Best Vlogging Camera For 2022
id="article-body" class="row " section="article-body" data-component="trackCWV">
Almost everyone seems to have a <a website these days. Experts all over the world are teaching people how to do home repairs, cook and even properly apply makeup from the comfort of their homes. But the footage still has to be engaging and watchable. While we can't help you attract and retain viewers or develop your online persona, we can make sure you look and sound your best online -- and for very little money upfront.
A good starting point is to decide what kind of video recording you want to do. You don't need to spend thousands or even hundreds of dollars on a high-end DSLR camera if you can easily get the video quality you want with your phone or a webcam with a microphone. Also, a good vlogging camera doesn't have to cost a fortune or shoot 4K video. Most of the affordable vlogging cameras have features such as optical image stabilization, slow motion, autofocus, LCD touchscreens, low-light sensitivity, external mic input and more.
In this roundup, I'm helping you find the best vlogging camera. I've kept cost in mind, so you don't need to worry about blowing the bank with a camera that shoots 4K video. Simply put, whether you want to do simple <a website from your laptop or more polished productions, you're sure to find a vlogging camera for your needs and budget here.
Note that if livestreaming is a priority (which may or may not be for someone interested in YouTube vlogging), you might need additional hardware beyond a camera. I'll include suggestions for that, as well as other accessories to consider, following the cameras' details.
With a small handful of exceptions, every vlog camera listed here has been fully reviewed or anecdotally tested by me or other CNET editors. Those exceptions in the accessories sections are based on positive Amazon user reviews and additional word-of-mouth accolades. I'll update this best vlogging cameras list periodically. Happy video recording and streaming!
<a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":false,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/assoc-redirect.amazon.website <figure class=\u0022 img\u0022><img src=\u0022\u0022
website
class=\u0022 lazy\u0022
alt=\u0022\u0022
height=\u0022362\u0022
width=\u0022644\u0022
\/><noscript><img website
class=\u0022\u0022
alt=\u0022\u0022
height=\u0022362\u0022
width=\u0022644\u0022
\/><\/noscript><\/figure>
website OM 4 motorized handheld stabilizer - wireless - Bluetooth","formatType":"IMAGE","location":"LIST","position":1,"sku":"CP.OS.00000108.01","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|image","selector":"#article-body #listicle-b6c8d14d-bcf8-4d26-b2c5-ded0196de824 .itemImage"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"></a>
DJI
<a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":false,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/assoc-redirect.amazon.website OM website OM 4 motorized handheld stabilizer - wireless - Bluetooth","formatType":"LINK","location":"LIST","position":1,"sku":"CP.OS.00000108.01","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|hed"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">DJI OM 4</a>
<a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":false,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/assoc-redirect.amazon.website default YouTube rig: Your phone and this website OM 4 motorized handheld stabilizer - wireless - Bluetooth","formatType":"LINK","location":"LIST","position":1,"sku":"CP.OS.00000108.01","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|subhed"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Best default YouTube rig: Your phone and this gimbal</a>
Luckily, people looking for a great vlogging camera don't usually have to look far. Whether iPhone or Android, using a smartphone to shoot footage for your vlog is probably the easiest vlogging camera option for most people for recording and livestreaming. But what can make even good video bad is camera shake. A three-axis stabilizer, also known as a gimbal, will provide image stabilization to make sure everything you shoot looks nice and smooth.
DJI's OM 4 (formerly called the Osmo Mobile) delivers on the stabilization using the same tech you'll find on its camera drones. It has the same compact, lightweight folding design for easy travel as the prior model. It has the same controls, making one-handed use a breeze. And it still has a built-in battery for up to 15 hours of use. What's new is how you mount your phone.
For the OM 4, DJI developed a new magnetic mount you can attach to your phone case as well as one that clamps around your phone like past models. This allows you to quickly attach and detach your phone, and it's always perfectly balanced.
DJI's Mimo app is packed with options, too, including its ActiveTrack 3.0 feature that lets you draw a box around your subject and it will instantly start tracking them. Basically, it's more than just a phone stabilizer.
