Guides

Best Vlogging Cameras Under $300

written by Peter

So you’re on the lookout for a camera to film youtube videos but without paying an absolute fortune. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best vlogging cameras under $300.

We’ve picked out some of the best cameras available on a budget that still give you the best features you would want when it comes to using it for youtube. We’ll also tell you exactly why it’s a good camera for the budget, so you can be sure you’re making the right choice.

Sony W800

This camera is great for those of you really on a tight budget and comes in at under $100 at the moment making it one of the cheapest cameras for youtube. We’ve put this camera into our list because although it’s quite cheap it still manages to record at 720p, which is probably the minimum quality you would want to upload your videos in to youtube. Anything lower than that is almost too low quality to really have an impact, so the 720p is a good starting point.

The Sony W800 also has pretty simple controls so you won’t have to read a huge manual to figure out how to use this camera. You should be able to turn it on, stick it on movie mode and start shooting.

Image stabilization is also one of the main features of this camera that made it one of our better choices for vlogging. Although it won’t be the highest of quality image stabilization, any is better than none so it gets another plus point for that reason.

Sony DSCW800/B 20.1 MP Digital Camera (Black)

MP Super HAD CCD sensor for beautifully detailed images. Blink Detection
Sony Lens w/ 5x Optical Zoom and 360 sweep panorama
Reduced blur with SteadyShot Image stabilization
Capture your videos in 720p HD Movie mode
Simplify camera menu with Easy Mode; Digital Zoom- Still images: 20M approx.10x, 10M approx.7.1x, 5M approx.9.9x, VGA approx.40x, 2M(16:9) approx.13x, Movies: Digital Zoom approx. 10x (*1)

Sony DSC-W830

Similar to the Sony W800 listed above is the W830 model which has 20.1 megapixels which is great for photos should you wish to take photos with your camera as well as shoot video as we know many vloggers also run blogs too, so having the ability to shoot both on the one camera is a great benefit.

Video quality is captured at 720p which we think is probably the minimum quality you should be aiming for when shooting your vlogs. Anything below is almost too dated for the demand of viewers to enjoy these days.

This is an incredibly easy camera to use and also features in built stabilization making it great for hand held shooting when out and about and is a bargain for anyone looking to start filming youtube videos.

Sale

Sony DSC-W830 Cyber-shot 20.1MP Digital Camera (Silver) + 16GB Memory Card & Accessory Bundle

SONY AUTHORIZED DEALER - Includes Full SONY USA WARRANTY
Sony DSC-W830 Cyber-shot 20.1MP 2.7-Inch LCD Digital Camera (Silver)
8x Optical Zoom - Videos in 720p HD Movie Mode - 2.7" LCD Screen for Viewing and Editing
INCLUDED IN THE BOX: DSC-W830 Cyber-shot Digital Camera - NP-BN Battery - AC Adapter - Multi USB Cable - Wrist Strap
BUNDLE INCLUDES: 16GB Class 10 UHS-1 SD Memory Card - All Weather Sport Camera Case with Carabiner - NP-BN1 Replacement Battery - 12" Rubberized Spider Tripod - Memory Card Wallet - Card Reader - Mini Tripod - Screen Protectors - 3pc. Cleaning Kit - Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

Nikon COOLPIX B500

Although a little bit bigger than most cameras and probably not the best for portability this Nikon Coolpix B500 makes our list for having some fantastic features for the price tag.

With the ability to shoot 1080p video at 30fps this is the ideal camera for those looking for high quality video capture at a more budget friendly price tag. This camera also has built in wi-fi, bluetooth and NFC allowing you to quickly share footage from your camera to your phone or laptop without the need for cables.

The B500 also uses AA batteries which means that should you need to carry back up batteries they will be pretty cheap and available easily should an emergency crop up if travelling or out and about.

Sale

Nikon COOLPIX B500 Digital Camera (Black)

16MP 1/2.3" BSI CMOS Sensor
NIKKOR f/3.0-6.5mm ED Lens
22.5-900mm (35mm Equivalent)
40x Optical Zoom Lens, 80x Dynamic Zoom
3" 921k-Dot Tilting LCD

Canon PowerShot SX720 HS

Another fantastic camera for youtube that costs less than $300 at the time of writing is the Canon Powershot SX720HS which we’ve written a full post about.

Some of the best features of this camera include the fact that it’s lightweight making it great for throwing in your bag should you want to vlog on your travels or outdoors.

The camera can shoot full 1080p video at 24,30 and 60fps making it great for editing should you want to create more engaging videos through the use of slow motion shots or more cinematic video.

