Sony RX100 Mark VII
We live in an age where experiencing someone’s lifestyle, virtually spending a day with someone in a vlog, and being an influencer has become completely ubiquitous. Watching people walk through gorgeous landscapes or just take a stroll on the streets is can be a cinematically beautiful experience. It takes a lot of skills and camera presence to strike an impression on video, but it isn’t possible without the right equipment. So, we’ve decided to review the best 8 cameras for videography in 2021.
At A Glance:
Best pick
Best Live-Streaming Camera for YouTube
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
✓ Large Aperture
✓ Lightweight & Compact
✓ Made for vlogging & streaming
Staff Pick
Best Travel-Vlogging Camera for YouTube
Sony RX100 Mark VII
✓ Rapid Autofocus
✓ AI-based tracking
✓ Superior 4K recording
Budget Pick
Best Action Camera for YouTube Novices
DJI Osmo Action
✓ Easy to operate
✓ Good Digital Image Stabilization
✓ Packed with the good accessories kit
YouTuber’s take you on a journey through their lens. Without a proper camera, gaining subscribers is more challenging than you can imagine. As tech reviewers, we are here to help you get the best camera for YouTube. The content viewers subconsciously judge the production quality, and it’s always better to communicate through noiseless videos rather than low light stuttering videos.
Picking out the right camera can be overwhelming as there are numerous things that a person needs to keep in check. Lens, focal length, sensor, processor, resolution, screen size, connectivity, weight, and dimensions are a few specs that require comparison. We are here to help you out and review equipment based on customer feedback and technical review of specifications. So here is a list of 8 best cameras for Youtube:
Our Recommendations For Best Camera for YouTube
| Award | Modal | Design | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Live-Streaming Camera for YouTube | Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III |
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| Best Battery-Life Camera for YouTube | Sony A6600 |
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| Best Action Camera for YouTube Pros | GoPro Hero9 Black |
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| Best Travel-Vlogging Camera for YouTube | Sony RX100 Mark VII |
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| Best Lens-Owners Camera for YouTube | Canon EOS M6 Mark II |
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| Best Pocket-Ability Camera for YouTube | DJI Osmo Pocket |
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| Best Action Camera for YouTube Novices | DJI Osmo Action |
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| Best Faith-Full Camera for YouTube | Panasonic GH5 |
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Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
Best pick
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Brand: Canon | Optical Sensor Resolution: 20.1 Megapixels | Screen Size: 3 inches | Video Capture Resolution: 2160p | Dimension: 4.15 x 2.39 x 1.62 inches | Weight: 0.67 lb.
What recent buyers report?
It is a perfect camera for vlogging. You can transfer data from your camera to your PC using the WiFi direct option or Bluetooth. You can record high quality 4K videos at 30 fps, 1080p at 60 fps, and FHD at 120 fps. It has a flip-screen feature, so you can flip the screen and turn it around. The screen is still touch-enabled so that you can adjust the settings according to your requirement.
Why it stands out to us?
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III comes with a 1.0 type stacked CMOS, which means it can get clear pictures due to the lens size and faster RAW format capturing enabled by using stacked CMOS. It can go up to 30fps with fixed focus and 8.3fps with continuous focus. With a little touch-up, you can make your YouTube videos leave a professional impression. It has direct streaming to YouTube feature, which can be done by connecting the camera to a WiFi internet.
Who will use it most?
It is a point, and shoot camera focused on vloggers, podcasters, streamers, and general YouTube content creators. It has good performance under low light as it has f/1.8 or f/2.8 with a DIGIC 8 processor. Nightlife vloggers can also record low noise and sharper videos with this camera. The HDR mode for FHD will highlight dark areas and darken a very bright portion of your video to bring clarity to your vlogs.
Bottom Line
This camera is very light and gives stable footage even without the gimbal. For traveling documentaries, you are prone to shake the camera, so having such a feature can make your videos stand out. The size of the camera fits a pocket comfortably. It cannot be used for cinematic video shoots. Skin colors look gorgeous as Canon does excellent processing of skin tones.
The Pros
✓ Large Aperture
✓ Lightweight & Compact
✓ Made for vlogging & streaming
The Cons
✗ Limited 4K recording time
Sony A6600
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Brand: Sony | Screen Size: 3 inches | Optical Sensor Resolution: 24.2 Megapixels | Video Capture Resolution: 2160p | Dimension: 4.7 x 2.7 x 2.7 inches | Weight: 1.2 lb.
What recent buyers report?
It is the best mirrorless camera with excellent quality. It packs in all the features for any situation you might encounter during videography. The 4K HDR (HLG)2 makes any video look like a professional movie shoot. It features excellent connectivity compared to other cameras, i.e., a headphone jack, microphone jack, micro-USB charging, and micro-HDMI output.
Why it stands out to us?
