The 7 Best Vlogging Cameras of 2022: Complete Buying Guide

If you are just a beginner in this field and want to start creating videos on YouTube, Tik Tok or other software platforms alike.

There is a wide variety of cameras available on the market nowadays. Therefore, it’s tough for you to find out the most suitable camera for vlogging and video creation on YouTube without technical know-how.

That’s why today, we’re listing the 7 best vlogging cameras that’ll skyrocket your YouTube video’s production value!

The Top 7 Best Vlogging Cameras of 2022

1. Sony ZV-1 (Our choice for the best vlogging camera in 2022)
2. Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II
3. Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
4. GoPro Hero 8 Black
5. Canon EOS M50
6. Sony Alpha A6600
7. Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S

Our Pick for the Best Overall Vlogging Camera

Best Use Case

Suitable for beginners as well as for professional vloggers. The ZV-1 comes with a full list of features that will appeal to vloggers of all proficiency levels.

The ZV-1 is used by most YouTubers and the quick autofocus system and easy to edit footage makes export YouTube videos easy.

Specs:

• 1-inch 20.1-MP Exmor RS BSI CMOS Sensor
• Bionz X image processor
• Zeiss 24-70mm (35mm format equiv.) f/1.8 – 2.8 lens
• UHD/4K 30p video recording
• HLG & S-Log3 Gamma
• 3-inch flip-out touchscreen LCD display

Price

Review

The ZV-1 wins the title of the best vlogging camera in 2021. The sensor resolution isn’t something that is miles ahead of some of the other cameras of 2020 and 2021. But under the hood, the camera comes loaded with exclusive features for vlogging.

I like the Zeiss 24-70mm (35mm format equivalent) f/1.8 – 2.8 lens. I love the convenience of a single lens that does it all.

In any case, as a vlogger, the widest focal length you will ever need is 35mm. Anything less than that and the corners will start to appear distorted. Similarly, the longest telephoto focal length you need is no more than 70mm. So, this lens is just perfect.

Add to that the availability of Sony’s S-Log2 and HLG picture profiles. As a vlogger, not any prefers to color grade their footages. They would simply shoot and edit in their favorite editing software and that’s about it for them.

But, if you are someone who makes videos on photography and/or videography, or if you’re an indie filmmaker that wants to give cinematic colors to your footage, you would love the presence of S-Log2 and HLG. These two give you a greater degree of control over how the final video looks. 

Full Sony ZV-1 Review

2. Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II: Best for Beginner Vloggers/Best Budget Vlogging Camera

Best Use Case

With a compact body, a list full of features, and an attractive price tag this camera should appeal to beginner vloggers that want to get serious.

Specs

• The camera is powered by a 1-inch 20.2-MP CMOS sensor.
• Image processing is handled by Canon’s DIGIC 8 image processor.
• Built-in fixed lens with a 35mm optical zoom range of 24-100mm.
• 3-inch 1.04M-dot vari-angle touchscreen.
• UHD/4K video at 30 fps (Progressive).
• Built-in Image Stabilization.
• Built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

Price

Review

The major USP (unique selling point) of the G7 X Mark II is that it is a very lightweight camera. Just 304 grams with the battery and a memory card. This camera is everything that a user wants from a lightweight point-and-shoot unit, with the added benefits of powerful video features.

The UHD/4K video recording at 30p is useful for a vlogger. You can use that for slow-motion B-rolls. Alternatively, you can always shoot at a more cinematic 24 fps.

It has a built-in time-lapse feature that can take your sequentially shot frames and convert them into time-lapse footage.

A single lens that covers the essential focal length of 24-100mm is extremely useful for shooting vlogs. A vlogger rarely needs anything longer or wider. So, you will never feel the need to buy another camera/lens.

Additionally, you also have an intuitive control ring on the lens barrel. This gives you additional control over a select shooting parameter for fast access.

The G7 X Mark II narrowly loses out to the Sony ZV-1 for the title of the best vlogging camera.

3. Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III: Best for Handheld Shots and Cinematic Videos

Best Use Case

Mark III of the OM-D E-M5 comes with superb built-in image stabilization. This camera will suit vloggers who love shooting hand-held footage for their vlogs. 

Specs

• The camera has a 20.4-MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds sensor.
• Image processing is powered by a TruePic VIII image processing engine.
• The back of the camera is dominated by a large 3-inch 1.04M-Dot Vari-angle touchscreen.
• The OLED EVF offers a resolution of 2.36M-dots.
• Capable of shooting DCI/4K footages at 24p and UHD/4K at 30p.
• 5-axis sensor-shift type image stabilization.

Price

Review

There are so many things I like about this camera:

First, it has the DCI/4K video capability. It uses a true cinematic 24 fps frame rate for recording DCI/4K footage.

The second major feature is the external mic jack input and the option to use an external recording monitor. This means you can record crisp sound with the videos using an external mic.

