Top 8 Best Cameras for YouTube

GoPro HERO4, Amazon rating

YouTube has become the most popular online medium for expressing yourself through video. The great thing about YouTube is that it is for everyone, not just professional vloggers. You don’t have to have any experience to use it and it’s a lot of fun to do!

But, one of the most common questions that people, from the novices to the pros, ask is, "What the best cameras are for YouTube?"

There are so many options, and we've covered general vlogging cameras and also the Canon range in separate posts already this year.

Read on for our rundown of the best video cameras for YouTube vloggers.

Here are The Best Video Cameras for YouTube:

Image

Model

Video
Resolution

Image 
Stabilization

Price

Rating

1080p HD

N

$

Panasonic HC-V180K Full HD Camcorder

1080p HD

Y

$

1080p HD

N

$$

GoPro HERO4 Silver

1080p HD

Y

$$

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G7KK DSLM Mirrorless 4K Camera

4K

Y

$$$

1080p HD

Y

$$$

Apple iPhone 6s Plus

4K

N

$$$$

Google Nexus 10

1080p HD

N

$$

Samsung NX Mini 20.5MP CMOS Smart WiFi and NFC Mirrorless Digital Camera with 9mm Lens and 3 Flip Up LCD Touch Screen, Mint Green

1080p HD

Y

$$

Samsung Electronics EC-DV180FBPBUS Dual-View Wireless Smart Camera

720p HD

N

$

Below is a list of the top video cameras for YouTube specifically for all levels of vloggers to help pick the best one for you!

You may not think of a phone camera as a good choice for making YouTube videos but with the right one you can make amazing videos. Here are two best choices:

Budget Vlogging

If your budget will play a big role in the camera that you choose, here are some of the best options for you. Remember, budget buys do not mean that they are quality compromised!

Sony Cyber-Shot DSCWX220/B

Google Nexus 10

Any vlogger on a budget will appreciate this camera. You can use it to record your videos at full HD and 10x optical zoom. The sensor resolution is at 18.2 MP and its processor is an Bionz X. If you like to vlog on the run you will love this model as it is very lightweight and compact which makes it the perfect carry and go item. 

The previous Cyber-shot model at this price point used to have issues in low lighting situations, but it's all good now as it can shoot at up to 3200 ISO.


Panasonic HC-V180K Full HD Camcorder

At little more than $200 you cannot go wrong with this camera. For such a low price it is really amazing how much quality you get from it! It records your videos at 1080p Full HD, 50x optical zoom, and 2-channel zoom microphone for crystal clear audio. Aside from the great budget price, the number one advantage of this model is that it is the perfect size for carrying around everywhere you may need it. 

Its 2.7" LCD touch screen makes for a great user interface too.


Semi-Pro Vlogging

If you are into vlogging but not hardcore about your equipment, these cameras will likely meet your needs.

Canon Powershot S100

This Canon model can be purchased for as little as $200 or as much as $600 depending on the extras you get with it. No matter what you end up paying, this camera is easy to use, lightweight and compact so you can take it with you on the go.

And when you make your videos you will do so while shooting at 1080p 24 fps. This is a good choice all around.


GoPro HERO4 Silver

This not only a good choice for the aspiring vlogger... it is an excellent choice, because it really packs a video recording punch, delivering cinema quality video capture. Nobody does immersive wide-angle shots like GoPro.

It's got Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity which link seamlessly with the GoPro App, which lets you automatically transfer photos and videos that you take, and lets you use your smartphone as a remote control. 

It has built-in video trimming features that let you edit and save your work right on the cam.


Pro-Vlogging

And finally, we have the top picks for the pro vlogger!

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G7KK

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G7KK DSLM Mirrorless 4K Camera

This choice of camera will really surprise you! First of all, it's an captures awesome still images.

Second, there's that 4k ultra HD recording capability that goes above and beyond mere HD. You can grab still frames from your videos under just about any sort of condition including low light which is an issue for many other cameras.

Third, it has lightning fast focusing capabilities and has an excellent user control touchpad that lets you set an autofocus point with one touch.

Overall this is a great choice for serious YouTube vloggers.


Now that you know about the top choice for a pro-vlogger budget camera, it is time to cover a top product that is on the high end of the price spectrum. This Canon model will run you around $600 but if vlogging is your passion and you really need a top notch piece of recording equipment then this is an excellent choice for you.

It boasts full HD at 1080p with 30 fps when used at its highest operating capability. It is larger than other models that brag about being compact but makes up for it in so many other ways. The swivel screen makes recording and capturing all angles a breeze; something that any vlogger will deeply appreciate. There is a microphone inbuilt making the sound quality much higher than many other models. The main drawback is the weight but if you can get past that then you will do very well with this Canon camera.


Smartphone and Tablet Vlogging

Apple iPhone 6 Plus

Apple iPhone 6s Plus

This is a top choice among vloggers. It's Apple after all. The back camera records video at an amazing 1080p full HD and the front cam does at 720p HD. And aside from the fantastic video recording, it's a smartphone! It comes with all sorts of bells and whistles.

But what seals the deal for the 6 Plus S is that 5.5-inch LED screen, baby. It gives you instant gratification because with that screen size, you can not only shoot your vids, but you can also edit with iMovie, upload to YouTube, and view your handiwork all in one go.


Google Nexus 10

If you are more of an Android person than this one is a great choice for you. It takes quality video and is very easy to use. Uploading your videos to YouTube or social media sites is fast and simple. And of course, it will serve you in more ways than must taking videos; use it for everything you need in your daily life.

The one drawback is that there is no slot for Micro SD, but with a USB OTG cable you can expand storage to any flash drive.

Conclusion

There are countless different technical things that are special about each camera. In the end you need to test. Test, test test. Test a camera at the store, or order several through amazon and send back the ones you don't want (if there's a good return policy). 

Step one would be just to use the camera phone you probably already have and start making videos. Remember to get started is one of the most important things. If you never get started then you'll never need to use any camera hehe.

Check out the video below for some good tips on what camera to choose:

All product images via Amazon.com.