The Best Cameras for Making YouTube Videos
This entry was posted on November 5, 2021.
When shooting YouTube videos, there's no such thing as a one-camera-fits-all.
All types of digital cameras have unique pros and cons. The best camera depends on the kind of videos you want to create; what works for one YouTuber, may not for another.
To help point you in the right direction, we put together the following list of cameras. Whether you're an experienced video-maker, or just starting out, we've got you covered.
What is the best camera to make videos with?
You’re not alone in wondering what’s the best camera for YouTube you can use. With Black Friday looming, and the COVID boom of self-starters carving out their dreams online, the trend is clear: owning the best video-making camera is high on a lot of people’s priorities this year.
But what is the best camera for the challenge? Of course, the answer to this question is always going to be somewhat subjective, depending on your needs and experience. So, to give you the most comprehensive answer possible, we’ve pulled together this superb six.
Whether you’re a novice or pro, with a big or limited budget, we’ve got something here for you.
- Canon EOS 90D
- Canon EOS 250D
- Nikon Z50
- Panasonic Lumix G9
- Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III
- Sony ZV-1
1. Canon EOS 90D
Topping our list is what we’d dub the best DSLR camera. The Canon EOS 90D is a well-rounded workhorse that can create quality YouTube videos for your channel.
Upgraded to uncropped 4K, the EOS 90D uses the whole width of its sensor, meaning a much better wide-angle perspective. Intelligent tracking and autofocus also prioritise human faces when fast-moving subjects are in frame.
Weatherproofed, the EOS 90D is great for filming outdoor action. The DSLR design, however, means it won't be especially portable – accessorising with camera bags and tripods will likely be a must.
A real powerhouse, the Canon EOS 90D gives intermediate vloggers a chance to take things up a notch.
Level: intermediates, advanced
Technical specs:
- DIGIC 8 processor
- Uncropped 4K/30fps
- 3inch Vari-angle touch screen LCD
- Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity
- ITR AF intelligent tracking and autofocus
2. Canon EOS 250D
The EOS 250D is the ideal DSLR for beginner YouTube vloggers to wet their toes on a budget. At £658, it's not the cheapest lower-end model, but for the price, it's feature-rich.
The Vari-angle LCD screen and 4K video resolution mean entry-level users can capture high-quality videos at awkward angles. And weighing just 449g, the EOS 250D is Canon's lightest DSLR.
Level: beginners, budget
Technical specs:
- 4K video
- Vari-angle LCD
- 4K time-lapse movies
- Lightest Canon DSLR
- APS-C CMOS Sensor
- DIGIC 8 processor
3. Nikon Z50
We think it fair to crown this beauty as the best mirrorless camera for YouTube filming; Nikon’s first mirrorless camera featuring an APS-C sensor and the new ultra-wide Z-mount, allowing you to film 4K/UltraHD footage.
25% wider than their DSLR F-mount, the Z-mount captures more light across the frame, producing more vibrant colours. The full width of the sensor is also used, meaning uncropped 4K.
An ergonomic design sees the video button conveniently placed, and a camera body that fits snug in the hand.
The Z50 is a lightweight jack of all trades which rivals many DSLRs when it comes to shooting videos for YouTube.
Level: beginners, intermediates
Technical specs:
- Uncropped 4K
- Full HD slow-mo video
- Tilting touchscreen
- OLED electronic viewfinder
- WIFI
- Hybrid phase-detection/contrast AF with AF assist
4. Panasonic Lumix G9
The Panasonic Lumix G9 is an advanced mirrorless camera that'll craft stellar YouTube videos.
This camera’s capabilities are nothing short of wildly impressive. Shooting film at 4K 25/30fpsVideo has no time limit, and you can increase the frame rate to 120fps. You'll have no trouble capturing beautiful YouTube footage at any speed.
The lightning-fast Venus processor and high-cut filtered sensor work together to improve resolution, adding a final gloss to your videos.
The most expensive on our list, but a leader in its field, the Lumix G9 will give your YouTube videos a professional makeover.
Level: advanced
Technical specs:
- Venus Engine Image Processor
- UHD 4K60p Video; 80MP High-Res Shot Mode
- 5-Axis Sensor Stabilization; Dual I.S. 2
- WIFI & Bluetooth
- Video optical zoom
- 3-inch free-angle touch OLEV screen
- High-speed autofocus
5. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
A vlogging powerhouse bundled into an exceptional compact design! The PowerShot G7 X Mark III is ideal for YouTubers who need to whip the camera out at a moment's notice.
Full HD 4K/120fps means video quality supersedes that of most DSLR and mirrorless cameras. Direct video to YouTube stream beams content to audiences at a fraction of the cost of a DSLR.