Sony A6600 features the 24.2 MP APS-C Exmor sensor similar to previous A6000 series cameras. The significant feature is that this camera has no pixel binning at high 4K resolution with HDR enabled. The tracking and AF are also fast due to the advanced processor. It can record FHD videos at 120fps so that you can create slow-motion videos.
Who will use it most?
This camera is for making short films for YouTube, vlogging, and streaming. The 4K recording is sharp, and with the BIONZ X image processor, the image’s quality and clarity are outstanding. Sony has improved the detection of human skin tones to make them more screen-friendly.
Bottom Line
If you want fast autofocus, a better performing battery, IBIS, and image stabilization, then this camera is the right one for you. It performs well in a fair amount of light. The 5-axis in-body optical image stabilization is a premium feature with a mirrorless camera. While sometimes under low light, the shutter speed decreases to compensate for the darkness.
The Pros
✓ Sharp 4K Video
✓ Image Stabilization
✓ Excellent Connectivity
The Cons
✗ No Flash
GoPro Hero9 Black
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Brand: GoPro | Screen Size: 2.27 inches | Optical Sensor Resolution: 23.6 Megapixels | Video Capture Resolution: 2880p | Dimension: 9.08 x 5.42 x 3.25 inches | Weight: 1.04 lb.
What recent buyers report?
It features a front-facing colored screen, which is not offered by other expensive options. It has the hyper smooth 3.0, which makes amazingly stable videos better than all the point and shoot cameras but at the cost of some cropped portion of the video. The battery life lasts longer and turns off to avoid overcharging while streaming.
Why it stands out to us?
GoPro Hero9 Black can record in 5K resolution at 30 fps; as a content creator, you can crop part of the video and use it as per your requirement. It has the ability to swap out lenses with a simple twist and few screws. It is robust and comes with its protective housing. GoPro has a GPS feature builtin and can survive 10m of water column without the housing.
Who will use it most?
This camera is the best action camera in the market, with the capabilities of recording slow-motion videos of 240 fps at 1080p resolutions. Streamers can also broadcast live on social media using Hero 9 as a webcam. It is minimal in size, so it does not take too much of your desk workspace. However, you will need to buy a separate microphone for streaming or podcasting, as the audio is not supported while using it as a webcam.
Bottom Line
This is an action camera made explicitly for sports videos and travel vlogs, unlike the point and shoot cameras. It might sometimes flash out bright portions of your screen. This camera’s price is reasonable for the options, but it’s not suitable for room settings with low light. The small sensor is prone to noise during a video and lacking sharpness. It’s best for sports-based vlogging.
The Pros
✓ 30-sec Hindsight Recording
✓ 5K Video Recording @ 30 fps
✓ Compact, waterproof, and rugged
The Cons
✗ No Audio support while streaming
Sony RX100 Mark VII
Staff Pick
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Brand: Sony | Optical Sensor Resolution: 20.1 Megapixels | Screen Size: 2.95 inches | Video Capture Resolution: 2160p | Dimension: 4 x 2.37 x 2.83 inches | Weight: 0.66 lb.
What recent buyers report?
Shooting moving wildlife on this camera is easy as it features fast autofocus of 0.02 sec. It shoots incredible 4K videos without any limit. Price is on the higher side, but it is far superior to any mobile phone camera in the market. Compact size helps it fit into a pocket easily, and the flip screen is handy during selfie mode.
Why it stands out to us?
Sony RX100 Mark VII comes with a Zeiss lens and performs exceptionally in bright light. The autofocus is fast and accurate. The camera automatically detects humans and animals to focus rapidly and also has AI-based tracking to keep moving objects in focus. It is simple enough for any beginner and has all the features to produce a professional video.
Who will use it most?
Sony has manufactured this camera specifically targeted for vlogging. The explicit crystal videos with excellent audio make it the right choice for outdoor video making. The focal length of f/2.8 does not make it a perfect choice for night shots. The camera is pocket friendly, which makes it the right choice for travelers. You can transfer your data wirelessly to other devices, although it does not feature direct YouTube streaming.
Bottom Line
This camera has a smaller aperture size than the other camera options with the same 1 inch 20MP stacker CMOS sensor. You will notice some noise at higher ISOs as it is not a fast lens. This camera has reliable, built quality, and the 200mm zoom capability is powerful for such a small form factor. The mic recording is not the best, as it picks up a lot of surrounding noise in closed spaces.
The Pros
✓ Rapid Autofocus
✓ AI-based tracking
✓ Superior 4K recording
The Cons
✗ No headphone jack
Canon EOS M6 Mark II
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Brand: Canon | Screen Size: 3 inches | Optical Sensor Resolution: 32.5 Megapixels | Video Capture Resolution: 2160p | Dimension: 1.9 x 4.7 x 2.8 inches | Weight: 1.1 lb.
