Best cameras for vlogging 2024: choices for every budget

The best vlogging camera is the one you have with you. But if you’re looking to upgrade your vlogging game, the options are plentiful. Look at our list below and you’ll find huge variety: from pocket-friendly gimbal cams to premium mirrorless hybrids. We’ve tested each one extensively and they all rate highly, in their own way, as vlogging cameras. 

Based on hours of testing, we think the best camera for most vloggers in 2024 is the DJI Osmo Pocket 3. It’s genuinely pocket-friendly and uses a 3-axis stabilizing gimbal to shoot smooth 4K content. Auto-tracking smarts make it easy to vlog solo, while pairing it with the DJI Mic 2 results in quality audio. It’s so good, we use it to shoot TechRadar’s TikTok content. That said, we know it might not be the right choice for your vlogging plans.

The idea behind our round-up is to make it easy for you to find your ideal vlogging camera, whatever your budget. To that end, our experienced team has extensively tested a whole range of vlogging options out in the real world. We assess factors such as image stabilization, handling, autofocus and connectivity, as well as overall video quality. You’ll find our honest feedback broken down for each entry, as well as the niche we think it fits best.

Top 3 picks

If you’re short on buying time, use the summary below for a shortcut to the best vlogging cameras. When you find one that fits your needs and budget, follow the links beneath each entry to jump down to our in-depth explainers.

Best by use-case

The best cameras for vlogging in 2024

Below you’ll find full write-ups for each of the best vlogging cameras in our list. We’ve tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

The best pocket vlogging camera

DJI Pocket 3 sample video

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is a superb compact vlogging camera, which massively improves on the already highly-rated DJI Pocket 2. Not only do you get a pocket-friendly form factor and silky smooth footage thanks to a three-axis gimbal, but its video quality is capable of keeping up with larger devices like the Sony ZV-1. New features like a 1-inch sensor and 2-inch rear LCD cement its place as the best vlogging camera for most people. The former not only improves the Pocket 3’s low-light capabilities and resolution, but also crucially ramps up support for multi-aspect video.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 will give you a substantial upgrade versus a smartphone when it comes to vlogging. You get support for 4K 120p (fantastic for slo-mo footage), while its pocket-friendly size and gimbal make it much more convenient than an interchangeable lens camera. It supports remote mics too, although the onboard mic is more than enough for decent audio quality. Thanks to a rotating touchscreen rear display, switching between a vertical aspect ratio or traditional horizontal 16:9 is seamless – and the resulting footage is fantastic, as you’re not losing out on any detail. 

Read our in-depth DJI Pocket 3 review

The best compact vlogging camera

Compact and powerful, we think the Sony ZV-1 nails what most people want from a small vlogging camera. Its compact packaging gives it excellent versatility, as do its hotshoe, mic port, and fully articulating touchscreen. In field testing, we found its real-time tracking and Eye AF to be best-in-class and the 1-inch sensor was capable of producing crisp, detailed 4K/30p video. Our review also confirmed that the ZV-1 offers a huge amount of depth for a compact camera, with handy features like a built-in ND filter and S-Log2 profiles for those who want to embrace color grading. 

While the newer Sony ZV-1F offers a wider 20mm lens and smartphone-style interface for a lower price, its older contrast AF system and coldshoe mount mean it can’t oust the original from the top spot. Nor can the Sony ZV-1 II, the pricier successor to the ZV-1 that features a wider lens but no in-body stabilization. These are great cameras, but their feature sets don’t merit the extra cost – especially when Sony is continuing the sell the the ZV-1.

Read our in-depth Sony ZV-1 review

The best premium vlogging camera

We love the Panasonic Lumix GH6, but once the Lumix G9 II was launched with better autofocus for video, it was only a matter of time before the GH7 was launched with the same phase detection AF system, correcting what was arguably the one remaining flaw in Panasonic’s GH-series of video-focused cameras. 

For the money, you’ll struggle to find a more powerful video camera than the Lumix GH7. It has an embarrassment of riches: 5.7K 30p ProRes RAW HQ internal recording, 4K 120p and FHD 240p slow-motion video, plus support for Real Time LUTs. Its pro-level video resolution, array of 10-bit modes, choice of frame rates and color profiles are ably supported by industry-leading image stabilization and unlimited record times thanks to a built-in cooling fan. There’s even some industry firsts, including built-on 32-bit float audio recording (with XLR2 mic adapter).

It’s 25.2MP Micro Four Thirds sensor won’t be for everyone, especially low light shooters, while battery life could be better, and it’s quite a chunky camera considering the sensor size comparable to the full-frame Lumix S5 II, but its robust design really can’t be faulted and there really is little else to detract from what is an excellent first camera for aspiring filmmakers.

Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix GH7 review

The best hybrid vlogging camera

Fujifilm X-S20 sample video

The Fujifilm X-S20 takes everything that made the X-S10 one of our favorite vlogging cameras and introduces features that make it feel like a more user-friendly option for fledgling content creators. Inheriting the well-balanced body of the X-S10 means the X-S20 sits very comfortably in the hand, while our first impressions in testing found that simplified dials on the top plate make it easier to get to grips with what is quite an advanced shooting tool. It also inherits the same 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor as the X-S10 and X-T4, which we already know from our previous tests is a top performer. 

The X-S20 boosts things further by offering 6K/30p 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording, which is close to overkill. Improved in-body image stabilization also worked well in testing. With a bigger battery on-board, we think this all adds up to a great mirrorless all-rounder. Its price hike will be a drawback for many beginners, while the lack of weather sealing is a broader disappointment. The older X-S10 is still available at a lower price, but features such as a dedicated Vlog mode – which puts neat creative settings a tap away – make the X-S20 the more tempting proposition for vloggers.

Read our in-depth Fujifilm X-S20 review

The best full-frame vlogging camera

Sony ZV-E1 sample video

A good vlogging camera should be compact and easy to operate, boxes both ticked by the Sony ZV-E1. As the smallest, lightest full-frame camera with image stabilization, we found it a winner for solo vlogging. The ZV-E10 is even more portable, but you won’t get the same video quality from its smaller APS-C sensor. It’s not perfect for heavy use, with no cooling vents and just one card slot. We also found it tricky to pick out details on the touchscreen when working outdoors. But if you’re a content creator shooting alone, we still think the ZV-E1 is the ultimate full-frame choice for 4K vlogging.

Our tests found it capable of capturing crisp 4K 60p footage in all lighting conditions, thanks to a full-frame sensor borrowed from the revered A7S III. We were also impressed by its in-body image stabilization, which produced superbly smooth handheld footage that almost makes a gimbal unnecessary. Cutting-edge AI smarts also leave very little to fix after the fact: Auto Framing reliably tracks subjects across the image, which we think is a big win when you’re recording alone.

Read our in-depth Sony ZV-E1 review

The best beginner vlogging camera

Nikon Z30 sample video

Nikon’s smallest and cheapest APS-C mirrorless camera to date, the Z30 is a compact APS-C camera pitched squarely at vlogging beginners. With no viewfinder, it goes all in on a vari-angle touchscreen. Despite its tidy proportions, our tests found that a generous grip made the Z30 comfortable to handle, even when self-shooting. The 3.0-inch display was also intuitive to use. Flip it for vlogging and the camera switches to selfie mode, reliably tracking your face with sticky autofocus. What you can’t do in selfie mode is visually check sound levels. With no headphone jack, this leaves audio monitoring to guesswork.

Nikon’s APS-C lens range remains limited, but the 16-50mm kit glass is impressively sharp. And because the Z30 records using the whole width of the sensor, you can utilise the lens’ full field of view. Electronic vibration reduction also stabilizes handheld vlogging, although its 1.3x crop is restrictive at arm’s length. But with EV-R disabled, the Z30 can shoot uncropped 4K/30p and HD 120p video. Together with a range of color profiles and neat touches like a tally lamp, the Z30 shapes up as a competent offering for fledgling creators.

Read our in-depth Nikon Z30 review

The best mid-range vlogging camera

Panasonic S5 II sample video

A full-frame camera will be overkill for most vloggers, but if you want to record vlogs using a larger sensor, we think the Panasonic S5 II is a good bet. It’s lighter than the Panasonic GH5 (above), yet still feels solid in the hand. A tally light would be handy when working solo, but we otherwise found its controls intuitive in testing, with an articulating display that’s crisp and useful for framing. Panasonic has finally embraced phase detection AF for video on the S5 II. Paired with effective image stabilization, the result is dreamy smooth video even when shooting handheld.

In our review, we found that the S5 II excels when shooting video. It produced excellent 6K/30p footage, with rich colors and wide dynamic range. Helpfully, it can record uncropped video using the full 3:2 aspect ratio of the sensor, which means you can easily crop content for different social platforms. Depending on your lens choice, some vloggers will find the 1.5x crop on 4K/60p video limiting, while you’ll need the premium S5 IIX for features like wireless IP streaming. Still, we think the S5 II is a compelling hybrid package for vloggers, especially with the excellent 20-60mm kit lens.

