The Ultimate Vlogging Guide | Fujifilm

The Ultimate Vlogging Guide | Fujifilm

If you want to start vlogging on Fujifilm kit, you’ve got an embarrassment of riches to choose from. While Fujifilm is generally more popular among photographers for its retro-styled cameras with dial-led controls, the X series offers a number of cameras that are also great for video, including multiple models that are specifically tailored to vloggers. This guide is here to help you find the right ones for you.

Fujifilm X-mount cameras all use APS-C sensors – smaller than full-frame, and significantly larger than the sensors found in smartphones. They tend to sit in the mid-range; there aren’t really any ultra-cheap beginner Fujifilm cameras, and there also aren’t any that cost as much as the top-tier flagships from the likes of Canon, Nikon or Sony. With that said, there’s plenty of variability in the series, so here we’ve nominated a range of excellent Fujifilm vlogging cameras and lenses for a range of budgets…

 

Best Fujifilm vlogging cameras

The Ultimate vlogging guide Fuji cameras
Best Fujifilm vlogging cameras

There are a fair few Fujifilm X-mount cameras, and many are tailored to quite specific purposes. For vlogging therefore, it pays to do a little research and make sure you get hold of one that’s going to give you all the features you need. Here are the Fujifilm X cameras we’d recommend for vlogging right now – including budget and second-hand options as well as the top-tier models. 

 

Best Fujifilm vlogging camera overall: Fujifilm X-S20

Best Fujifilm vlogging camera overall: Fujifilm X-S20
Fujifilm X-S20

Key specs:

  • Mirrorless camera
  • 26.1MP Fujifilm X-Trans IV APS-C sensor
  • Fujifilm X lens mount
  • 6.2K 30p, 4K 60p, Full HD 240p
  • Ports: Micro HDMI, 3.5mm mic input, 3.5mm headphone output, USB-C

A long-awaited update that arrived in 2023, the Fujifilm X-S20 is unquestionably the best Fujifilm camera for vloggers right now. There are more affordable options available, and there are cameras with more advanced video features, but in terms of the balance it strikes between performance and price, as well as the range of video options it puts at the user’s fingertips, it’s the best you can buy.

The X-S20 has a simplified design compared to other Fujifilm cameras, with fewer of the distinctive dials that characterise the firm’s photo-focused offerings. This has helped keep the weight of the X-S20 down – at 490g, it’s not going to feel like a brick around your neck, and it’s generally a good camera for keeping out of the way. It has a fully articulating screen that flips around to the side, and a 3.5mm input for attaching a mic. All music to the vlogger’s ears.

Of course, all this was also true of the previous X-S10, which arrived in 2020. What marks the X-S20 out is its upgraded video capability. Whereas the previous camera could shoot 4K video, the X-S20 captures glorious 6.2K 30p video in 4:2:2 10-bit format, using the full, uncropped width of its sensor. There’s also the option to shoot in Fujifilm’s flat F-Log profile, and if you hook up an external recorder, the X-S20 can also output Apple ProRes RAW or Blackmagic RAW. This is an impressive suite of options for a camera at this price.

The main dial of the camera has a specific ‘Vlog’ setting, which activates a dedicated vlogging mode designed to put all the relevant key functions at the user’s fingertips. You’ll have immediate access to the stabilisation, the eye/face detection, high-speed recording, and specialist modes like ‘Product Priority’, which will make the autofocus prioritise objects held towards the camera. 

Pros:

  • High-end suite of video options
  • Impressive stabilisation
  • Improved battery life

Cons:

  • Not weather sealed

 

Best affordable Fujifilm vlogging camera: Fujifilm X-S10

Best affordable Fujifilm vlogging camera: Fujifilm X-S10
Fujifilm X-S10

Key specs:

  • Mirrorless camera
  • 26.1MP Fujifilm X-Trans IV APS-C sensor
  • Fujifilm X lens mount
  • 4K 30p, Full HD 240p
  • Ports: Micro HDMI, 3.5mm mic input, USB-C

While this is the previous generation of Fujifilm’s vlogging camera, the X-S10 is still a highly capable mirrorless option for vloggers, especially if your budget doesn’t quite stretch to the X-S20. You’ll make a good three-figure saving if you opt for the X-S10, and it can be bought as part of a vlogger’s kit with a lens, miniature tripod, SD card and shotgun microphone. No one could argue with a setup like that for a prospective vlogger.

