The Top 10 Most Affordable Vlogging Cameras

People always wonder what photography gear to use – most people are ready to splurge on a camera without being prepared for the level of expertise it might need. Thus, if you’re just starting off as a photographer or video recorder, let me tell you this – you do not need to spend a lot of money in order to get professional-quality footage and beautiful images. Before we head into the top 10 cheap cameras for YouTube, consider taking a look at our review of the best vlogging cameras of 2022.

There are a lot of cheap and budget-friendly cameras out there that can produce amazing results, especially when paired with a good lens and gimbal. You don’t have to worry too much about the sound or stabilization. Both can be fixed with additional tools that are essential to your video recording kit anyway, and if worst comes to worst, “we’ll fix it in post” may become your most used phrase. 

The following article will help you answer the following questions:

• What kind of camera is good for cheap vlogging?
• What is the best cheap mirrorless camera?
• What are the top 10 cheap budget-friendly vlogging cameras?
• What is a great cheap vlogging camera for adventure vloggers?
• What is the best video camera with mic input?
• What is the best cheap Canon camera for vlogging?

This includes many other questions, all of which will be answered by the end of this article. If you’re still not sure what camera suits you best, you can always turn to the Buyer’s Guide at the end, explaining some of the essentials when looking for the best cheap camera for YouTube. Thus, without further ado, take a look at the top 10 cheap cameras of 2022.

Best Cheap Vlogging Cameras at a Glance

1. Top Pick – Canon EOS Rebel T6 (1300D)
2. Best Cheap Entry-Level Vlogging Camera – Nikon COOLPIX B500
3. Best Cheap Camcorder for Vlogging – Canon VIXIA HF R800
4. Best Cheap Canon Vlogging Camera – Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II
5. Best Cheap Waterproof Vlogging Camera – Olympus Tough TG-6
6. Best Value for Money – FUJIFILM XT-200
7. Best Cheap Mirrorless Vlogging Camera – Sony Alpha a6000
8. Best Cheap Vlogging Camera with а Flip Screen – Panasonic LUMIX G100 
9. Best Cheap camera with Mic Input – Panasonic LUMIX FZ300
10. Best Cheap Action Camera for Adventure Vlogging – DJI Osmo Pocket 

Best Cheap Vlogging Cameras – Full Reviews

1. Top Pick – Canon EOS Rebel T6 (1300D)

• 180 Megapixel CMOS (APS C) image sensor and high performance DIGIC 4 plus Image Processor for excellent speed and quality
• ISO 100 6400 (expandable to H: 12800) for shooting from bright light to low light compatible with eye Fi cards Multimedia cards (MMC) cannot be used
• Built in Wi Fi and NFC connectivity provide easy sharing to compatible smart devices, select social media sites and the Canon Connect Station CS100...

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Wondering what’s the best Canon model for vlogging? At the top of our cheap vlogging cameras list is the Canon EOS Rebel T6. This camera has an 18-megapixel APS-C size sensor and Canon’s Digic 4 image processor, which will help reduce noise in any pictures or video footage. This camera will shoot 1080p Full HD video at 30fps. The Rebel T6 is also great if you want to quickly transfer any of your photos or videos onto your laptop or smartphone. You can pull photos straight from your camera onto your phone, allowing you to post really high-quality images on social media. You can also use Canon’s Camera Connect app, which allows you to use your phone as an LCD screen so you can have your camera on a tripod and your phone in your hand (max 50 ft. away) while also being able to see what the Canon T6 is recording. Needless to say, this is perfect for vloggers, and in my opinion, it’s much more useful than having a flip screen, as you can go pretty far away from the camera itself and still have a good view of what it’s recording. 

