These days, it seems like most new camera bodies have some sort of built-in video capabilities. With the huge number of video blogs and other content being posted on social media every day, it’s no surprise that many shooters who once considered themselves strictly photographers are now branching out into a world of motion.
Below, you’ll find an assortment of options from different brands to consider if you find yourself in this curious camp. From top-shelf mirrorless to a more classic DSLR form factor, you’ll definitely find something that’s the perfect fit for you in our inventory. With one of these pairs, you’ll be churning out content and raking in views in no time.
We’ve long been fans of Fujifilm’s various classic-inspired camera bodies, and the X-T100 is no exception. This model, however, lends itself incredibly well to filming yourself and everything around you thanks to the tilting flip-out touchscreen. Pair that with face detection & Fujifilm’s excellent film emulations and you’ve got a winning combo for creativity.
This 24mm equivalent is compact, quick, sharp, and wide. When vlogging, it’s much easier to work with a lens that shows both you and the available space in the room. This silent option gives both sharpness and a pleasing image quality to whatever video tasks you throw its way.
A popular favorite among independent video professionals, the GH5 isn’t the newest of the lineup, but it’s paved the way for continued greatness with 60p 4K video in a compact, sensor-stabilized body.
The previous generation’s DMC-GH4 can now be picked up for an impressive price point if you aren’t in need of in-body stabilization or uncropped 4K. Alternately, the DC-GH5S dials up the heat with increased low light sensitivity and dual native ISO–features seldom found outside of much more expensive bodies.
Optically stabilized, with a 24-120mm equivalent zoom and co-designed with industry titan Leica, this lens is a high-end item with a reasonably modest price point. Considering that this top-quality lens may never leave your camera mount, the spend is even easier to justify.
Claiming to have some of the most powerful in-body image stabilization, the E-M5 Mark II also boasts impressive weather sealing. Seemingly designed specifically for travel and vacation videos, its small Micro Four Thirds body comes significantly lighter and easier to carry on a grand adventure than a similarly-specced full-frame DSLR. Oh, and it comes in both black and silver models for those with more discerning tastes.
This lens gives you a solid zoom range for indoor and outdoor applications, and quick autofocus performance, but it offers something a bit more powerful for video work. Packing a motorized electronic zoom in its small frame, the 12-50mm gives a smooth, professional polish to any documentary-style push or pull shots.
Not so long ago, the creator world was flooded with DSLR-style camera bodies instead of mirrorless models. The supremely affordable D5300 is a great example of a budget camera that still offers impressive capabilities. A 24-megapixel DX-format sensor doubles up for sharp stills, a swiveling LCD screen spins around for self-filming, and the movie mode allows you to shoot high-def video in 60 frames per second. It may not get all the way up to 4K, but when you consider that most video content is viewed on small 1080p screens, you probably won’t miss it.
While we don’t always love recommending kit zoom lenses, here we make an exception. It’s a perfect choice for someone just getting started. Surprisingly sharp when stopped down, it also offers an effective range from wide to telephoto for capture of both landscapes and portraits, allotting the user a great deal of creative flexibility in a lightweight, entry-level lens.
Canon’s entry into the full frame mirrorless world may have been slower than some expected, but boy, do they know how to burst onto the scene. The R6 features the same image sensor and processor of the 1D X Mark III, a powerhouse in the DSLR world. Paired with in-body image stabilization and high video frame rates, this beast is ready to take on the world. Additionally, with 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log or HDR-PQ recording, the R6 can truly output some pro-level images worthy of your first (or latest) viral video.
Alternately, the EOS 70D is an excellent APS-C camera from a generation ruled by DSLRs. Still just as capable as it was when it first burst onto the scene, this wedding and vlogging favorite can be had for cheaper than ever. Paired with an EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, you’ve got a budget kit ready for almost anything.
Matching the focal length and aperture of one of our favorite E-mount lenses, the RF 24-105 f/4 L also brings along its excellent image stabilization. This makes it one of the most versatile options for steady handheld and low-light scenarios. With fast, smooth and silent autofocus capabilities, this is the single-lens solution for the RF system.