best camera for youtube beginners

How many times have you been watching someone’s YouTube video and thought to yourself, Wow, their camera really does make them look good!?

Even when the lighting, sound, and editing is terrible, it’s amazing how much better you can look on camera if you have the right equipment to work with. That’s why in this post, we’re going to be discussing the best cameras for Youtube beginners and how to use those cameras effectively. Let’s get started!

Camera Basics

Setting up your YouTube channel is just one aspect of becoming a content creator. Capturing high-quality footage to populate that channel with is just as important, but where do you begin? To start, you’ll need a good camera.

But, how do you choose? There are so many different options available, that it can be overwhelming to find exactly what you’re looking for. To make things easier, here are some guidelines and recommendations when choosing a digital video camera.

In order to get your YouTube channel up and running, you'll need some equipment. Unlike many other things you could buy to grow your business, cameras don't have a one-size-fits-all solution.

Before buying a video camera, it's important to understand which features are important to you so that you can make an informed decision when it comes time to choose one. If portability is important, then perhaps a smaller point-and-shoot style camera will do.

You can also opt for a hybrid between DSLR and camcorder--such as Sony's RX10 or Canon's PowerShot G7 X--which offer a little more versatility than point-and-shoots but aren't quite as cumbersome as full DSLRs.

The Truth About DSLR Cameras

Camera technology is advancing rapidly, and it can be hard to figure out what’s what when choosing a new model. Luckily, there are a few core elements that every beginner should keep in mind: sensors, frames per second (fps), and lenses.

Most entry-level cameras have a 1/3 CMOS sensor with an effective resolution of 1080p at 30 fps. As you move up from there, you’ll find more pixels (greater resolution) on sensors as well as higher frame rates that help to smooth out video quality.

DSLR cameras are one of the most popular options for beginner YouTubers. However, you may have noticed that there is a lot of debate on whether or not DSLRs are actually good for YouTube.

If you want to make your own videos, but aren’t sure which camera to use, then look no further. This guide will help you determine which type of camera is best for making YouTube videos—DSLR cameras vs smartphone cameras.

GoPro Hero10 Black

If you are interested in vlogging and want to capture all your action sports, then we recommend buying a GoPro. The GoPro Hero 10 Black is your best bet because it comes with a touchscreen display that lets you review shots and navigate menus with ease.

The video quality of GoPro is unmatched as well. Plus, both front and rear cameras have built-in stabilizers which will take away any kind of vibration or shake from your videos. This makes it very easy to film even if you’re moving around quickly.

What’s more? Its awesome filters will let you create pro-level footage without any hassle! So, if you want an all-in-one device for travel, adventure or just fun filming then buy a GoPro Hero 10 Black!

The GoPro Hero 10 Black is our top pick if you’re looking to film action sports and other activities with a small, durable camera. It has all of your standard modes: video, time-lapse, and photo, but it also has some unique features.

For example, if you have it set to video mode when you’re recording fast action, such as skateboarding or biking down a hill, it will automatically give your footage a high-speed replay look.

I always recommend GoPro Hero cameras to anyone looking to start vlogging. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to use, and have great quality.

With any budget of less than $500, you will be able to achieve good quality videos with a GoPro Hero. I recommend you pick up at least one extra battery pack when purchasing your Hero because they can drain quickly while recording in 1080p.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K

The EOS 90D is Canon’s new flagship DSLR and is an excellent choice for creators looking to step up their game. With 4K shooting, 5-axis image stabilization, a killer electronic viewfinder, and a top-of-the-line autofocus system, it’s easy to see why.

A great mid-range option is Canon’s 80D, which boasts similar specs but with a slightly lower price tag; if you don’t need 4K or all of its bells and whistles, that may be your best bet.

The Pocket Cinema Camera 6K shoots cinema-quality 12.5-megapixel stills and video in a compact design that's ideal for use on gimbals and drones, or as a handheld backup camera. It uses an active Micro Four Thirds lens mount, so you can choose from a wide variety of cinema and still lenses when adding them to your gear bag.

This might be a shock to you, but not all cameras are created equal. If you’re serious about filming YouTube videos, your best bet is to invest in a pro-quality camera.

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K is one of our favorites because it shoots gorgeous video and it’s also small enough to take anywhere. It can record in 4K at 60 frames per second (fps) or 1080p at 120 fps—ideal if you want to film slow-motion footage.

It also comes with a built-in battery so that you don’t have to worry about running out of juice mid-shoot. You can even connect an external microphone via its 3.5mm audio jack or use headphones while recording so that there isn’t any background noise on your recordings.

Another cool feature: You can purchase different lenses for it (we recommend either an 18mm lens or a 25mm lens) which will help give your videos more depth and dimensionality!

