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These are the best vlogging cameras available today. Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

The Best Vlogging Cameras of 2024

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These are the best vlogging cameras available today. Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

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Editor's Choice Product image of Panasonic Lumix GH5
Best Overall

Panasonic Lumix GH5

4.8
Check Price at Amazon

This Pansonic is a standout performer when it comes to vlogging cameras. It has everything we look for such as ease of use, versatility, durability, and more. Read More

Pros

  • Sturdy
  • Crisp images

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Slow Autofocus
Editor's Choice Product image of GoPro Hero7 Black
Best Value

GoPro Hero7 Black

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The GoPro Hero 7 Black may be the smallest camera on the list, but that doesn’t make it any less mighty. Read More

Pros

  • Great focus
  • Good entry level camera

Cons

  • Stationary display
  • No bokeh effect
Editor's Choice Product image of Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85

4.5
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The Panasonic G85 performs just as well as the GH5 and is super lightweight and portable. The lenses from the two cameras are interchangeable as well. Read More

Pros

  • Good price point
  • Portable

Cons

  • Video is grainy in low light
Product image of Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II

Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II

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This compact, all-in-one camera has a lot going for it. Read More

Pros

  • Extended ISO range
  • Auto mode works well

Cons

  • No viewfinder
  • Limited video capture
Product image of Sony Alpha a6400

Sony Alpha a6400

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The Sony a6400 features an unbeatable balance of size, image quality, and features. Read More

Pros

  • Compact design
  • Excellent autofocus
  • 4K video

Cons

  • No in-body image stabilization
  • Best Overall Panasonic Lumix GH5
  • Best Value GoPro Hero7 Black
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85
  • Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II
  • Sony Alpha a6400
  • Nikon D5600
  • Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V
  • Sony RX0 II
  • What Is a Vlogging Camera?
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

From capturing distant places abroad to the humdrum of everyday life, video blogging (also known as vlogging) is a popular way to share your experiences with the world. Most vlogs involve a simple talk-to-the-camera setup, while others focus on b-roll, which is a set of background shots showing other things besides the host talking. But all you need to get started is one thing: the right video camera.

Not sure where to begin? Don’t worry, we found the best vlogging cameras for YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, and other live-streaming platforms.

If you're looking for a real-time deep dive into the best deals on cameras, photography, and video gear an accessories, you can keep an eye on our resident expert's live Cyber Monday video and photo deal tracking.

Editor's Note:

The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.

These are the best vlogging cameras available today.
Credit: Reviewed / Adam Doud

This camera keeps a sharp picture even when moving around.

Best Overall
Panasonic Lumix GH5

This Pansonic is a standout performer when it comes to vlogging cameras. It has everything we look for such as ease of use, versatility, durability, and more. It also supports dual SD cards as well as headphones, HDMI, and external microphone inputs.

The camera comes with a 20.3 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS image sensor, which captures crisp images. The screen is a gorgeous 3.2-inch articulated LCD touchscreen that closes into the body for protection. It supports 4K video recording and has a 225-area autofocus. It also comes with Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth connectivity for external devices.

Weighing a beefy 25.6 oz, the camera is built with a magnesium alloy body. That means the camera is quite sturdy, but also heavy. There’s a wealth of controls all around the camera body for adjusting the manual settings. While we love the crisp images the LCD screen captures and the connectivity options, we still had a few nitpicks.

Low light video is bright, but the picture is a bit grainy. Autofocus is also slow and wanders aimlessly at times and, since this is the heaviest camera on our list, it lost points for portability. If you plan on using this camera for hikes and other outdoor adventures, we’d recommend hooking it up to a tripod, as it's pretty hefty.

Pros

  • Sturdy

  • Crisp images

Cons

  • Heavy

  • Slow Autofocus

Buy now at Amazon

$1,099.99 from Best Buy

$949.00 from Walmart
These are the best vlogging cameras available today.
Credit: Reviewed / Adam Doud

The optics are great, as the depth of field is quite deep.

Best Value
GoPro Hero7 Black

The GoPro Hero 7 Black may be the smallest camera on the list, but that doesn’t make it any less mighty. This action camera's capable of shooting 4K video at 30 frames per second or 2K at 60 FPS, and it carries a 12-megapixel sensor. The optics are great, as the depth of field is quite deep. This means objects stay in focus whether close up or at a distance (without having to rely on an autofocus system).

All GoPro accessories are proprietary, meaning you’ll need an accessory simply to mount this to a tripod. That being said, GoPro has a ton of accessories that can make your product do just about anything, and they’re all interchangeable, so once you buy into the ecosystem, all of your cameras going forward will be well-equipped.