This is also a great camera to use if you want to start learning more complex recording, using manual focus mode, and experimenting with various lenses. The Canon EOS Rebel T6 has an interchangeable lens system, which gives you the flexibility to start your personal collection of lenses. This will give you more control over the depth of field and overall look of your videos. As far as cheap Canon vlogging cameras go, this is a pretty solid investment that will get you started well if you want to build up your kit. DSLRs are some of the sturdiest and most reliable cameras around and will not only last you a long time. They can also often be upgraded to fit your individual needs as a content creator. This versatility is perhaps the main reason we decided to put this cheap Canon vlogging camera at the top spot.

2. Best Cheap Entry-Level Vlogging Camera – Nikon COOLPIX B500

• 16 megapixel 1/2.3 inches BSI CMOS sensor
• Nikkor f/3.0 6.5 millimeter ED lens
• 22.5 900 millimeter (35 millimeter equivalent)

$181.00

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If you’re looking for a great entry-level cheap flip screen vlogging camera and want to upgrade from using your smartphone, the Nikon COOLPIX B500 is an incredibly cheap Nikon camera for vlogging. There are two variations of this camera available – the classic black and the metallic red. This cheap camera is packed with great features, the number one being the outstanding 40x optical zoom ( 80x dynamic zoom) lens. This camera also shoots in impressive Full HD, 60fps (hooray to everyone who wants to shoot slow-motion videos). The four-axis Hybrid Vibration Reduction in this camera compensates for any vertical shaking and reduces any blur even when using the 40x optical zoom. The autofocus with target-finding AF technology will analyze your shooting condition to efficiently identify your subject of focus. The active focus areas are set according to the size of the subject, but it’s also highly effective when focusing on smaller objects too, like flowers and food. 

If you’re just starting out using a camera for the first time, you’ll be relieved to know that the different shooting modes in the menu come with description boxes explaining what each mode does. This feature can, of course, be switched off according to personal preference, but it’s nice to know it’s available if you are completely new to shooting on a camera. The 3-inch flip screen on the back allows for waist-level shooting. If you want to remain incognito when recording your videos you can easily use this feature. The unfortunate thing about the flip screen is that it isn’t a fully articulating mount, so you won’t be able to flip it all the way around. Still, this is an amazing cheap vlogging camera that I will happily recommend to anyone just starting out with video recording!

3. Best Cheap Camcorder for Vlogging – Canon VIXIA HF R800

• A 3.0-inch capacitive touch panel LCD screen that is bright and clearly visible, even outdoors in the sun, with rich, natural color reproduction
• SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer helps correct camera shake quickly, so even handheld video taken at long focal lengths can be sharp and steady
• The 57x advanced zoom allows you to create videos with dynamic variety, and is less likely to disrupt the action you're shooting

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The Canon VIXIA HF R800 is one of the best budget-friendly camcorders. It has some incredible specs, like the 57x zoom, and according to the Canon website, it can range between 32.5 mm  and 1853 mm lens, which is absolutely incredible. This camcorder also has a super-range optical image stabilization, can record Full HD 1080p videos at 60fps, meaning slow motion is a definite possibility with this tiny camcorder. It also comes with an entirely articulate 3-inch LCD touchscreen. Most of you might ask yourselves what’s so special about camcorders – they technically hold up average specs, and apart from their extremely compact size, they seem pretty “okay.” Well, firstly, if you’re an adventure vlogger, this might be an extremely useful little recording tool to attach to your biker helmet or car. There are so many different ways you can experiment using it. Many people prefer camcorders because they are easy to carry, have a nice grip, and are as light as a feather. 

Aside from the Canon VIXIA HF R800’s obvious functions, there’s another very good function this camera has – it makes for a wonderful webcam. Thus, if you’re one to shoot a lot of livestream content, or if you’re a game reviewer who likes to play and review bingo for money games, this will be the perfect webcam replacement for you. It has its own power supply, so you don’t have to worry about the battery running out. It connects via a mini HDMI or a standard HDMI. This is great news if you’re about to have an extremely long recording session and you can’t rely on your phone or any other type of camera for this situation. Camcorders really are durable when being expected to shoot for long hours, and at this price, there really isn’t much to dislike. For a gaming streaming solution, the Canon VIXIA HF R800 is definitely not a bad call.

