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Updated June 10th 2020
Did you know that people all over the world watch nearly 150 million hours of YouTube videos every day?
That means that nearly a third of all internet users go on YouTube to watch some sort of video or to post videos themselves. So, chances of becoming the next Casey Neistat, PewDiePie or Jenna Marbles have never been better.
But what tools and equipment do YouTubers use?
The basic tools and equipment YouTubers use include cameras (e.g. camcorder, DSLR, and action camera), stabilizers (e.g. tripods, GorillaPods, and gimbals), microphones (on-camera mics, lavalier/clip-on mics, and studio microphones), lighting (e.g. ring lights, on-camera lights, LED-panels plus softboxes and umbrellas), a computer (desktop or laptop), headphones, a soundcard, room treatment (acoustic treatment), backdrops (e.g. green screens).
Now, that is a lot to learn about. But fear not. We’ll walk you through all of these pieces of equipment. At the end of the article, you’ll even get six kit suggestions for different budgets and types of vlogging to get you started:
- Vlogging Kit For Beginners
- Vlogging Kit For Experienced Vloggers (Medium Priced Kit)
- Vlogging Kit For Experienced Vloggers (High-End Kit)
- Vlogging Kit For Travel Vloggers
- Vlogging Kit For Gamers/Twitch-Streamers
- Vlogging Kit For Mobile Phone Vloggers
If you don’t feel the need to read our guide to all the different gear, you can use any of the links above to jump directly to the vlogging kits.
When you’re done with this article, you’ll know how to set up your own home vlogging production studio on any budget.
Camera
If you’re planning on becoming a YouTube superstar, you need to invest in a good camera for shooting videos.
Why?
The reason is simple – most people want video footage in Full HD or even 4K. Being able to see every single detail in videos goes a long way these days, so use that to your advantage.
A camera is the most important piece of your filming arsenal. There are numerous options at your disposal as well. For example:
- Cell phone camera
- Webcam
- Camcorder
- Action camera
- DSLR or mirrorless cameras
But not all of them are created equal. So let’s talk about them one by one.
Cell Phone Camera
If you’re a complete beginner, yet you’re eager to become an official YouTuber without spending too much money at first, you can totally use your cell phone camera to shoot videos.
Most people go for the selfie camera, but you can also use the main camera which is usually more powerful.
Using the cell phone camera helps you spread your message on a budget. You can also play with camera settings such as contrast, brightness, etc and learn the ropes.
When you’re ready, you can upgrade your gear and buy a more sophisticated camera for making YouTube videos.
Webcam
It’s true that you can use the built-in camera of your laptop, but for better video quality, you might want to spend a little on a decent webcam.
You can get a great FullHD webcam for cheap and it can be plugged into any desktop or laptop computer. This camera shoots high-quality video, is ideal for gamers, and it can be placed on top of your computer monitor.
Camcorder
A camcorder is specially designed to shoot videos and is a great choice for YouTube video-making, whether you’re a vlogger, gamer or fashion artist.
Even budget camcorders can shoot Full HD videos at 30fps or 60fps. High-quality videos like these will make you look like a professional and your audience will definitely appreciate the effort you put in making video content.
On top of that, camcorders come with numerous settings and options you can play with. It’s possible to adjust contrast ratios, brightness, add filters, shoot in slow-motion, etc.
Action Cameras
What if you want to post videos on YouTube, but you want to capture video footage outdoors, eventually while riding a 10-foot wave or a 150hp motorcycle?
In this case, using a camcorder is virtually impossible. However, you have one ace up your sleeve – an action camera!
Action cameras are designed for active people who want to film various events and activities, both indoors and outdoors.
They are usually compact in size and can be mounted on helmets or gimbals for ease of use. A great example of an action camera is the famous GoPro camera.
You shouldn’t be fooled by the small size of an action camera. These devices are capable of capturing high-quality video footage and film in Full HD or even 4K resolution.
Action cameras also come with integrated voice controls, so you don’t really need to press a button to start or stop recording.
DSLR or Mirrorless Cameras
If you’re really serious about your YouTube channel and you want to upload video footage of the best quality possible, I would recommend you invest in a DSLR or mirrorless camera.
These devices are some of the best types of cameras for YouTubers. They can shoot in multiple resolutions at different frame rates. So if you want that cool gliding slow-motion shot on a gimbal a DSLR or mirrorless camera is the way to go.
Some DSLR and mirrorless cameras such as the Panasonic GH5S or Sony A7S ii excel at shooting in low-light conditions among other things.
Cameras such as the Sony Alpha a6400 have impressive autofocus systems which are essential for vloggers and YouTubers.
