Best camera for Vlogging 2018: 10 perfect choices tested

Choosing the best camera for vlogging is a bit more complicated than looking at the video specifications of a range of cameras, since there are several other considerations to consider.

For a basic head shot, all you really need is the camera built into your smartphone, tablet or laptop. But if you want the world to sit down and take notice of your vlog and attract a wider audience, you should put in a little more effort and get the right tools for the job. So, what makes a good vlogging camera?

If you want to publish a record of your life experiences, you will need a camera small enough to take with you. That excludes large and heavy digital SLRs with a large number of lenses, but there is still a pair of relatively lightweight digital SLRs on the market that are ideal for vlogging.

For more convenience anywhere, a mirrorless camera can match the quality and versatility of a DSLR in a much smaller package. And if you do not feel the need to change lenses to suit different shooting scenarios, a normal compact camera usually takes up less space. For the heroes of all action, a specialized action camera is the one that best fits.

Video quality

Regardless of the type of camera you choose, you will need one that can offer good quality video, preferably in Full HD (1080p) or even 4k Ultra High Definition, both formats are now compatible with the likes of Youtube. The built-in Wi-Fi can be a great advantage, while a tilting or fully articulated LCD monitor screen can be extremely useful to put on the image.

We chose ten main cameras of various shapes, sizes and attributes to adapt to different vlogging styles

We chose ten main cameras of various shapes, sizes and attributes to fit different vlogging styles, and to fit the image more large of your still photographs and the video shooting requirements. Some will adapt to your exact needs better than others, so we have listed them alphabetically, instead of recommending a general winner.

1. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II

Type: Compact | Sensor size: 1.0-type | Resolution: 20.1MP | Effective focal length: 24-100 mm | Viewfinder: None | Monitor: Touch screen with 3.0 inch tilt | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC | Maximum movie resolution: 1080 60p | Size, weight: 106 x 61 x 42 mm, 319g

Tilt touch screen

Effective stabilization

Without viewfinder

Without video capture 4k

Smaller and lighter than Many DSLR bodies even without an installed lens, this compact camera is from the Canon PowerShot range of high performance. Despite its conveniently compact construction, it has a fast f / 1.8-2.8 zoom with a powerful 24-100 mm effective range, feeding a 1.0-inch sensor that is relatively large for a compact camera.

In addition to offering excellent quality still images, the PowerShot G7 X Mark II has smart features for vlogging. Although not fully articulated, the PowerShot G7 X Mark II edition adds a flip function to its tiltable touch screen, making framing easier when talking with the camera. 5-axis stabilization is also particularly good for countering camera movement when shooting movies, even when panning or moving, and is completed with an automatic level feature to keep your horizons straight.

Read our depth Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II review

2. Canon EOS 77D

A digital SLR camera specially adapted for vlogging

Type: DSLR | Sensor size: APS-C | Resolution: 24.2MP | Effective focal length: N / A | Viewfinder: Pentamirror | Monitor: 3.0 inch vari-angle touch screen | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth | Maximum movie resolution: 1080 60p | Size, weight: 131 x 100 x 76 mm, 540 g

Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus

Large touch screen vari-angle

Relatively bulky

Without video capture 4k

] DSLRs are notoriously deficient for Live View autofocus and when movies are taken. Like many of Canon's current DSLRs, the EOS 77D solves the problem with the Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus. This allows a much faster and more effective autofocus in the capture of movies, especially when tracking subjects in motion. It also works as a gift with the touch screen, allowing you to simply point to any part of the scene you want to focus on. Better yet, the screen is fully articulated, so you can make sure you're positioned correctly when you talk to the camera.

More unusually for a Canon DSLR, the EOS 77D features 5-axis sensor shift image stabilization. The camera still depends on the optical stabilization on the lens for capturing still images, but the & # 39; Digital IS & # 39; It is very effective when movies are taken.

Read our in-depth review Canon EOS 77D

3. Fujifilm X-A5

A little wonder for capturing movies

Type: Mirrorless | Sensor size: APS-C | Resolution: 24.2MP | Effective focal length: N / A | Viewfinder: None | Monitor: Touch screen with 3.0 inch tilt | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Maximum movie resolution: 4K 15p | Size, weight: 117 x 68 x 40 mm, 361g

Intelligent selfie mode

Lens option of Power Zoom kit

Without viewfinder

Only takes 4k at 15 fps

] Wonderfully compact, this mirrorless camera body is only 40mm deep and still very thin when equipped with the optional 15-45mm lens kit, which has a retractable design and a power boost function, ideal for video capture. Ideal to put in the shot, the LCD screen is activated 180 degrees, automatically activating the auto focus of eye detection in the process. The fact that it is a touch screen also helps to literally point out the moving objects you want to focus on.

