The best camera for TikTok can come in many different shapes and sizes. In this guide, we've included a range of smartphones and 'proper' cameras that will give you a boost in production value to make your TikToks even better.
TikTok is a broad, sprawling place these days, and people make all sorts of different types of videos using all manner of camera equipment. If you have aspirations beyond simply talking to the front camera of your phone, you may well find that a dedicated camera will do a much better job of capturing the footage you want than a smartphone. Many modern cameras are also well-optimised for filming vertically – a reflection of how TikTok has changed the game for video content.
We've come up with a list of phones and cameras that represent the best value for TikTok right now, based on our testing and reviewing process. Once you're done here, check out the best LED light panels and best ring lights!
Louise Carey
With over a decade of photographic experience, Louise arms Digital Camera World with a wealth of knowledge on photographic technique and know-how –
something at which she is so adept that she's delivered workshops for the likes of ITV and Sue Ryder. Louise is also an expert on all things TikTok, and lends us her knowledge for this guide.
The ultra-powerful Galaxy 24 Ultra is a big beast, but its high-quality camera and AI-powered features make it the best phone overall for TikTok creators.
Cheaper than its flagship rivals, Google's Pixel 8 makes for an economical and long-lasting choice, with AI-powered editing features and regular Android updates.
If you're looking for an all-in-one camera for TikTok, the Sony ZV-1F is an ideal and fairly inexpensive choice, with features optimised for vloggers specifically.
Not only is this thumb-sized camera wearable – thanks to its new Action Pod housing, it can also convert to a GoPro-style action camera! Now that's versatility.
For serious creators, an interchangeable-lens camera is the way to go, and Sony's ZV-E10 is the top choice. It produces excellent video and offers loads of lenses.
With TikTok-friendly vertical video options, and a cheaper price tag than the Hero 12 Black, this GoPro action camera is a top choice for extreme adventure.
Something of a TikTok darling for its photography prowess, the Fujifilm X100V also has plenty to offer for TikTok creation. It's an immensely enjoyable camera to use.
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Best smartphones for TikTok
If you want to stick with a smartphone for TikTok, here are our picks of the best ones to use.
The latest Galaxy flagship continues Samsung's hot streak of producing what are arguably the best camera phones around right now, and certainly one of the best for TikTok. It's actually capable of shooting 8K video (though this is a data hog, and of limited usefulness), and the 4K also looks utterly sublime in a range of lighting conditions – as we discovered in our testing.
Like many manufacturers, Samsung is going all-in on AI, and the S24 Ultra has a number of clever AI features, such as the ability to convert any footage to slow-mo by generating additional frames. Practically it sort of works, with occasional artefacts and weirdness – you're better off shooting in the excellent 4K 120fps slow-mo mode to begin with. The battery life is excellent, and the display is gorgeous. It's big and pricey, but the Galaxy S24 Ultra is an all-around winner for TikTok creation.
It's not cheap, but it's the top-of-the-line iPhone – Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max delivers powerhouse performance and a best-ever camera system that's ideal for creating TikToks. The tetra-prism periscope zoom camera introduced here is the most powerful zoom lens ever introduced on an iPhone, and it delivers brilliant quality at 120mm equivalent and beyond.
The cameras in general perform just as well as you'd expect from an iPhone, with punchy colours and plenty of detail. Those who are serious about video can take advantage of ProRes 4K capture at up to 60fps (though you'll want to plug in an SSD via the USB-C port). Battery capacity has also improved. Like we said, this is an expensive phone, but the quality it delivers is nothing short of brilliant.
The Google Pixel 8 is one of the most cost-effective smartphones you can buy, and it makes for an excellent option for TikTok. It records video at up to 4K 60fps, and supports 10-bit HDR capture at up to 30fps. As you might be aware, Google is going all-in on intelligent AI features for its phones, and video shooters benefit from Magic Editor and Audio Eraser, adding a few computational strings to their bows.
Thanks to the high-quality display, TikToks are as pleasant to watch on the Google Pixel 8 as they are to make. It doesn't quite have the horsepower of its higher-priced rivals, but the Google Pixel 8 represents excellent value for the budget-conscious TikTok maker.
Best cameras for TikTok
If you'd rather use a dedicated camera for TikTok – and there are many good reasons to – here are the ones we'd recommend.
The Sony ZV-1F is tiny, only weighing 229g, which makes it a very pocketable camera for streaming and TikTok videos. It's a cheaper, beginner-friendly alternative to the popular Sony ZV-1 and Sony ZV-E10, but it's still got 4K/30p video, as well as 5x in slow-motion or 60x for hyper-lapse content.
The camera is simple and easy to use, and the body itself is made from recycled materials. The new ZV-1F offers a wide 20mm f/2 lens, which is fixed (so you can't change it) but better for fitting more people into the frame for group shots.
The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is a gimbal camera built around a three-axis motorised staboliser, making it excellent for capturing handheld footage on the move. While it does represent a price jump from previous entry the Pocket 2, it adds a number of significant upgrades and features that make it worth the investment for TikTokers.
For one, the larger 1-inch sensor delivers improved low-light performance and dynamic range for overall better-looking video; while it's not up to the quality of the mirrorless cameras and premium compacts on this list, it's still pretty impressive. The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 also has a well-sized 2-inch screen that makes it easy to monitor what you're filming. What's more, the camera is well-optimised for shooting TikTok-friendly vertical video – the screen even rotates to facilitate it!
