10 Best Vlogging Cameras for Beginners UK 2022 | Sony, Fujifilm and More

Before diving into the products, we recommend giving the guide a quick read through. Hopefully, this should clear up some lingering questions that you have and help you realise what you want from your camera. That way, you shouldn’t be left disappointed. 

Although some are considered universally great, the more specific you can be, the more chance you have of getting something that ticks all of your boxes. In general, there are three types of cameras – DSLR, compact and action.

DSLR are the biggest and weightiest, but they also have the best image quality. These are most suitable for those who plan to record from the comfort of their own homes, where size and portability isn't an issue.

They're the ideal camera for creating content such as reviews, streaming gaming or unboxing. That said, these can be used when out, just be wary of the small battery life and their cumbersome nature.

Next, you have compact cameras. These are a favourite for travel vloggers who like to shoot content when they’re out and about. They maintain decent image quality but are smaller and, as the name suggests, more compact. 

The downside is they often have fewer settings, such as ISO or shutter speed options, which can mean more time in the editing suite. But, if editing is also your forte, this shouldn't be too much of an issue. 

Finally, if you’re looking to create action sequences for extreme sports such as surfing or mountain biking, but you also want something compact and easy to carry, then opting for an action camera would be the best way to go. 

These are robust little gadgets that are often waterproof and dustproof and can handle a fall or two. Of course, it’s important to remember you can use whatever camera you like, these are just some suggestions. 

What is vlogging without the image? Nothing. Therefore, finding a camera that has optimal image quality is essential. Most people can only watch YouTube (the number one vlogging site) in 1080p (full-HD), so we recommend this as the minimum. Otherwise, the below-average quality could hinder the growth and enjoyment of your channel.

That said, the tech industry is constantly (and we mean constantly!) moving forward. Thus, it might be worth investing a little more and purchasing a camera with 4K (ultra-HD) capability. Most vlogging cameras have this function now, and it’s probably worth the extra cash as you won’t be forced to upgrade your camera as quickly when the world inevitably takes the next leap forward. 

The FPS (frames per second) rate is another essential consideration when looking at cameras. This measures the number of individual images you can see on the screen in one second, so the higher the number, the more natural and free-flowing the video will be. If you opt for a lower FPS, your video will look like one of those old-school sketch drawings where someone flicks the pages.

 
The average frame rate for vloggers nowadays is around 24 FPS (some cameras claim they can only manage 23.98, but trust us, this is fine), so we recommend using this as a minimum. On the other hand, plenty of models offer a much higher 30 or 60 FPS. If you’re looking to create content that can also be in slow motion (action folks) or generally want a smoother video, this is the way to go. 

For those shooting content out and about, you often won’t have time or would prefer not to set up a tripod to keep your camera steady. Sadly, this can lead to some wobbly images and frustrating frames that haven’t quite captured the things you were trying to. But fear not!

Thankfully, some tech wizards created a handy image stabilisation technology, which compensates for your tired arms, the pot-ridden paths and any other obstacles that may cause you to shake during filming. It's worth noting that some out-of-camera editing software can help, but in our experience, it never comes close to those found in the camera. 

While you’ll likely be the star of the vlog, there will be moments when you need to switch between filming yourself and other objects or your surroundings. Now, in the old days, you would have been forced to manually focus after switching between the two, which would have created a less than fluid video. In this day and age, though, we no longer have that conundrum thanks to autofocus.

This feature allows you quickly jump between different shots while the camera does all the focusing for you. Sure, it’s not normally instant, but it’s much faster than doing it manually, with some cameras managing to do it as quick as 0.2 seconds. While this is super handy, most cameras will have the option to flit between manual and auto.

Last but not least, consider a wi-fi connection. This function isn’t a prerequisite, but it will make your life much easier. The images can then be instantly transferred from your camera to your chosen device for editing, thus making the process much quicker and completely painless.

In an age when everything from our TVs to our fridges is linked up to the web, it would make no sense to avoid this connectivity on devices that really benefit from it. Gratefully, most modern cameras have this function already, so you shouldn't have to go too out of your way to find it. 

Now that we've covered all the things you should note when buying online, it’s time to take a look at our selection of the ten best vlogging cameras for beginners. We have a range of options and hope this ranking will help you hunt down your perfect device!  

So, what's next? You've got the visuals, perhaps it's time to start looking into the sound quality to really up your game! It's also important to keep your gadgets safe, especially if you've forked out a fair bit for them. Take a look at some of our related articles below, to really kit out your vlogging studio.

So there it is - our comprehensive guide to finding the ultimate vlogging cameras for beginners. If all goes well, your content will be up and viewable online in the blink of an eye - and to a decent standard too. Good luck!

Author: Lewis Clark