You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Buying Guide: The Best Vlogging Cameras for 2025
What's the Best Vlogging Camera for You?
There are a few different ways to go here: a smartphone, a compact model, or an interchangeable lens camera (ILC). Smartphones win on convenience—you've always got your phone with you, and high-end models like the iPhone 15 Pro Max deliver results that are more than adequate for YouTube. Modern smartphones are also powerful enough to handle editing and uploads, good news for up-and-coming creators who grew up with them.
If you like the idea of a pocketable camera but want something with a higher-quality mic than your phone, look at a vlogging compact. We recommend the entry-level Canon PowerShot V10, the mid-priced DJI Osmo Pocket 3, and the higher-end Sony ZV-1M2. All offer wide-angle lenses, image stabilization, and 4K capture. These cameras are good choices if you want to travel light and don't want to fuss with interchangeable lenses or too many other accessories.
Pick an interchangeable lens camera if you want the option to change lenses for top-notch image quality. The Nikon Z 30 and Sony ZV-E10 II represent the entry-level segment; both use non-stabilized APS-C sensors and integrate better-than-average mics.
If you plan on recording handheld, it's worth stepping up to a midrange model with a stabilized sensor. We've yet to test one with an excellent mic, so you need to factor in that cost on top of a camera like the Fujifilm X-S20. The good news is that Fuji provides steady 10-bit video.
At the high end, the Sony ZV-E1 stands pretty much by itself. This full-frame camera blurs backgrounds more readily than other swappable-lens vlog cameras, while its AI-based processor enables many types of automated camera moves. The latter adds a bit of production value you don't get from other vlogging cams and is a benefit for creators who work solo.
Many vloggers use a big camera for the majority of their recordings—the "A" camera—and something else for insert shots—a "B-roll" camera. For the latter, an action cam like the GoPro Hero12 Black or Insta360 X4 is a good pick, as is a drone like the DJI Mini 4 Pro. The latter supports both widescreen and vertical video and has obstacle-avoidance sensors.
How Much Should You Spend on a Vlogging Camera?
Expect to spend anywhere from $400 to $900 on a fixed-lens camera. If you want one that supports interchangeable lenses, put aside around $900 to get started with an APS-C kit or $2,300 if you have full-frame ambitions. Neither of those estimates accounts for additional lenses or accessories, which can push prices much higher at the outset.
What Lenses Do You Need for Vlogging?
If you get a mirrorless vlogging camera, ensure the kit lens is up to standard, or simply pick up the body by itself. Most come with a standard zoom, which is a good match for studio vloggers but a little narrow for self-recorded, walk-and-talk style videos.
If you want a broader field of view, consider adding a wide zoom to your kit. Get the Nikkor Z DX 12-28mm for the Z 30, the E PZ 10-20mm F4 G for the ZV-E10 or E10 II, the XF 10-24mm or XF 8mm F3.5 WR for the X-S20, and the FE PZ 16-35mm F4 for the ZV-E1.
After that, it's really up to you. A standard zoom can do a lot, especially on a well-lit set. You might want to add a bright prime if you're after a shallow depth-of-field look, though.
What Other Vlogging Accessories Should You Get?
For a successful vlogging setup, you need plenty of other things besides a camera. For studio scenes, you should add a tripod and some sort of lighting system. A gimbal is a must-have if you want to work handheld and get perfectly steady footage.
You should also pick up a microphone or a digital audio recorder. Even if you get a camera with an upgraded in-body mic, an external one likely gets better results. Get a clip-on lapel lavalier mic for interviews, such as the DJI Mic 2 system. A good USB mic is a requirement for studio-based streams.
If you need more guidance on vlogging accessories, be sure to read our buying guide. And don't forget about editing; we've highlighted our favorite video editing software and mobile apps to help you cut your vlogs together.