Vlogging is a way of earning, vlogging is a passion and sometimes vlogging is both for someone. However, buying a camera for the same can be a daunting task. Without a good camera, all of your efforts and time in creating a quality vlog go in vain and will remain unnoticed.
And vlogging cameras are so, so expensive! For every beginner, this might not sound good at all. Not to worry though! You can find good quality cameras at such an affordable price tag. Here are the top 10 best vlogging cameras under $500!
Sony RX100 Premium Digital Camera
One of the best digital cameras for vlogs that you could get around this price tag is the reputable Sony RX100. Being one of Sony’s first compact cameras, the RX100 became popular thanks to its high-quality and manual features which allowed every photographer to take professional-looking photos without needing a bulky DSLR.
Being small in size, this camera is so comfortable to hold and you will not struggle taking it around and to record on the go. Its image stabilization works wonders and provides great stable videos. Probably the best thing about this compact camera is its lens. You get a 1.8f lens for the price tag which makes it a good purchase.
In addition, you can also make a slow-Mo video because it allows you to record at 60 fps. And you get to choose to record between 30 and 60fps at 1080p, giving you more options than most cameras you can find under this price range. Lastly, the RX100 features RAW shooting and full manual mode, which is a great advantage for vloggers and photographers.
Pros:
- High-quality lens
- Good in low light
- Pocketable design
Cons:
- No external mic port
- No flip screen
Sony DSCHX80/B Point & Shoot Camera
Although the Sony RX100 provides great quality for its price, if you want a much cheaper option and a lot friendlier to vloggers, then the Sony DSCHX80/B Point and Shoot Camera will do!
This camera is Sony’s offering for people who would not mind having a bit of not-so-good low-light performance for its cheap price. The lens does not handle high ISO well and is a bit slower.
However, the camera can still record at 1080p 60fps video and comes with stabilizations so you do not produce a shaky one. Plus you get a flip screen which makes it easier for you to record yourself in selfie mode. The DSCHX80/B is probably enough if you do not think that you will do a lot of recording during the night.
Pros:
- Good price
- Portable and small
- Comes with a flip screen
Cons:
- The slow lens does not help fwithlow-light shooting
- No external mic port
- Small sensor
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mirrorless Digital Camera
This camera is one of Olympu’s OM-D lines that offers beginners an affordable vlogging camera. The E-M10 takes features from its more expensive siblings— a built-in Wi-Fi and TruePic VII image processor from the E-M1 and a 16MP 4/3 sensor from E-M5.
The E-M10’s primary selling point is the 5-axis image stabilization which is already something rare to find in vlogging cameras under $500. The camera shoots videos of 1920 x 1080 at 30p which is enough for casual video shooting.
Videos shot with the E-M10, however, lack sharpness, and some details are soft. The camera does try to make up for this letdown with its capability to record videos with effects like art filters applied. The camera comes with a Movie Tele-Converter filter that enlarges the chosen area in the frame to its full size.
Such features are particularly useful for vloggers that do not have the time to edit their videos on their computers. And starting an editing process in-camera is a sure way to save you time.
Pros:
- Good low-light performance
- Can record footage with video filters and effects applied
- 5-axis image stabilization
Cons:
- No flip screen
- Not as compact as others
- No mic jack
Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II Digital Camera
The PowerShot G9 X Mark II packs great features in such a small and compact body. Weighing only 206g, this compact camera from Canon is probably one of the lightest gadgets on this list that makes it truly pocketable.
The camera also features one of the smallest sensors in this list. And despite its 1-inch sensor, the G9 X still manages to exceed the Olympus Camera’s 16MP by 4 MP more! And do not belittle this compact camera. It can shoot great full HD video at 1920 x 1080 up to 60p!
Its 28 – 84mm f/2.0 – 4.9 lens is pretty good for its price and is only 0.2 steps away from the G7X’s lens aperture. But, keep in mind that it still has a relatively cheap sensor, and moving beyond ISO3200 should result in some noticeable grain in your videos. The G9 X comes fully equipped with built-in optical image stabilization for reducing the effects of camera shaking and making sure that your videos flow better.
Pros:
- Good image stabilization
- Good video quality considering its small sensor
- Pocketable design
Cons:
- No flip or tilt screen
- Bad AF in low light
- No mic jack
Sony A5100 Mirrorless Digital Camera
Finding a good camera should not always need to drain your wallet and the Sony A5100 helps proves this. Following Sony’s NEX series of mirrorless cameras and camcorders, the A5100 combines the compact body type of the previous NEX models with an impressive 24MP APS-C sensor from the Sony Alpha A6000.
This only makes the Sony A5100 one of the most compact and smallest cameras with DSLR-like sensors that is great for on-the-go video and image shooting. Its great sensor also allows it to shoot nicely well in low-light conditions. However, it is also worth noting that there should be noticeable grains when shooting beyond ISO3200.
The affordable mirrorless camera features an impressively fast AF system. With its 25 contrast-detection points and 179 phase-detection points, you can be sure that every subject will be in focus wherever part of the frame they might be. The Sony A5100 also boasts a tilt screen that can be adjusted up to 180 degrees so that you can see what the camera captures while vlogging yourself. Plus, the touchscreen also offers more control with white balance shifting and zooming.
Another great thing about this camera is its battery. It allows you to get more out of its charge and has a decent duration of 75 minutes of footage in a single charge. A letdown is that it is not equipped with in-camera image stabilization. But, it makes up for this issue with its 16 – 50mm f/3.5 – 5.6 kit lens that comes with standard optical image stabilization.
