Best Camera for Live Streaming in 2025

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Best Camera For Live Streaming

Ever since the invention of the television, the world of video content has been the land of opportunity. But the Internet has given an entirely new spin to the world of multimedia content. These days, it’s easier than ever for anyone to post videos online, and make a career out of it. In fact, even the once-exclusive realm of broadcasting is now available to anyone – you don’t need too much equipment to start a rudimentary live stream from your bedroom, as you’ll soon see. And that’s precisely what we’ll go over in-depth right here!

What Is Streaming?

Before we get into the weeds on what the best camera for live streaming is, we have to answer one more basic question – what is streaming in the first place? Well, if you’re old enough to remember the Internet in its infancy – you know that the most ancient websites out there had a lot of text, and only a couple of images at most.

Fast forward to 2020, and we all have incredibly fast Internet connections in our homes; connections fast enough to stream gigabytes of high-quality content, or have a pristinely clear picture over an Internet video call. All of that is due to the technology of streaming.

To put it in the simplest terms possible, streaming is what occurs when people watch live videos over the internet or listen to radio shows or podcasts in real-time. When you download a media file, it’s kept on your hard drive for as long as you want it to be there. But if you’re streaming a video in your browser, you’re playing it without copying it and no data is saved locally.

What Do I Need For Live Streaming?

It doesn’t matter whether you have some experience with live streaming or you’re someone who’s just looking to get into the game; there’s still the same set of tools that you’ll require to make it in this industry. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be anything too fancy or complicated – it’s just stuff you’ll need for your content to reach people around the world.

With this in mind, we’re going to provide you with a quick checklist of the basic equipment anyone needs to come up with live streams of a decent quality and on a fairly regular basis. Everything you’re going to read about here can be found at entry-level prices, if you’re on a tight budget – or you can enjoy some next-level stuff if you can afford it.

1. Laptop

Depending on what kind of streaming software and online platform (more on that later) you will need different hardware. Though, it’s pretty safe to say that basic video streaming won’t require much more than a decent laptop. If you’re unsure of what that entails, we generally recommend buying something that doesn’t have less than 8GB RAM, and a newer-gen Intel CPU. Besides that, you want the maximum number of USB ports possible, as well an SSD drive for ultimate speediness.

Of course, if you don’t think mobility will be an issue for your video streaming needs, and you’re thinking of making a permanent studio in your home; a desktop computer won’t be a bad choice either. You can definitely get a cheaper desktop configuration than a laptop one – but bear in mind that moving it anywhere will be something of a chore.

2. Camera

Next up, we’ve got the main piece of hardware, and the whole point of this in-depth guide – finding the best camera for live streaming. We won’t dwell too much on your choices of cameras here, seeing as we’ll go into much more depth on that issue below.

For now, suffice it to say that your broadest choice of cameras will, as you might assume, depend on your streaming needs. To be more precise – small brands looking to give a visual touch to their online marketing campaigns or individual creators could very well be served with an USB webcam.

On the other hand, if you don’t intend to simply sit at your desk and at your computer while you stream your videos, or want to create content that’s more complicated than a stream of you talking; a full-fledged digital camera will be a better choice. Apart from that, an initial investment into a cheap tripod is definitely a must if you’re going down that route.

3. Microphone

While most of what we’ll be talking about here today will focus on the best streaming cameras, there’s something to be said for audio quality as well. In fact, these two aspects of your multimedia live stream need to be completely in sync in terms of quality. To be clear – if your audio is crackling, laggy, or just bad quality in general – even 4K HD video quality won’t make a difference. So, what kind of microphone do you need?

Naturally, you’ll have to adjust that to your needs in general. For instance, if you’re planning on devising a stationary studio, with you and your guests or hosts sitting at a table; condenser microphones will do the job as long as there isn’t too much movement. You’ll find these mics do wonders when it comes to reducing background noise.

Conversely, you may be looking for something with a more dynamic sensibility. In that case, lapel microphones are a better option. We’re talking about the tiny clip-ons that you’ve undoubtedly spotted on people who appear on live television. These small mics come in both wireless and wired packages; so they’re great if you’re not going to simply record a sit-down with someone and talk. Though, bear in mind that these are far more sensitive to external noise and they’ll pick up a lot of background audio.