Although some DSLR or mirrorless cameras can get pricey, keep in mind that you don’t need to buy a brand new device right from the start. Second-hand DSLR or mirrorless cameras are ideal for novice YouTubers and they can be bought from online retailers.
Lighting
Lighting is equally important when it comes to shooting videos and uploading them on YouTube, especially if you prefer to film indoors.
Believe it or not, just turning on the lights in your bedroom and filming yourself is not sufficient, even for beginners. You need a little bit more control over your lighting if you expect your videos to be viewed and shared by thousands of people.
Without further ado, here are several lighting accessories you’ll need.
Ring Light
A ring light is essential for vloggers. It shouldn’t be left out from your vlog lighting kit.
As the name implies, a ring light is a circular lighting source that illuminates your face completely, eliminating shadows.
It’s a favorite among YouTubers and influencers who do beauty and makeup videos because of the nice circular light reflection in the eyes.
For the same reason, it is also a favorite among fashion photographers.
Ring lights come at affordable prices and they usually include a mount and a tripod. You can position the ring light in front of you while talking or singing to the camera.
Softbox and Umbrella
A softbox is a light modifier that is placed on top of your lights and helps in converting a hard light into a softer one. Soft light is an excellent choice for vlogging because it bathes you in a beautiful flattering light, eliminating imperfections and hard shadows.
Softboxes are also affordable and completely adjustable.
A shoot-through umbrella also casts a soft light. Umbrellas are cheap, easy to use, and a great option for beginners.
However, it is harder to control the direction of light coming from an umbrella than it is from a softbox. So if this is important to you, you should go with a softbox with a honey-comb grid instead.
Audio Gear
On top of good lighting and a great camera, you also need excellent audio equipment to record your voice and the surrounding sounds while filming.
There are a few accessories you need to take into account such as:
- Microphones
- Preamp
- Monitors and stands
- Headphones
- Soundcards
- Acoustic treatment
Now, you don’t need everything right from the start, so don’t worry if this seems too much at first.
Heck, some YouTubers who mostly records the screen and do voice-overs, have a good ol’ microphone headset and they do just fine with that.
However, once you become better at recording videos for your YouTube channel, you’ll want to upgrade to better audio equipment.
Let’s talk about each of them in greater detail.
Microphones
If you want to record good audio you need a good microphone, period! Bad audio is one of the main reasons people quickly skip to the next video.
It’s easy to get carried away and only focus on a good camera and some cool transitions in the edit. But if your audio sucks, nobody will watch your videos.
There are three types of microphones, you should know about:
- On-camera microphones
- Lavalier (clip-on) microphones
- Studio microphones
Of course, there are lots of other types of microphones, but for the sake of clarification, let’s start with these three. They’ll get you 95 percent of the way.
On-camera microphones
On-camera microphones are placed on top of your camera and are pointed towards yourself. They are fairly directional, but also record some of the reverb of the room. So if there’s a lot of noise where you’re recording, they might not be the best choice.
If you want an even more directional on-camera microphone, you can go with a shotgun microphone. They are a bit more expensive, but they have one big advantage – they only pick up sound from a source directly in front of them, eliminating ambient noise.
However, if you go with a shotgun microphone, you better make sure, that you don’t move around too much.
Inexpensive on-camera microphones usually come with a 3.5mm jack, which you can plug directly into the microphone input of your camera or recording device.
Some of these microphones need a battery to work, and some don’t.
More expensive options – like shotgun microphones – come with XLR-connections and require 48+ Volt phantom power in order to work.
In general, on-camera microphones work well with small cameras.
For example, you can film yourself while walking and talking on the streets and the microphone will pick up mostly your voice and less ambient sound. Remember, the closer you are to the microphone, the less ambient sound the microphone will pick up.
Lapel a.k.a. Lavalier a.k.a. Clip-On Microphone for vlogging
Lavalier microphones are microphones you clip-on to your clothes.
Clip-on microphones can be either wired or wireless.
Wired lavalier microphones clip on to your shirt or top. You then plug the 3.5mm minijack into your camera or recording device and you’re ready to go.
Wireless lavalier microphones come with a receiver and a transmitter. You plug the microphone into the transmitter (also known as bodypack) which you carry on your body. The receiver is placed on or near your camera or recording device and can either be connected through 3.5mm jacks or XLR.
Some wireless lapel microphones, such as the Rode Wireless GO, has the microphone built directly into the transmitter.
Wired clip-on microphones are the cheaper option of the two, but you have to deal with a cable and are limited in your movement.
