If you’re looking to level up from your smartphone or the camera you have isn’t great for making Youtube videos, a good camcorder would likely benefit your videography greatly. Below, we have listed the best camcorder for Youtube for every circumstance.
In addition, we have included a buyer’s guide at the bottom of the article that goes over what makes a good camcorder. If you are wondering how to go about making your choice, scroll down to see what constitutes a high quality and reliable camcorder.
10 Best Camcorders for Youtube 2022 – Overview
Canon VIXIA HF R600 Full HD Camcorder – Great on a Budget
This Canon model is highly popular AND well-priced. It has a 3.28 Megapixel Full HD CMOS image sensor to catch your images in 1920×1080 resolution. This sensor features extra sensitivity that will capture video with natural light, even in low light. The 3 inch LCD screen is bright and clearly visible, even outdoors in the sun. The screen is fairly responsive and the menu is very intuitive.
There is a SuperRange Optical Image Stabilizer that helps to correct camera shake and does a good job of doing this. There’s also a 57x zoom that allows you to take dynamic videos without disrupting any action.
Canon’s high resolution CMOS HD sensor gives you great Full HD videos, even in low light. It also allows users to connect via Wifi to any smartphone, so you can control the device remotely through your phone. There’s an optional NFC feature that lets you use and share your videos quickly via WiFi.
Canons are well known to make some of the best camcorders available, and in this price range, it’s hard to find another video camera that you can use to make professional and high quality videos as well as this one. For all these reasons and more, this is our top choice for the best camcorder for Youtube.
- High sensitivity sensor captures details even in low light
- Well-priced
- Image stabilization is great
- No built-in memory
- You’ll need an external mic if you plan to go somewhere noisy
Pros
Cons
- High sensitivity sensor captures details even in low light
- Well-priced
- Image stabilization works well
- No built-in memory
- You need an external mic if you plan to shoot somewhere noisy
Canon VIXIA HF G50 Bundle – Best Budget Bundle deal
This is a similar camera as our first choice camera, written above. However, it also comes with:
- Sandisk 64GB memory card
- High quality tripod
- Camera case
- Extra battery
- USB card reader
- Memory card wallet
- Tabletop tripod
- 5 piece cleaning kit
The camera and kit will give you an inexpensive but high quality camcorder with most of the necessary accessories you need to start shooting right away. An amazing bargain that comes with our number one choice for the best camcorder for Youtube.
Pros
Cons
- Amazing and inexpensive camera (read full review above)
- Comes with a huge range of accessories
- Camera has a slightly small display
Panasonic 4K Optical Zoom Camcorder – Best Professional Camcorder
The Panasonic 4K optical zoom camcorder is a great 4K camcorder for beginners or professionals. It shoots cinema 4K at 24p and ultra HD at broadcast compatible frame rates. There is a built-in 20x lens and it has two optical image stabilization modes, one for 4K and one for HD. This camcorder will give you high-quality professional images that are very stable.
It features a MOS sensor that shows at 4K resolution. Two viewfinders give you the choice between a tilt up color EVF or a pull out LCD high resolution touch screen. The LCD touchscreen is positioned very intuitively above the lens for a natural experience when shooting handheld.
The Panasonic 4K optical zoom camera records in .mp4, .mov, or AVCHD, and it has dual SD media card slots. These dual SD cards allow you to use relay recording so you can simultaneously record and when recording HD, you can use Panasonic’s background recording mode.
Note: Panasonic recommends using SDXC cards rated at UHS-1 U3 for recording at the highest bit rates. Read more on bit rates in our buyer’s guide at the bottom of this article.
This is our best pick for best professional camcorder because of its 4K quality, high image resolution, and ease of use. It is a fraction of the price of other professional camcorders that are similar quality.
Pros
Cons
- High quality 4K video recording
- 20x zoom lens
- Great in natural light
- Menu is easy to navigate and very user-friendly
- When zoomed in to 20x, video can get slightly shaky. You may want to think about investing in a tripod or stabilizer
Canon XA11 Professional Camcorder
The Canon XA11 is our runner-up best overall pick because it delivers professional high quality video in a compact and lightweight body. It is great for handheld shooting with its detachable (and very comfortable!) handle. Whether you’re looking to make professional films, commercials, or documentaries, this camera has all the features you’ll need.