4. Best Cheap Canon Vlogging Camera – Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II

• 1.0 Inch, 20.1 Megapixel High sensitivity CMOS sensor
• Digic 7 image processor. Compatible with iOS versions 8.4,9.3 and 10.2 and Android smartphone and tablet versions 4.1,4.2,4.3,4.4,5.0,5.1,6.0,7.0,7.1
• Ultra slim, lightweight and pocket size camera

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The Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II is a pocket-sized point-and-shoot camera with a 1-inch 20-megapixel CMOS sensor, larger than previous models, meaning it can do better in low-light conditions than past cameras with smaller sensors. Even if you’re used to Canon compacts, you’ll still notice a big size difference with this model – it’s noticeably thinner, lighter, and more compact. It’s available in two finishes, a black and a silver finish that has a beige faux plastic leatherette on the front. The lens (in 35mm equivalent) is 28–84 mm that has an f-stop range of 2.0 to 4.9. When it comes to layout, it has a hidden flash on the top which can be released with a switch. There’s a mode selector for playback. The microphone is in the middle, and it has been greatly improved in comparison to previous cameras by Canon.

On the back of this cheap vlogging Canon camera, you’ll find the 3-inch fixed LCD display and a handful of buttons – you’ll notice the absence of any kind of dial with the G9, primarily because everything (apart from recording and two to three other options) is done through the touchscreen. The focus tracking on this camera is exceptional. There is a special feature that combines the focus selection and shutter release through a tap on the screen, as opposed to taking the picture with the shutter button, making it extremely useful for taking photos of quick-moving subjects. Another improvement on this camera is image stabilization, particularly for video recording. There are five or six image stabilization modes in this camera that you can use, which work great even with handheld footage. This is especially useful when taking pictures too if you’re shooting in low light or taking macro photos. All in all, I’d say that at this price, the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II is a very reliable vlogging camera packed with features that will serve anyone, whether they’re vlogging or doing photography.

5. Best Cheap Waterproof Vlogging Camera – Olympus Tough TG-6

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• Water proof (50 feet /15 meter), dust proof, shock proof (7 feet / 2.1 meter), crush proof (100 kgf), freeze proof (14 degree Fahrenheit / -10 degree...
• High resolution F2.0 lens, maximum 8x zoom, true pic VIII, back illuminated CMOS image sensor
• Variable macro system comprised of 4 macro shooting modes, magnified shooting up to 1 centimeter from the end of the lens

$519.95 −$23.95 $496.00

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The Olympus Tough TG-6 is a really nice-looking and cheap camera for YouTube. The body is made of metal, which makes it sleek and classy. This is a compact camera with a tight grip, is very light, and is easy to carry on all of your adventures. The screen on the TG-6 is very good. You can boost the brightness on a sunny day so you're able to see your compositions very clearly. When it comes to focal length, the TG-6 has a very nice wide angle, starting at 25 mm and going just beyond 100. In 4K video, you’ll find there’s a slight crop, so keep that in mind if you really care about the ratio of your footage. The lens on this compact camera has a wide aperture, and you also get optical stabilization. If you want to share your unforgettable and wild experiences, the Olympus TG-6 has built-in WiFi, and with the help of the Image Track application, you can now easily and quickly transfer files to a mobile device for sharing on social networks. Other key features that the TG-6 has are the multi-function zoom with 4x magnification, which covers 25–100mm equivalent range and has a maximum aperture of f/2 to cope effortlessly with difficult lighting conditions.

