15 Best YouTube Video Cameras You Can Buy (2017)

Many people are now using YouTube as a platform to create their own content and get it seen by the world. For individual content creators looking to get their name out there, this is probably the easiest and cheapest way to do it. With the help of Google AdSense, you can also start monetizing your own content and mint a lot of cash from this platform. So, if you are planning to start your own YouTube channel and share your content with the public, you should be looking at purchasing a high-quality camera to create professional videos. We can help you shortlist the best on the market right now. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the 15 best cameras you can buy for YouTubers.

Best Vlog camera for YouTube videos

1.Canon EOS 77D digital SLR camera

This is the camera I use for all my videos on my YouTube channel . The EOS 77D sits right between the 70D and 80D in terms of its features and can be considered the perfect beginner or intermediate camera for recording YouTube videos, especially if you’re on a tight budget. . This camera features a 24.2 MP APS-C CMOS sensor with Dual Pixel AF and can record 1080p footage at 60 fps . So, for those who care more about frame rate than resolution, this should be your choice.

The Canon EOS 77D features a flip-out touchscreen , making it an easy-to-use camera for vloggers so you can actually see what you’re shooting. Apart from this, the 77D’s battery should be good enough for more than an hour and a half of continuous video recording . That being said, this is a pretty affordable option for those looking to start their own YouTube channel as soon as possible, as it’s currently available for purchase from Amazon for just under $850.

Purchased on Amazon: ($849, unit only)

2. Nikon D5600 Digital SLR camera for beginners

You can compare this camera to the Canon EOS 77D in terms of what both offer for their respective asking prices. The D5600 clearly seems to be a more affordable option than its Canon counterpart, especially due to the fact that it comes with a cheaper kit lens. This camera, like the EOS 77D, features a 24.2 MP CMOS sensor that can record video at up to 60 fps at 1080p . Most people may be disappointed by the lack of 4K video recording, but if frame rate is your main concern, this Nikon camera is worth every penny.

The Nikon D5600 has a flip-out touchscreen similar to the EOS 77D. So, if you shoot vlogs, you will find this feature very useful. The D5600’s battery should be sufficient for approximately 2 hours of continuous video recording . This is very impressive. Finally, this camera can be purchased with a kit lens for less than $800. If you’re on a budget and don’t really need the EOS 77D’s dual-pixel AF, this is the one for you. .

Purchased from Amazon: ($796.95, with AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G)

Best low-cost camera for YouTube videos

1. Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera

Blackmagic design is a well-regarded digital movie camera manufacturer, and this is their most affordable camera. This pocket cinema camera is even more compact than some of the mirrorless options on the market. This camera may not have 4K recording capabilities like some others in this price range, but if you want to record the best possible 1080p footage at this price, there are no other options. Almost none. That’s because the Pocket Cinema Camera can record lossless CinemaDNG RAW footage and 1080p video in Apple ProRes , providing better video quality than most of its competitors that offer Full HD recording.

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema camera also features an active Micro Four Thirds lens mound for added flexibility. The maximum frame rate for video recording is 30 fps, which is a big drawback, especially if you’re looking forward to shooting in slow motion. Finally, the battery is also a drawback, with the battery only lasting up to 40 minutes if you’re constantly recording. That said, if you don’t mind the considerable drawbacks, this is an obvious choice, especially if video quality is your top priority regardless of resolution. With an asking price of less than $1000, this camera from Blackmagic design certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Purchased on Amazon: ($995, unit only)

2. Panasonic LUMIX G7 4K mirrorless camera

The Lumix G7 is the most affordable option to appear on our list, offering more than just the features of the Leica D-Lux. First of all, it is an interchangeable lens camera, so if you are concerned about Leica’s lack of flexibility, why not choose this camera? Lumix G7 features a 16 MP Micro Four Thirds sensor and can shoot 4K video at up to 25 fps at a bit rate of 100 Mbps . The price is very impressive as there are few better options in this price range. This camera also comes with a 14-42 mm kit lens that offers OIS , which is a great value. If you need more, you can choose from a wide range of lenses offered by Panasonic at an additional cost.