The X-S10 was one of the first Fujifilm cameras to offer built-in stabilisation, and while it isn’t up to the standards of subsequent systems (including the one on the X-S20), it still works pretty well and will make you much more mobile as a vlogger. Video quality is as excellent as you’d expect given that this camera shares its sensor with a bunch of other premium Fujifilm X cameras. The 4K 30p footage looks great – some vloggers might wish they had 4K 60p, but that’s the kind of sacrifice you make when buying a cheaper camera that’s a few years old. We suspect a lot of vloggers will be able to get by without it.

The X-S10 lets you plug in a mic, and also offers USB-C connectivity as well as a micro HDMI port. There’s also an option to adapt a pair of headphones to the USB-C port if desired for audio monitoring. One thing to note is that the body is not weather-sealed, so you will need to be careful in wet conditions. Though bear in mind that the X-S20 isn’t either (some users were surprised Fujifilm neglected to add this upgrade in the sequel). 

While the price hasn’t come down perhaps as much as you’d expect for a camera that’s three years old with an updated version also on the shelves, that’s a testament to the X-S10’s enduring popularity and how much Fujifilm got right with this design. It’s a terrific camera for vloggers (if you can live without 4K 60p).

Pros:

  • Excellent video quality from X-Trans sensor
  • Fully articulated screen and mic socket
  • In-body stabilisation

Cons:

  • No weather-sealing
  • Tops out at 4K 30p

 

Best second-hand Fujifilm vlogging camera: Fujifilm X-T200

Best second-hand Fujifilm vlogging camera: Fujifilm X-T200
Fujifilm X-T200

Key specs:

  • Mirrorless camera
  • 24MP APS-C sensor
  • Fujifilm X lens mount
  • 4K 30p, Full HD 120p
  • Ports: Micro HDMI, 3.5mm mic input, USB-C

The Fujifilm X-T200 is an entry-level mirrorless camera. It’s now discontinued, which is a shame as Fujifilm doesn’t have many cameras down the low end of the price scale, but the good news is that you can pick it up relatively cheaply on the second-hand market, and it makes for a solid starting point for vlogging.

The first X-T100 is even cheaper, but it was something of a misfire with a few key features missing, and for a vlogger, we’d say it’s definitely worth getting this upgraded version. The X-T200 can shoot 4K 30p video (it was 4K 15p on the X-T100), it has a large 3.5-inch 16:9 rear LCD display that’s high-resolution and fully articulating, and it even offers the ability to trim video clips in-camera. The X-T200 boasts a deep grip that feels secure and comfortable in the hand, and the autofocus offers Face and Eye detection modes. All good stuff.

This entry-level series is notable for using a standard 24.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor rather than the flagship X-Trans sensors that are featured in Fujifilm’s premium cameras – though it still does an excellent job, and at low-ish resolutions like these the differences aren’t going to be too pronounced. A feature you might miss more as a vlogger is optical stabilisation, which the X-T200 doesn’t have. There is a digital ‘gyroscope’ that’s supposed to help stabilise footage, though it doesn’t really hold a candle to a proper IBIS system – and in any case, it doesn’t work in 4K.

The X-T200 is a capable vlogging camera, if slightly limited. For the second-hand prices it’s currently commanding, it represents solid value for money, and makes for an enticing gateway drug for the X series. 

