Best Camera for Blogging and Vlogging
Are you wondering what the best cameras for bloggers or vloggers are?
Finding the right blogging camera equipment for such a creative line of work means having a variety of distinctive features in mind.
If you want to learn more about what makes a great camera for vlogging, take a look below as we dive right in!
👑 Our Pick for Best Overall
⭐ Our Other Top Picks for Blogging & Vlogging Cameras
- Best of the Best: Fujifilm X-S10
- Runner Up: Panasonic Lumix S5
- Best Gimbal Camera: DJI Pocket 2
- Best for Daily Vlogging: Canon EOS M6 Mark II
- Best for Pros: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
- Best on a Budget: Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
- Best for Audio: Panasonic Lumix G90/G95
- Best Autofocus: Sony A6100
- Best Bundle: Sony A6400
Vlogging Camera Reviews
Fujifilm X-S10 (👑 Best of the Best)
The Fujifilm X-S10 is an excellent all-round mirrorless camera, making it one of the most versatile tools to add to your vlogging arsenal.
If you’re willing to splash out on a top-of-the-line vlogging camera, then we strongly recommend you consider the Fujifilm X-S10. This is a mirrorless camera that blows a lot of the competition out of the water with its high-quality video and outstanding features to boot. Having a X-S10 as a vlogger is like having a Swiss army knife in the military – it provides you with everything you need for whatever situations might arise. With this camera, you won’t ever get caught off guard, which means everything you record will turn to gold during playback.
The first thing we want to bring your attention to is the body of the camera. This may seem unusual, but hear us out. The X-S10 has been designed with ergonomics as one of priorities, which makes sense given that vlogging and general filmmaking require you to hold a camera for long periods of time. The way Fujifilm approached ergonomics with this mirrorless camera is to craft a deep grip into the body, which gives you that extra security as you hold it, and also makes it much easier to capture steady shots every time. One of the biggest issues while vlogging is camera shake, and this is understandable if you want to capture unique shots that you can’t quite get with a tripod. So the inclusion of an ergonomic grip that ensures the camera won’t fall from your hands when you go for those daring manual shots can be a real gamechanger.
As well as feeling stable in your hands, this camera is also incredibly intuitive to use. If you’re new to the vlogging game but want to establish yourself as a professional, or you’re experienced but haven’t dedicated much time to learning about cameras, then the X-S10 could be perfect for you. That’s because there are features such as the simple control dial, which make it accessible to just about everyone. Another feature you might enjoy is the five-axis in-body image stabilization, as this coupled with the deep grip makes it effortless to capture smooth footage every time you shoot. Finally, there’s the 180° vari-angle LCD touchscreen so you can see what’s in frame at all times, no matter how you record the footage.
On the technical side, this camera certainly doesn’t disappoint. If you consider yourself to be a camera nerd, then there’s plenty to geek out about it with the Fujifilm X-S10. Let’s start with the autofocus. The X-S10 is capable of acquiring full focus in just 0.02 seconds, and also features face and eye detection autofocus, so your subject will come into clear focus almost instantly including their prominent features. What’s more, the camera will pick up fast-moving subjects as if they were still, and even works well in dark conditions with its sophisticated back-illuminated sensor.
As for the video recording, you’ll be treated to a capture resolution of 2160p – but that’s not all. You will also have 20fps uncropped continuous shooting for those moments you need to take a series of photos in rapid succession to capture a fast-moving subject. The most exciting feature of this camera is arguably the cinema-quality DCI 4K/30p video, which allows you to take epic footage for your vlogs that will help the videos rise to the top of the pile on whatever site you upload them to. Finally there’s the super slow motion video recording in full HD/240p, so if you want to mix up your shots and throw in some smooth slo-mo, you can!
Features:
- Deep handgrip
- 180° vari-angle LCD touchscreen
- 20fps uncropped continuous shooting
- X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor and X-Processor 4
- 26.1 megapixel back-side illuminated sensor
- Quad-core CPU
- Five-axis in-body image stabilization system
- Record in DCI 4K/30p and super-slow motion Full HD/240p
- 18 Film Simulation modes
- 3.0x optical zoom
Panasonic Lumix S5 (🥈 Runner Up)
The Panasonic Lumix S5 offers up an incredible value for money proposition if you’re interested in getting your hands on a powerful full frame camera for your vlogs.
