Today, YouTube is not only the most important video platform — it’s the second most-visited website in the world overall, after Google.
With millions of people looking to watch something every day, it’s no wonder that there are thousands of creators worldwide to provide them with engaging video content.
To be popular on YouTube, you need to be interesting, charismatic, have a point of view and clearly define your niche (e.g. gaming, travel, how-to). You also need a reliable camera that can shoot high-quality video and be easy to use, without breaking the bank.
So what are the best cameras for YouTube videos that you can buy right now? We’ve shortlisted seven options that would bring your YouTube channel to a whole new level.
7 of the best cameras for YouTube videos in 2022
When you think about the best camera for YouTube videos, it’s impossible to suggest just one option. Creators who are just starting their vlogs don’t need the same gear that high-flying influencers are using. Athletes should be looking at action cameras, whereas travellers would benefit from compact cameras that can be carried around all day.
With that in mind, we’ve picked video cameras that fit a wide range of users, with different needs, budgets and shooting styles.
Skip ahead and learn more by clicking one of the options:
| Camera | Price |
| Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III | $749.99 |
| GoPro HERO10 | $549.98 |
| Sony ZV-1 | $749.99 |
| Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K | $1,995 |
| Fujifilm X-T4 | $1,699.95 |
| Panasonic Lumix GH6 | $2,197.99 |
| Sigma fp | $1,899 |
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
Anyone looking for compact cameras that can be used for both photo and video production should take a close look at Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III.
PowerShot G7 is very popular among YouTubers as a good camera for pretty much anything. It weighs around 10 oz and can be held by one hand for a long time without fatigue. It’s also easy to travel with.
Most importantly, G7 X Mark III shoots outstanding-quality 4K video at 30 frame rate per second (fps). For slow-motion videos (120 fps), the camera is still able to output full HD quality.
Note: There’s a 10-minute limit on continuous 4K video shooting, so make sure to plan your shots carefully.
You can’t change the default lens, but the 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 option covers most daily use cases rather well. Another feature YouTubers really love is the ability to live stream directly to YouTube. Just add an external microphone via the 3.5mm jack for great audio quality and broadcast anything you want to your audience at any time.
Overall, Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is one of the best point-and-shoot cameras on the market today. Unless you have very specific needs (e.g. interchangeable lenses), you’ll find PowerShot G7 to be a great vlogging camera.
Specifications
- Price (MSRP): $749.99
- Sensor: 20.1 MP CMOS
- Video: 4K 30 fps
- Lens: Built-in f/1.8-2.8 24–100mm (35mm film equivalent)
- Power: USB charging
- Battery life: up to 320 shots
- Connectivity: Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth
- Weight: 10.7 oz (with battery and memory card)
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GoPro HERO10
Since it was first introduced nearly 20 years ago, GoPro has shown a truly unique take on what action cameras should be and how they should look like.
GoPro is incredibly durable. It’s the perfect choice for filming any POV (point of view) scenes in action sports, from surfing to bungee jumping to downhill bike riding. It’s waterproof up to 33ft and won’t break if it accidentally falls on the ground. Improved HyperSmooth 4.0 stabilization also ensures your footage remains steady even in all conditions.
Live streaming to YouTube is a new GoPro feature as well, so you can broadcast your paragliding session in real time to all subscribers at once.
GoPro shoots 4K video at 120 fps (slow motion) and can go as high as 5.3K at 60 fps, which is almost double the 4K resolution. There’s also a front-facing screen now, which makes the vlogging part of your videos so much easier to manage.
GoPro HERO10 is not the only GoPro option you might consider. There’s also GoPro MAX that enables you to film 360 videos at 6K resolution with all the other GoPro benefits intact. It’s a bit trickier to use, so we suggest picking up GoPro MAX: How To Use GoPro Max by Jordan Hetrick as a comprehensive guide.
