Reviews

Canon M50 Review – Compact 4K Vlogging Camera

written by Peter

Small and amazingly light, this modern classic packs the latest photo and video technology into a stylish design that fits in your hand.

That’s how Canon describe their latest step into the mirrorless camera market with the Canon EOS M50 and we’re here to tell you just why it makes a great camera for vlogging.

Sale

Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera Kit w/EF-M15-45mm and 4K Video (Black)

Improved Dual Pixel CMOS AF and Eye Detection AF
24.1 Megapixel (APS-C) CMOS Sensor with ISO 100-25600 (H: 51200)
4K UHD 24p and HD 120p for Slow Motion
Built-in OLED EVF with Touch and Drag AF
Metering Range:EV 0-20 (at room temperature 73°F/23°C, ISO 100)

What makes the Canon M50 great for Vlogging?

Compact Size

One of the main draws of a mirrorless camera like the Canon M50 is the size. They are the perfect fit between a compact camera and a large DSLR. Making them the ideal all-round vlogging camera for those who want the best of both worlds in a no so bulky camera body.

This camera uses detachable lenses and without a lens attached the body can fit in your hand with relative ease and not be too bulky if you’re looking for a camera to take travelling with you.

4K Recording

Finally Canon have addressed their lack of 4K video recording in a consumer camera by adding it into the Canon M50. It’s something that canon owners have had complaints about with every single new camera release announcement from the company and this is one of their first times including it.

This camera allows you to shoot video in 4K up to 24fps and although it’s not something that many people choose to record in and upload to their youtube channel it’s nice to see Canon stepping into the game with it being included in this camera.

Great Autofocus

Canon are famous for having great autofocus and this camera is no exception. With the inclusion of their dual pixel autofocus system you can be sure that when you’re filming you’ll be sharp and so will your subjects.

Although there are reports that the dual pixel system doesn’t actually work too well in 4K recording mode and you’ll find the camera hunting for a focal point. So if autofocus is a big importance to you then you may have to sacrifice the 4K recording unfortunately for the time being.

Swivel Screen

One of the most important features to any budding youtuber is the ability to see themselves when recording and it’s something that a lot of the bigger names like Sony let themselves down with. Canon have included a fully articulating screen in this latest mirrorless camera so you can see exactly what you’re filming if you’re in front of the lens rather than behind it.

Although a quick pro tip if you’re filming yourself is to look into the lens rather than the screen, so don’t get caught watching yourself too often.

Built In Wireless

Portability is becoming more and more important to people as technology advances and if you’re planning on being a travel vlogger then you don’t want to be taking loads of equipment with you and may even leave your laptop at home but still want to share some of your content on the go.

The Canon M50 helps you there by including built in wi-fi, bluetooth and NFC meaning that you can download an app to your phone and transfer all your files directly to the phone for quick sharing to instagram and other social networks.

I personally know the importance of how useful this feature is to me when I’m abroad and want to quickly share some of the fire content that I’m creating. You’ll love this feature.

Access to Hundreds of Lenses

Canon have some of the best lenses in the camera world and even though this camera is mirrorless and uses a slightly smaller mount, that doesn’t stop you having access to everything available on the canon market.

If like me, you’re already using canon lenses on a bigger body like the 80D, then you’ll probably want to be able to reuse these on the M50 by purchasing a special adapter.

This adapter will allow you to fit all your favourite lenses on to this camera and get full use of them including aperture control and autofocus.

Now if that isn’t useful then I don’t know what is, especially if you’re already a Canon owner.

Sale

Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera Kit w/EF-M15-45mm and 4K Video (Black)

Improved Dual Pixel CMOS AF and Eye Detection AF
24.1 Megapixel (APS-C) CMOS Sensor with ISO 100-25600 (H: 51200)
4K UHD 24p and HD 120p for Slow Motion
Built-in OLED EVF with Touch and Drag AF
Metering Range:EV 0-20 (at room temperature 73°F/23°C, ISO 100)

Round up

I’m absolutely loving the look of this camera, so much so that I’m considering actually buying it once I’ve got some savings together to take the leap.

The more that I’m travelling I’m finding that my Canon 80D is just too clunky to carry around and I’d love something a bit lighter but without sacrificing the features that I’m used to.

I’m very impressed by the Canon M50 and I think that anyone looking to buy a mirrorless vlogging camera should definitely consider this one.

15th August 2018 0 comment

Canon Reviews

Canon 77D Review

written by Peter

If you’re looking to start using Canon DSLR’s to shoot your youtube videos but don’t want to pay some of the top prices for a vlogging camera then perhaps the Canon 77D is the one for you as it makes its way in at the top of Canon’s entry level range.