Wireless clip-on microphones offer more freedom and versatility. Traditionally wireless lavalier microphones can be a bit technical to set up. New developments in digital wireless lavalier microphones have made this process as easy as pressing a single button.
Lavaliers are great to work with if you are in a noisy environment because they’re close to the sound source (your mouth). But they’re not great if you’re planning to wear a lot of jewelry because there are prone to pick up noises from your clothes and accessories.
Studio microphones
Studio microphones are the go-to choice is you want a warm full recording of your voice. There’s a reason they are used for radio hosts, podcasts, voice-overs, singers and more.
There are two main types of studio microphones: dynamic and condenser.
Dynamic microphones are the least sensitive of the two options and are often the best choice if you don’t have an acoustically treated room. They don’t offer the same warmth and full-spectrum recording of the voice as condenser microphones though.
Condenser microphones can offer great results in terms of audio quality, but they need a good sounding room, because they’re very sensitive. They also require 48+ Volts of phantom power in order to work.
Professional studio microphones usually come with XLR-cables and plugs. So if you don’t have a preamp or soundcard with XLR-connection, you can’t use them.
Instead, a good option for beginners is to use a USB studio microphone, since it doesn’t require a soundcard with XLR and good preamps for amplification. It’s ready to go right out of the box.
USB microphones have come a long way in the last years and are capable of recording high-quality audio.
Preamps
Microphone preamplifiers (preamps) are recommended when you become more experienced, but you can get one right from the start if you want to.
Preamps give you more control over your audio recording and good preamps gives you’re a nice crisp sound with low noise.
Luckily good soundcards today come with good preamps and 48+ Volts phantom power together with XLR and jack inputs. So you can get everything you need in one box without having to invest in a dedicated preamp.
Studio Monitors (speakers) and Stands
When you’re editing your videos and want to hear how your voice mixes with the soundtrack and sound effects, you need some good speakers to listen to. These are called studio monitors.
Sure you can use your headphones as a start, but headphones tend to fall short when it comes to recreating bass and stereo. This may result in your audio sounding bad for your viewers.
You’ll get the best result from your studio monitors if you acoustically treat your room.
Headphones
If you’re a gamer or streamer, a pair of good headphones is exactly what you need for rocking gaming sessions!
Again, there are endless options here. Good brands include Logitech, Sennheiser, Bose, AKG and more.
Sound Cards
If you’re serious about vlogging and producing high-quality videos for YouTube, you should consider upgrading your sound card.
The onboard soundcard which comes with your computer doesn’t have any professional connections (like XLR), has no phantom power, has horrible latency when working with many audio tracks and or prone to interference from the rest of your computer.
Good brands in this category include RME, Apollo, UAD, Focusrite and more.
Acoustic Treatment
Acoustic treatment is necessary for delivering the best sound experience.
This involves covering one or more walls of your room with foam boards or acoustic panels to reduce background noise, echo, and reverberations.
Acoustic boards and panels are made from sound-absorbing materials and keep the sound from bouncing back from walls into the microphone. This greatly reduces the reverb and noise in your room.
PC Choice
You can be a successful YouTuber whether you choose a laptop or a desktop computer.
If you want portability you’ll probably be better off with a laptop since you can carry it with you everywhere you go. For example, if you travel around the world posting videos on your touristic-themed vlog, a laptop is ideal in this case.
On the other hand, desktop computers give you the opportunity to build your own machine according to your preferences. You can easily add more RAM, additional HDDs or SSDs, a good graphics card for exporting your videos, a large cooling unit to cool down the computer, etc.
You can customize a laptop as well, but it’s much easier with a desktop computer. Additionally, a desktop computer provides versatility when it comes to display size. You can go for a 25-inch or 30-inch monitor in a heartbeat and enjoy a better viewing experience while editing your videos.
Editing Software
You cannot upload the raw video file directly on YouTube and expect to be famous overnight. There are editing apps for YouTubers which allows them to polish their videos before releasing.
Editing software allows you to cut, copy, paste, crop and alter your video file completely. You can change the soundtrack, add video effects, text, background music, you name it. This is a time-consuming process, but a fun and entertaining one nevertheless!
High-quality video editing software includes Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, and others. Some programs are free to use, others require an investment on your behalf.
Backdrops
This is a place where you can really get creative and come up with something that will make your YouTube channel unique.
The backdrop is what your audience sees behind you. It can be a wall, a picture, a window, a curtain or your cat mindlessly scratching a pole toy.
It’s important to remember that the backdrop should somehow reflect the theme of your channel. If you’re into gaming, put a poster with your favorite game or a toy figurine bought at your latest gaming convention.
If you’re into yoga and meditation, your backdrop can include stones arranged one on top of the other, candles, a poster with yoga poses or chakras, etc.