Pros:

  • Good value for money
  • Large, sharp, articulating rear screen
  • Lightweight and portable

Cons:

  • No optical stabilisation
  • Battery life not the best (though can be topped up via USB-C)

 

Best Fujifilm camera for videography: Fujifilm X-H2S

Best Fujifilm camera for videography: Fujifilm X-H2S
Fujifilm X-H2S

Key specs:

  • Mirrorless camera
  • 26MP X-Trans APS-C stacked sensor
  • Fujifilm X lens mount
  • 6.2K 30p, 4K 60p (120p with crop), Full HD 240p
  • Ports: HDMI, 3.5 mic inputs, 3.5 headphone output, USB-C

The Fujifilm X-H2S is the manufacturer’s most advanced video camera right now – as well as, frankly, possibly the most advanced APS-C cameras ever made. Equipped with a stacked and backside-illuminated 26MP APS-C sensor, it’s a true hybrid of a camera, capable of blistering photo speeds and sublime video quality.

Let’s get the spec out of the way – the Fujifilm X-H2S can capture 6.2K video at 30p, as well as 4K and Full HD at a variety of high frame rates, and it can do it all in 4:2:2 10-bit colour. The full-size HDMI port can be used to output Apple ProRes RAW or Blackmagic RAW, and there’s the option to shoot in Fujifilm’s flat F-Log profile for up to 14 stops of dynamic range. The X-H2S also has the must-have feature of cameras from the past few years – subject-detection autofocus that can automatically recognise and lock onto specific subjects like humans and animals. What’s more, this can be used in video recording mode. 

Video recording times have been a stumbling block for more than a few high-flying mirrorless cameras over the past few years – if a camera can’t go for more than 20 minutes without overheating, is it a tool fit for a professional? Fujifilm negotiates the X-H2S around this with an optional (sold separately) accessory, the FAN-001. Attaching to the back of the camera in the slot left vacant by the folded out LCD screen, the cooling fan allows you to keep recording for longer, even in high ambient temperatures. Is it a particularly sleek or stylish arrangement? No, it is not. But it works!

The Fujifilm X-H2S is one of the most expensive APS-C cameras ever made, and is probably out of budget for most vloggers. Unless you really need the features it’s offering, you don’t need to spend this much money. However, if you’re looking for the best Fujifilm video shooter money can currently buy, then here it is. 

Pros:

  • Superb high-resolution footage
  • Can extend recording times with use of fan accessory
  • Subject-detection autofocus works in video mode

Cons:

  • Expensive for APS-C

 

Best Fujifilm vlogging lenses

Best Fujifilm vlogging lenses
Best Fujifilm vlogging lenses

Though Fujifilm’s X cameras are truly excellent pieces of kit, there’s an argument to be made that the real strength of the system is in its lenses. Fujifilm’s X-mount lens system is not the most well-populated out there, but has gained a reputation for housing a stunning range of primes and zooms for all kinds of shooters. Fuji has a particularly strong line in producing lenses that produce fantastic bokeh at shallow depths of field, with lenses full of character and expression. Here are our picks for vloggers…

 

Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f4 R OIS WR

Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f4 R OIS WR
Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f4 R OIS WR

This capable zoom lens is an absolute standout. If you can only buy one lens for vlogging on Fujifilm, we’d say make it the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f4 R OIS WR. Running an equivalent focal gamut from 24mm to 120mm, it’s a versatile zoom that will do an excellent job in just about any shooting situation. The optical stabilisation is class-leading, and the sophisticated optical construction delivers premium sharpness; field curvature and aberration are exceptionally well-controlled throughout the zoom range. Focusing is fast and near-silent, and the lens is pretty reasonably priced to boot. Not sure what to buy? Start here. 

 

Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f4 R OIS WR

Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f4 R OIS WR
Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f4 R OIS WR

The APS-C format of the X series means that genuinely wide lenses are in short supply, so this wide-angle zoom is definitely worth considering for vloggers. Intelligently designed with a sophisticated optical construction of 14 elements in 10 groups, the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f4 R OIS WR produces terrific image quality with great control of aberration and distortion. It’s thoroughly weather resistant with a tough outer chassis, and also has effective built-in stabilisation for run-and-gun filming. 

