Do you want to start your vlog channel? Do you know the best DSLR cameras for vlogging yet?
Though vlogs are lots of fun, we can all agree that they’re only enjoyable if they are of high quality. Unfortunately, nowadays, we’re so used to HD videos that even vlogs have to deliver as much.
Vlogging shouldn’t be complicated and should be as much fun for the one filming as well as the one watching. Now, some people make a living making travel vlogs, for example, so it’s expected they invest in advanced equipment, cameras, and drones.
So, do you think you have everything you need to start? It can be great fun, but you’re going to need a good camera. Let’s cut the BS. A vlogger wrote this. I know what you need in a camera and what people like SEEING in your videos.
But firstly:
Table of Contents
What’s a DSLR Camera?
DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) cameras are the most widely used cameras for vlogging. It’s the camera that most YouTubers use because of the many features and general ease of use.
They use interchangeable lenses and mirrors that reflect light from the lens to the OVF (optical viewfinder). The mirror flips up when you press the shutter and lets the light hit the sensor.
Why use a DSLR camera for vlogging?
Some cameras work best for at-home vlogs, while others are better for on-the-go and travel videos. However, if you want to film a bit of everything, you should consider getting a DSLR camera.
These have outstanding sharpness and color accuracy. In addition, you’re able to change lenses and adjust pretty much all settings, which you can’t do with many other cameras.
DSLR cameras are usually compact and easy to carry around, essential for vlogging. As a result, it’s probably the most popular choice of camera, and it’s what most bloggers use.
These gain more and more popularity every day, so it’s not as easy to pick one if you’re a beginner. Continue reading if you want to film some HD vlogs but can’t find the right camera. We’ve reviewed the best ones on the market, so it’s up to you to pick one.
What camera do MOST YouTubers use?
Most vloggers on YouTube will use a DSLR for their high-quality shots and even some moving-around images, and then they’ll use a compact camera with a low F stop for outdoor photos.
But that’s not all of them.
Many YouTubers ONLY use DSLRs like the ones we’ll mention here but consider compact cameras if you want something lighter and more comfortable to move around.
The Best Ten DSLR Cameras For Vlogging
Nikon D850
The Legendary Nikon D850 is one of the best and most versatile DSLR cameras on the market. Photographers and vloggers mostly enjoy its 45.7-megapixel full-frame sensor. Its ability to make quality 4K videos at 30p makes it one of the best choices for vlogging.
It has a 153-point autofocus system that’s pretty accurate and goes up to 7 FPS in burst mode, which goes up to 9 FPS when you add Nikon’s battery grip.
Its body is sealed to prevent outside elements from getting to the delicate parts of the lens and camera. In addition, the D850 vlogging camera has Snapbridge 2.0 wireless connectivity that uses Bluetooth to transfer downsized photos to your smartphone, for example. It also supports XQD flash memory.
The ultra-high-resolution is why most people choose to work with this one. It has a tilting touchscreen and weighs about 2.02 lbs in total.
Pros Of The Nikon D850
- High resolution
- Compact body
- Easy to work with
Cons Of The Nikon D850
- A bit loud at high ISO settings
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
This is a classic vlogging camera.
Everybody knows Canon as one of the most reliable brands, so it’s no surprise that vloggers often turn to them for DSLR cameras. Their Mark IV is one of the best-selling cameras of this kind.
One of its best features is the Live View autofocus which’s relatively quick and responsive. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF image sensor works hand-in-hand with the 61-point AF system with 41 cross points.
This allows expanded vertical coverage that’s always important for YouTube vlogging cameras.
The camera records 4K videos at 30p or 24p and has a touchscreen interface. One minor setback is that the touchscreen is fixed in place, which some people find inconvenient. Still, the image quality is impeccable, so you’ll quickly forget the display issue.
With the continuous shooting at 7 FPS, you’ll be able to make some impressive footage. It has two card slots for SD and CompactFlash, including GPS and Wi-Fi/NFC.
Pros Of The Canon EOS
- Versatile
- Quick autofocus
- Comfortable to carry
Cons Of The Canon EOS
- The touchscreen doesn’t move.
