10 Best Vlogging Cameras in India 2021 - Buying Guide Reviewed By Filmmaker/Photographer

Our list of top 10 best vlogging cameras are from the best brands like Sony, Panasonic, Fujifilm, and more. Go check out the features like flip screen, microphone, better sound, and image quality they have to offer. 

Arun is an Electronics and Media Technology graduate with more than five years of experience in photography. He spent two years working on various projects honing the art of direction and cinematography. As an enthusiast of movies and filmmaking, Arun enjoys his leisure time recreating popular movie scenes with a twist of his own. You can also reach out to him on Instagram.

A good vlogging camera is not just about megapixels; it is also about sound, lens, flip screen, size, etc. Many people even use their smartphones to shoot vlogs as smartphones have amazing cameras these days, and even the microphones are decent. 

However, if your aim is to shoot top quality, professional vlogs, you should have a professional camera. Let's look at a few of the most important factors that need to be considered while buying a vlogging camera.

The best indicator of good image quality in a camera is its video resolution. The three most commonly used video resolutions are 720p (HD), 1080p (Full HD), and the latest 4K (Ultra HD). 

Although you can shoot your vlogging or YouTube videos at 720p, we advise that you buy a camera with the option of 1080p as the better your video quality, the more viewers you are bound to have. 4K videos are the latest video resolution that is becoming a hit amongst bloggers. 

This Ultra HD screen resolution has taken the world of entertainment by storm. The content of your vlogs matter, but honestly, the video quality, sound quality, and video editing matter more. With fast and cheap internet all over, streaming 4K videos is not hard for people. So, you must take advantage of this and go the distance.

A feature called Optical Image Stabilisation lets you move around while recording all sorts of videos. You must have experienced making videos on your phone while walking. Those videos are really shaky unless you keep a very steady hand. 

Cameras with the Optical Image Stabilisation feature give you the advantage of moving and walking without worrying about any shakiness in your video.

If you are a vlogger who shoots stationary videos from home, this feature is not really significant for you. Nonetheless, there is no harm in having this feature. It can come in handy any time in the future if you decide to go outside to shoot some of your creative vlogs.

Aperture is a feature of cameras that refers to the lens's opening to allow the light to pass through. The higher this number (higher f/stop), the lower the amount of light that passes. A lower aperture enables you to shed more light on the thing you want to focus on and blur the background. A low aperture also means that you will be able to shoot in low-light situations. 

It also helps you capture the maximum detail in a landscape shot. Along with aperture, good autofocus is another significant element that can dramatically enhance your vlogs' quality. This will always keep you in focus, no matter how much you are moving. So do not forget to check the aperture before buying. 

Resolution and megapixels are important, but they are not as important as a camera's low light performance, especially for shooting videos. A camera setting called ISO, which refers to the camera's level of sensitivity towards available light, tells you how well the camera's low-light performance be. 

You need good low light performance so that no shoot gets delayed because of poor light. Every camera has a base ISO, which would be a good indicator for you. Usually, ISO200 is a good base ISO because it will give you the optimum brightness required for almost all videos. 

However, you do not want to have an extremely high ISO too as it adds grain and noise to the photos and videos. If you are making a vlog indoors and have light diffusers, the ISO setting is not significant. It is mainly required for outdoor shooting, in which you can expect varying light.

A flip-screen is one of the most sought features in a vlogging camera. It is a feature that you might have seen in DSLR cameras, in which the screen can rotate. Flip-screens are like the front cameras of your phone. You can watch what you are shooting in real-time and make adjustments if required.

It also allows you to shoot accurately by having a clear idea of what's being shot and whether you are in focus. If your content includes talking to the camera, you need to have a flip screen. It will make your shooting experience so much more efficient.

Your viewers expect good video quality from you, but they won't compromise on the sound quality either. The sound quality is much more significant than video quality. Sound quality can be the decider for the overall quality of your videos.

While every camera has an in-built microphone with decent quality, these mics usually pick up unwanted background noise (wind, traffic, etc.). This is why investing in an external microphone is a priority when it comes to vlogging equipment. Although the best microphones for vlogging are expensive, there are some decent cheaper alternatives available too.

Bigger cameras are also going to be significantly heavier. If the type of vlog you make or will be making requires you to sit on a chair, with the camera kept on a desk, the size does not matter. 

However, if you are a vlogger who has to walk holding the camera, make sure you consider the camera's size and weight and its equipment. For example, the Sony A7C weighs more than 500 grams without the lens, and sometimes the lens can be heavier than the camera itself. 

It can become a little too heavy for you to carry it around for hours. So, it makes complete sense to consider the camera size and weight in accordance with what kind of vlogs you will be shooting. Remember to always keep in mind that you will be carrying extra equipment as well.

Vlogging is impossible without a tripod, handle, or Gorillapod. You will need to put your camera on something when you are not holding it. You would also need any such handle when you are sitting and talking into the camera. 

A Gorillapod is the most popular kind of tripod used by vloggers. It can twist in many ways, making it convenient to place on any surface. A tripod or handle is also essential for shooting a vlog as it allows you to hold your camera further away from you, giving you a wider angle.

It would be better if you get a tripod that also allows you to mount a smartphone too. This would give you the option to shoot with your phone in case your camera is unavailable. So, look for offers that give you a tripod or Gorillapod along with your camera.

YouTubers and vloggers, in general, have to shoot for long durations. Sometimes they need to shoot for many hours straight, with many re-takes. Basically, it takes a lot of time to shoot that perfect vlog that people would love to watch. It goes without saying that the battery life of your camera needs to be great.

You should keep this as one of the topmost priorities while buying a vlogging camera. You must at least get cameras whose battery can last up to 1 day. You can look for cameras that come with the provision of changing batteries. Or, you may keep a couple of spare batteries with you for an emergency. There are also cameras that can function while they're plugged in to charge - this would be ideal.

These tips will definitely help vloggers and any type of content creator to produce indulging videos.

1. If you vlog at home, prepare a list of activities/actions you plan to perform in front of the camera. Scripting ensures that you check all the boxes at the end of the shoot.
2. Time flies when you shoot. Do a couple of rehearsal shots at your home. This will help you save valuable time and make your schedule peaceful. When you get used to the art, you will be able to write down creative shots on paper from your mind or plan on the spot.
3. If possible, choose to shoot during the golden hours (the time shortly after sunrise and just before sunset). Your videos will be perfectly lighted.
4. If you plan on using a drone, make sure you have the necessary documents with you. You don't want to catch a case and face penalties.
5. Save up and invest in a camera that performs well in low light. Not only will it help you for night shoots but also continue shooting when the sky gets cloudy unexpectedly.
6. Don't underestimate the power of action cameras. They pack a punch in a compact size. 
7. Always keep an eye on your gear during outdoor shoots.

If you are a beginner at vlogging and need to know the intricate details of it, this video is for you. Watch this video to get a kickstart for your vlogging career. This video will give you the basic introduction to vlogging, along with:

1. The gear required

2. Tips for shooting

3. Guidance for editing your videos

To be a successful vlogger, you need to master the art of editing your videos. Although the best editing is done of software available for PCs, there are many decent apps that you can download on your smartphone for some quick and effective edits. Check out the link below to find out the 10 best such apps available of Play Store and Apple Store.

Vlogging has become a widespread trend. From product reviews to travel, from technology to educational, there are just so many topics you can vlog about. If you believe that you need to be heard and your knowledge and creativity spread, you should start recording your videos. Things change fast in this technologically driven world. So, choose the best camera according to your needs and push that recording button.

Author: Rudraveer