Best Camera for YouTube in 2021
Get the perfect camera for YouTube content creation
- Last Updated Feb 9, 2021
We’re sure you’re aware that the whole YouTube scene has exploded in recent years and with it, content creators’ equipment has similarly scaled both in terms of how professional it is and the specs of the devices involved. Gone are the days of simply using your phone to record a quick video (even though camera quality is pretty stellar) with more robust YouTube cameras taking the focus. This means tripods, DSLRs, and more becoming the norm for an aspiring YouTuber to even be competing with your average competitor.
In this article we’ll be going through the best camera for YouTube you can buy right now as well as a bunch of other top picks with different features so you can find one that perfectly suits you as a YouTube content creator.
Products at a Glance
How We Picked
In choosing the best camera for YouTube and other fantastic options, we aimed to provide you with options for a variety of different scenarios, enabling you to shoot the content that you want removing the worry that your camera won’t be able to handle it.
Moreover, we have only chosen cameras that have specific features to help create YouTube videos such as the ability to swap out lenses, flip-up screens, and ones that have high video shooting resolution giving your videos that professional feel.
Best Camera for YouTube in 2021
Canon has been in the camera manufacturing game for the longest time and by now, they’ve perfected the craft, creating equipment that’s not only versatile but of top-level quality. The model we’ve put in question today for the best camera for YouTube is the PowerShot G7 X Mark II as we believe this is the camera that offers up the most features for content creators while certainly not compromising in other areas.
Looking initially at the video quality you can expect from the G7 X Mark II, it boasts a 1080p capture resolution in which is the standard for most YouTubers due to its sharpness, quality, and size of file. The camera sensor itself is 20.1 megapixels which is pretty stellar, producing a rich and detailed shot that may actually leave you in awe when compared to other similarly priced cameras. Moreover, there’s image stabilization which is ideal for you aspiring vloggers that like to go out and about filming your day rather than it simply sitting on a tripod in your room.
If you are a prolific vlogger, or would just like to see your shot more clearly, you’re going to love this feature. The screen that you’d usually expect to be fixed onto the back of the camera body is actually hinged, enabling you to pull it out to your liking. The screen goes the full 180 degrees almost looking like it’s mounted on top of the camera enabling you to fully see what you’re recording even with the lens pointed directly at you. This is obviously perfect for vloggers but it also benefits a wide variety of YouTube content creators who might be using a camera for facecam during gaming videos, makeup tutorials, ad much more.
What’s a great added extra of the G7 X Mark II is the addition of WiFi connectivity. While you might think that this is a little bit of a gimmick at first, what this enables you to do is transfer your recorded videos either onto your PC/laptop and even your phone for quick and easy uploads straight to YouTube.
If you want to shine even more professionalism onto your YouTube content creation setup, why not add a bit of DSLR action into it. The Panasonic LUMIX GH5S offers just that with not only top tier technology built-in but also a bunch of features that can certainly aid YouTube content creation.
For video quality, you’re looking at up to 4k resolution which as we’re sure you’re aware, is even more crisp than that of 1080p and will be more futureproof in the long term when 4k becomes the norm. If you do want to record in 1080p however, you can actually shoot in up to 240 FPS which is buttery smooth and allows for fast-moving objects to be captured with ease.
Looking that the camera though you’ll notice that it looks a little different than a simple point-and-shoot alternative. This is because you can physically swap out the lenses on this one, customizing your shot to your exact liking. The downside to this though is that you will have to buy the lenses to do this which can become costly, but if you have the money to invest and you do a little more than simply recording your face, it’s certainly worth it to get the highest quality possible.
Similar to that of the Canon we previously talked about, the screen of the LUMIX is placed on a hinge allowing you to fold it outwards and see your shot in full when the lens is pointed directly at you. Where the Panasonic differs though is that the hinge is on the side rather than the top which makes it a little more cumbersome to hold in comparison. However, if you’re just using this camera on a tripod rather than holding, this isn’t really an issue.
The Sony Alpha a6000 details an advanced 24.2MP back Illuminated 35-millimeter full-frame image sensor for its capture meaning you’ll receive that crystal clear clarity you’d expect from a camera of this nature. In terms of recording quality, it does max out at 1080p but you do get the option for different frame rates including 24 FPS and 60 FPS depending on what footage you’re aiming to shoot. Additionally, thanks to the “world’s fastest autofocus” your recorded video will be free of the blurry images of the past and are replaced with sharp and detailed footage.
Unfortunately, the back screen in which you can see what you’re recording does not fully flip out, it’s more of a tilt function that allows you to see it from above. This is slightly annoying for those that are wanting a vlogging camera but for those that aren’t pointing it directly at their face to produce content, it’s pretty ideal.
It’s the best of both worlds when it comes to point and shoot and DSLRs, featuring a compact body for easy carrying but also the ability to swap out the lens for maybe longer, more zoomed-in shots.
Where the Alpha a6000 truly shines for YouTubers is through the connectivity. This is due to the fact that it has a micro HDMI port enabling you to hook up an Elgato Cam Link or a Capture Card and put your face directly over gameplay fro example for either recording or live streaming. This removes the hassle of trying to get a bog standard webcam to look good and instead, provides you with superior image quality that only a fully-fledged camera can provide
We can’t talk about the best camera for YouTube without mentioning a GoPro. GoPro as a company revolutionized the handheld camera market due to the tiny size, durability, and ease of use, especially for those into extreme sports or who simply want a hands-free experience. Now, we’re many years into GoPro’s inception and the pick of the bunch we think exemplifies how good these cameras are is the HERO9.
The HERO9 features recording quality of up to 5K which is pretty insane considering the size of this thing. Moreover, there’s HyperSmooth 3.0 technology built-in which is essential for those wanting to capture video at high speeds. If you want to take more of a relaxed approach to YouTube content creation in your own home, you can use this as a facecam directly capable of live streaming in 1080p resolution.
In terms of viewing, it has front and back screens perfect for those who have it on a handheld tripod aimed at you, as well as if you’re using it in a more traditional manner. If it’s strapped to your chest, you can also simply take a look down and see that front screen with ease to make sure your shot is lined up as you wanted.
Now, we know the GoPro isn’t for everyone and is more of a niche camera for YouTube maybe limiting it for those that are going out and about. There’s no question that it does have stellar recording quality though despite its size, and might actually be the ideal choice due to this form factor.
Things To Consider
Our Verdict
Overall, as you can see with our top selections above, there’s a wide variety of cameras that are more than suitable for YouTube. In our eyes, it’s all down to the content you want to produce. If you want to become the next surfing sensation on the web, maybe the GoPro is your best option due to its sports-proof qualities and overall durability.
However, this is a specific purpose and if you want the best camera for YouTube as a whole, there’s no question that it’s the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II It has the best overall features for content creation coupled with that incredibly crisp video quality that is essential for making your YouTube videos as professional-looking as possible.