<a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":true,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/assoc-redirect.amazon.website at website OM 4 motorized handheld stabilizer - wireless - Bluetooth","formatType":"BUTTON","location":"LIST","position":1,"sku":"CP.OS.00000108.01","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|button","selector":"#article-body #listicle-b6c8d14d-bcf8-4d26-b2c5-ded0196de824 .leadButton"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">$99 at Amazon</a>
<a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":false,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/assoc-redirect.amazon.website <figure class=\u0022 img\u0022><img src=\u0022\u0022
website
class=\u0022 lazy\u0022
alt=\u0022\u0022
height=\u0022362\u0022
width=\u0022644\u0022
\/><noscript><img website
class=\u0022\u0022
alt=\u0022\u0022
height=\u0022362\u0022
width=\u0022644\u0022
\/><\/noscript><\/figure>
website Pro Stream Webcam C922x - live streaming camera","formatType":"IMAGE","location":"LIST","position":2,"sku":"960-001176","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|image","selector":"#article-body #listicle-84b7be7f-6946-4f0e-aca9-f6f630e52030 .itemImage"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"></a>
Logitech
<a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":false,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/assoc-redirect.amazon.website website Pro Stream Webcam C922x - live streaming camera","formatType":"LINK","location":"LIST","position":2,"sku":"960-001176","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|hed"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Logitech StreamCam</a>
<a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":false,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/assoc-redirect.amazon.website PC webcam for deskside website Pro Stream Webcam C922x - live streaming camera","formatType":"LINK","location":"LIST","position":2,"sku":"960-001176","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|subhed"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Best PC webcam for deskside YouTubers</a>
Whether you're looking to do a quick how-to from your computer, want to stream yourself while you game or anything in between, the simplest option for your vlog is a compact camera that doesn't need to move from your computer. Yes, we're speaking about the noble webcam. True, you won't be able to move around too much, but this vlog camera is pretty much <a website rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-component="externalLink">a plug-and-play experience</a> because you don't need an encoder.
With many more people working from home and relying on video conferencing in the past year, good webcams became difficult to find. Heck, even mediocre ones are tough to come by right now. Our top pick for vlogging is the $125 Logitech <a website it is purpose-built for streaming at up to 1080p at 60fps. And this cheap vlogging camera is designed to be mounted horizontally or vertically.
If you want 4K streaming at 30fps in addition to full HD at 60fps, go with the Logitech Brio 4K, which has a higher price tag at $199. You could also go with <a website target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-component="externalLink">Logitech's C922x Pro</a>, which streams at 1080p at 30fps or 720p at 60fps, has solid image quality and its built-in mics give you decent audio for $85.
It's worth noting that because of the increased demand for webcams, many camera-makers including Canon, Nikon, GoPro, Sony, Panasonic and others have made it possible to use some of their camera models as a webcam without additional equipment. However, it's more of an "in a pinch" solution for some of the cameras, so I wouldn't rely on it for the best video recording quality and features.
<a class="cnetlisticle" website data-component="linkTracker" data-link-tracker-options='link"' rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">See it at Logitech</a>.
<a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":true,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/assoc-redirect.amazon.website at website Pro Stream Webcam C922x - live streaming camera","formatType":"BUTTON","location":"LIST","position":2,"sku":"960-001176","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|button","selector":"#article-body #listicle-84b7be7f-6946-4f0e-aca9-f6f630e52030 .leadButton"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">$100 at Amazon</a>
<a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":false,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/shop-links.website <figure class=\u0022 img\u0022><img src=\u0022\u0022
website
class=\u0022 lazy\u0022
alt=\u0022\u0022
height=\u0022362\u0022
width=\u0022644\u0022
\/><noscript><img website
class=\u0022\u0022
alt=\u0022\u0022
height=\u0022362\u0022
width=\u0022644\u0022
\/><\/noscript><\/figure>
website Hero 9 Black","formatType":"IMAGE","location":"LIST","position":3,"sku":"CHDHX-901-XX","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|image","selector":"#article-body #listicle-277feddf-6814-4aaa-8bd5-52b968add18d .itemImage"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"></a>
Josh Goldman/CNET
<a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":false,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/shop-links.website Hero 9 website Hero 9 Black","formatType":"LINK","location":"LIST","position":3,"sku":"CHDHX-901-XX","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|hed"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">GoPro Hero 9 Black</a>
<a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":false,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/shop-links.website camera for vlogging wet-and-wild YouTube website Hero 9 Black","formatType":"LINK","location":"LIST","position":3,"sku":"CHDHX-901-XX","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|subhed"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Best camera for vlogging wet-and-wild YouTube videos</a>
From its small waterproof design to its incredible image stabilization to its excellent video quality, the Hero 9 Black is one of the most versatile GoPro cameras you can get for creating YouTube vlog gold. You can use the GoPro Hero Black as a studio camera, but it's really an action camera made for video recording on the move.
Adding to the argument in its favor are the Mods designed to make the Hero 9 Black even more vlogging-friendly. The main Media Mod is a housing that adds a directional mic as well as a 3.5mm external mic jack for additional mic input, an HDMI output and two cold shoes. Display and Light Mods can then be slotted into the shoes to brighten your shots and let you see yourself when you're in front of the camera. And if you want to livestream, you can do it through GoPro's mobile app. I do recommend buying it from GoPro at the moment and taking advantage of the current deal that knocks the price down to $350 ($100 off) if you sign up for a year of its cloud storage service that's included in that price.
