Picking the best YouTube camera isn't a simple question of one-size-fits-all. Depending on what kind of videos you want to create, and the kind of channel you're running, there are all sorts of different cameras that could potentially be right for you. So, in this guide, we've prepared a wide-reaching list of cameras for different purposes and budgets.
Our list includes everything from all-in-one compacts to versatile mirrorless and high-end cinema cameras, as well as hardy waterproof action cameras for the more adventurous. If you're not sure which is right for you, scroll to the bottom of the page where we've included some pointers on how to choose the right camera for YouTube.
We've used all these cameras and we think they are the best choices for YouTubers right now, but they reflect very different shooting styles. You can read our full list to get a sense of which option is suitable for which type of user, and place yourself accordingly. We've stuck to dedicated cameras for this list, but if you prefer to shoot on a phone, check our rundown of the best phones for video.
Sebastian Oakley
For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. He has been taking photographs since the days of film, but is also keenly interested in video, having used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He brings this expertise to picking out the best cameras for YouTube.
With versatile sensor, the Hero 12 Black can shoot in an 8:7 ratio – perfect vertical video. Elsewhere, it's got all the GoPro quality we've learned to love.
With a mini XLR audio input, a full-sized HDMI port and full licence for DaVinci Resolve, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is equipped for filmmaking.
DJI has refined its gimbal camera formula, and the Osmo Pocket 3 is the best yet. With a larger screen and sensor, it's easier to operate and produces better results.
A YouTuber perennial, Canon's popular PowerShot G7 X Mark III compact is an all-in-one package for videos and streaming alike, with a mic input and uncropped 4K.
This unusual mirrorless camera is one of the smallest full-frame shooters you can buy – and its modular design makes it highly customizable for video work.
An E-mount mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor, the Sony ZV-E10 is well-equipped for stills as well as video – a good choice for a photography channel.
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Max video resolution: 4K up to 120fps, 10-bit 4:2:2
Mic input: 3.5mm
Headphone jack: 3.5mm
Reasons to buy
+
Amazing real world video specs
+
Incredible low light performance
+
Stunning AF, even for video
Reasons to avoid
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No 6K or 8K video
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Still images only 12MP
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Lens costs extra
It took Sony five years to upgrade the video-centric A7S II to a Mark III, but the wait was worth it for keen enthusiasts and professional filmmakers. It might not boast the 6K or 8K video resolution of some of its rivals today, and with only 12.1MP it’s not a powerhouse super-stills machine either.
But apart from an extensive and expensive cinema camera, it’s one of only a handful of cameras that can shoot 4K at 60p full frame with no crop, recorded internally, in 10-bit 4:2:2 with no limitations on recording time, and with all the advanced AF functions still working.
Instead of chasing headlines, Sony worked on giving filmmakers the camera they needed, with lots of codec choices without limits on frame rates. And uses its computing power for fast readouts to enable quick frame rates and high bit rates at all settings, with all other functions working.
Such as all the clever AF systems with eye and face detection for humans and animals. Features that still shooters have come to take for granted while video shooters have always had a crippled AF that just didn’t offer all the bells and whistles.
Mic input: Bluetooth or 3.5mm with optional Media Mod
Headphone jack: Bluetooth
Reasons to buy
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Captures versatile 8:7 content
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Log recording and mic connectivity
+
Exceptional stabilization
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Improved editing workflow
Reasons to avoid
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Lowlight video still not great
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No magnetic mounting
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Not a big jump from Hero 11 Black
The Hero 12 Black is the latest in GoPro's supremely popular line of action cameras. For YouTubers, it's an excellent choice for a number of reasons – especially for those who want to create content for YouTube's vertical video service (a.k.a. its TikTok clone) YouTube Shorts. This is because of the 8:7 ratio sensor, introduced in the Hero 11, which allows for lossless cropping in all different aspect ratios.
The Hero 12 Black captures 5.3K at 60fps, 4K at 120fps, or 2.7K at 240fps if you're looking for super slow motion shots. GoPro's HyperSmooth stabilization is better than ever before, the updated hardware and software make it even more powerful and video quality is very good, except for in dimly lit environments.
Low-light performance isn't much better than it's ever been, though the Hero 12 Black does introduce a few new features, including support for Bluetooth microphones and headphones. You can now shoot HDR video and shoot in a flat Log profile for maximum dynamic range and latitude when it comes to colour grading. It's not a big jump over the Hero 11 Black – but for serious content creators, it's worth the investment.
The clue is in the name. A Mark II version of anything is likely to be a refresh rather than a whole new camera, and it’s the same here. But while the GH5 II might appear superficially similar to its predecessor, it incorporates a large number of improvements and additions that make quite a difference when you add them together – and they are even more impressive given the price. While sequel cameras like the Lumix GH6 have since come along, the GH5 II still represents excellent value for money.