The downside to the aforementioned depth of field is that you won’t get the bokeh effect of a blurred background, which adds “pop” to videos. The display on the back of the camera doesn’t flip around, so keeping yourself in the frame is a challenge.

There’s an app for your smartphone that allows you to adjust any setting and see yourself in the camera, but that requires a second hand, which can be just as annoying as it is convenient. That said, given its price point and overall performance, the GoPro Hero 7 Black is a great entry-level option for anyone interested in upping their blogging game.

Pros

  • Great focus

  • Good entry level camera

Cons

  • Stationary display

  • No bokeh effect

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85

The Panasonic G85 performs just as well as the GH5 and is super lightweight and portable. The lenses from the two cameras are interchangeable as well, meaning you can pick up the G85 and upgrade to the GH5 later. While the G85 has a lot going for it, there are a few trade-offs.

Images are less sharp, especially when the camera is in motion, and low light video is more grainy. Although the G85 and the GH5 have similar accessories, they’re not interchangeable, which is disappointing.

If you start with the G85, you’ll get a 16-megapixel camera with 49 autofocus zones. It shoots in 4K at 30 FPS and a maximum ISO of 3200. If you’re on a tight budget, then this camera is a good choice. It performs well, is very portable, and it won’t burn a hole in your wallet.

Pros

  • Good price point

  • Portable

Cons

  • Video is grainy in low light

$597.99 from Amazon

$599.99 from Best Buy

$597.99 from Walmart
Product image of Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II

This all-in-one compact camera has a lot going for it. It seems like it’s designed for the casual camera user, as you can’t really adjust the exposure and ISO. You can adjust them a little bit with the two dials on the camera, but it’s really hard to get full control over the settings you want.

However, in auto mode, especially when you have good light, this camera does quite well. It’s also one of the most stable cameras for walking and talking.

It has a 20.2 Megapixel 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor size and an ISO range of 125 to 12800. The extended ISO range can help capture shots in very low light. But video capture is limited to 1080p, which is a little weak for this day and age. Att just 10.37 oz, it’s a little guy that transports easily.

That said, this camera is missing some basic features (like a viewfinder). You need to use the screen all the time, which is fine, but if you plan to be away from power for a considerable amount of time, you can use a normal viewfinder to save some of that power. Also, since the screen only faces out, it may be prone to scratching or damage.

While the camera does have an HDMI output, there are no additional ports for an external mic or flash. As long as you don’t need to do anything above and beyond a basic point and shoot, this camera will get the job done.

Pros

  • Extended ISO range

  • Auto mode works well

Cons

  • No viewfinder

  • Limited video capture

Buy now at Amazon

$699.99 from Best Buy

$1,198.99 from Walmart
Product image of Sony Alpha a6400
Sony Alpha a6400

The Sony a6400 is a great little camera, with a body that is a little bigger than a typical point-and-shoot. With its interchangeable lenses, lightweight body, and great autofocus, there’s a lot to love. This was also our best low-light performer. While low light images were darker than the Panasonic GH5, it was less grainy.

The autofocus can hold a tight focus on the subject even in low light. If you plan to move around a lot in your videos, this might be a good camera to take with you, but only if you have a tripod. Stabilization in this camera is pretty much non-existent.

It also features a 24 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, which is capable of 4K video shooting with a 425 point autofocus. Add to that Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC connectivity, and you’ve got a camera packs a lot into a small package. That said, there were a few drawbacks.

Navigating the settings menu can be a headache. We’re also not fans of the screen, which faces out when you fold it in. This simply leaves the screen prone to damage or scratching.

However, the Z-Fold system is more robust and stable than the typical rotating screen that lets you keep the screen in. What that means is, the stable folding system allows for more solid screen positioning as opposed to a more flimsy rotating screen that you'll find on other cameras.

Overall, this is a great camera and our favorite of the three Sony’s we tested. But the frustrating menu system, lack of touchscreen, and lack of stabilization pushed this one down to the middle of the pack.

Pros

  • Compact design

  • Excellent autofocus

  • 4K video

Cons

  • No in-body image stabilization

$748.00 from Amazon

$749.99 from Best Buy

$748.00 from Abt

$733.99 from Walmart
Product image of Nikon D5600
Nikon D5600

The Nikon D5600 comes with a 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor and an extended ISO range of 100 - 25,600. It’s among the lightest DSLR cameras we tested, which made it the most portable and easiest to handle and store. It’s also quite compact with a nice bright touchscreen that folds into the body. Image quality is good, but the video footage is limited to 1080p.

