoot, and smartphone cameras. Digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras are less portable, large cameras that can prove hard to carry. The lens with which they come is usually interchangeable. DSLR cameras capture superior video and can capture footage in all kinds of lighting conditions. That’s why these cameras are recommended for vloggers.

However, it is also possible to find cameras that combine the capability of DSLR and point-to-shoot cameras. Compared to traditional DSLRs, these cameras are lighter. They produce the same image quality as DSLRs but may have a smaller range of accessories. If you cannot afford any of that, why not try your smartphone camera?

How Is Image Quality?

When all other factors are held constant, it is the image quality that should dictate the vlogging camera to buy. So, look at the camera’s video resolution. Most of the cameras on the market are rated as HD ready (720p), Full HD (1080p), and Ultra HD (4K). For a successful vlogging venture, buy a camera that’s at least full HD (1080p). If you go below that, you might compromise the growth of your YouTube channel. Only those cameras with the highest resolution tend to be costlier.

Is It Light Or Heavy?

Since you will mostly be capturing your videos on-the-go, it is important that you have a camera that’s as light as possible. Bulky or heavy cameras may prove too much to carry around. Buying such a camera may only mean difficulty when it comes to getting the videos you need to post online. So buy a camera that’s light enough to carry for long hours. However, if you have no problem setting it up on a tripod, consider the other features when making your choice.

Does It Allow For Optical Image Stabilization?

Vloggers rarely engage in their trade while standing still. Most of the time they are on the move or engaged in other activities. To stabilize the image, you need a camera with the capability. So check that your camera has Optical Image Stabilization built in its internal mechanism. Such cameras are capable of preventing shaky videos and improving the quality of the footage. Even if you were to rely on video editing software and YouTube to do the stabilization, they won’t come close to what a capable camera can do.

How Do You Intend To Capture The Audio?

To attract and retain visitors to your vlog, you need to combine the footage with audio. That means your camera should have a very good built-in microphone. Only that some microphones may pick up background noise including traffic and wind noise. Check that the microphone is positioned in front of the camera to ensure it doesn’t miss what you are saying. It is even better if the camera has a microphone jack. To improve the audio quality, you might be forced to add an external microphone.

Is It Possible To Autofocus?

As a vlogger, you will constantly be switching between filming the environment and yourself. As soon as the camera moves to a different subject, it should be able to quickly focus to reveal the subject. It can be frustrating when you have to wait for long for the camera to focus on the subject at hand. Also, discovering you just shot an invisible image isn’t inspiring.

In What Conditions Will You Be Filming?

In what kind of lighting conditions will you be filming? If it is in low light, buy a vlogging camera that can handle just that. It all depends on how light-sensitive your camera is. Could be you intend to capture adventures or film while on-the-move. Buy a camera meant for shooting action scenes. Also, focus on the ability of the camera to give you perfect audio when filming in noisy environments.

How Much Are You Willing To Spend?

That’s perhaps the most important question you should answer. After all, you can only buy what you can afford. While the most affordable vlogging cameras cost as little as $400, the most expensive can set you aside more than $1,500. It all depends on the features of the camera. The best strategy is to pick several cameras in your price range and then compare them in terms of the other features.

Conclusion

In conclusion, what do you want in a vlogging camera? It is our hope that you have been properly guided by the factors discussed above. If you still have questions, then you should look at the different products featured in the review section. Good luck!