If you are thinking about starting your YouTube channel or looking to upgrade your equipment to improve the quality of your work, today’s post is just for you!
Before we progress, I believe it is essential for you to know that having a fancy hi-tech camera and equipment isn’t necessary for creating videos for YouTube. However, it can give your brand, quality, and followers a boost.
Best YouTube Camera – Comparison Table
[wptb id="5242" not found ]You might think that you should simply buy the most expensive variant, but that is not the case. The best camera for YouTube needs to have a combination of features that will make filming easier and more rewarding. I will talk about the features you should be looking for in my ultimate buying guide for YouTube cameras, which I have developed using my years of experience as a content developer for the platform.
I will also provide you my top five best cameras for YouTube suggestions that will steer you to the right types of products for your needs.
5 Best YouTube Camera Reviews
1. Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera
If you want a low-cost best camera for YouTube, then Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera is an excellent choice. The cost of the Canon EOS Rebel T6 camera is set in the entry-level range, making it a fantastic option if you are merely beginning on YouTube and wish to purchase premium quality yet affordable equipment.
Whether you need the best budget camera for outstanding pictures or for filming the best video audio recordings, search no more as Canon EOS Rebel T6 Digital SLR Camera for YouTube provides a spectrum of features to help you shoot like a pro.
An affordable price tag does not always mean limited and outdated features. This camera is superb with regards to making video clips for YouTube. Also, it possesses the bonus of capturing top-class, specialized quality photographs that are sharp, detailed, and well-lit.
Features
- XPIX Pro Series 2.2x High Definition Telephoto Lens
- XPIX High-Definition 0.43X Wide-Angle Lens
- Continuous Shooting Speed – 3.00
- DIGIC 4+ Image Processor
- Focus Type – Auto & Manual
Pros
- High definition wide-angle lens
- 2x Professional Telephoto Lens
- Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC
- The best affordable option
- Several features for beginners
- Comes with accessories
Cons
- No external microphone jack
Check Price on Amazon 2. Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EOS 5D Mark III is another honorable pick from Canon. You might not be amazed to see that the majority of the cameras on our list are actually from Canon. Canon has been the top favorite of both professionals and amateurs for years.
Canon is among the business leaders and is famous worldwide for producing cameras for both professionals and amateurs. It has a lengthy history of creating state-of-the-art digital cameras.
The Canon EOS 5D Mark III 22.3 MP 1080p Full HD SLR YouTube Camera is yet another excellent digital camera by Canon. It has all of the features that you have to have for taking photos and creating top-quality videos. It’s among the very best digital cameras for producing high-quality YouTube video clips.
Features
- 22MP full-frame CMOS sensor
- Continuous Shooting Speed – 6.00
- ISO 100 – 25600 range with 50 – 102,800 expansion
- Focus Type – Auto & Manual
- Complete HD with 1080p
Pros
- Equipped with two Canon L-series lenses
- Professional-level high definition video capabilities
- Fast image Processor, and shooting performance
- Exceptional clarity and sharpness
Cons
- Slightly too complex for beginners
3. Panasonic Lumix FZ80 4K Digital Camera
The Lumix FZ80 is the best 4K camera for amateur YouTubers looking for a camera on a budget partly due to its 60x Optical zoom, LUMIX DFD Focusing system, High-Resolution View Finder, and especially the 4K functionality.
Since most YouTubers cannot afford an experienced videographer, having a high-quality digital camera like Panasonic Lumix FZ80 4K will enable you to create pro-level YouTube videos at any level.
All-in-all Panasonic Lumix FZ80 4K Digital Camera offers incredible value for money. The camera captures some high-quality videos and photos at a high resolution. Apart from 4K, you can take 1080p movies at thirty frames per second, and also you can capture 720p HD slow-mo films at 120 frames per minute. Overall the Lumix Fz80 is the best camera for YouTube videos for newbies.
Features
- 1080p at 60fps, and 4K at 30fps
- 4K QFHD video recording (3840 x 2160)
- 60X zooms DC Vario lens
- Super bright F2.8 5.9 aperture range
Pros
- Excellent low light performance
- USB charging and Wi-Fi connectivity
- 3 inch LCD
- Budget-friendly camera with 4K tech
- Excellent features for beginners
Cons
- Comes with a fixed screen
4. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II
Yet again, a Canon! The Canon G7 X Mark II is another fantastic camera that offers a wide range of features besides a compact size and a smart design. The compact design of Canon G7 X Mark II makes it extremely convenient to carry, making it the perfect choice for YouTube vlogging.
I was highly impressed with the built quality of Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II. In case you’re searching for a point and shoot camera, which is as robust as a DSLR, subsequently, the G7 X Mark II is the best bet of yours.
Canon G7 X Mark II gives other cameras of the same price range a run by offering an extensive range of features at a comparatively less high price than other best YouTube cameras.
Feature
- 1 inch CMOS sensor of 20.1 Megapixel
- DIGIC 7 processor
- Ultra-HD videos 1080p Resolution with stereo sound
Pros
- Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC
- An excellent option for vlogging
- Compact design
- Great results in low light conditions
Cons
- Average fps for the price
5. Nikon D5300 24.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera
Nikon is worldwide trusted and recommended for its impressive DSLR range. Nikon D5300 is another best mid-range camera from Nikon that can capture brilliantly focused movies up to 1080p.