Sometimes the backdrop can also be neutral, allowing you to get the most attention. Some people opt for plain white walls, a wallpaper with a wood or brick texture, etc.
Backdrops can be easily created and you should have one as soon as possible to set you apart from amateur YouTubers.
Green Screen
A green screen is not mandatory in the beginning, but it would be good to have.
With a green screen, you can “cut” yourself out from the background and place yourself in front of anything you like. For example, if you film a scene in front of a green screen, you can later edit the movie and place yourself on the Moon, talking with aliens.
How is this possible? The answer is simple – the human skin doesn’t contain green tones and this makes it easier for video editing software to digitally separate the subject from the background.
The process is also known as chroma keying.
The same effect can be achieved by using a blue screen.
Both Green screens and blue screens are useful in complex video productions where you need to isolate the subject from the background, but they are also used a lot by famous influencers on YouTube.
Vlogging Kits For YouTubers
Now that you know what you need to start vlogging and YouTubing, you’re probably wondering what video camera do vloggers use?
Well, this depends on the nature of the videos you want to shoot. We created a few categories of vlogging equipment for beginners, experienced vloggers, travel vloggers, etc.
Keep reading and use this information as a guide to vlogging equipment. You’re about to find out the basics when it comes to every vlogging starter kit.
Vlogging Kit For Beginners
First, here is a table with links to all the items described in this section.
| Gear Type | Gear Name (click the name to check current pricing) |
|---|---|
| Camera Option 1 | Canon EOS 70D with 18-135mm f/3.4-5.6 lens |
| Camera Option 2 | Sony RX-100 VA |
| Microphones | Rode Wireless Go lavalier clip-on microphone Audio Technica AT2020USB Condenser Studio Microphone |
| Microphone accessories | Rode PSA1 Microphone Boom Arm Zramo Shock Mount |
| Tripods | Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod Joby GorillaPod SLR Zoom Camera Tripod |
| Lights | Prismatic 18" Halo Ring Light |
| Light stand | Neewer 190 cm/6.0 PRO Version + Bag |
| Memory Cards | SanDisk V30 Micro SD-cards with adapter |
| Memory Card Reader | Anker 2-in-1 USB 3.0 Portable Card Reader |
| Lens Cleaning | Nikon Lens Cleaning Combo Kit |
When it comes to the camera, you can go for the Canon EOS 70D with 18-135mm f/3.4-5.6 lens. This model has a flip-out screen, so you can easily see yourself while recording. It also includes a microphone jack.
As an alternative, you could consider the Sony RX-100 VA. It shoots in 4K, has insane slow-motion of up to 960 frames per second, in-built ND-filters and professional color modes for grading.
However, you can’t swap the included lens if it doesn’t meet your needs, as this is a point-and-shoot camera. However, the lens covers everything you need for filming yourself at home or on the street. The focal range is 24-70mm (35mm equivalent), and the Zeiss Vario-Sonnar aperture covers f/1.8-2.8. So with a little careful placement, you can get a nice blurry background, if you prefer.
When it comes to microphones, there are a few options for you here.
You can go for the Rode Wireless Go lavalier microphone. This model has a range of about 100 meters (about 320 feet) and offers exceptional audio quality.
You can also go for the Audio-Technica AT2020USB Plus condenser microphone with a pop filter. This one is a USB-based studio microphone, it comes with a small tripod and it offers a 44.1/48 kHz sampling rate. The included pop filter take care of those “p” and “t” sounds and also reduce the hissing sound of “s”.
If you don’t like the small tripod included in the package, you can go for a microphone arm such as the PSA1 Microphone Boom Arm from Rode. This mic arm can be rotated in any direction, it holds mics weighing up to 1 kilogram and it’s ideal for speech, podcasts, radio and so on.
You also need a shock mount to hold the microphone and reduce low rumbling and handling noises.
Tip: If you want to, you can go for this option, which includes the Audio-Technica AT2020USB microphone, a boom arm, and a pop filter. Be aware, that this option doesn’t include a shock mount though.
Your camera will eventually need a durable stand as well. In this case, go for the Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod which is specially designed for DSLR cameras. It is made from aluminum and it comes with a versatile head, being compatible with multiple camera types.
If this one didn’t float your boat, check out the Joby GorillaPod SLR Zoom Camera Tripod. It might look a bit weird, but that is on purpose! This tripod can be bend, rotated and swiveled in any direction possible, allowing you to capture photos and videos at different angles.
The tripod holds cameras weighing up to 6.6 pounds (3kg), so your DSLR will match just fine with this accessory.