What recent buyers report?
This camera can shoot 14fps with continuous focusing and 30fps RAW burst mode. It packs all the features that semi-professional users require in a camera. The camera is compact, lightweight, and suitable for beginners. The reversible screen goes up rather than to the side, so it doesn’t affect portability and handling.
Why it stands out to us?
Canon EOS M6 Mark II has a 32.5 MP APS-C sized sensor and has a DIGIC 8 image processor. Dual Pixel AF, which has high precision with face, eye detection, and tracking. It delivers far more details than any other APS-C mirrorless camera. High resolution with low light is good enough and produces low noise.
Who will use it most?
This camera is suitable for those who look to the recording device rather than a streaming device. Vloggers would love the handiness, and the podcasters can utilize the big sensor for clear indoor video recordings. The camera is prone to shakes as it offers lower stability in video footage. You cannot hear what is being recorded as it does not feature a headphone jack.
Bottom Line
The processor has a hard time keeping up with the Dual Pixel AF feature. The objects tend to become blurry when shot at 14fps as the processor is slower than the Sony. You can use DSLR lenses via EF/EFS adapter, but it would make the camera bulky. The 4K is based on pixel blending or software enhancement, so the sharpness takes a hit.
The Pros
✓ Bigger Sensor
✓ Good battery life
✓ Vlogging Friendly
The Cons
✗ No Image Stabilization
DJI Osmo Pocket
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Brand: DJI | Screen Size: 1.8 inches | Optical Sensor Resolution: 12 Megapixels| Video Capture Resolution: 1080p 4K | Dimension: 12.19 x 3.69 x 2.8 inches | Weight: 0.26 lb.
What recent buyers report?
This camera performs very well in low light conditions compared to the other rival devices. You can use it as a second remote camera while making content—the recorded videos stored in microSD cards that you have to purchase separately. The small device easily fits into the pocket, as the name suggests. The long battery life with gimbal stabilization is impressive.
Why it stands out to us?
DJI Osmo Pocket has a mechanically stable 3-axis gimbal with a touch screen in front. It features a 12MP, 1/2.3” CMOS sensor, which performs better than its competition in low light conditions. It has an 80° field of view and aperture F/2. It can make videos in 4K at 60fps and also make 1080p resolution videos at 120fps.
Who will use it most?
This camera is portable, all in one package for video making. It can work as an action camera or a second camera for recording stable moving videos. The camera can be connected via the USB-C port to your phone and utilize it as a bigger screen with lots of options to choose from. This camera is the ultimate recording camera for mountain climbing, downhill bike riding, and other high-energy sports videos.
Bottom Line
DJI Osmo Pocket is the most unique and handy amongst our list of cameras. If you are new to vlogging and just general video making, this is the best choice. In contrast, professionals have some other point and shoot camera options. This camera makes amazingly stabilized videos within a few seconds of reaching into your pocket even though it does not support 5K but features unique abilities for the price point.
The Pros
✓ 4K Recording @ 60 fps
✓ Easy to use for Beginners
✓ 3-Axis Gimbal for Stable Videos
The Cons
✗ Overheating in 4K recording
DJI Osmo Action
Budget Pick
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Brand: DJI | Screen Size: 2.25 inches | Optical Sensor Resolution: 12 Megapixels | Video Capture Resolution: 1080p 4K | Dimension: 2.56 x 1.65 x 1.38 inches | Weight: 0.28 lb.
What recent buyers report?
It has Rocksteady image stabilization, which is digital. The front screen, unlike the GoPro, does not lag under high-resolution video making. Just a simple firmware update is enough to have a smooth front screen preview of videos. You can use some ND filters to give a cinematic effect to your videos.
Why it stands out to us?
DJI Osmo Action is waterproof to the depth of 11m, making it a great option for underwater footage. The 140° wide-angle field of view makes it an excellent choice for selfie based recording or head mount recording during adventurous activities. The camera can be controlled remotely via WiFi using an app.
Who will use it most?
Content creators who want to record extended footage can use this camera while keeping the external power plugged in. The camera does get a little warm, but it’s an excellent option for long videos. You can record 1080p video at 30 fps for up to 135 minutes and 4K video at 60 fps for up to 63 minutes. It should not be used as a dashcam as the sun heat will cause it to overheat, and the battery could potentially become damaged.
Bottom Line
This camera is definitely like the GoPro, suitable for full light conditions of a sunny day. Scenery capturing during daylight is the best use of this camera. It is best to use this camera with a gimbal. The touch screen is responsive and more extensive than its competition. Video flickering is an issue, but the dual-screen setup helps capture the best moments. The slo-mo is a crazy feature that people can use to capture super slow, beautiful videos during sports.
