What Is Vlogging?
The “V” in vlogging stands for video. It is derived from the term “blogging”—which is putting out content in written form through websites and now, social media. Following podcasting, vlogging allows people to share their experiences and thoughts through videos instead of written and audio content. You can also say that vlogging is short for “video blogging” and someone who does it is called a “vlogger.” Just like in podcasts, these videos or live streams are uploaded regularly, following a certain schedule. But you can always vlog on the fly. The great thing about it is its reputation is not as rigid as podcasting because it can be more personal rather than professional. A vlog can simply be stories about your life; humorous, light-hearted, and fun! Usually, though, it revolves around certain aspects or topics like traveling, baking, or information about expertise or hobby. You may have seen some of these videos on social media and sometimes, they are just about people sharing their day-to-day routines. It seems so trivial but believe it or not, people actually consume these types of content and even follow them as someone would follow a TV series. Some even make money out of it. So, if you want to get serious about vlogging, get your equipment ready, and start planning your show. Start with your most important tool. Pick the best vlogging camera that is right for your content.
What Is a Vlogging Camera?
Do you really need a special camera for your vlog? Not necessarily. You can use your phone camera for all anyone cares. But if you want your content to stand out especially on social media where there are already so many vloggers, you would need one that is capable of producing high-quality videos and sound. A vlogging camera typically already has a microphone built-in. It is ideally set on a tripod or some type of stand so you can move around and speak at the same time. It can be a camcorder, a point-and-shoot type, DSLR (digital single-lens reflex), or an action camera, and as much as possible, a digital one. You must be able to review your videos and sync your camera with your computer so you can edit and polish them for the world to see.
Vlogging Cameras for Social Media Success: Top 10
These cameras have been selected based on their resolution, audio quality, lens, accessories, usability, and connectivity features. These are all important aspects when choosing the best vlogging camera. We’ve listed them down from our top pick, premium pick, and best value.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Vlogging Camera
One important thing to note when choosing the best vlogging camera is that it is not the same as photography or ordinary video recordings. Remember that you will be using this equipment to tell stories in a unique way and mostly from your perspective. Here are some things you should consider when choosing which one is right for you. The LINNSE Camcorder features up to 18x digital zoom. One of its best features is its webcam functionality, which is great if you want to start a YouTube vlog because you can use the official YouTube camera to record and upload your videos. You can also do live streams for Skype and Facebook if you want to do Facebook live videos. It has a built-in LED fill light for great lighting and includes a remote control. This camera features an easy-to-use interface and a flip screen so you can view your recordings in real time. The built-in WiFi and NFC (near field communication) let you quickly share your content not just with your friends but also with the online community. It is capable of Full HD recording and is equipped with a telephoto lens so you can capture a wider field of view to share breathtaking moments. Despite its affordable price, it is capable of 4K recording and features 30 FPS. This is great for those who want to start a vlog about travel and leisure. It is also equipped with a mount so you can easily attach it to a tripod if need be. The WiFi and HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) features let you share your videos within minutes so you can post them on your Facebook Live Stream or Instagram Live instantly. It includes a wireless wrist remote control, which makes this the best vlogging camera for sports and outdoor vlogging. The cool thing about this model is that it has a face-detect feature so it can automatically set the focus on you while you are moving around. It has a rotating screen so you can view yourself while recording and TV output. You can live-stream your videos to YouTube Live and Facebook Live in real-time because of its WiFi feature. All you have to do is open the app and connect your camera to your device. Its built-in microphone eliminates noise so your viewers can hear you clearly. It’s one of the best vlogging cameras for travel vlogging. The camera also has a built-in fill light so you don’t have to worry about recording at night or in low-light settings. It also functions as a web camera. You can connect it to your PC or laptop using a USB cable so you can live stream on social media easily. It has a pause function so if you ever get low on battery, you don’t need to start over after charging it. The camera also has an HDMI output that allows you to connect it to your TV to playback videos and view your photos.
