Best Vlogging Cameras 2020: 11 Great Choices for Video Makers

Best Vlogging Cameras 2020: 11 Great Choices for Video Makers
Are you looking for the best vlogging camera you can buy? You have come to the right place. We have carefully tested and ranked the best options for everyday videographers. If you're looking for the best YouTube camera, we've got a separate guide for that, and while there's some overlap with this list, we've focused here on the cameras that are best suited for those who like to travel and hike. for his vlogging creations. There are a few factors to consider when looking for the best vlogging camera. You'll want something small enough to see you through your day, while providing the power and functionality to capture high-quality images and sound. Think external mic inputs, hinged displays, and great connectivity. Whatever your budget or requirements, our guide to vlogging cameras will have the right option for you. From compact 4K shooting cameras to powerful mirrorless cameras, we've carefully scrutinized all the models below to make sure they tick all the vlogging boxes. The main thing to consider when choosing a vlog camera is your shooting style. If you like to create fast, on-the-go recordings, something pocketable will do fine, while a mirrorless or DSLR camera will work best if you want a more creative option or better production. You might also try something sturdy if action gives you views, or a model with image stabilization if you like to walk around while you talk. Our overall top pick right now is the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III. It's lightweight, feature-rich, and offers just about every feature most vloggers could want, including advanced image stabilization. But that doesn't mean it's the perfect camera for everyone. The Sony ZV-1, for example, is our favorite compact vlogging option, and might be the best choice if you want something you can take anywhere. We've included the best of the latest models, as well as some older ones that offer great value, to help you find exactly the right camera for you.

The best vlogging cameras 2020 at a glance:

  • Olympus E-M5 Mark III
  • Sony zv-1
  • Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III
  • Sony A6400
  • Canon EOS M50
  • Canon EOS M6 MarkII
  • Sony A6100
  • GoPro Hero 8 Black
  • Panasonic Lumix G90 / G95
  • Canon EOS 90D
  • DJI Osmo Pocket
  • (Image credit: future)

    The best vlog cameras in 2020:

    Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

    (Image credit: future)

    1.Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

    Lightweight and feature-rich, it is the best vlogging tool

    Type: Mirrorless | Sensor Size: Four Thirds: | Resolution: 20.4MP | Effective Focal Length: N/A | Viewfinder: EVF, 2,36 million dots | Monitor: 3.0-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1.04 million dots | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Maximum video resolution: 4K 30p | Size, weight: 125.3 x 85.2 x 49.7mm, 414g Really impressive video specs Incredible image stabilization Handle could be bigger. No headphone jack Don't be fooled by the retro casing – the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is a high-end vlogging camera, offering the ultimate combo of solid image quality, lightweight construction, and a full suite of characteristics. The handle could be bigger, but the polycarbonate construction sheds the weight of its metal-bodied predecessor by 50g, making it a camera you can comfortably hold all day. The 20.4-megapixel Four Thirds sensor, shared with the pro-level E-M1 Mark II, provides reliable continuous tracking via on-chip phase autofocus, while handheld footage is generally super-smooth, thanks to advanced image stabilization. . The option to record Cinema 4K at 24fps and a bit rate of 237Mbps is very impressive, while regular 4K footage at 30fps is excellent, with nice color reproduction and good detail. Full HD up to 120 fps completes a comprehensive video offering. The vari-angle touch screen also makes framing simple, while the right catalog of Olympus lenses opens up many creative avenues. There's no headphone jack, which irritates some videographers, but that much-requested external microphone port is there. Sure, it's a bit pricey, but as a complete vlogging package, it's hard to beat.

    Sony ZV-1

    (Image credit: future)

    2.Sony ZV-1

    The best compact vlog camera on the market.