Ideal for travel vloggers, the PowerShot G7 X III will help you record those once in a lifetime moments.
Level: beginners, intermediates
Technical specs:
- 4K/120fps
- 4K time-lapse
- DICIG 8 processor
- WIFI & Bluetooth connectivity
- YouTube streaming
6. Sony ZV-1
Sony created the ZV-1 specifically with vloggers in mind. A directional 3 capsule mic with windscreen clearly picks up voices, and the Vari-angle LCD screen makes turning the camera on yourself easy.
Optimise product review vlogs using the Product Showcase Set focus – and do it all in the beauty of crisp 4K.
Finished off in matte black, the Sony ZV-1 is perfect for non-technical vloggers getting started in the YouTube world.
Level: beginners
Technical specs:
- High-speed sensor LSI
- Dynamic super slow-mo
- STEADYSHOT MOVIE (image stabilisation)
- 4K
- WIFI
What camera do YouTubers usually use?
There's no industry standard, but we can help narrow your choices down. It seems more and more YouTubers are favouring one of the following three cameras from our above list:
- Canon EOS DSLR
- Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II / III compact
- Sony ZV-1 compact
Some use a combination of both DSLR and compact, but it's the PowerShot which most famous YouTubers like Zoella stand by.
Is GoPro good for making YouTube videos?
Hand-held, high-speed image stabilisation means GoPros are perfect for POV vloggers.
With 4K/120fps, the GoPro Hero 10 shoots at a higher resolution than many high-end mirrorless and DSLR cameras. Waterproof, and measuring 2.75 x 1.9 inches also means this tiny cube can live-stream to YouTube from anywhere.
In recent years GoPro was challenged by alternatives such as the Insta360 One R Twin and the DJI Pocket 2. The action-cam giants responded in 2019 with the GoPro Max, empowering YouTubers to video 360 degrees in a mind-blowing 6K.
There is, however, an obvious downside: GoPros can't create the same range of effects as lens-interchangeable cameras. Which means, you’re looking at less creative flexibility.
But if you want fans to feel like they're living your YouTube videos, then GoPro.
Best for: POV (all abilities)
Technical specs (Hero 10):
- Waterproof (33ft)
- HyperSmooth 4.0 video stabilization
- 3K/60fps + 4K/120fps resolution
- TimeWarp 3.0, 8X Slo-Mo
Can I shoot YouTube videos with my phone?
Nowadays you don't even need to record a video on your phone beforehand. Just open the YouTube app and begin live streaming.
But if that's too simplistic, most modern smartphones are surprisingly capable of recording high-quality videos.
Thanks to f-stop control, increased zoom capabilities, along with ultra-high-resolution cameras, it’s fair to say you could use high-end smartphones in place of lower-end compact cameras.
You'll also have instant access to YouTube through the mobile app.
Best camera phones YouTube filming
iPhone 13 Pro:
- 6x optical zoom
- 4K at 24/25/30/60 fps, 1080p at 25/30/60 fps, HDR video recording with Dolby Vision
- Wide, Telephoto or TrueDepth of field
- Smart HDR4 machine learning enhanced contrast
- Up to 1TB storage
Huawei P40 Pro:
- 4K/60fps video
- Digital, optical and hybrid zoom modes
- Image stabilization: OIS + AIS
- 8 GB RAM + 256 GB ROM
- 5x optical zoom
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra:
- 8K/24pfs video
- SuperSteady AI stabilised images
- 8K VideoSnap - pull still out of a video
- 512GB/256GB/128GB storage
What equipment is needed for YouTube videos?
A smartphone is more than enough to begin uploading your YouTube videos. You don't even need editing software, as these days most come with built-in tools. But to step up your YouTube game, you'll need a digital camera and a device to edit videos.
Whether it's a DSLR, mirrorless, or compact, put some time into learning the ins and outs of both your camera and editing software.
You'll know if your content hits the spot when viewers begin subscribing to your channel.
Final thoughts
If you’re still unsure what’s the right camera choice for you, here’s a quick overview of the benefits of each:
- Maximum control over YouTube video quality - the widest range of settings
- video
- Interchangeable lenses
- Robust weatherproofing
- Tend to be the bulkiest and most expensive
- 4K quality but more lightweight portable
- Interchangeable lenses
- Built-in YouTube streaming (varies between models)
- Poorer battery life will require more charging than a DSLR
Compact camera:
- High resolution 'on-the-go' videos
- Beginner-friendly vlogging
- 4K with built-in YouTube streaming (high-end models)
- Travel requiring lots of point and shoot
- Limited to the one lens
Smartphone:
- Ultra-high resolution amateur videos
- Long battery life
- AI enhancements
- Fragile and limited to built-in lenses