Pros:
- Compact and small
- APS-C sensor
- Fast AF system
- Comes with a flip screen
- Touchscreen
Cons:
- No in-body stabilization
- No mic jack
Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS70S Digital Camera
The Panasonic Lumix ZS70S manages to pack a lot of incredible features as well as the ability to record in 4K into a camera that only costs under $500. One of the key features that are not normally seen on a camera of this price range is its 3-inch articulating touch screen that allows you to tap to pull focus while recording. Also, you can adjust exposure settings while recording through the well-implemented touchscreen, a huge advantage for vloggers who need to easily adjust their scene mid-recording.
Its headline feature is, without a doubt, its 4K recording option. And this is available at 30 or 25fps. Also, you do not need to put up with a cropped view of images when shooting in 4K. The 4K Live Cropping mode utilizes the 4k frame to provide a digital plan and help zoom features at 1080p resolution. You only need to select a start and end point by tapping the screen and selecting an overall time of the clip to stimulate a smooth pan/zoom.
Another great feature of the Lumix ZS70S is the Snap Movie that lets you set up a “focus pull in advance. This camera records 1080p at 28MB in MP4 or AVCHD modes. Besides the 1080p 50/60, the camera’s MP4 modes are 720p 25/30 and 1080p 25/30. Also, its in-built mic does a great job at picking up audio. The 5-axis inbuilt optical image stabilization also helps in smoothing out small bumps that are common with hand-holding compact cameras.
There is also a Level Shot function that detects and maintains the horizontal line of images even if the camera is tilted. Its AF-tracking system together with the Continuous AF hand and the face-detect system does a great job at finding a subject’s face and locking onto it for the entire video. Lastly, the thumb rest area and rubber grip are a nice addition to the slippery metallic shell, providing a more secure grip when holding the camera and taking videos.
Pros:
- Touchscreen
- 4K video recording
- Good AF racking system
- Comes with ta humb rest and rubber grips
- 5-axis optical image stabilization
Cons:
- AF system is not that fast
- Not that great ainlow-light conditions
Canon PowerShot SX730 Digital Camera
Offering excellent value for the money, the Canon PowerShot SX730 comes with built-in Bluetooth, NFC, and Wi-Fi so you can seamlessly transfer images and videos to your PC, Android phones, and social sharing sites.
This digital camera comes with a massive 40x optical zoom and a 3-inch touchscreen. And because it can shoot at 1080p, this one is a great choice for vlogging without breaking the bank. You can opt to record video at 24p, 30p, or 60p, ideal for various filming conditions. It also boasts Digic 6 image processing that helps deliver exceptional processing speed and power.
The camera does not require any artificial light sources and can remove image noises, automatically. You will also find that this camera is handy in low-light situations and capture perfect 1080p videos with stereo sound. Lastly, the SX730 camera is powered by a reliable NB-13L rechargeable Lithium-ion battery.
Pros:
- Bluetooth-enabled
- Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC
- 40x optical zoom
- 3-inch touchscreen
- Ideal for shooting in low-light conditions
Cons:
- Some noise at ISO80 base sensitivity
- Average quality videos
Panasonic Lumix G7 4K Mirrorless Camera
Another great 4K camera for vlogging, the Panasonic Lumix G7 is not nearly as bulky as other cameras in the market today and offers superior image quality. Fully equipped with multiple 4K modes, the Lumix G7 can be used to take high-quality videos and images.
Thanks to its precise and fast focusing, the camera can automatically track the subject and make your vlogging much easier. The camera also offers different accessory options as well as an interchangeable lens. Also, it has in-built Wi-Fi sharing that makes it so much easier and faster to upload vlogs. And because it can shoot a 4K video, the Lumix G7 offers up to 4 times the detail levels that you can get from full HD.
Pros:
- Built-in Wi-Fi sharing
- Shoot at 4K video
- Offers different accessory options
- FThe fastand precise AF system
Cons:
- Plastic build
- Too much control
Canon PowerShot G7 X Digital Camera
Another great vlogging camera from Canon, the G7 X features a highly sensitive CMOS sensor together with Canon’s DIGIC 6 image processor. The such combination delivers a stunning and incredible video and image quality.
The G7 X also comes fully equipped with a 9-blade iris diaphragm plus a 4.2x optical zoom. And thanks to its 3-inch, multi-angle touch panel LCD, this camera is ideal for vlogging as well as selfies.
This compact camera captures 1080p full HD video which can be filmed up to 60 fps. And to make professional vlogging so much easier, the G7 X comes with an in-built Wi-Fi sharing and comes with a 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor.
Pros:
- Captures 1080p full HD videos
- CMOS sensor
- Multi-angle touch panel LCD
- In-built Wi-Fi sharing
- Built-in ND filter
Cons:
- Screen not fully articulating
- Limited zoom range
Canon EOS Rebel T4i DSLR
The Canon EOS Rebel T4i shoots at 1080p HD video and utilizes a 14-bit DIGIC 5 processor that is suitable for your daily vlogging needs. It also has a 9-point AF system as well as 5fps for continuous shooting.
Featuring an 18MP APS-C hybrid CMOS sensor, the T4i Canon DSLR has no trouble capturing videos under low-light situations. Coming with a 3-inch LCD touchscreen, you get more control of the camera settings. Moreover, the DSLR comes fully equipped with a built-in stereo mic, however, it also has an input for an external mic for more options.
Pros:
- Shoot at 1080p HD video
- 9-point AF system
- Touchscreen
- Great at low-light conditions
- Built-in stereo mic
- Input for an external mic
Cons:
- BBelow-averagebattery life
- Unimproved high ISO performance
