Ultimate Guide:
Best Vlogging Cameras In 2020

Table of contents

• Introduction
• Low-Budget Cameras (Under $500)
• Budget Cameras ($500 to $1000)
• Mid-Range Cameras ($1000 to $1500)
• High-End Cameras ($1500 and Up)
• Conclusion

Introduction

How do you know which is the best vlogging camera for you?

There are some features that most experienced vloggers and camera reviewers agree are desirable in a vlogging camera:

• Easy to use
• Flip-out LCD screen
• Wide angle lens
• Good video autofocus
• Good audio

With these requirements in mind, we will show you the best options at 4 different price points.

Low Budget Cameras (Under $500)

Short Answer: Use your smartphone instead.

Longer Answer: The market for stand-alone cameras under $500 is disappearing quickly as smartphone cameras are getting better.

The clever use of software in smartphones further enhance their image quality. This combined with the unmatched usability of iOS and Android compared to clunky out-dated camera user interfaces, makes it hard to recommend any camera under $500 ahead of the smartphone you most likely already have.

If you don't have a modern smartphone or for another reason want a separate camera for vlogging in this price range, take a look at something like the Panasonic HC-V180k Camcorder. Many of My Mechanics highly impressive restoration videos were shot on this camera, with excellent results.

Hot Tip: If you are looking to improve the footage from your smartphone, look into getting a gimbal.

For a quick demonstration of what a gimbal can do for you, check out Matti Haapojas video DJI OSMO MOBILE 4 ( OM 4 ) - Are Gimbals Worth It For Smartphones In 2020? (skip to 9:11 for a comparison between gimbal and no gimbal).

You can pick up the DJI OM 4 Smartphone Gimbal here.

Budget Cameras (Under $1000)

The EOS M-50 blabla.

As of [July 2020 filming date], this is the best vlogging camera. It's the Canon EOS M50, I like the 11mm zoom [not included] for walking around stuff and I like this small and light weight Rode Mic [not included]. But it's still not great. I know - how can I complain about something that I just said was the best? And the reason is, nobody has really made the right vlogging camera.

— Tony & Chelsea Northrup about Canon EOS M-50

Quote from YouTube video:
"HELP ME MAKE THE BEST VLOG CAMERA"

Step up for the M50: Tony Northrup & John Barr are both using the Canon EOS M50 together with the Canon EF-M 11-22mm wide-angle lens for a field of view more suitable for vlogging.

There are a few things that I wish this camera had, but I don't want to be too greedy because this checks off almost all the boxes for what I was looking for in a compact vlogging camera. One of the things I wish it had was an audio output so I would be able to monitor the audio. I also wish that it would charge via USB-C and I also wish that I could use a larger Sony hot-shoe adapter so I could use XLR microphones on this.

This camera is so perfect that those are some of the few minor complaints that I have. I shouldn't even be complaining, because this camera is so incredible.

— iJustine about Sony ZV-1

Quotes from YouTube video:
"Sony ZV-1 Review: The PERFECT Vlogging Camera is FINALLY here!"

Mid-Range Cameras ($1000 to $1500)

Write some stuff here...

...I love the autofocus on this camera. On our previous ones - I wear glasses when I am not wearing my contacts, especially on travel days - and it would never find me in a shot. I was always blurry and I would always ruin so many shots for us. But this one is amazing. We've never had a problem since we switched to this one.

Another thing we love is the battery life on this. ... We don't even go through a full battery in a day.

— The Endless Adventure about Sony A7III

Quotes from YouTube video:
"Best Vlogging Camera - 15 Potential Vlog Cameras"

Sony A7 III, Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM Lens, Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM Lens

High-End Cameras (Above $1500)

Conclusion

This is it.