    Type: Compact | Sensor Size: 1 inch | Resolution: 20.1MP | Effective focal length: 24-70mm | Viewfinder: none | Monitor: 3.0-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 0.921 million dots | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Maximum video resolution: 4K 30p | Size, Weight: 105.5 x 60.0 x 43.5mm, 294g Advanced Autofocus 24-70mm Light Lens Pocket Limited Touch Controls MicroUSB instead of USB-C For a long time, the Canon G7 X Mark III has been our favorite compact camera , but it has just been ousted by the excellent Sony ZV-1. Combining all the best tunes from the Sony RX100 series (for example, the microphone port and autofocus of the RX100 VII, as well as the 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 lens of the RX100 V), the ZV-1 it really does what most people want out of a small vlogging camera. Sony's latest real-time tracking and Eye AF are the best and the ZV-1 also has plenty of depth for a compact camera, including a built-in ND filter and profiles like S-Log2 for those who want to embrace color grading. We still think the stabilization and image quality of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is even better, but you won't find a better pocket vlogging camera than the Sony ZV-1.

    (Image credit: future)

    3.Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III

    Still a good pocket vlog camera, despite the arrival of the Sony ZV-1

    Type: Compact | Sensor Size: Type 1.0 | Resolution: 20.1MP | Effective focal length: 24-100mm | Viewfinder: none | Monitor: 3-inch tilt angle touchscreen | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC | Maximum video resolution: 4K | Size, weight: 105,5 x 60,9 x 41,4mm, 304g Tilting touchscreen Effective stabilization Microphone input No viewfinder Long popular with vloggers, the Canon G7X range has gone a step further with the Mark III. There's a 20.1-inch, 4-megapixel high-performance sensor, but now it's also equipped with uncropped 7K video recording, as well as something that's been requested repeatedly: a microphone jack. This means that, if you wish, you can elevate the sound beyond what the internal microphone has to offer. Even better, the G1X III can stream directly to YouTube, which is, at the moment, an advantage over the Sony ZV-4, so you can vlog everything that's going on around you, without having to downgrade to use your smartphone. Another great feature is USB charging, which means it can give you bursts of power on the go - especially careful if you've shot a lot of 7K video. The G1X Mark III's contrast-only AF and more limited tilt screen means the Sony ZV-XNUMX included it on this list, but it's also more affordable and still worth the effort. 'Be considerate if you need a pocket vlogging rocket.

    (Image credit: future)

    Sony Alpha A6400

    (Image credit: future)

    4.Sony A6400

    This feature-rich snapper is designed for vloggers

    Type: mirrorless | Sensor size: APS-C CMOS | Resolution: 24.2 MP | Effective focal length: N / A | Viewfinder: EVF, 2,36 million dots | Monitor: 3-inch tilt-angle touchscreen, 921,000 dots | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth | Maximum video resolution: 4K | Size, weight: 120 x 67 x 60mm, 403g

    Excellent autofocus Bright viewfinder Great video features No in-body image stabilization. Sony's Alpha cameras have long been popular with vloggers, and the A6400 is no exception. 4K is a given, while support for S-log3 and S-log2 should appeal to post-producers. There's 4K HDR (HLG) for instant playback and the Sony Imaging Edge Mobile app lets you transfer video to your smartphone. Front framing is also simple with a flip-up 16:9 touchscreen, while the A6400's advanced autofocus system provides excellent subject tracking. However, the port options will disable certain vloggers: as with the 6300 front, there's a microphone input but no headphone jack on the A6400. Many won't monitor audio while they're recording, but it's worth noting if interviews are your thing. There's also no in-body image stabilisation, and many of Sony's main lenses don't offer it - that's fine if you're using a tripod or opting for this portable aesthetic.

    (Image credit: future)