 

Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f2.8 R LM WR

Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f2.8 R LM WR
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f2.8 R LM WR

An enduringly popular lens among Fujifilm enthusiasts, the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f2.8 R LM WR delivers a generous zoom range with a constant aperture of f/2.8 running right the way through it. This means you have real compositional flexibility even when the light gets low, and can achieve aesthetically pleasing shallow depth-of-field effects. Hardy and weatherproof, this is a solid choice of lens for travel vloggers. 

 

Fujifilm XF 33mm f1.4 R LM WR

Fujifilm XF 33mm f1.4 R LM WR
Fujifilm XF 33mm f1.4 R LM WR

A gorgeous, well-balanced prime lens, the Fujifilm XF 33mm f1.4 R LM WR produces a field of view roughly equivalent to that of a 50mm lens mounted onto a full-frame camera, and as such, it’s great for general-purpose vlogging where you want a naturalistic perspective. It’s a cut above the kinds of cheap nifty fifties that are commonly available for most systems, both in terms of its optical quality and its f/1.4 maximum aperture that gives you a little more latitude in low light. The bokeh is, of course, gorgeous – this is Fujifilm, after all.

 

 

 

All the images used in this blog post are courtesy of Fuji.

Vlogging Guide | Best Cameras For Vloggers 2024

The Ultimate Vlogging Guide | Best Cameras For Vloggers

Welcome to Fixation’s guide to the best cameras for vloggers! If you’re looking to start vlogging, one of the first things to figure out is what camera you’re going to use. You can of course use a smartphone for vlogging – and many people do. However, a dedicated vlogging camera confers all sorts of advantages, both in terms of the quality of your footage and the ergonomics of your setup.

Best Cameras For Vloggers 2024
Best Cameras For Vloggers

At Fixation, we repair, sell and lend out cameras of all different types and sizes, including many that are perfectly suited to vlogging. For this guide, our team of technical experts has picked out the cameras we feel offer vloggers the best value for money, providing a demonstrable advantage over shooting on a phone. 

Whether it’s a larger sensor for better low-light performance, an interchangeable lens mount for shooting flexibility or any of the other standout features of the cameras on this list, any of these models will form the backbone of a brilliant vlogging setup. So, without further ado, let’s get into the best vlogging camera to buy, starting with a fantastic option for beginners…

 

Best vlogging camera for beginners: Canon PowerShot V10

Canon PowerShot V10
Canon PowerShot V10

Key specs:

  • Compact camera
  • 20MP 1-inch sensor
  • 19mm (equivalent) f/2.8 lens
  • 4K 30p, Full HD 60p
  • Ports: Micro HDMI, 3.5mm mic input, USB-C

We’ve been really impressed by the pocketable Canon PowerShot V10 since its release in 2023, and if you’re looking for your first camera for YouTube, it’s an excellent place to start. It’s a compact camera, but as you may have already clocked, it doesn’t look like a typical example of the genre. Its slim, oblong body lacks a handgrip, there’s no top-plate loaded with buttons and dials. What’s going on?

The answer is that Canon has created a vlogging camera by going back to the drawing board and thinking about what vloggers and YouTubers actually need. And so, while the end result could use some refinement in places, it’s much more usable for quick, day-to-day vlogging than many cameras that cost considerably more. The slim body and flip-around screen make it perfect for filming yourself one-handed, while the built-in stand means you can set it up on a desk or other flat surface within seconds. The 19mm equivalent lens gives you a nice, wide perspective that’s exceedingly useful for general-purpose filming.

Video-wise, the PowerShot V10 shoots at a maximum resolution of 4K 30p, which is pretty standard for cameras at this level. Supposedly it can record continuously for up to an hour, though if you’re in a warm environment you may find yourself running into overheating issues before that time limit is up. There’s no optical stabilisation, but there is a digital stabilisation system available for shooting on the move. 

The PowerShot V10 isn’t perfect, but it’s a hugely promising concept, and the ergonomics of it make a lot more sense for the beginner vlogger than a lot of more conventionally designed cameras. For a simple, affordable and easy-to-use vlogging camera, this is definitely recommended. 