This camera isn’t the most user-friendly, as the buttons are all over the place. They’re on the right side, left side, top, and front. If you’re looking for a camera that you can use one-handed, you may want to look elsewhere.

Out of all the cameras we tested, this is the only one with a lens lock, which allows you to extend the lens so it’s ready to shoot. One might argue that it’s a good feature, designed to keep the lens safe, but it’s just not user-friendly. Often during testing, we would forget that the lens needed to be unlocked or re-locked when we were done. We found it to be more annoying than useful.

The build is made of plastic, which isn’t a bad material but it feels cheap and not very durable. While this camera is capable of capturing good video, Nikon falls short in terms of the customer experience, which knocked this camera down a few pegs.

Pros

  • Comfortable, compact design

  • Excellent image quality

  • Articulating touchscreen

Cons

  • Limited to 1080p for video

Buy now at Amazon

$779.95 from Walmart
Product image of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V

The Sony Cyber-Shot Rx100 V was the second of two point-and-shoot cameras we tested. It boasts a 20.1 Megapixel 1-inch sensor and a 2.92x optical zoom. This little powerhouse is even capable of 4K video, albeit with a 5-minute limit. Because it’s a point-and-shoot, it’s small and very portable.

What’s more, the camera holds nice surprises like the pop-up viewfinder and flash. The VCT-SGR1 Shooting Grip, which connects with this camera, gives it a nice tripod base with buttons to zoom, record video, or shoot a still. However, like the other Sony cameras on this list, this one has a few shortcomings.

There’s no touchscreen and the screen itself doesn’t fold in. The menu is also a bit of a pain to navigate with the 5-way rocker switch. Image quality is good but we noticed that, especially in outdoor testing, highlights get blown out, washing out the possibility of reading text on a page at a distance.

That said, it’s not a bad camera. It did fall toward the bottom of the pack, but that was because of the same faults that its siblings exhibited.

Pros

  • Capable of 4K video

  • Portable

Cons

  • No touchscreen

  • Menu is a pain to navigate

Buy now at Amazon

$1,193.10 from Walmart
Product image of Sony RX0 II
Sony RX0 II

The Sony RX0 II is one of two ultraportable cameras we tested. Although this camera can fit inside your pocket, don’t let the small size fool you. Not only is this camera durable, but there’s also a flip up the forward-facing screen.

However, similar to the other Sony’s on this list, there’s no touchscreen, which is a little bit of a bummer. The controls are hard to get used to as well, mainly because the buttons are so small. This makes it a little frustrating to use.

Unless you attached Sony’s VCT-SGR1 Shooting Grip (we received one with our test unit), there’s no easy way to switch between video and stills. Also, the low light performance was terrible and the price tag is pretty lofty. While we like the durable build and the flip-up forward-facing screen, the high price tag is a tough pill to swallow.

Pros

  • Durable build

  • Flip-up forward-facing screen

Cons

  • No touchscreen

  • Buttons are small

$698.00 from Amazon

$689.95 from Walmart

What Is a Vlogging Camera?

Before deciding on a camera, you should first consider what kind of vlog you’d like to make. Will it require a lot of b-roll shots? Will it be a simple walk and talk setup? Do you want to focus on shots of another country?

If you plan on doing anything adventurous, getting high-quality images (or quality video) might take a backseat to durability. If you’re shooting in a studio, low-light quality may not be much of a concern. If you travel a lot, a compact rig would be best. There are a few trade-offs to consider.

Maybe the camera that shoots the most beautiful video will be the heaviest. Maybe the most portable camera won’t capture panoramic vistas.

A good vlogging camera has to capture a great image, as you don’t want a low-quality image distracting your audience. It also has to be relatively lightweight, so you can maneuver it with ease. At the end of the day, find a vlogging camera offering both portability and versatility.

GoPros are certainly portable, versatile, and durable, making them a great choice for bikers and kayakers. While the GoPro Hero 7 Black scored well in our testing, it does have some major limitations which we'll outline below.

If you want the real deal, expect to spend about $1,000. There are some GoPros that will do the job for less, but the image quality isn’t as good. For a really good camera that’ll do everything you want, you'll be looking in the quadruple digits.

Meet the tester

Adam Doud

Adam Doud

Contributor

Adam has been a reviewer in mobile technology and consumer electronics for six years. He is a podcast producer who hosts the DGiT Daily podcast and the Android Authority podcast. When he's not testing products or speaking into a microphone, he's biking, geocaching, or shooting video.

See all of Adam Doud's reviews

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