Every digital camera is manufactured with a fraction of the market share in mind. There are high-end cameras that are made for professional photographers as there are entry-level cameras for beginners.
In this article, we are going to list the best cheap vlogging cameras for beginners.
Best budget vlogging cameras for beginners
In the past few years, YouTube as well as other social media has laid a ready platform for content creators to showcase their talent.
Vlogging blew up during the Covid-19 pandemic and anyone with a smartphone created an account on YouTube. In a newly saturated opportunity, there is a need to set yourself apart by using the best vlogging camera unlike anyone else using their smartphone.
In this list, we are going to feature the best cameras which are made for vloggers based on the features they have and the value of the money;
Sony ZV-1
The Sony ZV-1 is personally my top vlogging camera recommendation for beginners. It has many features that are vlogger focused such as an external mic and a hot shoe.
In some Vlogging oriented cameras such as Sony A6400, the company has made a mistake by manufacturing a flipping-up screen.
This has continuously raised an uproar among consumers as accessing the screen is a struggle and it also covered the camera’s hot shoe.
Sony ZV-1 has however solved this problem with a 921600 dot flip-out touch-sensitive screen.
Speaking of focus, this fixed lens camera has intelligent capabilities such as eye tracking and continuous object tracking.
The camera also has a product showcasing mode which instantly focuses on the product a vlogger is showing on the camera. When the product is off the frame the camera focuses back on the face.
The Sony ZV-1 has made it to the list of the best cheap vlogging cameras for many reasons but the main one is color science. The footage from this camera is ideal even without any post-production efforts. In addition, this is so far the only camera in this price range that will shoot in 4K without any cropping.
Panasonic Lumix G100
Panasonic Lumix G100 is a direct competition to Sony ZV-1 which was released almost at the same time. The Lumix G100 is a compact mirrorless camera with an interchangeable lens, unlike its competitor. Being among the cheap vlogging cameras for beginners, Lumix features a fully articulating screen. When you start recording, the screen has a red framing instead of a tally light in most cameras for vlogging.
Panasonic Lumix G100 records up to 4K 30fps videos with built-in color presets. The camera also features V-Log L flat profile. This feature is highly beneficial to serious vloggers who intend to edit the footage further in software such as Adobe Lightroom.
While most budget vlogging cameras have poor inbuilt audio quality, Lumix G100 has a recommendable audio quality. Depending on your settings, the vlogging camera can pick up sound from any or all directions of the camera.
Sony ZV-E10
Sony ZV-E10 is an upgrade from the Sony ZV-1 and a close competitor to the Canon M50. What makes Sony ZV-E10 different from most budget vlogging cameras is its 24MP APS-C sensor. The sensor is not only 3x bigger than most mirrorless cameras but also gathers 15 times more light. This equals more detailed videos and photos.
Videos can be recorded in 4K/24fps without cropping or at full HD (1080/120fps) which is the least acceptable video quality for vlogging. The face and eye detection in Sony ZV-E10 is highly reliable. The camera will give you sharp-focus videos with a blurred background depending on the Sony E-mount lens you are using. A fully articulating touch-sensitive screen will make it easy for you to shoot from creative angles making your art unique.
One of the features every vlogging camera must consider is a good internal microphone and Sony ZV-E10 wins in that. The camera has a built-in multi-directional microphone that will record high-quality audio to match your videos. You can make videos more stable by turning on stabilization to either standard or active.
Did I mention that the Sony ZV-E10 has a dedicated record button? I guess I just did. This means you can instantly start recording with a single button press.
Sony ZV-E10 made it to our list of the best budget vlogging cameras due to its vlogger-dedicated features and a fair price of around $800.
DJI OSMO Pocket
As the name suggests, the DJI OSMO Pocket is a compact camera that easily fits in your jacket pocket.
Just being a pocket size does not make DJI OSMO Pocket the best cheap vlogging camera for beginners though. DJI OSMO Pocket has a long handle that houses a 1” screen and only two buttons.
Just like you guessed, the handle helps in producing highly stable shots in addition to the 3-axis gimbal.
The touchscreen on the other hand is used to navigate the menu and to view what the camera is recording. With the screen being just an inch, DJI Pocket has the option to attach your smartphone and use it as a viewfinder.
On top of being a viewfinder, the smartphone’s DJI Mimo App can be used to stretch the capabilities of the DJI Pocket OSMO even further.
