Vloggers now produce various contents that cover a wide array of topics, experiences, and adventures. Each one, of course, calls for specific types of cameras that will suit their vlogging needs.

If you are looking for one, it is important to realize that vlogging cameras are not just limited to the idea of owning compact models that will allow you to go into tight caves or moisture-rich environments. Since some vloggers also focus on other content like food, crafts, photography, travels, and more, cameras capable of capturing stills and videos in high resolution are also a need.

That said, considering the said factors, we rounded up the 5 best vlogging cameras that can address the variety of needs of vloggers. Together with the guidance of our SolidSmack Editor and former NatGeo photographer, Evangeline Summers, we will explore and pronounce their strengths and weaknesses. That being said, we hope you’ll get what you’re looking for in this comprehensive review.

Best Vlogging Cameras Comparison & Rating

Vlogging Cameras

Features

Fujifilm X-S10 Mirrorless Camera Body- Black, X-S10 Body- Black
  • 180° vari-angle LCD touchscreen
  • DCI 4K/30P, Full HD/240P
  • IBIS system
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Body Black
  • 20 MP Live MOS sensor
  • vast range of lenses
  • 121-point all-cross type phase-detection AF
  • hybrid and very fast AF
  • face-priority AE
  • mic windshield for its forward-directional on-board mic
GoPro HERO9 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Front LCD and Touch Rear Screens, 5K Ultra HD Video, 20MP Photos, 1080p Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization
  • 5K at 30 FPS
  • excellent stabilization
  • latest upgrades of GoPro camera software
DJI Pocket 2 - Handheld 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer with 4K Camera, 1/1.7” CMOS, 64MP Photo, Pocket-Sized, ActiveTrack 3.0, Glamour Effects, YouTube TikTok Video Vlog, for Android and iPhone, Black
  • 140 minutes battery time
  • 64 MP photo and 4K video
  • 1/1.7-inch sensor and 20mm f/1.8 lens

1. Fujifilm X-S10 Mirrorless Camera

Fujifilm X-S10 Mirrorless Camera Body- Black, X-S10 Body- Black
Specifications:
98% Overall

Brand

Fujifilm

Camera Type

Mirrorless Camera

Video Resolution

4K

Dimensions

126 x 85 x 65 mm

98%
still & video quality
97%
build & convenience
97%
features & quality
98%
value for money
Pros:
  • Excellent build and offers a great ergonomic body for solid grip and easy access to buttons.
  • Sports an incredible 180° vari-angle LCD touchscreen that is very responsive.
  • Offers a combination of X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor and X-Processor 4.
  • The quad-core CPU is capable of fast stills and video processing.
  • Fast precision autofocus at 0.02 seconds.
  • Can record in DCI 4K/30P and slow-motion Full HD/240P.
  • Excellent five-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system.
Cons:
  • The battery life is not very impressive but it can be solved with a few tweaks.
Final Take:

Fujifilm X-S10 mirrorless camera will deliver both satisfying results and the convenience vloggers are looking for. Besides the integration of in-body stabilization, it comes with an impressive vari-angle rear screen perfect for the most demanding scenes vloggers could face!

“The vari-angle rear screen and in-body stabilization of X-S10 will give vloggers much more comfort and confidence when filming something that requires action and movement,” said Summers, “but the real selling point of this model is the 4K video that completes the perfect combination of characteristics of a great vlogging camera.”

According to Summers, X-S10 offers a great build that makes it a certified 5-star cam that even pro photographers would love. It also boasts new PASM dial controls that will attract individuals who are already used to the PASM features of Canon, Nikon, and Sony. And while many are still don’t like this move from Fujifilm of changing their controls, we assure you that it can still offer the color that Fujifilm is famous for!

2. Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Body Black
Specifications:
97% Overall

Brand

Olympus

Camera Type

Mirrorless Camera

Video Resolution

4K

Dimensions

125 x 85 x 50 mm

98%
still & video quality
97%
build & convenience
96%
features & quality
98%
value for money
Pros:
  • Offers 20 MP Live MOS sensor.
  • Solid build and comes with a weather-sealed design.
  • Features 121-point all-cross type phase-detection AF and excellent Pro Capture mode.
  • Sports 30 FPS sequential shooting.
  • A vast range of lenses.
  • Offers 30 FPS Pro Capture mode equipped with 14-shot pre-buffering.
Cons:
  • Comes with smaller sensors.
Final Take:

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is the smaller version of OM-D E-M5 Mark II. This is all possible due to the smaller sensor used in the cam that makes it more compact compared to its predecessor.