The Lumix G7 also features a flip-out touchscreen . This is a feature completely missing from the Leica D-Lux, but it costs twice as much. As for battery life , you can record video continuously for up to 90 minutes before the battery dies, so you may need more than one battery if you want to shoot for longer. Finally, with an asking price of less than $600 with the kit lens, the Lumix G7 clearly outperforms the Leica D-Lux and some other options in this segment in terms of what it offers for the price. And that’s exactly why you should consider this. Mirrorless camera, stolen item.

Purchased from Amazon: ($597.99 with 14-42mm MEGA OIS lens )

3. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV Digital Camera

This non-interchangeable lens camera is very similar to the previously discussed Leica D-Lux, but it has a lot more features for the asking price. First of all, the RX100 IV is equipped with a 20.1 MP 1-inch Exmor RS stacked back-illuminated CMOS sensor that boasts direct pixel readout and 4K Ultra HD video recording up to 30 fps without focus binning. Apart from this, there is a super slow-motion mode that allows you to shoot at 960 fps for up to 4 seconds. This is a very fast camera, so if you’re interested in slowing down your footage often, you should at least consider buying it as a secondary camera.

The Sony Cybershot RX100 IV also features a retractable OLED viewfinder and a tiltable 3-inch non-touch display . Moving on to battery life, the RX100 IV has an inferior battery compared to its predecessor, with only about 30-40 minutes of continuous 4K video shooting . The asking price of less than $850 is very justified, especially since it comes with an f/1.8-2.8 Zeiss lens. The RX100 IV can be considered a more affordable option than the Leica D-Lux in terms of video performance.

Purchased from Amazon: ($848, integrated 8.8-25.7mm, f/1.8-2.8 Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens)

4. Leica D-Lux 4K Digital Camera

Leica never fails to impress us with its wide range of cameras, and the company’s D-Lux digital cameras are no exception in that regard. This camera has a built-in lens with an aperture of f/1.7 to f/2.8, so if you like playing around with different lenses, you may want to look elsewhere. But what impressed us about this camera is the fact that its 12.8 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor can record 4K video at up to 30 fps . So if your main purpose is to record 4K videos for your YouTube channel, there aren’t many other options in this range than the D-Lux.

The Leica D-Lux offers optical image stabilization and also features a high-resolution OLED electronic viewfinder , giving you complete control over your shots. The D-Lux’s battery life is quite disappointing, not enough for even an hour of 4K video shooting , so you might need to carry around more than two batteries, especially if you plan on shooting for many hours. yeah. . At nearly $1,100, the price is very impressive, especially for a Leica camera. So if you’re looking for an affordable 4K video recording option, this should definitely be on your shortlist.

Purchased from Amazon: ($1,095, integrated 24-75mm f/1.7-f/2.8 lens)

Best action camera for YouTube videos

GoPro Hero 5 Black Action Camera

If you are planning to start a YouTube channel full of action sports, adventure, and vlogging, you should buy the GoPro Hero 5 action camera without thinking twice. Most of the popular YouTubers keep a GoPro action camera on hand, even though they have multiple cameras for other purposes. The Hero 5 Black can record 4K footage at 30 fps using a 12 MP sensor and features a touchscreen display , a first in the company’s wide range of action cameras.

The Hero 5 is a small camera that you can carry and mount anywhere with the help of many camera mounts available on the market. The robust body makes it waterproof up to 10 meters without housing. As far as battery life is concerned, the Go Pro Hero 5 Black’s battery should be good enough for around 80-90 minutes of continuous 4K video recording . This is pretty decent, especially considering the asking price. Priced at just $349, we think the Hero 5 is worth it for its features.

If you’re looking for an action camera other than the GoPro Hero 5, consider alternatives.

Buy from Amazon: ( $349 )

Best portable 4K camera for YouTube videos

1. Panasonic LUMIX GH5 mirrorless camera

If portability and 4K video recording are your top priorities, the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 quickly becomes an attractive option, as the manufacturer has managed to pack in as many features as possible. The GH5 is the successor to the very popular GH4 and is very popular among Youtubers like *EverythingApplePro* who use the GH5 as their daily driver. Lumix GH5 features a 20.3 MP Micro Four Thirds sensor that can record 4K video at 60 fps . You can also record 1080p Full HD video at incredible speeds of up to 180 fps . This camera has in-body image stabilization even if you don’t have an OIS lens, so you won’t have any complaints in that regard.

