Top 5 Best Sony Vlogging Cameras Of 2018 + Reviews!

last updated on April 24, 2018

Just like the rivalry between iPhone and Android, there too is a long heated rivalry between Canon, Nikon and Sony… So what camp are you in?

Personally I am an iPhone and Canon guy, but I believe each brand of camera brings something different to the table. Having these differences between products is great for video creators as we can pick and choose features for our specific needs.

So in this article I will put my differences aside and review 5 of the best Sony vlogging cameras currently on the market. But as a Canon guy, why would I do such a thing…

Simply put, I believe Sony has a great line up of cameras that are really well priced and are in my opinion very underrated when compared to their counterparts. That was hard for me to say, but it is true!

So Why Choose a Sony Camera Over Canon, Nikon or Panasonic?

As I mentioned above, each camera brand has slightly different features that give them a competitive advantage. Personally for me, I am with Canon as I first started with photography before transitioning over to YouTube. So it only made sense to stay with Canon as I had become accustomed to it and already had the lenses.

But if I was starting over and I had a plan on recording videos for YouTube, I would definitely opt for Sony.

While Canon is still great for video, I find that Sony cameras of almost any price range offer a larger range of controls and settings for video. Sony also has some great built in design features that compound to capture stunning video footage.

Here are some of the standouts:

Great low light capabilites
Generally have larger sensors
Good depth of field
Wide range of lenses
Different video formats
Codecs
Bit rates
Slow motion options
Color options
Generally come with 4K

When you add all these features together, the end result is vibrant and sharp looking video that any viewer would be happy watching. Ok, lets jump in!

A Review Of Top 5 Best Sony Vlogging Cameras

1. Sony DSCHX90V/B Digital Camera (Best Tested)

Sony DSCHX90V/B Digital Camera Specifications

Weight: 0.54 pounds
Recording Definition: 1080P HD
Megapixels: 18.2 MP
Flip Screen: Yes
Price: Click here to find the latest price

Sony DSCHX90V/B Digital Camera Review

Kicking off my list is the mighty Sony DSCH90V/B camera which in my opinion ticks all the essential boxes when looking for a great Vlogging camera. In a nutshell here are the things that impressed me the most for Vlogging and video recording.

Carl Zeiss 24mm Lens
3 Inch flip screen
1080 HD video recording
Good battery life
Small footprint
18.2 MP CMOS sensor
Image stabilization
Wi-fi and NFC

Not too bad right?

This DSCH90V/B camera benefits from one of the best lenses I’ve yet played with on a point and shoot style camera which is the Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 30X zoom. T* is the T-Star coating used on the lens surfaces to minimize glare, internal reflections and color fringing. End result = amazing footage.

30X is a lot of zooming power for a little camera. Starting out from a decent wide angle (24mm) and going all the way to what would have been considered super telephoto just a few years ago, this lens gives the user a stunning range of view. Add in the digital enhancement to get up to 60X.

I don’t much like digital zoom, but this camera does a fine job with it. Not too much added electronic noise, but there is still an obvious (to my eye anyways) look to digital zoom, especially during videos. However while Vlogging, I was mainly using the wide angle view with the flip screen, but having the zoom was still handy.

Speaking of flip screens, this Sony DSCH90V/B is sporting a 3 inch flip screen/selfie screen which rotates 180 degrees over to the top of the camera. Personally I prefer the flip screen to be on to rather than the side as it looks like I am focusing on the lens rather than looking to the side of the camera.

Moving onto the video side of this camera, the Sony DSCH90V/B sports several video modes inclusing 24fps cinematic frame rate to Full HD (1920×1080) 60fps. Personally I was using the 60fps mode as it gave me a more crisp video which looked great once uploaded to YouTube. You can check out this video test below.

Ok so this camera sounds pretty great right? But were there in downsides? Personally I found it quite hard to fault it on the build quality and features of this camera. The only real thing that bugged me was the price of the camera itself. But upon reflecting on the quality and benefits it delivers, I understand the price point.

Nonetheless this is a great Vlogging camera that I would highly recommend to someone who wants to start their journey with a great piece of equipment that their audience will appreciate. A great pick!

