In this Just Digital Gear Review, we take a look at the best vlogging cameras for the serious (or even beginning) Youtube content creator and vlogger. Specifically, we review the top mirrorless and DSLR vlogging cameras for 2018.

With the rise of social media influencers came the rise of a new form of marketing. One that demanded a new form of content from a new kind of creator. The vlogging and social media influencer industry has seen a lot of growth over the past couple of years and we want to help content creators create.

There are many excellent cameras on the market for vlogging. So lets take a look at what camera fits best to kickstart your content creation! Let’s get started.

Note: If you want to see other of our top picks for best vlogging cameras, check out our review here. We came out with our list of Top compact Vlogging cameras where we featured Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II, Canon EOS M50, Panasonic LX10, GoPro Hero6 Black and Fujifilm X-A5.

Canon EOS Rebel T6i Review

Introduction

The Canon EOS Rebel T6i gives you high-quality photos and videos which makes it an excellent vlogging camera. Since the camera is WiFi enabled, it is very easy to share the videos. The Canon EOS Rebel T6i is very user-friendly and you can shoot videos with it very easily.

The camera has a high-resolution 24.2 MP CMOS sensor so you can click crisp, finely detailed, and natural-looking photographs. You also get HD videos with the advanced AF of the EOS Rebel T6i. The advanced AF gives fast and exact focus on subjects.

Regardless of the subject, be it shooting friends, sports scenes, landscapes, or in difficult light situations, the advanced EOS Scene Analysis system of the Canon EOS Rebel T6i  will automatically adjust to give you the best results.

For the first time, the EOS Rebel line of cameras has built-in NFC and Wi-Fi. You can easily transfer the images and videos that you shoot onto devices that can post it directly to your vlogging site or to YouTube. No matter the location you are at, sharing and posting become very easy. Canon has invested a lot in technology for sharing videos and images. It has Near Field Communication (NFC) so that you can pair easily with Android devices that are compatible and also with the new Connect Station CS100 device from Canon.

The performance of the EOS Rebel T6i is very fast and seamless in various shooting environments. This takes the effort of manually tweaking your camera out of the way and allows you to focus on the content on your vlog to make beautiful videos.

Check the latest price on Amazon

Pros

24.2 Megapixel Sensor: The next-generation 24.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor of the EOS Rebel T6i camera can capture videos and images of great depth. It has ISO 100–12800 which g(expandable to H: 25600) which gives you excellent videos even in the most complex lighting situations. It gives you the ability to point and shoot in a DSLR camera.

Easy to use:  The advanced features of the EOS Rebel T6i camera give it the ability to shoot videos with ease. You can simply turn on the camera, select video mode and start shooting. The camera will adjust to the lighting and the subjects. You will still get videos in HD which will be great when you upload them on your website or on YouTube.

DIGIC 6 Image Processor: The camera has a DIGIC 6 Image Processor. This gives you a lot of advancements in the video quality. The light sensitivity is improved which gives you the ability to shoot higher definition videos with less noise even when you are shooting in dark conditions. The DIGIC 6 Image Processor of the camera also improves the camera’s performance. You can shoot high-speed, full-resolution videos in continuous or still mode. It gives you automatic distortion correction. You can shoot videos in MP4 format so that you get videos which are directly compatible with tablets and mobile devices. The MP4 videos are highly compressed which increases the space on the memory card and also improves the playback effect on mobile devices. It is also easy to upload MP4 videos on YouTube.

Sophisticated Movie Recording: The EOS Rebel T6i camera uses technology that comes in professional videos but makes it automatic so that it is easy to use. You can get full HD, high-quality videos even if you don’t have video shooting and editing experience. Hybrid CMOS AF III gives fast and consistent focus, the advanced EOS optics gives you shallow depth-of-field so that you get the cinematic ambiance that you see in professional films. The Canon STM lenses give you smooth AF and a high ISO sensitivity so that you can record videos even when the light is low. The videos are saved in MP4 format so that you get high-quality videos which take less space and are easy to share.