The Olympus TG-6 also has an incredible macro shooting mode, which is perfect for interesting close-up photography, without losing any resolution. There’s also inbuilt image stabilization, keeping everything steady, and a nice and bright aperture lens. The Olympus TG-6 has a very impressive video package. Where this camera truly excels is the slow motion. At 1080p, you can shoot either in 60fps or 120 fps, and at 720p, you can even push it to 240. It’s very soft and provides a lot of fun. The microphone is directional and eliminates a lot of ambient noise. When using the zoom function, however, bear in mind that you can hear the lens coming into the audio when recording footage – this is perhaps one of the major drawbacks of this camera. If you want to shoot Quick Action or events or even Sports, Olympus has their Super Control Panel, allowing you to change settings very quickly – just hit the Okay button, and you will have quick access to all your preferred settings. Finally, what’s worth mentioning is that this camera is actually waterproof (down to 50 ft.), perfect for underwater recording, while also being shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof. This is truly an amazing and cheap camera especially for its current price, perfect for the adventurous types.

6. Best Value for Money – FUJIFILM XT-200

• X-T200 is equipped with a vari-angle 3.5-inch/ 16:9 Aspect Ratio widescreen LCD touch-screen can be opened and closed between 0 to 180 degrees and...
• The use of on-sensor phase detection pixels across the sensor and an improved prediction algorithm means focus can be achieved quickly and in a...
• Fujifilm’s legacy in color science has given it legendary status among image-makers across the world. During its 85 years in the industry, it has...

$1,149.00

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Yes, the FUJIFILM XT-200 is perhaps the most expensive camera on our cheap vlogging cameras list, but it has been included here for a reason. It is one of my absolute favorites, and the XT-200 has a list of features I can’t wait to share with you. Purely visually, this is a classy-looking camera. The XT-200 comes in three different designs – Silver, Dark Silver, and Champagne Gold. It definitely has a vintage look to it, but it’s not all about looks – the body is lightweight, easy to carry, and has a great grip. When talking about the video specs on this beautiful Fuji camera, it has an enviable 4K video resolution available at 24, 25, and 30 fps. It’s worth mentioning that there is a 15-minute cutoff point when recording video at this high resolution. You can record slow motion at Full HD 120fps, which is incredible and will look great if you’re uploading to YouTube. 

It will be unfair to do a review of this beautiful camera without mentioning the LCD screen. Fuji has definitely upgraded their LCD panel from their previous models, offering a fully articulating mount with an incredible 16:9 ratio (different from the popular 3:2 you’ll see on most cheap flip-screen cameras). This amazing back panel comes with a fully integrated touchscreen interface. You still get some buttons on the side of the panel to avoid unnecessarily clutter on your screen. This camera also has an electronic viewfinder, perfect for extremely sunny days and for immaculate manual focus selection. Speaking of autofocus, the XT-200 has definitely improved from their XT-100 predecessor, and it definitely shows in their autofocus features, offering both face and eye detection, even if your subjects of focus are far away. This is not a cheap camera per se, but it’s definitely cheap for the amazing features packed in this small, yet powerful, camera.

7. Best Cheap Mirrorless Vlogging Camera – Sony Alpha a6000

• 24 MP APS-C CMOS sensor ISO 100-25600 and Focus Sensitivity Range: EV 0 to EV 20 (at ISO 100 equivalent with F28 lens attached)
• Operating temperature: 32-104°F / 0-40°C.Hybrid AF with 179-point focal plane phase-detection and 25 contrast detect points Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC
• Up to 11 FPS continuous shooting, Compatible OS:Windows Vista SP2-8, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 81, Mac OS X (v106-v109)