Moving on to lights, it would be ideal if you begin with a ring light right from the start since these are highly popular among vloggers.
More specifically, the Prismatic 18″ Halo Ring Light would be ideal because it’s great for all purposes. It comes with a canvas bag which protects the light as you travel as well as special adjustable mount.
The mount can hold any DSLR camera and allows you to position the light higher, lower or at an angle. The package includes a light bulb and the light is dimmable, so you can play with it and find the best lighting for your needs.
We recommend the Neewer Pro 6″/190cm light stand for the ring light. It is a heavy duty light stand, but it folds up neatly and comes with a shoulder bag included for easy carrying.
Lastly, don’t forget about memory cards for your camera. We suggest using SanDisk V30 memory cards and go for the 64GB or even 128GB option. Buy the micro-SD card with an adapter. That way you can use the cards in more than one camera, e.g. if you later decide to buy a drone.
This basically sums up the vlogging equipment for beginners. Let’s move on to a kit for more experienced vloggers who have a medium-sized budget.
In the table at the top of this section, we’ve included some essential lens cleaning gear and a card reader if you don’t own any already.
Now, let’s move on to a more expensive setup.
Vlogging Kit For Experienced Vloggers (Medium Priced Kit)
First, here is a table with links to all the items described in this section.
If you have a bit of experience making videos for YouTube and you don’t mind spending some money on high-quality videography gear then pay extra attention to this section.
You’re going to find out the Vlogging gear essentials for experienced vloggers.
Let’s begin with the camera and in this case, the PANASONIC LUMIX GH5 4K Digital Camera with the Panasonic Leica 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 is the way to go. It is an extremely powerful camera in a little format.
Panasonic GH5 shoots 4K videos, is weather-sealed, has 5-axis in-body stabilization. It also has a flip-out screen so you can see yourself while filming.
Besides that it can shoot in high-quality slow-motion, and has a lot of professional color profiles to choose from for post-production color grading.
GH5 also comes with Wi-Fi connectivity, so transferring pictures and videos between devices will be a breeze. It also features both microphone input and headphone output.
Since you’re an experienced video blogger, you probably spend a lot of time shooting videos. Although the GH5 has a battery which will last you more than an hour of constant filming, it’s never fun to run out of battery. So make sure that you buy one or two extra batteries from Panasonic and keep them charged to avoid dead times.
We only recommend using original batteries, due to low-quality and potential fire hazards in cheap knock-offs.
Another great accessory you can get for your camera is a neutral density (ND) filter. This device is placed on top of your camera lens and it controls how much light goes into the camera.
It is very useful for reducing brightness in photos and videos. We recommend the Tiffen 62mm Variable ND Filter because it provides from 2 to 8 stops of light control and it can also reduce vignetting when shooting. Make sure to get the 62mm one, which fits the lens we mentioned.
When it comes to microphones, there are a lot of options at your disposal. For example, the Rode NT-USB Condenser Microphone is a great choice among vloggers. It is ideal for speech, singing, and gaming and it can be connected to your computer via USB.
This is a studio microphone, but if you’re looking for an on-camera mic, check out the Rode Videomic Pro+. It can be easily attached to your DSLR and it features a 20Hz-20kHz frequency response with a high-pass filter.
To wrap up the microphone section, you might also want to look at the Sennheiser AVX-ME2 SET-4-US lavalier mic with the rechargeable battery. This is a digital wireless set with an optimized dynamic range, ideal for all kinds of videos. And setting it up is as simple as pressing a button.
Continuing the list of cool accessories for experienced vloggers, add up the Rode PSA1 boom arm and you’re golden. This will make it easier for you to position your condenser mic while talking. You’ll also need the Rode SMR shock mount to reduce handling noises and low-frequency rumbling.
When it comes to tripods, we recommend the Manfrotto 190X aluminum tripod with XPRO fluid head is also ideal for your DSLR. It can easily hold virtually any type of DSLR and mirrorless camera in place, and the smooth movement of the video head allows you to film some beautiful footage while panning and tilting.
When it comes to lighting, you might need to create a three-point lighting system in your room or studio to make your videos look professional. In this case, the Aputure Amaran Tri-8 three-point light kit is highly recommended.
It might appear pricey, but it comes with two daylight spotlights and one bicolor light. It is designed using aircraft-grade aluminum, so it can last for a lifetime. Its sophisticated thermal management system prevents overheating, allowing you to use this lighting kit 24/7.
Get the inexpensive Neewer 3 Pieces 8.6Feet/260cm Aluminum Alloy Lightstands with those. We’ve linked to the 8.6Feet/260cm version because you want to be able to set your key light above yourself. So make sure you never buy light stands too short.