Hybrid CMOS AF III: The Rebel T6i has a very sophisticated AF system for video shooting which makes it great for vloggers. The Hybrid CMOS AF III gives you quick and accurate focus and even keeps the focus intact when the subject is in motion. This helps a lot when you are making a video of objects that are moving or if the movement is unpredictable. It gives you the best autofocus capability. You get videos with consistent and sharp focus.

Fun Creative Filters: The EOS Rebel T6i camera gives you a lot of options when it comes to creative filters for your videos. You get them in presets and you can choose them before you start shooting your video. The effects include Water Painting, Art Bold, Fisheye effect, and Toy Camera, Soft Focus, White plus Miniature, and Grainy Black effect in the movie mode. You can affect the scene and the mood of your video well with these filters.

Cons

Screen freezing: The most common issues with the EOS Rebel T6i camera online are with its screen freezing when you use it. There are comments that suddenly the camera display stops rotating and remains upside down.

Poor customer service: Though reviewers who bought the camera on Amazon have said that they got excellent replacement service from Amazon, the response from customer service at Canon is very poor and don’t resolve the customer’s issues.

Recommendation

The Canon EOS Rebel T6i is an excellent camera when it comes to speed, performance and video image quality in HD. It has connectivity which the earlier EOS Rebel versions didn’t have which makes it perfect for vlogging as it makes transfers to Android devices easy so you can edit and post your video quickly and effortlessly. The DIGIC 6 Image Processor and the Hybrid CMOS AF III makes it very easy to create high-quality videos even if you are a beginner. The numerous effects will help you create a more entertaining video.

Check the latest price on Amazon

Panasonic Lumix GH5 Review

Introduction

There was a time when you could record videos on camcorders if you wanted to record high-quality videos and also have portability. Over the past decade, mirrorless cameras and DSLRs have been capturing the market for video recording. Today, most photo cameras come along with the ability to shoot high-quality videos and are easy to use.

The Panasonic’s Lumix GH5 brings to you video recording that is as good as a professional filmmaker would use. It has 4K/60p video capture which is excellent for high-quality videos. This makes it an excellent vlogging camera.

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 has complete video features in its mirrorless body and is a compact device. You can shoot 4K video continuously until the memory is full or as long as the battery lasts. It can record a frame rate of double as compared to normal 4K mirrorless cameras. The Panasonic GH5 is made primarily for videographers so it is a perfect camera for vlogging.

The Panasonic’s Lumix GH5 can capture professional photos and record 4K video performance. It is very durable and comes in a magnesium alloy body. This makes it an excellent camera for vloggers who travel and record adventure vlogging video since the body is very strong.

The camera has a 20.3 MP sensor without a low pass filter. It can record 4K video as it has internal recording at 4k 60/50P and 4k 30/25P/24P. It has variable video frame rates in 4K with a maximum of 60 frames per second and an FHD with a maximum of 180 frames per second.

Check the latest price on Amazon

Pros

Compact and easy to control: The body of the camera is light and very compact. This makes it an excellent camera for a vlogger who wants to carry the camera while traveling. The mid-section of the body is slim and it is just 1.6 pounds in weight. The grip is very comfortable to hold. When you compare the camera to other mirrorless cameras it is slightly bigger but it still is very compact for its specifications. Since it has a separate button for still shutter and for video recording, you can easily use either mode. There is a control wheel near the shutter and it has a second wheel at the back which is beside the thumb rest. This makes it easy to adjust the shutter speed and the aperture while having your eye at the viewfinder.

Versatile LCD: The camera has a 3.2-inch LCD screen. The LCD screen is of 1,620k-dot so it gives to you a perfect representation of everything inside the frame. It also gives you focus peaking in case you need manual focus. The LCD is hinge mounted and touch-sensitive. This gives you a wide range of angles to view including facing the front. This makes the camera perfect for vloggers.

