Getting the best camera for YouTube should be priority-one if you're starting your own channel. There's more content on YouTube than ever, with thousands of hours of video uploaded every day, and making your production quality as high as possible is a time-honored way to stand out from the crowd.
The good news is that it doesn't have to cost the earth. We've compiled here what we reckon are the best cameras for YouTube, based on our testing and reviewing, and we've made sure to include options for a range of budgets. If money is really tight, our guide to the best budget camera phones may be helpful.
For those new to shooting video, we've included an FAQ at the bottom of the page to explain some common technical terms. If you're mostly focusing on livestreaming for your channel, we have a dedicated guide to the best cameras for streaming.
This compact camera is a jack-of-all-trades capable of 4K UHD video at 30p and HD up to 120fps for slow motion. It has a mic jack, a non-changeable lens with a wide aperture for low-light shooting and enough zoom for most situations and it can live stream. Read more below
For more flexibility, the Sony ZV-E10 is our pick as the best mirrorless camera for YouTubers who want the option to change lenses at a mid-range price. We were impressed by the 4K UHD and Full HD at 120p, and the built-in mics do well too. Read more below
A full-frame professional camera for those who are taking YouTube seriously, the Canon EOS R5 is a superb piece of kit. It shoots 8K video and has one of the most capable autofocus systems in the business. Read more below
With a larger sensor that allows for easy switching between vertical and horizontal aspect ratios, the GoPro Hero12 Black is an incredibly versatile action camera for all different aspects of YouTube shooting. Read more below
Expressly designed for vlogging, the Nikon Z30 is an affordable camera that any starter YouTuber could benefit from using. The Z-mount lens range gives you plenty of options, while the slim design makes it portable. Read more below
With its large Super 35 sensor, this Blackmagic Cinema camera produces brilliant 6K footage. Plus, thanks to its Canon EF lens mount, you have a huge range of excellent lenses to choose from. Read more below
With smart accessories and extensive customizability, the DJI Action 2 is a more flexible action camera than a GoPro Hero. Its quality isn't quite on the same level, but its unique advantages are undeniable. Read more below
For speed and myriad recording options, this mirrorless camera is a spectacular option for video. The 25MP stacked sensor enables faster readout speeds, opening up most possibilities. It can shoot using every codec a YouTuber could want, and it can go up to 5.7K at 30fps in Apple ProRes format. Read more below
Want to shoot with an old-school DSLR? The Canon EOS 90D is the perfect choice, coming at an affordable price tag and offering plenty of features that have won it a devoted fanbase among YouTubers. Read more below
The best cameras for YouTube available now
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The best camera for YouTube overall
(Image credit: Canon)
01. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
The best Canon vlogging camera is a great compact camera YouTube
Our expert review:
Specifications
Best for: Beginner to intermediate
Max video resolution/frame rate: 4K UHD at 30p
AF points: 31
Weight: 304g
Battery life (CIPA): 235 shots
Reasons to buy
+
Fast and versatile lens
+
Great flip-up touchscreen
Reasons to avoid
-
10-minute 4K limit
-
Middling battery life
A lot of YouTubers highly rate the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III, and it's easy to see why. It's not the most exceptional camera in any category really, but a superb jack-of-all-trades, doing everything that YouTubers need it to do, all in a tiny body that you can basically take anywhere.
This little camera is capable of 4K UHD video at 30p (although there is a recording time limit of 10 minutes), and HD video is available at up to 120fps, allowing you to create slow-motion effects. The Mark III version adds a 3.5mm mic jack, which makes a difference in terms of audio quality. The 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 lens is fixed and can't be changed, however, this zoom range is fine for most YouTube use, and the maximum aperture of f/1.8 is generous enough to make the G7X Mark III pretty nifty in low light.
Another real plus for YouTubers are concerned is that the camera can livestream, broadcasting footage with a clean HDMI out. There are cameras out there with more advanced video specs, but the majority of content creators won't need them. This is an ideal choice for the majority of purposes. It's one of the best point-and-shoot cameras you can buy..
Sony had for a while been hurting for a dedicated mid-range vlogging camera. While the ZV-1 compact was nice, what vloggers and YouTubers were really after was a mirrorless camera that would allow them to change lenses and generally be more flexible. Step forward, the Sony ZV-E10, an APS-C mirrorless camera absolutely loaded with video features.