Read our in-depth Panasonic S5 II review

The best purpose-built vlogging camera

Canon Powershot V10 sample video

Purpose-built for vlogging, the Canon Powershot V10 is the first of a new breed designed to rival the phone in your pocket. It uses the same 1-inch sensor as the Powershot G7 X III from 2019, but optimised to work with a fixed 18mm F2.8 lens to rival the Sony ZV-1F. While dated in some ways, it has a natural advantage over most smartphones, producing sharp, detailed results in bright conditions, aided by subject-tracking that proved reliably sticky in testing. Digital image stabilization is a little jittery when smoothing footsteps, but this will likely improve with future firmware updates.

We found its form factor curious in our review: there’s room for improvement, but it handles well on the whole. Though it would benefit from better front-on visibility, the 2-inch flip-up touchscreen is useful for framing, while the simple control setup – including a big record button – proved pretty foolproof. We also found that its built-in stand makes life easier when working solo. Straightforward wireless live-streaming also enhances the camera’s vlogging chops. So while it can’t compete with the latest alternatives, the Powershot V10 makes sense as a pared-back choice for vloggers who want point-and-shoot simplicity.

Read our in-depth Canon Powershot V10

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The best action camera for vlogging

GoPro Hero 12 Black sample video

If your videos are more adventurous, we think the GoPro Hero 12 Black is the best action cam for vlogging. It builds on the already impressive Hero 11 Black, introducing some pro-focused features that includes Bluetooth support, dual channel audio, better battery life, a tripod thread, plus the full 8:7 sensor area is now available for all video modes, with GoPro’s log profile and HDR video. You also get the same 5.3K video at up to 60fps, with Horizon Lock and HyperSmooth 5.0, which do a remarkable job of keeping videos perfectly level when vlogging handheld. All of this together lets you create content that you couldn’t replicate with a smartphone.

Both models are physically the same – barring the Hero 12 Black’s addition of a tripod thread – and use the same battery, even though the new model’s battery life is much better. The sensor is the same, too, so low-light performance underwhelms when compared to the DJI Osmo Action 4. And if you don’t need its more serious video features, then the Hero 11 Black could be a more sensible option given it costs less. However, as our review notes, the Hero 12 Black is an action camera “edging closer to perfection”.

Read our in-depth GoPro Hero 12 Black review

The best miniature vlogging camera

Few cameras offer the vlogging portability of the Insta360 Go 3S. Hitting the scales at a mere 1.38oz / 39.1g, the camera itself is a tiny, pared-back, screen-less pebble that’s capable of capturing detailed 4K video and 12MP stills. It features magentic mounting and comes with accessories including a lanyard so that you can shoot hands-free first-person perspectives, and squeeze it into tiny spaces for unique POVs. Versatility is the name of the Go-series game. 

In our review, we found its stabilization isn’t up to GoPro standards, but the FlowState software does a reasonable job of mitigating walking motion, especially if you process video with your laptop rather than the Insta360 app. There’s no display on the camera itself and battery life is understandably limited given the small sizr of the camera, which could be dealbreakers for some, but the Go 3S comes with an Action Pod that with 2.4in screen and UI to control the camera and update settings and offer a remote view – it’s a super handy alternative to using Insta360’s app, plus it boosts battery life of the Go 3S. The only real downside to the Action Pod is that it isn’t waterproof like the Go 3S is. 

Overall, we loved reviewing the Go 3S. It’s fun for all ages. It doesn’t give you the best quality video of all the options here, but you can shoot completely unique content with it thanks to its tiny size and could prove to be an invaluable second camera.

Read our in-depth Insta360 Go 3S review

The best smartphone gimbal for vlogging

Today’s smartphones are already excellent vlogging tools, but DJI’s stabilized handles are a great way to add to your mobile’s video skills. With a smaller battery than previous editions, the latest model also sacrifices power bank functionality in favor of a more refined, compact design. 

In testing, we thought the OM 5 felt more elegant and premium than previous editions. We also felt that the option to extend it into a selfie stick added useful creative scope, even if it proved a little fiddly – and offered a less versatile roll range than the OM 4 before it. We found that the 3-axis gimbal still did a great job of keeping footage smooth and steady. Improved active tracking and ShotGuides in the Memo app were also a hit in testing. If you’re happy to have a grip attached to your phone, this tool will transform it into a clever videography combo.

