Vlogging Guide | Canon EOS 90D

Vlogging Guide | Canon

Thinking of starting a YouTube channel, or sharing videos of your exploits on Facebook, Instagram or another social media platform? Then you’ll want to pick up one of the best cameras for vloggers.

Canon EOS 90D

Welcome to the latest instalment of our kit for vlogging series, where we take a look at some of the best cameras out there for vlogging and other similar video applications.

Today we’re taking a look at a very recent DSLR – the Canon EOS 90D. This APS-C DSLR was announced in August of 2019, sitting firmly in the mid-range of Canon’s line-up with a pleasing balance of price and performance. Refreshing and updating the popular EOS 80D, the Canon EOS 90D is built around a 32.5MP CMOS sensor that’s APS-C sized. So why is it so great for vlogging – and why should you care?

Whether you’ve already started a vlogging journey or are casually interested in trying it out, there’s a lot to be said for it. Vlogging is a great way to add a string to your professional bhow, or to just have fun in a slightly different medium. Whether you want to document your travels, show off your rigs or find a new outlet for your creativity, vlogging has lots to recommend it, and given that so many stills cameras like the EOS 90D are so well-optimised for video, it also doesn’t require you to invest in a lot of new, specialised equipment.

Previously in this series we’ve covered the Nikon D7500, the Fujifilm X-T2 and the Sony A6500, all of which are amazing cameras and superb vlogging tools. So what makes the Canon EOS 90D worth your time for vlogging?

Let’s dig into its feature-set and find out for ourselves…

Why the Canon EOS 90D is a great choice for vloggers

Canon has received some stick from videographers in the past for the vicious crop modes afflicting its cameras’ 4K video capabilities, using only a portion of the sensor to deliver 4K video. Not so with the EOS 90D, which shoots uncropped 4K using the full width of its sensor. When you combine this with Canon’s sophisticated Dual Pixel AF autofocus system, you have a seriously capable 4K video setup for a pretty amazing price.

The Dual Pixel AF acquits itself really well in video, with points covering nearly 100% of the vertical frame and 88% of the horizontal and giving you more than 5,000 points to choose from. The “sticky” video autofocus can also make use of face-detection and eye-detection, which is especially handy for vlogging when the subject you’ll most often be shooting will likely be… yourself. Rolling shutter effect is nicely controlled for, and if you don’t want to shoot in 4K, the 1080p capture looks great as well. The camera also gains some useful videography features like focus peaking, though is missing the flat Log gamma profile. It’s not quite a professional video tool, but for vlogging, it’ll more than get the job done

This is borne out by the ergonomics, a lot of which are eminently vlogger-friendly. The touchscreen is a fully articulating model, allowing you to turn it around to face yourself and compose your self-shots with ease. The EOS 90D also includes a headphone port and a microphone port – mandatory on any camera aspiring to be taken seriously as a vlogging tool, as being able to record high-quality sound (and monitor it) is critical for creating video with a professional feel. It’s not too heavy for a DSLR, weighing in at about 700g body-only. This is acceptable for hand-held shooting, though you probably wouldn’t want to be lifting it all day.

The EOS 90D isn’t an entirely perfect choice. The lack of in-body Image Stabilisation necessitates either buying a stabilising rig (bumping up your costs) or relying on digital stabilisation (and cropping your footage). However, for its price it’s a fantastic tool and can absolutely be relied upon to get the job done in an exemplary fashion.

An ideal vlogging setup with the Canon EOS 90D

Fancy trying out some vlogging with the Canon EOS 90D? It’s worth investing a little time (and, yes, cash) into crafting the perfect setup that will help you to get the most out of this capable camera. We’ve put together a list to help you get started, including the various accessories we reckon will make your vlogging run much more smoothly and lead to professional results.

Here’s what we think you’ll need:

– A good-quality APS-C lens. As the Canon EOS 90D has a smaller sensor, some lenses will behave differently than they would on a full-frame DSLR, so make sure you know what you’re getting into before you buy. We’d recommend picking up a good standard zoom for APS-C – something like the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM should cover you for most eventualities.

– A high-quality microphone. We recommend this in all our vlogging blogs – the EOS 90D has a mic port, so take advantage of it! The RØDE VideoMic is an excellent choice at a solid price.