This camera dates from the era when Panasonic was sticking with its own DFD contrast-based autofocus even though rival makers have switched to faster and more reliable phase AF. Panasonic's DFD AF has steadily improved, but it still tends to hunt and lose contact with subjects – which is bad news if you are trying to film yourself.
With an articulating display that opens out to the side, it won’t be blocked by a shotgun mic mounted on the hot shoe, so you can vlog obstruction-free, and it also has a full-sized HDMI-out, for easy-to-access clean video – perfect for pairing with an Atomos Ninja V, for example. The Lumix GH5 II would be best suited to a more advanced YouTuber who can make the best use of its advanced video settings and won't be fazed by its quirky AF.
Screen: 1.4-inch color (front); 2.3-inch touchscreen (rear)
Max video resolution: 5K
Mic input: With adapter
Headphone jack: No
Reasons to buy
+
Excellent stabilization
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Plenty of accessory options
Reasons to avoid
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Pricier than competition
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Mediocre microphone
A couple of generations back in the GoPro Hero lineup, the GoPro Hero10 Black still offers a lot for budget-conscious YouTubers. It sports the 1.4-inch front-facing screen first introduced on the GoPro Hero9 Black for easy framing of selfies and videos, and there’s a wide range of third-party accessories.
It’s also got some elegant features, the most useful being HyperSmooth 4.0, an image stabilization system that works so well. The result is super-smooth handheld shots. It’s also hard to resist the option to capture in 5.3K video, and in 60 frames per second. There’s more in store from the GoPro Hero10 Black in the shape of the brand’s Max Lens Mod, which uses the camera’s removable lens cover by bringing an ultra-wide 155º field of view that will be useful for group vlogging, yoga classes, and education.
The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K looks great value for money today and it's an intriguing alternative for Olympus or Panasonic users who've already invested in MFT lenses. It has some disadvantages, such as no continuous AF and a fixed screen, but this is a cinema camera, not a vlogging camera. It always comes back to bang for the buck with the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K.
When you consider the fact you have a mini XLR audio input and USB-C storage support for recording to hard drives, a full-sized HDMI port, and dual card slots, the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K leapfrogs the competition in almost every video-centric area. Considering that the camera also ships with a full license for Davinci Resolve, an excellent bit of pro-video-editing software that usually costs $295/£239, the Pocket Cinema 4K is quite a bargain.
The Sony ZV-1 is like a movie-orientated version of Sony's long-running RX100-series compacts. It's also cheaper than the flagship Sony RX100 VII, so Sony has once reversed its usual technology/price escalation. The ZV-1 has the same 4K video capability and blindingly fast autofocus, and a new 'Product Showcase' mode is perfect when holding objects up to the camera.
The vari-angle screen is more valuable than the tilting screen on the regular RX100. The microphone has a clip-on windshield (supplied) which is a huge advantage for outdoor shooting, where even a light breeze can cause awful buffeting with regular in-camera mics.
Sony has since released a couple of updates to this camera that may be worth consideration. First, the ultra-cheap Sony ZV-1F, which eschews the zoom lens in favour of a 20mm equivalent prime. That's quite a sacrifice in terms of versatility, but otherwise this no-frills vlogging camera is a decent option.
There's also the ZV-1 II, a more direct sequel to this camera. Its main addition is a zoom lens that can zoom out to 18mm equivalent – but otherwise, it's a disappointingly minor upgrade that does little to justify its price hike. While the original ZV-1 is still available, we're sticking with it as our recommendation.
DJI's Pocket cameras have long been popular among YouTubers for their ability to capture smooth moving footage while used handheld. They're built around an integrated gimbal that compensates for camera movement – essentially the same unit DJI uses in its drones. However, with DJI's ActiveTrack technology built in, cameras like the Osmo Pocket 3 can also intelligently follow subjects and keep them in frame.
The Osmo Pocket 3 features a raft of updates compared to the previous Pocket 2, and more than justifies the price hike. One of the key additions is a larger 1-inch sensor, which means it performs much better in a range of lighting conditions. It also has a much bigger LCD monitor – a 2-inch screen that smoothly rotates from horizontal to vertical orientation as needed. It's so much easier to see what you're doing than it was on the smaller screen in previous versions of this camera, not to mention making use of the touchscreen functionality.
The camera isn't as small or as resilient as the 'Pocket' designation implies – you'll want to be more careful with it than you would with, say, a GoPro. However, it's unquestionably the best iteration of the form we've seen yet, and can be brilliantly accessorised with wireless mics for improved audio.