The Nikon D3300 and also the D5300 are basically among the very best entry-level cameras from Nikon. When as compared to the Rebel T5 as well as T6, each of them features a mic input enabling you to link an external microphone to the digital camera.
The detail, sharpness, and richness on the videos captured through the D5300 are astonishing. The 24.2MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor records are probably the best lifelike movies that are a total treat to watch.
If your budget allows you, then I highly recommend you purchase D5300 rather than the all-time famous D3300. For the additional money, Nikon D5300 offers a broader range of features and upgrades.
Features
- 39-point AF system
- 3D tracking and 3D matrix metering II
- Continuous Shooting Speed – 5.00
- ISO 100 – 12800 (Expandable to 25600)
- 3.2″ Vari-angle LCD with 1,037,000 dots
Pros
- Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS
- A Compact and lightweight design
- Extra-large swiveling Vari-angle display
- 39-point high-density autofocus system
Cons
- Average Fps
How To Pick The Best Camera For YouTube
In case you are new to the world of photography and videography, you might be pleasantly surprised to find out the various types of cameras that are out there. However, almost every camera can make capturing photos and videos easily, each type designed for a particular purpose. To choose the best camera for YouTube, you have to determine the content type you will be making.
Do you intend to create adventure blogs in exciting and new locations? Is your content going to benefit from slow-motion or even extreme optical zoom? Alternatively, do you just require a stationary camera to shoot from a constant angle?
These are all questions that you need to be to ask yourself and use the information to narrow down the options from the large variety of cameras on sale currently and select the best camera for YouTube that could enable you to create the type of content you wish.
Types Of Cameras To Consider
Point and Shoot Cameras are basic kinds of cameras that are most suitable for beginners for casual photography. Most point and shoot cameras are affordable, compact, and have limited features. These are a great option if you are looking for something cheap and easy to carry but may not be the best camera for YouTube.
DSLR
The word DSLR stands for Digital Single-Lens Reflex. These are feature-rich cameras that pack versatility and offer high quality, high definition images. These are, however, expensive cameras tend to be bulky and larger.
A DSLR camera will give you the flexibility to use unique lenses and many professional features.
Mirrorless Cameras
These cameras are very similar to DSLR in terms of their versatility and quality of the image. Still, they are much more compact, thanks to the lack of mirrors used in the mechanism. Their similar profile makes them more portable.
These cameras are also on the higher end of the price range.
Action Cameras
Compact, easy to carry, and store also while riding a Bike action cameras are designed to be the best camera for YouTube to capture action shots and videos. Because these types of cameras are designed to be used during fast-paced adventures, they are designed to be lightweight, easy to mount, and durable.
Don’t be fooled by their size. These cameras are able to produce high-quality images thanks to modern advancements in photography equipment.
Camcorders
If you are new to video content making or an amateur videographer, then a camcorder may not be the best camera for YouTube for you. This feature-rich equipment can be difficult to operate due to the many manual setting options it offers. These cameras are designed specifically for shooting professional video.
Features To Look For In A Camera For YouTube
Video Resolution
Having content with clear, high-resolution videos has become the standard for quality content makers, especially on YouTube. The audience tends to expect serious YouTubers to offer clear videos. Therefore, you must find the best camera for YouTube that captures videos in high-definition, which has thankfully become the norm in most modern cameras you can buy today.
The pixel density of an image is denoted as resolution. The greater the resolution, the more pixels your camera can capture, which means that the video will look sharp, crisp, and better. It is best to go for a camera that offers 1080p HD video or the pixel density of 1920×1080.
If you are searching for something more advanced in terms of resolution, you can opt for a camera that captures videos in 4K or 3840×2160 pixels. However, the video’s quality will be compromised if your audience does not have special 4K enabled televisions, monitors, or mobile screen.
Camera Sensor Quality
The camera sensor is responsible for capturing light and converting it into a digital image. It is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a videography camera because it determines the size of each pixel. DSLR and mirrorless cameras usually have superior large full-frame CMOS sensors, which produce a better quality of images with better clarity.
I suggest that you pay attention to both video resolution and camera sensor quality to get a better idea of a camera’s true capabilities.
Frame Rate Per Second
The frame rate of a camera refers to its ability to capture the number of frames per second. The frame rate determines the clarity and smoothness of a video. Cameras that capture image frames at a higher rate are more desirable. But before you go out and splash some serious cash on a model with 4K resolution and an ultra-high FPS, remember that YouTube only supports 60FPS videos, so the best camera for YouTube will have a decent FPS.
Auto Focus Capability
For YouTube, a camera with decently quick auto-focus capabilities has become necessary because it makes the video look more polished and of a high standard. Whether the camera has to focus on multiple subjects or a singular person or object, manually focusing on the camera can be cumbersome.
