Vlog cameras, my current choices

I've been spending an unhealthy amount of time searching the internet for my perfect camera to use for vlogging on my Youtube Channel. So I thought why not share it with you all too as it might help someone else as well.

Now I adore the DSLR I use for my blog pictures and main Youtube videos (it's a Canon 5D Mark ii if you wondered) but due to it's size, the lenses I use and lack of auto focus, it's no way practical to use for on the go vlogging.

Now to my new subscribers it might be news to you that I vlog, I do film most of the interesting adventures life takes me on, it's just, I haven't got round to editing them together since ermmmm May! I still wish to use the 6 months of footage at some point, I adore vlogs, for me they are great to watch back and relive all those memories again.

So yeah, I do vlog, it's just I've been a tad awful at using the footage. The camera I use is the Panasonic Lumix G3. Now don't get me wrong, it's a great camera, but over time I've noticed a few things which bug me and so I wish to make a change soon.

1. To start then, lets talk about the Panasonic Lumix G3 with 14-42mm lens

+ Now I know of a lot of Youtubers who used this or an earlier model to film their main channel videos too, the likes of Fashionrocksmysocks, Melon, and Beauty Crush. This is an older model so is affordable at around £300 including lens depending on where you shop. You can get the G6 model, was £600+ now £400+ here.

- For me it wasn't suitable for main channel videos as I hated that fact that even on a manual setting, not everything was manual. It has auto ISO so if you held up something dark for example it would make the video totally over exposed!

+ For on the go vlogging it's good. It has a flip out screen so you can check you are in frame. Be warned, do not talk to the screen, talk to the lens otherwise you are disconnecting from your viewers!

- A reoccurring issue I found was you had to wait for a while after turning your camera on to start filming, meaning I often missed things I reached out for my camera to film in the first place!

+ The inbuilt micro phone actually quite good. I like how upon editing you could tell if audio was recorded more left or right of the camera.

+ Video quality is great, I've also used this to film lookbooks as well. Great high resolution full HD.

- I wouldn't recommend this for blog photographs, I didn't like at all how it's pictures came out. Only time I liked the pictures were with the pop up flash for night time of me with other people. The flip screen made this perfect to get a great selfie with others.

* Takes SD cards

* 16.1 MP camera

* Full HD video

* Changeable lenses

* Flip touch screen

* Hot shoe

* 544g

* 47 x 115 x 84mm (H x W x D)

* Around £300

From using this camera I realised I wanted something smaller. More of a point and shoot camera, where it's slim, can fit into your pocket. Ideally with no changeable lenses and to have a flip out screen. I want something more convenient to take with me every day.

2. Samsung NX mini with 9-27mm lens

also available for cheaper with fixed 9mm lens

Okay so straight away I found a camera that has interchangeable lenses. I say I don't want one of that sort as I don't want the lens to stick out. 

+ With the fixed 9mm it should still be small enough to fit in your pocket.

- But you cannot zoom with the 9mm lens.

+ BUT it's pink :D, also comes in white, green, brown etc.

+ Can send photos and videos via wifi to your phone, tablet, computer.

+ Can use your phone as a remote to take pictures.

+ Comes also with a mini flash.

- Screen cannot lift up once mini flash has been added.

+ Very compact design.

* Takes Micro SD card

* 20.5 MP camera

* Shoots JPEG & RAW format

* Full HD video (25 & 30 fps)

* MPEG4 Format video & AVC/H.264

* Wifi

* Flip screen

*192g

* 61 x 110 x 23mm (H x W x D)

* Around £250-£350

I do feel I'm mainly drawn to this for it's colour more than anything else to be honest.

3. Panasonic TZ55

+ This camera I heard about through Melon, she now uses this camera for her vlogs.

- I've read it's a takes a little while to start filming after turning it on.

- Not the most attractive looking camera.

* Takes SD cards

* 16MP Camera

* Shoots JPEG format

* Full HD video

* MPEG4 Format video only

* Wifi

* Flip screen

* 224g

* 62.2 x 106.8 x 32.4mm (H x W x D)

* Around £160

4. Canon PowerShot G7X

+ Fun for Louis uses this camera for his vlogs.

I don't know much about this camera to be honest as it's quite a recent release, but the specs look amazing!

* Takes SD cards

* 20.1 MP camera

* Shoots JPEG & RAW format

* Full HD video (60fps)

* MPEG4 Format video & AVC/H.264

* Start up time 1 second

* Wifi

* Flip touch screen

* 304g

* 73.5 x 158 x 144mm (H x D x W)

* Around £500

5. Sony RX100 iii

+ This is the vlogging camera Hey Claire uses.

+ The lens is the equivalent to a DSLR's 24-70mm lens!

+ Great depth of field for both filming and photos.

+ I've seen people filming great quality main channel videos with it.

- Camera turns off if you push down the view finder.

- It's A LOT of money!

* Takes SD, micro SD & Sony Memory sticks

* 20.1 MP camera

* Shoots JPEG & RAW format

* Full HD video (30, 60 & 120 fps)

* MPEG4 Format video, AVCHD etc

* Start up time 1.6 seconds

* Wifi

* Flip screen

* 290g

* 58 x 102 x 41mm (H x W x D)

* Around £700

A great video review here.

My thoughts

If money was not an option, I would totally get the Sony! It seems unbelievable! Perfect for vlogs, I would take it with me every day for on the go blog pictures too. I always feel I let myself down with not having my DSLR camera when I go to events, but the pictures the Sony takes are amazing!

I think I will save up for the Sony, I'm not saying you guys should go crazy like me and get that too. But I feel it would be so perfect for my needs.

I would recommend the Panasonic Lumix for someone starting out on youtube, is suitable for main channel videos and vlogs.

I would recommend the Panasonic Tz55 for someone looking for a compact point and shoot for starting up vlogs. 

Or you could even look at older models of brands cameras. From research I saw flip screens and cameras with Wifi have been around for a couple of years, some even going on eBay for under £100. Try looking up Samsung MV900F.

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