 

Best vlogging camera with a zoom lens: Sony ZV-1 II

Sony ZV-1 II
Sony ZV-1 II

Key specs:

  • Compact camera
  • 20MP 1-inch sensor
  • 18-50mm (equivalent) f/1.8-4.0 lens
  • 4K 30p, Full HD 100/120p
  • Ports: Micro HDMI, 3.5mm mic input, USB-C

Sony’s ‘ZV’ cameras represent the manufacturer’s dedicated vlogging range. While Sony E-mount mirrorless and compact cameras have been excellent options for video for a very long time now, the more recently introduced ZV models are specifically tailored to vloggers and YouTubers – offering extensive, flexible video functionality for a comparatively affordable price.

The Sony ZV-1 II is a compact camera equipped with an 18-50mm equivalent zoom lens, giving you a solid level of shooting flexibility. At the wide end of the lens, there’s an f/1.8 maximum aperture – this is especially useful for shooting with a shallow depth of field to throw out the background and keep the viewer’s focus on your main subject. Also, while the ZV-1 II has a 3.5mm socket to attach an external mic, its built-in three-capsule mic does a credible job, and will definitely be good enough for anyone whose beginning vlogging budget doesn’t have room for a mic. 

With a slim body and a rubberised grip, the Sony ZV-1 II fits nicely in the hand and is easy to use. It also has a much better touchscreen interface than the original ZV-1, with quick access to key features and shooting menus. Even if you’re never used a camera before, the ZV-1 II is relatively easy to get to grips with, which counts for a lot in a beginner vlogging model.

There’s no optical stabilisation on the ZV-1 II, though Sony’s ‘Active’ electronic stabilisation is available to help smooth out footage a little. A better solution, if your budget allows, might be to pick up Sony’s GP-VPT2BT wireless shooting grip, which provides additional stability.

 

Best mirrorless vlogging camera: Nikon Z30

Nikon Z30
Nikon Z30

Key specs:

  • Mirrorless camera
  • 20.9MP APS-C sensor
  • Nikon Z lens mount (DX)
  • 4K 30p, Full HD 120p
  • Ports: Micro HDMI, 3.5mm mic input, USB-C

The clever little Nikon Z30 is the vlogging-oriented member of Nikon’s larger Z-mount mirrorless family. If you have an interest in vlogging on Nikon kit, it’s unquestionably the best camera to start with. With a flip-around screen, sensibly laid-out controls, a pocketable body and an APS-C sensor that offers consistently excellent video quality, it’ll do everything you need and more. 

The Nikon Z mount on the Z30 gives you access to some absolutely sublime lenses. The Z30 also has a stereo microphone built into its top plate for decent audio straight out of camera – though serious vloggers will probably want to spring for an external mic and plug it in via the 3.5mm mic input. It shoots 4K video at up to 30p using the full width of its sensor – even the Sony ZV-E10, probably this camera’s closest rival, has to crop in a little to do the same.

The buttons and controls on the camera are customisable, meaning a little investment of time setting them up can allow you to get the camera working just the way you want it to. You also have plenty of internal shooting options too, with Nikon’s ‘Flat’ profile providing low contrast and low saturation in order to maximise flexibility when you come to colour grade your footage. It’s essentially a simpler alternative to Sony’s Log profiles, and as such may be quite tempting for vloggers who are starting to dip their toes into colour grading.

Overall, the Nikon Z30 is a well-priced and capable mirrorless camera that’s been cleverly designed to appeal to vloggers. It’s a great first step into one of the most exciting mirrorless systems on the market right now. 

 

Best action camera for vlogging: GoPro Hero 12 Black

GoPro Hero 12 Black
GoPro Hero 12 Black

Key specs:

  • Action camera
  • 27MP 1/1.9-inch sensor
  • Fixed lens with 156-degree field of view
  • 5.3K 60p, 4K 120p
  • Ports: USB-C. With Media Mod upgrade: micro HDMI, 3.5 mic input, USB-C

If you’re the adventurous type, someone who’s going to be taking your vlogging into tricky conditions, then an action camera could well be the best buy. With superb video quality and a fixed wide-angle lens, action cameras make for natural vlogging tools even when you set aside their tough and waterproof credentials. And for the best of the best in action cameras right now, you really can’t go wrong with the GoPro Hero 12 Black.