Sale

Canon EOS 77D EF-S 18-55 is STM Kit

Digic 7 image processor, Iso 100-25600.
Hdr movie & time-lapse movie.
Built-in Wi-Fi*, NFC** and Bluetooth***.
Flash memory type: SDXC

With a newer 24MP APS-C sensor and fast DIGIC 7 processor, the Canon 77D will definitely not leave you feeling disappointed in the quality of video captured unless of course you were hoping for 4K recording, which is yet again missing from this Canon DSLR.

Accurate Autofocus

The 77D features an upgraded 45-point autofocus system as well as Dual Pixel CMOS AF which is similar to that found on some of the more expensive models like the Canon 80D. This technology is incredibly reliable and is exactly what you need when you’re filming yourself and want to be pretty confident that you’ll be kept in focus. The more focus points, the better and this has plenty. Definitely a vloggers best friend.

1080p 60fps

Although this camera doesn’t feature 4K recording it does allow you to capture video footage in 1080p at 60fps which is perfect if you wanted to film those smooth slow-mo cinematic video that you can slow down when editing in your favourite video editing software. So that’s a plus point for this camera.

Flip Out Screen

One of the main features of a great vlogging camera is a flip out screen and the 77D has exactly that with full swivel abilities to let you to see yourself if you’re filming yourself and to allow you to get those up high or down low angles.

Built-In Wi-fi

Travelling with your vlogging camera can sometimes be a lightweight affair so you won’t always have your laptop with you especially if you’re on a trip abroad and only have hand luggage, a laptop is something you’ll probably sacrifice.

That’s where the 77D’s wireless capabilities come in extremely handy. Allowing you to quickly pair the camera with a smartphone lets you transfer video from the camera to your phone so you can edit it and quickly upload to youtube or your social media channels.

External Microphone Port

Audio capabilities on DSLR cameras are never the greatest, so if you’re looking for a bit more flexibility with your audio recording then you’ll be pleased to hear that the 77D does offer you the option to plug in an external microphone via the 3.5mm microphone port.

If you’re considering pairing your camera with an external microphone then the Rode Videomic Go is a great option.

Overall this is a fantastic vlogging camera for those who don’t have the budget to stretch for one of the higher end models and want to invest in something that has a bit more punch to it than the cheaper models. We’re pretty impressed of the specs for this camera at the price point and think it’s definitely a worthy purchase.

Don’t get us wrong, there are some features that would have been nice like 4K recording but it’s not a dealbreaker.

Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below and as always we’ll do our best to help.

Sale

Canon EOS 77D EF-S 18-55 is STM Kit

Digic 7 image processor, Iso 100-25600.
Hdr movie & time-lapse movie.
Built-in Wi-Fi*, NFC** and Bluetooth***.
Flash memory type: SDXC

30th April 2018 0 comment

Reviews Samson

Samson Go Mic Mobile Review

written by Peter

As a vlogger you may think that you’ve got things covered by having incredibly crisp looking video, but what if we told you that’s only one part of what you need to care about when creating your video? There’s also audio too and so many people forget all about this important part.

Sale

Samson Go Mic Mobile Professional Handheld Wireless System for Mobile Video

2.4GHz low latency digital wireless system
Dual-channel receiver mounts directly to smartphones, tablets, digital cameras and tripods
HXD2 Handheld Transmitter with Q8 Professional Dynamic Microphone capsule
Up to 100' operating range (line-of-sight)
Included Lightning, USB Micro B, USB-C and 1/8" (3.5mm) cables

Investing in great audio equipment is a must if you really want to stand out, that’s why a simple piece of equipment like the Go Mic Mobile is perfect for those looking to get professional level audio recording equipment that also hooks directly up to your mobile phone for the ultimate professional portable recording rig.

With a super simple setup that attaches to most mobile phones as long as it uses either lightning, micro-usb and USB-C as well as giving you the ability to hook into a DSLR with the 3.5mm audio cable.

The Samson Go Mic Mobile is recharged via USB and takes around 3 hours to fully charge or a fast charging USB port giving you around 7-13 hours usage time. The Microphone runs via two AA batteries (not included) and is accessed by unscrewing the handle section.

There is also a lavalier version of this kit should you rather use something like that over the hand held microphone.

The go mic mobile was incredibly easy to pair as it already comes pre-paired from the factory and will work straight out of the box. It was really just a case of plugging it into the phone, turning the power on both devices on and hitting record on the camera app.

We tested this device from a variety of distances and the quality was fantastic each time. The specs booklet says that it has a maximum range of around 30m in a direct line of sight which is further than we tested but that really gives you an idea of the possibilities that this equipment give you when you’re filming.

The receiver can be hooked up to two devices at the same time allowing you to have more than one person hooked up to a lavalier or hand held microphone for more interview style video recording.