Some say that the Panasonic Lumix S5 has best-in-class video, and that speaks volumes for its performance and capabilities. If you have a significant budget and you want the very best for your vlogs, then the Lumix S5 is one of the best premium options that falls short of the premium price tag. This camera is lightweight, yet under the hood the technology that powers it is anything but. The Lumix S5 is ideal for striking stills and dynamic cinematography, and it helps you to capture stunning footage with 4K at 60p, and 180fps slow motion. This is one of the most compelling reasons to strongly consider this camera, since the quality is top-notch and the slo-mo will add an experimental flair to your vlogs that could appeal to a wide audience.
The camera has a 24.2MP CMOS sensor with Dual Native ISO, which is an excellent iso range for night time shooting. There’s also 4:2:2 10-bit video and unlimited recording time in the resolutions mentioned above. This will be music to any filmmaker’s ears, and if you’re scratching your head wondering what exactly that means, you can expect ultra smooth footage that looks like it was made for the silver screen. Yes, that’s just how powerful this camera is, but that’s not all there is to like about it.
The Lumix S5 features 6.5-stop Dual Image Stabilization which keeps all of your footage exceptionally crisp and stable, regardless of shaky hand and fast-moving subjects. Good image stabilization is critical for aspiring vloggers, since the last thing you want is to give your viewers motion sickness – that’s a recipe for a high bounce rate. The classy image stabilization is coupled with sophisticated autofocus that works at a speed of 0.08 seconds and detects prominent features in the subject including the head, eyes, face, and body. This is perfect for the walk-and-talk style vlogs that are so popular these days, since the camera will focus in on your features soon after you turn it to face you.
Another feature that’s easy to overlook but nice to have is the dust and splash resistant body of the camera. Precision sealing protects everything from the seams and buttons to the functional parts of the camera. While this doesn’t mean you can go dunking the camera in puddles or exposing it to clouds of dust, it does mean that it’s more robust than the average vlogging camera so if you’re feeling adventurous you don’t have to worry so much about your camera failing on you.
Features:
- 4K, 60p 10-bit video recording
- 180fps slow motion
- 96MP
- Dual Native ISO
- 14+ stop dynamic range
- 6.5 stop Image stabilization
- Precision autofocus with head and face detection
- Dust and splash resistant
DJI Pocket 2 (💎 Best Gimbal Camera)
It’s time for something completely different, are you ready?
DJI is a brand that’s best-known for its epic flying video-camera wielding drones that roam the skies and are responsible for 80%+ of the 4K aerial videos you see on video sharing platforms such as YouTube. Now you may be wondering, why would I need a drone for vlogging?
Here’s the thing – this Pocket 2 from DJI isn’t a drone, but a camera and gimbal rolled into one convenient handheld device.
Intrigued? You should be.
If you’re in the market for something that isn’t just your bread-and-butter DSLR or mirrorless camera, then you’re in for a treat with the DJI Pocket 2. How many top-quality cameras can you slot into your pocket one moment and record stunning footage with the next? Very few. That’s what makes the DJI Pocket 2 a truly unique proposition, ideal for the bold vlogger who doesn’t want to follow the crowd.
When it comes to video stability in a compact device, nothing comes close to the Pocket 2, and if you invest in the Creator Combo kit, you’ll even get external audio and an ultra wide lens. If you’ve ever had aspirations of taking the kinds of shots you’d see in a blockbuster movie, like the infamous Sherlock Holmes tree run scene, then this is absolutely the camera for you. The Pocket 2 makes it possible for the amateur vlogger or filmmaker to produce truly outstanding videos, complete with run-and-gun style footage that can come as a real treat to the viewers.
