7 Best Cheap Camera for YouTube Videos in 2022

While anyone can get started making YouTube videos with just their smartphone, Setup will often yield way better comes about. A great microphone, a tripod, and lighting are all key, but the heart of any YouTube setup is your camera. Depending on what you would like. In any case, here some of Best Cheap Camera for YouTube videos.

You’ll find options fit for every budget, skill level and style of shooting. Choosing the proper camera for your needs will help you create the content you want to create.Whatever kind of content you plan to record, the list below features our pick of the best YouTube cameras you can buy in 2022. We also keep this list frequently updated as new YouTube cameras hit the market.

The Best cheap camera for YouTube videos

• Sony ZV-1
• Panasonic G7
• Sony ZV-E10
• Canon M50
• GoPro HERO 7, 8, 10
• Canon Rebel T7i
• Sony A6000
• DJI Osmo Pocket

1. Sony ZV-1 : Best Cheap Camera for YouTube video

The Sony ZV-1 delivers pretty much everything the roaming YouTuber needs, all in a pleasingly compact package. Sony’s class-leading Real-time tracking and Real-time Eye AF systems will keep you in focus as you move around the frame, while the bright lens and large 1-inch sensor size mean clear, crisp images in most conditions as well as attractive background bokeh – both something of a rarity on pocket-sized cameras.

It’s not completely flawless – the touchscreen controls are a little limited and Sony’s stuck with the aging microUSB rather than a more versatile USB-C port. The video stabilization also falls just short of the best and there’s no weatherproofing either. But unless you’re mostly shooting out in challenging conditions, it’s the best pocket YouTube camera around.

It even offers a feature aimed specifically at reviews-based YouTubers, ‘Product Showcase’, which quickly alters settings for optimal shooting of objects, while YouTube livestreaming will be added via a software update in July 2020.

The ZV-1 has a few more cons you should consider:

• It’s incredibly small
• It gets hot easily. The camera is prone to overheating in 90+ degree weather, it’s still an issue.
• Lot of features and buttons on this camera
• Poor battery life.

But there are some good reason to Get it. So we added this in our best cheap camera for YouTube list. Either increase your budget for the next model up in the Sony family.

2. Panasonic Lumix G7: Mirrorless Camera

While the T7i and the 77D are both relatively light cameras by DSLR standards, the most common complaint about a DSLR is its weight. The modern photography world has fought this battle with the invention of the mirrorless camera.

A mirrorless camera removes the physical mirror in favor of a snapshot-style sensor and digital viewfinder while still keeping the image quality of a DSLR with a large CMOS or CCD sensor. 

One of the top mirrorless cameras is the Panasonic Lumix G7 and it’s a great option for YouTube content creation.

Two minor faults, aside from the unfortunate the SD card slot location, is that it under-performs in low-light and has much slower autofocus as compared with its DSLR competitors.

That said, the Panasonic LUMIX G7 is actually a fantastic mirrorless camera that has succeeded in giving us a more compact frame without skimping on the most important features that are often associated with professional DSLR cameras.

Features:

• Improved low light performance
• Swivel LCD monitor 
• 4K Ultra HD video
• High-resolution viewfinder
• 16 Megapixel micro Four Thirds sensor 

3. Sony ZV-E10 : best cheap camera for home videos and streaming

Like a cross between the Sony ZV-1 and the more photography-focused Sony A6100, the ZV-E10 is a particularly fine choice if you mostly shoot YouTube videos at home, or are looking for a live-streaming workhorse. The ZV-E10 also lacks a viewfinder and in-body image stabilization (IBIS), along with a 4K/60p mode.

But for the cost, it’s a fabulous YouTube camera, especially in case you do not mind those limitations. Unlike the ZV-1, you get the flexibility of conversely lenses, and its produces amazing video and photo quality. Maybe most useful for one-person film teams, its autofocus is great, with Real-time Eye AF and tracking remaining locked to your face – or in case you use the handy ‘Product Showcase’ mode, switching to an item you hold to the camera, and then back to your face. For home-based YouTubers, it’s one of the best choices around.

4. Canon M50 : best Full HD vlogging camera around

The Canon EOS M50 is a mid-range mirrorless camera that puts DSLR quality in a small, beginner-friendly package – and it carries a host of features that make it a smart choice for vlogger. Immediately noticeable is the fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen, which makes shooting at any angle a cinch and offers added touch focusing flexibility, including the option to pull focus during recording. Combined with a compact and lightweight design, this is a very usable cheap camera for YouTube camera for shooting video.