The 4K UHD detail and quality is excellent, while Full HD can be stepped up to 120p for slow-motion footage. Also, while buying an external microphone is always better, if you're working on a tight budget, the built-in mics on the ZV-E10 do a thoroughly credible job, thanks in part to the larger grille on top that allows for higher-fidelity sound capture.
It's not a perfect camera – there's a marked rolling shutter effect that occurs when you try to pan in 4K, and as is so often the case with Sony, the menus can be confusing. These are small points, however, and the core experience of the Sony ZV-E10 truly is very solid.
See our full Sony ZV-E10 review for more on our reviewer's personal experience with his camera.
If you've got budget to spare, and are looking at the high-end of camera tech, then we'd recommend considering the Canon EOS R5. It's a hybrid camera designed for both stills and video shooters, but its video features are some of the best in class. The headline spec is 8K at 30p, which is more than you need for YouTube, but this also gives you the option to crop in and get excellent 4K footage, or shoot in 4K natively and enjoy some of the best-looking video you can get. You can even dial 4K up to a frame rate of 120fps if you want.
Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS II autofocus is one of the best systems in the business, and it works fantastically for video as well as stills. Video also benefits from in-body image stabilisation, making it a simpler task to capture smooth footage while using the camera hand-held. The burgeoning selection of RF lenses is also fantastic, with some of the sharpest optics around, and if you already have EF DSLR lenses, then the EF-to-RF adapter lets you use them on the R5 with full functionality.
It's not a perfect camera – it gained something of a reputation on release for its recording limits in high resolutions due to an overheating issue. It's not a crippling issue, just something to be aware of; as we made plain in our full review, this is still one of the most advanced cameras overall and one of the most versatile professional options for YouTubers. See our full Canon EOS R5 review for more details.
Best for: Outdoor users, sports, travel vloggers of all ability levels
Max video resolution/frame rate: 5.3K video at 60p
AF points: None (fixed focus)
Weight: 154g
Battery life (CIPA): Not specified (real-world tests indicate about 90-120 mins continuous shooting)
Reasons to buy
+
Bluetooth support for wireless audio
+
Ability to record vertically
+
Exceptional video and photo performance
+
Dual lens
Reasons to avoid
-
Battery could be better
-
Difficult to access ports
Throw it in a lake, hurl it off a mountain, or bounce it along on a mountain bike, if you need extreme durability, then GoPro is the brand for you. If you plan on capturing sports for your YouTube channel, no matter how extreme, then the small and robust GoPro Hero 11 Black is for you.
The Hero12 Black isn't the absolute latest GoPro, but it's widely available and seriously impressed our reviewer. It's waterproof to 33 feet down, will send highlight videos automatically to your phone and now has an even longer-lasting Enduro battery. It retains the 10's useful front screen to make selfie vlogging easier, and retains the larger sensor of the Hero11 that makes it easier to shoot footage in different aspect ratios, including vertical 9:16. A useful feature to have in your back pocket with YouTube pushing its creators to produce mobile-friendly 'Shorts'.
The Hero12 Black captures superb detail thanks to the 5.3K video resolution (91% more than 4K) which it records at 60FPS. There's also the option to shoot 4K at 120FPS for those who like to capture footage for slow motion, and the horizon lock feature makes every jump, flight or wild descent look even more impressive. Extreme shooters that need a camera that can keep up with them should opt for the Hero12 Black if they want smooth video and reliable results.
Nikon now has three APS-C cameras in its Z mirrorless range, and the Z30 is unabashedly vlogger-focused. It's got no viewfinder, just a vari-angle screen, and is capable of shooting uncropped 4K UHD video. Tidy and compact, the Z30 is light enough to carry pretty much anywhere, and we love its chunky, protruding handgrip that makes one-handed shooting a breeze.
The Z cameras are still in relatively early days, especially those with smaller APS-C sensors. This means that there aren't as many lenses widely available to specifically fit these cameras – not nearly as many as there are for the Z30's nearest obvious rival, the Sony ZV-E10, which benefits from the long history of Sony E-mount.
Still, this is a cleverly designed camera with a lot going for it, like in-camera stabilisation for video, and a decent built-in mic with wind-noise reduction. See our hands-on Nikon Z30 review for more details.