As with almost all canon cameras of the last few years this one has great focus abilities allowing you to be sure that you’re sharp when filming. With built in face detection included in this camera it should do a pretty good job at keeping the important parts in focus.

Sale

Canon PowerShot SX720 HS (Black)

Powerful 40x Optical Zoom with Intelligent IS helps optimize image stabilization for virtually shake-free images.
Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC allows for easy sharing and transferring of images and videos.
20.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor with DIGIC 6 Image Processor helps deliver stunning image quality even in low light.
Capture spectacular 1080p Full HD video at 60p with stereo sound.
Large 3.0-inch LCD (approx. 922,000 dots) allows easy viewing even from a wide angle.

So there you have some great cameras for youtube that cost less than $300 at the time of writing. We’ll be constantly updating this list as prices drop on some camera models, so keep checking back if none of these listed above fit your needs.

If you want to check out a wider range of cameras then look at our list of best cameras for vlogging for more information.

21st April 2018 0 comment

Guides

Best Camera For Filming Make Up Tutorials

written by Peter

So you want to be a beauty youtuber but you don’t know what kind of camera to invest in to get your channel off the ground, or perhaps you’ve already got a beauty channel and want to take it to the next level by upgrading your current youtube camera.

Never fear, we’ve got the best cameras for filming make up tutorials right here.

Product Name

Canon 80D

Canon 70D

Panasonic G7

Canon Rebel T7i

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Canon Digital SLR Camera Body [EOS 80D] with 24.2 Megapixel (APS-C) CMOS Sensor and Dual Pixel CMOS AF - Black

Canon EOS 70D Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

PANASONIC LUMIX G7 4K Digital Camera, with LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm MEGA O.I.S. Lens, 16 Megapixel Mirrorless Camera, 3-Inch LCD, DMC-G7KK (Black)

Canon EOS T7i DSLR Camera with 18-55mm IS STM Lens + 2 x 32GB Card + Accessory Kit

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Product Name

Canon 80D

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Product Name

Canon 70D

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Product Name

Panasonic G7

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Product Name

Canon Rebel T7i

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Canon 80D

The latest model in the mid-range of DSLR’s for Canon is the 80D. Coming in as the most recent upgrade for the older model of the Canon 70D. It’s the camera that I personally own and I absolutely love it. It has all the features you would want including fully articulating flip screen, great low light abilities, shoots in full HD at 60 frames per second so you can film those silky smooth slow mo b-roll clips. With the added bonus of being able to upgrade your lenses and buy different types of lenses from third party brands, this camera gives you so much freedom and choice over what type of video you want to shoot.

The benefit of using a camera like this is that you can buy a lens to do those really close up shots should you be doing swatches, make up tutorials and close ups as well as being able to film yourself from a distance when you’re addressing the camera.

Read the full review of the Canon 80D here.

Sale

Canon Digital SLR Camera Body [EOS 80D] with 24.2 Megapixel (APS-C) CMOS Sensor and Dual Pixel CMOS AF - Black

The EOS 80D camera's Intelligent Viewfinder helps bring the thrill of SLR photography with each use
The Intelligent Viewfinder displays AF points and AF mode, has a grid display, a horizontal electronic level, plus numerous other points of information
For next-level AF operation, the EOS 80D camera has a wide-area, 45-point, all cross-type AF system with low luminance performance to EV -3 and 4 types of AF area selection modes
The 24.2 Megapixel (APS-C) CMOS sensor captures high-resolution images and has refined individual pixels that enable high ISO speeds (16000 for still photographs, 12800 for movies)
Canon's remarkable shutter combined with ability to shoot up to 7.0 fps during continuous shooting ensures quick performance

Canon 70D

Canon 70D is the older version of the model above but is still a fantastic choice when it comes to filming for beauty videos on youtube. With many of the same features as the 80D including flip screen, interchangeable lenses and loads of manual controls.

With a 20mp sensor, the Canon 70D produces some really high quality videos which is a must for anyone looking to get their channel looking up there with some of the best beauty vloggers out there.

Read the full review of the Canon 70D here.

Sale

Canon EOS 70D Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

20.2 MP APS-C CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5+
19 point cross-type AF System
Up to 7 fps shooting
ISO 100-12800, expandable to 25600
Dual Pixel CMOS AF for fast focus in live view and video

Panasonic G7

Now this camera jumps on to our list for a number of reasons. The Panasonic G7 features all the things you would want in a beauty vlogging camera like interchangable lenses, flip screen, but one of the most impressive parts about this camera is that it can record in 4K which is one of the highest quality videos that you can record on a consumer level camera at the moment. It’s a step above 1080p.

This camera is also a lot smaller than most DSLR cameras as it’s actually a mirrorless camera so won’t be as heavy to carry should you decide to take it out and about and film more vlog type videos.

