If you’re ready to throw your hat into the ring, here are some of the best entry-level cameras for vlogging in 2024. It’s a crowded arena that shows no sign of losing steam, but it’s never too late to get into the race, and that starts with choosing the right gear. With affordability and portability top of mind, we’ve rounded up a few of the latest models to consider.
Canon PowerShot V10
This unique little camera appears at the top of our list for those two very factors alone. It’s palm-sized and pocketable, and it probably won’t bust your budget. Not much larger than a smartphone, it’s clearly designed for vlogging – and exclusively for that purpose – as an alternative for those who want to step away and step up from using their mobile device to capture great content.
The V10 features a 20.1MP BSI-CMOS sensor, a fixed 19mm ultra-wide lens with autofocus and face tracking, a highly simplified user interface, plus a two-inch 180-degree tilting touchscreen and a handy built-in fold-out stand.
It can shoot 4K/30p video with vertical capture capability and delivers live streaming in Full-HD at 30 fps. Wired and wireless connectivity options include built-in Bluetooth, WiFi and USB-C, making it super-easy to transfer files and get your content live in a snap.
Sony Alpha ZV-E10
First, let’s put the ZV-E10 into perspective: this is a budget-friendly alternative to the higher-end ZV-E1, one that has already welcomed the recent arrival of a pricier younger sibling, the ZV-E10 II. But it remains a viable alternative for those seeking a full-featured Alpha mirrorless model specifically geared to vlogging, and at this comfortable price point, it still has plenty to offer.
With versatile lens interchangeability and a vast selection of compatible Sony lenses to choose from, the ZV-E1 is clearly targeted to more experienced creators with aesthetic agility in mind.
The 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor and BIONZ X processor combine to record UHD 4K video up to 30p with 6K oversampling to deliver impressive detail, as well as Full HD 1080p recording up to 120 fps. It also uses the same S-Log2 Gamma Curve found in cameras from the Sony Cinema line to offer users higher dynamic range and additional post-production flexibility.
Nikon Z 30
Lightweight, compact, highly portable, 4K video capable and optimized for live streaming: these are things we expect from a camera purpose-built for vlogging (see above) and for which the Z 30 clearly checks all the boxes – but what distinguishing features set it apart from the competition?
Well, it’s a Z Series Nikon for starters, and for many shooters out there, this means a lot in and of itself. Like the Sony ZV-E1, it boasts a fully articulating flip-out LCD screen – essential for capturing selfies – as well as a built-in stereo mic, but the Z 30 also features a helpful tally lamp to remind you when the camera is recording.
One of its biggest selling points, however, is that there’s no 30-minute recording limit, allowing you to shoot up to 125 minutes of 1080p footage when using the USB-C port. And with its 20MP APS-C CMOS sensor, you can shoot 4K video at up to 30 fps without a crop (unlike the ZV-E1).
Fujifilm X-S20
The X-S20 weighs in as one of the more premium models on this list, with a price tag to match. Affordability is relative, but you get what you pay for, as they say, and in this case that means a lot. When you factor into the equation the attributes it inherits from the higher-end X-H2S, the X-S20 is a real bargain by a long shot.
Physically, the X-S20 looks a lot like its predecessor, the X-S10, but with a bigger grip and better-placed dials and buttons. It packs the same 26MP X-Trans sensor, but the X Processor 5 imaging engine is a huge upgrade (and, yes, you’ll find the same processor in the X-H2S), giving this model its enhanced video capabilities, including in-body 4K/60 4:2:2 10-bit internal and open-gate (3:2 aspect) 6.2K recording.
This is more of a midrange camera targeted to intermediate shooters, but it’s a lightweight, stripped-down version that’s easy to use and operate (with a convenient new Vlog mode, to boot), making it a worthy entry-level contender for beginners with their sights set on broader horizons and plenty of room to grow.