Don’t forget about memory cards. As mentioned in the beginner vlogging kit, the 64GB and 128GB cards from SanDisk are ideal for most (except if you want to shoot 400mbps internal on the GH5 in which case you need faster V90 cards). Get the micro-SD version with the adapter, so you can use the cards later e.g., in a drone.
If you want to learn more about fast SD-cards and more I would recommend you read our article Ultimate Guide To Memory Cards And SSDs For Video Recording.
When you need to edit your footage, you’ll need some good speakers a.k.a. studio monitors. We recommend this KRK RP8-G3 bundle which includes an external FocusRite soundcard, stands, headphones, XLR-cables, and a microphone with an acoustic shield.
Now, the included headphones and the microphone aren’t very good, so you’ll probably want to upgrade those – they will get you started and can work as a backup. But the speakers, soundcard, stands, and cables are all worth the price alone.
You should also consider some acoustic treatment for your room. These acoustic foam boards will absorb mid- to high-frequency sounds and acts as diffusers, so you don’t get that nasty springy reverb sound in your room.
Vlogging Kit For Experienced Vloggers (High-End Kit)
First, here is a table with links to all the items described in this section.
| Gear Type | Gear Name (click the name to check current pricing) |
|---|---|
| Camera | Canon EOS-1DX Mark II DSLR Camera and Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens |
| Camera Accessories | Tiffen 82mm Variable ND Filter |
| Microphones | Rode VideoMic Pro+ Shure SM7B Sennheiser AVX Digital Wireless Microphone System - ME2 Lavalier and AVX42 Handheld Transmitter with MD42 Capsule Combo Set |
| Preamp | Golden Age Project Pre-73 MKIII Mic/line Preamp |
| Microphone Accessories | Rode PSA1 Microphone Boom Arm |
| Tripod | Sachtler System FSB 6 FT Sideload Fluid Head with Flowtech 75 Carbon Fiber Tripod & Mid Level Spreader |
| Acoustic Treatment | Primacoustic London 10 Room Kit |
| Memory Cards | SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO CFast 2.0 Memory Card |
| Memory Card Reader | PixelFlash CFAST 2.0 Card Reader USB 3.0 SATA III 500MB/s Writer |
| Lens Cleaning | Nikon Lens Cleaning Combo Kit |
But what if you’re an experienced vlogger with a sizeable budget and you want to make a great investment in your career as a filmmaker? In other words, what if you want the best vlogging equipment for YouTube?
In this case, you need only the best tools to create fantastic, breathtaking videos for your audience. If this describes you, this part of the article is for you, so stay tuned.
The most important element of this kit is, of course, the camera. Go for a Canon EOS-1DX Mark II with 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM zoom lens. The Canon EOS-1DX Mark II is the weapon of choice of YouTubers such as Casey Neistat.
This full-frame camera is ideal for shooting in virtually any lighting situations with its 20.2 MP sensor, and it has an advanced autofocus system with 61 different points which will keep you in focus all the time.
The EOS-1D X Mark II is capable of capturing 4K video at up to 60 fps, and Full HD at 120 fps for slow motion with CFast 2.0 cards.
When you get tired of shooting video, you can shoot stills in excellent quality – even action shots. The 1DX is one of the fastest cameras on the market with up to 16 fps in live view mode.
The standard zoom lens with its f/2.8 constant maximum aperture through the entire zoom range got you covered in most situations, and is able to create a nice blurred bokeh background while you film yourself.
As always, don’t forget to get a few spare batteries for your Canon camera,
and you’ll be able to shoot videos all day long. Again, we advise you to only go for original batteries due to the quality and testing.
If you like to shoot outdoors, you might also need a neutral density filter. Here we recommend the Tiffen ND filter (make sure to get the 82mm) which fits the lens because this filter is highly adjustable and suitable for most situations.
Moving on to microphones, you definitely need some of the best ones for recording high-quality audio. For example, the Shure SM7B is a dynamic studio microphone frequently used by the pros. This is a dynamic microphone which allows you to select the frequency response and eliminate background hum and noises.
For this microphone, you need a good preamp with a lot of power. A great model is the Golden Age Project Pre-73 MK III preamp. This is a vintage-style preamp, but still very popular today. And it sounds great with the SM7B from Shure and a lot of studio condenser microphones too.
If you prefer lavalier mics, go for the Sennheiser AVX digital wireless microphone system because it’s highly automated and very easy to use. And if you want to go out and interview someone on the street or a guest in your studio, it also includes a great handheld mic.
The kit can select operating frequencies on its own and features increased sensitivity to low notes. And the sound quality is great!