– A stabilising gimbal. The EOS 90D lack in-body stabilisation, as mentioned, so we’d recommend giving it a little help with a gimbal. Some like the Zhiyun Crane Plus is a good choice – this stabilising gimbal can hold up to 2.5kg of kit, so is easily strong enough for the EOS 90D and a lens.

– A fast, high-capacity memory card. The EOS 90D only has one card slot, so make the most of it. We recommend the SanDisk Extreme Pro range, and getting as high-capacity a card as you can afford.

– A strong tripod. Manfrotto’s 500 video tripod system will serve you well and provide a stable shooting platform in all situations.

Monitoring headphones. Again, it’s got the port, so use it!

– A videolight. Take a look at the Rotolight Neo range for some of the best video lights in the business.

Thank you for reading! Let us know if you have any questions about the EOS 90D or vlogging in general, and we’ll see you next time!

VLOGGING GUIDE | SONY A6500

Vlogging Guide | Best Cameras For Vloggers

Thinking of starting a YouTube channel, or sharing videos of your exploits on Facebook, Instagram or another social media platform? Then you’ll want to pick up one of the best cameras for vloggers.

Welcome back to our vlogging kit series, where we run through some of the best cameras and other equipment that’s out there for prospective vloggers right now.

You may or may not have been tempted by the idea of vlogging before, but even if you’ve never considered it, we’d definitely recommend giving it some thought. Vlogging tends to demand less production value than other types of video, and as a professional working in stills or video, you already have a wealth of material to vlog about with a built-in audience. What kind of kit are you using for your shoots – what do you like about it, what do you wish were better? How do you approach different kinds of shoots and subjects? People are interested in this stuff, and being able to connect with them through vlogs is a great way to open up new opportunities and even potential revenue streams.

Previously in this series we’ve covered the Nikon D7500 and the Fujifilm X-T2. Today in the hot seat is the Sony A6500, part of the tech giant’s APS-C camera range. Confusingly, it is not the newest of these – the A6400 was released a little later. Why? We don’t know. No one knows.

Cameras in this series are principally known for being super-fast and relatively affordable do-it-all cameras, with snappy burst speeds and autofocus systems to match. So what makes this one such a good choice for vlogging?

Let’s dig into its feature-set and find out.

Why the Sony A6500 is perfect for vloggers

The street-style, lightweight Sony A6500 fits perfectly with the others in the series that have come before it. That means that one of its big concerns is a fast, comprehensive autofocus – and it doesn’t disappoint, with an autofocus system that uses a combination of 425 phase-detect points and 169 contrast-detect points. This absolutely massive focus-point density means it’s able to acquire and keep its subjects near-instantly, and stands you in good stead for any and all vlogging you might want to do – minimal awkward moments were the camera hunts for focus after a sudden change in viewpoint.

The guts of the camera consist of a 24.2MP Exmor APS-C CMOS sensor paired with a front-end LSI and Sony’s Bionz X processor, all of which ensures the camera provides superior fast operation. While previous models in the series didn’t carry the capacity to produce 4K video, the A6500 happily shoots 4K UHD, and can also capture Full HD at up to 120fps for super-slow motion footage. While many vlogs are uploaded and watched in Full HD, being future-proofed is no bad thing, and the fact that the A6500’s 4K footage is oversampled, with no pixel binning – it’s captured at the equivalent of 6K – is another feather in its cap.

The A6500 is the first APS-C Sony camera to come packing 5-axis image stabilisation, which works with or without Sony’s stabilised lenses. Video recording is also made easier with Touch Focus, and serious video users can make use of the S-Gamut/S-Log modes to produce footage with a wide dynamic range, perfect for colour-grading in the edit. A Gamma Display Assist mode also makes it easier to ensure you’re getting a correct exposure while shooting in these modes.

The A6500 isn’t perfect. Frustratingly, its screen does not flip all the way around, making it difficult to monitor your shots if you’re filming yourself. It is also still quite a pricey camera, and you may find smaller and tidier options to be more to your liking from Canon, Fujifilm or Nikon. It only has one card slot, not two, and while it’s certainly more affordable than the full-frame Alpha 7 models, it’s still not exactly a cheap camera. These factors are worth bearing in mind before making any decisions.

