If you spend any amount of time online, it’s likely that a good portion of that is spent watching YouTube videos. There’s no shame in it. There’s an endless wealth of information to be found on the site, whether you’re looking for reviews, tutorials, entertainment, or even educational topics.
While some folks are satisfied with merely consuming this content, others see it as a business opportunity and way to turn their passion of being in front of the camera into a full-fledged job.
For YouTubers just starting out, you’ll need the right gear to keep your videos looking as crisp and clear as possible. In this post we’ll explore the best options for new content creators who will be spending the majority of their time in front of the camera.
What makes a good YouTube camera?
First things first, you’re probably wondering what exactly makes a good YouTube camera. As a content creator myself, here’s a quick list of things to look out for when choosing a good YouTube camera.
YouTube camera checklist:
- Not too expensive – for the sake of this post, we’re trying to recommend cameras under $1,000
- Interchangeable lens – a good lens can make all the difference in image quality
- Small/light weight (including lens) – for taking on-the-go
- Microphone input – for using a shotgun or lapel mic
- Flip screen: 180-degree flip screen to see yourself while you record
- Quick auto focus – crucial to make sure everything remains in focus, even with quick movements
Now let’s take a look at the options. It’s important to note that not all of these cameras will have every feature in our checklist and for those that don’t, there are workarounds. So it’s up to you to weigh its importance based upon your individual needs.
Sony A6300 ($898)
The camera I’ve found that ticks the most boxes is the Sony A6300. With a retail price of around $899, the A6300 is incredibly small, lightweight and even with the kit lens, it’s compact enough to easily slide into a purse or backpack. It should fit most of your needs, with the only downside being that the display doesn’t flip 180-degrees (which means you can’t see yourself recording).
With the ability to shoot in 4K, full HD at 120fps, HDMI out for using an external monitor, and the stock kit lens being wide enough to fit yourself and anything else into the frame (even if you’re holding the camera at arm’s length) — the Sony A6300 is incredibly versatile. The camera can also be powered using micro USB, allowing you record even if the battery is dead.
If you have the money for it, the Sony A6500 is a nicer but slightly more expensive upgrade. It comes with 5-axis stabilization, which is great for more stable handheld shooting on-the-go. If you’re looking for the best deals on used Sony cameras, you came to the right place. Hit the link below to browse our listings.
Canon EOS M50
The Canon EOS M50 is a great pick for those looking for who prefer Canon cameras, but don’t want to lug around a heavy DSLR wherever they go. Retail price is around $699 and the M50 is the only model in Canon’s smaller “M” line that offers 4K video recording, which makes it a great pick for YouTube (the higher quality your videos are, the more people will be inclined to watch).
The M50 also has a full range of modern features like a 180-degree flip screen and WiFi to easily transfer photos to your smartphone. This is perfect for capturing high quality photos and quickly sharing them to your social networks. If you’re looking for an even more compact form factor, the M50 can be paired with the extremely small Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM lens.
Optionally, the Canon M6 is a slightly more compact and affordable option for those that don’t mind sacrificing the viewfinder and 4K video recording (but you still keep the external microphone input). No matter which used Canon camera you’re shopping for, Swappa is the best way to score the best deal.
Panasonic Lumix GX85 ($599)
The Panasonic Lumix GX85 is another great YouTubing camera with a new retail price of around $599. It’s small form factor and interchangeable lenses give you plenty of options, and the 5-axis (3 in-body, 2 in-lens) stabilization should help with handheld video.
The GX85 shoots in 4K resolution with the downside being the micro four-thirds sensor which may not perform as well in low-light. If you’re recording at home, some nice studio lighting will easily makeup for this. The camera also doesn’t feature a microphone input, or a 180-degree flip display (it only tilts), so keep that in mind.
There’s also the GX850 which comes with a slightly lower price and trades the viewfinder in for a 180-degree tilting display, but caps at 1080p video recording. No matter which you pick, you always get the best deal on used Panasonic Lumix cameras when shopping on Swappa.
Best cheap YouTube cameras:
Sony A5100
This is a great starter camera for those on a budget. At $399 retail, the Sony A5100 has a lot of the features of its more expensive siblings (APS-C sensor, WiFi) only its lighter and features a flip screen to see yourself while you record video.
The only trade-offs are it maxes out at 1080p video and there’s no microphone jack or hot shoe, so this will likely be little more than your travel camera. It comes with a nice motorized lens, but you can always swap that out for an extremely small 16mm pancake lens for ultimate portability.
When shopping for a used Sony camera on Swappa, you’ll get an even better deal than retail. Hit the link below to start shopping.
Canon EOS Rebel T6i
This is easily the biggest camera on this list, but the Canon T6i is most of the features you need to start your YouTube journey. Aside from its large size, the camera is quite capable with a flip display, microphone input, hot shoe, WiFi and compatibility with more lenses than you can shake a stick at.
It’s really hard to go wrong with the T6i unless you plan on vlogging, in which case you’ll need a strong arm and something like a Gorilla Pod to get a good grip. The new retail price is around $599 with the kit lens, but you’ll always find a better deal when buying used Canon cameras on Swappa.
Panasonic Lumix G7 ($498)
The Panasonic Lumix G7 is another great option for YouTubers on a budget. Like the T6i, it’s a bit bigger but you’re getting a full set of features like flip display, microphone input, hot shoe, and built-in WiFi.
The micro four-thirds sensor is a bit small, so low light video might be challenging, but if you’re planning on mounting this in a well lit room when shooting, you’ll have everything you need.
Unlike the other budget cameras on this list, the G7 is capable of shooting 4K video with quick auto focusing. It’s truly a great pick for at-home shooting on a budget. With a new retail price of $498, it wont break the bank and you’ll find even cheaper Panasonic cameras when buying on Swappa.
Best compact YouTube camera:
Apple iPhone X
If you’re looking for the smallest, most compact camera that can upload video directly to social sites, it’s really hard to go wrong with the iPhone X. With the ability to shoot in 4K 60/24fps, you can achieve a cinematic look straight from the phone.
There are also a plethora of accessories to help take your video recording abilities to the next level including mounts, external microphones, lighting or these awesome attachable lenses from Moment.
While the iPhone X can be a compact video rig, you’ll want avoid using the not-so-great front facing camera as video quality is dramatically worse. That can make things difficult since you wont be able to see yourself recording with the rear camera, but an attachable wide angle lens should help keep you in the frame when you’re not able to see the screen.
With used iPhone X prices starting at $595, now is a great time to buy. Of course, you always get the best deal by shopping for a used iPhone on Swappa.
