There are quite a few contenders that fall into this bracket. Most people probably think of the GoPro when they think of entry-level vlogging cameras. The GoPro is great but because of it’s compact design it’s best used as a B roll or action camera. A GoPro simply won’t give you the pixel quality and audio quality you need.

Your best option here will be the Sony FDRX3000.

With 4k resolution, built-in wifi, GPS and waterproof hosing its a rugged go-anywhere camera for the busy vlogger.

If you needed any more proof of what this little powerhouse can do then have a look at the YouTube channels of two of the most successful vloggers on the internet right now. Harald Balder and Bald and Bankrupt. These 2 good mates put their cameras through all levels of punishment during their worldwide travels. Their cameras seem to always bounce back for more.

For a very reasonable price of around $500 AUD at the time of writing this article, the Sony FDRX3000 is a strong contender in the budget vlogging camera market.

So let’s start talking brands. Everyone wants to know whats the best vlogging camera within the line up of the major brands. Ok then, let’s start with Canon. In this authors opinion the best Canon vlogging camera right now is the Canon G7X mark3. It is my everyday camera and my vlogging camera all in one. I take it everywhere every day. This thing is a beast. It has so many good features. 4 x slow-mo video at 1080, excellent 4k video, excellent raw stills, great colors and all in a tiny slim design.

Combine this unit with a cage from Small Rig and you really have options. I’ve attached a small light and a Rode microphone. This makes it possible to capture high-quality video footage with great audio even in windy conditions.

Just one thing to be aware of is that the camera will overheat when shooting video in 4k for anything more than a few minutes at a time. If you’re only shooting small clips then stringing them together in an editing suite you’ll be fine.

The Sony ZV-1 has a number of standout features that make it a very smart choice for vloggers.

With the click of a button, you can go from shallow depth of field to deep depth of field thanks to the 1.4 Zeiss lens. The product showcase feature is a great addition too. Again this is activated with the click of a button. This feature is well overdue on vlogging cameras. Basically, the product showcase feature plays around with the autofocus settings. It changes the settings of the camera quickly allowing the user to set the focus on the foreground object. This is a great feature for any vlogger that has a product review channel. Throw in articulating screen, the forward-facing red light so you know when you’re recording, the windscreen that comes with the camera, the multi-function grip that converts to a tripod and you have a serious vlogging camera.

So right off the bat. Nikon is not known for its contributions to the vlogging sector. Their camera range was and still is aimed at the pro and semi-pro stills photographer. But if you’re a hardcore Nikon fan and you don’t want to spend thousands on a Z5 then this one might be for you. Nikon markets this as “perfect for vloggers” on their Z50 promo page.

It has 4K, but it doesn’t have IS. It does have excellent face exposure metering, but it doesn’t have a side articulating screen.

The screen flipping down could be a deal-breaker for some vloggers as they can’t attach a tripod and still see what’s in the frame. But for the price of $1600 AUD including a kit lens this is a decent competitor in the vlogging sector.

What can we say? Apple fan boys and girls are geeking out right now and probably for good reason. If you can afford it there’s a clear winner in the smartphone for vloggers category right now. The iPhone 12 (Pro) with it’s l;ist of remarkable features does away with the need to carry a big heavy DSLR camera around with you. Just check out the impressive list of specs below.

• Pro 12-megapixel camera system: Ultra Wide, Wide and Telephoto cameras
• Optical image stabilisation for video (Wide and Telephoto)
• HDR video recording with Dolby Vision at up to 60 fps
• 4K video recording at 24 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps
• Audio zoom
• Slow-motion video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps
• Time‑lapse video with stabilisation
• Night mode Time-lapse
• Continuous autofocus video

Sure the latest and greatest offering from Apple has multiple lenses and can do everything including make your coffee in the morning. But you still can make decent vlog content with an older iPhone or a cheaper brand. Just make sure that the smartphone you vlog with has at least 1080 quality video and decent audio.

So it’s 2021 now and I’m sure we all learnt a lot during the previous year (let’s not speak it’s name). What became obvious was that video content is king. You need to be creating video content to promote your product or service. If you’re not then you are missing out on a huge opportunity.

Creating content is not for everyone. Sure it’s hard, sure it’s uncomfortable for some people to step in front of the camera. But just remember this. Everyone starts somewhere. So jump in and give it a go.