Read the full review of the Panasonic G7 here.

Sale

PANASONIC LUMIX G7 4K Digital Camera, with LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm MEGA O.I.S. Lens, 16 Megapixel Mirrorless Camera, 3-Inch LCD, DMC-G7KK (Black)

PROFESSIONAL PHOTO AND VIDEO PERFORMANCE: 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor with no low pass filter to confidently capture sharp images with a high dynamic range and artifact-free performance
4K VIDEO CAPTURE: 4K QFHD video recording (3840 x 2160) with three unique 4K Ultra HD Video pause and save 4K PHOTO Modes extracts individual high-resolution photos from 4K Ultra HD video filmed at 30 frames per second to capture split-second moments
INTUITIVE CONTROLS: Easily control aperture and shutter settings with the front and rear dials while making white balance and ISO adjustments on the fly; Assign favorite settings to any of the six function buttons (six on body, five on menu)
HIGH-RESOLUTION VIEWFINDER AND LCD DISPLAY: High-resolution (2,360K-dot) OLED Live View Finder and rear touch-enabled 3-inch tilt/swivel LCD display (1,040-dot) are clear even in bright sunlight
CONNECTIVITY AND PORTS: 3.5mm external mic port, 2.5mm remote port, USB 2.0 and micro-HDMI Type D; Compatible with newer BUS Class UHS-I/UHS-II SDXC/SDHC SD cards capable of storing high-resolution 4K videos

Canon T7i

Another great option for beauty youtubers is the Canon Rebel T7i. Slightly lower in specs and features than the 80D and 70D, this is still one of the best options out there for filming makeup tutorial youtube videos and it’s often a lot cheaper than the higher spec versions meaning it’s great for those just starting out or on a bit of a tighter budget.

Canon EOS T7i DSLR Camera with 18-55mm IS STM Lens + 2 x 32GB Card + Accessory Kit

2 x SanDisk 32GB SDHC Memory Cards + Canon Camera Case + Flash Light + Commander 3pc Filter Kit + Commander 4pc Macro Close-Up Kit + Commander Wireless Remote Control + AC/DC Car & Home Charger + Commander High Speed USB Card Reader + 50" Camera Tripod
Canon 18-55mm STM Lens - a standard zoom compatible with Canon APS-C format cameras. It features a focal length range of 18-55mm which is equivalent to 29-88mm in the 35mm format
Canon EOS Rebel T7i DSLR Camera with 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor, DIGIC 7 Image Processor, 3.0" 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen, Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps, 45-Point All Cross-Type Phase-Detect AF, Dual Pixel CMOS AF, Up to 6 fps Shooting and ISO 51200, Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC, Bluetooth
Commander 0.43x Auxiliary Wideangle Lens - it conveniently mounts to the front of your fixed or zoom lens, and allows you to capture a wider field of view, Commander 2.2x Auxiliary Telephoto Lens - brings you twice as close to the action. Perfect for long-distance photo situations such as sporting events
This Canon Camera Bundle comes complete with All Standard Canon Supplied Accessories and 1-Year Canon USA Limited Warranty and Includes:

You definitely wouldn’t go wrong choosing any of these cameras and you can be sure that they would allow you to film the best makeup tutorial videos and really grow your beauty youtube channel in 2018.

If you’re looking for something on a bit more of a budget then check out our best choices that cost less than $300.

If you’re looking for a beauty vlogger camera and have any questions about any of the cameras above then don’t hesitate to ask in the comments, I will do my best to help out and answer.

15th March 2018 0 comment

Guides

How To Get More Views on Youtube

written by Peter

As a vlogger, I can completely understand how hard it can be to grow your youtube channel to reach new people and see both those views and subscriber counts go up.

That’s why I’ve gone out and pulled together some of the best bits of advice and tips for growing your youtube channel in 2018.

I’m pretty confident that if you put these tips into practice and consistently work hard to create great content that you’ll start to see results coming from your efforts.

Create Engaging Content

First thing to look at is the type of content that you’re creating. Watch your own videos back and be quite critical of them. Look at the video quality, listen to the audio quality and look at the type of content that you’ve posted.

Ask yourself if you enjoy watching your own content because if the answer to that question is no, then it may be good to start off with getting that no turned into a yes.

If you do like what you’re putting out then there’s a good chance that your audience will too. Perhaps if you’ve already got an audience they’ve given you some feedback in the comments that you could review and put into practice for future videos.

If your video quality is an area that you think needs improvement then we’ve got a list of the best cameras on the market for youtube videos at the moment should you fancy upgrading your kit. I would recommend to only consider investing in better equipment if you can see yourself doing youtube long term, because if you aren’t fully bought in and committed then it could just end up being a waste of your own money.