2. Sony Alpha A6000 Mirrorless Camera With 16-50mm Lens

Sony Alpha A6000 Mirrorless Camera With 16-50mm Lens Specifications

Weight: 0.76 pounds
Recording Definition: 1080P HD
Megapixels: 24.3 MP
Flip Screen: Yes
Price: Click here to find the latest price

Sony Alpha A6000 Mirrorless Camera With 16-50mm Lens Review

Moving onto the next camera in my roundup list is the industrial looking Sony Mirrorless APS-C format Alpha a6000. I tested this camera with the kit lens which was a 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 lens which game me stunning results. Having a 16mm wide angle lens really does allow a lot in frame which was ideal for Vlogging.

But what really impressed me about this Alpha 600 was the combination of interchangeable lens versatility coupled with truly compact dimensions, all with the stellar video quality of Sony’s 24.3PM APS-C sensor. Having such a large sensor also make this camera a champion on low light situations or overcast weather.

For video use, though, I found it quite straightforward to set up and use which I have come to expect from Sony. The rapid autofocus and responsive controls made this camera great for shooting scenes with lots of action. Be careful not to pan too fast, but if you keep the subject in frame, the camera will follow focus with almost no hunting.

This Sony Alpha a6000 has a tilt screen which was a nice touch, allowing for a variety of camera placement options. However the screen doesn’t flip up like the above DSCH90V/B. So you loose out on that front. But it is still helpful for recording low to the ground or from the hip.

If you want to see how good the video quality is from the Sony A600, check out this short film below which was shot entirely on this camera with the kits lens. Also see how well it performs in low light!

In many ways this Sony Alpha a6000 is similar (including price range) to the above DSCH90V/B minus the 180 degree flip screen which may be a deal breaker for some. However this camera picks up the slack in the way of its continuous auto focus which was considerably better than than 90V.

Depending on your video requirements, this is easily one of the best Sony Vlogging cameras available and is sure to serve you well for your YouTube journey. A must have!

3. Sony DSCW830/B 20.1 MP Digital Camera

Sony DSCW830/B 20.1 MP Digital Camera Specifications

Weight: 0.27 pounds
Recording Definition: 720P HD
Megapixels: 20.1 MP
Flip Screen: No
Price: Click here to find the latest price

Sony DSCW830/B 20.1 MP Digital Camera Review

Here we have the most budget friendly introduction to the list of best Sony vlogging cameras which is the mighty Sony DSCW830/B that records in 720P and is sporting a 25-200mm lens.

Speaking of lenses, that seemed to me to be a very good reason to look at this camera as an option, besides the lower cost. It has a Zeiss Vario-Tessar 8X zoom lens that has outstanding optical quality.

Any one who’s been in photography/videography very long starts to recognize the big names in optics, Zeiss being one of the foremost. Coupled with the Sony designed 20.1MP 1/2.3″ Super HAD CCD Sensor, this camera will provide you with fantastic still images and very high quality videos up to 1280 x 720 hd at 30 fps.

Also, a Vlogger will enjoy how easy it is to use. It requires virtually no effort at all to pull this camera out and start filming. Just familiarize yourself with the right buttons to use. Being small, the control buttons are fairly closely spaced, I sometimes found myself accidentally turning off the camera when I meant to take a photo or start a video.

The camera recharges via a USB cable, which I wished was different for two reasons. One, it recharges slower than a separate charger does. Two, it’s a Sony proprietary cord, not a universal micro or mini USB. Oh well, nothing’s perfect!

Overal this is a great cameras for those who want to get still get the Sony brand they know and love without the high price tag. Cant go wrong with this one! Highly recommended!

4. Sony a7 Full-Frame Camera with 28-70mm Lens

Sony a7 Full-Frame Camera with 28-70mm Lens Specifications

Weight: 1.04 pounds
Recording Definition: 1080P HD
Megapixels: 24.3 MP
Flip Screen: Yes
Price: Click here to find the latest price

Sony a7 Full-Frame Camera with 28-70mm Lens

All the way over on the other side of the price spectrum is the Sony a7. This is an interchangeable lens professional digital camera in the full frame 35mm format. The highest image quality and a wide variety of lenses and other accessories makes this one of the best Sony vlogging cameras for anyone who can accept the higher costs, both in money and in size and weight.

