cheap vlogging camera

It’s never been easier to vlog! A cheap vlogging camera is an essential tool for any content creator, but it can be tough to know which one is right for you.

There are many different types of cameras for vlogging on the market that range in quality and price. 

A top-tier camera for YouTube will record crisp high-quality videos, have a good battery life, be easy to use (although some may need additional accessories), and work well with your budget.

To help you find the perfect camera for your needs, I’ve put together this list of the 9 best cheap vlogging cameras of 2022!

What Is The Best Cheap Vlogging Camera?

Here are my top picks for the best cheap vlogging cameras on the market right now.

| 1. DJI Osmo Pocket 2

The best compact and cheap vlogging camera with a gimbal

The DJI Pocket is one of the best cheap vlogging cameras for content creators on a budget. It’s compact, portable, and even comes with its own case!

You can record 1080p HD video at 60 FPS while still keeping it lightweight enough to travel with you anywhere, and it also has 4k capabilities as well when you need that ultra-high-definition shots with crisp detail!

The DJI pocket records great sound quality thanks to its built-in microphone, but it’s worth looking into connecting an external mic later down the road as it has a mic input through USB.

I own the previous generation myself (Osmo Pocket 1) and the ease of use and the compact size is unmatched to anything except for a GoPro Hero 7, which is not in the same category.

| Highlights

• Built-in gimbal for optimal stabilization.

• Records high-quality video at 1080p 60 FPS or 4k!

• Easy to use right out of the box thanks to its connection to your smartphone via USB Type C cable.

• The battery life is ok, but you can charge it through USB-C which makes things easier.

What do customers say about the DJI Osmo Pocket 2?

People love that this cheap vlogging camera is easy to use right out of the box because all you have to do is hit record and you’re on the go.

It’s also super easy to attach your smartphone to get a larger “flip screen” and unlock more features (it works with both Android and Apple) via a USB Type C connection.

The beauty of this camera is that it comes with a built-in gimbal, which makes it great for vloggers who want to take their vlogs on the go without lugging around a ton of additional equipment.

Customers also love the video footage taken by the Osmo Pocket that makes the video clear and crisp. Some vloggers even say that it’s one of their favorite cheap cameras for its portability and gimbal image stabilization!

| Pricing

The DJI Pocket is available at an amazing price of around $349 considering everything that you get in this package! You don’t even have to pay extra for any accessories because they come included with the price.

The best cheap vlogging camera in my opinion has to be the DJI pocket because it’s incredibly versatile, comes with everything you need right out of the box, and produces high-quality video recordings at 1080p 60 FPS or even 4k at 30 FPS.

It easily fits into your backpack or purse so you can take this “video equipment” anywhere while still enjoying some amazing features like a built-in stabilizer and mic input jack. It’s crazy to think about what you get with this little technical wonder.

| 2. Sony ZV-1

The best overall cheap vlogging camera

I consider the Sony ZV-1 to be the overall best vlogging camera on this list and here’s why. This cam takes outstanding video recordings at 4k resolution, which makes it ideal for creating content with crisp detail (and slow-motion videos too).

It even records audio giving you amazing sound with the integrated microphone! It also has a built-in mic input jack, so it really has everything you want without any additional equipment required right out of the box, except for one thing.

Sony pushes you hard to buy the gimbal accessory for the camera, which is understandable given how perfect this camera is for vlogging. 

But if you’re not looking to dish out an additional $139.99, then perhaps you’re better of grabbing my top pick the DJI Osmo Pocket 2 that already has that integrated.

Besides the gimbal, this camera is made for vlogging and content creators with features such as pro bokeh controls for blurred backgrounds, autofocusing of the face, and even auto-recognition of product showcases.

What do customers say about the Sony ZV-1?

Anyone who has bought or used this camera agrees that it’s easy to use, records great video, and looks good too!

Some people even say that they prefer using this vlogger cam over other expensive equipment because of its ease of use right out of the box without any challenges whatsoever.

