My Favorite Photo & Video Equipment

As a blogger and content creator, I had to learn quickly how to use a high-quality video camera to take my blog posts to the next level. I had to decide and choose from the best professional video camera tools on the market to figure out which video camera would be right for me. Besides being the blogger behind NoB, I’m also the camerawoman, and learning how to select the best digital camera for my brand was something that took me awhile to figure out.

There are so many amazing cameras on the market, it can be difficult to decide which one to choose. I’ve worked with several pro video cameras and in my list, I will walk you through the best cameras you can get for a great value that will help you decide which is the best camera for you.

Whether you’re a content creator, blogger, small business owner, or just want to learn how to use a camera, this blog post is for you.

My Favorite Photography & Video Equipment For Content Creators

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, read my full disclosure here.

If you’re looking to create content on your blog, social media, YouTube, or elsewhere, here are some great cameras with high-end features you’d need as a creator. I’ve also included my top picks at an affordable price as well to fit different budgets.

Photography

This is the camera I currently use and I love it. It provides superb video and image quality as well as full HD video. In my opinion, it is one of the best video cameras on the market though it is on the pricier side. If you’ are looking for a camera with great video quality that is also more affordable, you might want to consider this camera here, which is also a great choice in a lower price range.

A note on cameras: I love Canon cameras because they are easier to use in my opinion than some of the other brands. They’re perfect for beginners or pros and they are super easy to learn how to use.

Another recommendation is the Sony FDR-AX700, which is a 4K HDR Camcorder and is one of the best camcorders on the market today. It features a fast Hybrid AF system and is perfect for capturing amazing action shots. It has amazing brightness and color range and amazing features such as body image stabilization, versatile manual control, built-in ND filters and many more.

Mirrorless Cameras

Mirrorless cameras are able to capture images without the use of of a mirror in the camera body. These allows the user to change out the lenses of the camera. They are typically lighter and more compact. This makes them one of the best options for travel and everyday use.

If you are looking for a mirrorless camera for video content, consider the Sony Alpha A7 IIK. This mirrorless camera has an interchangeable lens with a full frame sensor so you can minimize blur with every shot with this image-stabilization camera.

You also may want to consider the Canon EOS R Mirrorless SLR Camera which features a full kit of interchangeable lenses, a backup battery, SD cards and more. My favorite camera brand is Canon and I love how easy it is to use their cameras. If you’re looking to purchase a kit that has everything you need to get started, I highly recommend this kit.

Professional Cameras

If you are looking for a dedicated video camera, the Blackmagic Design Ursa Mini is the perfect video camera for professional and independent filmmakers. It is one of the best cinema cameras on the market for those looking to do video editing for a feature film. It is considered an action camera, which makes it perfect for professional filmmakers that are looking for a digital cinema camera with interchangeable lenses.

If you are new to filmmaking and you’re looking for a more affordable cinema camera, you may also want to consider the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K which features a compact design, memory card, video recording, and a Micro Four Thirds Lens Mount that accepts the original, lightweight Pocket Cinema Camera lenses, as well as PL, C, EF lenses and more. It is the perfect cinema camera for professional editing and video production.

The Panasonic Lumix GH5S is another great 4K mirrorless camera. It is a highly rated camera that I recommend if you are looking for the best 4K camera. It features a high-sensitivity MOS sensor, which gives you the best picture quality for your photos and videos.

What Are Professional Video Cameras?

Professional video cameras are tools that can help take your photography and videography to the next level. If you’re looking for cinema-quality and high-quality videos and photos, you should consider a professional video camera.

If you are looking for features such as 4K, HD, or even 3D capacity, you need a professional video camera, such as this one, to take your videos and photos to professional-level.

A professional video camera usually can record at least 30 frames per second (fps) and usually has one lens.

You can adjust your settings such as exposure time, focus, gain, white balance temperature and other settings as well.

Why Choose A DSLR For Video?

When choosing the perfect video camera, there can be a lot to consider. A lot of people wonder about the type of camera they should purchase for their new hobby, career or side hustle and the options are practically endless.

There are many different types of cameras, but one of the best on the market is the DSLR camera. It has the ability to capture high-quality images and videos and can practically be the only camera you’ll need for videography and photography.

