Best Camera for Beauty Bloggers and Makeup Artists
YouTube is the place to be these days, whether you’re a content creator or consumer.
Being a YouTuber is a phrase that once would have been ridiculed, but these days is commonplace.
If you’re interested in creating your own makeup tutorials and making it big on the video sharing platform, then it’s crucial that you find the right camera to show off your best angles.
Here’s what to expect in this article:
- Reviews of the best camera for beauty bloggers and makeup artists
- A detailed selection guide
- Your burning questions answered in a FAQ
Without further ado, here are our top picks…
👑 Our Pick for Best Overall
⭐ Our Other Top Picks for Beauty Blogger Cameras
- Best of the Best: Canon EOS 8OD
- Runner Up: Nikon Z 6II
- Best Kit: Canon EOS Vlogging Video Creator Kit 9OD
Best Camera for Beauty Bloggers Reviews
Canon EOS 8OD (👑 Best of the Best)
The Canon EOS 8OD is our top pick for the best camera for beauty bloggers and makeup artists, and it’s the first of two Canon cameras to make this list. When it comes to cameras that make you look easy on the eye, Canon has the market cornered, with many different options that you can rely on. Whether you need a makeup tutorial camera for a talk-to-the-camera style video or for a quick Instagram snap of an upcoming video you have planned, Canon should be your go-to brand.
Why did we choose the EOS 8OD?
Well, this is a camera that many beauty vloggers and makeup artists prefer to use for their videos, including the popular Jamie Paige. The 8OD made some significant improvements over its predecessor, the 7OD, and is packed full of useful YouTube-friendly features and functions. The first feature worthy of mention is the 24/2 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, which is capable of capturing top quality high resolution images. If you need a thumbnail for a video you have scheduled or want to share an Instagram post, then this image sensor will ensure that it’s as crisp as the videos you produce on your YouTube channel.
The most noteworthy feature of the EOS 8OD though has to be the next-level 45-point all cross-type autofocus system. This sophisticated autofocus system uses 45 different points to make sure the subject (you) is in crystal clear focus the whole time you are filming. That means that if you reach out of shot to grab some makeup, your face won’t be blurred when you get back into the center of the frame. This is invaluable for makeup tutorials, as it’s unlikely that you will be sat completely rigid dead center in the middle of the shot for the duration of the video. There’s also a focus racking feature, that can come in handy if you want to highlight a particular cosmetic product as you’re talking, since you can smoothly move the focus point from one area to another.
The DIGIC 6 Image Processor is the engine under the hood of the camera which will ensure excellent performance and processing speed. Then there’s the wide ISO range, which if you’re unfamiliar with camera terminology, basically means that you are ensured top low-light performance. This can be useful for those moments when your lighting fails you or you have to record a video in a dark hotel room or another location without much natural light.
Features:
- 24.2 Megapixel CMOS APS-C image sensor
- DIGIC 6 Image Processor
- Wide ISO range
- Continuous shooting up to 7fps
- 45-point cross-type autofocus
- Intelligent Viewfinder
- WHY WE CHOSE IT AS OUR TOP PICK:
- This is a camera that’s adaptable to various situations, with its wide ISO range and excellent low light performance.
- As well as providing crisp video, the camera is capable of taking top-quality stills so you can supplement your videos with the best thumbnails or Instagram preview shots.
- The 45-point autofocus system is highly competent, and necessary for any makeup tutorial in which you’ll be moving around a lot and reaching around for different products.
- The 24.2 Megapixel image sensor guarantees quality images and the DIGIC 6 Image Processor keeps everything running smoothly.
Here are the main reasons we chose the Canon EOS 8OD as the best camera for beauty bloggers and makeup artists:
Nikon Z 6II (🥈 Runner Up)
Our runner up pick for the best beauty blogger and makeup artist camera is the Nikon Z 6II. It could well be the best camera for beauty videos if you value 4K and high-quality content.
If you’re serious about your YouTube career, or you’re looking to stand out from the crowd with your professional-level beauty and makeup photography, then a premium camera like this one from Nikon will make your life a lot easier. While equipment certainly isn’t everything, with a Nikon Z 6II in your arsenal you will find it much less stressful to capture the perfect shot with the level of detail that you need. It’s one of the cameras that will ease your workload by going the extra mile, and the end results can be truly spectacular. Not one for the hobbyist makeup artist, this camera is for the pros, though if you have the budget for it it will surely provide an excellent return on your investment in the way of clients or satisfied viewers.