Engage with your viewers

If you do already have viewers that are engaging with your videos then reply to them. Respond to every comment that is left on your videos and interact with those who watch your content already. Keep them coming back for more by letting them know that you care about what they say.

When recording your videos too, make sure that you’re asking people to comment, like and subscribe. You may think that this is a bit of a useless tip as nobody listens to those requests but sometimes people get so engrossed in your video that they may just forget to hit that subscribe button, so be sure to use every opportunity that you can to remind them. Use end screen cards to give them a little prompt.

Doing this will definitely give your viewers that little shove to hit that important red button on your channel.

Engage with other YouTubers

Chances are that if you’re a youtuber then you’ve more than likely got interested in starting your own channel from watching others first?

Be sure to comment on videos of other youtubers that are in the same niche (category) as your channel. If you become part of their community and join in the conversation then their audience may come check out your channel and subscribe and even the person whose channel you’re commenting on may get to recognize that you’re always engaging with them, so they may come engage with your content.

Don’t ask for people to check out your channel though as people hate those types of comments.

Promote on Social Media

Promote your content on social media platforms by creating brand profiles and engaging with others. Schedule your videos to be shared regularly using a tool like Buffer to autopost your content out to all your social media channels. You can set aside some time at the start of the week to fill up your queue with content along with relevant hashtags and then posting times that you want them to be shared.

This should be considered as almost one part of your social media strategy as you also need to be quite active on these places yourself and cannot rely on tools to do the work for you.

As with youtube audiences you should engage with others on things like twitter, facebook and facebook groups. There are a number of brilliant Facebook Groups dedicated to youtubers full of tips and promo threads to help you grow.

Reddit also have a number of subreddits aimed at vloggers and youtubers from beginners to those who have pretty well established channels and if you stick to the rules, these places are fantastic for helping you to grow.

Do Youtube SEO

Youtube is effectively a big search engine similar to google, full of people trying to find content around something that they have an interest in, questions that they are looking for the answers to and just to find others who share their passions.

Now as any website owner will tell you, in order to rank highly in google you have to ensure that your website has been optimized for the keywords that you want to rank for to give it the best chance of appearing in searches near the top. The exact same goes for youtube and you should be spending time optimizing your videos to appear for keywords that you want to be found for.

The higher up the results you appear, the more views that you’re going to get.

Now there’s loads of fantastic guides out to help you get a better understanding of Youtube SEO, that I wouldn’t be able to do it justice, so I’m just going to point you at some of my favorites for you to read further into them.

Youtube Ranking Factors

Guide to Video SEO

Make Your Channel Look Great

If your channel looks pretty rubbish then chances are that people just aren’t even going to take the time to click on your videos to watch.

Make sure that everything that can be modified like channel art, profile photos and channel layout are changed to really point out your best content, give your potential audience a good idea of the type of content they can expect and even include your upload schedule in the channel art.

Use playlists to organize your content so that people can find related content quickly and easily and be sure to create a channel trailer to let people know what to expect if they subscribe to your channel.

This is your first chance to really sell yourself and make them want to hit that subscribe button so don’t half ass any of this part.

Don’t Get Discouraged

Growing a youtube channel takes time and sometimes that can be the hardest thing to deal with when you feel like you’re putting your all and not seeing the results. Anyone who has reached any large number of subscribers on youtube have done so with years of hard work and dedication and most of all a passion for what they are doing.

If you genuinely love creating your channel and are passionate about the content that you are creating then the subscribers will come over time. You’ll be able to keep creating new videos and it will all pay off in the end.

Keep doing what you’re doing and by implementing some of the tips above, I can guarantee that you’ll start to see success in growing your youtube channel in 2018 and for years to come.

12th December 2017 0 comment

Guides

Christmas Wishlist for Vlogging

written by Peter

Last Updated: 12/12/2017

Christmas is just around the corner and usually that means you have already started eyeing up your next piece of equipment to upgrade your vlog, or perhaps you’re just looking to get started. We’re here to give you a rundown of the top things to add to your Christmas wishlist this year.

Tripods

Tripods are perfect for keeping your camera steady and getting your videos looking professional. Nobody likes watching a squint video that’s at an awkward height because you’re balancing your camera on top of a pile of books.
Definitely invest in one of these if you’re looking to improve the quality of your videos. Just make sure your camera has the correct fitting for the baseplate.