Advanced vi
deo features include "high-speed movies" with slow-motion playback and ultra-high-definition 4K capture. There is a catch, however, that 4K movies have a maximum frame rate of only 15 fps. The result can be a very detailed but uneven video, something that defeats the object.

Read our in-depth review of Fujifilm X-A5

4. GoPro Hero5 Black

Type: Action | Sensor size: 4.5 x 6.2 mm | Resolution: 12MP | Effective focal length: 14-28 mm | Viewfinder: None | Monitor: 2.0-inch touch screen | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Maximum movie resolution: 4K 30p | Size, weight: 62 x 45 x 33 mm, 118g

Created for action

Extremely compact

Without drop-down display

Delicate touch screen

The brand of the camera GoPro has become synonymous with shooting a sporty and adventurous lifestyle. There are several models to choose from, but the Black Hero5 offers excellent performance and versatility at an attractive price. With the ability to choose between viewing angles equivalent to 14mm, 21mm and 28mm in a full-frame camera, it is something of a wide-angle specialist, but the resolution of 12MP is quite low. It adapts much better to video capture and, in fact, offers 4K videos at 30 fps.

Boldly where vlogging might not have come before, the Hero5 Black is water resistant to 10m / 33ft, has a more durable battery than previous editions and allows hands-free voice control. There is also a touch screen, but it is a little small, which is to be expected, considering that the camera is very small. A wide range of clamps and accessories allow you to connect the GoPro to almost anything.

Read our in-depth review GoPro Hero5 Black

5. Nikon D5600

A very well connected DSLR

Type: DSLR | Sensor size: APS-C | Resolution: 24.2MP | Effective focal length: N / A | Viewfinder: Pentamirror | Monitor: touch screen with 3.2 inch variangle | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth | Maximum movie resolution: 1080 60p | Size, weight: 124 x 97 x 70 mm, 465g

Fully articulated display

Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth

Relatively poor film focus

No capture of 4K video

Particularly small and lightweight for a digital SLR camera, the D5600 is easy to transport, especially with its retractable virtual reality kit lens of 18-55 mm. With an autofocus motor & # 39; Pulse & # 39 ;, the lens of the kit also offers the advantage of smooth and silent focus transitions when shooting movies. However, unlike the more recent Canon DSLRs, the lack of autofocus phase detection through the image sensor results in slow performance and relatively poor tracking of moving subjects.

The fully articulated 3.2-inch LCD screen looks good from any angle and can be a huge help when shooting yourself, or shooting anything from complicated angles. As with most DSLRs at this price, the maximum video resolution is 1080 60p, but currently it is good enough for most of us.

Read our in-depth review of Nikon D5600

6. Olympus Pen E-PL9

A slim body with an optional pancake lens

Type: Mirrorless | Sensor size: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution: 16.1Mp | Effective focal length: N / A | Viewfinder: None | Monitor: Touch screen with 3.0 inch tilt | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Maximum movie resolution: 4K 30p | Size, weight: 117 x 68 x 39 mm, 380g

Elegant and simple

4K movie capture

Fixed 16MP resolution

Without viewfinder

Easy to use but elegant and effective, the Pen E-PL9 fits a large number of cameras in a very thin package. It is still very compact when adding the lens of the EZ Pancake kit of 14-42 mm, which has a motorized zoom lens for movies. The camera has a three-axis sensor shift image stabilizer that allows stabilization with any attached lens, to capture movies and photographs. The movies themselves can be shot at resolutions of up to 4K at 30 fps, and there's also an option to capture at high speed at 720p at 120 fps.

Taking selfies and capturing you in movies benefits from a tiltable LCD screen with a 180 degree angle flipped installations, and the autofocus system comes with face detection and eye detection options. In addition to Wi-Fi, the camera has built-in Bluetooth for easy synchronization with other mobile devices.

Read our review Olympus PEN E-PL9 in depth

7. Olympus Tough TG-Tracker

Not one for a quiet life

Type: Action | Sensor size: 1 / 2.3-inch | Resolution: 7.2MP | Effective focal length: 13.9 mm | Viewfinder: None | Monitor: 1.5-inch, flip-out | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Maximum movie resolution: 4K 30p | Size, weight: 35 x 57 x 93 mm, 180 g

Action-proof and weather-resistant

Video 4K at 30 fps

The screen does not rotate

Distance fixed focal [19659002] Despite being very small and light, this action camera has an elegant design that is more reminiscent of a miniature camcorder than a digital matchbox. A rugged cookie, the Olympus is water resistant up to 30 m, resistant to freezing at -10 ° C, crush proof up to 100 kg, and can withstand 2.1 m drops. Other adventurous features include GPS, an electronic compass, an accelerometer, a thermometer and even a pressure gauge, as well as a "lighthouse" to take a photo in the dark.