Lastly, if your setup will include a mixer, then you’ll need to choose mics with the appropriate audio connectors. Plus, you’ll need the cables to make the connection between your laptop and/or mixer and your microphones; in many cases, you’ll need to buy these separately from the above-mentioned hardware.

4. Sound Mixers

If your live streaming requires the usage of more than one audio source (like multiple microphone setups), then you’ll need an audio mixer as well. This piece of hardware will allow you to adjust all kinds of nooks and crannies, such as the volumes of different microphones.

Of course, now we’re getting closer to the realm of music hardware, as there are literally endless numbers of mixers you can choose from. But, if you’re a beginner, the first real concern you need to think about is the number of inputs the mixer has. To gauge your needs in this regard, think about the maximum number of microphones and people you intend to host on your live streams.

Also, make sure your mixer comes with an USB output (though most modern ones do), seeing as this will be the best way to connect it to your laptop or desktop computer.

5. Software

So far, we’ve only talked about your hardware needs – but those are far from the only thing that should be on your mind as you set up your live stream studio. For instance – having the right software is just as important. This will make or break your broadcast, as even the best hardware is pretty much useless without it. Remember, your video stream will likely require some additional elements once it goes live, like a logo or another type of graphic; good software will allow you to make that happen.

There are more than a few options when it comes to video switching and streaming software, and many of them cater to a variety of specific needs. As is the case with most software niches, there are premium (paid) and free versions of programs, though we recommend the former for any serious streaming effort. On that note, free trials are a great way for you to test the software compatibility with the hardware you’ve already bought.

6. Internet

This feels like something that goes without saying, but we’d be remiss not talking about it – your Internet connection. As you might already know, video streaming is very taxing on your bandwidth and your connection, so make sure it’s stable enough to support prolonged live broadcasts. There’s nothing more annoying than being interrupted mid-stream; that might negatively impact your viewership rates as people will view your content as unprofessional.

Keeping that in mind, you should avoid wireless Internet connections whenever possible; no matter how stable, WiFi is simply the less secure option. Before your broadcast goes live for the first time, test the real-time speed of your Internet connection; the advertised speeds are only true up to a point. Don’t settle for anything below 3 Mbps, and that’s a bare minimum we’re talking about.

Where Can I Live Stream?

Now that we’ve gone over the basic hardware and software setup that you’ll need to accompany your best camera for live streaming – let’s have a look at the other side of the coin. In other words – where will you place your video content and find your audience? The answer is different depending on what your stream will be about, which is why we’ve come up with some of the best streaming platforms for all kinds of videos.

1. Twitch

Gaming live streams have become incredibly lucrative, and an entire subculture of gaming in its own right. This is a relatively new field that has risen in the past decade, with the appearance of affordable HD cameras and the spread of high-speed broadband Internet.

If you’re going to dabble in this kind of streaming, you won’t get far before hearing about Twitch. This is an incredibly popular platform for video game streams, and lately it’s become a VOD (video on demand) platform as well. It’s available on both computers and consoles, giving you access to an incredibly wide audience.

●  It’s free if you’re making a basic account for starters, and you can even register with your Facebook account.

●  Premium accounts (or Turbo, as Twitch calls them) cost around 5 bucks

●  There are no ads for users

2. YouTube Live

Anyone serious about their live streaming and video contact, in general, will have something to do with YouTube at one point or another; it’s simply unavoidable, as this platform has become synonymous with video content as a television device.

And apart from being the biggest platform for video content on the planet, it’s also developed a YouTube Live segment for people who want to stream directly to their audience in real-time. If you’re thinking about live streaming as a source of income, YouTube is certainly a good option; it offers impressive tools for content analytics, and you have neat capabilities like great stability, integrated live chat, etc.

●  Post-production isn’t the focus on YouTube Live, and it’s more about immersive and intriguing live content;

●  You’ll get more feedback than on most other platforms seeing as users utilize the live chat religiously;

●  Building a YouTube channel can be very lucrative.

3. Facebook Live

If your Facebook page or profile is an important part of your online presence and you want to build a following on the social network that started it all; Facebook Live is a great option. It definitely allows for a more personal touch because you can see the profiles of all the individuals who participate and leave comments – so you can interact with your viewership more intimately.

