With over 85% of internet users in the United States watching online video content monthly.
The right camera can make a huge difference in the quality and professionalism of your video content.
Did you know that the best cameras for video podcasting are also ideal for streaming?
With the rise of video content creation, having a reliable camera that connects seamlessly to your computer is essential.
Imagine the frustration of being cut off mid-interview or live stream due to an auto shut-off feature.
In this article we are going to talk about the three best cameras for podcasters that are suitable for any budget.
Best camera for podcasting
We categorized the list from best camera for beginners, to professionals and business.
1. Logitech 1080 camera
For beginners, webcams are going to be a better option than the built-in cameras on our laptops not only because they capture higher quality and will get a better shot.
But also because they aren’t actually attached to your computer which offers you the flexibility of plugging into your computer and then moving the camera around wherever you need it to set up a really nice shot for your podcast.
Logitech 1080 camera is a great all-around choice and you can get it for about $100. It offers a wide-angle shot, perfect for recording in small spaces or fitting multiple hosts in one shot.
Additionally, you can opt for the 4K version for about $160, providing even higher video quality.
2. Sony ZV 1 Camera
This camera really is everything you need to get going with video podcasting, content creation, YouTube videos, and a lot more.
It connects directly to your computer and it won’t shut off when it’s connected to your computer so it’s perfect for live streaming.
The lens that it comes with is very impressive, it’s a zoom lens that ranges between 24 mm and 70 mm which gives you a lot of flexibility.
To get lots of different types of shots, zoom all the way into 70 mm. That’s where you can get a cinematic look and a more blurred out background.
The other thing that makes this camera so popular with content creators and vloggers is the flip screen.
That reversibility makes it perfect for solo podcasting, when it’s just you running the show. You can see what shot you have set up to ensure that it is actually recording. And you need to be able to monitor what the camera sees when you’re creating your videos and your podcast so it’s perfect.
Another amazing feature with this camera is it captures 4K video which is really important. This camera goes for about $800.
3. Sony A7 III
What makes these cameras so special is that you can detach any number of lenses to the camera. And this is why professional photographers and videographers will go for a nice Sony camera like this.
The biggest contributing factor that makes the most significant difference between professional and beginners video cameras is the lens.
Prime lenses have what’s called a fixed focal length which means they’re not zoom lenses and they get a superior image quality.
But these lenses can be very expensive, over $1,000 just for one lens. Then to get just the body of a nice DSLR camera like Sony A7 III can run you $2,000, so you’re going to have to spend around $3000.
Our go-to lens for the Sony A7 Mark III is the G Series Fe 1.5 35mm lens. This lens is incredible not just because of the clear really great picture quality that it gets.
But also because it has really intelligent and fast autofocus which is really important especially when we’re running the show solo.
So in these Sony cameras you can actually select an area on your screen that you want to be in focus.
Finally, something to keep in mind with this style of DSLR camera is that the flip screen LED monitor doesn’t actually flip around when the camera is facing you which means you may need to purchase an external monitor.
Now if you’re always going to have your camera plugged into your computer using a streaming service or remote recording solution like Podcastle AI. Then you’ll be able to monitor your camera on the computer.
But if you’re shooting YouTube videos you’re reading from a teleprompt you may need to purchase an external monitor. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. I really love the Free World monitors.
Why choose Sony over Canon
You may be asking why Sony over Canon and I know that the Canon M50 is a similar price to the Sony zv1.
So why would you choose a Sony zv1 that has a fixed lens over a Canon M50 which has a detachable lens. And the biggest reason for that is the Canon M50 has an auto shuttle off.
And the only workaround is to actually hack the firmware on the camera. To do that, you will need to download complicated software on your computer.
Most of us don’t have the technical knowhow or the patience to make that happen which is a deal breaker for Canon cameras when it comes to video podcasting.