Sony A6500 rigged for video

An ideal vlogging setup with the Sony A6500

If you want to maximise the production value you get out of the Sony A6500, then it’s worth thinking about the best accessories to use. It doesn’t have to be a massive outlay of cash – a few well-chosen accessories can make a massive difference in the quality of your videos, not to mention the ease of producing them, and luckily for you, we’ve picked out a ready-made list of the best ones around right now. While this list isn’t exhaustive, it also isn’t compulsory – even just a few of these will really see your vlogging improve.

So here’s what we reckon you should get:

– A good all-encompassing lens. You ideally don’t want to be faffing about changing lenses too often. We’d say something like the Sony 16-70mm f/4 will cover a solid focal range that should give you all the coverage you need for the vast majority of your vlogging.

– A good shotgun microphone. A no-brainer here for improving the sound quality of your videos – there’s a reason we recommend it in all of our vlogging blogs. A RØDE VideoMic will suit your purposes fantastically. For more audio control you can use the Sony XLR-K3M XLR adaptor kit, pictured above, with your choice of XLR microphone from shotgun mics to radio lavalier kits ideal for interviews.

– A fast, large-capacity SD card. You might be able to save some money here, as the A6500 isn’t able to take advantage of UHS-II cards, a UHS-I card will do fine. Something from the SanDisk Extreme Pro range will suit you fine – the higher its capacity, the better.

– A stable tripod, ideally one with a head geared for video. Manfrotto, Vanguard, Camlink and Velbon all make great dedicated video tripods with smooth panning heads.

Monitoring headphones to check your audio.

– A video light. Although the A6500 is great in low light, this is a good thing to have when you need it. Look at lights from Rotolight for a good self-contained system.


That’s all for the Sony A6500! We’ll see you next time.

VLOGGING GUIDE | FUJIFILM X-T2

Vlogging Guide | Fujifilm

Thinking of starting a YouTube channel, or sharing videos of your exploits on Facebook, Instagram or another social media platform? Then you’ll want to pick up one of the best cameras for vloggers.

When you’re looking for a great camera for vlogging, there are a number of different factors you have to consider. It’s a given that you need the camera to be able to capture high-quality video, in at least Full HD if not 4K, but there are other things too.

A good vlogging camera should have an external microphone socket so that you can produce top-quality sound for your videos (most cameras’ on-board mics simply won’t cut it for anything but the most amateurish productions). It needs a decent LCD screen for monitoring, should have solid battery life, and ideally shouldn’t be too large and bulky, as you’ll be taking it with you to shoot on location.

People buy vlogging gear for all different reasons – maybe you’re planning to start a YouTube channel, maybe you want to offer your clients an additional service, or maybe you just fancy mucking about with some behind-the-scenes videos of your shoots.

Previously in our vlogging cameras series we looked at a fantastic option – the Nikon D7500. Now we’ve got another recommendation to share with as one of the best choices for vloggers, this time a mirrorless camera. Today’s recommendation is the Fujifilm XT-2 with the VPBC-XT2 battery grip.

Read on as we discuss why in more detail.

Why the Fujifilm X-T2 is perfect for vloggers

Those of you who keep up with your camera news might be thinking this a slightly odd choice, given that Fujifilm has since released the X-T3 and X-T30. However, the X-T2 is still a fantastic camera in its own right, and all the subsequent releases mean it’s only going to get more affordable.

The video quality of the X-T2 is more than enough for vlogging. It was the first Fujifilm X-series camera to show that Fuji was really taking video seriously – that’s why it shoots 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) video at a bit rate of 100Mbps, all of which represents a considerable jump from the X-T1. Its footage looks simply fantastic, rendering beautifully thanks to the 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS sensor, and the 3-inch rear display with 1.04million dots makes monitoring your shots a matter of ease. The X-T2 also has a 3.5mm microphone port, meaning it’s easy to attach a shotgun microphone to bump up your sound quality and really improve your footage.

As mentioned earlier, we’re specifically recommending the X-T2 with the optional VPBC-XT2 battery grip. This accessory transforms the camera from a decent vlogging camera into an exceptional one, and if you’re serious about vlogging with the X-T2 we’d go so far as to say it’s essential.

This is for two reasons: #1 the VPBC-XT2 battery grip contains an external headphone socket for monitoring your audio. And #2, the grip extends the X-T2’s maximum 4K recording time from 10 minutes to 29 minutes. Either of those by themselves would be enough to make the battery grip a worthy purchase – put them together and they make it essential.