No need to worry about the focus, because the ultra-built The main wide-angle lens allows a fixed focus setting that keeps everything sharp from 20 cm away to infinity. Still, putting yourself in the frame can be a bit unpredictable, since the pull-down LCD screen does not rotate and can not be seen from the front of the camera.

Read our depth Review Olympus Tough TG-Tracker

8. Panasonic Lumix GX80 / GX85

Ingenious tricks without mirrors

Type: Mirrorless | Sensor size: Micro Four Thirds | Resolution: 16MP | Effective focal length: N / A | Viewfinder: Electronic | Monitor: Touch screen with 3.0 inch tilt | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Maximum movie resolution: 4K 25p | Size, weight: 122 x 71 x 44 mm, 426g

Electronic viewfinder

4K movie capture

Still image resolution of only 16MP

The screen has only one function of limited tilt

Panasonic has made a name for itself in the production of still cameras that are equally expert in shooting video. The Lumix GX80 (known as the GX85 in the United States) is a good example of this. It is well built but is much thinner than a digital SLR camera, despite having an excellent built-in electronic viewfinder, as well as a tiltable LCD touch screen. A retractable lens of 12-32 mm continues the compact design. A disappointment with the rear LCD screen is that the amount of tilt is relatively limited, so it can not be monitored when it is in front of the camera.

Autofocus performance is excellent for still images and movie capture, as is the 5-axis sensor shift image stabilizer, which can work alone or in conjunction with optical stabilization (if it appears on a coupled lens) ). The 4kK 25p movie capture is welcome but, as with most Micro Four Thirds cameras, the 16MP resolution is a little outdated.

Read our comprehensive review of Panasonic Lumix GX80 / GX85

9. Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV

A Cyber-shot with high-speed emotions

Type: Compact | Sensor size: 1.0-type | Resolution: 20.1MP | Effective focal length: 24-70 mm | Viewfinder: Electronic | Monitor: 3.0 inch tilt angle | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC | Maximum movie resolution: 4K 25p | Size, weight: 102 x 58 x 41 mm, 298g

Good electronic viewfinder

180 degree tiltable display

Without touch screen

4k shooting time restricted

Disarmingly small and simple in its appearance, the RX100 Mk IV is, however, a compact camera engine, with a built-in zoom lens that has an effective zoom range of 24-70 mm and an aperture index f / 1.8-2.8 Quick. Not only the goal is fast. Thanks to a remarkable CMOS image sensor & # 39; stacked & # 39; With a DRAM chip on board, it is capable of shooting at high speed. Impressively fast shutter speeds of up to 1 / 32,000th of a second are available, with full distortion function to avoid shutter effects when recording video. Sony also allows high-speed frame video at up to 960 fps, resulting in a 40x camera installation super slow. Even still images are fast, up to 16 fps using the full 20.1MP resolution of the type 1.0 image sensor.

Still images and video can be composed using the pop-up electronic viewfinder, or through a tiltable LCD screen that can be flipped up to 180 degrees to view from the front of the camera. You can capture video at resolutions up to 4k 25p, although UHD video clips are limited to a maximum duration of only five minutes. The same limitation applies to the new edition RX100 V, which has a more advanced autofocus system but is more expensive to buy.

Read our in-depth review Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV

10. Sony Alpha A6000

A small cracking
chamber with a nice kit lens

Type: Without mirror | Sensor size: APS-C | Resolution: 24.3Mp | Effective focal length: 24-75 mm | Viewfinder: Electronic | Monitor: 3.0 inch tilt angle | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC | Maximum movie resolution: 1080 60p | Size, weight: 120 x 67 x 45 mm, 344g

Small but powerful

Ideal for super slow motion

Video capture not 4k

Without touch screen, limited tilt [19659002] The new stablemates of this camera include A6300 and A6500, which add 4k film capture and five-axis stabilization, respectively. The A6000 is considerably less expensive to buy and still has a lot to offer. It incorporates a 24.3MP APS-C image sensor in a very compact mirrorless design, with a fast hybrid phase / contrast autofocus system and a high resolution OLED viewer. The aim of the 16-50 mm kit is worth having, which provides an effective zoom range of 24-70 mm, complete with optical stabilization and motorized zoom.

For easy sharing with compatible smartphones and tablets, Sony has NFC as well as Wi-Fi Connectivity Smart remote control is also available through a smartphone application, but the versatility of the tiltable LCD screen is more limited . It does not tilt enough to allow viewing when you're "in front of the camera," and it's not a touch screen either.

Read our in-depth review by Sony Alpha A6000

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