So, you've landed on this page because you want to buy a Sony vlogging camera. Well, let me let you into a little secret, you've landed on the right page!
Why I hear you ask? Well, my name is Stokely, I have owned a global video production company called Trendy Grandad for over a decade now! (Wow that makes me sound old!) When it comes to camera equipment, i've seen and used it all. So, i set up this website to help people navigate the video landscape from an honest & truthful perspective. In short, i'm not a big corporate company trying to sell you the most expensive camera. I vow to be honest and hopefully, you will leave this page with all the knowledge you need to buy your new vlogging camera and for your vlogging journey to rocket into the stratosphere.
So, lets get into it shall we?
Here are my top picks for the best sony vlogging cameras;
Number 5 - Sony FX3
Number 4 - Sony ZV-E10
Number 3 - Sony ZV 1F
Number 2 - Sony ZV A7 IV
Number 1 - Sony ZV 1 - ii
What makes a great vlogging camera?
You wouldn't get in your car without knowing your destination, would you? The same theory applies when buying a vlogging camera. You need to know what makes a great vlogging camera and if it fits with your purpose/intended use. If I asked you what you're going to be using this camera for, you're most likely going to say 'vlogging', right? But, what type of vlogging? Will you be travelling a lot, or just moving about the house? Will you be vlogging in the car, or whilst skiing? Do you want a 'done for you approach' or do you want the ability to colour grade and adjust the camera settings in more depth? Are you filming for Tiktok or for Youtube? The choice with vlogging camera's in endless... hopefully I can help clear some of that up for you.
So, what does make a great vlogging camera?
Portability - Is it easy to move about, is it lightweight enough? Is it's design compact enough?
Durability - Is it 'hardy' enough to withstand different environments?
Versatility - Does it work in many filming scenarios?
Battery Performance - Will the battery perform for long enough?
Light - Will it perform well in low-light (Nighttime) & bright lights (Daytime) together?
Focus - Does it have great autofocus features or is it manual?
Audio - Do you have to rely on the in-built microphone (usually terrible) or can you plug in an external mic? Do you want speakers?
Display - Is the touchscreen display simple & easy to navigate quickly?
Lens - Is the lens fixed or can you adjust it for wider shots or zoom shots?
Quality - Does it shoot 4k or 1080p?
Aperture - A fancy way of saying, 'how blurry is the background compared to the foreground?'
Connectivity - Does is connect to your laptop via bluetooth or do you need a tonne of cables?
Editing & storage - Does it allow you to use high storage memory cards? Will your laptop cope editing 4k footage?
These are all questions and details you need to consider when buying a vlogging camera. You don't want to in a position where you buy a camera and then you can't do what you set out to achieve - all of which could be solved from a little research and asking yourself a few questions, the exact reason as to why you're reading this i guess. I go into it further in my Authors word at the bottom of this article, but have you considered smartphones?
The Top 5 Sony Vlog Cameras List
Number 5 - Sony Fx3 - £5,000
Why It’s Great for Vlogging:
There are so many great reasons as to why this camera is great for vlogging, it's incred resolution and quality being number 1 out of all of the vlogging options below.
- Portability: It’s compact for a cinema camera, but heavier than most vlogging options.
- Durability: Built for professional shoots, it handles various environments with ease.
- Versatility: Tailored for cinematic vlogging—great for capturing stunning landscapes or creative storytelling.
- Audio: Professional-grade audio input options for top-tier sound recording.
- Quality: Shoots in exceptional 4K, with dynamic range, a wide sensor, is mirrorless and image stabilization that rivals Hollywood productions.The video quality & image quality of this camera is the best out of all the options below.
- Focus: Superb autofocus system that tracks your face and keeps your shots razor-sharp.
What is not so great about this camera?
In truth, this is an incredible camera, but only if you know what you're doing.
- Expensive: This is a professional-grade camera, and the price reflects that—definitely not budget-friendly.
- Bulky: Heavier and less portable, making it harder to carry around for casual vlogging.
- Overkill for Beginners: The high-end features are unnecessary for most beginner vloggers.
- Battery Life: While decent for its size, the power-hungry features can drain the battery quickly.
- Needs External Gear: To make the most of it, you’ll need additional equipment like gimbals, external mics, and lenses.
- Complex Settings: The advanced specs and controls mean there’s a steep learning curve for new users.
P.S - this is the only camera on the list that is also excellent for photography as well as video. That can be a huge benefit, depending on what your purpose is ofcourse.
Number 4 - Sony ZV-E10 - £549
Why It’s Great for Vlogging:
- Portability: Compact and lightweight, making it perfect for vloggers on the go.
- Durability: Feels well-built and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
- Versatility: Interchangeable camera lenses give you endless creative options.
- Audio: Includes external mic input for professional-quality sound, plus a solid built-in mic.
- Display: Fully articulating screen is a dream for framing and adjusting settings mid-shoot.
- Quality: Shoots in stunning 4K with reliable autofocus, perfect for both beginners and experienced vloggers.
What is not so great about this camera?
- Not Pocket-Sized: It’s compact but not as portable as other options like the ZV-1 series.
- Battery Life: The small battery means you’ll need backups for longer shoots.
- Build Quality: While decent, it’s not as durable as higher-end cameras—handle with care.