Hama Star 61 Tripod

61MDQ3fEowL._SL1000_

This tripod from Hama is perfect for beginners and definitely won’t break the bank. Suitable for cameras from small right up to the heavier DSLR’s it’s got everything you need to get that steady shot for recording your vlogs.
Oh did we mention it comes with a neat carry case too?

Hama Star 61 Tripod

For photo and video
3-way tripod head with quick release plate
With crank for continuously variable height adjustment of centre column
With rubber feet
Holds up to 3kg

Konig Traveller Camera Camcorder Tripod

51LMY6WnclL._SL1322_

If you’re looking for some lightweight travel tripod then this one will be perfect. A cheaper build quality than the Hama one, but perfect for the frequent traveller who wants something lightweight to take on the road with them.

König TRAVELLER TRIPOD - Stativ

GadgetCenter
Camera

Velbon Videomate-538 Video Tripod Height 161 cm Black

Now for the more adventurous of you looking for something that’s going to last you for a good while, you’ll want to invest in a much more sturdy tripod. The Velbon Videomate is perfect for that.

It features a fluid head which can give you that smooth pan effect when moving the camera from left to right across a scene. Probably more suited to those who have been vlogging for a while and know that they are committed to keeping it up. This one is a great long term investment for any vlogger.

Sale

Velbon Videomate-538 Video Tripod Height 161 cm Black

Box contents: tripod

Joby Gorillapod

The must have for any sort of handheld vlogging. Your camera screws onto the usual size baseplate screw and this fantastically bendy tripod allows you to hold your camera out in front of you and gives you extra length at the end of your arm. Imagine a selfie stick on steroids, but this one you can actually put down onto a surface and use it as a flexible camera stand.

Used by so many of the biggest youtubers, you can guarantee that this will stand the test of time and be used for years to come. I bought one a few months back and absolutely love it. It pretty much lives attached to my camera now and it’s my favourite handheld tripod for my camera.

Sale

JOBY GorillaPod SLR Zoom. Flexible Tripod with Ballhead Bundle for DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras Up To 3kg. (6.6lbs).

STAND STRONG. Get crisper shots with this durable, lightweight tripod. The rubberized foot grips and wrappable legs will secure professional cameras up to 6.6lbs. as they hold their stance to any viable surface
CAPTURE SUPERIOR PERSPECTIVES. Look at life from a different point of view with the GorillaPod SLR Zoom Tripod and Ballhead Bundle. Easy maneuverability and precise positioning with 360 panning, to expand the range of shots you can capture
GROUND DOWN. Get ultra-stable and find your grounding with over two dozen leg joints and German TPE joins, so you’ll never have a shaky shot. The GorillaPod SLR Zoom can fiercely secure equipment up to 6.6 lbs., making the impossible shot, possible. Strong enough to hold a telephoto lens
SET UP WITH EASE. Take this lightweight SLR and mirrorless camera tripod anywhere. The quick release plate simply stays connected to your camera, so you can interchange with ease. Hold on tight with the 1/4”-20 standard tripod mount and 3/8” adapter
MADE TO LAST. Made of durable Japanese medical-grade ABS plastic, stainless steel, and German TPE, it’s made for the wear and tear of everyday life, or the rigor of adventure. Pair it with your mirrorless camera or SLR to capture the worthy moments of life

Lighting Kits

LED Ring Light

You’ll have seen these being used in videos before, but probably not realised what they are. These give vloggers that circular light look in their eyeballs, but will also give the most balanced lighting face on.

These aren’t cheap, so don’t go investing in one of these if you’re only just starting out. You need to know you’re committed before making this investment.

They are definitely well worth the cost though.

walimex 75 Watt Macro Ring Light

GadgetCenter
Camera

Freestanding Lighting Kit

If you’ve not got the budget for the higher cost light ring then a good alternative is the freestanding lights. These are the ones that I personally own and they are great, if not a little big clunky. These come as a pair and when assembled can be pretty massive, but they are a proper professional piece of kit.

When positioned behind the camera to the left and right of the person vlogging these provide a great bit of lighting for your videos, even in the darkest of situations.

No products found.

On camera LED light

Now if you really don’t have the space, or the pocket money for the lighting kits above, never fear. There’s a fantastic little LED light that fixes to the top of your DSLR to provide you some fantastic bright lighting for your videos.

This one comes at a fraction of the price of the above and can still give you some great light boost.

