best vlogging cameras for beginners

Just as you need the best running shoes to run or the best paint brushes to paint, you need the best vlogging camera if you’re serious about making videos and putting them on the internet to share with others.

That’s where I come in! With my help, you can find the best vlogging camera for beginners, so you can focus on your content and not worry about your video quality suffering because of your equipment! Let’s get started!

WHERE SHOULD I BUY A VLOGGING CAMERA?

There are a variety of places where you can buy your next camera, but your options do differ depending on what you’re looking for. The following list should give you an idea of where to start shopping: 

Best Buy - Whether you need your camera today or want to test out a few different models, Best Buy is a good place to start. This brick-and-mortar retailer has an in-house Geek Squad and also sells online. 

They offer protection plans and will exchange or return if you're unhappy with what you bought. You might even find a bonus gift card with your purchase.

This is a common question, and there are many different options. However, it’s important to remember that you don’t need to buy an expensive camera in order to make videos.

Many popular YouTubers started out with a cheap point-and-shoot before upgrading their equipment—don’t spend money unnecessarily. If you have friends who own a DSLR or other professional video camera, ask if you can borrow it!

Top 10 best vlogging cameras for beginners

Below you will find our list of the vlogging cameras we recommend if you are a beginner.

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III

The G7 X Mark III is Canon’s newest pocketable camera, and it has been redesigned from top to bottom to provide a better experience for your average travel photographer. It has a bigger sensor than other compact cameras, as well as better image quality overall.

You can get it in black or silver with different lens options; we love that you can use any EF-S lens on it via an adapter. While you might not be able to use filters on it due to its size, the biggest draw of the G7 X Mark III is its flip-out touchscreen LCD which makes video shooting much easier.

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is a compact camera that includes a flip-out touchscreen and built-in Wi-Fi. It offers excellent image quality in addition to robust low-light performance and lots of extra features.

The 1-type sensor will result in more detailed footage, which is great if you’re uploading videos online. With a few exceptions, it has most of what you need to get started with shooting content suitable for sharing on social media platforms like YouTube or Facebook.

The 3 swiveling LCD monitor makes it easy to frame shots—and swap between full screen and standard view—using just one hand.

While there are lots of cheaper video-capable compacts out there, Canon’s G7 X Mark III is a great one if you’re going to be doing any serious recording.

It offers everything you need in a small form factor—and impressive sensor and lens, full manual controls, and image stabilization to keep your footage smooth. And it also looks cool.

AKASO EK7000

The EK7000's waterproof housing has a depth rating of 131 feet, which means you can use it to film snorkeling trips and scuba dives. The EK7000 also comes with built-in WiFi so you can connect your camera to your smartphone, giving you instant access to your videos. 

And that's not all: The video quality is very good in both bright and low light settings—AKASO says it can shoot 4K/30fps or 1080p/60fps—and you're also getting 12 MP still photos as well as 60 minutes of 4K video recording time on a single charge.

The AKASO EK7000 is an inexpensive alternative to a GoPro. At less than $100, it's one of the cheapest 4K cameras on our list and is perfect for people looking to get started with action sports at a low price.

The one drawback is that it's not waterproof and therefore only good in situations where water can't get on it. In addition, you'll need to purchase a protective case separately.

If you're looking for an inexpensive camera that shoots video up to 30 frames per second, 4K video at 15 fps, or 2.7K video at 30 fps, you should take a look at AKASO EK7000.

This camera is an ideal first camera for YouTube Vloggers. It's small, simple to use, and comes in at a very affordable price. Easy to Use: This camera is lightweight and great if you're a beginner who isn't used to dealing with many features.

If you're just starting out it might be best to go with something that will focus on the quality of the video rather than advanced features such as effects and filters. To get started all you need to do is plug in your SD card and press record!

Olympus TG-6

The TG-6 is perfect for your newbie blogger because it’s so easy to use. Its underwater capabilities make it a hit among adventurous vloggers, too.

It’s a great pick if you want to capture high-quality footage with a rugged design that’s water-resistant up to 50 feet, shockproof up to 6.6 feet, and freeze-proof down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can even shoot a 4K video with its 20MP sensor, or 12MP still photos in RAW format. It might be our favorite camera overall, and you won’t find one much better at this price point (around $350).

