For the last few years, you may have read in the media some stories about how makeup artists are making a killing on YouTube. James Charles, Tati Westbrook, Jeffree Star, Manny Mua & Nikkie de Jager to name a few.
What 4K quality YouTube cameras make their makeup videos pop?
We’ve compiled this article on the top 5 best cameras for YouTube makeup artists and tattoo artists.
These 4K quality YouTube cameras that makeup artists use can vary a lot. This depends on budget and style of content.
Typically, you need to understand camera settings and makeup lighting and setup to make sure your subject looks perfect. You will have to consider spending on good lighting, sound, stand, and other similar accessories.
In short here are some of the most popular best camera for beauty youtubers gurus and makeup artists.
Top 5 Best Cameras For YouTube Makeup Artists and Tattoo Artists
1. Sony A7 IV: Best Camera for Makeup and Tattoo Artists
The best high quality professional mirrorless camera that most YouTubers use is the Sony A7IV. It is only a couple of grand but worth every penny.
This is perfect for makeup artists if you need:
- amazing depth of field
- good autofocus
- natural beautiful colors
- 4K 10 bit video
The 4K Video and Sony color science is unmatched and will give you the absolute best of noise-free full-frame quality.
It’s capable of 4K 60fps and shoots gorgeous 10 bit video.
View the best cameras for makeup videos on YouTube here, or view the best vlogging cameras of 2022.
2. Canon M50 Mark II: Budget Friendly Best Camera for Makeup Vlogging Artists
The Canon EOS M50 Mark II is a great vlogging camera but also an amazing camera for makeup artists. It is much cheaper than the Sony A7IV but offers the Canon colors and easiness that it always has.
This is good for makeup YouTubers because:
- it’s used by a variety of YouTubers
- capable of 4K quality
- flip screen for vlogging and seeing your subject
- easy to edit and color grade
It’s a perfect setup for makeup YouTubers who make quick videos of their subjects or themselves.
3. Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II
The PowerShot G7X Mark II from Canon may be a generation older than its successor the G9X Mark II, but it still continues to a very sought after camera by makeup artists. This camera comes with some interesting vlogger-centric features that do not demand a steep learning curve from the user.
This point-and-shoot camera has an impressive video resolution of 20.1 megapixels, which is more than enough for Youtube video creation, including vlogging and food videos.
Brilliant colors and picture quality, as well as manual settings, a quick aperture, low-light performance, a big zoom, and a built-in flash, elevate this tiny camera to professional status. The primary reason to get this camera as a vlogger is to shoot video like a DSLR – in terms of picture quality and manual mode – without the added weight.
Under the hood, the G7X Mark II packs a 20.1 Megapixel cropped (APS-C) sensor and ably backed by the DIGIC 7 image processor. Add intelligent image stabilization to it, and what you get is a portable camera that gives sharp and clear video results in handheld mode.
The only limitations of the G7X Mark II are its low battery life and lack of an audio jack to plug in an external mic. However, the following features make it perfect for makeup artists who are new to the art of shooting for YouTube:
High resolution shooter: The G7X Mark II can shoot 1080p (full HD) videos at 60 fps. Additionlly, filming in low light conditions does not result in severe loss of detail thanks to better image stabilization and high ISO tolerance.
Face detection features: The interesting thing about the G7X Mark II is that its advanced face detection features offer a host of skin-softening and skin-smoothing filters. That ways, you spend less time in post processing trying to perfecting facial aesthetics and texture.
Fixed lens: Unlike DSLRs, the G7X Mark II has a fixed lens, with an aperture range of f/1.8 for wide angle to f/2.8 when fully zoomed to 4.2x. Thus, you can film your makeup videos in a variety of situations, and lighting conditions.
4. Panasonic HC-V180K
While camcorders may longer be the flavor of today’s high-end video developers, some like the Panasonic HC-V180K still manage to serve needs specific to shooting quality videos for YouTube on a budget.
The Panasonic HC-V180K comes with a 1/5.8” BSI MOS sensor with backside illumination- a feature that is especially great when you are shooting in low light. Additionally, there is a built-in 2-channel microphone that reproduces sound with great detail. Together, the two features serve well for makeup artists who either have little to no experience with making videos for YouTube. Or they simply cannot afford to purchase expensive lighting and sound accessories to go with their cameras.
It’s small and light, so you can take it with you everywhere you go. Despite its compact size, it has high-definition video shooting, intensive optical and intelligent zoom, touch screen display, wide-angle lens, 2-channel microphone, and level shot.
Although some of the Panasonic HC V180 Functions K’s appear to be advanced, it’s designed for beginning users who may struggle to achieve the greatest picture quality while recording.
This camcorder is surprisingly simple to use, thanks to its excellent picture stabilization and touch screen. The BSI (Back Side Illumination Sensor) can readily reduce noise in both low and high light environments. This makes the camera ideal for use in both indoor and outdoor settings, early morning, and late at night.
Other features that make the Panasonic HC-V180K a pretty good option for makeup artists include:
Flip-out screen: The Panasonic HC-V180K camcorder has a 2.7” touchscreen that flips out. This is very handy when your want to look at yourself and adjust your posture and/or attitude while filming.