Battery life (CIPA): Not specified (real-world tests indicate approx 45 minutes of 6K shooting)
Reasons to buy
+
6K resolution
+
DaVinci Resolve comes included in the box
+
Excellent touchscreen menu system
Reasons to avoid
-
Short battery life
-
Fixed screen
Blackmagic has a reputation among filmmakers and camera operators alike as excellent plug-and-film devices. They produce cameras capable of capturing terrific footage as conveniently as possible. The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K has a large Super 35 sensor and can shoot 6K Raw footage at 60fps, making it a great option for producing high-resolution YouTube videos that stand out from the crowd – something that's very important on the world's biggest video sharing platform.
Thanks to the Canon EF mount built into the BPCC 6K, users can expect to use any number of the EF line-up of Canon lenses which expands affordability and flexibility when it comes to choosing glass. Anyone considering YouTube full-time may want to invest in this camera because not only does it pack pro-level features into a portable body while being lighter on the wallet than most cinema cameras as well. When we reviewed the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K, we found this to be a camera that offers great quality and features for a great price.
This tiny modular camera is a great GoPro alternative
Our expert review:
Specifications
Best for: Beginners, intermediate users, travelling light
Max video resolution/frame rate: 4K video at 60p
AF points: Not specified
Weight: 116g
Battery life (CIPA): 140 minutes
Reasons to buy
+
Class-leading portability and style
+
Smart accessories add functionality
+
Stable app experience
Reasons to avoid
-
Clarity falls behind GoPro Hero series
-
Not waterproof with modular battery
-
Overheats with high-resolution filming
The DJI Action 2 is an incredibly compact modular action camera with premium styling. It can't beat the video quality or usefulness of its main competitor the GoPro Hero series, but it's a fantastic choice for YouTubers who value style and compact portability. Later DJI Action cameras returned to the more traditional action camera design, without the modular elements, so the Action 2 is still worth considering as something unique.
When we reviewed it, we were impressed with the blasted metal finish, although it did strike us as more prone to dents than the GoPro. But we were most impressed with the neat magnetic, modular accessories, which can add extra battery life, Micro SD card support and a USB-C port depending on which package you go for. You can add a selfie screen, a macro lens and more. The downside is that when modules are added, the device is no longer waterproof without additional housing. But the biggest limit for YouTubers will be its overheating, which means you can only record the highest quality 4K footage for bursts of up to around 4 minutes.
Max video resolution/frame rate: 5.8K at up to 30p
AF points: 315
Weight: 823g
Battery life (CIPA): 380 shots
Reasons to buy
+
Unlimited recording times
+
Incredibly customizable video
Reasons to avoid
-
Chunky and heavy
-
Battery life could be better
Every YouTuber is going to be at a different skill level, with some boasting much more advanced video knowledge than others. If you're someone who likes to get under the bonnet of a camera and tinker with your video footage until it's precisely perfect, then the Panasonic Lumix GH6 is for you. This is one of the best consumer video cameras ever made.
The beating heart of the camera is its new 25MP stacked sensor, which enables much faster readout speeds, and means that it puts many more video options at the user's disposal. It can shoot using basically every conceivable codec a filmmaker or YouTuber could want, and it can go up to 5.7K resolution at 30fps in Apple ProRes format.
If this doesn't mean much to you, then the Lumix GH6 is probably more camera than you need, and you can safely go for a cheaper option. However, for the geeks among us, it's an absolutely superb choice. A CFexpress Type B card slot allows you to insert one of the fastest and best memory cards to take advantage of the high-quality formats.
Panasonic has since released an update to this camera in the form of the Lumix GH7. It's bigger and heavier, offering some new shooting modes at the cost of a pretty hefty price jump. We're sticking with the GH6 as our recommendation for now as it offers outstanding value for money.
A hefty DSLR with classic handling and excellent video specs
Our expert review:
Specifications
Best for: Intermediate to advanced users
Max video resolution/frame rate: 4K video at 30p
AF points: 45 (all cross-type)
Weight: 701g
Battery life (CIPA): 1300 shots
Reasons to buy
+
Strong battery life
+
Weather sealed
Reasons to avoid
-
Only one card slot
-
No in-body stabilisation
Canon built on the EOS 70D's popularity among YouTubers by producing this latest option, the 90D. Aimed squarely at the video market, it captures detailed uncropped 4K UHD video and can even shoot slow motion 120fps when the resolution is dropped to Full HD. It even captures 32.5MP stills for multimedia video content, should you need it. Canon also revamped the I/O by installing external microphone and headphone connections to help with audio monitoring and recording.