The standout feature of this quirky little camera is of course the motorized stabilization that the gimbal brings to the table. The 3-axis gimbal steadies the camera so you can expect ultra smooth video. But what sets the image stabilization of this camera apart from others is that it works well even when you’re on the move. A lot of vlogging cameras are great at tracking fast-moving subjects, but few can keep up when you yourself start moving fast with the camera in hand. What’s more, the run-and-gun stabilization works well for long-exposure shots and in low-light environments, so you can capture all kinds of breathtaking footage.
You can record 4K video with this nifty camera, which you might be surprised at. Given that it’s such a tiny device, it seems crazy that you could record in a stunning 4K resolution – but you can! This lends a level of professionalism to everything you shoot, so your moving shots will be less amateur hour and more Blair Witch Project.
The audio picked up by the Pocket 2 is also worth mentioning, since there are four separate microphones and multidirectional recording. There’s also Audio Zoom and Soundtrack, which both enhance audio according to the direction and level of focus. Then there’s the external audio that you can make the most of if you invest in the Creator Combo bundle.
Lastly, the DJI Pocket 2 is a camera that has been optimized for social media. By that we mean you can create and share footage within a matter of mere moments. The 93 degree angle view of the lens allows for social-media ready selfies and other snapshot photos to share with your audience in an instant. Then there’s the AI editor, which will combine your video clips with a variety of transitions and music tracks for content you can share while you’re out filming. The importance of social media is hard to overstate for content creators these days, so if you want to grow your audience, the DJI Pocket 2 has everything you need.
Features:
- 3-axis gimbal stabilization
- 1/1.7 inch sensor
- 64MP photos
- 4K video
- 20mm f/1.8 lens
- 4 microphones
- Audio Zoom and Soundtrack
- Glamour Effects
- 93 degree angle view
- AI Editor
Canon EOS M6 Mark II (✔️ Best for Daily Vlogging)
Here, we’ve got a camera that’s not only excellent for blogging and vlogging – but generally an all-around good piece of equipment that provides a lot of value for money.
We’re talking about a travel-friendly camera that everyone would be happy to own. This latest iteration of the M series is just another proof of this trend, with a great compact system.
Features:
- Mirrorless
- 32MP
- 14fps continuous shooting
- Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus
- 4K UHD 30P/ Full HD 129P video
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III (👌 Best for Pros)
The retro outer look of this camera may lead you to believe this isn’t a model that’s great for contemporary outings like vlogging. However, make no mistake – this is one of the best vlogging cameras you’ll find on the market.
It gives you everything you’d want – from great image quality and varied set of features to its sturdy yet lightweight build. One of its rare faults is a somewhat too small handgrip, but it makes up for that with its very small weight. This is definitely a device you’ll have no problem handling throughout the entirety of the day.
Features:
- Mirrorless
- 20MP
- 121-Point All-Cross-Type On-Chip Phase Detection AF
- Weather-sealed body
- Video capture resolution of 2K Dci 1080P
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III (💰 Best on a Budget)
Next up, we’ve got another undeniably awesome choice – the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III. In fact, if we were to look at all of the factors that are taken into consideration with a choice such as this, we may even say this is your optimal camera for blogging and vlogging.It’s a pocket camera that has a microphone jack and uncropped 4K support – everything you need in a compact camera.
Features:
- Compact
- 20MP
- Tilting LCD Touchscreen
- Full-resolution shooting at up to 20 fps
- UHD 4K30p video recording
Panasonic Lumix G90/G95 (🔊 Best for Audio)
This is an excellent mid-range camera that packs a decent punch in regards to its video features; especially the sensor which this model inherits from the G9 models.
Vloggers and bloggers will be delighted by the 4K video capability, as well as headphone and microphone jacks which enable great audio support. This camera has something for everyone, with its nice range of lenses. All in all – a great choice among affordable travel-friendly cameras.
Features:
- Mirrorless
- 20.3MP
- 4K 24/30P video capture
- External microphone/headphone jacks
- 12 Stops of dynamic range
Sony A6100 (🔍 Best Autofocus)
Lastly, we’re going to suggest another Sony cam that’s a good pick for newbie vloggers looking to cover all of the bases.