5-axis stabilization: The image stabilization in Panasonic HC-V180K happens over five different axes of rotation. Thus, you get celar and noise free result even when you are shooting a makeup video in low light. The same advantages apply when you are recording a vlog while holding the camcorder in one hand.
HD recording: The Panasonic HC-V180K can record 1080p videos at up to 60 frames per second, and has a 50x zoom capability. Whether you want to film in close-up or zoom out to fill the frame with other details, the results are always going to be in high definition.
5. Canon Digital EOS Rebel T7i SLR
As the perfect camera for makeup artists, the Canon EOS Rebel T7i SLR is good fit for any makeup artist about to begin their YouTube journey. The Rebel T7i comes with a DIGIC image sensor, and 19 cross-type auto-focus point system.
The camera also has an in-camera time-lapse option, which is a great feature. You can shoot for up to 120 seconds at 30 frames per second. Time-lapse films are ideal for vlogs because they’re aesthetically pleasing and may serve as effective transitions between segments.
Here are some reasons why you may want to look at the Rebel T7i SLR for your makeup video needs:
Connect with your phone: You can connect the Rebel T7i SLR to your mobile phone wirelessly over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or NFS. This gives you extended ability to control the camera through your phone when filming.
Quick Control Menu: It is easy to understand, and therefore great for beginners to learning about features like lighting and white balance while they experiment with initial ideas for makeup videos. Yet, all the necessary features required to shoot a good quality makeup tutorial can be found under the ‘Quick Control Menu’.
Expansive metering range: Being the able shooter, the Rebel T7i SLR offers multiple metering modes. These -include evaluative, ISO 100 and room temperature; all of which help you shoot in differing light exposure conditions.
6. Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera
Another top end camera choice is the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera.
This camera has been likened to a “God” by camera critics and has a range of features that you just won’t get in other cameras. The camera shoots in 4K and will give you superior quality, colors and autofocus!
You can change the lenses so you get the perfect shot. This is ideal for professional makeup Vloggers who are representing premium makeup brands like L’oreal and others.
Even better is that you can use lenses from other manufacturers including well regarded brands like Canon, so you aren’t limited to the brand’s offerings. Who doesn’t love choice?!
7. Canon 70D
Another great camera on this list is the mighty Canon 70D. Whenever you run with Canon, you’re getting one of the world’s best cameras.
Canon is high quality, with many creators such as Zoella choosing the brand for their makeup YouTube videos.
Its touchscreen allows you to save time. You won’t have to go through every option to find the one you want to alter, so you’ll be able to make changes quickly.
It has all the features that you’d expect in a great camera. This includes a 20MP sensor so you’re going to get great quality video that will appeal to your audience.
You can learn more about the best Vlogging cameras with flip screens here.
So you’ll be able to flip the screen out. This is a truly great camera and will meet your needs. For these reasons this camera earned a well deserved place on our top 5 best affordable camera for makeup pictures.
8. Canon EOS 80D
The Canon EOS 80D occupies that sweet spot in that it neither has the negatives of its predecessor, the EOS 70D, nor does it cost a bomb like its successor, the Canon 90D.
A new mirror vibration control technology (similar to the 5DS and 7D Mark II) is also available which should decrease shutter shock’s blurring effects. The new Canon 80D is a hybrid camera that can be used for both videography and photography. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF is excellent and makes shooting video more straightforward.
Thanks to its 24.2 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and DIGIC 6 image processor, the 80D offers impressive results when shooting full HD (1080p) videos in terms of high resolution and color reproduction.
Plus, each pixel is refined for high ISO speeds (up to 12,200 for video), meaning you do not lose detail when shooting in low light conditions.
Following are other reasons that make EOS 80D such a treat for shooting makeup videos:
Better battery life: This feature is crucial when shooting long duration makeup tutorials, as you do not want the camera to die out at an inopportune moment. In that regard, the EOS 80D has a more nuanced power usage and does not overheat on prolonged use.
Super-fast AF system: The 80D’s dual-pixel AF system beats any other camera in its price range in terms of providing extremely fast and accurate auto-focus. Add to that the camera’s great white balance, and you get consistently clear and natural facial details in each frame.
Flip-out screen: This is especially important if you are a one-person crew, as it lets you keep an eye on the framing of the shot while you simultaneously film yourself during a makeup.
With reasonable burst speeds, increased buffer depths, outstanding battery life, and a new, more flexible 45-point AF system, performance is also quite good. The Canon 80D is ideally suited for a range of shooting settings, including general usage, portraiture, and traveling, thanks to Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology for quick live view AF.
While it lacks specific significant capabilities, like 4K, the 80D provides superb video quality and a wealth of options for both novices and expert video makers.
These are just a few of the cameras on the market that would be ideal for those offering makeup tutorials on YouTube. Hopefully one of these top 5 best cameras for YouTube makeup artists was suitable for your needs. Check out the best makeup lighting for another setup guide.
Learn more about Vlogging cameras and gear
- Guide To Picking The Best Vlogging Camera
- What Gear Does Casey Neistat Use?
- Best Vlogging Cameras with Flip Screens
- What Kind Of Cameras Do YouTubers Use?
Sabrina D says
Simply great…so many products with you impressive reviews. I’m so glad that I have read this post and being a makeupholic I can understand you efforts behind this work. Thanks for sharing.