One of the best aspects about the device is the ability for it to be used with multiple different devices with different setups simply by changing a cable or a 5 second pairing sequence making it great for those who shoot on multiple different devices like myself who uses DSLR, compact camera and iPhone for filming when travelling.

If you’re looking for something with a bit more freedom to roam around and filming from a distance than a normal shotgun microphone like the Rode Videomic Go would give you then this is the ideal solution.

Sale

Samson Go Mic Mobile Professional Handheld Wireless System for Mobile Video

2.4GHz low latency digital wireless system
Dual-channel receiver mounts directly to smartphones, tablets, digital cameras and tripods
HXD2 Handheld Transmitter with Q8 Professional Dynamic Microphone capsule
Up to 100' operating range (line-of-sight)
Included Lightning, USB Micro B, USB-C and 1/8" (3.5mm) cables

12th April 2018 0 comment

Canon Reviews

Canon Powershot SX720HS Review

written by Peter

If you’re looking for a point and shoot camera that doesn’t break the bank and has all the features of a great vlogging camera then this might be one of the best canon cameras for you. Although it’s a slightly older camera it definitely stands up there with some of the best cameras and the specs let you see why.

Let’s have a look at why this is an ideal camera for starting out on youtube.

1080p Full HD video

High quality video is a must for any budding youtuber and this camera delivers 1080p full HD video capture. One of the added features of this camera is the ability to choose whether you shoot at 24p, 30p or 60p meaning you have so much more control over the number of frames captured per second depending on the situation and the type of footage you want to create.

Fancy that buttery smooth slo-mo video then shoot at 60p and then slow the video down in your editing software.

This camera gives you all that control to be much more creative with your content.

It’s incredibly lightweight

Weighing just 8.6oz (0.5lbs), the Canon SX720HS is really light making it fantastic for taking out and about for filming on the go or when you fancy shooting a travel vlog. This camera certainly won’t leave you with a dead arm if you’re filming yourself on the move.

It’s a great size for slipping into your pocket, bag or just generally being easy to carry round and not causing you too much trouble on figuring out how you’re going to store it when you need your hands free.

Good focus abilities

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.

As this is a budget range camera it is lacking in some of the abilities that you would find handy in a vlogging camera such as a flip screen that some its upgraded siblings like the G7X Mark ii have, but if that’s something that you can live without and you’re looking for a cheap but good video camera then this is a pretty solid choice for starting out on youtube.

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.

23rd March 2018 0 comment

Canon Reviews

Canon 70D

written by Peter

Used by some of the biggest youtubers in the game, the Canon EOS 70D, despite being released in 2013, still competes with some of the top of the range cameras on the market.

This camera has so many features that are ideal for anyone looking to upgrade their current vlogging camera to something a bit more high spec, but perhaps going for some of the newer models is pushing their budget just that bit too much.

Flip Screen

One of the main features that makes this such a great camera for vlogging is the fact that it has a it’s a DSLR camera with a fully articulating flip screen. This is ideal for anyone who wants to make themselves the subject of the video and needs to keep an eye on whether they are in focus or even still completely in frame.

It’s also good for keeping an eye on whether any settings may need changed due to changes in environmental light, like leaving your footage looking over or underexposed if the sun decides to appear or disappear half way through filming.

Great Autofocus

The Canon 70D has a 19 cross-type point autofocus which allows it to have razor sharp focus when recording ensuring that you will have a much more accurate clip and won’t be left kicking yourself when you find out that the entire ten minute video you were filming wasn’t focused correctly.

Having such a good focus system is ideal if you’re in front of the camera and want the focus to follow you as you move, keeping you clear the whole time.

Full HD Video

Shooting video in at least 1080p is the standard these days and you’ll be hard pressed to find someone who would rather watch a video in a lower resolution. This camera won’t leave you with any of those issues as it films up to a maximum of 1080p at 24, 25 and 30fps.

Sadly this camera only records 60fps at a maximum resolution of 720p, which isn’t ideal but still does a great job if you’re looking to get some of those cinematic sequences.

Built in Wi-fi

Want to send the files from your camera to your phone without the use of a laptop? The Canon 70D has exactly what you need by featuring built in wi-fi. Just hook your phone up to the built in wi-fi network and you can quickly copy the files from your camera to your phone allowing you to edit and upload to youtube, instagram or any other social media channel that you want, all without the need for a laptop.

This is great if you are travelling and need to free up some space on your memory card, but just can’t take your computer or laptop with you.

It’s been an absolute lifesaver for me on quite a few occasions.

So there you have it. That’s my round up of some of the best features of the Canon 70D and why you should consider it for your next vlogging camera whether you’re doing on the move vlogs or even beauty and make up tutorial videos.

As always, any questions just pop them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to get you an answer.

