4k mirrorless cameras are the best value option for getting started with creative low budget filmmaking. They're affordable and fairly easy to use. They have larger sensors than most camcorders, which makes them better for low light shooting and creative shallow focus shots.
Creative filmmakingYou can choose between four main types of camera for serious low-budget filmmaking: mirrorless/DSLR, prosumer camcorders, pro camcorders and cinema cameras.
The best cameras for YouTube available now
- Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III. An do-it-all compact camera with 4K video that can live stream to YouTube.
- Panasonic Lumix GH5S. The best camera for YouTube at the higher end.
- Sony A6000.
- Sony ZV-1.
- GoPro Hero9 Black.
- Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K.
- Canon EOS 90D.
- DJI Osmo Pocket.
People often use these action cameras to record outdoor activities, but the GoPro can also be used for filmmaking. As with smartphone cameras, the GoPro has limited features for videography. However, it is equipped with a quality lens that can capture sharp video and photos.
4K and higher frame rates are expected. Like many other mirrorless and DSLR cameras, the 90D does output 4:2:2 via an HDMI C port. If you're even a half-serious filmmaker, you better take advantage of this option.
Film. Most films use a single-camera setup, but in recent decades larger films have begun to use more than one camera on set, usually with two cameras simultaneously filming the same setup. However, this is not a true multiple-camera setup in the television sense.
The best camera phone in 2021
- Apple iPhone 12 Pro.
- Google Pixel 5.
- Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G.
- Apple iPhone 12.
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
- Samsung Galaxy S10 5G.
- Huawei Mate 40 Pro. Fantastic photographic capabilities make this a great choice.
- OnePlus 9 Pro. Stacked with power and packing 5G, too.
^^ According to some fans, he sometimes uses his Canon eos 700D with an EF 24-70mm f/2.8 lens camera for pictures, SONY A9 Alpha for GCF (w/ possibly Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM lens), and occasionally his Panasonic LUMIX GH5 camera.
In low light, a DSLR or mirrorless camera will often produce better quality video than a camcorder simply because they tend to have a larger sensor. A large sensor is essential for capturing low light video and stills. Another aspect to consider with high video quality cameras is the storage.
Comparing models individually across the brands, Nikon even has some cameras with a 60 fps frame rate for smoother motion where the equivalent Canon has 30 fps. Canon traditionally offers the better video, but Nikon's latest developments put them much closer.
Full-frame cameras can deliver higher resolution: Full-frame sensors can also be configured to provide higher MP ratings and greater resolution than smaller sensors. This enhances the sensor's ability to capture fine detail. Increasing the number of pixels on a full-frame sensor does make each individual pixel smaller.
Mirrorless cameras have the advantage of usually being lighter, more compact, faster and better for video; but that comes at the cost of access to fewer lenses and accessories. For DSLRs, advantages include a wider selection of lenses, generally better optical viewfinders and much better battery life.
Most current DSLR cameras shoot video and many can capture 4K UHD. If you're looking for a single camera solution that shoots both high quality stills and video, DSLRs tend to be a good choice. When shooting video it's best to have wide-angle, medium and close-up lens options, either via prime or zoom lenses.
Best cameras under $500
- Nikon D3500. Nikon's newest DSLR is cheap, easy to use and very good.
- Canon EOS Rebel SL7. A flip-out LCD and Dual Pixel CMOS AF make this a great buy.
- Panasonic Lumix GX85.
- Canon EOS Rebel T100.
- GoPro Hero9 Black.
- DJI Osmo Action.
- Sony A6000.
- Olympus OM-D E-M10 III.
Both cameras feature over 30MP, staggering autofocus, 4k video recording, great ISO sensitivity, excellent frame rates, and more.
- The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV.
- The Nikon D850 DSLR camera.
- The Sony A9 Mark II.
- The Canon EOS-1D X Mark III.
- The Canon EOS R5 mirrorless camera.
- The Sony A7R Mark IV mirrorless camera.