Any kind of YouTuber in the making would be glad to have this as their trusty technical sidekick. Its main draw is 4K capability at a respectably affordable price, and none of that 15FPS business – it manages to produce 4K videos at a decent 30FPS.
Features:
- Mirrorless
- 24MP
- AF at 0 02 sec
- 425-contrast detection AF points
- Up to 11fps continuous shooting
- Real-time AF Tracking
- 2160p video capture resolution
Sony A6400 (👍🏼 Best Bundle)
Our third recommendation is a snapper simply jam-packed with features – all of which will make any decent vlogger’s dream come true. This is no surprise, as the Alpha line that Sony has been putting out has been quite popular in the blogger and vlogger communities.
In this regard, the A6400 doesn’t stray far from the fold. It has the much sought-after 4K resolution capability, as well as handily simple front-on framing.
Features:
- Mirrorless
- 24MP
- 4K High-resolution movie recording
- Includes Sony a6400 Mirrorless Camera Body ILCE-6400/B, AC Adaptor, Accessory Shoe Cap, Eyepiece Cup, Micro USB Cable, Rechargeable Battery NP-FW50 and a Shoulder Strap
Why It’s a Good Idea to be Vlogging if You’re Blogging
When it comes to maintaining a great blog, there is one crucial ingredient you need – great content. And sure, having jaw-dropping writing helps. But after a while, you’ll start thinking about whether your blog needs a vlog element as well?
You should know that the answer is definitely yes. Having a vlog will give you the option of making streamlined, effective presentations of your content; ones that will reach a far wider audience than just a written blog would. Of course, in order for the quality to be top-notch, you’ll need the right camera.
Ultimate Guide
Once you start scouring the Internet for the best camera for blogging and vlogging, there’s one thing you should bear in mind – there are a few different basic features that you should familiarize yourself with if you want to make an informed choice.
While a camera might be well-revered in the community, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be the best choice for you.
Given the vast number of cameras that are out on the market, it only makes sense that you should go into the decision-making process with some prior knowledge of what you’re looking for and what makes a camera great.
With that in mind, here are some of the most important factors you need to consider:
Camera Type
As you’ll have noticed going through the camera selections in this guide, there isn’t just one type of camera that’s good for vlogging.
There isn’t a ‘vlogging camera’ per se, and that can make it incredibly difficult to narrow it down if you don’t have a clear idea of what you want out of it. Of course, factors like battery life will play an important role, but in this section we’re going to focus in on what we believe are the three most important factors.
We’re here to help, though, so without any further ado let’s take a look at the different types of cameras and why each might be well-suited to vlogging in its own way.
- DSLR
First up on the list is the DSLR camera.
Let’s start with the basics, DSLR is short for digital single lens reflex, and this is a very competent type of camera for both photography and videography.
Many camera enthusiasts consider the DSLR to be one of the best all-round options, and if you buy one, then you’re taking a step into the world of professional photography. Unlike the affordable compact camera, the DSLR means business, and can capture breathtaking stills and video footage.
You’ll find that the majority of professional videographers and photographers rely on their DSLR camera for most shoots, since it’s so reliable and offers excellent performance and power. Some DSLR cameras are good enough for TV and film, which says an awful lot about what they’re capable of.
Of course, at the entry level, you aren’t going to produce photos and videos fit for the silver screen, but you can still get some highly impressive results.
You will also have the benefit of interchangeable lenses with the DSLR camera, so you can change out the lens until you find the right one for the job – though of course this will mean you need enough space for spare lenses in your bag.
The biggest downside to the DSLR is that you will often have to shell out a significant sum of money to get your hands on one, and they do require some prior camera knowledge if you want to get the most out of them. Plus, if you don’t want to be weighed down by heavy equipment while out and about shooting footage for your vlogs, then the DSLR might not be the best option for you.
- Mirrorless
Next up, it’s the mirrorless camera.
You can tell a DSLR and a mirrorless camera apart quite easily due to the size. While a DSLR will have a bulky body, the mirrorless camera has a more sleek appearance which is comparable to the entry-level compact camera.