Nikon D750 FX-format
Though it looks pretty similar to the D850 we’ve mentioned above, it has some fundamental differences that might appeal more to everyday vloggers. This one offers low-noise and clean images at high resolution.
Unlike the D850, this one has a polycarbonate and magnesium alloy body. As a result, it weighs slightly less because it’s not made of metal, but it still feels pretty well-made.
Its system isn’t as fast, but the 51-point autofocus is relatively quick and accurate, allowing sharp and high-quality results. It’s a full-frame camera that shoots up to 6.5 FPS even at full resolution. The frame size is 1920×1080 pixels.
It’s packed with different features you can play with until you find your favorite way to take pictures and videos. In addition, the LCD of this one can be tilted at various angles making the use even more comfortable if you want to do more than just a vlog.
Pros Of The Nikon D750
- Tilted screen
- High-resolution
- Lightweight
Cons Of The Nikon D750
- No GPS
Canon EOS 6D Mark II
Mark II is another convenient and easy-to-use camera by Canon. It performs well and is suitable for most simple vlogging/photography needs.
It has a bit more image noise at high ISO settings, but its pixel count goes from 20.2MP to 26.2MP, which is impressive. In addition, the autofocus goes from 11 points, which are one-cross, to 45 points that are all cross-type.
The new sensor features Dual Pixel CMOS AF, so the movie focus and Live View are slightly improved. In addition, the continuous drive goes from 4.5 FPS to 6.5 FPS.
The 3.0-inch touchscreen is vari-angle, so the camera is quite simple to use for various things. It’s also important to note that it features Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and NFC.
It would help if you remembered that this one couldn’t shoot any 4K videos. Instead, it shoots only 1080p footage, which is still high-quality but might not be up to everyone’s taste. Nevertheless, it’s a good starting point camera if you’re getting into vlogging.
Pros Of The Canon EOS 6D Mark II
- Vari-angle screen
- High-connectivity
- Lightweight
Cons Of The Canon EOS 6F Mark II
- Can’t shoot 4K
Canon EOS-1D X Mark II
Regardless of what your vlogs will contain, this one is probably one of the best models you can choose. It’s what most photographers use to shoot those impressive, high-quality wildlife, sports, and action photography.
The most important thing to note is that it weighs only 0.66 lb, which is ideal for vlogging as it won’t be heavy to carry around all day.
Weight is significant for vloggers on YouTube, as you’ll find out. You don’t want to be carrying something super heavy around all day!
The entire device is super-easy to work with as the handling is quite natural. In addition, its body is built to feel comfortable in hands.
This one is quick. It offers a fast continuous drive rate of 14 FPS as high as 16 FPS in Live View mode. That is precisely why photographers use it to take pictures of wildlife. Plus, the 61-point autofocus system tracks all movements for the best results.
The images are noise-free even when the camera is in high ISO settings. With 4096×2160 pixels and an 8.8-megapixel still-frame, this is probably one of the best of all time.
Pros Of The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II
- High-resolution
- Fast rate frame
- Feels sturdy and robust
Cons Of The Canon EOS-1D X Mark II
- Small megapixel count
Nikon D500
This is another camera often used by wildlife photographers because of its fast rate and overall ease of use.
It feels like a pro camera since its body is exceptionally well-built and robust. Plus, if you’ve ever used any of Nikon’s pro-class DSLR cameras, you’ll recognize the design here. Unfortunately, the control layout is only slightly improved to make it easier to use.
It has a tilting screen of 3.2 inches and a 2,359k-dot resolution. The D500 shoots 4K videos at 30 FPS and a 153-point AF system. Its native ISO is 51200, but that extends to 1640000. It sports 10 FPS for when you’re shooting up to 200 frames.
Most people opt for this one for wildlife and sports photography. However, if you’re going to make some eventful vlogs, it would be an excellent choice since it captures pretty much everything with ease.
Pros Of The Nikon D500
- Robust and well-built
- Simple to use
- Fast and responsive
Cons Of The Nikon D500
- Lower megapixel count
Canon EOS 80D
This one isn’t the most full-frame camera, but that’s not as important for vloggers.
You might have heard of the famous YouTuber Casey Neistat. He uses this vlogging camera for MOST of his videos and has done it for several years. It’s reliable and delivers high-quality results.
