Vlogging with a camera that has a flip screen and vlogging without one is like night and day.
Whether you are a seasoned vlogger or just starting, choosing the proper equipment can make all the difference. And with so many choices, it can be tricky to pick the right camera. Don’t worry; we have got you covered.
This article will uncover the best vlogging camera with a flip screen.
If you’re in a rush, our top pick for a vlogging camera with a flip-screen is the Canon EOS 80D. This tried and tested DLSR offers great performance for a decent price and has proven to be a favorite among many YouTubers.
For a more budget or beginner-friendly option, check out our other top picks:
Jump links:
What Makes a Great Vlogging Camera
In order to decide on the best vlogging camera, we looked at a number of different criteria. Of course, it first and foremost needs to have a flip screen, but beyond that, we also looked at autofocus, stabilization, sound, and battery life.
Here’s a breakdown of each.
1. Autofocus
Most vloggers are usually on the go, which means the subject or background is in motion most of the time.
A good vlogging camera should have reliable continuous autofocus to avoid blurring and constant refocusing.
2. Image stabilization
Unless you’re filming a fight scene for an action movie, a shaky camera is something you’d want to avoid.
Sure, a gimbal is nice, but it will cost you extra money, and it is another piece of gear you need to haul around everywhere.
That’s why reliable image stabilization is one of the most important features a vlogging camera should have.
3. Sound input
Honestly, we all know most built-in camera microphones aren’t the greatest.
You don’t want to be shooting all day only to find out the wind has smothered out all other sounds in your videos.
Check if the vlogging camera you are considering has an external audio input, and get yourself a microphone.
And to help choose microphones, check out our list of the best microphones for YouTube and vlogging.
4. Battery life
The best camera is the one you can use.
Nobody wants a battery-dead camera in the middle of shooting or carrying five extra batteries.
This is why you must ensure the camera you choose has solid battery life.
P.s. If you’re looking for a vlogging camera for your child, there are other considerations to keep in mind, like price and ease of use.
Best Vlogging Cameras With a Flip Screen
Great for still photography as well as video, this DSLR is the camera of choice for many YouTubers and bloggers.
Even though it would be nice to have 4k resolution, the Full HD video that comes out of this camera is on a professional standard, even prior to doing any post-processing.
And you can upload straight to your computer, or even YouTube, directly via WiFi connectivity.
With a huge assortment of Canon lenses you can couple it with, this camera can get a bit on the heavy side.
But on the other hand, you get a rugged camera with an above-average battery life that’s ready to record when you are.
- Excellent battery life
- Weather-proof body
- WiFi+NFC
- Wide range of lenses
- No 4K video
- Bulky
The Panasonic Lumix G85 is an entry-level mirrorless camera with 4K video capability.
With a user-friendly interface and an affordable price, this is the perfect choice for beginners and intermediate users alike.
While the battery life definitely could be a bit longer, it’s nothing an extra battery or two can’t fix.
The autofocus can struggle a bit in low-light, but in most other situations it’s quite good.
Feature-packed and handy, the Panasonic G85 is a great investment for vloggers who are still getting the hang of things.
- Easy to use
- 4K video
- Good build quality
- Good value for money
- Poor autofocus in low-light conditions
- Short battery life
With a great lens and a three capsule microphone with a deadcat included (don’t worry, no animals were harmed in the making of this camera) the Sony ZV-1 is an awesome camera for travel and adventure vloggers who don’t want to carry any extra gear.
Except you may want to consider a small gimbal perhaps, as the image stabilization can be shaky at the best of times. Otherwise, a tripod will do great as well.
With the ZV-1 keep in mind that the battery can drain quite fast (about 45 minutes of recording per charge) so you will want to carry an extra battery or a power bank when out and about.
In addition to the flawless autofocus, the background defocus mode gives a great (albeit artificial) bokeh effect that everyone seems to be after.
If you like vlogging on the go and you need something light and portable, the Sony ZV-1 is the camera for you.
- Included microphone with windscreen
- Exceptional autofocus
- Versatile 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 lens
- Background defocus mode
- Mediocre battery life
- Poor image stabilization
Any content creators looking to do anything more than just vlogging will find point-and-shoot cameras lacking.
The Sony A6600 is the flagship APS-C camera in Sony’s line up and it packs a powerful punch.
Alas, this high performance comes with a hefty price tag.
For this reason, this camera is not recommended for beginners or casual vloggers.
However, if you want to step up your videomaking game this camera offers exceptional quality.
The impeccable focus tracking and great video output in all situations, coupled with the extended battery life make the Sony A6600 a very powerful tool for professional vloggers.
- Exquisite image stabilization
- Extra-long battery life
- Advanced autofocus system
- Amazing low light performance
- Expensive
- Not ideal for beginners
The Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II is the most inexpensive camera on this list.
However, its affordable price doesn’t mean low quality.
It is a very dependable compact vlogging camera with great battery life and good image quality.
Although the lack of an external mic input can be a deciding factor for some, this is still a great choice as a secondary camera for shooting B-roll.
While the autofocus tracking can be faulty, the awesome 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 lens more than makes up for it.
For vloggers on a tighter budget, the Powershot G7 X Mark II can deliver great results without needing to break the bank.
- Affordable price
- Solid image stabilization
- Reliable battery life
- Impressive 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 lens
- Autofocus could be better
- No external mic input
Final Thoughts
With many available options, you can do little wrong by choosing one of the leading cameras over many years, the Canon EOS 80D.
It offers great features at a reasonable price and is a versatile camera good for beginners and pros alike.
Although it lacks 4k video, this camera offers superb performance in the studio or while on the move.
Used by the king of vlogs himself, Casey Neistat, you can’t go wrong with the Canon EOS 80D.
Thanks to their great autofocus, Canon makes a number of great cameras for vlogging.