The DSLR’s manual settings also allow you to control the shots better than most other types of cameras. The benefits of a DSLR is that is has been the staple in photography for many years. You have the ability to create stunning photos and video. What else do you need?

Let’s take an example:

You’re at Yosemite National Park and you’re filming a beautiful sunrise and you want to get closer to the lake. You walk down to it with your camera in hand and you capture the most beautiful shot of the sunrise with epic clarity as well as the lake, in vivid detail.

These are scenarios where your iPhone wouldn’t be able to capture the moment as great as your camera. No matter if you have the latest model, the DSLR on a camera does not compare to the camera on your phone.

Having a high-quality camera is a must if you’re trying to grow your business and take it to the next level, or simply capture amazing moments at Yosemite.

Things To Consider When Buying A DSLR For Video

Video is dominating content on the web. If you are a blogger or content creator, using video in your business is a must-do in this digital age. Besides staying ahead of the curve, you’ll want the best DSLR camera to take high-quality images and videos for your audience.

There are so many choices to choose from depending on the types of video you plan to shoot and the types of lenses you’ll need for your footage. You can decide on what is the best type of DSLR camera to choose from as well as the best lenses as I share my favorites throughout this post.

If you are brand new to video, I have something for you too as I share my favorite products for beginners and experts alike. When choosing a DSLR camera, some things to look for as the sensor size, weight, image quality, and of course, the price.

What About Consumer HD Cameras?

In the last few years, there actually has been in increase in consumer HD camcorders. The latest models feature 4K resolution, HD, and can be compared to professional-grade film equipment.

There’s also been an influx in digital creators such as vloggers, bloggers and content creators. Blogs and vlogs are the perfect way to share your life, hobbies and experiences with others and also create an income.

As technology has become more accessible, the cost of high-definition equipment has decreased to meet the demand. There are so many options on the market now, it can be difficult to decide on which HD camera is the best for you.

What Is An HD Camcorder?

An HD camcorder is a handheld device that records video and audio. There are many different types of cameras and an HD camcorder stands out because of its mobility.

You can use a camcorder in just about any environment and take them anywhere. Camcorders are commonly seen at sporting events, family vacations and family gatherings, weddings, concerts and more.

In this blog post, I’ll share with you the best HD camcorders on the market and include the benefits of an HD camcorder to help you decide on which camcorder may be the perfect fit for you.

With so many options available, it can be difficult to decide on which option is the best for you to choose from. In today’s digital age, using your smartphone for photos just doesn’t cut it. You need a professional-grade camera to help you with your video and photography needs.

Best HD Camcorders

Canon XA11 Compact Full HD Camcorder – This is a great camcorder for beginners and pros alike. With its compact size, it’s easy to transport this camcorder virtually anywhere. I like it because it features a 3.5″ OLED touch panel view screen with a 10,000:1 contrast ration for superb color. It also features a full manual control and auto modes for exposure, white balance, focus, shutter speed and gain.

This camera also provides professional-level features such as a pre-record buffer, peaking, zebra bars, reference tone and color bars. With an adjustable zoom speed and 16 different levels of speed, you can control the fast, normal and slow settings to create epic videos of your dreams.

Panasonic AG-AC30 Full HD Camcorder – This full HD camcorder features a touch panel, LCD viewscreen and a built-in LED light, so you can shoot at home, corporate events, or for vlogging. It also features a 1/3.1 BSI MOS sensor for improved low-light performance and incorporates a 20x zoom lens with a 5-axis hybrid image stabilization.

The lens also features electronically linked geared iris rings for manual control of focus zoom and iris. Built-into the top handle is an LED light for illuminating your subject in dim light.

Canon XA15 Compact Full HD Camcorder Bundle with Filter Kit – This HD camcorder kit is perfect for beginners or professionals alike. This compact camcorder is perfect for vlogging, creating independent and documentary films, and recording events.

It incorporates SDI mini-HDMI and composite outputs and has a high-speed image-processing engine which reduces image distortion so you always get the perfect shot.

What Is An SDI Camera?