Sale

Canon EOS 70D Video Creator Kit with 18-135mm Lens, Rode VIDEOMIC GO and Sandisk 32GB SD Card Class 10 - Wi-Fi Enabled

Canon EOS 70D w/ 18-135mm Lens
Rode VIDEOMIC GO
Sandisk 32GB SD Card Class 10

13th February 2018 0 comment

Reviews Sony

Sony A6300

written by Peter

Some of the best mirrorless cameras of the modern day are made by Sony and the recently launched Sony A6300 is no exception to this. It’s one of the more affordable Sony cameras on the market, but how does it fare if you plan on using it as a camera to record vlogs?

Let’s find out.

Sony Alpha a6300 Mirrorless Camera: Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with APS-C, Auto Focus & 4K Video - ILCE 6300 Body with 3” LCD Screen - E Mount Compatible - Black (Includes Body Only)

FASTER AUTOFOCUS: Shoot up to 11fps with 425 phase detection auto focus points and 0.05 sec AF speed
INCREDIBLE PHOTOGRAPHY: Advanced 24.2 MP Exmore CMOS sensor expands sensitivity and minimizes noise
ELECTRONIC VIEWFINDER: Cameras feature a high resolution XGA OLED Tru-Finder for enhanced viewing
4K & HD RECORDING: Record professional content with multiple movie functions and full pixel readout
COMPACT & DURABLE: Dust and moisture seals protect the magnesium alloy body from harsh conditions

4K Video Capture

For any vlogger it’s important to have great video quality and in 2018 having 1080p footage is what I would consider at least the minimum that a video should be shot in. Nobody wants to watch grainy videos unless your content is mind blowing, but usually first impressions count for a lot and if your video quality isn’t up to scratch then people will click off and probably won’t return.

The Sony A6300 shoots at 4K and 1080p in a variety of framerates giving you excellent abilities to capture cinematic style clips in 24fps right up to 120fps second which can allow you to really slow the video footage down in your editing software for beautiful slow-mo shots.

S-Log Video Capture

This feature may be completely redundant to a lot of readers, but having the opportunity to shoot in an S-Log profile opens a wide range of abilities to those who like to color correct their footage in software like Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro in post production.

S-Log will let you shoot in what’s also known as a “flat” picture profile which when you first see it looks extremely washed out, but it actually lets you do much more with your video in editing. It allows you to keep a lot more information and detail in the highlights without losing the details in the shadows, something that often is lost when you have to underexpose to keep the highlights from being blown out.

Fast Accurate Autofocus

The A6300 uses a superfast focus system which they call “4D focus”. This means that it uses an incredible 425 phase detection autofocus points to pull the subject into focus. It’s extremely important to have great autofocus on a vlogging camera as there’s nothing worse than filming an entire section for your video only to watch the clips back and realize that you’re completely out of focus.

This camera will definitely keep you in focus and boasts some of the fastest technology on the market with a focus time of 0.05 seconds.

Low Light Shooting

This camera is fantastic for shooting in low light situations and is being touted as a cheaper version of the Sony A7S II which can only be a really good thing for vloggers on a budget as the A7S II is a low light beast. The A6300 has an ISO range of 100 up to 51,200 and reports are that even when shooting at 25,600 ISO the footage is still really clean with little noise as would usually be expected from using such a high ISO setting.

This clip from Cinema5D below gives you an idea of the low light capabilities of this camera so you can see for yourself.

This camera really ticks all the right boxes but it does have one thing missing that could make it a dealbreaker and seems to be a missing feature on a lot of the Sony mirrorless systems and that is a flip screen. Yes the screen on this camera does move, but with only 90 degrees maximum movement that means that it won’t flip all the way around and let you see yourself if you’re filming hand held.

This isn’t a huge deal if you’re into more cinematic style youtube videos and don’t really plan on filming yourself handheld very often. The specs of this camera are outstanding and definitely one to consider if you’re looking for great video quality but can’t afford to spend upwards of $2k on one of the beefier A7S II cameras.

If there’s anything else you want to know about this camera then just leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Don’t forget to check out some of the other Sony camera lineup.

Sony Alpha a6300 Mirrorless Camera: Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with APS-C, Auto Focus & 4K Video - ILCE 6300 Body with 3” LCD Screen - E Mount Compatible - Black (Includes Body Only)

FASTER AUTOFOCUS: Shoot up to 11fps with 425 phase detection auto focus points and 0.05 sec AF speed
INCREDIBLE PHOTOGRAPHY: Advanced 24.2 MP Exmore CMOS sensor expands sensitivity and minimizes noise
ELECTRONIC VIEWFINDER: Cameras feature a high resolution XGA OLED Tru-Finder for enhanced viewing
4K & HD RECORDING: Record professional content with multiple movie functions and full pixel readout
COMPACT & DURABLE: Dust and moisture seals protect the magnesium alloy body from harsh conditions

17th December 2017 0 comment

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