Joystick for focal point: The Panasonic’s Lumix GH5 has a joystick makes it quick and easy to adjust the focal point when you are in the autofocus mode. You can use the touchscreen to set the focus point but the joystick gives more accuracy.

Output and storage: Output is very important when you are vlogging as you need to connect your accessories. The HDMI port gives you 4K output. You also get ports for your microphone, USB Type-C, and headphones. You also have two SD card slots. This allows you to shoot videos in large sizes and extend the time that you can use to shoot the video.

Strong, durable and weather-resistant: The Panasonic’s Lumix GH5 has a body made of magnesium alloy. This makes it strong and durable which is necessary for vloggers who travel or are into adventure vlogging. You can also use the camera in heavy rain and snow.

High-quality videos: The GH5 gives you a 4K/60p video. Even though most high-end cameras give you 4K resolution, the 60 frames per second will allow you to have non-stop recording time. The SD slots ensure that you can keep recording and there still is sufficient space (You can record for over two hours with a 128GB card). Generally, when you use Ultra HD resolution for a long period of time, the processing creates a lot of heat and the camera can overheat; this issue doesn’t happen with the GH5. This feature makes it perfect for vloggers who want to record long videos.

Cons

Video editing: If you have selected the MP4 or MOV file type, you will need a high-end computer to edit the footage. For the 4K/60p mode, you will have to select the MP4 option. You may also need editing software, like Apple Final Cut Pro for Mac and Adobe Premiere Pro for a PC. If you are a beginner when it comes to video editing, this can be an issue. On a Mac, you can view a 4K/60p files in QuickTime, the file won’t open in iMovie.

 

Recommendation

If you are looking for high-quality HD video recording for your vlog or YouTube, the Panasonic’s Lumix GH5 is an excellent choice. It is a mirrorless camera which gives you a high resolution, excellent detail, and good stabilization. It is more of a video camera than a still camera as you can add accessories like an external microphone, a shoulder rig, or a larger monitor to it.

If you want a camera for vlogging Hollywood-caliber blockbusters videos then the Panasonic’s Lumix GH5 is the one to go for. It is head to beat as it has 4K at 60p whereas most cameras in the market at the same price top out at 30p. It does not limit your clip length nor does it overheat.

When you compare the Panasonic’s Lumix GH5 to pro video cameras and camcorders the price is very competitive. Since the video editing is a bit complicated and the price of the camera is expensive, the Panasonic’s Lumix GH5 may not be the best for every vlogger, but it is worth the price when you consider the quality and the length of the videos. If you want a strong, sturdy vlogging camera which can take HD quality videos, you should consider the Panasonic’s Lumix GH5.

Check the latest price on Amazon

Nikon D5600 Review

Introduction

 

The Nikon D5600 is the smallest and the most connected DSLR from the Nikon brand. Nikon makes great DSLRs with good metering, great autofocus, and excellent image sensors. Nikon attacks its competition from smartphone and smaller mirrorless cameras, with the D5600. It maintains the excellent quality of videos that can be recorded on a DSLR along with being compact, light and has an easy image and video transferability.

If you compare the D5600 to an older D5500, the only major addition is SnapBridge. SnapBridge allows you to connect your camera with other devices via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. This makes it very useful for vloggers as you can transfer your video files easily for publishing.

The new D5600 is targeted to photographers and vloggers who want their first DSLR and wouldn’t mind spending a bit. This camera is also targeted to existing Nikon owners of older models who want to upgrade their camera.

Check the price on Amazon

Pros

Performance: The D5600’s optical viewfinder gives a bright and clear view from 95% of the frame and has key shooting information directly below it. The D5600 has a 3.2 rear display which is side-hinged. This allows you to keep the screen at any angle you like. You can also fold it inside towards the camera so that it gets more protection. The camera has a 24.2MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor and has an EXPEED 4 Image Processor. The best feature of the camera is that it has video recording with full HD 1080p at 60 frames per second.