<a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":true,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/shop-links.website at website Hero 9 Black","formatType":"BUTTON","location":"LIST","position":3,"sku":"CHDHX-901-XX","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|button","selector":"#article-body #listicle-277feddf-6814-4aaa-8bd5-52b968add18d .leadButton"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">$330 at Target</a><a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":false,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/assoc-redirect.amazon.website at website Hero 9 Black","formatType":"BUTTON","location":"LIST","position":3,"sku":"CHDHX-901-XX","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|button","selector":"#article-body #listicle-277feddf-6814-4aaa-8bd5-52b968add18d .leadButton"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">$350 at Amazon</a>
<a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":false,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/shop-links.website Buy","pageId":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","pagetype":"","pid":"","productId":"","rsid":"cbsicnetglobalsite","siteid":"1","text":" <figure class=\u0022 img\u0022><img src=\u0022\u0022
website
class=\u0022 lazy\u0022
alt=\u0022\u0022
height=\u0022362\u0022
width=\u0022644\u0022
\/><noscript><img website
class=\u0022\u0022
alt=\u0022\u0022
height=\u0022362\u0022
width=\u0022644\u0022
\/><\/noscript><\/figure>
website Start","formatType":"IMAGE","location":"LIST","position":4,"sku":"","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|image","selector":"#article-body #listicle-d7d36a58-d7cb-4836-a966-19e868588953 .itemImage"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"></a>
Ian Knighton/CNET
<a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":false,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/shop-links.website Buy","pageId":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","pagetype":"","pid":"","productId":"","rsid":"cbsicnetglobalsite","siteid":"1","text":"Mevo website Start","formatType":"LINK","location":"LIST","position":4,"sku":"","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|hed"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Mevo Start</a>
<a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":false,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/shop-links.website Buy","pageId":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","pagetype":"","pid":"","productId":"","rsid":"cbsicnetglobalsite","siteid":"1","text":"Best vlogging camera for on-location YouTube website Start","formatType":"LINK","location":"LIST","position":4,"sku":"","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|subhed"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Best vlogging camera for on-location YouTube livestreaming</a>
Mevo Start lets you create the look of a multicamera shoot with a single small camera. It lets you stream 1080p video live to every major platform instantly with the Mevo app for up to 6 hours without an external power source. It can also simultaneously record high-quality 1080p video to a microSD card in the camera.
Livestreaming can be done by connecting both a mobile device and the camera to the same Wi-Fi network, or you can directly connect by Wi-Fi to the camera and use your phone's LTE mobile broadband signal to stream. Or, you can use a power-over-Ethernet adapter to power the camera and stream with a wired connection. The Mevo Start also has <a website rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank" data-component="externalLink">NDI HX built into the camera</a> that'll work on your network with either a wired or wireless connection.
<a website rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-component="externalLink">The mobile app is the true star of the show</a> here, though, as it lets you use its high-resolution sensor to create multiple tight and wide shots, and switch between them with a tap on the screen. Or, you can have the software automatically track people and switch between shots.
<a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":true,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/shop-links.website Buy","pageId":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","pagetype":"","pid":"","productId":"","rsid":"cbsicnetglobalsite","siteid":"1","text":"$399 at Best website Start","formatType":"BUTTON","location":"LIST","position":4,"sku":"","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|button","selector":"#article-body #listicle-d7d36a58-d7cb-4836-a966-19e868588953 .leadButton"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">$399 at Best Buy</a><a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":false,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/assoc-redirect.amazon.website at website Start","formatType":"BUTTON","location":"LIST","position":4,"sku":"","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|button","selector":"#article-body #listicle-d7d36a58-d7cb-4836-a966-19e868588953 .leadButton"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">$430 at Amazon</a>
<a website data-omitnoreferrer data-component="leadsTracker" data-leads-tracker-options='{"appendCreditCardParams":false,"numNodes":1,"fireProductViewed":false,"trackingData":{"asid":"","assetguid":"a1077846-07c1-4257-bea5-f77ea4f65376","contype":"review","destUrl":"https:\/\/assoc-redirect.amazon.website <figure class=\u0022 img\u0022><img src=\u0022\u0022
website
class=\u0022 lazy\u0022
alt=\u0022\u0022
height=\u0022362\u0022
width=\u0022644\u0022
\/><noscript><img website
class=\u0022\u0022
alt=\u0022\u0022
height=\u0022362\u0022
width=\u0022644\u0022
\/><\/noscript><\/figure>
website ZV-1 - digital camera - ZEISS","formatType":"IMAGE","location":"LIST","position":5,"sku":"DCZV1\/B","dwLinkTag":"article-body|listicle|image","selector":"#article-body #listicle-b0442dae-395f-4ce0-9996-0badcf7f6b21 .itemImage"}}' rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"></a>
Lexy Savvides/CNET
<a website data-omitnoreferrer data-comp
