2024 Update: I wrote this blog post in 2020, but my camera is still going strong! Even though I have updated my content creation stack, my Sony A6000 is still such a versatile and great photography camera! For my YouTube vlogging and casual travel photography, I LOVE using my Sony ZV-1. I am definitely a Sony girl.
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When I was looking for a new camera, I was overwhelmed with the many options out there! I had no idea where to start, but eventually narrowed down my focus and selected the perfect camera for my needs.
With so many cameras on the market, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is the best for your content creation needs! Since I have gone through the process already, I am here to help make yours much easier. From beginner friendly cameras to pro, I am sharing the best cameras for digital creators and people who shoot their own content.
Are you a small business owner who wants to shoot their own content? I’ve got you! Are you focusing on travel blogging, vlogging, or food photography? Keep reading as we get into details and find your perfect camera!
*This post contains affiliate links, and if you happen to sign up through my link I will get a small commission for coffee money, which helps fuel my content creation.
What to look for in a camera for blogging and vlogging
When deciding which camera is best for your content creation needs, here are some questions to ask yourself:
Price:
What is my budget for a camera?
Deciding your price will help determine which cameras are in your range. Is this a camera you can invest in long term, or do you want to find something right now and invest in an upgrade later?
Portability:
Do I want a light camera to take around with me? Or is weight and size not an issue?
Make sure you are comfortable with the size of the camera you purchase so that you will actually use it! Are there also a couple of more universal lenses you can use to lighten up the load?
Camera Type:
Mirrorless, DSLR, point and shoot?!
These are the 3 main types of digital cameras on the market now. Which one is the best for your creation flow? While mirrorless cameras offer the lightweight portability many DSLR cameras can’t, the DSLR definitely tops the mirrorless camera in terms of lens options.
Experience level:
What is my experience level? Do I just want a beginner-friendly camera to see if I like photography?
Or are you an experienced photographer ready to invest in a long term camera? If you are starting out, maybe check out an entry-level camera.
Wi-Fi:
Does the camera have Wi-Fi?
As a creator on the go, it may be helpful for your camera to have the ability to share to your phone and upload to social media quickly.
Video Quality:
Will I be recording videos that need a higher quality?
While most cameras on the market now offer HD video, do you need higher quality than that? If video blogging is your main focus, you’ll want to take a look at video features on the camera such as quality and fps.
Lens Options:
Will I be taking a lot of different pictures that require different types of lenses?
Do you need flexibility in the types of content you are shooting? If you’ll be taking pictures with a wide range of subjects and environments, a camera with interchangeable lenses is the best investment for you. If you do not need an interchangeable lens and want a light camera, a point and shoot is the way to go.
Which are the best cameras for creatives & digital creators?
- Best overall camera for blogging & social media: Fuji X-T20
- Best camera for vlogging: Panasonic Lumix GH5
- Best mirrorless camera: Sony A7 III Mirrorless
- Best DSLR camera: Nikon D850
- Best compact camera: Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II
- Best outdoor/active camera: Go Pro Hero 7
1. Best overall camera for blogging & social media: Fuji X-T20
If budget was not a concern, this is the camera I would have purchased myself! The FujiFilm X-T20 is a great all around camera for digital creators. It is lightweight, extremely portable, and has great photo and video capabilities. It is ideal for multimedia, if you want to try your hand at both high quality photos and videos. It also has a strong autofocus feature, which means you’ll have no trouble getting the right shot in focus!
Camera Type: Mirrorless
Megapixels: 24.3
Video: UHD 4K & Full HD, Built-in Microphone, External Microphone Input
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi
2. Best camera for vlogging: Panasonic Lumix GH5
If creating high quality video content is your specialty and main focus, the Panasonic Lumix GH5 is for you. While known as a generally well-rounded camera, it excels at its stabilization and video recording. Although it does have very strong video features, other camera manufacturers produce lenses with higher quality and range. You can always use other lenses outside of the Panasonic line; just double check to see if you need an adapter.
Camera Type: Mirrorless
Megapixels: 21.77
Video: DCI 4K, UHD 4K, Full HD, Built-in Microphone, External Microphone Input
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
3. Best mirrorless camera: Sony A7 III Mirrorless
Mirrorless cameras are great for travel bloggers and content creators on the go, due to how light they are while retaining excellent photograph quality. The Sony A7 III is highly regarded as one of the best mirrorless cameras on the market. It has a full-frame sensor, which can provide higher image quality, greater depth of field, and the ability to use a lens without it cropping as much of your shot. It can take high resolution shots and is also known to capture well in low light.
Camera Type: Mirrorless
Megapixels: 25.3
Video: UHD 4K, Full HD, Built-in Microphone, External Microphone Input
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
For a more beginner-friendly version of the Sony A7 III Mirrorless camera, take a look at the Sony A6000. This is the camera I use and love!
4. Best DSLR camera: Nikon D850
If you are serious about photography and considering offering photography as a service offering, the Nikon D850 is the best camera on the market for this. This camera is great for travel photography, portraits, lifestyle, editorial… the list goes on. Used by many pros and serious photography enthusiasts, it is an amazing camera that produces high quality content. The main drawbacks to this camera are that it comes with a heftier price tag and is a bit bulky. Unlike some of the other cameras mentioned, this camera does not come with a kit lens (a starter lens); a lens will need to be purchased separately from the body.
Camera Type: DSLR
Megapixels: 46.89
Video: UHD 4K, Full HD, Built-in Microphone, External Microphone Input
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
For a more beginner-friendly DSLR camera, check out the Canon EOS Rebel T7i.
5. Best compact camera: Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II
Looking for a camera to create content for your blog and vlog but aren’t quite ready to invest in a mirrorless or DSLR camera? Or maybe you want a smaller camera that you can slip into your pocket and be a little more discreet when creating content on the go. The Canon PowerShot G7 Mark II is pretty powerful for such a small camera. With great photo and video quality, it is a camera that many bloggers and vloggers have as their go to camera. It is a great option if you’re new to digital content and still want high quality images and videos.
Camera Type: Point & Shoot
Megapixels: 20.9
Video: Full HD, Built-in Microphone
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi
6. Best outdoor/active camera: Go Pro Hero 7
The GoPro Hero 7 is fit for the active lifestyle of a digital creator who loves to be in the action. Built for adventures and movement, this little camera is great for capturing extreme movement. It has amazing stabilization and is waterproof down to 33 feet. With solid photo quality, amazing video ability, and many GoPro specific accessories, this little camera is great for wherever the road may take you.
Camera Type: Action Camera
Megapixels: 12 Megapixel Still Photos with Selectable HDR
Video: 4K60/50, 2.7K120/100 & 1080p240/200
Wi-Fi: Wifi
choose a camera that will work the best for what you need
No matter which camera you decide on, it’s most important that it fits your own personal needs. Although smartphone cameras have amazing photo quality now, investing in a camera will help take your content creation to the next level.
Which of these cameras do you think is best for you? Do you own one of these already? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
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