Panasonic claims that this camera is splash, dust, and waterproof due to its rugged design. Finally, this camera has a flip-out touchscreen, which is a very necessary feature for YouTubers interested in vlogging. When it comes to battery life, if you’re constantly recording at 4k 60fps, the battery will die within 90 minutes . That being said, the Panasonic LUMIX GH5 is a solid choice if you’re creating action-packed content for YouTube, where you can take full advantage of the frame rates this camera offers.

Purchased on Amazon: ($1,998, unit only)

2. Sony Alpha α7S II mirrorless camera

This high-end mirrorless camera from Sony is mainly used by popular YouTubers who are into vlogging, such as Nadeshot and iJustine . It’s a mirrorless camera, so it’s compact, but it packs a lot of features under the hood. The Sony Alpha a7S II is fully capable of 4K video recording at up to 30 fps at a bit rate of 100 Mbps, utilizing a 12.2 MP 35 mm full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor . This camera is also capable of Full HD video recording at lightning-fast speeds of 120 fps, so you’ll never miss an action-packed moment.

The α7S II is the perfect camera for vlogging, as it has built-in 5-axis image stabilization to minimize video shake . However, those expecting a flip-out touch screen like the GH5 will be disappointed. That’s because this camera only has a tilt display with no touch functionality . The α7S II’s battery should be good enough for about 80 minutes of continuous 4K recording. That said, if you’re looking forward to buying a point-and-shoot camera to record professional videos for YouTube, and you can afford the $250,000+ asking price, this is the place to go. Well worth the money.

Purchased on Amazon: ($2,598, unit only)

3. Nikon D500 DX format digital SLR camera

Most DSLRs capable of 4K video recording are quite expensive, but the Nikon D500 is an exception, as it uses a cropped sensor rather than a full-frame one. To keep costs down, Nikon definitely had to go with a cropped sensor, and we’re not disappointed. Nikon D500 boasts a 20.9 MP CMOS sensor that is fully capable of shooting 4K Ultra HD video at up to 30 fps . So, if you are planning to buy a DSLR camera for professional photography as well as videography, the D500 is the best option for you.

The Nikon D500 has a tilting 3.2-inch touchscreen , so if you’re looking for a flip-up screen for vlogging, you may need to look elsewhere. That said, several D500 owners complained about the camera’s battery life last year, but Nikon managed to quell that issue by offering free battery replacements. The modern battery has enough capacity for approximately 2 hours of continuous video recording . For an asking price of about $1,800, you get a professional DSLR camera that can capture crisp 4K footage and breathtaking still images that you can add as thumbnails to your YouTube videos. There aren’t that many options to choose from, especially if you’re looking for a 4K-capable DSLR in this price range.

Purchased from Amazon: ($1,796.95, unit only)

High-end camera for professional YouTube videos

1. Blackmagic Design Production Camera 4K

This is a big step up from the aforementioned Pocket Cinema camera, which was limited to Full HD video recording, as the production camera features 4K video recording at up to 30 fps and a larger 35mm sensor . Like the Pock4et Cinema camera, this camera records in CinemaDNG RAW and Apple 4K ProRes , resulting in superior video quality compared to some other 4K footage we’ve seen from DSLR and mirrorless cameras. This camera comes with an EF compatible lens mount, allowing you to choose from a wide range of high-end lenses.

Moving on to the design, the Production Camera 4K is noticeably bulkier than its smaller sibling, but that’s due to the better hardware this device packs. As far as battery life goes , you should be able to record about 60 minutes of continuous 4K footage in Apple ProRes before the battery is completely depleted. Finally, if you’re seriously interested in filmmaking and don’t want to sacrifice video quality, the nearly $3,000 price tag is certainly worth it. However, if you frequently want to slow down the footage, you may need to look elsewhere or purchase a secondary camera for that purpose.

Purchased on Amazon: ($2,900, unit only)

2. Canon XC15 4K Professional Video Camera

This is a high-end video camera from Canon that tries hard to look like any other DSLR camera. If you’re interested in shooting wide-angle, high-quality footage, you might enjoy using this camera to create content on YouTube. The XC15 features a 12 MP CMOS sensor capable of 4K UHD video at 29.97 fps and an integrated wide-angle f/2.8-5.6, 8.9-89 mm zoom lens . It’s capable of 10x optical zoom, so this might be a good option for people who don’t want to mess around with all the lenses on the market.