Focusing is fast and reliable, too, thanks to the EOS M50’s Dual Pixel CMOS sensor, which allows every pixel to be used for phase detection, up to a maximum of 143 points.

As for video quality, one of the M50’s headline features is 4K support, thanks to the new Digic 8 processor. There’s an asterisk, though: 4K is recorded using a 3840 x 2160 region of pixels at the centre of the sensor, which makes every lens look longer due to the tighter crop.

Shoot in Full HD, mind, and the EOS M50 is a fantastic vlogging companion. Dual Pixel AF keeps even moving objects reliably in focus, and footage is clean, colourful and nicely exposed.Rounding off the package is a 3.5mm stereo microphone socket which, in addition to the hot shoe on top, makes the M50 a very versatile option.

but if you want to upgrade there’s a notable lack of fast prime options in the range, which could sway your decision if you want those beautiful blurred backgrounds.

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight
• Excellent quality
• Quick and accurate autofocus
• Fully articulated screen

Cons:

• Restricted 4K video
• Slow single-dial control
• Poor manual focus magnification
• Small range of EF-M lenses

5. GoPro Hero 7 Black : The ultimate take-anywhere

It’s physically almost identical to its predecessor, but a few improvements boost its vlogging potential. The redesigned microphone has improved sound recording across the board, although for top quality audio in challenging environments you’ll still be best off investing in a USB-C to 3.5mm adaptor and mounting an external microphone.

The Hero 7 Black’s big bonus, though, is its HyperSmooth stabilisation, which improves on the Hero 6 Black’s already impressive anti-shake skills. It doesn’t completely replace a gimbal in all situations, but for anything handheld – walking or running, in particular – it works incredibly well, delivering super-smooth videos without the need for packing extra stabilisation in your rucksack.

But the 4K/60fps footage is otherwise excellent and, if you shoot in 1080p, the handy ‘linear’ mode means you can lose the ‘fisheye’ barrel distortion to shoot videos that look much more like a traditional camera.

Pros:

• Superb electronic image stabilisation
• Improved audio recording
• Waterproof to 10-metres without a case
• Now offers live-streaming via your smartphone
• Huge range of mounting options

Cons:

• Still not great in low light
• You need an adaptor to use an external mic

6. Canon Rebel T7i

We’ve heard of so many YouTube content creators who began their journey with a Canon T3i; rightfully so, it’s a spectacular camera.

However, the T3i is a little outdated, and it’s younger sibling, the T7i, is much more capable. Being only a couple of years old, the Canon T7i has all of the capabilities for a good YouTube camera and more.

Whether you’re looking to go vlogging around your city, travel to another continent, or maybe just do a tutorial right in your living room, this camera fits the bill. It’s smaller than the average DSLR, meaning it’s also very light, coming in at only a little over a pound.

Pros:

• Built in flash
• Fits in hand nicely
• Great Dual Pixel autofocus
• Clear LCD screen 

Cons:

• Auto ISO minimum shutter speed preset
• Battery life slightly less than similar models
• No second SD card slot

7. Sony A6000 : Old but still Golden values

The Sony A6000 took the best of an already well-regarded compact system camera – the NEX-6 – and delivered a raft of improvements to make a mirrorless camera that’s still one of the best around for vloggers, despite its age. This is the best cheap camera for YouTube videos.

Chief among the changes was the addition of a Bionz-X processor. Also found in the accomplished A7R, this chip means start-up is seriously fast, as is autofocus across its 179 phase-detection focus points.

In terms of features, the A6000 carries a type-D micro HDMI connection for straight HDMI output and, while there’s no headphone jack, the multi-interface hotshoe does allow you to connect an external microphone, among other accessories.

More appealing, still, is the option to switch lenses. While the 16-50mm kit lens is adequate (with a maximum aperture range of f/3.5-5.6), options such as the Sony E 35mm f/1.8 prime lens are appealing.

The biggest drawback of the A6000 for vloggers is its screen. The 3-inch LCD display is clear and bright, and excellent for shooting video – but it doesn’t flip up for front-on framing. The most it can do is swivel out to horizontal.

Even so, while its successor – the A6300 – might shoot 4K, for crisp Full HD footage and a full feature set, the older A6000 is now a steal for novice vloggers.