One of the biggest bugbears vloggers and video makers have with Canon is the crop factor when shooting 4K on many of its cameras, but the G7 X Mark III bucks the trend – thank goodness. This high-end compact packs a similar body and an identical lens to the G7 X Mark II, but includes a new sensor and no 4K crop. It was also the first camera of its kind with a microphone input – vital if you want clean audio, not to mention the ability to Livestream straight to YouTube.
This means that even if you’ve got an expensive cinema camera if you also have a G7 X Mark III you can create a fuss-free live setup without any expensive capture cards and a PC. With its flip-out screen, the G7 X III also gives vloggers a clear view of themselves when they shoot, and thanks to its 20.1MP 1-inch stacked CMOS sensor and Digic 8 processor it’s also able to capture great stills, so your custom thumbnails can pop nicely.
The Sigma fp may not be the obvious choice for YouTubing, but thanks to its modular makeup it's an incredibly versatile camera – and it really shines in the video department. Indeed, it also has a very special party trick: it can natively stream over USB. So if you want a camera for streaming but don't want to invest in an HDMI capture card, you're looking at it.
The L-mount offers a good selection of lenses, though some come with hefty price tags – though the fp is very adapter-friendly, and bolting on glass (especially vintage) from other brands feels like exactly what this camera is made for. And with 4K up to 30fps and 1080p up to 120fps, the Sigma fp should cover virtually all your video demands – though if you're a lone vlogger, it does have a couple of handicaps.
Firstly it has a fixed display, meaning you can't flip the screen around to see your framing while you film with the camera. This leads to the second shortcoming: the continuous AF is pretty unpredictable, and this is a camera that's best for experienced videographers rather than run-and-gun novices.
Following the success of the vlogger-oriented compact ZV-1, Sony tried to repeat the trick with a mirrorless camera. Step forward to the Sony ZV-E10, an E-mount APS-C mirrorless model capable of shooting beautifully detailed 4K UHD 30p video, and bursting with vlogger-aimed features like a 3-directional capsule mic, a clip-on wind muffler, and a fully adjustable vari-angle screen.
It's smartly done, and the camera impresses. Minus a bit of rolling shutter here and there, it shoots excellent-looking 4K video, and its sophisticated mic system means you can produce great-sounding vlogs without having to fork out for too much extra gear.
There's no viewfinder, but as a YouTube shooter, you're probably not going to use one anyway, which helps keep the camera's cost down. Sony's video autofocus is class-leading and is present and correct on this capable camera.
Finding the right camera for YouTube is not just about choosing the best or most expensive camera. The trick is to choose the right kit for what you want to video. If your channel is filled with dynamic, action-packed adventures, an action cam is an obvious candidate. The best action cameras capture really high-quality footage these days, or for a different perspective, what about one of the best 360 cameras?
If your style of filmmaking is more measured, then a mirrorless camera is the obvious candidate. This will give you access to cutting-edge video technology, higher-quality capture, and the ability to swap lenses.
A third alternative is a compact camera where the lens is part of the camera. You lose out in versatility, but compact cameras tend to be much more affordable and simpler to use, and there's a lot less to carry around than with a mirrorless model.
One more thing. Do you want to do live streaming? In this case, the choice narrows a little – not all cameras can livestream straight out of the box. Our guide includes a few, but see our guide to the best cameras for streaming for a more extensive selection.
How we test cameras
We test cameras both in real-world shooting scenarios and, for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, in carefully controlled lab conditions. Our lab tests measure resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio. Resolution is measured using ISO resolution charts, dynamic range is measured using DxO Analyzer test equipment and DxO Analyzer is also used for noise analysis across the camera's ISO range. We use both real-world testing and lab results to inform our comments in buying guides.
FAQs
Do you need a professional camera for YouTube?
The short answer is no! While professional cameras will deliver far superior results when wielded by people who know how to use them, a standard or phone camera is perfectly capable of producing results that are more than acceptable on YouTube. Many of the cameras we've included in this guide are suitable for beginners and intermediate users.
Having the latest 6K or 8K camera is not a big priority – we'd say for now, as long as you can capture footage in at least 4K you'll be all right, and Full HD will also work okay. More important is getting something that can capture clean audio, whether that's with a plug-in microphone, a wireless microphone, or a sophisticated built-in mic setup like the one on Sony's ZV-1 vlogging compact.
Are phone cameras good for YouTube?
It depends on the phone – but potentially yes. Smartphone cameras have got much better in recent years, and flagship phones these days are capable of capturing 4K video pretty much as standard (though frame rates vary from model to model). We have a dedicated guide to the best phones for video if this is the route you prefer to go down.
For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.
He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and is a Master of Arts in Publishing. He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still to this day the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, The British Equestrian Writers' Association.
He is familiar with and shows great interest in street, medium, and large format photography with products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting Street photography or general life as he sees it, usually in Black and White.