Best wearable camera
(Image credit: Jamie Carter / Digital Camera World)
Screen: 2.2-inch flip touchscreen (in Action Pod housing)
Viewfinder: No
Max video resolution: 2.7K
Mic input: No
Headphone input: No
Reasons to buy
+
Versatile design
+
Strong magnetic mount
+
App works very well
Reasons to avoid
-
Video maxes at 2.7K
-
Average stabilisation
The Insta360 GO cameras have been built around the concept of being small, light and wearable – equipped with a powerful magnetic mount for hands-free shooting. However, the third iteration in the series throws something new into the mix: an Action Pod housing that essentially converts the thumb-sized camera into a GoPro-lite.
It's a good choice for TikTokers who want to capture 'slice-of-life' footage, but also want the option for GoPro-style waterproofing, and in a stroke it's much more versatile than its predecessors. It's nice and easy to use too, with an excellent app and intuitive UI. Video quality is generally pretty good, though given that the resolution maxes out at 2.7K, its quality isn't quite up to the par of GoPro's.
Sony's excellent vlogging camera makes for an ideal buy for anyone who wants to make their TikToks look a little better. The Sony ZV-E10 is a mirrorless camera, meaning you can swap out Sony E-mount lenses at will, and it shoots excellent 4K video for a pretty reasonable price tag. While it does have a jack for an external mic, it's one of the few cameras where the built-in mics do a pretty reasonable job, augmented by the included clip-on windshield, which provides an easy way to block out unwanted noise.
There's no built-in stabilization, so you don't get the super-smooth effect of the DJI Osmo Pocket. However, having an APS-C sensor really expands your shooting versatility in different light conditions, and having an articulated screen makes it really easy to film from all sorts of different angles.
Best waterproof camera
(Image credit: Basil Kronfli / Digital Camera World)
Screen: 1.14-inch front screen; 2.27-inch rear touchscreen
Viewfinder: No
Max video resolution: 5.3K
Mic input: Media Mod available
Headphone input: No
Reasons to buy
+
Captures versatile 8:7 content
+
Excellent image stabilization
+
Simplified interface for beginners
Reasons to avoid
-
Poor in low light
-
Front display not touch sensitive
-
Membership needed for some features
The GoPro Hero 11 Black is the TikTok-ready action cam. The new sensor captures virtually square 5.3K content that can easily be cropped to create native 4K clips in a host of aspect ratios. That means whether you're a 9:16 TikTok fan, you can grab this video format from one 8:7 video.
The camera's software has been simplified successfully, and GoPro's companion app, Quik has also been improved. With best-in-class stabilization and great-looking video in all but dimly-lit and dark scenes, as well as some fun new modes like light painting, the Hero 11 Black is an excellent camera for TikTok.
GoPro has since released a successor, the GoPro Hero 12 Black. It's a fairly minor upgrade, adding some high-end video features like log recording, Bluetooth mic compatibility and HDR video. For most TikTok users, the cheaper Hero 11 Black will likely be perfectly suitable.
The G7 X Mark III was the first camera of its kind with a microphone input – vital if you want clean audio, not to mention the ability to live stream straight to YouTube and TikTok. 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 you a clear view of yourself when you 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 stills can pop nicely too.
Fujifilm's original X100 was the camera that sparked people's obsession with Fujifilm's retro-styled modern cameras. In 2023 there was something of a revival of interest in the Fujifilm X100 on TikTok, with the hashtag #fujifilmx100v racking up millions of views. The Fujifilm X100V is a very popular choice for those who want a premium camera without the faff of changing lenses.
It has the same exceptional build quality as all Fujifilm cameras in a small, pocketable version. It has the same 26.1MP X-Trans sensor as the X-T4 and the same hybrid viewfinder as in the X-Pro 3. The X100V is an advanced, APS-C fixed lens camera and is certainly aimed at enthusiasts, but it can be used for TikTok videos too.
Fujifilm has lately released a successor to this camera – the gorgeous Fujifilm X100VI. It's much the same configuration but with the latest generation of 40MP sensor, and currently you're looking at a multi-month waiting list to get hold of one. For now, you will likely have better luck finding the X100V on the second-hand market.
How to choose the best camera for TikTok
The first decision you'll make when choosing a camera for TikTok is whether to go for a proper camer at all, or stick with your phone. The best camera phones for TikTokers offer much greater convenience, partly because you'll always have yours on you, and partly because you can instantly upload and edit in the app.
However, there are a number of dedicated cameras that work well for TikToks, including mirrorless models, compacts and action cameras. There are many benefits of creating TikToks on a dedicated camera, including the ability to change lenses (or use optical zoom with a compact). Dedicated cameras also have larger sensors than smartphones, for better low-light performance, and the option to shoot with a shallow depth of field.
Some specialised cameras also offer other physical advantages that smartphones can't, whether it's the waterproofing of GoPro action cameras, or the optical stabilisation of DJI's Osmo Pocket gimbal cameras.
How we test the best cameras for TikTok
We've physically seen and reviewed every single camera and smartphone in this guide, to ensure that we can give you informed, honest, and in-depth buying advice. We've analyzed the design of each model, how easy it is to use for TikTok videos, and how the camera performs for video recording.
With over a decade of photographic experience, Louise arms Digital Camera World with a wealth of knowledge on photographic technique and know-how – something at which she is so adept that she's delivered workshops for the likes of ITV and Sue Ryder. Louise also brings years of experience as both a web and print journalist, having served as features editor for Practical Photography magazine and contributing photography tutorials and camera analysis to titles including Digital Camera Magazine and Digital Photographer. Louise currently shoots with the Fujifilm X-T200 and the Nikon D800, capturing self-portraits and still life images, and is DCW's ecommerce editor, meaning that she knows good camera, lens and laptop deals when she sees them.
