Types of Cameras for Vloggers

Digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) have long been the gold standard when it comes to photography and they make excellent vlogging cameras as well. With the option to change lenses, the ability to control things like ISO, focus points, and depth of field, excellent low light performance, and killer image quality, these cameras give you tons of options. But they have their downsides, including price, weight, and a steep learning curve to get the most out of all of those features.
Mirrorless cameras are the new kids on the block and they are becoming wildly popular with photographers and videographers due to their relatively lightweight, interchangeable lenses, versatility, and crystal-clear images. If you want a camera that comes with most of the bells and whistles of a heavy DSLR, but in a much smaller and lighter package, a mirrorless camera is perfect.
Point and shoots are tiny and generally (with some exceptions) lack a lot of the features of a DSLR. But they have lots of upsides, especially for vloggers who like to take their camera everywhere. A good point and shoot can provide excellent high-resolution images, often offers the manual control of a DSLR, and fits right in your pocket.
Action cams are designed and marketed as cameras that can be strapped to your chest when you go skydiving, taken underwater, or suction-cupped to the front of your surfboard. But that’s not all they’re good for. Action cameras are small in size but pack a huge punch when it comes to features, video quality, and durability. If you are the type of vlogger who wants to take video of yourself swimming in a waterfall—and then talk about it on your vlog afterward—an action cam may be perfect for you.
Camcorders are designed to give you everything you need to take amazing videos. This makes them lightweight, extremely portable, and perfect for people who want to focus strictly on videography and not photography.
Smartphones. There’s a good chance that you have a powerful vlogging tool on you right this very moment. While smartphones can’t touch the quality and versatility of an actual camera, they’re still pretty capable and assuming you own your phone already, they will cost you nothing.

What the Pros are Using

To get an idea of what types of camera vloggers use, it may help to look at the setups of current YouTube superstars:

• Zoella, beauty vlogger (10.5 million subscribers): Canon 70D
• MyLifeAsEva, lifestyle, beauty, comedy vlogger (6.1 million subscribers): Canon T4i
• FaZe Rain, gaming, lifestyle vlogger (3.3 million subscribers): Canon Powershot G7X
• Pointless blogvlogs, lifestyle vlogger (3.2 million subscribers): Canon Powershot G7X
• Casey Niestat, lifestyle vlogger (2.9 million subscribers): Canon 70D
• iJustine, tech vlogger (2.9 million subscribers): Canon Powershot G7X
• Aspyn Ovard, fashion and beauty vlogger (2.6 million subscribers): Canon 80D
• Jennxpenn, lifestyle vlogger (2.5 million subscribers): Canon 5D Mark III
• MarkE Miller, lifestyle vlogger (585k subscribers): Canon Powershot G7X
• Marzbar, tech vlogger (405k subscribers): Sony a7S

The GX7 is particularly popular. Learn more about it: First Impressions and Sample Photos from the Panasonic GX7 Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless Camera.

Best Microphone for YouTube

Vlogging isn’t just about making visually beautiful videos—it’s also about sound. The internal microphones on cameras are notoriously bad, which means that if you’re going to take your vlogging seriously, you’re going to want an external mic.
Before we get into a list of the best mics for YouTubers, let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of the various types:

1. Audio-Technica ATR-3350: Lapel-mounted microphones that are good for interviews, instructions, etc.
2. RØDE VideoMic: Professional level hot shoe-mounted shotgun microphone.
3. Shure VP83F LensHopper Shotgun Microphone: Great for DSLR vlogging.
4. Blue Microphones Yeti Snowball: Easy to setup and best for voiceovers!
5. Blue Snowball USB Condenser Microphone: Lets you select between unidirectional and omnidirectional pickup patterns.

Types of Mics for Vloggers

Lapel mics, also called lavalier mics, clip to the front of a shirt and allow the person being filmed to talk into the mic hands-free. These are ideal for vloggers who do interviews and conduct demonstrations. Maximize your lavaliers with the help of The Beginner Videographer’s Guide to Frequency Blocks.
Shotgun mics mount to the hot shoe of the camera and can pick up unidirectional audio. If you are taking videos in a noisy location and want the sound of the person you are filming to stand out above all else, consider a shotgun mic. Shotgun mics work best for vloggers who take their equipment with them out into the world and need to be able to block out a lot of background noise.
Condenser mics are useful for voice overs and recording audio in controlled environments. If what you want is a microphone that you can sit on your desk and record yourself talking with, a condenser is a great choice. Beauty and gaming vloggers love these types of mics.

Inexpensive Cameras for YouTubers (under $500)

If you’re new to vlogging or not sure that you want to invest in expensive gear, there are plenty of ways to get started. These entry-level cameras can also buy you some time while you figure out exactly what you want. Renting gives you the opportunity to see which camera fits your needs at a very reasonable price. “Try before you buy” is always a good idea!
In the meantime, here are some little beauties to get you started. While these cameras lack many of the features of those further down the list (like the ability to use manual mode, change lenses, see yourself in a flip screen, or shoot in high res) their ease of use and small price tags make them great for getting started.

1. Smartphone camera

($649 starting retail)
There is a saying in photography that the best camera is the one that is with you and for many of us, a smartphone camera is it. The iPhone 6s and Samsung S5 are both able to shoot 4K video on their front camera, but that resolution drops significantly when you flip it around. What these phones lack in resolution and low light performance they make up for in being tiny, lightweight, and always on hand.

2. GoPro Hero 4 Silver

($40 7 day rental, $400 retail)
This powerful little camera is made for more than just adventure. It’s small, rugged enough to go anywhere, and able to take 4K video. GoPros also come with special features like adjustable frames per second, slow motion capture, and the ability to change the frame width. These cameras are excellent for vloggers who are constantly on the go. If you are an adventure or travel vlogger who wants to take videos without worrying about busting your gear, the GoPro Hero 4 Silver is a great choice for you.

3. Canon Vixia HF R72

($449 retail)
Parenting and lifestyle vloggers who want the portability and power of a small camcorder will love the Canon Vixia HF R72. This small but powerful camcorder gets rid of all the things vloggers don’t need but keeps all the things they do. Packed with a 57x advanced zoom, image stabilizer, WiFi, external mic port, and flip screen, this camera makes capturing quality video a breeze.

4. Logitech C930e

($130 retail)
This webcam attaches to your computer and allows you to capture 1080p30 video with ease. While webcams have their obvious downsides (like not being portable), they can be a great way to get started. If you are the type of vlogger who plans to mostly make videos while sitting in front of a computer (looking at you, gaming vloggers!) this camera is for you.

5. Panasonic HC-V10 Digital

($219 retail)
This small camcorder, which records 720p at 25 fps and has a flip screen, may not excel in low light environments but in bright light it provides high quality videos at an excellent price. If is a perfect way for lifestyle vloggers to get started.