●  Feedback is pretty much in real-time because of live audience responses

●  Your audience gets Facebook notifications when you start your stream, which they’re very likely to see

●  It’s completely free

4. Periscope

While Twitter has its own live streaming options these days, Periscope is the platform that’s specifically designed for excellent Twitter integration. It gives you tons of neat options, as well as an incredibly intuitive interface; something that’s important for all the newbies out there.

●  Just like Facebook Live, it will send your Twitter followers notifications about the start of your live stream;

●  People can view the videos later as well once you’re done broadcasting up to 24 hours

●  You can market your content to a specific target audience on Twitter.

4. TikTok

For a long time, the world of social media and social networks was largely dominated by the big three – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. But the latest disruption to this trinity comes from China, in the form of TikTok; the video streaming craze that has swept the world. You can use it for all kinds of funny and music videos, though it’s not designed for long live streams but for short-form content instead.

●  It gives you the biggest growth potential because of a fast-expanding global audience numbering in tens of millions;

●  If you need music compatibility, it lets you easily combine your favorite music to its videos

●  As we’ve mentioned, don’t expect to create stuff like podcast recordings here.

5. YouNow

For people who want to reach a more specific niche audience, going for the biggest players in the social media game isn’t always the right idea. Trying online TV platforms like YouNow could be the smart move when it comes to broadcasting; though this platform is mostly used for people streaming content from webcams, not more complex setups.

●  It doubles as a networking platform with communication options

●  It’s free for content creators

●  Content promotion is easy

6. Iris

As we’ve already mentioned above, picking the right platform for your content is crucial if you want to reach the widest possible audience within your niche. That’s why streaming platforms like Iris are great – this one gives all of the musical artists and DJs out there the chance to interact with a global audience. Also, this platform is incredibly easy to use in tandem with other mainstream platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and even WordPress.

●  All live streams are free events anyone can access

●  Content creators get a certain amount of online storage

●  Geotagging and sharing button functionality is great

7. Watson Media

Here we’ve got an interesting pick coming from the once-humongous tech giant IBM. You may be surprised to find that IBM has its own video streaming platform, but the intriguing notion doesn’t end there. As its name suggests, the IBM Watson Media platform is powered by machine learning features from the company’s world-famous Watson supercomputer.

●  They offer revolutionary speech-to-text features and video analytics

●  Interesting cloud-based platform

●  Mostly used for corporate videos and addresses

Types of Cameras You Can Use for Live Streaming

Before we delve into what the best camera for live streaming is, we’d do well to explain what the different types of cameras are. You can read tons of online reviews, but that won’t do you much good if you don’t understand the specifications they’re describing.

So, what are the options when it comes to streaming cameras?

1. Webcams

We’ll start off with the option that is the simplest to set up with any other hardware you might have, including your computer – a webcam. If you’ve got a laptop, chances are that you already have a webcam embedded in its frame. Though if we’re being honest, these are rarely good for anything more serious than a casual video call with friends or family.

If you want to do live streaming via a webcam, you’ll need an external dedicated model. And sure, these may bear the mark of low-quality videos, but you’d actually be surprised as to how far they’ve come in the previous 10 years. For those willing to pay for a high-end webcam model, you can actually expect a decent video quality. Good models even have features such as audio recording, facial recognition, and zoom.

This is a type of camera that’s often used by people who stream gameplay and video games; mostly because they can achieve a neat picture-within-picture effect with the gameplay being the main screen, and a recording of themselves in a smaller window in a corner. Besides that, webcams will do the job when it comes to basic video chat, or business meetings.

2. Action Cameras

When it comes to live streaming high-octane videos, you should definitely consider an action camera. We’re talking about the tiny cameras that people use to capture videos with incredibly fast-paced movement – such as sports. Their advantage is the ability to easily mount them to almost any kind of surface. Plus, they’ve got a wide-angle lens that’s perfect for creating the widest possible frame. They’re also pretty resistant to external elements, and the mid to high range models are perfectly capable of functioning underwater as well.

