Sony is well known for its high-quality cameras, which have been steadily improving over the past few years. As vlogging becomes more popular, the market for a good vlogging camera has become saturated with many great options, and it can be hard to tell who’s the best. In our opinion, the best consumer-grade camera manufacturer in 2019 is Sony.
But if you’re looking to focus your search on cameras strictly from Sony, then we’re here to help. We are going to discuss our recommendations for the 7 best Sony vlogging cameras for vlogging.
Contents
- 1 Why Is Sony Dominating in 2019?
- 2 1. Sony RX100 VI (Most Popular)
- 3 2. Sony Alpha a6500
- 4 3. Sony a7S II (Cinematic Style)
- 5 4. Sony a5100 (Great for Beginners)
- 6 5. Sony 4K HD Video Recording FDRAX33 Handycam Camcorder
- 7 6. Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera
- 8 7. Sony Cyber-Shot RX100 V
- 9 Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Sony Camera for Vlogging
Why Is Sony Dominating in 2019?
Canon has led the industry of consumer cameras for so many years, however in the last few years Sony has rapidly been catching up, especially with their mirrorless devices (See options 2,3,4 and 6).
Their Alpha series of cameras has significantly lowered the price barrier of getting professional quality images. Not to mention the fact that the devices are much smaller than the DSLR competition.
Sony is also dominating due to their excellent in-camera and in-lens image stabilization technology, and their fantastic auto-focus.
Mirrorless cameras also have less moving parts, so they are less prone to breaking – a great quality for amateur vloggers who may not be the best at handling their equipment.
Their compact cameras are pretty great too. Let’s get into the list!
1. Sony RX100 VI (Most Popular)
The RX100 VI is one of the most commonly used cameras by vloggers, with its compact design, high-quality video recording capabilities, and it’s vlogger friendly features. This camera is often compared as the premium alternative to the G7x Mark II from Canon, as both are popular amongst vloggers.
This camera can film in 4K UltraHD up to 30fps and in 1080p HD up to 960fps, excellent for super slow-motion video. Its touchscreen flip monitor is a great feature for vloggers as it can tilt upwards 180° and tilt downwards 90°. This will allow vloggers to use the monitor to frame their shots before they start vlogging and have more control while they record. Definitely much more assuring while you vlog as you can see if your camera is capturing what you want it to.
You will find that the Rx100 VI’s lens is really good for vlogging. It comes equipped with a 24-200mm wide angle lens with a 3.6x optical zoom. You’ll be able to capture a lot more in your vlogs with this wide angle lens, and the quality is amazing.
The Rx100 VI has a nice compact durable metal body, however, it does have a slippery design, so be careful while you’re vlogging.
While this camera is amazing for vloggers, there are a few things you should keep in mind if you’re considering buying it. This camera limits around 5 minutes of continuous recording in 4K and around 29 minutes in 1080p. This is a built-in measure that prevents the Rx100 VI from overheating, a common issue that many compact cameras (point-and-shoot cameras) have.
The batteries are also smaller for this compact camera, so you will find that the battery life isn’t the best. Plan on buying some extra batteries for this camera if you plan to vlog a lot throughout the day.
The camera is capable of charging the battery with an external charger via USB. This definitely helps out with the battery life problem.
Also, keep in mind that there are no external mic ports on this camera so you’re going to have to rely on its built-in microphone. The audio quality from the microphone is good, but you might have to place a DIY wind muff so you can record outdoors with no problems.
Overall, the Rx100 VI is an excellent vlogging camera from Sony. It has many features that vloggers would love and records high-quality video, all in a nice compact camera that can literally fit in your pocket. This camera’s portability is ideal for vlogging, making it much easier to capture every moment for your vlog.
Pros
- 4K Ultra HD
- Compact and portable
- Flip-up touchscreen display
- USB Charging
Cons
- Relatively high price tag
- Unimpressive battery life
- Slippery design
2. Sony Alpha a6500
The Alpha a6500 from Sony is an excellent mirrorless camera that is great for vlogging. It records 4K UltraHD in either 24fps or 30fps and FullHD 1080p up to 120fps for high-quality slow-motion recording. The 4K recording capabilities of this camera match higher-end cameras, but fortunately comes at a better price.
This is an interchangeable lens camera, allowing vloggers to have more creative options with the lenses when filming their vlogs. The Alpha A6500 comes with other features that vloggers will appreciate as well.