Canon EOS 90D

Canon's EOS 90D is a powerful DSLR that you can purchase in its most basic form, which doesn't include some of the more advanced features and accessories. Even so, it's one of my favorite cameras for YouTube videos.

It comes with an articulating LCD touchscreen that flips out from behind a sliding cover, which is great if you need to show your face in videos. There are also dedicated dials on top of its handgrip to adjust shutter speed and aperture settings without needing to go into menus, which is especially useful if you're shooting different types of content.

For example, in landscape photography, changing your aperture is less important than it would be when shooting a portrait or a macro image.

The Canon EOS 90D is a sturdy, high-quality DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera that’s perfect for getting started with YouTube. It has a durable build and comes equipped with a number of helpful features to make filming on the go easier than ever. Best of all, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg!

It's an ideal video camera if you want to do vlogging because it is lightweight and simple to use. There are other cameras in its class that do a better job of low-light shooting, but what it lacks in night vision, it makes up for with usability.

This model also works well as a general-purpose travel camera or at events where you don't know how you'll be shooting from one moment to another.

DJI Osmo Pocket

If you’re looking to buy a compact, handheld gimbal, check out DJI’s Osmo Pocket. It has a 1/2.3-inch sensor and shoots 1080p video at 60fps, with a 94° FOV. At only $449, it’s an affordable option that doesn’t sacrifice quality;

In fact, many who review it say its image stabilization is on par with some of DJI’s larger gimbals like the Osmo Mobile 2 or Ronin-S. This makes it ideal for sharing short clips on social media or to use as part of your vlogging setup if you're just getting started.

The DJI Osmo Pocket is a small and portable gimbal made to work with your phone. Weighing in at only 7 oz, you can capture smooth video from any angle.

The 3-axis gimbal gives you control over panning, tilting, and rotation making it easy to shoot photos of just about anything. If you are looking for a simple way to take better pictures or videos on your phone then look no further than the DJI Osmo Pocket.

Pros: The Pocket is super easy to use right out of the box with very few limitations as far as shooting locations go. The DJI Osmo Pocket is an excellent starter camera because it offers a ton of features in a small, relatively inexpensive package.

It shoots a 4K video, records 1080p video at 60fps, and has built-in stabilization. And its form factor—which fits in your pocket—makes it one of those rare selfie sticks that actually stays out of frame when you’re filming.

Sony A6000

The DJI Osmo Pocket is a small handheld gimbal that you can use to create videos that look professional. It uses 3-axis stabilization to stabilize your videos, and its compact size allows you to take it with you wherever you go.

Its lightweight design makes it easy to hold even for extended periods of time. The built-in rechargeable battery lasts about an hour on a single charge, but an external battery allows you to shoot up to three hours of video at a time.

The 4K video quality is great, and there are numerous shooting modes including 24 fps (frames per second), 60 fps, 120 fps, and 240 fps slow-motion recording.

The Sony A6000 has interchangeable lenses, which is a huge benefit to video. The kit lens that comes with it (18-55mm f/3.5-5.6) is nothing special, but you can get any number of other high-quality E-mount lenses for it if you want something better.

It also has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC if you want to connect wirelessly or transfer files from your phone or tablet with ease. The biggest drawback is that without a grip and some sort of external microphone attachment.

It’s not going to feel steady in your hands during filming. If that’s not an issue though, then there’s not much else to complain about! The Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera (Body Only) is an advanced mirrorless digital camera that captures life as it happens. 

Designed to empower today’s shooters with photo and video capabilities that are normally reserved for professional cameras, yet simple enough to be used by anyone, it’s one of our favorite cameras under $500.

Panasonic Lumix GH6

This mirrorless interchangeable lens camera from Panasonic features a 3-inch touchscreen, 10fps continuous shooting, and a 4K video recording. The camera also includes wifi functionality and can record full HD videos in 30p/24p at a 50Mbps bit rate with a high-quality linear PCM (stereo) sound.

While primarily designed for photography, videographers will appreciate its many video and audio recording capabilities. The GH6 is also very durable, with top and rear covers of magnesium alloy that repel dust and splashes.

It’s ideal for beginner YouTubers who want to up their production quality while retaining portability. There are certainly cheaper options out there but don’t expect it to last more than a year if you’re filming every day.

If you’re looking to up your production value, look no further than Panasonic’s Lumix GH6. This mini powerhouse is a pro-level mirrorless camera with a Micro Four Thirds sensor and can shoot in 4K.

And if you don’t know much about video cameras—you might not even have heard of Micro Four Thirds sensors—that doesn’t matter because it allows amateurs to learn on their feet.

The Panasonic Lumix GH6 is a mirrorless Micro Four Thirds camera with a 20.3-megapixel sensor and 4K video recording capabilities. It's splashproof, dustproof, freezeproof, and shockproof.