Though, you should bear in mind – these cameras are pretty much useless when it comes to recording and streaming stationary videos. If you’re going to live-stream a conversational podcast, the wide-angle provided by the action camera lens will just make it seem unnaturally expansive. So, for the creators that have that sort of content in mind – a more traditional camera would definitely be a good idea.

That being said – the action camera does have its perks in terms of high video quality and pretty quick frame rates (around 60 FPS). But just make sure to check if the model you’re buying has live streaming capabilities; some of them can only record videos for later publishing.

3. Mirrorless Cameras

When it comes to mirrorless cameras, you should think about them as the digital versions of old film cameras. They were primarily designed for photography, and you probably won’t have too much luck with recording prolonged video sessions with these types of cameras, or with live streaming in general. There are multiple issues with these cameras.

For one, many of them don’t even have an HDMI output, particularly the more dated models. This is somewhat obvious, but a good piece of advice for buying live streaming cameras in general – before you purchase one, make sure that it actually comes with a video output.

Secondly, many of them aren’t even capable of producing live feeds of videos. Or even worse, they come out “dirty”, with the camera UI overlay being streamed along with the video content. Sure, many of these cameras have options for “clean” output, though it may be difficult finding the option and traversing all of the settings menus.

Apart from this, DSLR processors aren’t exactly made for prolonged operations – meaning they tend to overheat quite easily. You can pretty much expect that mirrorless cameras will start showing a warning about overheating after a half an hour of streaming video live. This issue is also widely known to happen in Canon mirrorless cameras. Naturally, you can shut the warning off, but that doesn’t exactly solve the fact that your camera will overheat.

Of course, if you don’t have the biggest budget in the world, a mirrorless (DSLR) camera may not be a bad option for starters. Plus, it many people for whom live streaming is not the only visual need prefer these because they provide a ton of versatility; obviously, they’re great for taking photos. Plus, these are far more portable-friendly than a hefty camcorder, so carrying it around is easier if you’re filming something outside. It should also be noted that such cameras have bigger sensors than a camcorder does, so they’ll thrive in low-light conditions.

Additionally, if you’re looking to achieve a gritty cinematic look in your live streams – a mirrorless camera will allow you to achieve that more easily than a camcorder would. Though, when it comes to the atmosphere of a DSLR video, you should bear in mind that the lens you’re using will play a huge role here. So, when you’re planning your budget for camera equipment, include the expenses for the additional lens that you’re bound to need with this type of camera.

All in all, if you’re going to tape and stream a video or show that’s less than 30 minutes long, there’s a big chance that this kind of camera will do the trick; though it’s certainly not the best camera for live streaming by a long shot.

4. Digital Camcorder

These days, video broadcasting is performed by digital camcorders on average. This is because they represent the most convenient option when it comes to portable recording equipment, while also providing a decent range of options and quality. Though, you should remember that camcorders shine in situations when you’re making handheld videos. And while they’re able to shoot for a long time without problems (far longer than a mirrorless cam), the question is whether your live stream will be handheld at all. Of course, you can always use additional equipment to stabilize it.

As we’ve mentioned just now, you’ve got a huge selection of options when it comes to camcorders. You can get the cheapest ones for a couple of hundreds of bucks. And depending on how much you’re willing to invest in your hardware, there are models that cost a few tens of thousands; it’s all up to you. Of course, when it comes to the average live stream that doesn’t require anything fancy – a camera that costs no more than $1500 will definitely do the trick. The more expensive models are usually used in live productions, they’re not nearly as portable, and they will probably require an experienced camera operator.

5. PTZ Cameras

If you’re not familiar with this acronym, PTZ cameras stand for Pan, Tilt, and Zoom. These are remote-controlled camera units, that are basically cameras in a solid frame that’s capable of some sort of remote-controlled movement or adjustment. Usually, their shape has a flat base that allows for easy affixation on most surfaces – you can use them with a tripod, table, or even the ceiling. If you’re going to create a more permanent recording studio, these types of cameras are good for a multi-camera setup; allowing you to capture some interesting angles.

As we’ve mentioned, PTZ cams can be controlled remotely; via their own remote control unit, or more commonly a piece of software on your computer. The great thing about them is that you can easily control more than one camera at a time without hiring a costly camera operator. Plus, they give great value in terms of digital and optical zoom, so you can really achieve some great closeup shots with them. They’re even good enough for sports streaming, because the better models can achieve 60FPS streams without problems.