$799.99

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This amazing and cheap Sony mirrorless camera can still be found on the shelves of their shops, even 7 years after its release. The Sony a6000 has a solid 24-megapixel sensor, managing to impress us even to this day with its dynamic range and effective use under low-light conditions. Twenty-four megapixels is pretty much the sweet spot for most cameras, and if you’re uploading to Instagram or Facebook, you need around 12 megapixels anyway (otherwise, your image will be compressed by the social media platform, and you’ll lose a lot of quality when uploading). When talking about the video quality of this cheap mirrorless camera, there is some good news – this camera can still record up to 1080p at 60fps. Even though 4K has been around for a few years, people still shoot in 1080p, and I keep saying there’s nothing wrong with that, especially if you’ll be uploading to YouTube anyway. Pair the footage of Full HD with some quality lens, and you have a solid and reliable camera. I would definitely recommend getting an OSS lens (or optical steady shot lens) because the body doesn’t have IBIS (inbuilt image stabilization). If you need nice and steady footage, I would recommend getting an OSS or investing in a gimbal, which you’ll probably be doing anyway if you’re planning on using this camera for vlogging. Gimbals and tripods are really cheap nowadays and, in my opinion, are essential to completing your video creation kit. 

When reviewing the audio on this cheap and affordable vlogging camera, you’ll be faced with one drawback – there is no audio jack. To be honest, it is not exactly necessary to record audio using the audio jack. You can always purchase a separate microphone and get clear and crisp sound. If you’re planning on making this your main video camera for vlogging, one thing you’ll definitely need to keep in mind is that this camera definitely doesn’t have IBIS, as I have said. Thus, if you’re more of a sit-down vlogger or enjoy unstabilized handheld footage, this will be the camera for you. Overall, for this tiny price tag, this camera offers a lot of amazing features and can be upgraded to a solid video-recording tool. If you’re wondering what the best cheap camera is, the Sony Alpha a6000 won’t disappoint.

8. Best Cheap Camera with a Flip Screen – Panasonic LUMIX G100

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• A Real Camera for Real Life: Trust your memories to a camera, not a phone. The exceptional performance and portability of the LUMIX G100 lets you...
• Easily Transfer, Edit and Share: Intuitive, lightweight camera integrates seamlessly with smartphones to share photos easily with family, and on...
• Use as a Webcam: Easily connect the G100 to your computer so that your web calls, livestreams, interviews, and media all look crisp, bright, and...

$799.99 −$250.04 $549.95

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The Panasonic LUMIX G100 is a compact camera with interchangeable optics, designed specifically for vloggers and other multimedia content creators. The compact body of the LUMIX DC-G100 offers a 3-inch touchscreen LCD display, 4K video recording, and optimized OZO audio from Nokia. In addition to the excellent specs for recording video and taking photos, this model by Panasonic also offers a special interface for vloggers. The LUMIX G100 also features five-axis hybrid stabilization with sensor offset for optimal on-the-go shooting, as well as WiFi and Bluetooth for quick and easy file sharing and camera control. With a 20.3MP MOS Micro Four Thirds sensor and Venus processor, the DC-G100 allows UHD 4K video recording up to 30p and Full HD at 60p, and external FHD recording is possible via the micro-HDMI port. The sensor and processor also allow for fast and accurate DFD (Panasonic’s system of interpreting depth) focusing and subject tracking, as well as built-in 4K Photo, Post Focus, and Focus Stacking modes.

This hybrid camera is largely made by Panasonic to target vloggers. The G-100 is very compact and small and has a very powerful screen display – it’s a fully articulating touchscreen, 3 inches, and has 1.84 million dots, which is very high resolution. If you want to look at more cheap vlogging cameras with a flip screen, make sure to check out our recent review. It’s not just the screen that’s impressive on this Fuji camera – the grip is sturdy and comfortable for both videography and photography. If you haven’t bought a tripod or selfie stick yet, this Amazon link will lead you to a bundle, offering both the camera with the beautiful 12–32 mm lens and the LUMIX tripod grip that doubles as a selfie stick, making it a very affordable add on if you decide to buy the kit. The G-100 is using the OZO audio system by Nokia, which is lovely news, and it basically uses multiple microphones around the camera, pointing in different directions. This means that regardless of being in front of the camera or behind it, it will automatically detect you and use the appropriate microphones. You can also set it yourself so that the microphones pick up audio omnidirectionally, giving you superb audio control. This camera also has a new vlogging selfie mode – when you flip the screen toward you, it switches into face and eye detect, and the same goes for audio – it will only pick up whoever is in front of the camera. With all of this in mind, I think by far the best recently released camera on this list is the Panasonic LUMIX G-100.