Small and lightweight: When you compare the Nikon 5600 to other DSLRs, it is compact and lightweight. This helps you carry it easily when you are traveling.

Low light videos: Though most cameras have an issue with clicking clear images and recording clear videos in low light, the Nikon 5600 doesn’t have that issue. It has an Expeed image processor and a great autofocus system. You can shoot at ISO 25,600, and you can also expand the ISO sensitivity of 6,400 in Night Landscape mode. This allows you to work in low-light scenes

Image and video transfer: SnapBridge has made transferring videos and images very easy in the Nikon D5600. It is a Bluetooth-based system that uses a low-energy connection via which you stay connected to your smartphone or other devices and transfers image and video files. The camera is Wi-Fi enabled and helps in video transfer as the files are heavier.

Excellent build: The D5600 is one of the lightest and smallest high-quality DSLRs on the market today. Even though the Nikon is slim, the polycarbonate shell of the camera is really strong. You have to be careful while using it outside though because it is not weather-proofed. The Nikon D5600 has a deep finger grip and a ridged thumb rest so that you get a very secure grip. It is well balanced when you hold it. It is quick and efficient. The Nikon D5600 has a responsive touchscreen and a large display.

Enhanced video features: With the Nikon D5600, you can record videos in full HD with vibrant color, photo-like sharpness, and clear stereo sound. You also get the AF-P lens, so that you get near-silent autofocus. This gives you maximum audio fidelity. You can also create great time-lapse movies.

Free cloud storage: In case you need to store your heavy video files online for editing in the future, you can save them securely in the Nikon Image Space. You can set up the settings so that it happens automatically. This helps you to access the files late on the go even if you don’t have your camera or other storage devices with you.

Cons

Dark JPEGs: Due to the low-light clicking ability of the Nikon D5600, the JPEG images of the camera can sometimes come a bit dark. This doesn’t affect video recording though so is not a major issue.

Fewer buttons: Unlike most DSLR cameras in the market, the D5600 doesn’t have any access to commonly used settings like AF mode, ISO, and white balance. If you want to make any changes to the above settings, you need to press the ‘i’ button. You then get to the streamlined settings interface. You can then change the controls via the touchscreen.

Recommendation

The Nikon D5600 is an improved version over the previous Nikon 5500. It is an excellent camera and can record videos and transfer them with ease. It is priced competitively which make it an attractive option to vloggers. The D5600 has all the features that a high-end entry-level DSLR has including intuitive handling, performance, high-resolution videos, and good image quality at a reasonable price.

The quality of the images is great and the colors featured are accurate. The metering mostly prioritizes highlights overshadows so JPEGs can look slightly dark when you are clicking photos in bright sunlight, but that doesn’t affect videos. The camera higher-sensitivity performance and you get great results right up to ISO 6400.

Considering the reasonable price, excellent image and video quality and file transferability, the Nikon 5600 is a definite contender in the list of best vlogging cameras.

Check the price on Amazon

Sony A7R II Review

Introduction

If you are a vlogger who wants to do a lot of creative work with your camera then the Sony A7R II mirrorless camera is the one for you. Today, a lot of vloggers are professional so it makes sense to get a vlogging camera that has a lot of features when it comes to photos and videos. The Sony A7R II gives you great videos along with photos.

The camera has 4K video ability and gives you an ISO of 25600 with very low noise which is great. It has fast and accurate autofocus.

Check the latest price on Amazon

Pros

4k Video: The best feature of the Sony A7R II is that it gives you videos in 4K. Though you can record only 29 minutes of continuous film with the camera, it is still more than enough when it comes to recording for vloggers. This has more to do with the differentiation made in Europe between camcorders and cameras and the different rates of duties due to which camera Companies give lower continuous recording time.