Unfortunately, there is a drawback here – most PTZ cameras do not have audio-recording capabilities. If you’re going to use one of these, you’re going to need an additional external microphone. Though, if you’ve got the room and the money for that, definitely consider these for your live streams. They’re great for concerts, lectures, or church recordings.

The Criteria: How We Chose the Best Camera for Live Streaming

Now that we know what all of the different camera types are, we’ll be able to more closely explore the factors you should keep in mind while selecting the best camera for your needs; these being the same factors that we’ve thought about ourselves while writing the reviews below.

1. Clean Output

We’ve already tackled this shortly above while talking about DSLR cameras. Generally, you want your live streaming camera to be capable of capturing and transmitting a clean video output. What this means is a video stream that has no UI elements (like zoom levels, remaining battery, etc). The good news is that most cameras have an option for toggling this off.

Though, if you’re looking at older models of mirrorless cameras, camcorders, and the more affordable action cam models; be sure to check if they come with live streaming capabilities at all. Some of them were produced more than a few years ago, meaning that live streaming over the Internet wasn’t such a widespread phenomenon in DIY conditions outside big studios. Definitely check this before you buy anything; even the cheapest model will be sunk money without such capabilities.

2. Direct AC Charging

On average, live streams can last for quite a while – especially if you’re doing a regular show. That’s why we’ve talked about the drawbacks of DSLR cameras in terms of overheating; you definitely want a camera that’s capable of recording for more than a half an hour. Even if your show doesn’t need something like that at first, you never know how it’s going to develop and branch out. And the last thing you want is to be switching cameras every few weeks or months; that’s simply an unnecessary expense.

Apart from overheating, you need to make sure your cameras won’t trouble you with low battery smack dab in the middle of the live stream. That’s why most people have their cameras on AC charging while they record longer sessions. So, make sure you get a camera that’s usable while charging – though that’s not a big issue as most of them are nowadays. Bear in mind that plenty of DSLR cameras will shut off if you don’t interact with them for a while – connecting them to a charger is the best way to keep that from happening. 

Best Cameras For Live Streaming

After spending a lot of time on the different types of cameras and what they’re good for, it’s time to put all of that theory into practice. As we’ve said before, the choice of the best camera for live streaming will depend on what kind of content you’ll be streaming, and where. With that in mind, we’ll offer our top picks on the best camera models for different streaming platforms and types of content!

Best Camera for YouTube Live Streaming

When it comes to YouTube live streaming, what’s the type of camera that you’d be the best served with? Considering the type of content found on YouTube, we recommend going for a good webcam. If you’re just starting out, there’s no need to splurge on anything too fancy – for instance, the C922x Logitech model will give you more than enough power for basic live streaming needs.

First of all, this is definitely a great webcam. And you don’t need to go through too much pain to set it up. It’ll basically work from the moment you plug it into your computer. However, we should mention that if you’re going to live stream anything more complex than the occasional video conversation, you’ll probably want some more advanced features. That’s why Logitech has a great piece of support software on its website; you’ll find a ton of useful options there. For instance, you can adjust stuff like white balance, autofocus, contrast, color intensity, brightness, etc.

One of the good things about this camera is that it won’t take up as much of your bandwidth as some other models would. If you’re working with a more limited Internet connection, this is obviously a great boon; this camera uses a sophisticated compression mechanism to work with as little network bandwidth as possible. Also, the camera works surprisingly well in bad lighting conditions considering it’s a webcam; it also has auto-adjust features for flickering lights or computer screens. With all of this in mind, we definitely recommend it for YouTube live streaming, as you’ll be able to get a decent quality without spending a ton of money before your content starts producing any financial returns.

Best Camera For Streaming Twitch

Okay, let’s consider what the best camera would be if you were going to live stream on Twitch. Generally, this platform is regarded as the best place to post gameplay live streams, as we’ve talked about in detail before. But does that mean that you need an action cam, as video games tend to be quite dazzling and with a lot of movement?