SDI, or serial digital interface, is a type of cable that delivers high broadcast quality. Think of the high quality video you see when you watch the news or a TV show – this is the type of quality you’ll get with an SDI camera.

What’s The Best HD Professional Video Camera with SDI?

When it comes to the best professional video camera with SDI, in my opinion, the Sony PMW-F5 CineAlta Digital Cinema Camera is one of the best options on the market.

It is definitely a high-end product, but it has all the features you’d ever need in a professional video camera and is definitely worth its cost.

If you’re getting into video production, or already do video production work, professional equipment is a one-time investment versus buying inexpensive equipment over the years to make up for the value.

As a blogger and vlogger, having the best quality equipment for videography is something that comes with the profession and in my opinion, are essential.

With a little bit of research on this blog post, you’ll be able to find the perfect cinema camera for your production needs in no time.

Whether you have a YouTube channel or a blog, having the best quality videos and photos are a must with an HD camera that has SDI.

Lenses

Having more than one lens for your camera will come in good use to serve different purposes for your creative content.

Canon EF 70-300MM F/4-5.6 IS III USM Lens – This lens is great for spanning telephoto range. If you’re a travel blogger, this will be great for capturing those perfect shots that are far away, bringing them up close and personal. The dual-purpose AF motor also offers a quicker performance throughout the zoom range for more responsive shooting from up close and far away.

Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-400MM Telephoto Zoom Lens – This lens is one of my favorites because it’s perfect for video. I love it because you can use it for wide-angle shots and telephoto shots. It’s also splash and dust-resistant, which is great for all types of terrains.

Tripods

Prompter People Tripod – An amazing tripod that’s worth the investment is this tripod. It is specifically designed for the latest DV to broadcast cameras and it incorporates all of the features required by broadcasters including an advanced drag system which ensures smooth pan and tilt control plus smooth stop and starts. It’s perfect for content creators who are looking for a professional-grade tripod.

Manfrotto Advanced Tripod – THis tripod is perfect for DSLR and mirrorless cameras. It’s perfect for travel photography as it’s lightweight and compact. I love this tripod because of its versatility and ease-of-use.

Fotopro E6L Eagle Series Carbon Fiber Tripod – This travel-friendly tripod is made of carbon fiber and is the most lightest and rugged tripod on the market. The tripod is fixed by a durable lock, and the bottom bracket hook can hang additional weights, which greatly improves the stability of the tripod.

Microphones

Microphones are definitely a must if you are creating video content. Using your camera alone just won’t cut it if you’re planning to monetize your content with YouTube or your blog. You’ll want to use a professional microphone so your voice comes out crisp and clear, and also to eliminate any background noise around you.

I’ve used a microphone for just about everything and here are my favorite picks for just about every budget. Whether you’re just getting started or if you’ve been creating content for awhile, I have a great choice for everyone.

Blue Snowball Microphone – Perfect for podcasters, creators, YouTubers, bloggers and more. I love this microphone because it’s affordable and also produces high-quality sound for professional-level recording. Whether you’re just starting out or if you’re advanced, this microphone is perfect for meeting your needs.

Logitech for Creators Blue Yeti – Another great choice for creators and professionals. Whether you are using this microphone for gaming, podcasting, blogging, or in your studio, it delivers amazing broadcast vocal sound and enhanced effects to entertain your audience. It’s another great professional microphone with an affordable price.

Logitech for Creators Blue Bluebird XLR – Logitech makes the list again because the quality in my opinion is one of the best. This microphone is a bit pricier, but so worth it. You get studio-quality sound

These are my favorite photo and video recommendations for bloggers, professionals and creators! I know photography and videography can be intimidating, but once you get started, it’s pretty easy to get the hang of it. Using photography and videography for your creative business is a game-changer. You’ll look like a professional and you’ll feel like a professional (at least I did).

Using a phone is okay in the beginning, but as you grow, investing in the right equipment is essential for your business if you want to scale. No matter if you are looking to work with brands, create videos or sponsored partnerships, looking like the professional that you are is half the battle.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post with my favorite video and photo equipment! I hope that you’re able to capture some amazing moments in your business, with your family and life in general.

chloe

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