This is an important question for any budding YouTuber. After all, in order to be successful on YouTube, you need a camera that can capture high quality videos. But what should you look for when shopping for this type of camera? Well, one thing to consider is how it deals with low light situations. If your camera has trouble capturing footage at night or in poorly lit areas, then your viewers will likely have trouble watching the video too!
You’ll also want to make sure that you purchase a model that captures audio well. Needless to say, people watch YouTube videos with sound and if they can’t hear what’s being said then they’re not going to stay interested very long. You definitely want to avoid a camera that has an external microphone option as this is another thing to worry about. If the camera has poor audio quality, it doesn’t matter if you’re using a $400 DSLR or a $4000 model with an external mic: your videos will never sound great!
You might also consider how flexible and efficient the camera is. If you plan on traveling with it a lot, then you’ll want to make sure that it’s lightweight and easy to carry around. Additionally, if you’re not particularly tech savvy, you’ll want to make sure that the camera is easy to use. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to figure out how to work a complicated piece of machinery when you’re in the middle of a shoot!
So, with all of that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best vlogging cameras under $1000. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Sony ZV-1 Digital Camera is an advanced camera that takes you beyond the ordinary. The 20.1MP stacked back-illuminated Exmor RS CMOS sensor with DRAM and large aperture 24-70mm1 F1.8-2.8 ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T lens give you professional quality photos and videos with high resolution, accurate color reproduction and low noise in almost any light.
The fast Hybrid Autofocus and Real-Time Eye Autofocus tracking keeps your subject in focus even when it’s moving quickly, while the side flip-out 3.0” LCD screen that also tilts up and down to compose selfie shots and videos makes it easy to take great photos and videos of yourself.
The two modes of defocused background bokeh let you create beautiful portraits with softly blurred backgrounds. The automatic exposure tracks faces and makes sure they always appear well-lit, and great sound with forward-directional on-board mic and detachable windscreen means that video will always be crisp and clear.
Pros:
- Lightweight and small and easy to carry around
- Amazing video quality
- Built-in high quality microphone
- Supports external mic and flash
- 4K video recording
Cons:
- Physical controls are limited to just a few buttons
- Fast draining battery
- Doesn’t come with a viewfinder
- Micro-USB port
Sony Alpha ZV-E10 is the perfect camera for all your photography and vlogging needs. The 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor enable high-resolution stills and UHD 4K30fps videos with enhanced sensitivity and reduced noise.
Fast Hybrid AF captures fast moving subjects in sharp focus, 425 phase detection points cover a wide area of the frame, ensuring accurate tracking of subjects even when shooting through the telephoto lens at 11 fps. 3″ touchscreen LCD display flips out to reveal a self-portrait mirror and makes it easy to frame shots or review images and videos.
The real-time eye AF and tracking keeps your subject in focus even when they’re not in the center of the frame. With background defocus and face priority AE, you can create professional looking photos and videos with ease. Directional 3-capsule mic and windscreen provide clear audio recording, even in windy conditions. Headphone and microphone ports allow you to monitor and adjust audio levels in real time.
Sony is a solid brand and the Sony ZV-E10 being in both black and white body for style matching is a nice bonus!
Pros:
- Great overall image quality
- Best-in-class 4K video capture
- Excellent autofocus
- Bright, front-facing LCD that ensures easy visibility
- Clear, in-camera microphone
Cons:
- Limited battery life
- Has few touch controls
- 4K60 is not available
3. Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III – $899
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is a compact, weather sealed camera with a high resolution 20MP Live MOS sensor. The 121 point all cross type on chip phase detection AF system covers the entire image area and provides fast, accurate autofocus even when using telephoto lenses. The 50MP high resolution shot mode captures 40MP images by combining 4 adjacent frames to reduce noise and improve detail in your shot.
The 5-axis sensor shift image stabilization helps you capture sharp photos and videos handheld at slower shutter speeds than ever before. This is an advanced camera that is perfect for professional shooters or anyone looking for a high quality camera system. This is also a capable macro shooter.
The built-in image stabilization helps keep your shots sharp and clear, even when shooting handheld. Whether you’re shooting on the ground or in a car, the E-M5 Mark III will be able to handle any situation.
Pros:
- Good image quality
- Compact size and weather-proof design
- Excellent camera stabilization system
- Weatherproof camera
Cons:
- No built-in flash
- Short battery life
- Confusing touch controls
4. Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III – $789 (kit)
The PowerShot G7 X Mark III camera combines a high-performance 20.1 Megapixel 1.0-inch CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 Image Processor with an impressive 24-100mm (35mm equivalent) 4.2x Optical Zoom lens, plus a new advanced Optical Image Stabilizer to help capture sharp still images and video even in dimly lit conditions.
The camera’s versatile zoom range is great for shooting both wide angle landscapes as well as close up detail shots, while the bright f/1.8-2.8 aperture lens helps to ensure professional quality images with accurate colors and shallow depth of field.
The PowerShot G7 X Mark III can also shoot professional looking 4K video at 30p for fluid, cinematic motion with the clarity of 4x the Full HD resolution.
With the kit being a great starter it seemed like the ideal full package for a new vlogger.
Pros:
- Great zoom clarity
- Versatile touch LCD
- Capture and broadcast live streaming videos in 4K
Cons:
- Select 4K video modes
- No viewfinder and flash
The Sony Alpha A6400 camera is a high-performance, easy-to-use compact digital camera. A 20.1MP 1” CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 image processor work together to create remarkable low light images with minimal noise and stunning detail. The 4.2x zoom lens has an aperture range of f/1.8 – f/2.8 (24–100mm equivalent).
It features a top shutter speed of 1/4000 sec and an 8 fps continuous shooting rate. The camera can record 4K video at up to 30 fps and 1080p video at up to 120 fps for slow-motion playback. The 3” touchscreen LCD monitor can tilt 180° for selfies.
Pros:
- Lightweight and Weatherproof Body
- Excellent autofocus
- Clear viewfinder
Cons:
- No built-in image stabilization system
- No headphone jack
- Below average battery
We hope you enjoyed our roundup of the five best vlogging cameras under $1000. With this information, it should be easier to find a camera that fits your needs and budget for creating amazing videos. Which one are you most interested in?
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Our verdict is that Sony Alpha ZV-E10 wins the game. It’s no wonder that it is often considered one of the best vlogging cameras on the market. The Sony Alpha ZV-E10 ticks all the boxes for what a good vlogging camera should have and is perfect for anyone looking to take their vlogging game up a notch. If you’re looking for a quality camera that will allow you to produce high-quality videos for your vlog, the Sony Alpha ZV-E10 is the perfect camera for you.