The Canon XC15 is aimed at users who want high-end filmography, such as short films, technology videos, or advertising, at an affordable price. Because audio quality is just as important as video quality, the camera also has an XLR audio input and includes an MA-400 microphone adapter . With the LP-E6N battery , you can record nearly 100 minutes of continuous 4K recording . The asking price of $2,399 may seem expensive at first, but keep in mind that it comes with an integrated lens, so you don’t have to spend any extra money.

Purchased from Amazon: ($2,399, integrated f/2.8-5.6/8.9-89mm zoom lens)

3.Sony PXW-FS7

This is a high-end camera dedicated to video recording that popular YouTuber Jonathan Morrison uses in most of his channel’s recent videos. PXW-FS7 features a 35mm CMOS sensor that can record 4K video at up to 60 fps . You can take it up a notch by recording 4K at 180 fps using an external recorder. The lenses featured in this list come with a 28-135mm zoom E-mount lens with a maximum aperture of f/4.

The FS7 may be huge for most people, but the integrated handle allows you to hold the camera steadily in your hand to avoid shaky footage. The Sony BP-U60 battery provides over 2 hours of battery life while recording continuously at 4K 60 fps. This camera is aimed at professionals who want a dedicated video camera for high-end filmmaking, so the $9,990 price tag is clearly on the expensive side.

Purchased from Amazon: ( $9,899 , with 28-135mm FE PZ Zoom E-Mount Lens)

4. Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K Professional Camera

Well, there’s one more Blackmagic camera on the list, and this one is certainly great for professional work. In this list, we featured both the Pocket Cinema camera and the Production camera 4K, which were better suited for the high-end mainstream market. This is much more suitable for professionals who know what they are dealing with. URSA Mini Pro features a large 35mm CMOS sensor that can shoot 4.6K video at incredibly fast frame rates up to 60 fps . The camera records in CinemaDNG and Apple ProRes 444 & 422 formats , providing the highest quality footage available at that resolution.

Moving on to assembly, this is a bulky camera to take with you everywhere, so if portability is important to you, forget about it. That being said, if you have a professional camera like this, you won’t have to worry about battery life either, since you’ll be carrying around multiple batteries for all your future footage. need. However, you can expect to be able to shoot video continuously for almost two hours using a single battery. At a price close to $6,000, this can be considered a worthy and much more affordable alternative to the 4K-capable Sony FS7 we talked about previously (which almost hits the 10K mark).

Purchased on Amazon: ($5,995, unit only)

The ultimate camera for YouTube videos

RED Weapon 8K Professional Camera

If you regularly watch technology content on YouTube, you’ve probably already subscribed to the MKBHD channel because of its reputation. As you’ve noticed, his videos look much sharper than what most other YouTubers offer. If you’ve ever wondered why, the $49,500 RED Weapon 8K camera is the reason. All of his recent videos have been shot in 8K and downsampled to 4K to make the videos clearer. This camera is also used by Hollywood filmmakers as an ideal camera for making movies , and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is just one of them.

This beast of a camera can shoot up to 8K at 75 fps in a 2.4:1 aspect ratio using the company’s REDCODE RAW format. This is possible thanks to the DRAGON 35.4MP CMOS sensor . It is also one of the few cameras that offers a maximum data rate of 300 MB/s for video recording. Yes, it’s definitely one of the best cameras in the world for videography, but until you can afford it, you might want to look for a more affordable option.

Purchased from RED: ($49,500, unit only)

Related article: 12 of the best mirrorless cameras you can buy

Buy the best camera for YouTube videos

If you’re planning to start your own YouTube channel, producing high-quality footage with a professional camera should always be your top priority, and a professional camera is just that: the best camera. We are happy to offer several options at every price point. Cameras like the Nikon D5600, Canon EOS 77D, and Panasonic G7 are clearly aimed at people on a budget . However, if you want to achieve the best video quality, you can also get the Red Weapon 8K camera, assuming you have more than $50,000 to invest in your YouTube channel. Finally, if you need a high-performance camera that doesn’t require you to sell your home, cameras like the Sony FS7 and Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K will definitely help . Now that you’re clear on the cost you’re paying, which of these cameras would you choose and why? Let us know by writing your opinion in the comments section below.