The Pros
✓ Easy to operate
✓ Good Digital Image Stabilization
✓ Packed with the good accessories kit
The Cons
✗ No Live Streaming
Panasonic GH5
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Brand: Panasonic | Screen Size: 3.2 inches | Optical Sensor Resolution: 20.3 Megapixels | Video Capture Resolution: 2160p | Dimension: 5.83 x 7.56 x 6.14 inches | Weight: 1 lb.
What recent buyers report?
This camera has the best and the sharpest 4K video quality in our list of cameras for YouTube. It makes most of the best colors, and you will not need to do any post-processing. The autofocus has been improved significantly after the firmware upgrade. It can shoot 4k at 60 fps with excellent battery life and no overheating issues.
Why it stands out to us?
Panasonic GH5 has 180 fps at 1080p resolution. The built-in stabilization can let you make fantastic handheld videos. It features twin SD card slots with UHS-II U3 compatible, 3.5mm headphones and microphone jack, full HDMI port, and WiFi.You can customize the camera buttons.
Who will use it most?
This camera is best for content creators. You can download the V-Log L upgrade to allow an extra amount of dynamic range out of the camera. If you don’t like color grading your videos, you can use the standard picture profile. You can mount any camera lens on the body.
Bottom Line
It is a perfect vlogging camera as it has the IBIS and eye focusing features. It can concentrate even with glasses. It has a solid body built with magnesium. The microphone port is separate from the other ports so that you don’t have to expose other ports when the microphone is plugged in. The Lumix app gives you full control of the camera without being near the camera.
The Pros
✓ 4K at 60 FPS
✓ 30 fps in Raw Burst mode
✓ Outstanding graphics results
The Cons
✗ Not weather-sealed
Summary For Best Camera for YouTube
| Award | Modal | Design | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Live-Streaming Camera for YouTube | Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III |
|
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| Best Battery-Life Camera for YouTube | Sony A6600 |
|
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| Best Action Camera for YouTube Pros | GoPro Hero9 Black |
|
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| Best Travel-Vlogging Camera for YouTube | Sony RX100 Mark VII |
|
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| Best Lens-Owners Camera for YouTube | Canon EOS M6 Mark II |
|
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| Best Pocket-Ability Camera for YouTube | DJI Osmo Pocket |
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| Best Action Camera for YouTube Novices | DJI Osmo Action |
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| Best Faith-Full Camera for YouTube | Panasonic GH5 |
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Conclusion
The tremendous improvements in smartphone cameras make it sound like the point-and-shoot category of cameras diminishes day by day. Still, in reality, there is a significant difference in the video qualities of both. Throughout the article, we discussed cameras that can be used for action videos, night shots, underwater video shooting, or scenic videography.
As our final verdict, we believe if you can spare a few bucks and learn some videography skills, then Panasonic GH5 is a perfect choice for content creators in general. If you are just a beginner who wants to spend a minimum amount to get the maximum results while spending good money, then DJI Osmo Pocket should be your go-to camera.
You don’t need to spend 2000 extra dollars to get clear footage for your YouTube videos. Reasonable options are always available for making high-quality digital content. We kept the guide simple and focused on user requirements and authentic feedback to give you unbiased suggestions to pick the best camera for Youtube.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cameras do YouTubers use?
Sony A6600 is one of the most used cameras by YouTubers. It is due to the no pixel binning and pure 4K recording. Although it does get heated up, most YouTubers make videos in small intervals so overheating is usually ruled out. The 4K HDR (HLG)2 gives any footage a professional look. The autofocus offered by Sony cameras are very fast in general, but this camera features in-body image stabilization (IBIS) that makes the footage made by this camera unmatched.
What camera is best for making YouTube videos?
YouTube video content is a vast spread in terms of categories. Picking out a camera in general for YouTube videos which are best for any content creator is a hard choice. If we had to pick one, we would like the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III. It shoots very vibrantly looking low light videos with reduced noise. The camera allows you to stream YouTube videos directly from the camera via WiFi.
Is GoPro good for YouTube?
Suppose you are a vlogger who is active physically. Your camera is prone to a lot of shaking during video making, so GoPro is a wise choice. As a YouTuber, you might not want to spend extra hours behind the screen post-processing your videos. The video should be perfect just to crop and insert into the timeline. The GoPro Hero9 Black is an excellent choice for bright lighting conditions. If you can afford lightning set up in your room, this can work for you tabletop videos as well.
What cheap camera do YouTubers use?
DJI Osmo Action is one of the cheapest cameras that can be used for YouTube. It performs excellently in daylight conditions. According to users, it is the best action camera available in the market. It features USB-C connection to your phone for a larger screen and broader options. It's the best choice for physically active YouTubers.
Perfect Tech Reviewer
I write about PC gaming hardware and tech gadgets for gamers and professionals. My mission is to help you build individualized and unique high-performance PCs for your special needs and budget.