Plus, with the external monitor, you have a better view of the composition.

The third major advantage is 4:2:2 8-bit output. Meaning that when you are color correcting your footage in the post-production, you have a lot more color data to play with compared to a 4:2:0 sample.

I am not a big fan of in-body stabilization. However, I think for someone who is a beginner and cannot spend a lot of money on a gimbal or a flycam, in-body stabilization is the next best thing. 6.5 stops of image stabilization are great to have when shooting hand-held.

4. GoPro Hero 8 Black: Best for Wide-Angle Shots and Travel Vloggers

Best Use Case

Great camera for shooting travel vlogs. You can use this camera for interesting wide-angle perspectives.

This is the best bang for your buck GoPro, much better than the GoPro 9 or 10. The newer versions don’t solve enough problems that they should have with recent versions.

Specs

• Up to UHD/4K video recording resolution.
• Comes with TimeWarp 2.0 stabilized time-lapse video feature. Great for time-lapse footages.
• Waterproof up to a depth of 33-feet. Works without the need for any special housing. 
• Comes with a range of 15 voice commands including one to start recording.
• Electronic video stabilization for better-stabilized shots.

Price

Review

The GoPro Hero 8 Black has a tried and tested design convenient to use in real-life situations. Especially, if you are a travel vlogger.

Little things like a very useful voice command feature that allows you to start recording without having to touch the camera controls are very useful. A lot of YouTubers will love this feature.

The greatest USP of the GoPro is that it is a very small camera and therefore adds to the overall usability in all kinds of situations.

Whether you are shooting in a tight alley in India or shooting underwater near the Great Barrier reef or taking it for a skydiving experience in Waialua, Hawaii, the GoPro goes with you anywhere you want to go.

The fact that it is waterproof without the need for separate housing means you can take it outdoors in inclement weather and shoot whenever you want.

5. Canon EOS M50: Best All-Around Vlogging Camera

Best Use Case

Ideally suitable for vloggers looking for a lightweight camera to shoot videos with. It comes with a powerful APS-C sensor.

Specs

• Powered by a 24.1MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• Features Canon’s DIGIC 8 image processor for better image processing.
• Shoots UHD/4K at 24p and Full HD at 60p.
• Has the option to plug in an external mic
• 3-inch 1.04k-dots articulating touchscreen
•  Canon’s Dual-pixel CMOS autofocusing

Price

Review

Among a series of 1-inch powered cameras, the EOS M50 comes across as a breath of fresh air. The camera has a powerful APS-C sensor.

The main features of the camera include the ability to shoot UHD/4K footages at 24p. It can also shoot full-HD footage at 60p.

There is an internal stereo mic. Plus, you also get the option to plug in an external stereo mic for better quality sound recording.

But the feature that I really love is the Dual-pixel CMOS autofocusing Canon designed for better and smoother autofocusing when shooting in live-view mode.

This technology also benefits the smooth Movie-Servo (AF) feature of the camera – this is the autofocusing feature that you would normally use when recording yourself.The last notable feature is the Intelligent Image Stabilization. This technology offers 5-axis digital stabilization working with a compatible lens’ built-in stabilization system.

6. Sony Alpha A6600: Great Choice for Video Creators

Best Use Case  

The Sony a6600 is a surprisingly powerful camera ideal for vloggers and bloggers alike. With its 24.2-MP sensor and BIONZ X image processor, the camera is capable of producing 4K/UHD videos at 30p internally and full-HD videos at 120p. Ideal for someone looking for a lightweight powerful camera for vlogging.

Specs

• Powered by a 24.2-MP Exmor CMOS APS-C sensor
• BIONZ X image processor
• Real-time Eye-AF with Real-time subject tracking.
• 3-inch 180-degree tilting touchscreen with a resolution of 921k-dots.
• 425-point phase-detection and contrast-detection Hyrbid Autofocusing system.
• Features Sony’s 4D FOCUS system.
• S-Log2 and S-Log3 Gamma support better control over color during post-processing.
• 5-axis SteadyShot image stabilization system built-in.
•  Excellent build quality using magnesium-alloy material.
• Weather-sealed buttons and dials.
• Enhanced zebra function.

Price

Review

The Sony Alpha a6600 is the latest of the a6xxx series cameras. When compared with the likes of the a6400 and the a6300 the a6600 is a bit pricey. But when you compare the benefits to the price, the ratio is always favorable.

Let’s quickly skim through a few of the major features of this camera.

First up I have the UHD/4K 30p shooting abilities of the camera. The older versions of this camera like the a6400 had time capping on the video length. The a6600 has no time capping.

Based on the Super35 recording area of the sensor, the a6600 can oversample the videos, capturing a lot of detail. The effective resolution of the videos is 6K, which is downgraded to 4K/UHD when saving.