Well, not in reality, no. Remember – the only thing you’ll be recording with your camera during a gaming live stream is yourself while you’re playing. When it comes to the gameplay itself, you’ll probably use some sort of on-screen recording software. Regardless of how good your camera is, even the top ones wouldn’t provide you with a crisp image of on-screen gameplay.

So, you’d still do well to get yourself a webcam for this kind of streaming. But which one to pick? We’ll let you in on a little secret – apart from making the most well-known operating system for PCs in the world, Microsoft dabbles in hardware design as well. And while they were working on their Kinect device for the Xbox console, they’ve shown a lot of promise in terms of webcam design. Enter – the LifeCam Studio!

This is a camera that sports a great 1080p HD camera sensor. Though, as you probably know by now, producing quality videos isn’t just about HD quality. If you want your image on Twitch to be as clear as the games themselves, you’ll need a camera with good autofocus – like the one on this Microsoft LifeCam model! Apart from this, the camera has an awesome built-in microphone; one that won’t leave you searching for other external mics for your live stream.

Best Camera For Facebook Live

We should say that, if you’re streaming yourself or a small DIY studio from your PC – all of the cameras we’ve talked about so far will do the trick. Both the Logitech and the Microsoft models will provide you with decent image quality for all platforms, including Facebook. Though, if you want your content to stand out a little more on Facebook, and make sure it’s more eye-catching than others; you might want to go in a different direction.

We’ve talked about the common drawbacks that DSLR and mirrorless cameras have compared to other models, but they definitely have their advantages as well. So, if you want to achieve a more retro-leaning aesthetic in your live stream with a DSLR camera, we’ve got a suggestion for you – the Canon 80D. This will certainly make your video more interesting, without having to invest in more expensive mirrorless models. Of course, you will want to buy an additional lens for this one.

There are great options when it comes to lens for the Canon 80D; a truly professional lens may set you back by a couple of hundred bucks more, but trust us – it will totally be worth it. Sure, the camera may be a bit bulky with the lens on; but the video quality will simply astound you for a DSLR camera. You’ll find that it easily outperforms more expensive models. If the price factor is a problem while you’re buying a camera for Facebook streaming though, there are definitely cheaper options even in the DSLR category. Though, we still recommend this one if you can afford it, due to the quality you’ll be getting in return.

Best Web Camera For Live Streaming

Judging from our list so far, you’d probably say that webcams are, on average, the best option for in-home streaming. And you’d probably be right – though there are other situations we’re yet to describe which require a different type of camera as well. Still, it’s worth thinking about the all-around best option when it comes to web cameras for live streaming. With that in mind, we’ll take a look at the reigning champion among live cams – the Logitech StreamCam. That’s right, this model has even managed to depose the above-mentioned C922 from its well-deserved top spot. 

Of course, the very name of the Logitech StreamCam can show you that this model was definitely made with streamers in mind. It’s incredibly versatile, allowing you to go from portrait to landscape (and vice-versa) by just rotating it physically. Besides the obvious ease of use and intuitive quality, the camera also has a great picture.

You won’t have to do a lot of work to create the perfect shot with this one; the smart exposure and autofocus options won’t leave you guessing as much and relying on your own feeling for the shot. Regardless of whether you’re recording in a low-lit bedroom or a sunny set, this camera will certainly manage to hold its own. Now we come to one of the rare drawbacks of this model – it’s not 4K, and it’s certainly pricey for a camera that doesn’t have that feature. But the picture quality is still amazing, and it’s got other features that more than make-up for this. So, if you’re serious about streaming and you’re not afraid to make the initial investment into a premium-quality webcam; we can’t recommend the StreamCam from Logitech enough.

Best Camera For Live Streaming Church

Next up, let’s take a look at what happens when you need to set up a live stream for a specific event outside of your own studio or living room. What should you do when you’re not just filming closeups of yourself or interviews with another guest? In that situation, a webcam simply won’t be good enough. For instance – what kind of camera should you choose for live streaming church?

These days, church services are not the archaic sermons of old that most people imagine. Many religious events of all kinds are live-streamed directly from the church to people all around the world via the Internet. But if you’re not a techie, picking the best camera for the job is certainly not something you’ll be able to do intuitively.