9. Best Cheap Camera with Mic Output – Panasonic LUMIX FZ300

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• 4K video and 4K photo: Panasonic’s exclusive 4K photo technology uses 30 frames per second in high resolution 4K ultra HD video to extract them as...
• Leica DC Vario Elmarit lens: 24x zoom (25 600 millimeter with Full zoom range F2; 8 aperture for enhanced low light shooting meeting the stringent...
• High image Quality: The 12.1 Megapixel high sensitivity MOS sensor with the venus engine excels in diffraction compensation, yielding images that are...

$597.99 −$128.00 $469.99

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Looking for the best cheap camera with mic input? This popular bridge superzoom camera has some amazing characteristics – it has a 24x times optical zoom (the 35 mm equivalent is 25–600 mm), and it records 4K videos up to 25 or 30p. When talking about the body of this camera, it feels a lot more precisely made, with more attention to design details than most superzoom cameras. The Panasonic LUMIX FZ300 is also lightweight, sturdy, dustproof, and splashproof, often making it a desirable choice for many adventure vloggers. This cheap camera is perfect for vloggers for other reasons too – the amazing free-angle 3-inch touch LCD screen provides great contrast and colors and will make it extremely easy to frame your videos while you record. You can also use the amazing electronic viewfinder when you’re not recording yourself, which is perfect for sunny days or if you want to track any manual focus. This rare 1.4k dot OLED viewfinder is rarely to be found in superzoom bridge cameras, and it’s an incredible bonus. 

The autofocus is above average – superfast and accurate with the DFD technology, creating enhanced continuous focus when shooting video. The software is very well integrated with the hardware, so expect almost an instant response and a fluid transition between pressing the shutter button halfway and observing the camera response on-screen. Stabilization is perhaps the only place where this camera lacks. While it has impeccable stabilization when shooting photos, video stabilization is lacking a bit. Another great thing to consider about this cheap camera for YouTube videos is the ability to attach a shotgun microphone if you want, improving extremely on the audio quality of your videos. The Panasonic LUMIX FZ300 knows how to implement good video – there is a great level of detail and sharpness, true-to-life colors, and well-balanced exposure. To sum up, the LUMIX FX300 surprises with its amazing-quality videos, autofocus, it’s zoom lens, and, most importantly, the tiny price tag for such an impressive and cheap camera for vlogging.

10. Best Cheap Action Camera for Adventure Vlogging – DJI Osmo Pocket

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• LIGHTWEIGHT AND PORTABLE: as the smallest 3-axis stabilized handheld camera DJI has ever designed, the compact and intelligent OSMO pocket turns any...
• AMAZINGLY POWERFUL PERFORMANCE: OSMO pocket snaps photos in stunning detail, thanks to a 1/2. 3-Inch sensor, 80° FOV, and F/2. 0 aperture. It can...
• CREATIVE: Osmo Pocket can be connected to your phone for vlog and steaming. YouTube, TikTok, Streamlabs.

$249.00 −$39.00 $210.00

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Still wondering what a good cheap vlogging camera is? With its attractive and affordable price tag, the DJI Osmo Pocket makes for a great cheap vlogging camera. Not only is it compact, portable, and waterproof; it is also extremely powerful and can shoot Ultra HD video – so don’t be fooled by its small size. Unlike your typical clunky DSLRs or easy-to-drop point and shoot, this camera has a special surprise feature that I am sure will have your eyebrows raised. 