Bestlight W160 LED Photo Studio Barndoor Continuous Lighting Panel Kit Light for Digital Camera

Consist of 160 micro LED bulbs, high power and low heat output.
Compatible for Sony, Canon, Panasonic, Hitachi, Samsung and many other digital cameras of the similar size.
Designed with adjustable barndoor and DC interface.
Very easy to set up, just connect the hotshoe of the video light onto the hotshoe connector of your camera and tighten the screw.Note:AA Battery is NOT compatible.
Adjustable barndoor provide different lighting effects, and it would provide the best spotlight when the angle reaches 30 degrees

12th December 2017 0 comment

Guides Sony

Sony Vlogging Cameras: The Best Choices in 2018

written by Peter

Sony make some of the best vlogging cameras at the moment and there are so many choices that it can be hard to choose which one is best for you and your needs. We’re going to run down the best sony vlogging cameras of the moment.

First up, we should maybe run through what makes Sony cameras some of the best video cameras on the market at the moment. Well Sony have really found their angle by producing some of the best quality video specs of allowing you to record up to 4K in a wide number of the models that they produce. This is something that you really don’t see in Canon or Nikon alternatives.

They also manage to do this by fitting them into much smaller camera bodies as you’ll see below. This makes them some of the most desirable cameras that money can buy.

Last updated: September 2018

The Best Sony Vlogging Cameras Of 2018

Sony RX100 Mark V

Our top pick would be the latest model of the Sony RX100, the mark five and there are plenty of reasons why this one comes out on top. The Mark V is one of the only compact cameras that can shoot in the highest resolution currently available of 4K. There are currently very few cameras that record at that level and to have that ability in a camera so small.
The RX100 V also has incredibly accurate and fast autofocus and has built in face detection unlike the previous models that only used contrast detection autofocus.

Another great feature of this camera is the slow-mo capabilities. This camera is fantastic for slow motion footage, although this can eat through your battery pretty quickly if you are shooting a lot of it.

The RX100 doesn’t let you change lenses which is also a major time saver if you don’t want the hassle of having to mess around with lens changes in order to get your shot, although this only has a zoom of 24-70mm, so if you’re looking to shoot telephoto, then maybe you’re better looking at some alternatives.

Sale

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 V 20.1 MP Digital Still Camera with 3" OLED, flip Screen, WiFi, and 1” Sensor DSCRX100M5/B

ELECTRONIC VIEW FINDER: retractable Tru-Finder EVF provides sharp resolution, bright self-illumination, and high contrast to view shots and adjust settings through a ZEISS T* coated eyepiece.
AUTO FOCUS: World's fastest (0.05 sec.) hybrid AF system (contrast + phase) which is great for action and wildlife photography
AF DETECTION: The most comprehensive phase detection coverage in a compact camera utilizing 315 Auto Focus points
SHOOTING SPEED: World's fastest continuous shooting speed at 24fps3 w/ autofocus and auto exposure tracking to ensure exceptional high-speed photography
IMAGE SENSOR: 20.1 megapixel 1" Exmor RS stacked back illuminated CMOS sensor w/ DRAM for outstanding image quality and continuous shooting.Battery life(still images)(CIPA):Up to 330 shots / 165 minutes

Read the full review here

Sony A7ii

Now although there’s a newer model of this camera available on the market now, I still think this camera is a great buy for vlogging in 2018. Sure the battery life isn’t as good as the newer models, but this is a full frame mirrorless camera that features in-body stabilisation. This is an incredibly useful feature to have on a camera that you’ll be using for youtube vlogging.

Pair this with external microphone input, great low light abilities due to the full frame sensor and the ability to shoot video in 1080p at 60fps in S-Log2 allowing you better abilities for color grading and you’re onto a pretty good camera for the price. It is a few years old now and as I said there is a newer model but for those of you on a bit more of a tight budget this one may be a great option to consider.

The A7ii features a tilt screen which won’t really help you if you plan on seeing yourself whilst you’re filming but I think that’s probably a good thing as it will make you look directly into the lens rather than the screen and engage with your audience more.

I actually sold my Canon 80D to buy one of these. You can see example photos captured on the Sony A7ii over on our travel blog.

Sony Alpha a7II Mirrorless Digital Camera - Body Only

World's first 5-axis in-body image stabilization in a full-frame camera.
Use your favorite lenses without blur from camera shake.
Capture stunning images with full-frame, 24.3MP resolution.
Fast hybrid AF with phase-detection - 30% faster than a7.
Viewfinder Type:0.5-type electronic viewfinder (colour)

Sony A6500

This crop sensor interchangeable camera has fantastic 4K recording capabilities along with internal stabilization. One of the features that this camera doesn’t have, is a fully articulating screen. The A6500 only has a semi flippable screen that moves up 90 degrees and cannot be viewed from the front. For those looking to get around this, you can attach an external monitor and stick it on the hot shoe at the top.

The A6500 also has a mic input port allowing you to attach an external microphone which gives it the plus over the RX100V to give you crisper audio.