It’s also lightweight so it won’t be a pain carrying around with you on longer trips. This is definitely something anyone would love about their new camera investment.

| Highlights

• A great overall camera specifically made for vlogging and content creators

• Records clear sound with a directional three-capsule mic in front of the camera, and there is also a mic input.

• Pro-level bokeh control

• Product showcase features

• APS C CMOS sensor

• Built-in image stabilization, not as good as a gimbal though

• Exceptional 4k HDR video quality

| Pricing

Pricing of the Sony ZV-1 is higher than my top pick on this list going for around $749, however, for what you get with this vlogger cam I think it’s worth every penny!

The best vlog camera should be easy to use and portable right out of the box because vloggers are not professional photographers or videographers that have years of training and experience. The Sony ZV-1 ticks all of those boxes and is very well worth the investment!

| 3. Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II

The best cheap vlogging camera for beginners

Canon cameras are typically very popular among bloggers as it’s main selling features are optimized around taking pictures, but the Canon PowerShot G-Series is also worth considering as your next vlogging camera due to it being so compact, travel friendly, and great for beginners as well!

This vlogger cam has everything you would need to produce high-quality videos right out of the box with built-in stabilization for images and video recordings, a bright lens with 3x optical zoom, and 1080p at 60 fps video recording for those smooth shots.

This vlogger cam also includes touchscreen capabilities with its 3″ screen so it’s easy enough to use even if this isn’t your first time using one!

What do customers say about the Canon PowerShot G Series?

I always love reading through what product reviewers say about any kind of equipment I’m thinking about investing in, and the reviews for this vlogger cam are just as great.

Everyone that has tried out this vlog camera agrees that it’s easy to use straight out of the box with features such as auto-mode or simple modes so you can get the hang of using a camera if you’ve never used one before! And the retro-style design of the camera is a nice touch as well.

| Highlights

• Simple touchscreen capabilities right out of the box

• Perfect for beginners looking to start recording high-quality videos

• The best affordable vlogging camera for beginners and those looking to vlog without much experience!

| Pricing

Pricing of the Canon PowerShot G Series is actually very affordable going for around $459 which definitely makes it a great investment in my opinion.

It has everything you need, doesn’t break the bank, easy enough to use right out of the box- perfect if you’re just getting started.

Keeping these things in mind when searching for your first vlogger cam will ensure that you don’t end up spending more than what’s necessary, especially for vloggers on a budget.

| 4. Sony ZV E10

The best mirrorless vlogging camera for travel

Sony is a brand that’s very popular among bloggers, vloggers, and content creators due to its high-quality cameras and APS C CMOS sensor.

The Sony ZV E Series of vlogger cams are top-of-the-line cameras with some great features such as touch focus capabilities so you can zoom in on your subject for a clear shot.

This model also includes a touch screen, 180-degree tilting LCD monitor that rotates through 270 degrees vertically and horizontally, making full use of the vlogger camera’s capabilities.

As with other vlogging cameras on this list, you will have some great features built-in to help ensure that your videos are high quality and easy enough even for beginners!

Reviewers also mention how compact it is making it perfect for travel as there’s no need to worry about whether or not your equipment can fit into your carry-on bag when flying somewhere new!

| Highlights

• Tiltable LCD screen – makes filming videos easier

• Crisp 4k video resolution

• Touch focus capabilities

• Real-time eye autofocus

• Easy background blur (bokeh)

• APS C CMOS sensor

• Comes with the same directional 3-capsule mic as the Sony ZV-1

• 180-degree flip screen LCD which rotates through 270 degrees

• Easy enough even if you don’t have experience using a vlogger cam and the battery life is great.

| Pricing

Pricing is actually more affordable than most other cameras, going for around $699 which makes the Canon one of the best cheap vlog cameras on the list. It’s an investment but it has everything you need already built in!

| 5. Sony a6100

Best vlogging camera under $1000

The Sony a6100 vlogger cam is another great camera from Sony that’s also compact enough to take with you on any trip.