Read our in-depth DJI OM 5 review

The best 360 degree vlogging camera

Insta360 X4 360 sample video

The waterproof Insta360 X4 won us over during testing. Not just for its novel 360-degree features and best-ever 8K video with superb image stablization, but also for its versatility – in its single-lens mode you can shoot 4K 60p video, which considering its fully waterproof makes the X4 a legitimate action camera. You can go places and do things with the X4 for your vlogs that you simply can’t do with other vlogging cameras, like the DJI Pocket 3, which isn’t built to withstand tough weather or take a dip in the ocean.

We had so much fun trying out the bullet time, hyperlapse and timelapse modes, while the increased 8K resolution sensor improves just about every shooting mode. For example, FreeFrame can shoot single-lens videos in multiple aspect ratios – you pick if you want vertical or horizontal, ideal for getting your content out in multiple versions for different platforms. It may be a 360-degree camera, but the Insta360 X is the swiss army knife in the video world, and one of its tool is defintely vlogging.   

Read our in-depth Insta360 X4 hands-on review

How to choose the best vlogging camera

From premium webcams to mirrorless models, the best vlogging cameras come in a range of shapes and sizes. The features you need will vary depending on what and how you like to shoot.

If you’re a solo filmmaker, for example, you’ll probably want a camera with an articulating touchscreen which makes it much easier to frame shots when working by yourself. Equally, if a lot of your content involves speaking to the camera, you’ll need an external microphone input to ensure you capture top-notch audio for your audience. Reliable face-tracking autofocus will also mean that your subject stays sharp, even if they move within the frame.

A lot of vloggers like to walk and talk at the same time. If this is your style, you should consider a camera with in-body image stabilization. This will help to smooth out any shaky motion caused by your footsteps and make footage much more watchable. Some cameras go a step further with an integrated gimbal which counteracts motion on several axes to stay level, like the DJI Pocket 2.

Almost all of the best vlogging cameras can now shoot in 4K resolution as standard. But it’s important to look beyond resolution alone. High frame rates of 120fps and above will allow you to shoot stunning slow-motion footage, for example. And if post-processing is part of your workflow, 10-bit color depth will give you greater flexibility in the editing room.

What kind of camera do vloggers use?

As you can tell from the buying advice above, vloggers use a wide range of different cameras depending on their specific needs. 

Many vloggers favor mirrorless models for their combination of image quality, performance and flexibility. The best mirrorless vlogging cameras feature high-resolution sensors, in-body image stabilization for smoother footage, plus the option to swap lenses to suit different shooting scenarios – all in packages that are relatively portable. Mirrorless cameras are also more likely to feature ports for connecting external accessories, such as microphones, headphones and hot-shoe lights.

That said, some vloggers prefer to prioritize portability. Truly tiny cameras like the Insta360 Go 2 sacrifice total creative control in favor of quick, simple accessibility for capturing off-the-cuff footage. Compact cameras like the Sony ZV-1 can represent a good middle ground for a lot of vloggers, offering solid image quality and manual control options, yet still in a form factor that can comfortably slip into a pocket.

Other vloggers choose cameras which are specifically suited to their shooting needs. Rugged models like the GoPro Hero 10 Black, for example, offer advanced connectivity and live-streaming options, plus plenty of creative modes, in a sturdy package that makes it easy to shoot vlogs even in extreme weather conditions.

Vloggers who stream from a seated position will often favor a premium webcam like the Razer Kiyo Pro, which deftly fills a unique niche. Equally, those who want a dedicated tool to record while they walk-and-talk might use something like DJI’s Pocket 2.

How we test vlogging cameras

How we test vlogging cameras

The most important features for a vlogging camera are its video quality, autofocus, in-body image stabilization and audio options, so those are the main areas our tests focus on. 

To review the video quality, we shoot at the camera’s highest resolution and frame-rate in a variety of handheld scenes, including the popular walk-and-talk style, to see how it handles colors, skin tones, detail and rolling shutter. We also include high-contrast scenes to test how well the auto-exposure and white balance adapt to changes in lighting.

These tests are also a good opportunity to the test the vlogging camera’s Face and Eye tracking autofocus, along with the quality of its stabilization (both electronic and mechanical, if available). Another thing we test in these scenes is an oft-overlooked part of the vlogging equation, the built-in microphones. If the camera has a microphone input, we’ll also use it with an external lav mic to see how the quality compares to its internal audio.

Many of the latest vlogging cameras include additional features like flat color profiles, articulating touchscreens, built-in ND filters and, in Sony’s case, a ‘product showcase’ feature that’s ideal for those who run a YouTube channel from home. If available, we test all of these functions to see how they fare compared to their closest rivals, then wrap up our conclusions based on our various impressions of the camera’s build quality, design, video quality, audio quality and features.