Another benefit of the 6500 is that you can shoot in log, letting you have much more abilities to grade your footage in post production.

Sale

Sony Alpha a6500 Mirrorless Digital Camera w/ 2.95" LCD (Body Only)

24.2MP APS-C Exmor sensor w/ advanced processing up to ISO 51.200
Wide 425 phase detection AF points, Fast 0.05 sec. AF acquisition
5-axis in-body image stabilization steadies every lens. Silent Shooting. Noise Reduction :Long exposure NR: On/Off, available at shutter speeds longer than 1 sec., High ISO NR: Normal/Low/Off
11fps continuous shooting to 269 frames at 24.2MP w/ AE/AF tracking
4K movie w/ 2.4x oversampling4, full pixel readout, no pixel binning

Sony A6000

The Sony A6000 has a 24.3mp APS-C sensor and is classed as one of the best entry level mirrorless cameras on the market over the last few years. With built in wi-fi and NFC this camera can allow you to connect to your phone and send footage/photos directly to your mobile quickly and easily.

Some of the great video features that this camera have is the video peaking and zebras allowing you to take greater control over your video footage for those with a bit more of an understanding on shooting video.

The autofocus on this model is pretty great too with over 170 phase detection points and 25 contrast detecting points. There are other cameras on the market with better focus but for the price, this is a pretty great camera for filming.

Sale

Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3MP SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) w/16-50mm Power Zoom Lens

24 MP APS-C CMOS sensor and Focus Sensitivity Range :EV 0 to EV 20 (at ISO 100 equivalent with F2.8 lens attached)
ISO 100-25600 (expandable to 51200). Lens compatibility- Sony E-mount lenses
Hybrid AF with 179-point focal plane phase-detection and 25 contrast detect points
Up to 11 FPS continious shooting
3-inch tilting LCD with 921,000 dots.Viewfinder Type:0.39 in-type electronic viewfinder (color)

Sony RX100 Mark iv

Next up is the older model of the RX100, the mark iv. This camera is a fantastic compact camera that like the newer model shoots in 4k. The Mark iv has great slow motion capabilities due to its ability to shoot up to 1000fps, so if you love your cinematic slowmo b-roll then this camera has your back.

For those with a better understanding of video editing or even if you fancy just learning then the RX100 mark iv allows you to shoot in S-Log which gives you a greater degree of flexibility when editing.

With the ability to shoot in low light situations due to the wide aperture of f1.8 this camera is a great compact for all environments.

Sale

Sony RX100 IV 20.1 MP Premium Compact Digital Camera w/ 1-inch Sensor, 4K Movies and 40x Super Slow Motion HD DSCRX100M4/B

World's first1 201 MP 1" Exmor RS stacked back illuminated CMOS, High resolution 4K movie recording with direct pixel readout and no pixel binning, Super slow-motion movie3 HFR (High frame rate) up to 960 fps (40x)
Operating temperature:Approx. 0-40°C (32-104°F).Super-speed Anti-Distortion Shutter at max 1/32000 sec up to 16fps, Bright F18- F28 ZEISS Vario-Sonar T* lens (24-70mm), Fast Intelligent AF thanks to the new Exmor RS CMOS sensor
Retractable XGA OLED Tru-Finer viewfinder and Sharp 3" multi-angle LCD, Simple connectivity to smartphones via Wi-Fi and NFC w/ camera apps, Dual record of 168MP photos while shooting movie w/ auto settings. Focal length : f is equal to 8.8-25.7mm
Enhanced pro-video functions and NTSC switchable. Power Consumption : DC3.6 Volt (supplied battery) / DC5.0 Volt (supplied AC Adaptor)

Sony FDR-AX53

This is one of the only cameras that we’ve featured that is a dedicated video camcorder and this is the FDR-AX53. The reason that we’ve included this camera is due to the 4K recording abilities and fully articulated screen allowing you to see yourself when filming.

With built in super smooth image stabilization this handycam is a fantastic camera for those looking for a dedicated video shooter. The AX53 has a great wide angle allowing you to get yourself completely in frame when shooting handheld shots aimed at yourself. You can also attach an external microphone to this camera giving you better audio quality to match the crisp 4K footage.

The manual control ring at the front is also customisable allowing you to change the functionality that you adjust when turning it.

If photography isn’t something that appeals to you then you should definitely consider this camera.