It’s likely you know the basics of what a GoPro is. The essential pitch of a little waterproof cube that shoots great-looking video has remained pretty much unchanged since the first Hero model hit the market, but has been refined and improved with every iteration. This means that the Hero 12 benefits from all the upgrades that have come before, whether it’s the class-leading HyperSmooth stabilisation system, or the 27MP 8:7 sensor that makes it easy to capture vertically oriented footage – perfect for TikTok – as well as classic 16:9.

The Hero 12 is a fairly iterative upgrade. The main focus here has been on improving the battery life, as well as opening up accessory options with additions like Bluetooth mic support and a 1/4″ tripod thread – great for vloggers as it allows the use of mini tripods like Joby’s flexible Gorillapods. 

Otherwise, down the line it’s another camera showcasing everything GoPro does best – great-looking video in a waterproof, shockproof, everything-proof body. 

 

Best mid-range vlogging camera: Fujifilm X-S20

Fujifilm X-S20
Fujifilm X-S20

Key specs:

  • Mirrorless camera
  • 26.1MP Fujifilm X-Trans IV APS-C sensor
  • Fujifilm X lens mount
  • 6.2K 30p, 4K 60p, Full HD 240p
  • Ports: Micro HDMI, 3.5mm mic input, 3.5mm headphone output, USB-C

The Fujifilm X-S20 is one of the best hybrid cameras ever made, and is a superb mid-range choice for the vlogger or YouTuber. Pairing a 26.1MP APS-C sensor with the Fujifilm X lens mount, the X-S20 makes it relatively easy to produce superb-looking, dynamic footage. At maximum resolution, it captures 6.2K video using the full width of its sensor, and with a broad range of presets, shooting modes and film simulation looks, it provides a lot of welcome shortcuts to making your shots look good.

As it’s a relatively recent camera, the X-S20 benefits from up-to-the-minute features. Its in-built stabilisation system is good for up to seven stops of effective compensation, providing you with a super-smooth shooting platform even while running and gunning. It also has subject-recognition autofocus at its disposal, and we came away especially impressed with the battery life of the camera, which has received a good bump from the previous iteration (the X-S10, still worth a look, especially second-hand).

Thanks to Fujifilm’s hard work expanding the X-mount lens ecosystem, users of the X-S20 will have one of the richest lens catalogues in the business to assemble their setup from. The camera is quite portable and balances well – though it’s worth being aware that it isn’t weather-sealed. 

 

Best full-frame vlogging camera: Panasonic Lumix S5 II

Panasonic Lumix S5 II
Panasonic Lumix S5 II

Key specs:

  • Mirrorless camera
  • 24.2MP full-frame sensor
  • L lens mount
  • 6K 30p, 4K 60p, Full HD 180p
  • Ports: HDMI, 3.5mm mic input, USB-C

If you have the budget and inclination to shoot on full-frame, you’ll be rewarded with handsome, crisp imagery, with improved dynamic range compared to crop-sensor cameras. It’s also easier to shoot at vlog-friendly wide-angles on a full-frame camera, as there isn’t the crop factor incurred by smaller sensor sizes. A 20mm lens that’s mounted to a full-frame camera behaves like a 20mm lens, allowing you to fit more into the frame. If you want a cost-effective full-frame vlogging solution, our suggestion is the Panasonic Lumix S5 II.

Released in 2022, the Panasonic Lumix S5 II brought something to the table that Lumix shooters had been desiring for some time – phase-detection autofocus. Finally kissing goodbye to the undeniably dated contrast-based ‘Depth from Defocus’ system, Panasonic gave the S5 II glorious phase-detection autofocus in stills and video, and it’s just so much better.