The camera supports up to 4K resolution but due to a relatively small sensor, the footage appears to be noisy. A small sensor also means that the camera has difficulties shooting at night.
A brand new DJI OSMO Pocket costs under $250 making it among the best cheap vlogging cameras for beginners.
DJI Pocket 2
This is the second generation of the DJI OSMO Pocket series and it definitely has advanced features. With about $100 more, the DJI Pocket 2 makes it to the list of the best budget vlogging cameras in the market.
The DJI Pocket 2 has a larger camera CMOS sensor (1/1.7″), a wider angle lens, 4 microphones with directional soundtracking, and HDR video.
The camera also boosts and improved the autofocus system, higher quality photos, and videos. DJI Pocket 2 is as easy to operate as the first generation and most add-ons are compatible. However, if you intend to purchase a full content creator combo, you will have to add some more bucks.
You can attach your mobile phone to the DJI Pocket 2 to use it as a display screen. Another downside is that the camera does not perform well in low-light conditions.
Canon m50 Mark ii
Canon M50 Mark ii is the value for your money mirrorless camera for a vlogging beginner. This camera is packed with a bunch of features suited for any level of videography or photography.
Being a mirrorless camera, the Canon M50 Mark 2 is very small compared to the DSLRs in the same price range. The camera is also lightweight even with the lens on.
The first thing you will notice is a fully articulating touch-sensitive screen. This gives the creator flexibility in the shots taken from any angle.
With a 24-megapixel sensor and ISO capability of up to 25600, the camera is able to shoot even in dark conditions.
The camera’s best recording resolution is 1080p (FHD) but can also record in 4K with a downside of cropping and sometimes noisy footage.
With up to 143 autofocus points Canon M50 will guarantee you sharply focused objects with ease.
You probably won’t spend over $600 just for a webcam but yes, Canon M50 can connect with your computer for higher resolution zoom meetings. With the clean HDMI feature, the Canon M50 can be used for live streams beyond the 30-minute limit.
If you are doing a YouTube live stream, however, this camera can easily connect to your channel even without a computer. All you have to do is set the live stream on your channel then put the link into your camera and you are good to go.
Canon EOS Rebel T8i
Very unusual for us to recommend a DSLR but Canon EOS Rebel T8i makes it the best cheap vlogging camera for beginners.
The Canon EOS Rebel T8i is a solid entry-level DSLR camera built with vloggers in mind.
It has a 3” flip-out articulating screen which is ideal not only for front-facing vlogs but making creative shots from different angles.
The Dual Pixel CMOS AF system in this entry-level camera offers smooth and fast autofocus with accurate subject tracking. The camera also has 5-axis image stabilization producing highly stabilized 4K/24fps or 1080p/60fps videos for up to 30 minutes.
The DSLR has an external mic input for better audio quality, HDMI, USB, WIFI, and Bluetooth connectivity.
The table below shows an overview of the best budget vlogging cameras for beginners;
What to look for in a good vlogging camera
Before we dive into the best vlogging cameras for beginners, these are the various factors that you should consider;
External microphone capabilities
Most vlogging cameras will come with an internal mic but the downside is that the sound is not always ideal. Having an external microphone will assure you high quality even when the camera is mounted on a tripod further away.
Video resolution
Most entry-level video cameras will offer you standard video quality (720p) but you should consider at least 1080p if not 4k.
Image Stabilization
If you are operating your camera handheld, rest assured the video will always be shaky. The best cheap vlogging camera should have optical image stabilization to bring the cinematic effect to your videos.
Fully articulating screen
An articulating screen is ideal for a vlogger to see if they are properly in the frame, the exposure is perfect and they are in focus.
Auto-Focus
A good vlogging camera for beginners has good autofocus features such as continuous subject tracking capability, face recognition, and touch to focus.
Weight and battery life
If you are using a tripod then you need not worry about the weight. But if you intend to do handheld traveling vlogs then you should consider a lightweight camera. Most compact cameras do not have large batteries so you should always have a backup.
Budget
The cheapest cameras should not always be the ones with the lowest price tag. The best budget vlogging camera is the one that brings value for your money.
Conclusion on the best cheap vlogging cameras for beginners
Depending on the style of vlogging you choose, this list probably has an option for the best beginner camera for you. As much as we do not all have the same amount of financial freedom, buying the cheapest vlogging camera will not add any value if it does not meet your needs. It is therefore important to carry out intensive research before purchasing any product.
Check this video by Top 5 Picks for more budget vlogging cameras for beginners;