DJI is known for their supreme gimbal stabilization – and yes, it’s a big thing. Most cameras use digital stabilization, which does the trick if you want stable-looking footage. However, if you want to take it one step further, and you typically involve a lot of movements when you record vlogs, a gimbal stabilization will make all the difference. Gimbals provide additional support when shooting action video, providing pivoted support, allowing objects to rotate around a single axis. Basically, this means that the camera will remain steady while you’re walking, running, or doing activities that involve high-action movements. It also allows for smooth pans and tilts, as the camera is highly versatile. In return, you have highly cinematic and professional-looking video content. Who knew that good things really do come in small packages?

DJI Osmo Pocket records Ultra HD 4K at 30p and supports face tracking. Another great feature is that you can add a microphone to your recording kit (purchased separately). Keep in mind this camera excels in video recording, but photo capture won’t follow-up with such impressive quality. Hopefully, if you’re planning on making this your primary video camera, this won’t be a huge issue for you. Another minor inconvenience is that the screen doesn't flip out, but for this price, it isn’t that big of a deal. The convenience of the small size and image stabilization definitely makes up for these small drawbacks. This is one of the best cheap vlogging cameras which is perfect for anyone looking to start video recording.

Cheap Vlogging Cameras – Buyer’s Guide

Entering the vlogging world for the first time can be a daunting experience, but it doesn’t have to. Whether you are a beginner vlogger or an experienced video creator, I have rounded up some useful information to help you navigate through the main specs of the vlogging cameras on this list. 

Types of Cameras

In this day and age, there is such a wide variety of cameras to choose from – with different sizes, lens interchangeability, and sensor size. Depending on what you're planning on using your camera for, you can decide on the type of camera you’ll need. Here is a short overview of the different types of cameras.

DSLR

DSLRs (or digital single-lens reflex cameras) are some of the most popular cameras to this day. They provide great versatility, and it’s no wonder they have become the frontman of cameras worldwide. These cameras are sturdy and typically have large sensors. They provide the option of interchangeable lenses, making it easier to achieve a versatile field of view. They’re great cameras for both photography and video content creation, typically offer great performance in low-light conditions, have a durable battery life, and offer impressive adaptability to any setting. 

Of course, there is no such thing as a perfect camera, and DSLRs have their own major drawbacks. They are typically heavy and bulky, making them difficult to carry around without getting an arm cramp, especially if you’re trying to film a vlog. Add a gimbal or a tripod, and you’ve got yourself a workout. If you’re looking to become a beauty vlogger or you are one already, then the weight of this camera won’t be a huge issue for you. Keep in mind DSLRs don’t always shine with impressive audio recording either, so be advised to purchase a microphone if you want to have crisp and clear sound. Some photography experts will argue that the age of DSLR is coming to an end, giving place to lighter innovations such as mirrorless, action, and micro four thirds cameras. 

Mirrorless

Speaking of light cameras, mirrorless cameras are a more compact version of DSLRs. They share similar sensor characteristics inside, but they omit a mirror, making them a lot less heavy. Instead, the image goes straight to the sensor, which also doesn’t work against image quality. A lot of newly released mirrorless cameras have more advanced video quality than DSLRs. They are also more comfortable to carry and are smaller, lighter, and quieter in comparison to their aging cousins. Much like DSLRs, mirrorless cameras also allow for the interchangeable lens system I previously mentioned, but they have a smaller variety to choose from in comparison to DSLRs. 

Mirrorless cameras may seem like the ideal option for vloggers, but they’re not perfect. They typically suffer from short battery life and slow autofocus, which can be a huge disappointment if you’re shooting video. Beginner models are pricey with this innovative technology, and sometimes it’s wiser to go for a DSLR, offering a wider range of features for the same price. 