The S5 II records video at up to 6K resolution, using the full luxurious width of its sensor. This means you have enormous flexibility when it comes to cropping your footage for different formats and aspect ratio – or for cropping losslessly into a shot to provide some visual variation in the edit. There’s also a built-in cooling system that means recording times are essentially unlimited in all modes – it adds a bit of bulk to the camera, but it’s worth it in our book. The body itself is dust-resistant and splash-resistant. You wouldn’t want to dunk it in seawater, but it’ll certainly survive a rainshower.

Panasonic’s Lumix S system uses the L lens mount, developed in conjunction with Sigma and Leica. This means users of the S5 II are absolutely spoiled when it comes to lens choice, with some seriously standout lenses available from some of the best in the business.

 

Essential accessories for vloggers

Essential accessories for vloggers
Essential accessories for vloggers

If you’re looking for the kit you need to start vlogging, a lot of accessories will be pushed on you, billed as the things that will be the difference between success and failure for your channel. Some will be essential, some will be handy in certain circumstances, and some will be things you can almost certainly do without.

For this section of the guide, we’re going to recommend a few accessories we think are essential (or close-to), helping you build up your setup without having to spend a fortune. Remember, of course, that everyone is different, and there is no product that is universally suitable to every single vlogger on the planet. With that said, here are our top recommendations…

 

External microphone

Rode VideoMic Go II
Rode VideoMic Go II

All the cameras we’ve listed in this guide offer the option to connect an external microphone – most commonly via a 3.5mm input connection, though you can also often use Bluetooth. A dedicated microphone is the single best way to improve the audio quality of your vlogs at a stroke, and this is vital. Bad audio quality will kill a viewer’s interest in your video exceptionally quickly.

We recommend: Rode VideoMic Go II. Cheap, straightforward and easy to use, this plug-and-play microphone will make a dramatic difference to your audio quality.

 

Stabilising gimbal

DJI RS 3 Mini
DJI RS 3 Mini

Yes, many cameras have better and better stabilisation systems these days. However, if you’re engaging in run-and-gun filming, you really can’t beat a stabilising gimbal for reliably getting usable shots while you’re moving with the camera. These clever devices allow you to capture Steadicam-level footage with one hand, and many will also offer loads of handy extra functions, such as the option to quickly swap to vertical orientation. 

They’re not essential for everyone of course – if you’re doing all your shooting in the studio, there’s no need to bother. But if you’re spending time on location, or if you want to introduce dynamic, hand-held camera movement to your vlogs, a gimbal should be high on your priority list.

We recommend: DJI RS 3 Mini. Designed for smaller interchangeable-lens cameras, this portable gimbal delivers exceptional stabilisation. If you’re using a larger full-frame camera or longer lenses, consider upgrading to the full-size RS 3.

 

Tripod or stand

Manfrotto Element MII Aluminium Tripod
Manfrotto Element MII Aluminium Tripod

While you probably don’t need a full-size photographer’s tripod, getting hold of some way to keep your camera stable, level and freestanding is pretty much a no-brainer for a vlogger. A travel tripod will work well. Many vloggers like the flexible Joby GorillaPod for its versatility and ability to be set up pretty much anywhere. This is all true, though for pure stability, you may find you prefer a more traditional tripod. 

We recommend: Manfrotto Element MII Aluminium Tripod. A simple, inexpensive tripod from one of the most reliable manufacturers in the photo accessory business. This versatile camera support provides excellent stability, a generous working height and long-lasting durability.

 

LED light

Lume Cube Panel Mini
Lume Cube Panel Mini

Video lighting is an immensely complex discipline once you really start looking into it. However, for most vlogging purposes, all you really need is a dependable, adjustable LED light that can give you a quick burst of illumination at the points where you need it. This doesn’t have to cost the earth, and plenty of manufacturers have jumped at the chance to offer affordable options in this space.

We recommend: Lume Cube Panel Mini. This panel is available at a tempting price, especially compared to market leaders like Rotolight, and it offers good ranges of brightness and colour temperature settings. Bear in mind you may also need to get a stand to mount the light on, so that you can position it wherever you need it.

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