It is also essential to consider the auto-focus speed of the camera and ensure that it does not take too long to focus, which causes a lackluster impression on the viewer. DSLR cameras tend to have the best Auto-focus response.
Lighting Conditions
Digital cameras record videos by capturing light passing through the picture sensor. In case there isn’t enough light caught by the sensor, the videos will appear extremely dark. This is an issue that a lot of new YouTubers encounter. A basic level camera won’t be able to catch low lighting, resulting in a video that is tough to see and lacks clarity.
Cameras with large sensors have much more surface area to capture light. As a result, they’re perfect for capturing in dimly lit conditions.
Image Stabilization
You can find cameras with two types of image stabilization techniques – optical and digital stabilization. For video, I suggest that you get a camera with optical stabilization, which relies on analog technology provided within a lens.
Image stabilization is essential if you are going to move around while shooting the videos; it eliminates blur and provides a more pleasing result by reducing the shaking caused by movement.
Sound Quality
Generally, most digital cameras available today have a built-in microphone. If your content involves moving around and being on the go, you will rely on the built-in micro of the camera. However, it is advised that you invest in a separate microphone, which will provide better sound quality to your viewers.
Microphone Compatibility
If you want to create high-quality results, you will need a separate microphone, so make sure that your camera is compatible with the microphone you are purchasing.
Battery Life
Filming a video for YouTube can be a long process. From composing your shot to getting your words right, all these aspects of filming take time. Therefore, to ensure your camera does not run out of battery too quickly, look for a camera that can provide you with a few hours of running time.
Cameras that allow you to swap the battery easily is also a great feature. Also, pay attention to how the camera battery charges.
Zoom
Having the ability to zoom easily can be a great tool if you are an outdoor video maker. A camera with 10x would be great, but if you need something more powerful, there are plenty of cameras that offer 60x zoom.
Most cameras offer optical zoom as well as digital zoom. Experts believe the optical zoom to be more superior because it maintains the native resolution.
Feature Versatility
Some types of cameras offer more features than others. Feature-rich cameras give you more room to grow and experiment as you continue producing content. If you want a camera with plenty of features, consider getting a DLSR or a mirrorless camera because point and shoot cameras are limited in the features they offer.
Lens Compatibility
A large number of reputable digital camera manufacturers also make optical lenses that are a great addition to a camera for a new perspective. If you plan on experimenting with different lenses in the future, make sure you consider lens compatibility before choosing a camera.
DSLR cameras offer the best lens compatibility.
Preview Screen and Viewfinder
The viewfinder is the tiny window you look through to compose the shot. Some high-quality DSLR cameras are equipped with a digital viewfinder. Either way, they are effective at offering you some critical info about the way your video will look.
However, in newer cameras, viewfinders are no longer available and have been replaced with preview screens that are more effective at showing what the final result will look like. You can find camera models with tilt and rotate a more convenient function. Some preview screens are integrated with touchscreens.
Connectivity
Nowadays, most cameras have three types of connectivity options – Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, SD cards, or cords. All these different methods of transferring your data from the camera to the computer or phone are convenient, but it depends on your preference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Should I stick to one brand for both camera and its accessories?
With time, you will probably spend more cash on your camera accessories and lenses than on your camera body itself. Thus, it might be worthwhile to invest in a reliable brand name stick with it.
You will be able to certainly resell accessories from any well-known brand; however, reselling it can be a relatively huge burden when you have got camera accessories in abundance! Therefore, it is a smarter idea to invest in a single brand for both camera and its accessories, so you can sell it all together in a bundle.
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Why aren’t smartphones the best option for making YouTube videos?
I initially started with my smartphone camera. So, if you cannot invest a heft amount and you immediately want to start filming, then you can use your smartphone for making YouTube videos. However, if you are looking for excellent video quality, then you will be disappointed.
But why so? Because cell phones have a very small lens diameter, thus the image will never be consistently good. Additionally, it is difficult to get a discrete mic to attach to a smart device. Therefore, it is a fantastic idea to invest in the best camera for YouTube, as it will most certainly prove to be worth the cost in the future.
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Are action cameras the best YouTube cameras?
Compared with DSLR cameras, action cameras do not perform adequately in low lighting, and they also struggle a lot when it comes to autofocus. Both of these factors play an essential part in filming good quality YouTube videos.
So if low lighting performance and autofocus are actually on top of the priority list of yours, then you should not select action cameras for regular YouTube filming. However, if you are planning to film adventure vlogs, then action cameras are a good option.
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Is it worthwhile to invest in an external mic?
Quality of the sound is as essential as video quality. So, if you’re recording for YouTube, it’s necessary to have clear audio. Thus you need to invest in a discrete mic – tabletop or clip. You will have to browse around for many external microphones and possibly invest in external mic accessories further to improve the audio quality of your YouTube videos. Additionally, you can use an audio editing app to enhance the audio quality further.
Verdict
The above mentioned five best YouTube cameras are our top picks that will undoubtedly scale up your YouTube video quality. However, we have also shared an in-depth buying guide to help you make the correct decision according to your particular requirements. We hope that you will soon start recording your dream YouTube content with the best camera for YouTube. Good luck!