Nonetheless, Mark III has still adopted the crucial feature of Mark II such as the silent operation, 5-Axis Sync IS, and the weather-sealed body. Also, it has more improved image stabilization and continuous speed which is really enticing. Most of all, it is now capable of producing stills and videos at the max resolutions of 20 MP and 4K, respectively.

“It uses Olympus's latest 20.4 megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor that is smaller than APS-C,” Summers said, “This might look like a downside to those looking for high-quality videos and images but it can still work really well. Also, great dynamic range and effective under low light conditions. As for stabilization, very reliable. I would highly recommend this to vloggers who are in need of high-quality footage but needs a camera with a smaller body compared to other cameras like DLSR.”

3. Sony ZV-1 Camera

Specifications:
97% Overall

Brand

Sony

Camera Type

Compact Camera

Video Resolution

4K

Dimensions

105 x 60 x 44 mm

96%
still & video quality
97%
build & convenience
96%
features & quality
97%
value for money
Pros:
  • Sports a hybrid and very fast AF.
  • Great audio and comes with a mic windshield for its forward-directional on-board mic.
  • Has a face-priority AE that is perfect for keeping the face of the subject bright even in low-light conditions.
  • Compact and great quality build.
  • The screen is vari-angled.
Cons:
  • The size of the screen is not so impressive.
  • There is an unimpressive change in the minimum focus distance when you zoom in on the cam.
Final Take:

Sony ZV-1 will give you all the helpful features of an effective vlogging camera in a very compact-sized body.

“Sony ZV-1 is specifically designed for vloggers,” stated Summers, “It still provides the lens and the sensor Sony is known for but it has great integrations helpful for vlogging activities. First, it has a vari-angle screen that gives users easier control while recording their content. Second, the great autofocus that grabs almost instantly to highlight the subject on the screen.”

Furthermore, Sony ZV-1 is also packed with improved audio with the help of its removable windshield. With this, it can deliver decent footage perfect for low-cost film projects of students or even vloggers. Hence, for its size, this is a pretty tough cam you can rely on.

4. GoPro Hero9 Black

GoPro HERO9 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Front LCD and Touch Rear Screens, 5K Ultra HD Video, 20MP Photos, 1080p Live Streaming, Webcam, Stabilization
Specifications:
97% Overall

Brand

GoPro

Camera Type

Action Camera

Video Resolution

5K (30 FPS)

Dimensions

71 x 55 x 34 mm

96%
still & video quality
97%
build & convenience
97%
features & quality
96%
value for money
Pros:
  • Can function as an HD webcam.
  • Has a bigger screen.
  • Better battery than the previous models.
  • Delivers stills (20 MP)  and videos (5K at 30 FPS) with higher resolutions.
  • Very excellent stabilization even at the most intense camera movements.
  • Comes with the latest upgrades of GoPro camera software.
Cons:
  • Bigger than the other GoPro cam models but it is not bothersome given that it still fits your pockets.
Final Take:

GoPro Hero9 will not give you the most pristine shots when it comes to vlog contents that need infinite details. But for a compact camera, it is very impressive that it offers 5K videos and 20 MP stills, with an extra capability to produce 14.7 MP shots out of the 5K footage.

It has also the latest GoPro features such as the HyperSmooth and TimeWarp by upgrading them to the 3.0 version which makes it a way lot better than previous models. It also comes with additional features like scheduled and duration capture and HindSight, with the last one enabling you to capture 30 seconds of the scene before pushing the shutter button.

“Generally, it can produce images with great colors, contrast, and shadow details,” Summers said, “Plus, there is this in-camera auto-correct horizon leveling is very helpful for vlogging activities that involve actions. Most of all, the front screen will give vloggers better and easier control over their content creation as they can easily frame themselves alone on the screen. This is like a great hybrid of vlogging and action camera.”

With the considerable features and abilities and compact size of Hero9, it is undeniable that it is one convenient option for vloggers who are more into adventures. All in all, a small camera containing the great characteristics of a camera device! Five stars!