There are plenty more features we can list on the X-T2 – it has an HDMI output, audio volume live monitoring and dual card slots compatible with UHS-II – but the other thing perhaps most worth flagging up is that it is stylishly and ergonomically designed to be easy to use (with dial-led controls) and to look good too. Lightweight and rugged, the X-T2 is a camera that’ll keep up with you no matter where your vlogging adventures take you.

An ideal vlogging setup with the Fujifilm X-T2

We’ve put together a recommended vlogging setup for getting started with the Fujifilm X-T2. While we encourage experimentation and finding a setup that works for you, here is our selection of accessories you can use to make your shoots run a little more smoothly:

– Get a decent wide lens with a large maximum aperture. This will allow you to gather plenty of light and create shallow depth of field, as well as ensuring that the image you produce is of top quality. Something like the Fujifilm XF 35mm f2 R WR Fujinon Lens is a good choice, providing an equivalent focal length of about 50mm.

– Add the VPBC-XT2 battery grip (pictured above) to make your shoot last longer.

– A good microphone that can take advantage of the X-T2’s 3.5mm mic socket. We recommend the RØDE VideoMic GO, a portable and powerful microphone that’ll easily fit in your kit bag.

– Get multiple UHS-II memory cards. The X-T2 has two powerful card slots – use them! Get a couple of SanDisk Extreme PRO UHS-II cards in your preferred size (we’d recommend going as high as your budget allows).

– A tripod that’s geared for video. Stable but lightweight, with a head that enables smooth movement. The Manfrotto 500 Video System is a good choice.

– A pair of monitoring headphones for keeping an eye (an ear?) on your sound. You can’t go wrong with a pair of Roland RH-5 headphones.

– A video light. This doesn’t have to be expensive, but is useful to have in a pinch. Something light the Rotolight NEO II is ideal.


That’s all for the Fujifilm X-T2! We’ll see you for the next instalment of our vlogging kit series.

VLOGGING GUIDE | NIKON D7500

Vlogging Guide | Nikon

Thinking of starting a YouTube channel, or sharing videos of your exploits on Facebook, Instagram or another social media platform? Then you’ll want to pick up one of the best cameras for vloggers.

Adding vlogging and quick video sharing as another string to your bow is a great idea for a visual creative – even if you don’t plan to make vlogging your primary source of income, it can be an excellent way to connect with a different audience, have some fun while out on your shoots, and potentially connect with a whole new client base.

Whether you want to make shoot diaries, explainer videos, interviews or just slice-of-life vlogs, you’re going to need one of the best cameras for vlogging, and in our new blog series we’re going to explore a few of the best options available right now.

First up, we’re taking a closer look at the Nikon D7500. First unveiled in 2017, this is a capable APS-C DSLR from the venerable manufacturer, and it’s a great choice for any vlogger.

Let’s take a closer look to find out…

Why the Nikon D7500 is perfect for vloggers

As mentioned, the D7500 joined Nikon’s DX lineup of crop-sensor cameras, but it slotted into this range in an interesting way. It actually sports a sensor with a lower megapixel count than previous models in the series – 20.9MP rather than 24MP. This provides it with other advantages such as a native ISO range of 100-51,200, expandable to a whopping 1,640,000.

For video users, the drop in sensor resolution doesn’t make much difference, but the advantages of additional sensitivity are huge, and would be a real advantage if you plan to shoot at night or anywhere that light conditions are sub-optimal.

Nikon radically upgraded the video capabilities of the D7500 – it’s capable of capturing 4K UHD video at 30p for up to 29 minutes and 59 seconds. Full HD can also be recorded at up to 60p, and the D7500 also allows for an uncompressed HDMI output running at the same time as recording to a card, for an instant extra backup to ensure you never lose footage. You can record footage in MP4 and AAC formats to optimise it for viewing on mobile devices, and also take advantage of Nikon’s Vibration Reduction technology for smoother handheld shooting. This is a highly capable video machine that’s specifically optimised for quick shooting in all sorts of different conditions – in other words, it’s ideal for the vlogger.

There are plenty of other features that make the Nikon D7500 a great camera for vlogging – its 3.2-inch tilting LCD monitor is a boon for all sorts of shooting situations, allowing you to capture footage from different angles and explore different perspectives. It’s also useful that all told the camera weighs just 640g, and that the extensive weatherproofing means you can shoot outdoors without fear of damaging it.