Action

Ever since the release of the GoPro in 2002, action cameras have become all the rage. Who says YouTube is all about beauty vloggers, am I right? Action cameras win people’s hearts with their small size (they can literally fit in your pocket), and not only are they packed full of impressive specs, but they are also made to be resistant to rough environments. Action cameras are the perfect choice when doing fast-paced, adventurous outdoor filming. If you’re into extreme sports such as mountain biking, skateboarding, surfing, scuba diving, or snowboarding – you name it – the sturdiness and compact body of these cameras make a reliable choice. Some models are waterproof and shockproof, making them great and durable companions on your crazy adventures. If you enjoy the sound of action cameras, know they won’t be ideal for your typical vloggers – of course, it all depends on the kind of project you want to do. Action cams, like any type of camera, have some limitations. 

To create a compact camera, one has to compromise some things to give way to a small and light body. A small sensor, fixed focus, and the absence of a viewfinder (in most models) and limited setting customization are the typical downsides of these pocket-sized cameras. It’s good to be aware that these cameras don’t come with a flip screen, another potential drawback for vloggers. However, some models will offer an app for your phone, enabling you to use it as a monitor – especially useful if you’re shooting from a distance.  

Micro Four Thirds

Micro four thirds is a relatively new camera type, quite similar in format to mirrorless cameras. They are also small, void of a mirror mechanism, but also lack a large sensor, which both mirrorless and DSLR cameras have. Of course, if you’re going to use a micro four thirds camera for vlogging, you won’t really feel the absence of a sensor, and you’ll be more glad that you can use the ability to change your lens on such compact cameras. This is usually the preferred vlogging camera by most videographers, and the lens size is adjusted accordingly to the body caliber, meaning they are equally small and compact. 

The main drawback I’d like to mention is the significantly small sensor size of micro four thirds cameras, meaning your footage will suffer in low-light conditions. If the sensor is small, light isn’t allowed to travel into the camera. Attempting to achieve a shallower depth of field can also be challenging, but it’s not impossible. You can equip yourself with longer and faster prime lenses to achieve your most desired bokeh effect. 

Point and Shoot

The babies of compact cameras, the point and shoots are the so-called children of DSLRs. With their extremely light and pocket-sized bodies, they are typically limited in some key features. Point and shoots typically hold the middle ground between two very different camera types and are usually pretty average in terms of specs. You’ll rarely find a point and shoot with Ultra HD, and even though their video quality is good, it isn’t as advanced as that of DSLRs. You’ll also need to make sure you’ve purchased an additional mic, as audio quality isn’t very good. However, if you are new to vlogging and are still getting around what kind of vlogger you want to be, starting with this cheap vlogging camera can be a good choice. They are cheap, easy to use, and perfect for practicing framing and shooting at different angles. 

Alternative Vlogging Cameras

Obviously, this isn’t the beginning and end of camera types. There are many more options to choose from. I just highlighted the most popular camera types out there. There are always camcorders, bridge cameras, and, of course, smartphones. You don’t have to search far and wide for a phone that can shoot in 4K or 1080p nowadays, but you’ll often be forced to pay through your eyeballs for one. Camcorders, on the other hand, are an extremely cheap alternative to compact cameras, and some present-day versions are even equipped with 4K and have touchscreen displays and image stabilization. If you’re interested in learning more about some of the best vlogging cameras, take a look at our roundup of the top 6 cameras of 2022.

Best Selling Cheap Vlogging Cameras

#	Preview	Product	Price
1		Digital Camera for Photography, 4K Vlogging Camera for YouTube 3" 180° Flip Screen...	$79.99	Buy on Amazon
2		4K Digital Camera for Photography, 64MP Vlogging Camera for YouTube with 3" 180°...	$79.99	Buy on Amazon
3		JVSCAM Digital Camera, Autofocus 48MP Point and Shoot Digital Cameras, FHD 1080P Kids...	$69.99 $48.99	Buy on Amazon
4		Sony ZV-1F Vlog Camera for Content Creators and Vloggers Black	$499.99 $398.00	Buy on Amazon
5		4K Digital Camera for Photography, 56MP Vlogging Video WiFi Camera for YouTube with...	$89.99 $83.99	Buy on Amazon

Last update on 2024-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API