It comes equipped with an external microphone port for vloggers who want to use an external mic while they record. The camera has a lightweight, but durable design, making it easier to travel around with during your vlogging sessions. It has an APS-C sensor and its internal stabilization is good. The only feature that this camera is lacking is a flip-up monitor/viewfinder, an essential feature for many vloggers.
While it is still possible to vlog without a flip-up monitor, it can definitely become inconvenient for some vloggers. It’ll be a little more challenging framing your shots and you might find yourself double checking to see if you’re actually recording. Don’t worry though as the more you use the camera, the more you’ll understand how to frame your shots. You’ll know what works and what doesn’t. And don’t forget, you can also change your camera’s lens to better fit your vlogging needs.
Overall, the Alpha a6500 is another very good choice for vloggers, especially if you’re looking for a mirrorless camera. The a6500 is a great deal when compared to other mirrorless cameras that produce video quality at the same level.
Pros
- 4K Ultra HD Video
- Interchangeable lens
- External microphone ports
Cons
- No Flip-up monitor
- Mediocre battery life
3. Sony a7S II (Cinematic Style)
The A7s II from Sony is an excellent high-end camera that vloggers will enjoy using if they’re trying to achieve more of a cinematic style of vlogs. This camera delivers top full-frame 4K UltraHD quality in 24fps and 30fps while also being able to record 1080p (24,30,60, and 120fps). This makes the A7s II a great camera for high-quality slow-motion video. You will find that the A7s II captures videos in more of a RAW style that produces that cinematic look.
It comes equipped with its 5-axis SteadyShot inside image stabilization system that is fine-tuned for its 4K recording. This accurately removes any blur that is caused by camera shakes from 5 different directions. We also love that this camera is one of the best cameras in low light conditions, a great feature for vloggers. You’ll be more confident to bring out this camera to record vlog content, even if the environment is darker.
Since this is a mirrorless camera, it does have a lightweight design, however, it is very durable. It has external microphone ports for vloggers who plan to use an external mic for their vlogs. The only gripe we have with the A7s II is that it does not have a flip-up screen, possibly making it a little inconvenient for vloggers when it comes to framing their shots. It is an interchangeable lens camera, so think about getting a lens that is better suited for your vlogs.
Pros
- Full Frame 4K video
- Really good in low light
- RAW style of video
Cons
- Expensive
- No flip-up screen
4. Sony a5100 (Great for Beginners)
The A5100 from Sony is a lightweight mirrorless camera that’s excellent for vlogging. A high-quality camera that has great vlogging features.
This camera is capable of recording Full HD 1080p in 24fps and 60fps, which can give you good slow-motion video. It’s also an interchangeable-lens camera, which gives vloggers more options with the type of lens they want to use for their vlog. This is nice since this feature is more commonly found on DSLR cameras. Most compact cameras aren’t interchangeable with their lenses, so it’s nice to have this feature with a lightweight camera like the a5100.
The a5100 also comes equipped with a touchscreen flip-up monitor that includes an Autofocus Touch feature. This allows vloggers to change the focusing point during video recording sessions by pressing the screen. The autofocusing on this camera is also really good for the price and gets the job done. There’s also a time-lapse recording feature on this camera, a great addition for vloggers as it brings more creative options to the table.
Some things to keep in mind is that you might have visibility issues with this camera’s LCD monitor in very sunny conditions. There aren’t as many controls on this camera, resulting in more scrolling through the menus to change any settings. And of course, since it is a compact camera, you might find that the battery life isn’t the best, so think about purchasing extra batteries if you plan to vlog for extended periods of time.
Overall though, this camera is a very good camera, especially for beginners who are just getting started. It comes at a nice affordable price but has a good amount of features to offer. Its highly portable design makes vlogging much easier.
Pros
- Full HD 1080p in 24fps and 60fps
- Time-lapse recording feature
- Touchscreen flip-up monitor
Cons
- No 4K
- LCD display is hard to see in harsh lighting conditions
5. Sony 4K HD Video Recording FDRAX33 Handycam Camcorder
If you’re a vlogger who was looking for a nice camcorder to film vlogs with, the FDRAX33 Handycam Camcorder is an excellent choice.
This camcorder records high-quality 4K video that far exceeds HD resolution in either 24fps or 30fps. You can also film 1080p up to 60fps allowing you to capture slow-motion video.