This versatile mirrorless camera gives you everything you need in one compact package, so you can just focus on what you do best. Unlike most DSLRs, this mirrorless camera has a fixed lens, so you won’t have to pull your hair out worrying about which lens will work best for each video you put out. The Z 6II has a 24.5 Megapixel image sensor with a BSI resolution that really performs well in low light conditions. It’s also a full frame camera, which means that your images won’t be cropped, so you can get the whole picture if you’re trying to capture a variety of cosmetic products in one shot for example.
As for how well suited it is to producing high-quality makeup tutorials and other beauty videos, the Nikon Z 6II offers spectacular 4K UHD video recording. If you don’t know much about video resolution, all you need to know is that 4K is one of the best resolutions around when it comes to YouTube. You can record at a smooth speed of 60fps, too, so if you want to get experimental with a few slo-mo shots then you’ll have the ability to do so. While it may take you longer to upload your videos in 4K due to the larger file sizes, you will be able to create professional-level videos that outshine those of your competition. Since beauty is in the eye of the beholder, why not make sure that the beholder is treated to glorious 4K resolution as they make their mind up?
As for autofocus, this Nikon camera has been optimized for stills and video performance. While Canon’s EOS 8OD camera has an impressive 45-point autofocus system, it pales in comparison to the 273-point Hybrid autofocus system of this camera. Along with the brilliant autofocus, there’s also eye-detection too, so the viewer will never lose sight of your eyes again.
If you’re interested in photoshoots with models to promote a cosmetic product or even for your portfolio, then the 14fps continuous shooting mode on this camera will be a very useful feature for you. Simply select the burst mode setting and then have your model pose away, and the camera will take many photos in rapid succession so you can pick the best ones afterwards. This also gets rid of some of the tedium of finding the perfect pose and shot, so you can have fun with your photoshoots.
Features:
- 4K UHD video recording at 60fps
- Full frame
- 14fps continuous shooting
- 24.5MP image sensor
- 273-point autofocus
Canon EOS 9OD Vlogging Video Creator Kit (🧳 Best Kit)
The Canon EOS 9OD Vlogging Video Creator Kit is our top pick for aspiring makeup artists and beauty bloggers who want to start recording videos straight away. This kit could claim the title of the best camera for filming makeup tutorials and the best camera for makeup artists, given how easy it makes things.
If you’re more concerned with the content you’re creating than the equipment you need to make it happen, then investing in a vlogging kit like this one from Canon is one of the best things you can do. It’s easy to go out and buy a camera, but even after you’ve done that you might realize that something is missing. Perhaps you didn’t know that you would need a tripod to hold the camera securely in place, or maybe after recording your first video with the new camera you weren’t satisfied with the audio and need an external microphone. Well, with a creator kit like this one, you won’t have any of those problems.
So what exactly do you get with the Canon EOS 9OD Creator Kit?
Canon EOS 9OD camera
The most important part of the bundle of course is the camera, and the EOS 9OD is an excellent camera to vlog with. It features a top-quality 32.5 Megapixel CMOS APS-C image sensor which goes far beyond its predecessor’s and produces crystal clear stills helping you create compelling thumbnails and striking Instagram photos for your audience.
This camera from top brand Canon also offers 4k UHD video in 30p or full HD video in 120p, which allows you to shoot different kinds of videos depending on how much you’ll be moving around and the level of quality you’re looking for. A video with your friends discussing the latest beauty trends might be better in 120p while a face-on makeup tutorial video will likely be best in stunning 4K resolution to show you off in the best light.
Stereo microphone DM-E100
It’s hard to overstate the importance of an external microphone for any kind of YouTube content you want to put out. It’s not enough to rely on the camera or your webcam’s microphone, since the quality will likely be low.
This DM-E100 mic is compatible with all Canon EOS digital cameras and allows you to capture crisp audio for your videos, which is something that your viewers will greatly appreciate. After all, if you’re going to be talking to them for 10+ minutes, you want to make sure the audio experience is pleasant so they don’t tune out.