A perfect vlogging setup with the Nikon D7500

While the Nikon D7500 is a great vlogging camera, you’ll get the most out of it if you add a few well-chosen accessories. Here are our picks for the ideal vlogging setup with the Nikon D7500:

– Get a fast, wide lens. Though zooms add versatility, primes are best for quality. A nice, wide focal length will make it easy to frame up, as well as keeping your kit light and compact. Something like the Nikon 24mm f1.8G ED AF-S Lens would be ideal.

– Get a good microphone. Sound quality is arguably the most critical aspect of making videos that feel professional. The RØDE VideoMic GO is a perfect choice, and won’t break the bank.

– A quality pair of headphones such as the Roland RH-5 for audio monitoring (the D7500 has a headphone jack).

– A fast, high-capacity memory card to record your footage – the D7500 only has one card slot, so make it count. The SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I offers cards with capacities of up to 512GB.

– A good tripod. We’d recommend a Joby Gorillapod for maximum flexibility and versatility in camera placement – this grippy tripod allows you to set up a camera in all sorts of unusual places.

– An external recorder. Take advantage of the D7500’s HDMI out functionality with a recorder such as one from the Atomos Ninja range, which can also serve as a monitor.

That about wraps it up for the Nikon D7500. We’ll be discussing more of the best cameras for vloggers soon – see you next time!

Chris Schmid shooting natural world with Alpha Mirrorless image

Chris Schmid shooting natural world with Alpha Mirrorless

Wildlife pro Chris Schmid tells us why his Alpha mirrorless cameras have changed the way he shoots the natural world.

The advantage of EVF

“One of the benefits of an electronic viewfinder,” says Chris, “is that the exposure you see in the EVF is what you’re going to get in the picture.” Chris always shoots in manual exposure mode, so the EVF has an added benefit – in tricky lighting, it means not only does he have total control, but also there is no need to shoot additional frames because of guesswork.

©Chris Schmid

With old-fashioned optical viewfinders on DSLRs, there’s often guesswork involved which can put some photographers off working in manual mode, but with an EVF nothing is left to chance. “So when I’m shooting a subject that’s backlit, or in shadow,” says Chris, “I don’t need to shoot extra frames to get it right – I can concentrate on capturing the moment.”

Silent Shooting

“Sony’s Silent Shooting mode is perfect for me,” Chris tells us, “because even a small shutter noise can cause an animal to react”. Total silence means a more truthful image – it’s more natural and that’s when you know that you’re capturing the animal’s real behaviour.

“Last year I was photographing gorillas, and with the silent shutter it was an amazing experience. I could enjoy that moment without any noise from the camera, just hearing the birds, the wind, and with no intrusion on feeling. It was just perfect – a pure joy really.”

©Chris Schmid

Image quality

“To shoot the way I do, you need a big dynamic range,” Chris explains “because I often like to capture the animal’s environment, rather than a straight portrait. When I compare the shots from my α9 and α7R III to cameras from even five years ago, it’s amazing. All the details in the highlights of skies or the shadows of the bush are much easier to retain.”

Something else Chris relies on from his Alphas is great noise performance at higher ISOs. He explains that, “because I’m shooting early or late in the day I often need to push the ISO, maybe to 1600 or more. It’s vital for hunting and other behavioural shots that take place at those times of day.”

©Chris Schmid

Fast, reliable focus

Moving subjects or those hidden by the environment need fast and accurate Auto Focus to find and follow them, because, as Chris says, “the magic is only there for a couple of seconds and you need to react quickly to catch it.”

Most of the time, he relies on the proven Continuous AF of his α9 and α7R III, using the tracking mode to follow an animal, and only switching occasionally to Single AF when an animal is static and he can place the focus point on the eye.

Even the Focus Peaking mode comes into play on some occasions: “If I’m shooting, say, a lion in the bush, the leaves and grass in front can confuse the focus, so if that’s the case I just switch to focus peaking in manual and can see clearly what’s sharp in the EVF. There’s something for every situation.”

©Chris Schmid

Chris is a Sony Europe Imaging Ambassador and you can see more of his work at www.sony.co.uk/alphauniverse

 

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