If you prefer on-camera microphones, go for the same model presented in the above kit – the Rode Videomic Pro+.
Similarly, the Rode PSA1 Boom Studio arm is also recommended for holding up your microphone while you speak, narrate or sing.
To keep your camera stable, you should check out the Sachtler Flowtech 75 MS carbon fiber tripod with the FSB 6 Fluid Head. This model is lightweight, highly adjustable and it comes with accessories such as rubber feet and a carrying case. And it is probably the easiest and fastest tripod on the marked to set up: all three legs can be extended from the flip of a single handle.
The fluid head is so smooth with a nice resistance and wonderful to use.
Finally, you should get some acoustic treatment for your room.
The London 10 Room Kit from Primacoustic includes 20 acoustic panels which will absorb low- to high-frequency sounds.
That way you will minimize the risk of phase cancellation e.g. of your bass frequencies, and get a more flat frequency response curve in general.
They’re also awesome for dampening the reverb of your room for recording great voice-overs.
Now, let’s have a look at a mobile setup for vloggers who travel a lot.
Vlogging Kit For Travel Vloggers
First, here is a table with links to all the items described in this section.
If you’re traveling a lot, you’ll need a slightly different videography kit to accommodate your needs.
For example, you might want several types of cameras (including one action camera), a gimbal and maybe even a drone to capture spectacular video footage from above.
With such travel vlogging equipment, you’ll be able to shoot amazing videos while on the go.
Let’s start with the main camera which should be a Panasonic Lumix GH5 4K camera. This is a great option because it’s weather-sealed, it has 5-axis stabilization and a flip-out screen, so you can see yourself while talking to the camera.
On top of that, the slow-motion features of this model are awesome! Most people love slow-motion videos, so you’ll be able to “treat” your audience each time.
Remember extra batteries, for when you’re on the go.
When it comes to the lens, you can go for the Panasonic Lumix Leica Professional 12-60mm f/2.0-4.0 zoom lens, which is a great all-around lens.
If you need to shoot in low light, and still want a light-weight lens you should check out the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm F1.4 Asph prime lens.
If you want a really wide angle lens, go for the Laowa 7.5mm which is also good for astro timelapses.
The Panasonic Leica 100-400mm f/4.0-6.3 lens is ideal for telezoom shots and they shouldn’t be left out from your videography gear.
You’ll also do well with a neutral density filter which is capable of reducing excessive brightness while shooting outdoors. The Tiffen 62mm variable ND-filter is again very useful in this case and it’s easy to work with.
Travel vloggers need an action camera as well, especially if they like to film outdoors adventures such as scuba diving sessions. If this is your case too, you should go for the GoPro Hero7 Black camera and its accessories kit.
This GoPro model is affordable, it can shoot 4K video in 60fps and it has amazing autofocus and stabilization capabilities. You can use it to record video footage while exploring underwater marine life or when skiing dangerous slopes.
When it comes to microphones, we’ll mention the choices discussed in the previous vlogging kits. For example, you might want an on-camera microphone and the Rode Videomic Pro+ is again an excellent candidate.
As a lavalier mic, you might want to go for the Rode Wireless GO set. It’s incredibly small, light-weight and easy to set up.
As a tripod for your camera, check out the Manfrotto Befree Live carbon fiber tripod with video fluid head. It’s sturdy, lightweight, easy to use and fully adjustable.
The Joby GorillaPod SLR Zoom tripod is also ideal for your mirrorless camera and it won’t break the bank.
When it comes to lighting, a portable solution would be the Aputure AL-MX on-camera light. It can be attached to DSLR and mirrorless cameras, it features 128 LEDs and it’s made from aircraft-grade aluminum, so it will pass the test of time.
Read our comparison review of the Aputure AL-M9 and the AL-MX here.
For extra stability, while filming, you’ll need a gimbal for your DSLR. The Zhiyun Crane V2 is perfect in this case as it can hold cameras up to 4 pounds in weight and it comes with brushless motors.
Especially if you’re going to shoot 4K videos, you’ll need a large external hard drive and the Western Digital 4TB My Passport USB 3.0 is specially designed for this purpose. It features USB 3.0 connectivity and it weighs less than one pound, so you can take it with you wherever you go.
The last toy in your arsenal could be a drone for filming spectacular video from above. There are numerous options at your disposal, but the DJI Mavic Pro 2 drone with the FlyMore combo, which includes 3 batteries among other cool stuff, is one of the best out there.
This drone can film a video for up to 31 minutes on a single battery, shoot in 4K, it has an incorporated camera with a 20MP sensor, can take panorama photos from the air, and it travels at speeds up to 44mph. What else can you ask for?