It has a high-quality video resolution at 4k with high color detail, slow-motion features, and a quick hybrid autofocus system. 

You’ll be able to adjust the angle of view, zoom and focus using just one hand thanks to its lightweight body so carrying it along won’t slow you down either!

The vlogger cam also comes equipped with a 180-degree tilting LCD monitor and an adjustable flip screen so you can easily frame your vlogs or other videos without needing to worry about getting the perfect shot!

The vlogger cam has an intuitive interface making it easy for anyone to use, even if you’ve never used a vlog camera before. Reviewers say that it’s definitely one of the best vlogging cameras on the list due to its impressive list of features that are truly built to vlog!

| Highlights

• Lightweight vlogger cam for easy travel.

• 4k video resolution with gorgeous colors.

• Compatible with Sony’s E-mount lens system and microphone input so that users can choose from a wide range of accessories.

• Can vlog in most conditions, even low-light environments.

• 180-degree tilting LCD monitor makes it easy to capture vlogs or other vids without having to worry about getting the perfect shot!

• An intuitive interface so you don’t need vlogging experience

| Pricing

Price is a little more expensive than other vlog cams from other brands, going for around $800 depending on where you buy it.

| 6. Canon M50 Mark II

Best mirrorless camera for vlogging

The Canon M50 Mark II is an excellent choice for vloggers. It has a 24-megapixel APS C CMOS sensor, which offers high-quality images and video.

The autofocus on this camera works amazingly well in both photos and videos, helping make sure that there are no shots out of focus with the vlogger’s face or subject matter in them.

It comes equipped with Dual Pixel AF technology to help ensure that subjects stay sharp even when they move around quickly during filming or while recording live streaming content.

Overall, I believe that this camera will be able to keep up with any fast-moving action scenes and offer vloggers a fantastic user experience.

| Highlights

• Vlogging camera with flip screen

• 4k video recording at 25fps

• Capture clear photos even during low light conditions.

• Dual Pixel technology to ensure sharp images at all times

• Can even be used as a webcam and as live YouTube streaming

• Comes with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth and great battery life

| Pricing

The Canon M50 is priced fairly at around $699, not the cheapest but not too expensive either.

| 7. Nikon COOLPIX B500

Best entry-level cheap camera

The Nikon Coolpix is an entry-level vlogging camera that can do photos and videos. It has a 16.0 MP CCD sensor with full HD 1080p video recording capabilities at 30 frames per second.

This camera also has built-in Wi-Fi Bluetooth and NFC connectivity so you can share your work easily. 

You can also use your smartphone as a remote control which is great when you need to do multiple takes without having to reset the camera all the time manually.

It’s a great little vlogging camera for content creators who want to record videos without spending too much money on their equipment.

| Highlights

• Great for content creators on a budget

• Easy to use with Wi-Fi Bluetooth and NFC connectivity.

• Very affordable and cheap entry-level vlogging Camera

• 16 MP CCD Sensor, Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 30 fps

• Since it’s an entry-level camera you’ll have to forego some of the bells and whistles associated with more expensive cameras.

| Pricing

The price is hard to beat on the Nikon Coolpix for only $199 which is a steal. But as with anything you get what you pay for, and as long as you’re willing to forego some features that the other vlogging cameras have then by all means go for it.

| 8. Panasonic LUMIX G100

The Panasonic LUMIX G100 is another great camera for content creators. It offers up to 20fps burst mode, which can help you get the perfect shot when vlogging.

One of its best features is the crystal clear 4k video recording and the built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. The Panasonic Lumix G100 also comes with a flip screen monitor so you’ll be able to see what you’re shooting while recording yourself.

Vloggers who want higher quality video than their smartphone but don’t need an interchangeable lens or other advanced options should consider getting the Panasonic Lumix G100.

| Highlights

• For vloggers who want better quality video than their smartphone.

• Crystal clear images and videos with up to 20 fps burst mode.

• Built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity make sharing easier.

• Flip screen monitor so vloggers can see themselves while recording footage or live streaming content on YouTube.