If you are saving internally using a memory card the camera uses the XAVC S format and saves the videos with a 4:2:0 sampling rate. However, if you use an external recorder, you can save in 4:2:2 sampling rate. This gives you a slightly higher amount of color information for post-processing needs. If you don’t do post-processing then you don’t need the extra details.

I like the fact that the camera supports both S-Log2 and S-Log3 Gamma and HLG for an added amount of color detail. 

Did you know the a6600 offers 14 stops of dynamic range? That means it can segregate 14 levels of brightness between pure white and pure black, giving you an incredible amount of contrast for your footages.

Vloggers often complain that they are unable to correctly detect when they are about to blow the highlights, especially when shooting in a high contrast scenario. For them, the A6600 comes with a special feature that you would normally find in a high-end video camera – Zebra highlights.

Zebra highlight is nothing new. It merely highlights the areas which have blown-out highlights so that you can adjust your exposure.

7. Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S: Best High Quality 4K Vlogging Camera

Best Use Case

The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S comes from an established pedigree of camera systems. Before the GH5S came the GH4. The GH4 was also a favorite among video shooters. The GH5S is the dedicated video shooting version of the GH5 that came before it.

Specs

• 10-MP four-thirds Multi-aspect Ratio MOS sensor
• Comes without an anti-aliasing filter.
• 3.2-inch full articulated screen.
• DCI 4K video resolution (4096×2160) at 60p
• V-log L Gamma and Hybrid Log-Gamma
• Internal 4:2:2 10-Bit video recording.
• Completely weather-sealed construction.
• Relatively lightweight for a dedicated video shooter.
• Dual native ISO

Price

Review

In many ways, if you are looking for a professional-grade camera in a small form factor you don’t have to look beyond the Panasonic GH5S. This small and lightweight micro four third mount interchangeable lens camera comes loaded with features that even professionals would love to wield.

If you ever wanted a camera that captures DCI 4K videos at 60p internally with 10-Bit 4:2:2 color depth the GH5S should come high on your shopping list.

If you are a serious video shooter or interested in some indie video projects you will love the internal 10-Bit 4:2:2 color sampling. This gives you a lot more detail to play around with when color grading your videos during post-processing. 

But the real beauty is you don’t need to plug in an external recorder to be able to shoot at 10-Bit 4:2:2.

I love the dual native ISO feature of the GH5S. It is like using a film camera with two different stocks of film loaded into it. The actual technology behind Dual Native ISO is a bit complicated and I will leave that discussion for some other day. But for the sake of this discussion, I can mention that Dual Native ISO helps by reducing the amount of noise that is captured in your footages.

Speaking of noise, the other reason why the GH5S promises less noise is because of the large size of the individual pixels. 

Another interesting feature of the GH5S is the Focus Peaking feature. This feature, as you may be aware, highlights the edges of areas that are in focus when manually turning the focus ring. This helps incredibly when manually adjusting focus. 

But that said, the GH5S is not without its cons. When you compare it with the original GH5, the GH5S does not come with body-based image stabilization. Sure, you can use a lens that comes with image stabilization. But that means extra weight because of the stabilization elements to be built-in to the lens.

What to Look For When Buying a Vlogging Camera 

A good camera is an essential requirement for anyone looking to make a career in vlogging. Now, a good vlogging camera is a subjective thing. It depends on several parameters. But we can broadly categorize them under the following:

Portability

Vloggers and video creators need an easy-to-use camera that is ready in all situations. Point-and-shoot vlogging cameras have a non-intrusive attached lens. This is especially handy for stowing the camera in bags and pockets.

Flip-Screen

The most important part of vlogging is being confident in what you capture. You can’t do this without being able to see yourself while recording. Having a flip screen is essential for your vlogging camera. 

Auto Focus

A fast AF on your vlogging camera is crucial. Your time and footage will be wasted if your camera can’t keep up with you. There’s nothing worse than seeing blurry footage and waiting for the camera to adjust. 

Make sure you can rely on the focusing of your camera to ensure your shorts are not unusable.

Low Light Performance

Many vlogging cameras boast excellent specs but can suffer in darkness. If you shoot in darker areas or night scenes, some cameras’ ISO performance is not adequate. Lighting is extremely important but a good camera can save your footage and reduce grain and noise.

Budget

Many vloggers will be happy with a cheap vlogging camera that does the trick. There are plenty of cameras today that you can buy with HD resolution. Though, that may mean that video quality will suffer.

You’re better off using your smartphone to vlog if you want a cheap camera. Devices today have many awesome video specs and we use them more than anything!

Many things tie into the price of a good camera, such as 4K video, AF, low light performance, brand name, and overall camera body quality. That’s what makes these machines expensive but powerful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hopefully this article gave you some insight on the best vlogging cameras for 2021 and which one suits you!

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