Last Updated on March 9, 2023 by Best Vlogging Camera
“You don’t need the vlogger kit to vlogging on YouTube, your phone is just enough”. You might’ve heard this line many times but having a few essential items in vlogging helps you go a long way. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you have to buy the best vlogging equipment available in the market but some moderate to cheap vlogging equipment will help improve video quality significantly.
In the list, we’ve engineered for you below we have been focusing on the best vlogging equipment that is essential to your kit at an affordable budget. One thing you have to make sure of is that the equipment you purchase should last you about 3 to 5 years. Buying outdated equipment for a cheaper price today will ruin your purpose of creating great material for tomorrow. It’ll cost you more to replace what you bought today after six months. So let’s begin the search!
1. Small Camera
A small point-and-shoot camera comes in very handy in capturing moments and is always mentioned as one of the best vlogging equipment. A phone would do but a specialized cheap point-and-shoot camera like the Canon G7 will do wonders for you.
Our recommendation would be the Canon PowerShot G7. This camera has a 1-inch CMOS sensor and Wi-Fi. It comes with an LCD screen of size 3 inches allowing you to view compositions in solo shoots. But if the G7 is out of your budget, you can always go for the Canon SX740, if you learn the fact that it also has a tillable LCD screen and can shoot 4K video it’s not a step down.
There’s just one thing wrong with point-and-shoot cameras. They never come with an external mic jack, which makes things hard for you. If you decide to go with neither and use your phone instead, invest in a good model with features suitable for your purpose of use.
In this scenario, the Samsung S series rarely disappoints. Remember, the newer the model, the better the features, and the better your vlog. And why do you need a small camera, well there are three essential reasons?
- Backup: If you’re filming off site, it always helps to have a backup camera with you.
- Broll: Multiple angular shots make your vlog much more aesthetically pleasing to your viewers, this point-and-shoot camera can be placed with a tripod.
- Self-filming: Let’s say you’re on the go, it’s a quick shot. The point-and-shoot camera will come in handy as it’s lightweight and very easy to set up.
2. Big Camera
Yet the story continues. Investing greatly in a good point-and-shoot camera does not eliminate your need for a Big Camera. There are two choices you can go for when deciding to buy a mirrorless camera, DSLR or mirrorless. The mirrorless cameras are usually lightweight and give lesser options compared to the DSLR, they do not have a reflex mirror.
If you decide to invest in a DSLR, Canon 90D is one of the best cheap vlogging cameras you can go for. It shoots 4K at 30P and full HD at 120 P. It also comes with an adjustable LCD screen and an external mic jack.
If you decide to go the other way for a mirrorless camera, the Canon M50 is one of the best options available in the market right now.
But why do you need a big camera, why won’t a small camera do? Let’s explore why.
- Interchangeability of lens: These big cameras allow you to swap lenses to go from a telephoto lens to a vlogging lens in seconds.
- Audio: Audio is a frontrunner in how successful your vlog will be, these cameras come with an external mic jack to let you have amazing audio quality.
3. Lens
Now you’ve got a big camera, your lens choice can make or break the game, and its addition can solidify your status of having the best vlogging equipment among your peers. If you’re a vlogger, you’ll need a wide-angle lens between 15 to 18 mm. Less space, more background, Many times a good lens comes attached to a camera but if you’re looking to buy an external lens, the Tamron 16 to 300 mm lens is a great choice.
It will give you a great wide shot along with telephoto images. If you’re going for a lens attached to a big camera, the Canon 90 D DSLR lens covers a range of 18- mm and the lens comes with the Canon M 50 mirrorless covers a range of 15-45 mm is a great beginner’s choice.
4. Microphone
It’s a thumb rule, best vlogging cameras are made with great microphones. Never compromise on audio. People might tolerate an unstable video but noisy audio is a deal-breaker. So investing in a good external mic is very important. There is nothing better than the Rode VideoMicPro if you’re starting your vlogging journey.
All you have to do is to mount it on your DSLR and plug it into the mic jack and start recording. The Rode VideoMicPro comes with shock mounting capabilities to avoid vibrations in your video. There is a reason it’s the most famous mic among YouTube vloggers.
5. Tripod
If you have film stability, then you have great video quality. You don’t need an expensive tripod, just something that will hold your camera steady but does consider you should be prepared to mount your camera on tables, counters, benches, or even tree branches.
We recommend the Job GorillaPod 3K. This tripod only weighs 3kg and comes with a 360-degree ball head able to get all kinds of shots easily.
6. Selfie Stick
Remember the point-and-shoot camera you were about to get? Now let’s say you have a great phone you’re using for some shots. Wouldn’t you want a selfie stick in your gear kit?
There are more advanced versions available than just a simple selfie stick, one of these items that can be a part of your starter kit’s cheap vlogging equipment can be the Spivo 360. With the press of a button, the stick rotates 180 degrees.
The GorillaPod selfie stick is also a slick option but does not use these for your high-end cameras.
7. Backpack Mount
B roll footage is important in films and vlogs, you never know what clip you can use where. It can attach the Peak Design capture clip to any strap or belt of up to 2.5 inches in width.
You also have the option of securely mounting your DSLR on it when you aren’t shooting. It’s a useful tool to add to your affordable vlogging gear.
8. Drone
Although having a drone is not essential for a beginner vlogger, if you make travel or lifestyle vlogs you’ll most likely need a drone to make the most out of your videos. Don’t purchase a drone if your category of vlogs falls into food, finance, personal development, or any similar category. DJI drones would be the best bet.
Specifically, the Mavic Mini shoots 2.7K video in 12 MP with a 30-minute flight time on 3 axis or the better one Mavic 2 Pro shoots 4K video in 20 MP having a 31-minute flight time on 3 axis. Make sure you’re licensed to fly a drone according to the state you’re shooting your video.
Honorable Mentions
There are always a few small items that you should always carry in your affordable vlogging equipment gear if you’re an on-the-go vlogger. We’ve mentioned all of them here. These items make your life easier while you’re vlogging.
1. Extra Batteries: There’s nothing more frustrating than running out of batteries while shooting a video. Make sure you have 2 to 3 extra batteries in your gear.
2. Power Bank: You should also have a good 20,000 mAh power bank for long shoots. Cameras do consume a lot of power, be prepared to reach critically low levels of battery on your camera and phone.
3. SD Card: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Always distribute and keep backups of your videos on multiple SD cards, you don’t want to lose that beautiful shot you took for your upcoming vlog.
4. Waterproof Bag: Be prepared for any weather condition, you don’t want to get all your expensive vlogging equipment ruined just because you did not invest in a waterproof bag.
5. Windshield: Yes the RodeoMicPro will help a lot in noise reduction but if you’re shooting in a windy environment, a portable wind muffler will be very essential to eliminate the turbulence in audio, making it acoustically transparent.
6. Webcam: If your vlogs involve talking to the camera sitting directly at it, do not overlook this. A short video update is a part of every vlogger’s journey and used from time to time, invest in a decent webcam.
Conclusion
So now we’ve explored all the tools you initially need to start your vlogging journey and make relatively high-quality content.
A point and shoot camera, a DSLR or mirrorless big camera, a detachable lens able to take wide shots, an external mic, a tripod, capture clip, maybe a drone, and all the small equipment mentioned in the honorable list.
This collectively will make the best and cheapest vlogging equipment gear you will need to make the best vlogs you can at this stage.