A study by Kantar Ibope Media was categorical: 99% of smartphone users watch videos in multiple formats. Your channel needs to attract attention in the right way. To do this, the right cameras must be chosen to shine on YouTube.

This is not a consensus, but rather (almost) unanimous, as 99 out of every 100 users consume interactive content on video platforms. As expected, the competition is quite fierce and is becoming increasingly professional over time. 

There are some YouTube channels that reach more viewers than many television channels. Thanks to this digital phenomenon, the way people consume content has changed drastically – especially when it comes to advertising. 

Why invest in good cameras for YouTube? 

Still wondering whether it’s really worth investing in these gadgets? Find out why they’re so essential to the success of your channel: 

Professionalism: The better the camera quality, the more authority and professionalism your channel will convey to your audience. This is especially important if you plan to broadcast at night, which requires better hardware; 

Flexibility: More robust cameras allow manual exposure and focus adjustments, which helps to create more unique and personalized scenes and reduces the time spent in front of the smartphone or computer to edit them; 

Depth of field: Highlight only what you want during the broadcast; 

Connectivity: Many of them have Wi-Fi connectivity, which can make it much easier to transmit data to the cloud or directly to social networks.  

What does it take to get started? 

Before purchasing the equipment, it is important to have the following tools on hand: 

• Lighting (usually custom LED bulbs); 
• Tripod (to support the camera in a suitable location); 
• Background (which can be a room, a custom image or a Chroma Key); 
• Microphone (preferably condenser); 
• Editing software. 

If you don't already have these items, consider purchasing them as soon as possible to get started on the right foot. 

The best cameras for YouTube 

Sony ZV-1 

Image: notebookcheck.info 

This camera is an excellent purchase for those who want to professionalize their productions on YouTube, as well as on several other social media platforms. Sony has always been a reference in image quality – and this standard remains firm in this device. 

Its 24-70mm lens and 20.1MP sensor are more than enough to make broadcasts with impeccable image quality. Its tilting LCD display can be used to make certain fine adjustments quickly. 

Additionally, the ZV-1 has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. This means that transferring data to any other device is a fairly easy task. You can leave the cables in a drawer for a while. 

Canon EOS M50 Mark II 

Image: PCMag 

This beautiful camera from Canon is another equally excellent option for recording your videos on YouTube. Its 24.1 MP CMOS sensor captures beautiful images in very high resolution and incredible quality of details and colors. 

In terms of final quality, both the EOS M50 Mark II and the ZV-1 are practically identical. Therefore, choosing between one model or the other may depend more on financial issues than any other factor, since the features are basically the same. 

It also offers Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, which is practically a prerequisite for you to not compromise your productivity. It can be connected to practically any other device that supports the aforementioned technologies. 

Read also: iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Which is the winner? 

Logitech StreamCam 

Image: MMORPG.com 

The price of this powerful webcam is undoubtedly much higher than that of many other entry-level models; however, the image quality it provides is well above average. The StreamCam is capable of reproducing images in Full HD (1920 x 1080) at up to 60 frames per second – which is especially interesting for those who intend to stream games. 

This webcam comes standard with a tripod, monitor mount, and a 3-month license for Xplit, a robust application that offers dozens of incredible settings for the device. If you prefer, you can install the free Logitech Capture software and unlock many of its features. 

Unfortunately, you can't use Logitech's software directly to stream. This can be a bit annoying or limiting, especially if you use more complex software for this purpose, such as OBS or Streamlabs. 

Either way, this is one of the cheapest options on the list and represents a great value for money for beginner streamers. Your YouTube videos will never be the same again! 

Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 

Image: Amateur Photographer 

Panasonic is a great choice when it comes to YouTube cameras. However, it is the most expensive option on this list, so keep that in mind when considering your goals and budget. 

Its 20.3 MP MOS sensor ensures simply impeccable image quality, even in low-light situations. It is one of the best cameras for live streaming, whatever the time of day. 

In addition to the tilting LCD screen and electronic viewfinder, the Lumix DC-GH5 has low-latency Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. A lithium-ion battery is included in the box; there's no need to buy rechargeable batteries to keep it operational when it's not plugged in. 

If you’re looking for the crème de la crème of the YouTube camera world, look no further. Panasonic is the best choice. However, it’s important to remember that it’s quite expensive and may not fit into many people’s budgets, at least at the moment. 

Time to choose! 

One of the main goals of these lists is to present them in the most democratic way possible. Options for all budgets and needs. There are specific options for gamers, while others border on the enthusiast level; which of these audiences do you belong to? 

The Panasonic model featured here is by far the best option in terms of image quality. However, its high price is something to consider. In terms of value for money, the first two options should meet the 90%'s needs (or more).  

Which one would you choose?