Designed with what Olympus calls a rugged construction, it has a splash-proof body and can operate at temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, making it ideal for an active life. It records video in 720p HD, but its still images are more impressive:

12 megapixels, 5x optical zoom, and a 25mm wide-angle lens. The TG-6 is relatively inexpensive (around $250), comes with a small selfie screen on top of its viewfinder, and uses microSD cards instead of memory sticks.

Which will be more cost-effective if you decide to record lots of videos. Make sure to get additional batteries when you buy your camera; you'll only get about half an hour out of each charge.

This rugged little camera is perfect for all your action-adventure film needs. From surfing to white water rafting, it can go underwater to a depth of 30 feet without a housing and handle drops from 5 feet without damage.

It is also shockproof (rated up to 6.6 ft), weather-resistant, and freeze-proof (to 14 deg F). You can’t find better tech specs at its price point.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 is a sleek, pocketable point-and-shoot with a high-resolution tilt screen. Image quality on both stills and video is excellent, and overall it's one of our favorite midrange vlogging cameras in 2019.

The HX80 is relatively inexpensive, but its well-rounded feature set makes it a great choice for amateur videographers—it includes Wi-Fi connectivity, great touchscreen controls, and intuitive manual shooting modes.

(which are basically essential to newbie shooters). It even offers object tracking AF and voice control features that help you keep your focus where it should be: on your subject.

This is probably Sony’s best value-for-money camera on the market right now. You get everything you need to start creating great vlog content.

The 20-megapixel sensor captures images and video in full HD and boasts a 3-inch tilting touchscreen display that allows you to easily frame your shots, view them instantly, and even use self-timer or panorama modes with ease. The Exmor R CMOS sensor makes sure that low light conditions don’t compromise image quality either.

With its built-in lens cover, touch screen, and small form factor—the DSC-HX80 takes great video and offers something no other consumer camera does: long battery life. The HX80 can shoot up to 530 still images on a single charge.

For video, that number drops to just over 2 hours (which is still pretty great). This camera also features a built-in mic so you don’t have to bring along a separate external mic.

Sony ZV-1

The Sony ZV-1 is a great starter camera. It has enough power to shoot in 4K and it is made out of durable material. The most important part of any camera, though, is its lens.

If you want to make professional videos, then you will have to invest in a good lens like Sigma or Tamron. However, Sony offers great lenses that are perfect for beginners and even professionals looking to save money.

Another great thing about Sony’s line of lenses is that they can be used on different types of video cameras and camcorders including Sony’s A7S II Camera. This makes them extremely versatile and easy to use when shooting your own movie masterpiece!

You’ve decided to create a YouTube channel, but what is next? You need to find a camera and learn how to use it. To help you pick out a top camera, here are some tips.

Consider your budget The type of videos you plan on making will determine how much you should spend on a camera. Budget-friendly cameras usually max out at $600 while mid-range options usually start at $800 and go up from there.

If you want more features or better quality footage, expect to pay more money. This camera is one of Sony’s cheapest, but it still comes with a 2.7-inch tiltable LCD screen and high-definition movie recording. The Sony ZV-1 is simple to use, making it a great choice for novice videographers.

Plus, its compact size makes it perfect for carrying around in your pocket so you can capture footage whenever inspiration strikes. This camera also includes face detection technology and an anti-shake feature that can reduce blurry images when you are shooting in low light.

Canon 50M Mark II

This is a great, mid-range DSLR camera that produces high-quality video. It's also relatively light and compact (4.4 x 3.8 x 2.9 inches) for easy travel with no extra added lenses.

And unlike other DSLRs, its optical viewfinder allows you to frame shots exactly how you see them in real life, rather than through a small rectangle on your LCD screen. This may not seem like a big deal at first, but it really helps when you're recording yourself.

And makes it easier to get footage in focus while talking to the camera as well because you can see precisely what is happening on-screen without guessing where your face will be in relation to your phone or computer screen later on.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a good Vlogging camera. One of my favorite cameras I recommend is The Canon 50M Mark II. It’s an SLR camera and is much cheaper than most other professional-grade SLR Vlogging cameras, but it has all of the features you need as a beginner.

For example, it has manual settings to customize your photos/videos. It also comes with nice lenses that can get different effects from each photo/video you take.

Overall, if you want something cheap yet nice that’ll last you until you get better at Vlogging, then The Canon 50M Mark II is perfect for beginners!