• Can be used as a webcam making it great for vloggers who also do webcasts, tutorials, reviews, etc.

| Pricing

The Lumix G100 is a bit cheaper than the competition at $599 but honestly, there are better alternatives for this price range, especially the Canon PowerShot G9 or even the Sony ZV E10 if you can dish out an extra $100.

| 9. GoPro HERO7 Black

The GoPro Hero7 is not really made for vlogging as it’s a pure action camera, but it has a great quality sensor that helps to produce high-quality videos with improved low light performance and dynamic range.

It has many features like time-lapse video recording, GPS tagging, etc which will help you to take professional videos easily.

The GoPro HERO has an intuitive touchscreen display so there is no need for other assistance while vlogging your outdoor adventures or indoor activities in real-time. You can also control the content by using voice commands only!

The only issue here is with the image stability from personal experience, so you’ll want accessories to combat that. And also not everyone likes the “fish-eye” style videos which the GoPro produces.

| Highlights

• Great video quality at 4k video resolution at 60fps.

• Intuitive touchscreen display for vlogging

• Voice commands and mobile applications to control your vlogs remotely.

• Has a live streaming feature for Facebook live

• The GoPro HERO is an action camera first, vlogging camera second.

• Image stabilization could be better

| Pricing

If you’re lucky you can grab a GoPro Hero7 at a discount for around $249 which makes it worth considering. I love the GoPro for what it is, an action camera that can be used as vlogging equipment, but for pure vlogging, you’ll want to look at alternatives.

What Is a Vlogging Camera?

A vlogging camera is a type of digital video camera that is specifically designed for vloggers to use in order to create high-quality videos. 

Some vlog cameras are stand-alone but others can be attached to smartphones or DSLRs depending on the model and make of the device.

Why Should You Use a Vlogging Camera instead of your phone?

Some cameras are designed with vloggers in mind, they have features that make vlogging a lot easier. These cameras can come with lots of different lenses and mounts which you probably won’t find on your smartphone! The built-in microphones are also better quality than phones as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the cheapest camera for vlogging?

Smartphone vlogging cameras are the cheapest vlogging camera available since you most likely already own one and they’re very portable!

However, smartphones often struggle with recording in low light conditions because of their smaller sensors and lack of optical zoom capabilities.

They also produce very shaky videos as the software for image stabilization is not that great, and of course, a phone has no gimbal.

The next option would be one of our top picks for the best vlogging camera, the DJI Osmo Pocket 2 vlog camera which people are loving for its compact size, video quality, and stabilization. It also has a selfie mode with face tracking recognition.

Q. Which cheap camera is best for beginner vloggers?

I would recommend vloggers use a camera with optical image stabilization which you can find mostly in the top cameras for vlogs listed above.

The question of “which camera is best” really depends on your needs as a content creator, since all these options are great and have different features that make them stand out from each other depending on what your end goal is. 

Our list above has been put together based on real-life experience from actual vloggers who found certain products better suited for their specific uses compared to others!

Q. Which camera do vloggers use?

The Canon G series has been very popular among vloggers! 

Other options include Sony A6100 or Panasonic GH-series which both have great video quality but lack a flip screen making them harder to use as selfie cams and can’t shoot in low light conditions, so it really depends on what your needs are when choosing a vlog cam! 

Also deciding between DSLRs vs mirrorless also comes down to personal preference and budget.

Q. Which cheap camera is best for a low budget?

The camera you choose will depend on your needs and what features you prioritize, but really it’s about personal preference since different vloggers have different priorities when choosing their vlog cam.

Some might want one that’s very compact so they can travel easily with it or maybe don’t even own an external mic at all because they just use their phone to record sound – there’s no perfect answer here other than whatever makes your life easier.

Wrap Up

Most of the vlog cameras that I recommend in this article have flip screens and image stabilization which will help you massively with your vlogs. 

If you’re looking for a cheap vlogger cam then the DJI Osmo Pocket 2 is an excellent option since its small size makes it more portable than most other options on this list.