5. DJI Pocket 2

DJI Pocket 2 - Handheld 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer with 4K Camera, 1/1.7” CMOS, 64MP Photo, Pocket-Sized, ActiveTrack 3.0, Glamour Effects, YouTube TikTok Video Vlog, for Android and iPhone, Black
Specifications:
96% Overall

Brand

DJI

Camera Type

Action Camera

Video Resolution

4K UHD (60 FPS)

Dimensions

124.7 × 38.1 × 30 mm

95%
still & video quality
97%
build & convenience
96%
features & quality
96%
value for money
Pros:
  • Very lightweight and compact.
  • Can last up to 140 minutes.
  • The 3-axis gimbal is very effective and delivers smooth stabilization.
  • Offers upgraded 1/1.7-inch sensor and 20 mm f/1.8 lens.
  • Produces 64 MP photo and 4K video.
  • Great accumulation of audio from different locations.
Cons:
  • Not the best cam for low-light environments.
Final Take:

“DJI Pocket 2 is one of the most compact vlogging cams you could ever have,” started Summers, “but behind its size are the great features that mean quality videos.”

DJI Pocket 2, just like GoPro Hero9 comes in a very bag-friendly body that allows convenience and instant access to a camera whenever you need one. It has a big lens that is wide enough to capture sufficient details and stability that leads to shake-free videos.

Due to its nature as a compact camera with great performance, it can be considered a very versatile tool that can excel in the creation of content focusing on the sports and travel sections. Most of all, it sports the AI Editor that allows you instantly add transitions and music to your clips. This means instant content sharing among vloggers wherever they are!

Best Vlogging Cameras - Buyer's Guide

video resolution and fps

Getting a video resolution of 1080 P for your video blogging needs is still pretty decent. If you have the means to avail cameras that offer 4K to 5K videos. However, the video resolution should also be accompanied by the right frame rate. The higher, the better. Most camera models start to lose their frame rate number once they step into the 4K resolution which is why 1080 P is still pretty reasonable since it is usually accompanied by 60 FPS.

iso

There is a need for cameras to have the right ability to adapt to various environments with various lighting. This is very important especially if your vlogs often happen in places with low-light conditions. Cams with a higher ISO number would allow a better amount of light to be captured. However, noise is the primary issue when there is too much brightness in the camera. With this, it is important to know how to use it properly.

portability

Vlogging activities are often spontaneous which means there is a need for an instant, lightweight camera. Not that it will only allow better flexibility and convenience among users, but it will also give them the ability to capture moments in some abrupt moments.

Besides the size, there is also a need to have a camera with a user interface, buttons, and functions that are user-friendly. By securing the said things, the camera could fit any demanding situation that needs to be covered.

stabilization

The stabilization of the camera affects the quality of both the stills and the videos. Not that it could change the focus, but it can also cause unnecessary and unwanted blurs which means bad news. With this, make sure to find a camera that offers this feature.

other features

Keep in mind that vlogging can sometimes be demanding, so having a camera model that is flexible and adaptive is very important as it would make your work much easier and faster. Opt to those offering the features you think might be of great help in your vlogging activities. This will also help you to get the best out of your purchase. These features could range from a handy mic windshield to a vari-angle LCD touchscreen.

Best Vlogging Cameras - FAQs

What should I look for in a vlogging camera?

Make sure to go for the camera that suits your needs. With lots of points to consider nonetheless, make sure that the camera is lightweight, has image stabilization, great ISO, AF, and resolution.

Are vlogging cameras and action cameras the same?

There is no clear description that will define the two except for the purposes they have. Nonetheless, action cameras can function as vlogging cameras due to their size and portability. For instance, GoPro Hero9 is an ideal camera for vlogging content that requires a lot of actions on the end of the camera user.

Can I use my vlogging camera underwater?

It depends on the model and type of your camera. Determine first if your camera has a waterproof feature. Most action cameras can do this. Nonetheless, other point-and-shoot cameras are also capable of doing this, given that they are encased with waterproof protective cases.

What is the best vlogging camera?

Fujifilm X-S10 is the best vlogging camera as it can deliver both satisfying results and the convenience vloggers are looking for. Besides the integration of in-body stabilization, it comes with an impressive vari-angle rear screen perfect for the most demanding scenes vloggers could face.

The X-S10 also offers a great build that makes it a certified 5-star cam that even pro photographers would love. It also boasts new PASM dial controls that will attract individuals who are already used to the PASM features of Canon, Nikon, and Sony.

Author

Santi Bongco is an editor at SolidSmack which is the leading site for 3D CAD, robots, cool product designs, and other technologies. For the past seven years, he taught robotics and developed innovative 3D printer ideas with his students. He also helped in developing some innovative digital ideas and products for various digital marketing businesses and big companies in Asia. Now, aside from exploring buffet restos in California, he enjoys leading groups of our in-house experts in trying some of your favorite products and electronic brands to write insightful reviews for you. PS: He loves reviewing appliances and taking them home to personally ‘try’ them.