Pros Don't Use Mirrorless Cameras: The Quality MythProfessional photographers are still using DSLR. That's not true. There are many world-renowned photographers who have switched to mirrorless. There are many pro graded lenses out there for mirrorless cameras, so image quality is not an issue.
What are the best cheap cameras?
- Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W800. 5x zoom and a price of around $100 make this the best cheap camera overall.
- Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W830.
- Canon PowerShot Elph 190 IS.
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30.
- Kodak PixPro AZ421.
- Kodak PixPro FZ53.
- Polaroid Snap.
- Canon Powershot Elph 180.
The 7 Best Large Resolution Cameras of 2021
- Best Overall: Canon EOS 5DS R at B&H Photo Video.
- Best Resolution: Sony A7R II at Amazon.
- Best Budget: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II at Amazon.
- Best Battery Life: Nikon D850 at Amazon.
- Best Video: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV at Amazon.
- Best Splurge: Pentax 645Z at Amazon.
- Best Mirrorless:
In their own ways, all three hit a real sweet spot of price, features and performance. And while DSLRs are certainly now less common than mirrorless cameras, the Nikon D3500 remains our pick for the title of best cheap camera due to its value and selection of affordable lenses.
Generally, full frame has better low light performance than crop frame sensors, but Nikon generally is superior to Canon in that regard. Between these two cameras, those two factors end up splitting the difference and low light performance is very comparable.
The best cameras in 2021
- Nikon D3500. A brilliant blend of simplicity, value and quality for beginners.
- Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV. The E-M10 Mark IV is portable but powerful, and beautiful to use.
- Fujifilm X-T200.
- Fujifilm X-S10.
- Nikon Z5.
- Canon EOS 90D.
- Panasonic Lumix G100.
- Sony ZV-1.
- Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6. Instant fun from Fujifilm.
- Nikon Coolpix A10. Very cheap, and fairly cheerful.
- Canon Powershot ELPH 180 / IXUS 185. Ultra-slim, and a generous feature set.
- Lomo'instant Automat.
- Sony Cybershot DSC-W800.
- Fujifilm Instax Mini 70.
- Fujifilm Instax WIDE 300.
- Lomography Konstruktor F.
There are, however, a number of key features shared by all of them that you should look into before picking one up.
- High Definition. There are a few specifications associated with HD video.
- Recording Format.
- Zoom.
- Image Stabilization (IS)
- Sensor.
- Storage.
- Mac Compatibility.
- Photography.
You can use any of a vast range of devices to make YouTube videos. A laptop with a built-in webcam is probably the easiest option, but the obvious alternative is a smartphone. Most digital cameras can now shoot video as well. However, poor videos can't always be blamed on poor equipment.
Today with virtually any mobile phone, you can shoot, edit, and upload HD videos to YouTube with incredible speed and ease right from your mobile device. In fact, using mobile phones to create and publish videos to YouTube is now the fastest-growing way creators use the platform!
1. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III. One of the biggest bugbears vloggers and video makers have with Canon is the crop factor when shooting 4K on many of its cameras, but the G7 X Mark III bucks the trend – thank goodness.
Best camera for vlogging wet-and-wild YouTube videosYou can use the GoPro Hero Black as a studio camera, but it's really made for video recording on the move. Display and Light Mods can then be slotted into the shoes to brighten your shots and let you see yourself when you're in front of the camera.
Remember that your audio quality needs to complement your video. Built-in laptop or camera microphones usually have bad audio quality as they are not able to record or eliminate ambient sounds effectively, so the next most important tool to have for making Youtube videos is a good microphone.
How to make money on YouTube
- Start a channel.
- Make your channel successful enough that it meets the YouTube Partner Program requirements.
- Set up an AdSense account.
- Explore your new monetization features.
- Submit to ongoing reviews.
- Imagine and design your product.
- Source and/or build your product.
Best Intermediate Cameras for YouTube ($500 – $1,000)Canon's G7 lineup is a perennial favorite among point and shoot cameras, and the newest model, the G7 X Mark III, brings some new features ideal for YouTube video creators. You get the same compact body design upgraded to shoot 4K 30 FPS or FHD up to 120FPS.