Specifications
- Price (MSRP): $549.98
- Sensor: 23MP 1/2.3” Sony IMX677
- Video: 5.3K 60fps or 4K 120 fps
- Lens: Built-in f/2.5 with add-ons available
- Zoom: Digital only
- Stabilization: HyperSmooth 4.0
- Power: Rechargeable battery
- Battery life: Almost 1 hour of 5K video
- Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS
- Weight: 5.6 oz
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Sony ZV-1
The rise of mirrorless cameras around a decade ago was a revolution that brought together portability and outstanding photographic quality. Until recently, video on mirrorless cameras was an afterthought, with few brands taking it seriously.
Sony ZV-1 is exactly the opposite, focusing on content creators and vloggers as its primary audience. This camera features a directional microphone and an articulating screen that flips right out of the box.
Seamless autofocusing with face and object tracking lets you film on a whim, anywhere you find a good idea. An automated shooting mode takes away the need to think through all the technical settings before you hit record.
Besides, ZV-1 is small and lightweight, easy to carry (can fit in a pocket) and shoot with one hand in any situation.
As for the filming experience, the camera shoots 4K at up to 30 fps and full HD at 120 fps for nice slow-motion clips. There are a few modes made specifically for vloggers, such as Background Defocus and Product Showcase, which switches the focus from faces to objects when they are held up in frame.
As for the downsides, Sony ZV-1 is not made for shooting in the dark, as the resulting video would be of noticeably poorer quality. Sony’s menu system can also be quite hard to navigate for someone who’s not used to it. The battery is susceptible to overheating during extended shoots, so the camera is better suited for shorter videos (or takes) overall.
However, considering Sony ZV-1’s compact size, the compromises are quite minimal.
Specifications
- Price (MSRP): $749.99
- Sensor: 20.1 MP CMOS
- Video: 4K 30 fps or HD 120 fps
- Audio: Built-in directional 3-capsule mic
- Lens: Built-in f/1.8-2.8 24-70mm (35mm film equivalent)
- Stabilization: Active SteadyShot
- Battery life: up to 260 shots or 45 minutes of video
- Connectivity: Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth
- Weight: 10.4 oz
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Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K
Choosing the best camera for YouTube doesn’t have to be a race to the bottom in terms of prices. The cheapest options are cheap for a reason.
Somewhere at the other end of the spectrum is Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera. Known for producing top-quality gear for professional filmmakers, Blackmagic has now released three options at price points within reach of dedicated YouTubers.
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K is the middle option, between 4K and 6K Pro models. As you can imagine, it shoots 6K at the frame rate of 60 per second. The Super 35 sensor allows you to use a shallow depth of field that beautifully blurs the background. A built-in ND filter makes it easy to reduce the amount of light coming into the camera by two, four or six stops.
The camera itself features an ergonomic grip, with lots of controls for quick adjustments. There are lots of compatible lenses to choose from, with EF and MFT mounts available as well as adapters for PL and C lens types.
Unlike cheaper alternatives, Blackmagic cameras work exceptionally well in low light conditions, thanks to a large sensor and up to 25,600 ISO. They also have a dynamic range of 13 stops, which means more bright and dark areas are preserved in each scene.
In the end, if you’re looking for the best camera for YouTube videos, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K might be it, given that you’re willing to pay for quality. And if you have EF lenses (e.g. Canon) that you can use with your Blackmagic already, your YouTube channel upgrade might not break the bank after all.
Specifications
- Price (MSRP): $1,995
- Sensor: Super 35 6144 x 3456 sensor
- Video: 6K 60 fps
- Audio: 3.5 mm headphone jack
- Lens: Interchangeable EF mount lenses
- Battery life: up to 60 minutes
- Weight: 31.7 oz
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Fujifilm X-T4
Are you looking for a sturdy camera that’s just as good with video as it is with photos and that looks cool too? Consider Fujifilm X-T4.
X-T4 is the best Fujifilm APS-C sensor camera (with a brand new X-Processor 4 sensor). It features an ultra-fast autofocus at just 0.02 seconds, five-axis in-body image stabilization, 18 film simulation modes, and much more.
It’s also one of the toughest mirrorless cameras on the market. X-T4 is weather resistant (dust and moisture) and temperature resistant (up to -10 ºC). The camera is well-built and features an ergonomic grip for shooting on the go in any environment.