Sale

Sony FDRAX53/B 4K HD Video Recording Camcorder (Black)

4K XAVC-S recording with 16.6MP, Exmor R sensor, B.O.SS stabilization
ZEISS lens(26.8mm) 20x optical zoom in 4K, 30x Clear Image Zoom in 4K
3.0" LCD (Touch panel), EVF, Wi-Fi/NFC, manual ring, night shot, 4K Time-lapse capture
Built-in Zoom Microphone. Minimum Focus Distance- approx. 13/32 Inch (Wide), approx. 31 1/2 Inch (Tele), approx. 1 cm (Wide), approx. 80 cm (Tele). Focal Length (35mm equivalent) (Still Image)- f=26.8-536.0 mm (16:9) f=32.8-656.0 mm (4:3).Focal Length (35 mm equivalent) (Video)- f=26.8-536.0 mm (16:9)2
In-the-box: Rechargeable Battery Pack(NP-FV70/NP-FV70A) (1); AC Adaptor (1); Power Cord (1); Operating Guide(1); HDMI(micro) Cable (1); micro USB Cable (1)

Those are our top picks of the Sony cameras for vlogging in 2018, if none of these have really convinced you that you should pick up a Sony camera for youtube and you fancy checking out some of our other suggestions then why not have a look at what we consider to be the best vlogging cameras available or if you’re on a bit more of a budget then perhaps this cheap sony vlogging camera is better suited for you.

16th November 2017 0 comment

Guides

Best Video Editing Software for Youtube

written by Peter

Having a great camera to shoot your youtube videos is only part of the youtuber workflow. It’s important to be able to edit your footage together or to clean it up that you have a good piece of editing software to work in. I’ve pulled out my top picks for video editing software for creating youtube videos. In this guide you’ll find some of the best youtube editing software for free.

Adobe Premiere Elements 2018

First up is the latest version of Adobe Premiere Elements. This editing suite is great for those just starting out but wants to be a bit more adventurous with their video editing. Premiere Elements gives you control over loads of aspects of your video including transitions and effects like bounce backs but whilst still being easy for those not too comfortable with editing in a more professional piece of software.

You can pick up Adobe premiere elements 2018 for both Mac and PC computers.

iMovie

Another great piece of software for those just starting out and lucky enough to own a Mac is iMovie. This piece of editing software comes preinstalled with all newer Apple products and is a great video editor for beginners and novices. With easy visual timelines, transitions and text features, you can’t go wrong with this free piece of software.

Everything about iMovie makes video editing simple and you can create some great youtube videos right up to 4K resolution exports.

iMovie is an Apple only product, so, unfortunately, isn’t available for PC users.

Final Cut Pro

Coming into more professional level editing software is Final Cut Pro. Again an Apple only product, this piece of software is great for those who want a bit more creative control of the footage that they are editing. With the ability to manage all aspects of your footage down to performing colour grading and colour correction.

Final Cut Pro is actually software that is owned by Apple and as such this product actually integrates well with iMovie, so if you do already edit with iMovie and fancy moving up to something a bit more sophisticated then you can be certain that any footage you’ve editing in iMovie will seamlessly move into Final Cut Pro.

This is more suited for the advanced user but is a really solid piece of software for editing.

Adobe Premiere Pro

Now it’s easy to get confused between this piece of software and the Premiere Elements software that we’ve mentioned earlier on in this rundown, but they are pretty different when it comes to their abilities.

Adobe Premiere Pro is more suited for the more advanced video editor and similarly to final cut pro gives your much more creative abilities when it comes to editing.

Premiere Pro allows you to perform colour grading and correction as well as integrating with other pieces of Adobe software like After Effects to create some amazing videos. There is definitely some learning involved, but this is one of my favourite pieces of software for editing.

Adobe Premiere Pro is available for both Mac and PC computers and can be bought as part of the creative cloud software suite which includes Photoshop, After Effects, Lightroom and more.

BONUS TIP – You can pick the above software up cheap if you have a valid student identification.

Lightworks

Advertising itself as the professional video editor that is available to everyone is Lightworks. Available for both Windows and Mac, this free piece of software looks pretty solid and seems to give you quite a lot of control over your video editing similar to the premium packages by Adobe and Final Cut.

This is not a piece of software that I’ve had any experience with, but on first impressions from screenshots it actually looks quite powerful. There will be a learning curve and it may actually be a bit overkill for those just starting out, but for the more frugal youtuber it may be a great starting point to learn a bit more about colour correction and grading without having to spend a fortune on software.

There is a pro version, but I’m not entirely sure what the difference between the two version are of whether one is reserved for those who are using it in a business environment rather than a home user doing it for youtube.

Download here for both Mac and PC.

These are my top tips for video editing software for youtube. If you know of other great pieces of software for youtube video editing then drop them in the comments below and I’ll happily check them out.

If you’ve already got yourself some great editing software and fancy upgrading your vlogging camera then be sure to check out our best vlogging camera round up.

11th November 2017 0 comment

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