High ISO with Little Noise: You can go up to 25600 ISO when you are in the video mode. It does not have a lot of background noise up to ISO 25600 so you can take up to 25600 without worrying about potential noise. When it is in full frame mode, it does not record well in low light. If you want to record in low light you need to use the Super 35 mode.

Autofocus: The autofocus of the Sony A7R II mirrorless camera works best when you have good lighting. The camera can be fast and accurate. It also has a focus indicator. This indicator tells you that the camera is detecting for focusing.

5-Axis Image Stabilization: One of the most exceptional things about the Sony A7R II is that the camera already has IS. Most of the time, lenses have IS which are expensive. You can use the Sony A7R II even with a lens that does not have IS. Though optical Image Stabilization is better than a 5-Axis one, it is still good enough. If you are recording vlogs which have a lot of movement in it, the Sony A7R II is perfect for you.

Compatibility: The Sony A7R II is compatible with lens from many other brands. You can use Canon lenses with the Sony A7R II and save money. You just need adaptors to set them up. If you already have high-quality lenses, buying a Sony A7R II makes sense.

Compact: The size of the Sony A7R II is very compact since it is a mirrorless camera. Though it is very compact the performance of the camera is excellent. This makes it great for traveling as the biggest issue with DSLRs is that they are heavy.

Cons

It doesn’t have a flip​​​​​ screen or touchscreen: The A7R II doesn’t have a flip screen or a touchscreen due to which shooting videos from various angles become difficult. It also becomes difficult when you want to move the lens in your direction. It has a tilting screen but that does not articulate fully.

Low-light videos: The autofocus of the Sony A7R II doesn’t perform well at night. If you will be recording videos at night or during low-light then this camera isn’t the one for you. You will get a decent video but you will need to record it in Super 35 mode rather than in full-frame 4k recording mode.

Overheating: The Sony A7R II starts to overheat if you record anything for over 20 minutes in the 4K mode. This then leads to a shutdown of the camera. This restricts the duration with which you can use the camera on a continuous basis. If you will be recording long videos continuously then the Sony A7R II isn’t for you.

Battery: The biggest problem of the Sony A7R II is the battery life. You can shoot only 340 times with the Sony A7R II. When you are recording videos, the battery dies fast. You will need to keep an extra battery with you. The Sony A7R II also has a USB cable option via which you can power your camera but then it restricts portability.

Recommendation

The Sony A7R II is an excellent camera for a vlogger who wants creative videos. It is excellent for low-light videos. When it comes to mirrorless cameras for low-light recording, nothing can beat the Sony A7R II. It has a full-frame sensor, 4K video ability and an ISO that goes up to 25600. It has great IS and has an external microphone port. If you plan on low-light videos or if you want long videos, then the Sony A7R II isn’t good for you.

Check the latest price on Amazon

 

Conclusion – What Are The Best Vlogging Cameras?

With vlogging becoming a competitive industry, as a vlogger, you need the best equipment that can get to reflect the quality of your work. Depending on your requirement, you can choose the vlogging camera that is most appropriate for you.

If you want a camera which has great speed, performance and gives your amazing video image quality in HD, then you can go for the Canon EOS Rebel T6i. It also has connectivity to other devices which makes it easy to transfer and upload to your vlog or Youtube.

If you want a camera which can take long videos and is durable then you can go for the Panasonic Lumix GH5. The Panasonic Lumix GH5 is a mirrorless camera and it gives you great resolution videos which have excellent detail. If you have good editing skills and are comfortable with editing tools then it is a good camera for you. The stabilization of the camera too is very good.

The Nikon D5600 is an excellent camera if you want a budget vlogging camera which gives you great video quality and the ability to transfer files and comes at a reasonable price. Finally, if you want a camera for creative vlogging then you can choose the Sony A7R II. This camera has 4K video ability. It also gives you a 25600 ISO with low noise.