- Learning Curve: Interchangeable lenses and advanced features can be overwhelming for beginners.
- Needs Accessories: To unlock its full potential, you’ll need to invest in additional lenses and gear, which adds to the cost.
- Audio Setup Required: While it has an external mic input, you’ll need to purchase one for better sound.
Number 3 - Sony ZV 1F - £549
Why It’s Great for Vlogging:
- Portability: Super compact—throw it in your bag or even your pocket.
- Durability: Solid for everyday use but don’t expect it to survive rugged shoots.
- Versatility: Great for beginner content creators focusing on casual vlogging or Instagram videos.
- Audio: Decent built-in mic, but there’s no option for an external mic—might not suit audio perfectionists.
- Display: The tilting screen is simple to use and great for quick vlogging setups.
- Quality: Fixed lens offers good wide-angle shots, and it records in 4K with solid stabilization.
What is not so great about this camera?
- No Interchangeable Lenses: You’re stuck with the fixed wide-angle lens, which limits versatility.
- Lacks External Mic Input: If audio quality is a priority, the lack of an external mic jack could be a dealbreaker.
- Lower Build Quality: Feels less robust compared to higher-end models, so handle with care.
- Limited Zoom: The fixed lens doesn’t allow for zoom, which could frustrate some users.
- Not Great in Low Light: Struggles in dimly lit environments, producing grainy footage.
- Basic Autofocus: It’s not as advanced as other models, meaning you might experience some focus hunting.
Number 2 - Sony ZV A7 IV - £2,179
Why It’s Great for Vlogging:
- Portability: Slightly bigger and heavier but still manageable for vloggers who want pro-level quality.
- Durability: Built like a tank—this model can handle diverse environments and weather conditions.
- Versatility: Perfect for a mix of vlogging styles, from cinematic travel content to studio setups.
- Audio: Comes with options for external microphones, a must for top-notch audio.
- Lens: Interchangeable lenses give you the flexibility for wide-angle or zoom shots.
- Quality: Captures 4K with brilliant detail and includes great autofocus to keep you sharp in every frame.
What is not so great about this camera?
- Bulky for Vlogging: Heavier and larger compared to other cameras, not ideal for handheld vlogging.
- Pricey: It’s a significant investment, especially for beginners.
- Complex Controls: The advanced settings and controls might be overwhelming for newcomers.
- Battery Drain: While better than compact models, using features like 4K and autofocus eats up battery life quickly.
- Not Fully Beginner-Friendly: The advanced specs make it better suited for experienced videographers.
- Overkill for Casual Vlogging: If you’re just starting out, the features might be more than you need.
Number 1 - ZV-1 ii - £869
Why It’s Great for Vlogging:
- Portability: Small and lightweight, perfect for travel and handheld vlogging.
- Durability: Feels solid but best kept away from extreme conditions—it’s not built for rugged adventures.
- Versatility: Ideal for vlogs, product reviews, or everyday content creation.
- Audio: Built-in mic with a windscreen does the job, but there’s a jack for an external mic if you want better sound.
- Display: Fully tilting touchscreen makes framing shots and controlling settings a breeze.
- Quality: Shoots in sharp 4K, with great stabilization for smooth footage while on the move.
What is not so great about this camera?
In my personal opinion, this camera has it all & is excellent for vlogging. I've used it myself personally for vlogging and the only thing it lacks is good stabilisation. If you're not moving around too much or have a steady hand (I don't) then it's a perfect option for you!
- Limited Durability: While compact, it’s not rugged—don’t expect it to handle harsh environments or weather.
- Fixed Lens: No option to swap lenses; you’re stuck with what it has, which might not suit all filming needs.
- Audio Could Improve: Built-in mic is decent, but serious content creators will likely need an external mic.
- Battery Life: The small body means a smaller battery, so it might not last for long shoots.
- Limited Zoom: The fixed lens restricts zoom capabilities, making it less versatile for far-away subjects.
- No Viewfinder: Some vloggers might miss having a traditional viewfinder for composing shots.
How to choose the best Sony vlogging camera for you from the above list
- Skill Level: Are you a beginner, intermediate, or professional?
- Budget: Consider the cost and whether you need additional accessories like lenses or microphones.
- Use Case:
- Daily handheld vlogging vs. cinematic storytelling.
- Indoor vs. outdoor shoots.
- Travel or studio-based content creation.
Accessories to enhance your vlogging experience
- Microphones: External mics for improved audio quality.
- Tripods & Gimbals: Stability for professional-looking videos.
- Lighting: Portable lights for better visuals in any condition.
- Lenses: Options for wide-angle, zoom, or portrait-style videos.
Author's Last Thoughts
So, as you probably know right now there are SO many options when it comes to vlogging cameras. One questions I do want to ask you before you buy a vlogging camera is, have you got the fundamentals of filmmaking right first? What makes great videos and vlogs is what's infront of the camera, the personalities, the subject and the stories. If you don't know what I mean, go and watch a David Dobrik vlog, he is the best in the world and he films most of his vlogs on a camera similar to the Sony FX3. I would heavily advise just filming everything on your smartphone first and getting used to creating greate stories and letting your personality shine, before spending loads on cameras, equipment and cameras lenses etc.
I do truly hope this article helps you, if you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach out! All the best with your vlogging venture!