However, unlike the compact camera the mirrorless model brings some serious power and performance to your photo and video shoots.
A good way to think of it on a basic level is that the mirrorless camera is a more compact DSLR, and doesn’t have the mirror to reflect light back onto the image sensor.
Given that it’s similar to the point and shoot camera, you can expect most mirrorless cameras to be intuitive and easy to use. As a result, they’re a great option for the beginner vlogger who is beyond point-and-shoot cameras but doesn’t feel comfortable investing in the more complicated DSLR.
The biggest drawback to the mirrorless camera is that they have fixed lenses, unlike DSLRs. This means you won’t be able to chop and change lenses to get the best results.
- Action
The action camera is an interesting pick for vlogging, and is only really suitable for one style of video.
If you want to create adventure vlogs that feature high-octane sports like skiing and surfing, then an action camera is the way to go.
The action camera is the device that you can strap to your helmet and bring along for the ride as you cruise the streets on your skateboard, kick up powder on the slopes, and tear down the road on a motorbike.
The brand GoPro has become synonymous with this type of camera, as it is behind arguably the best action cameras on the market today. GoPro isn’t the only option, but it is most certainly one of the most reliable for all kinds of daring footage.
If you’re looking for a camera that is both rugged and compact, and able to withstand extreme weather conditions for action shoots, then an action camera is hands-down your best bet. It could even be worth investing in one just so you can intersperse your usual vlogs with fast-moving footage on occasion.
The problem with action cameras is that it’s hard to know exactly what you’re capturing in the moment due to the incredibly small viewfinders. Plus, if you just want to make regular content for your vlogs it isn’t a very viable option.
- Gimbal
The gimbal camera is a niche device that few brands have mastered.
One example of a gimbal camera that really knocks it out of the park is the DJI Pocket 2 which we reviewed in this article.
With a gimbal camera, you have superior mobility due to the light weight and compact size, meaning you can carry it around in your pocket if you want to.
In addition, this type of camera is ideal for those epic run-and-gun style videos you may be used to seeing in blockbuster movies. This is primarily due to the motorized stabilization offered by the gimbal component of the camera.
On the downside, a gimbal camera like the Pocket 2 won’t have as many features as your average DSLR and won’t be able to compete with the best devices in terms of video resolution and overall quality.
- 360
The 360 camera is like the new kid on the block, mainly because YouTube has only recently allowed users to implement 360 degree panning in their videos.
Like the action camera, the 360 camera might be a bit niche for most vloggers, but if you’re looking to take some unusual shots and get creative with your videos it might be worth a shot.
With the 360 camera, you are able to take half or full-circle panoramic videos and photos. That means you can capture a whole scene in all its glory, making it the perfect choice for getting epic footage or stills of a vista or a mountainous landscape.
You can also mount this type of camera to your car for some unique on-the-move 360 degree shots.
While we wouldn’t recommend this type of camera to most vloggers, it can add something new into your videos if that’s what you are looking for.
On the downside, this type of camera won’t offer top resolution options and can be susceptible to camera shake, which makes it tricky to capture a blur-free image or video.
Video Resolution
The video resolution options that a camera offers should tell you a lot about how suitable it is for your vlogging needs.
To save you the effort of learning about all the different resolutions, we’re only going to cover the two most commonly used resolutions for vlogging in this section: the video resolution 4K and 1080.
- 1080
1080 is the most common resolution to shoot in for a lot of vloggers, and what it means is that you will get 1920 by 1080 pixels on screen as you record.
To get an idea of what that looks like in comparison with the superior 4K resolution, you can find images online that show 1080 as a box inside another box that represents 4K, with the 4K box being at least three times as large.
As you can imagine, this means a lot in terms of video quality.
But then, if the viewer is using a mobile device, a lot of the time a 4K video won’t look much different from a 1080 video due to the small size of the screen.
As such, it usually boils down to whether you’re willing to splash out extra for a 4K-ready camera or if you’re fine with 1080.
If you do decide to go for a 1080 resolution camera, you won’t be alone. Many cameras still don’t offer 4K, so it isn’t as if you are settling for the inferior option as 1080 is still very common.