    5.Canon EOS M50

    A great option if you don't mind shooting 1080p

    Type: Mirrorless | Sensor Size: APS-C CMOS | Resolution: 24.1MP | Effective Focal Length: N/A | Viewfinder: EVF, 2,36 million dots | Monitor: 3.0-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1.04 million dots | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth | Maximum video resolution: 4K | Size, weight: 116 x 88 x 59mm, 390g Vari-angle touchscreen Excellent dual-pixel autofocus 4K shooting has a lot of cropping If you need to shoot 4K photography, it's best to avoid the Canon EOS M50 due to the mandatory cropping of 1.6x when shooting in this mode. But if you have a smartphone and don't mind shooting at 1080p, it's a great option at today's prices. Equipped with a 24.1 million pixel APS-C CMOS sensor, the M50 was the first Canon camera to ship with the DIGIC 8 processor, and was the first mirrorless camera that could record images. 4K up to 24 frames per second. The downside is that it's cropped in 4K, which means you'll have a narrow field of view even when you're shooting at a long focal length, which is tricky if you're shooting at arm's length. It also doesn't have the specialized video profiles available on more expensive models, but the M50's strong point is that it's compact and affordable. With a microphone input, a vari-angle touchscreen, and a range of connectivity options thrown into the mix, the M50 remains a stellar starter camera for budding vloggers.

    Canon EOS M6 Mark II

    (Image credit: future)

    6.Canon EOS M6 MarkII

    A travel-friendly CSC is ideal for video for many different reasons

    Type: Mirrorless | Sensor Size: APS-C | Resolution: 32.5MP | Effective Focal Length: N/A | Viewfinder: not integrated | Monitor: 3.0-inch vari-angle touchscreen | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth | Maximum video resolution: 4K 30p | Size, weight: 119,6 x 70 x 49,2mm, 408g Small and light Large tilting touchscreen No integrated viewfinder Relatively few native lenses Canon is truly the king of vlogging cameras, and several made our list thanks to a fantastic range of features and options. The Canon EOS Mark II is the latest iteration of its M-series of compact cameras and is small and light enough to make a great travel companion. In its miniature casing, however, it houses the same high-resolution 32.5-megapixel sensor as the 90D DSLR (see below). With Dual Pixel AF CMOS and unencoded 4K video recording, this is the one you can use to power your vlogging. There's also a microphone-in jack, as well as a forward-facing screen for perfect framing.

    Sony A6100

    (Image credit: future)

    7.Sony A6100

    An excellent beginner vlogging cam that effectively covers most of the basics.

    Type: Mirrorless | Sensor Size: APS-C CMOS | Resolution: 24.2MP | Effective Focal Length: N/A | Viewfinder: EVF, 1,44 million dots | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC | Maximum Video Resolution :: 4K | Size, Weight: 120 x 66.9 x 59.4mm, 396g Excellent continuous tracking AF External microphone input No IBIS for video Relatively low resolution display Sony's mirrorless Alpha range is popular with vloggers and the A6000 tier Basic remains a stellar option for beginners. Now, five years after its release, there's a successor, and the A6100 offers plenty of new advice for would-be vloggers. 4K is the headline, with 30 frames per second images at 100 Mbps taken across the full width of the sensor, with no pixel binning. There is also Full HD, which includes slow motion up to 120 frames per second. Despite its compact proportions, the a6100 trumps its more expensive sibling, the a6400, by offering the most sought-after features, an external microphone port and a hot shoe on top. The screen remains tiltable rather than fully articulating, but it's now touch-sensitive, albeit with limited functionality, making framing and focusing easier, especially since 4K footage perfectly fills the 16:9 screen. A shared autofocus system With the A6600 it also provides excellent and reliable continuous tracking, which is ideal for action-packed vlogging. The lack of in-body image stabilization for video is a shame (see Sony A6600 for that), as is the absence of a neutral color profile, but the A6100 is ultimately an impressive all-rounder with features that belie its entry level billing.

    (Image credit: LaComparacion)

    8.GoPro Hero 8 Black

    The best action camera has gotten even better.

    Type: Action | Sensor Size: 4.5 x 6.2mm | Resolution: 12MP | Effective Focal Length: 16-27mm | Viewfinder: none | Monitor: 2.0-inch touch screen | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Maximum video resolution: 4K 60p | Size, Weight: 66,3 x 48,6 x 28,4mm, 126g Robust body Excellent stabilization Poor low light performance Most expensive GoPro Although on paper this sounds like an incremental upgrade, but this flagship model, which during It's long been the shortcut for action cameras in general, it has a lot to appeal to adventure seekers. There's improved stabilization, a new microphone, and a more streamlined app that make recording and outputting your video a much happier and more enjoyable experience. It's not something that will appeal to everyone as versatile, but if your idea of ​​vlogging includes mountain hiking, scuba diving, or biking over rough terrain, it's probably the one that makes the most sense.