Pros:

• Strong low-light performance
• Well-rounded specification
• Solid design
• Good connectivity

Cons:

• LCD could be better
• Screen doesn’t fully articulate
• No 4K

A Bonus Camera for You:

8. DJI Osmo Pocket : A great new pocketable camera

Looking for a tiny vlogging camera that doesn’t compromise on video quality? The DJI Osmo Pocket is a great new option and an alternative to action cams like the GoPro Hero 7 Black.

Despite only being the size of a Mars bar, it shoots 4K video at 30fps via a camera that’s gimbal-stabilised across three axes. This means you get incredibly smooth video even while walking around and talking to camera.

The Osmo Pocket’s 25.7mm focal length is also good for talking to camera, even if you do have to hold it at arm’s length to get your whole head in shot, while the bright aperture can give you some lovely background bokeh too.

Pros:

• Three-axis gimbal stabilisation
• Incredibly small and compact
• Had a dedicated vlogging mode
• HDMI out for recordings

Cons:

• Average audio quality without the microphone adaptor (£35 extra)
• No live-streaming
• Not waterproof without a case

The Smartphone: The camera you already own

Sometimes the one camera that’s most often overlooked is the one in your pocket. Today, smartphones have huge potential for YouTube content creators due to significant improvements in mobile optics and rich application marketplaces. 

While DSLRs and mirrorless cameras will always beat smartphones for image quality, you’d be shocked at the capabilities of your Google Pixel, iPhone or Samsung Galaxy device. This is a good option for you pick best cheap camera for YouTube videos.

Best bang for your buck S21 flagship

Let’s take a look at some of the best smartphones for YouTube content creation and ways to take your everyday videos to the next level.

Android

Many Android phones have also made the leap into exceptional mobile photography.  Take the new Google pixel 5a, Pixel 6/pro, SAMSUNG GALAXY M31, SAMSUNG GALAXY F41 for example.  Like the iPhone XS, 11 the Pixel also has 4K video, and slow-motion. The Galaxy also features “super slo-mo” that shoots an astonishing 960 frames per second.

Also check: Google pixel 6/ 6pro camera and more

iPhone

The most recent iPhone, the XS, features dual 12MP wide-angle and telephoto cameras and stunning 4K video, in addition to its previous slow-motion capabilities. 

Overall, for something you tend use daily, the iPhone provides some amazing video when you don’t have a dedicated DSLR or Mirrorless camera handy.

How to pick the best YouTube camera for you:

While your needs will change slightly depending on the kind of videos you’re looking to shoot, there are 4 main highlights that you should look for in best cheap camera for YouTube content:

1. Articulating screen

An articulating screen is a godsend when trying to film yourself. By giving you a live preview of the shot composition, exposure and focus, it helps you get the basics right so you can concentrate on other aspects of your video.

2. Good autofocus

Manual focus has its place in filmmaking, but to keep everything as simple and straightforward as possible it pays to pick a camera with great video autofocus. Face and/or eye tracking helps if you tend to move around a lot in your videos, as the focus will adjust itself automatically to compensate.

3. Live streaming options

This might not be vital for those making videos to upload after filming and editing, but for anyone who wants to broadcast live, it’s well worth checking to see if a potential camera supports YouTube live streaming. It’s not just smartphones and webcams anymore – more and more cameras are coming with the technology built-in.

4. Audio options

A camera’s built-in microphone can record sound – but using an external microphone will immensely progress clarity and likely cut down on unwanted surrounding  noise. Check potential buys for mic inputs and a hot shoe for mounting mics. You might need to consider headphone attachments as well: they allow you to monitor sound levels while recording.

What camera do YouTubers usually use?

It’s a similar story with some of the other equipment used by YouTubers, with cameras like the Panasonic Lumix S1H and Canon EOS R5 proving popular thanks to their comprehensive video specs, but with price tags that are prohibitive for fledgling content creators.

YouTubers use a range of cameras to capture their content. As the list above illustrates, the most useful camera for a YouTuber will often be dictated by the type of content that they’re shooting. The Sony A7S III comes up time and again when YouTubers are asked about the gear they use. That’s no surprise: Sony’s Alpha series has long been popular with videographers.

Helpfully, a number of YouTubers use less expensive cameras which can still capture high-quality footage. The Sony ZV-E10 and Sony ZV-1 is progressively getting to be a favourite among YouTube vloggers who like to walk and conversation, while the original Panasonic Lumix GH5 is another more reasonable model.

You might also want to check out the Best Editing Software for YouTube Videos and 10 Best video recording camera for YouTube videos in 2022.