The EOS 90D is chunkier and heavier than other cameras on this list, in keeping with the DSLR heritage. But a big advantage to that is its weather-sealing, meaning you can keep shooting even if it rains or snows. We found it to be satisfying to handle, too, with a large, bright optical viewfinder. At this price, it’s an absolute steal for video producers who don't mind something slightly bulkier.
The best camera for YouTube for you will depend on what type of video you're looking to share on your channel. If you want good quality video, then you'll want the ability to record in Full HD (1080p) or even 4K, which YouTube now supports (see below).
You'll also want a camera that can adapt to different lighting settings, and check the camera's video length limit if you're planning to record long videos (see below for more on that).
Image quality isn't the only thing to consider. There's also sound. The best cameras for YouTube also offer excellent sound recording via a built-in microphone with noise-cancelling capabilities – although you may still want to consider mics depending on the type of video you're producing.
You also need to consider portability because some cameras may prove to be too big and heavy if you film on the move. This is why in our selection of the best cameras for YouTube above, we've included some compact options that are convenient for carrying in a bag, as well as cameras that are more suited to using in a studio.
To make this selection of the best cameras for YouTube we compared our own hands-on camera reviews, written by experienced photographers and videographers, along with customer reviews online, feedback from the working creatives who contribute to Creative Bloq and an in-depth comparison of the specifications, features and capabilities of the cameras available on the market.
We have aimed to include a range of different types of cameras in order to make recommendations for different needs and budgets, considering everything from budget cameras to high-end professional options and action cameras that can be used to record footage in more extreme situations.
You might want to see our guide to video editing for beginners if you're unsure of how to put your content together in the best way.
There's no one answer here, as all different types of camera are popular on YouTube. Some YouTubers take a lo-fi approach, and for that, you might need nothing more than one of the best camera phones. However, most YouTubers want something more polished, and a dedicated camera for YouTube can improve the quality of your content, both in terms of video and audio.
Some like compacts such as the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III, while others prefer mirrorless cameras or DSLRs. It's all about figuring out what works best for you – and for producing the content you like. Cameras that can record at higher resolution can record footage that looks more polished, but it's not only about resolution but also dynamic range, while things like eye autofocus and in-body stabilization can be very useful if you're not shooting in a fixed spot.
Do more expensive cameras capture better footage for Youtube?
Not necessarily. Of course, higher end models usually come equipped with higher resolutions, better dynamic range and less image noise. But the best camera for the job is the one that suits your shooting style. A vlogger that loves to edit videos before uploading and requires highly detailed stills photographs of subjects may mean a lean towards dedicated mirrorless cameras.
Do I need 4K video for YouTube?
While you don't need 4K to make a video for YouTube, it certainly does no harm. As video resolution and internet speeds improve we're able to stream higher resolution video, sharing the best quality footage with our audiences. 8K video footage is now seeping through the camera market and 4K is slowly becoming what Full HD was when 4K was introduced not so long ago.
If you spot a camera with 'just HD' video capability we now ask 'why?' - usually because manufacturers are trying to make things smaller, lighter, or cheaper. Even if your end product will be presented in 1080p, 4K still delivers a higher quality downsampled image.
What does video length limit mean?
Video length limits are camera-imposed limits on recording length for video. E.g. a 10 minute video length limits mean that after 10 minutes the camera will stop recording video. You can start recording again after this time, but you won't be able to record any longer footage. If you need to keep recording for as long as possible, in one long take, be sure to look for recording length restrictions when shopping for a new camera for YouTube.
What is the best camera for streaming on YouTube?
If you're looking to stream on YouTube as a high priority, then your camera needs will be slightly different than if you're simply planning to upload finished and edited videos. You need a camera that's set up to handle live video output, ideally with a clean HDMI out, or the ability to output via USB. See our guide to the best streaming cameras for some top suggestions.
Jason Parnell-Brookes is an Internationally award-winning photographer, educator and writer. He won Gold in the Nikon Photo Contest 2018/19 and was named Digital Photographer of the Year in 2014. Jason is a qualified teacher, Masters graduate and works with many high profile international clients. For Creative Bloq, he writes about cameras, photography and video and photo editing.