Vlogging Kit For Gamers And Twitch-Streamers
First, here is a table with links to all the items described in this section.
Many people want to start a YouTube channel to showcase their gaming abilities or to film themselves while playing games with friends on Twitch.
If you’re one of those people, then you need a great camera for the job. If you want to create a vlogging production studio on a budget, go for the Logitech c920S webcam which is good for both desktop and laptop computers.
If your budget is higher, check out the Sony a5100 mirrorless camera which comes with a flip-out screen and a 16-50mm lens. This camera records full HD video and shoots fantastic pictures and videos, and you can get it in a bundle with a lot of other cool stuff:
Since you’re a gamer and you might need to communicate with your teammates while playing, you also need a high-quality headset. The HyperX Cloud Revolver S with 7.1 surround-sound is the go-to headset for gamers.
It’s comfortable to use, it has a steel frame and can be used with PCs as well as PS4 or Xbox.
If this one didn’t make your day, go for the SteelSeries Arctis Pro which is an equally popular headset.
As for the microphone, you could do well with a Blue Yeti USB Microphone which is ideal for gaming, interviews, speech, narrating, singing, etc. Go for a bundle like this one, which includes a stand and pop-filter:
When it comes to lighting options, the Corsair Elgato Key Light is ideal for most gamers. This is an LED panel with a capacity of 2500 lumens and compatible with both PC and Mac.
If you’re streaming your videos on Twitch, the Corsair Elgato Cam Link will make your life easier. It can record video footage via your DSLR camera and instantly stream it online, for your friends and audience to see and enjoy.
Lastly, the Elgato Collapsible Green Screen is useful for gamers as a backdrop. It is made from heavy-duty material and it also comes with a support stand in the package.
Vlogging Kit For Mobile Phone Vloggers
First, here is a table with links to all the items described in this section.
| Gear Type | Gear Name (click the name to check current pricing) |
|---|---|
| Microphone | Rode VideoMic ME Rode smartLav+ Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone for iPhone and Smartphones |
| Lights | Aputure AL-M9 Amaran LED Mini Light on Camera Video Light |
| Tripods | GripTight PRO Video GorillaPod Stand Sirui TSH-01B Table Tripod w/ Ball Head, Cell Phone Grip, Selfie Stick, Bluetooth Trigger |
| Handheld rig | Shoulderpod X1 Pro Rig for Smartphones |
| Gimbal | DJI Osmo Mobile 2 |
But what if you don’t want to buy a different camera because you’re happy with the one provided by your mobile phone?
In this case, we created a special kit for mobile phone vloggers! You can think of it as a vlogging kit for iPhone or Android phones.
Start by getting a good-quality microphone such as the Rode VideoMic Me microphone which plugs directly into your phone.
If you want a clip-on microphone you should check out the Rode SmartLav+ which is a wired lavalier mic which offers great sound quality at an entry-level price point.
These are both great options which will provide high-quality audio recording for you when shooting videos.
The next step would be to get a light source and the Aputure Amaran AL-M9 light is perfect in this case. This compact lighting option features adjustable brightness and it can be charged via USB.
Check out our comparison review of the Aputure AL-MX vs Aputure AL-M9 here.
As a tripod, go for the Joby Griptight Pro Video GorillaPod as this compact device can hold virtually any type of smartphone.
Another good option is the Sirui TSH-01B Mini Tripod which is completely adjustable and a more classic mini tripod – but made for mobile phones. You can use it as an ordinary tripod or quickly morph it into a selfie stick.
To make your vlogging sessions easier and more comfortable, check out the Shoulderpod X1 which is a rig capable of holding a smartphone, microphone and LED light or a different accessory, all at the same time. This rig is easy to use and customizable according to your needs.
There are also gimbals for phones, not only for cameras. For example, the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 comes at an affordable price and features active tracking technology for the smoothest video experience possible.
Lastly, you’ll also need a mobile app to edit your videos and the KineMaster Pro is perfect in this case. It is available for Android and iPhone users and it’s one of the most popular mobile video editors out there.
Begin Vlogging Today!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this article. We’ve spent a lot of time to put together these video kits for you. Now it’s the perfect time to go ahead and purchase your videography gear based on the recommendations above.
Don’t worry, you cannot make mistakes here, it’s all about getting the right devices and having fun with them, shooting video after video both indoors and outdoors!
Got any of the gear and shot a cool vlog? Please share in the comments.
Long Read! Well written and so wonderful post! Thanks for additional link.
Thank you. And you’re welcome 🙂
Cheers, Jan
Thanks