As a new vlogger, or someone who doesn’t care as much about quality as other factors, 1080 is more than enough.
- 4K
4K is usually 3840 by 2160 pixels, but it can also be 4096 by 2160 at the top end of cameras.
This resolution is widely acknowledged to be the best right now for videos on platforms such as YouTube, because it’s at the higher end of what the service offers.
If high-quality, cinematic-level video is something you aspire to, 4K is your only option.
The main drawback to consider with 4K is that the file sizes will be considerably larger, which might mean your uploads take a while to go through.
Audio
While not the only other important factor for vlogging, we believe audio is as important as the video quality in some ways.
After all, many people these days enjoy having videos on in the background, in which case sound is the only factor. If you compromise on audio, you could miss out on a lot of extra viewers, and you won’t be able to put out the most high-quality content.
When it comes to audio, the most important factor is finding a camera with an external microphone port. For the vast majority of cameras, the onboard microphone isn’t going to be very good. And yes, while you could use a separate audio recording device, it’s a lot of effort to go through when you could just hook one up to your camera.
Many DSLRs will come with external microphone ports, where you can connect something like a shotgun mic for the best results.
With other cameras, like the DJI Pocket 2, you might want to consider investing in a bundle deal which comes with external audio accessories. At the end of the day, if you’re talking into a camera in your vlogs, you should place a lot of emphasis on the audio quality.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vlogging
Now that we’ve given you an idea about what the best camera for blogging and vlogging looks like in the market, we’ll try to answer some of the most frequently asked questions in regards to this.
What type of camera of vloggers use?
As we’ve mentioned above, this mostly depends on the type of vlog you’ll be shooting. But if you’re going to spend a lot of time outdoors, we’d wager your best option would be an action camera; pocketable and small, and one that’s able to hold its own against external elements
If you want the ability to remain on the move without lugging around a lot of equipment – this is the best choice. On the other hand, if you’re going to be shooting home videos – there are other options we’ve outlined above.
What camera do most YouTubers use?
When you’re looking to make it in the world of YouTube vlogging, seeing how the greats do it is always a good idea. That’s why people who are working to create their own channel search to see what kind of camera their more famous peers use.
If we’re talking about YouTubers that aren’t into DSLR cameras, you’re most likely to find that they make use of the Sony RX100 IV and the Canon G7 X Mark II; though these are obviously pricey options.
Is GoPro a good vlogging camera?
We have to reiterate this point once more – the type of camera you’re looking for depends on your content of choice. With that in mind, GoPros (and action cameras in general) don’t suit all vloggers. The reasons for this are numerous, the main being its wide-angle lens.
Sure, that’s great to have if you’re looking for a lot of action shots, sports, nature, and whatnot; but realistically speaking, that’s not what most vloggers make. A set-up like that would be tiresome for viewers if you’re making a video in a smaller room.
Can you vlog with your phone?
Basically, you can. Though, bear in mind that expecting any kind of camera-esque quality will demand a really good phone and a lot of editing. On top of that, you’ll need some external equipment.
Firstly, a tripod stand that will help you hold your phone straight enough for a steady video. Then, you’ll also need external lighting – this is essential for a quality video, particularly shot on a phone. Finally, you should find a good microphone that’s compatible with your phone, especially if you plan on filming interviews often.
Related: Best Vlogging Cameras Under $300
Free Quiz: Find Your Ideal Gear Setup in 1 Minute or Less 📷
A Final Word from Run Gun Shoot
As you can see, choosing the best camera for blogging and vlogging can be a cumbersome business. There are a lot of features and factors to take into consideration, but we’ve tried to distill the gist of it for you in this short guide.
If you’re looking to learn more, start reading up on the more complex nuisances of the different models; once you get into your vlogging career, that’s certain information you’ll need! We hope this guide has helped you and made you more confident about making the big purchase. Stay safe, folks!
To tell you honestly, Sony A6 is the best camera out there that could compete with any other brands. Personally I love the auto-focus feature.
It’s a fantastic camera James, glad you’ve had a good experience as well!