Windscreen
The stereo microphone also comes with a handy windscreen which allows you to take your videos outside and still get the same high-quality audio even with ambient noise like wind. While you may not record many outdoor makeup tutorials, it’s nice to have the option to record some content outside, especially when the weather is good. This will allow you to diversity your content and keep your viewers interested.
32 GB SDHC memory card
Finally, you’ll get an SDHC memory card with the Creator Kit with 32GB of storage. This ensures that you will have plenty of space for your videos, even if you opt for the higher resolution of 4K.
Features:
- Canon EOS 9OD, DM-E100 mic, 32GB memory card, and windscreen.
- 32.5 MP image sensor
- 4K video
- Dual Pixel autofocus
Ultimate Guide
There are many factors that contribute to a good camera, but for beauty blogging specifically, we’re going to focus in on three: video resolution, image sensor, and autofocus.
Video Resolution
All the best makeup artists and beauty bloggers put beauty on a pedestal, naturally, and what could be more beautiful than 4K video?
Jokes aside, it’s true that most beauty bloggers will put out crisp content because they know it’s what the viewing audience prefers.
If you are competing with another makeup artist, and one of you uploads 4K videos, then that could certainly be a factor in which videos the viewers prefer to watch.
Of course, the quality of the videos is secondary to your personality and the quality of your advice, but still, video resolution does count for a lot.
Having said that, with 4K, you will have to spend more time uploading videos due to the larger file sizes.
Autofocus
Unless you’re trying to look like a robot, staying perfectly still in a makeup tutorial isn’t going to be possible.
You’re going to reach for a product or adjust your appearance at some point, and when you do, you want the camera to regain focus as quickly as possible.
There’s nothing worse than subjecting your viewers to blurry footage of your face, so getting a camera with a quality autofocus system is well worth it.
Image Sensor
Finally, let’s talk briefly about the image sensor.
Why go for the 26 Megapixel camera over the 24 Megapixel camera?
Well, if you want high-quality stills to use as video thumbnails or striking snaps for your Instagram feed, then you’ll be better off choosing the camera with more Megapixels.
This might seem secondary to the content you put out on Youtube, and it is, but how are you going to draw in viewers if you don’t spend time capturing the perfect thumbnail?
How are you going to use social media as a free marketing tool if you don’t have high-quality shots to use to show off the results of your makeup tutorial or provide a preview of an upcoming video?
The other reason you might like to take stills with your camera is if you want to do some kind of fashion photoshoot for your portfolio or simply to use as a banner photo for YouTube or for your social media platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions About Beauty Blogger Cameras
What camera do beauty YouTubers use?
Several beauty YouTubers favor the Sony Alpha a5100 Mirrorless Digital Camera for their videos, while others opt for one of Canon’s EOS series cameras.
The most important factors tend to be the low light performance of the camera, the overall image quality, and the autofocus system.
When you watch makeup tutorials and similar videos, you’ll notice that quality is of paramount importance, since it’s hard to admire beauty in 360p and with unfocussed shots.
What camera is best for modeling?
The Fujifilm X-T30 is a popular choice when it comes to fashion and model photography, as the full frame image sensor and 4K video recording ensure that the quality is extremely high.
For model photo shoots, arguably the most important factor is showing off the best model in the best light possible, so you’d expect the photographer to use a camera capable of taking crisp stills at a high resolution.
Autofocus and image stabilization won’t be key factors if the photoshoot is just stills, but the image sensor and processor will.
What camera do beauty instagrammers use?
Many beauty instagrammers prefer to use the Canon 5D Mark IV for their Instagram shots.
Canon is one of the most popular camera brands in the world and it seems as if they have tapped into the vlogger and social media markets successfully.
The 5D Mark IV has a fantastic dynamic range and a whopping 30.4 Megapixel image sensor which allows Instagrammers to work their magic and put out the highest quality images to keep their audience entertained.
A Final Word From Run Gun Shoot
Choosing the best camera as a beauty blogger or makeup artist isn’t easy, but if you know what factors to prioritize then you should be able to find one to suit your needs.
The best thing you can do is buy a camera for your personal setup, rather than the camera that your favorite beauty blogger uses, since what works for them might not work as well for you.
