Choosing the Best Vlogging Camera: A Guide for Mom Bloggers
Photo by Philip McMaster / CC BY-NC 2.0
Are you passionate about sharing some parenting and childcare tips, as well as your family’s memories, on your blog? If so, then vlogging or video blogging can be a worthwhile activity for mom bloggers like you. It’s quite easy to learn—you just need to talk in front of the camera about the things that you’re interested in.
However, if you don’t have a vlogging camera to record videos with, consider getting yourself a good one. The many choices out there can be pretty overwhelming, but with a list of things to look for when buying a camera for your vlogging needs, you’ll definitely find the perfect model for you.
If you’re planning to get one of the best cameras for vlogging, here are the important things to consider:
Your Purpose for Vlogging
First thing’s first: what is the purpose of the vlog that you want to create? You can’t just create vlogs without any planning because of course, you’ll need to create your personal branding. Is it about parenting and everyday life, makeup tutorials, health and fitness, travel, or maybe DIY projects?
Decide on the kind of vlog you’re interested in making, so you can get a camera that suits your interest.
Flip Screen
Get a camera with an LCD screen that can be flipped at 180° to the front. A rotating LCD display is a helpful feature when you’re taking a video of yourself, allowing you to see how your shot is being framed while you’re filming. Composition is important in making a video because you want your audience to focus on you and what you’re saying rather than being distracted by the clutter in your background.
A great camera to check out is the Sony HDR-CX455, an easy-to-use camcorder that records high-definition videos and features 30x optical zoom and 60x clear image digital zoom that allows you to get as close as possible to your subject without losing the sharpness of your video.
Weight
A camera doesn’t typically weigh a lot, but it can strain your arms and shoulders when you shoot for longer periods. If using a tripod to hold your camera still is not an option, you’ll need a camera that doesn’t weigh much and is built for handheld shooting.
A good vlogging camera is small and lightweight enough to be strapped on your head or shoulder without wearing them down. Look also for one that has a good grip and feels comfortable in your hands.
Low-Light Performance
Lighting (or the lack of it) can greatly affect video quality. There will be times when you have no choice but to shoot in the dark. Turning the camera’s flash on or using external lighting can be distracting to yourself or your subject, so don’t settle for those options. Invest in a video camera that can automatically adapt to the amount of light that’s surrounding your place and still deliver clear, sharp videos.
Autofocus and Image Quality
Find a vlogging camera with precise autofocus because you don’t want to produce videos that are blurry, right? Ideally, a camera’s autofocus system should also be super fast so that you can capture those rare, fleeting moments (like your baby’s giggle) with a sharp focus on your subject.
In addition, make sure to get a camera that can produce high-definition videos. Outstanding image quality is what makes your videos looking professional rather than amateurish.
Microphone and Audio
The vlog’s audio quality is crucial because if the sound isn’t good or clear enough to your viewers, then you’ll easily lose the opportunity to impart your message to them. Whether you’re going to use an external mic or not, you should make sure that the camera you’ll get can deliver high-quality audio.
Optical Image Stabilization
It’s common for vloggers to move around while filming their vlogs, especially when they’re outdoors. With a camera that has optical image stabilization, you won’t have shaky or blurry footage. While there are video editing software programs with features that help stabilize a video, you’d want your camera to do the job well on its own.
Once you’ve found the perfect camera for your vlog, start A great camera to check out is the Sony HDR-CX455 to inform, entertain, or inspire your audience. Happy vlogging!
This is interesting. I had no idea moms etc. were vlogging until yesterday, I read a huge article in Time Magazine. Wow!
I love this article. It gave an idea to one of the new ways moms can earn a living. Aside from blogging, they can now turn to vlogging. I know some people out there don’t have the skills or the patience to write. Kudos!