What is the best entry-level vlogging camera?

Being a vlogger or video creator is the dream of many teenagers. They say it is profession, which they often put first when they think about what they would like to do in life. And since there are a whole bunch of key questions here that need very honest answers, I want to bring you closer to the main features of a vlogger camera, i.e. those for beginners, with this article.

As I mentioned at the beginning: I'm not looking for a camera with the best possible quality, the highest number of dots or the biggest sensor. So I'm looking for a camera that is suitable for someone who, for example, wants to move from a smartphone to slightly more serious equipment. That's also why I've prepared a list where the features of a vlogger's camera are selected, which I claim are almost mandatory, depending on the genre of video creation.

So let's see where all the ticks should be so that you know what is really required of a vlogger camera.

Feature number 1: Relatively low price

The price of a vlogging camera should be relatively low. You will really use the vlogger camera a lot and abuse it in some way. Such a camera must therefore not be some superfine and (too) expensive piece of equipment. That's why I think you can get this kind of camera under 1000 euros. I set this limit as a virtual boundary. So buying this kind of camera shouldn't be too much of a financial leap... at least not in the beginning!

Feature number 2: manual and rigid

A must have vlogger camera relatively small and light, but at the same time from an alloy that is resistant to impacts. To put it simply: the weight of the camera is important and endurance. You know how to roll, right? And if you're a real vlogger, you'll always have your camera with you. Such is the case in life vlogger: heavy camera, heavy life Are you tickling? It is nice that the frame is made of good alloy and resistant to shocks. Even better if the camera is sealed against moisture. Because it is absolutely not nice if you get the camera wet!

Feature number 3: 4K video capture

Vlogger camera MUST have the option in 2019 recording in 4K. This means that you can capture video in a standard that you can eventually publish downscaled to 1080, but still get that true 4K feel. You know what I mean. It can look a bit silly if, for example, you record a video with a drone in 4K or a GoPro, but record a vlog in 1080p. So in 2019, 4K is a must. There must be a tick!

Feature number 4: the ability to record slow motion

That video can be captured at 1080p resolution, which allows for at least 60 frames per second. But why, you ask? So that you can make some kind of cinematic slow motion. So it is nice to have a minimum of 60 frames per second. You can then slow this thing down a bit and make a really good montage. But it's absolutely fine to be able to shoot with even more frames per second.

Feature number 5: good stabilization

Why? Yes he has image stabilization (both through the housing) or that the camera sensor itself is stabilized. And if you have the stabilization of the housing or the sensor, as well as the stabilization of the lens, i.e. the optics, the results can be really good, and the shots extremely  smooth.

Feature number 6: a camera screen that can be turned towards you

Yes you can you turn the camera screen towards video capture and thus you control whether you are in focus while you speak! Virtually no camera has the latter, and in my eyes it is one of the most important features of a vlogging camera. It can be really embarrassing if you realize that, for example, you weren't in focus and spent 10 minutes 'loading' on nothing. So you can have a whole day ruined!

Feature number 7: Microphone jack

This is not self-evident. Many cameras under 1000 euros do not have this option. It is also extremely important that the sound capture has a graphic indicator that shows you whether the sound is on or how well the external microphone is working. In principle, the sound is more important than the image. But about that another time!

Feature number 8: the basic lens in the kit must be wide-angle

That the camera already has a vlogger lens included in the set when you buy it. What does that mean? That the camera comes with a wide-angle lens (so a lens around 18 to 24mm). So you can immediately start creating videos in the mode selfie and you don't need to immediately buy an additional lens.

This is a big list of things to look out for when buying a video camera. But there are a bunch of details that you shouldn't overlook, and I won't list them here as the main features, but as things you should pay attention to. A vlogger camera battery should have an extremely good lifespan. This means that when recording in 4K, the entire battery does not run out in 15 minutes, but that you can record with it for at least 40 minutes. This is the average amount of spoken material for a 7- to 10-minute vlog. Of course, the autofocus is also important, which must be excellent when filming. It is difficult to control whether you are in focus on the small screen of the camera, but you have to completely trust the automatic focus. There are a lot of other features, but we will talk about them another time.

Choosing the best entry-level camera can be extremely difficult. Also due to the fact that according to the parameters listed above, the selection of cameras that come into consideration narrows down very quickly. In practice, this means that there is almost no camera where you can do all the things, or that the price of only these is well over 1000 euros.

In the end, the following cameras made it to my shortlist:

• Canon EOS M50
• Panasonic Lumix G80
• Fujifilm X-T2
• Sony a6300

Of these cameras, only the camera met all conditions sufficiently Panasonic Lumix G80, which I then tested. I was completely impressed with the camera and semi retired my Canon 80d. There are many reasons, but perhaps I can point out in a few sentences those qualities that really impressed me.

First: I don't worry about the camera battery. This means that it is enough to have only one spare with me. The recording time in 4K is truly remarkable. This feature is followed by exceptional image stabilization. Basically, you can shoot really interesting stabilized shots "handheld" and achieve a great cinematic look and feel. Also, the quality of the footage in good lighting conditions very comparable to the Lumix GH5, i.e. with a more expensive and larger camera. I'm mainly targeting the colors and contrasts you get here.

I also liked the application that allows you to control most of the camera's functions live via your phone. But another thing impresses, namely the possibility of unlimited recording in one file. While most of the competition splits these files into several smaller files (typically 2GB), you can z G80 covers everything in one file. This is extremely good if you record the audio separately. This makes syncing a really easy step, and it also proves useful if you're creating, for example, video podcasts that typically last more than 10 minutes.

The fact is that there is no ideal vlogger camera for an amount below 1000 euros. In my eyes, the Panasonic Lumix G80 comes closest to this ideal. It fulfills most vlogger parameters. Maybe there is even a camera that gives a better picture overall. I admit it. But if I focus on the features that a good vlogger camera must have (battery life, autofocus, flip-up screen, resistance to dust and moisture, size and handiness...), then there aren't many options left. Therefore, in my eyes, the Lumix G80 is "the camera". In the end, of course, the price is also decisive: You can get the Lumix G80 for 849 euros.