First of all, you need to consider where this camera will be placed. If you ask any kind of priest, they’ll tell you that the camera should be out of their line of sight; most of them are not used to being recorded while they do their service, so this might be distracting. So, you need a camera that will be able to record from way behind in the back of the church hall.

Also, you need to ensure that you’ll have an uninterrupted line of sight towards the camera. With all of this in mind, it’s more than clear that you’d do well to get a camera with great zoom and optics capabilities. Obviously, webcams are out of the question here – they don’t perform great in regards to distance shots. Considering all of that, a camcorder is probably your best bet – something with great zoom and shot resolution like the Canon VIXIA HF R800 camera.

Best Streaming Camera For Beginners

When it comes to live-streaming, not everyone who wants to be a video content creator is necessarily tech-savvy; as we’ve demonstrated with the example of religious live streams above. So, sometimes one of the biggest factors that determine whether a model is the best camera for live streaming is the ease of use.

But what does that entail? Well, we’d say that the camera with the least amount of fiddling required would be the best one. With that in mind, a webcam would be the obvious choice in terms of camera types; you need little more than to plug it into a computer. Sure, you may need to install some software to get the most out of this hardware, but it shouldn’t be too big of a difficulty.

Considering that, which camera should you choose? We definitely believe that something like the Razer Kiyo webcam would be a good pick; a camera that gets the most out of any lighting conditions without requiring you to mess around with exposure and noise settings. The camera comes with a ring light included, meaning that even the darkest low-light conditions won’t require much post-production to look decent.

Apart from that, the image quality doesn’t leave a lot to be desired too; the 1080p image provides more than enough detail and crisp sharpness. The white balance doesn’t miss the mark either, and we’ve done enough testing of the autofocus to tell you that it shines on every occasion. The imagery is pretty vivid as well, because the default color saturation on the camera gives it the natural vibe it needs to be beautiful.

Frequently Asked Questions About Live Streaming Cameras

We hope that our in-depth guide on choosing the best camera for live streaming will be of use to you on your journey to become an awesome content creator! We’ve tried to go over all of the technical aspects of both the software and hardware requirements that make a proper live streaming camera. However, you’ve undoubtedly got some questions – and we’ll try to answer the ones we hear the most often right here!

What is the Best Camera to Use for Live Streaming?

Now that we’ve discussed all of the different aspects of live streaming, you might be left with a simple question – so, which is the best camera in the end? As you might expect, there is no single correct answer to this question. Sure, we could tell you that the priciest models out there provide the most value for your money; but you knew that already. Instead, ask yourself what your requirements are.

Firstly, what kind of content are you interested in creating? Do you want to do travel vlogs in the great outdoors, live streams of sports commentary, play video games and review them, or something entirely different? Once you know that, you’ll be able to decide what platform you’ll be using to reach your viewers. As you can tell from the beginning of our guide, TikTok doesn’t provide the same content options as Twitch would, for example.

And when you know all of that, you can finally focus on the camera itself. The specifics of your content will tell you all about the hardware requirements that you have. And then all that’s left is determining what kind of budget you’re working with; this will also be affected by other equipment that you need to buy. After determining all of that, you’ll pretty much narrow down the choice of cameras to a couple at most.

Can You Use A Regular Camera For Streaming?

Most people will ask if a “regular” camera is good enough for streaming. Of course, there is no such thing as a ‘regular’ camera – though most people use this term to mean a handheld camcorder. If you’re looking to buy one of those, we recommend taking a look and seeing if it’s WiFi compatible, and if it can transmit live video. Those are the two basic necessities that not all camcorders have; especially not the cheaper versions.

How Do I Live Stream Video From My Camera?

The nature of your streaming process will largely depend on what kind of software and hardware you’ll use. For instance, if you’re going to use a camcorder to stream to Facebook Live, you might need a signal converter box that has a HDMI slot. You’ll use that to transmit the signal to your desktop or laptop. There, you’ll install streaming software (there are all kinds of options out there), that you’ll then connect to your Facebook Live through the server URL.

Related: Best Lights for Streaming

A Final Word on Live Streaming Cameras

In terms of selecting the best possible camera for live streaming, it might seem like there’s a lot to learn and a lot of searching to do. But this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do it, on the contrary. At the end of the day, this is all knowledge that you’ll need to successfully become a video content creator!

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