When going from holding the previous camera to working with this one, the size and weight changes are very noticeable. Compared to other full frame professional cameras, the Sony mirrorless line up can be considered compact.

I tested this with the SEL2870, a 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 FE mt lens, a good all around choice lens. The maximum aperture is a little slow, but with the full frame format, raising the ISO will not affect image or video quality very much at all, especially considering what the size of the screen will be on devices the Vlog is likely to be viewed on.

The lens is very sharp and has a zoom range that many consider to be great for most subjects, wide angle to short telephoto, covering normal in between. It focuses close for macro work and includes Sony’s OSS image stabilization.

Both still images and videos looked amazing from this camera. Having such a large sensor size inside the compact body is wonderful. The only real drawback is going to be the cost of other lenses and accessories, since this is considered a professional camera.

Lenses for full frame mirrorless cameras are made by several different manufacturers, so there is a lot of room to grow as a system. The longer telephotos, fast lenses, and extreme wide angle lenses available are superb, but some can be rather a good amount of money.

Video recording in camera is limited to the same 29 minute segments as other Sony still cameras, but there is an HDMI port allowing export to an external recording device in full 1920×1080 uncompressed HD. Frame rates are up to 60p, 60i, and the cinematic standard of 24p. A built in MP4 codec allows smaller files for easier web uploads.

Autofocus is fast and accurate, using a hybrid system of phase detection and contrast detection. It happens so fast, you won’t even notice it during most shoots. Manual overrides are available for every aspect of still frame and motion picture photography.

This Sony A7 is easily one of the best Sony vlogging cameras, if you want to spend the extra money. If you need a professional still imaging system along with super high quality video, you really owe it to yourself to check this camera out.

5. Sony DSCWX220/B Digital Camera

Sony DSCWX220/B Digital Camera Specifications

Weight: 0.62 pounds
Recording Definition: 720P HD
Megapixels: 24.3 MP
Flip Screen: No
Price: Click here to find the latest price

Sony DSCWX220/B 18.2 MP Digital Camera

A long model number for a small camera! What makes this one of the best Sony vlogging cameras is its small size. With the camera off and the zoom lens retracted, this camera is about the same size as my smart phone. But, it offers so much more for vloggers than any smart phone.

One of the reasons to move up from a smart phone for any photography or videography is the sensor size. Regardless of how amazing the camera phone is, no smart phone can truly outperform a larger sensor camera. It’s not opinion, it’s physics.

Especially will that show through on this camera in low light video situations, where it excels. This Sony camera captures scenes, even in marginal or mixed lighting, with great tone and detail. For still photography, the 18.2mp sensor creates large image files with lots of room for post processing. In video mode, this camera allows for 1080/60p recording in segments of up to 29 minutes.

I’ve been jealous of this camera since I first saw a tourist using one at the beach side boardwalk where I was doing a commercial photo shoot. Now that I’ve been able to use it, I can honestly say that I want one. So many extra features and its great quality makes this one of the best Sony vlogging cameras for anyone wanting to move up from a smart phone.

For a vlogger, one of the limitations I noticed was the 29 minute recording time cut off. When making a planned out video, with multiple scenes edited into the final product, that segment length is no big deal. Recording a live event, though, might require some extra thought.

Any long and important event like a wedding or some corporate show should probably be captured with a different set of equipment. But if I wanted to record the live music shows on the boardwalk for YouTube, the 29 minute segments will require some starting, stopping, and editing. Not a big deal for most vloggers. This runs true for almost all dual use cameras, still and video.

The zoom lens retracts almost all the way into the camera, making it easy to fit into my pocket and offers a 10X zoom range optically. It zooms digitally to 20X, which I don’t really want to use for all the reasons I’ve mentioned in other reviews. Sony probably could have made the optical range of the zoom a little greater, but keeping it to 10X allows for the extremely compact camera profile.

Hopefully this guide on the best Sony Vlogging cameras has steered you in the right direction for your next purchase. If you feel like I have left anything out, please let me know so I can update or even add a new camera to this list.

Want to learn more? Below you can check out some out most noteworthy articles.

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