Resolution and FPS
The image quality or resolution is the most critical thing you should consider when choosing a camera for vlogging. You are taking videos, after all, and you don’t want your viewers to watch poor pixelated videos and distorted backgrounds. While 4K resolution is still the best, sometimes a 720p may be enough. Please consider this to be the bare minimum. This is sufficient if you are vlogging at home and just sharing information as long as you also have good lighting. If you are a travel vlogger and want to show breathtaking sceneries outdoors, then the higher the resolution, the better. You may also want to consider the FPS. As stated above, this means the frames per second that the camera can capture. If you intend to move around or show live-action videos like sports, you would need a higher FPS so that your videos will not become shaky or unstable.
Audio Quality
Vlogging requires you to talk about your topic. A lot. So, you would need a camera that also picks up sound really well. As much as possible, it should have a noise cancellation feature that would drown out unnecessary background noises. You want your viewers to focus on you and what you’re saying and not be distracted by other sounds. In this case, an external microphone that can be mounted on the device is ideal. It should have a high-quality foam to pad the sounds around you and also enhance your voice while you are speaking. The mic should also be able to pick up your voice at a fair distance so you don’t have to stand too close to it. You may be tempted to use clip-on mics, which are also great but often, their sound quality is not as good as boom mics.
Fill Light
Chances are, you will not have the time, the resources, or the expertise to set up professional lighting around you. So, it’s good to choose a camcorder or webcam that is already equipped with a fill light. Ideally, it should be an LED light. This would help enhance the image quality of both you, the vlogger, and your background. It is located on the front and activates when you start taking videos. Do not confuse this with a flash. Fill light is constantly on and if possible, you should have the option to adjust its brightness and hue. This would make it easier for you to shoot excellent-quality videos in various lighting environments.
WiFi Connectivity and Webcam Functionality
As a vlogger, you would upload or stream your videos online. A webcam feature would allow you to share them in real-time or at least, upload them on social media instantly. Needless to say, your camera should have WiFi connectivity for this to work. You may also want to look for a feature that allows you to use the official YouTube camera if you intend to post your content there as well.
HDMI Output or USB Port
With an HDMI output, you can easily connect your camera to your TV or PC. This is great if you want to edit your videos before uploading them. If it doesn’t have one, it should at least have a USB port. These two are also helpful for saving your videos on your devices and keeping a backup of them. Instead of using an SD card and going through the hassle of removing it and plugging it into your computer, you can transfer your files directly. But SD cards are also important. One risk of using SD cards though is losing them or forgetting to put them back into the camera when you’re ready to shoot.
Video Stabilizer or Anti-Shake Feature
Even if you mount your vlogging camera on a tripod, you cannot be 100% sure that your video will be stable. An anti-shake feature will ensure that your videos are not wobbly. If so, it can cause discomfort or dizziness to your viewers and they will lose interest in watching your content.
Remote Control or Self-Timer
If you don’t want to keep editing out the part of your vlog where you turn on your webcam and then walk into position, a remote control would be very useful. It’s also a great feature if you are filming outdoors and you need to pause your recording. This way, you don’t have to walk toward your camera to pause it. It disrupts the show and makes it is also inconvenient for you. The remote control also lets you turn on certain features like filters instantly, as well as adjust your camera’s lighting and other settings. In place of remote control, a self-timer feature will do. This allows you to turn on your webcam and position yourself in front of it so it doesn’t capture you during your preparation.
Zoom
Having a zoom feature is critical if you want to be creative with your recordings. It lets you show a wider view of your background and then put the focus back on you whenever you want to. It’s perfect for those who vlog about travel destinations, events, and stories that require wide-angle shots.
Extra External Batteries
With extra batteries on hand, you can continue recording videos while charging batteries when you run low on power instead of plugging the camera itself and waiting for it to be fully charged. That said, you should also check the battery life. How long can your recordings last? Even if you’re only recording short videos or snippets, the best vlogging cameras would have at least 60 minutes of battery life. You don’t want to be constantly charging your device.