Its ZEISS lens is equipped with Balanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, keeping things nice and smooth while you record. This lens is a 29mm wide-angle lens that’s great for vlogs as it captures more in the frame. Its also has a 10x optical zoom and 20x Clear Image Zoom.
This camcorder also has external mic ports for any vloggers who want to use an external microphone for their vlogs. The built-in microphone (Dolby Digital 5.1 channel) captures active sounds from all directions.
The design is lightweight, making this camera portable and verstile. Its viewfinder/display can also tilt forward, a great feature for vloggers who want to keep track of what is being recorded as they vlog.
Overall, the FDRAX33 Handycam Camcorder from Sony is an excellent camcorder for vlogging. It definitely makes vlogging more convenient while its high-quality video capturing capabilities are amazing.
Pros
- UltraHD 4K video
- Camcorder design
- 29mm wide-angle lens
- External microphone ports
Cons
- Average in low light conditions
6. Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera
The Alpha a6000 is a great budget mirrorless camera from Sony that works great for vlogging. This camera is capable of recording in Full HD 1080p in either 24fps or 60fps and has a great 179 point autofocusing system, making it easier to track moving subjects.
With the Alpha a6000, you won’t be limited as the lenses are interchangeable with all E-Mount lenses found and lenses that are part of Sony’s SEL series.
While this camera does have a tiltable LCD display, it can only tilt up to 90°, meaning you won’t be able to utilize it as a front facing display. However, its 90° tilt feature does help vloggers record over crowds and does great in bright daylight situations.
Since it is a mirrorless camera, you will find that the camera is lightweight and highly portable. This is great for vloggers as it makes it easier for them to carry it around with them.
Overall, the Alpha a6000 from Sony is a good choice for anyone who wanted a mirrorless camera for vlogging at more of an affordable price.
Pros
- Affordable Mirrorless Camera
- Full HD 1080p in 24fps or 60fps
- Interchangeable lens
Cons
- No 4K video
- No flip-up display
7. Sony Cyber-Shot RX100 V
The Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 V from Sony is a nice compact camera that’s excellent for vlogging. This camera is part of the RX100 line, as it is the previous version to the popular Sony RX100 VI.
It’s a nice lightweight compact camera that is capable of capturing 4K video with a lens max aperture of -f/1.8 at wide. This makes the camera great in low light conditions as it can capture more light even when indoors. You will also find that this camera can record up to 960fps for super slow-motion video capabilities. The camera comes equipped with a flip-up screen so you can keep track of what is being recorded as you vlog.
This is a great camera if you don’t want to worry about changing out the lenses. The wide lens that this camera is equipped with is perfect for vlogging as it can capture so much more in the frame.
Overall, a great choice if you wanted a nice compact camera from Sony for vlogging. It’s also a cheaper alternative to the RX100 VI as the features are fairly similar.
Pros
- 4K video
- Great in low light
- Compact design
Cons
- Battery isn’t the best
- Older version of the RX100 series
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Sony Camera for Vlogging
Here are the different things you should be taking into consideration when choosing your Sony camera.
Camera Size and Portability
The first thing to keep in mind is what size camera are you willing to vlog with. While some prefer having a heavy duty camera with all of the gear equipped, many would rather have a nice compact camera that is very portable and convenient to use. A camera that is less complicated.
When it comes to having the highest quality vlogs in the space, then, of course, you will have to be willing to work with a heavier set-up. However, this doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find a nice compact camera that captures high-quality video.
Take a look around what’s available and try to see what kind of camera size would be the most comfortable for you.
Vlogger Friendly Features
While every camera that has been mentioned in this list are great for vlogging, some offer vlogging features that others do not and vice versa.
Whether it’s a flip-up screen or external microphone ports, try to figure out what type of features you are looking for in a vlogging camera. Portability can also be categorized as a feature that vloggers want. And of course, keep in mind that with more features comes a higher price tag.
Do some research and see what type of features your favorite vloggers are utilizing when they make their vlogs.
Price
The last thing you should keep in mind is what your budget is when it comes to your vlogging camera as the price range for these cameras really vary. Certain features that cameras offer make their prices more expensive such as portability, 4K capabilities, external microphone ports and more.
Put some time into researching what type of features you’re willing to pay more for as preferences will be different for everyone. You don’t want to spend more than you actually have to.
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