Also, it’s on a more affordable side, which is not as common for DSLR cameras. However, it still has some pretty impressive features, and it’s relatively easy to use.
You’ll be able to take some excellent photos at 24 megapixels. This is possible thanks to a 45-point autofocus system. Its shutter speed is at 1/8 000th of 7 FPS, so the cam is ideal for action scenes for some exciting vlogs.
It shoots only Full HD 1080p at 60 FPS, so 4K isn’t an option with this one. However, the Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF system gives smooth autofocusing and subject tracking. It also has a headphones jack, which not many cameras feature.
It weighs 1.4 pounds and has a touchscreen for ultimate ease of use. In addition, the camera is comfortable to carry around so that you can make hour-long vlog footage.
Pros Of The Canon EOS 80D
- Easy to use
- Great image quality
- It has a headphone jack
Cons Of The Canon EOS 80D
- I cannot shoot 4K videos
Nikon D5600
If you’re looking for an affordable camera that’s packed with features and is easy to use, the Nikon D5600 is one of the best ones in that group. Though it’s widely used across the globe in wedding photography, vlogs often recommend it as well.
It doesn’t feel as robust as many other Nikon cameras, but it’s solid and has a good grip.
The 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor is what produces the most memorable photos, and it’s all that matters. It’s also not as fast but will handle most of the action vlogging.
It shoots full HD 1080 videos at 60p and has a microphone input. This lets you connect an external microphone if you want better audio quality, mainly if you often film in your car.
The Live View mode lets you make some great footage, while the 3-inch vari-angle LCD helps ease use.
In terms of connectivity, this one is compatible with SnapBridge, and you can control it with your smartphone.
Pros Of The Nikon D5600
- Remote control
- Has a microphone input
- High-resolution
Cons Of The Nikon D5600
- SnapBridge is a bit tricky to use
Nikon D7500
If you’ve never used a DSLR camera before, this might be the best model to start with. However, there are many pro-level cams out there that would probably be too complicated for a beginner, so you should check this one out.
Its body is on the smaller side, and it’s built from carbon-fiber composite, so it’s comfortable to carry it around all day. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built-in, but the connectivity goes through the Nikon SnapBridge app.
The Expeed 5 processor and the 20.9MP image sensor perform pretty well. Still, the real star is the 4K video capture capability that helps make some great footage. It features stereo sound, auto ISO, power aperture, and 4K UHD Time-Lapse.
It is a 3.2″ 922K dot tilting touchscreen LCD that helps with the overall ease of use and versatility. The camera is suitable for all kinds of action filming thanks to the 51-point AF system with 15 cross-type sensors.
Pros Of The Nikon D7500
- Ideal for beginners
- Shoots 4K
- Tilting screen
Cons Of The Nikon D7500
- SnapBridge doesn’t always work.
Canon EOS 5DS
This Canon camera is suitable for more than just simple vlogging. It’s also one of the best choices for fine-detail photography that we have compared.
The megapixels go from 22.3MP to 50.6MP, which is impressive and ideal if you’re also into still photography. In addition, it features a low-pass filter effect cancellation giving better resolving power. The camera also has a smooth-action shutter, so the image isn’t affected by vibrations.
It has only one significant downside, and it’s the limited ISO range, which also means more noise at higher settings. In addition, the maximum drive rate is at 5FPS, so you’re also quite limited concerning filming any action.
It can follow pretty basic vlogs, but anything with more action might appear sluggish. On the other hand, it weighs 2.0 lbs, so it can easily carry around with you.
Pros Of The Canon EOS 5DS
- Silent shutter
- High resolution
- Ideal for stills photography
Cons Of The Canon EOS 5DS
- Limited ISO range
Do Camcorders Make Good Vlogging Cameras?
To be honest, not really. Camcorders are very much an old technology for the most part, and most YouTubers are turning to professional DSLRs and advanced compact cameras to make their videos.
Best DSLR Vlogging Cameras With A Flip Screen
There are lots of cameras with flip screens that are GREAT for vlogging. However, the best one has to be the DSLR that Casey Neistat uses, the Canon 80D. It’s a CLASSIC camera for YouTubers, and lots of people are starting to use it now because it’s so versatile.
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