Other Considerations
Some other extra features that you may want to look for are face recognition, flip screen, and portability. Face-detect or face recognition allows the camera to focus on you even when you are moving. A flip screen lets you see yourself while recording. If you intend to carry your camera while traveling, it should be portable enough and have a carrying case to protect it from damage.
Why Vlog on Social Media?
Some would argue that vlogging is so mundane or boring yet vloggers get so much attention on social media! This is because its mundane nature is exactly what draws people in. Why is that? It seems absurd, right? Think about your day-to-day. How much time do you spend working or doing chores? Sometimes, it’s nice to just sit back and watch other people talk about their interests or doing practically nothing for a change. You can do the same. You don’t have to be a talk-show superstar anymore to get people to see what you’re up to. It is also a great outlet and it lets you get creative even when talking about the ordinary. One great impact that vlogging on social media has is it lets other people who relate to you get some sort of validation. It makes them feel understood, seen, and heard. When you share your thoughts about a topic, people who agree with you would have a chance to examine their own thoughts. Or even if they don’t agree with you, it still gives them the opportunity to challenge their beliefs. As mentioned, if you’re just vlogging about the mundane, they may just feel a sense of comfort especially if you add some humor into it.
What Are the Best Vlogging Platforms?
Aside from social media vlogging like doing Facebook Live Streams or Instagram Stories, you can also share your content on other platforms. Here is a great look at each of them, including the social media platforms already mentioned, so you can compare each one and choose where best to vlog.
YouTube and YouTube Live Stream
You already know that YouTube has been the most popular platform for videos. It caters to absolutely any content. It is also where the first vloggers have shared theirs. Streaming or vlogging on YouTube will easily get you some audience. In time, your following has the potential to grow. Check out YouTube Live
Facebook and Facebook Live
Facebook is one of the most used social media platforms and people use it almost daily to consume content. Aside from the ready audience available to you, it is user-friendly and almost anyone can vlog on Facebook. Plus, it’s free not just for you but for everyone! Influencers use Facebook a lot to vlog. Even if you are not one or don’t strive to be one, remember that it’s still best to invest in a vlogging camera if you want people to be interested in your content. Check out Facebook Live
Instagram and Instagram Live
This platform is not for everyone. A lot of people are still not attracted to Instagram’s concept and features. This is a place for vloggers who want to target people who like sharing their content as well. Photographers who want to share their techniques and the sceneries they capture would thrive on Instagram. The platform has also grown massively in terms of users and the type of content posted there. Bakers, artists, writers, and other hobbyists like “foodies” can easily get an audience. It is no longer just for photos. It has become a widely-used platform for sharing and watching videos. So, Instagram vlogging comes almost as naturally. Check out Instagram Live
Twitch IRL
While Twitch IRL is mostly for video gamers, influencers from a wide array of niches have been using them to share their video content. But if you want to vlog about gaming or gaming accessories, Twitch is the best place for you. Check out Twitch IRL
Other Platforms
Some other platforms to consider are Vimeo and Daily Motion. They are not as popular as the ones above but they still get a lot of traffic and thus, a potential audience for you. Vimeo is great for creatives. People rely on it to get new ideas and it is the perfect place for beginners. Daily Motion, on the other hand, is more for professional content. This is a platform where vloggers invest in the best vlogging camera that they can find.
Can You Make Money by Vlogging?
It is not an easy road but you can definitely make some money by vlogging. The key is to create great content that will matter to people who are interested in what you are sharing. Although we’ve established that vlogging can be about the mundane, if you want to make money out of it, then you’d have to put in some work. You will also have to be consistent and, of course, know the technical side of things. Some ways that you can earn from this hobby is through ads, affiliate marketing, and selling your own products. You may also set up a donations page where your viewers can support you by sending donations directly.
Bottom Line
You can’t deny vlogging has a tremendous positive impact on social media users. Anyone can do it and viewers can benefit from watching your content. Just remember that to be successful in this pursuit, you’d have to be creative. This means investing in the best vlogging camera you can find once you’ve decided on a theme or topic and the rest w