    (Image credit: future)

    9.Panasonic Lumix G90/G95

    Excellent mid-range mid-range travel CSC with excellent video features

    Type: Mirrorless | Sensor Size: Four Thirds | Resolution: 20.3MP | Effective Focal Length: N/A | Viewfinder: OLED Live View Finder, 2,360,000 dots | Monitor: 3.0-inch fully articulating touchscreen | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Maximum video resolution: 4K 30p | Size, Weight: 130,4 x 93,5 x 77,4mm, 533g Smart Selfie Mode Power Zoom Kit Lens Option No Viewfinder Shoot only in 4K at 15 frames per second The recent arrival of the Panasonic G100 (which we're currently testing) has pushed the G95/G90 up our vlogging camera pitch order, but it's a very different device that will continue to be on sale and will bring several advantages. Although it's much bigger than the G100, it means it has room to incorporate sensor-based stabilization, making it a great choice for demo videos. The G95/G90 also inherits the flagship sensor from the Panasonic G9 and packs an impressive range of video-compatible features, including microphone and headphone jacks for seamless sound. There are tons of lenses available for the Micro Four Thirds system, so there's one for every task, while the 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 lens you can buy it with As part of a kit is a great all-around tool. for many different shooting scenarios. A fully articulating touch screen is ideal for presenting to the camera, while there are also advanced video features like 4K recording and V-Log recording.

    (Image credit: future)

    10. Canon EOS 90D

    A vlog option for lovers of tradition.

    Type: DSLR | Sensor Size: APS-C | Resolution: 32.5MP | Effective Focal Length: N/A | Viewfinder: Pentamirror | Monitor: 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Maximum video resolution: 4K 30p | Size, Weight: 140.7 x 104.8 x 76.8mm, 701g Fully Articulating Screen High Resolution Sensor 4K/30p Video Uncropped Dual Pixel CMOS AF No Image Stabilization Digital SLR versions are increasingly drifting apart under the reign of the non mirror, but Canon's release of the 90D shows they're not completely dead yet. Although it's primarily designed as a still camera, it packs some useful vlogging features, including frameless 4K video recording, a microphone input, and a hinged, forward-facing touchscreen for framing. You'll also take advantage of Canon's wide range of lenses and accessories to get as creative as you want.

    (Image credit: future)

    11.DJI Osmo Pocket

    Pocket friendly, great value, and plenty of accessories - a fun option for dedicated vloggers

    Type: Compact | Sensor size: 1 / 2.3 inch | Resolution: 12MP | Effective focal length: nd | Viewer: na | Monitor: 1.0-inch touch screen | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Lightning and USB-C | Maximum video resolution: 4K | Size, Weight: 121.9 x 28.6 x 36.9mm, 116g

    Action packed and weather resistant. 4K video at 30 fps Screen does not rotate Fixed focal length Most of the cameras on this list are essentially still cameras with added video functionality. The DJI Osmo Pocket is a great option for those only interested in the video side of things – think of it as an alternative to going to a GoPro. This little camera is small, but it still records video at 4K/30fps, with a range of optional accessories giving you the tools to be as creative as you want. You'll probably want to invest in a microphone for the best sound quality, but otherwise the quality of the video, along with useful features like face tracking, make it a great tool for vloggers.

    (Image credit: future)

    What video quality should you look for?

    Regardless of the type of camera you choose, video quality will probably top your list. At the very least, you'll want to shoot in Full HD (1080p), while 4K is becoming more common. Although the higher resolution format takes up more space on your hard drive, it should ensure better durability for your captures than Full HD. Other specs to look at include built-in WiFi for sharing your vlogs on the go, a fully articulating or tilting monitor to help you frame your face, a built-in microphone jack for improved sound quality. We've selected eight high-end cameras of varying shapes, sizes, and attributes to suit different styles of vlogging, as well as highlight a few to suit your stills and video needs.