The Canon EOS 50M Mark II, popularly known as The Vixia is a great entry-level camera that allows you to get started with photography and videography in a creative way.

If you are looking for something that is easy to use and won’t break your bank account, The Vixia M2 could be your best bet. A lot of buyers like it because of its durable body design, touchscreen control, and high-definition video recording.

Canon EOS Rebel T8i (850D)

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is your best bet if you want a rugged camera that isn’t going to break the bank. It has a full-frame, image-stabilized CMOS sensor that produces high-quality images and 4K video.

It also has a 3 vari-angle touchscreen, which makes shooting selfies easier than ever before. The lens is an impressive 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 optic, with stabilization built-in to compensate for any accidental bumps or shifts while you're shooting.

The camera offers 14 megapixels of resolution and shoots at 10 fps as well as 1080p video at 60 fps for some seriously impressive slow-motion shots.

Also known as Rebel T8i, it is one of Canon's latest series with an amazing 24.2 MP resolution. It has a fully-featured DIGIC 6 processor with 3fps continuous shooting.

The camera features an ISO range of 100-12800 (expandable to 25600) and can shoot JPEGs and RAW in multiple formats such as 5:4, 3:2, 16:9, and 1:1 as well as HD video at 24p/25p/30p/50p/60p. 

Its EOS iFCL metering system guarantees accurate exposure when using EF and EF-S lenses which are not supported by many other DSLRs out there in today's market space.

The Canon EOS Rebel T8i (EOS 850D) is a versatile DSLR capable of recording up to Full HD 1080p video. With interchangeable lenses, image stabilization, and built-in WiFi.

It’s a top choice for any budding videographer on a budget. The kit lens that comes with it has an f/3.5-5.6 aperture range and 28mm focal length that are good enough to make short videos while you save up for better glass.

Sony a6000

The Sony a6000 is one of our favorite entry-level mirrorless cameras. It comes with a decent electronic viewfinder, which is an upgrade from most entry-level cameras that come with an optical viewfinder.

The camera can also use Sony’s line of E-mount lenses or work with any lens that has an adapter ring. The autofocus on Sony’s a6000 can track subjects quickly and efficiently in multiple focus modes to help you get a smooth video shot that isn’t interrupted by blurriness. 

Another bonus: Many photographers are moving from DSLRs to mirrorless and choosing Sony as their primary brand because they have some of the best lenses around today.

If you’re just getting started with photography and videography, Sony’s a6000 is an excellent choice. It’s fast, has a great sensor, and is relatively inexpensive.

Most important: It provides full-resolution stills while shooting 4K video and allows you to change lenses. All of that flexibility makes it easy to grow into a pro tool as your skills progress.

The Sony a6000 is a mirrorless camera that’s still very popular with videographers because it offers everything you need without too many unnecessary bells and whistles.

It’s lighter than a DSLR, though that doesn’t mean you have to settle for inferior quality—the 20.1-megapixel APS-C sensor captures detailed images, while 5-axis image stabilization helps ensure videos remain stable.

Canon VIXIA HF R800

The Canon VIXIA HF R800 is probably going to be one of your best bets if you’re looking for an entry-level option. It captures Full HD 1080p at 60 frames per second and 4x zooms with a 24mm wide-angle lens.

What’s most impressive about it is that Canon has managed to squeeze a lot of great features into something designed specifically for people who are just getting started with video blogging or filmmaking. It has built-in WiFi and NFC connectivity.

So you can connect remotely to your smartphone or tablet, as well as control your camera from within an app (although there aren’t any official apps from Canon yet). Other standout features include built-in motion detection, time-lapse functionality, and built-in image stabilization.

This inexpensive video camera is built with YouTube in mind. It has an affordable price tag, but its performance is anything but cheap. The Canon HF R800 records in HD and shoots photos and video simultaneously.

While it lacks an internal flash, there’s a hot shoe adapter to make up for that deficiency. If you’re looking to get started with professional-level equipment without breaking your budget, Canon VIXIA HF R800 is a great place to start. Highly recommended for vloggers on a budget!

Whether you’re looking to share videos of your travels, hobbies, or family life, a quality camcorder is worth investing in. The Canon VIXIA HF R800 delivers solid 1080p footage at 60 frames per second and includes built-in Wi-Fi.

For quick uploading—all for a reasonable price. If you're just starting out with video blogging, it's an excellent choice that won't break your budget.