In terms of video capabilities, you can shoot 4K at 60 fps with X-T4, and full HD at 240 frames (for those slow-motion shots). The battery is also much more capable than the one in X-T3, and WiFi and Bluetooth make transferring videos to your computer a breeze. All in all, this is a great vlogging camera for those who want to create videos for YouTube but love still photography as well.
Specifications
- Price (MSRP): $1,699.95
- Sensor: 26.1 MP CMOS
- Video: 4K 60 fps
- Lens: Interchangeable Fuji X mount lenses
- Power: USB charging
- Battery life: up to 600 shots or 85 minutes of 4K video
- Connectivity: Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth
- Weight: 21.4 oz (with battery and memory card)
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Panasonic Lumix GH6
Another very popular choice among YouTubers who want to take their videos to a new level is Lumix GH6.
The best thing about this camera is the number of customizations it allows for — down to the video codec you prefer using. Otherwise, it’s a 25 MP sensor that can shoot 4K at 60 fps continuously, as long as your battery lasts, due to active cooling. This comes especially handy since the camera is able to live stream straight to YouTube.
In terms of size, GH6 is slightly larger than its predecessor GH5 Mark II, but handles just as well. Stabilization performance has also improved due to some algorithmic changes. Generally, this camera feels equally comfortable at the in-studio shoots and outdoor lifestyle ones.
Specifications
- Price (MSRP): $2,197.99
- Sensor: 25.2 MP micro 4/3 sensor
- Video: 5.7K 60 fps
- Lens: Interchangeable Panasonic lenses
- Display: 3-inch articulating screen
- Battery life: up to 380 shots
- Connectivity: Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth
- Weight: 29 oz (with battery and memory card)
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Sigma fp
With time, most serious vloggers (or filmmakers) realize that sensor size matters. With a bigger sensor, you can capture more details, have better low-light performance and achieve even higher dynamic range.
Sigma fp is the smallest full-frame camera on the market. While it’s not as popular as some other options in the list, it’s still a versatile choice that can really make a difference for your YouTube channel.
Using the L mount lens type, Sigma fp supports a wide range of lenses, which can be extended even further with a variety of adapters. You can shoot 4K at 30 fps and natively live stream over USB (rather than HDMI).
As for the downsides, you can’t flip the screen on Sigma if you like to shoot videos in selfie mode. In addition, autofocus is not very accurate or fast.
But if you’re looking for compact cameras with large sensors and most of your shooting is more still than action, Sigma fp can be the perfect choice.
Specifications
- Price (MSRP): $1,899
- Sensor: 25 MP full-frame sensor
- Video: 4K 30 fps
- Lens: Interchangeable L mount lenses
- Display: 3-inch articulating screen
- Battery life: up to 380 shots
- Power: USB charging
- Connectivity: Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth
- Weight: 14.9 oz (with battery and memory card)
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How do I choose the best camera for YouTube videos?
As you can see, even when you’re shortlisting the best video cameras, they vary widely in their use cases. Some are action cameras (e.g. GoPro); some are great for high-quality studio work (e.g. Sigma fp); some are more geeky (e.g. Lumix GH6); and some are more stylish (e.g. Fujifilm X-T4).
So your search shouldn’t be about the best camera for YouTube overall, but the best camera for you and for your type of videos.
Think about what you are expecting from the camera’s video, audio (e.g. a built-in microphone), size (how portable it should be) and budget.
If you’re not sure or don’t have a specific preference, just get the most budget-friendly option from our list. It’ll definitely do the job well enough. With time, you’ll shoot more videos and develop more precise needs
Related: How to Edit YouTube Videos: A Beginner’s Guide
What camera do YouTubers usually use?
You can see amateur as well as professional YouTubers using all of the cameras we’ve listed above. Again, it really depends on their needs.
At the same time, if we were to do a top-3 popular cameras used by YouTubers, those would probably be:
- Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
- Panasonic Lumix GH6
- Sony ZV-1
Also, consider that lots of YouTubers have more than one camera and switch between them depending on the context (especially with GoPro). And, of course, everyone is using their smartphone camera to fill any gaps in the meantime.
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