Best Vlogging Camera for Beginners 2018
Investing in a vlogging camera is a great idea if you want to share informal videos of your travels. These types of videos are some of the most popular on the Internet and they provide great memories for you and those interested in your travels.
But how do you choose the right camera? Is a cheap vlogging camera different than a regular video camera, an entry-level DSLR camera with a flip screen, or a still-shot point-and-shoot camera?
Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking about buying a vlogging camera for traveling and you’re a beginner.
What’s the Best Camera?
First and foremost, it’s important to realize that you don’t need to buy the best (most expensive) camera on the market. “Best,” after all, is relative to what you need and what you’ll be doing with the camera. Just because a camera has great reviews and costs a lot of money doesn’t mean it’s the camera for you.
And even if you decide to upgrade to that camera in the future, it might not be the best option for a beginner. One of the biggest complaints among new camera owners is their inability to operate all of the features. Nobody wants to pay thousands of dollars for a camera they only get about a hundred dollars’ worth out of it.
Choosing the best vlogging camera for a beginner means finding a great value on a quality camera that offers everything you need—even if it isn’t everything possible on a high-tech camera.
What Makes for a Good Vlogging Camera?
Whether you are a budding vlogger looking at an entry-level DSLR camera or a cheap vlogging camera, there are several features you’ll want to evaluate when determining if a camera is a good vlogging camera. First and foremost is the image quality. This is one of the most important factors when shopping for any type of camera, but if you want to hold the attention of your viewers and make them feel good about watching your footage, image quality is especially important.
You’ll be choosing between three different video resolutions, including 720p, 1080p, and 4K. You might assume 4K is the best, and arguably it is, but here’s the thing: not everyone has the ability to view in 4K, so even if you’re recording in 4K, it doesn’t mean it will be seen in that resolution. The best all-around resolution is 1080p because you know everyone (or just about everyone) will be able to appreciate your investment.
Next up is the weight of your camera. Gone are the days of lugging around a huge, heavy camera and all the equipment that goes with it. Nowadays, you can take your camera everywhere with ease, which is essential if you intend to vlog while you travel. You’ll still want to compare a few cameras when shopping and as much as you can, opt for the lightest in your price range.
The third feature you’ll need to take into consideration is the optical image stabilization. This is really important when it comes to vlogging because most people are doing a lot of moving about when they’re vlogging. The better the optical image stabilization the more impressive your videos—poor image stabilization means you’ll put your viewers at risk for motion sickness.
The next thing you’ll want to consider is the audio recording ability. Remember, when you’re vlogging you won’t be sitting down in a soundproof room recording a video. Instead, you’ll be out and about, recording on the go. Look for a camera that doesn’t pick up excessive amounts of background noise and that has a microphone on the front of the camera.
Finally, evaluate the autofocus feature on your camera. Again, you’ll be on the go when vlogging so you need your camera to do as much work as possible for you. You’ll be transitioning between shots and you don’t want to wait around for the camera to refocus every time you move.
The Best Vlogging Cameras Available Now
These and other cameras out there can be great for vlogging, but this list includes a few of our favorites.
Canon’s PowerShot ELPH 360
Canon’s vlogging camera is one of our favorites because it’s a simple, easy-to-use camera that is lightweight and affordable. It’s able to record in 1080p with a front microphone. It doesn’t have a flip screen which is a favorite feature of many vloggers, but if you’re new to vlogging, you can function without a flip screen, especially because it has a wide lens that won’t cut you out of the frame.
The main thing we love about this camera is its price. You can’t get a better vlogging camera for less money than this Canon camera.
Logitech’s HD Pro Webcam C920
This is a webcam, but it also works great as a vlogging camera because the quality is so good. It’s one of the most inexpensive 1080p cameras on the market and works great for those who want to vlog while traveling. The only thing we’d improve about this vlogging camera is its mic, but you can upgrade and buy a separate mic if needed.
Crosstour’s Action Camera Underwater Cam WiFi 1080P Full HD
We love this camera because it allows you to record underwater. This isn’t a necessary feature, of course, but it’s one that’s great for those who intend to vlog while traveling to a tropical destination or going on a water adventure vacation.
It features full HD video and photo resolution with 1080p quality and a 170-degree wide angle lens. It’s capable of recording underwater up to 30 meters and has a wireless remote control connection. You’ll get two rechargeable batteries, so you’ll never miss footage while waiting for the battery to charge. It’s also easy to mount and comes with several mounting tools—another convenient feature for vloggers.