The XA11 records in Full HD in both the MP4 and AVCHD formats, and files can be stored directly to memory cards housed in the dual SDXC card slots. There is a 3-inch OLED touch screen that is responsive and does not lag. It provides up to 600% dynamic range, and will excel under any lighting conditions and especially lowlight setting. It also has a 20X optical zoom lens.
This is a great professional camera even for those with no prior knowledge of video cameras. The reliable touch screen with all its attached features is easy to pick up, play with, and learn thanks to the intuitive interface. We are confident that this camcorder will give you professional high-quality videos even in low lighting. It provides great quality in a small body. This is a great professional camera even for those with no prior knowledge of video cameras. The reliable touch screen with all its attached features is easy to pick up, play with, and learn thanks to the intuitive interface. We are confident that this camcorder will give you professional high-quality videos even in low lighting. It provides great quality in a small body.
- Works well in low-light conditions
- Great for shooting on the move
- Compact body with comfortable handle
- Multi-camera live streaming – wirelessly connect up to 10 devices
- Slightly small display
Pros
Cons
- Great in low-light conditions
- Great for shooting on the move
- Compact body with comfortable handle
- Multi-camera live streaming - wirelessly connect up to 10 devices
- Slightly small display
Canon Video Creator Kit – Best for Youtube Filmmakers
Canon’s video creator kit is an amazing system for filmmakers wanting to make Youtube videos. It comes with a power zoom adaptor which lets you zoom easily while taking photos or videos. This kit comes with a 18-135mm lens, Rode VIDEOMIC Go to capture high-quality sound, and a 32GB memory card.
The camera is the EOS 80D. Its 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor delivers high quality images, and the wide ISO range gives good performance even in low lighting. It has an Intelligent Viewfinder to help you control and see more easily what you’re shooting. EOS Utility Webcam Beta Software for Mac and Windows can turn the camera into a webcam for streaming on Youtube.
This is the ultimate kit for Youtube video makers who want to create professional looking films. It has what you need to capture high-quality images AND sound.
Pros
Cons
- Viewfinder with 100% coverage
- Very fast auto focus
- Good in low light
- Accessories allow for professional filmmaking
- No 4K video
Zohulu 4K Camcorder – Best Budget 4K Camcorder
This camcorder is a great option for those who want to shoot in 4K but are on a tight budget. It captures high quality and stable video, and is especially well-suited for vlogging. It has a 13 megapixel Sony CMOS sensor and a 3 inch touch screen menu that is easy to use.
The 4K video is ultra HD 4K 3840×2160 at 24fps. There is a time-lapse option. Another interesting and useful feature is the night vision feature which allows you to capture clear 4K images in the dark. WiFi controls are available so you can use your smartphone to control the camera.
It is surprisingly portable given the features it contains. Sound is pretty good through the rechargeable external microphone with dual noise-reduction function which captures clear sound within 15 feet. It comes with two batteries so make sure to always keep one charging while using the other one for longer film shoots.
This is a great camcorder that is good for beginners due to its simplicity of use. Even for more experienced filmmakers, it has advanced settings and is extremely high quality. Bonus: feel free to contact Zohulu customer support, they’re very responsive. This is the best camcorder for Youtube for those looking for 4K quality on a budget.
Pros
Cons
- Shoots in 4K and affordable
- Surprisingly portable
- Remote control available via smartphone
- Compact and lightweight
- You can’t charge while filming but keeping the other battery charged up will counter this
Sony FDRAX53/B 4K HD Video Recording Camcorder – Best Stabilization
The Sony FDRAX53/B captures stunning 4k Ultra HD, and has a wide-angle lens, a 20x zoom, and a balanced optical steady shot that keeps your images and videos blur-free. Its 16.6 megapixel sensor captures your shot in stunning detail.
The thing that stands out on this camera is the B.O.S.S. (balanced optical steadyshot), which is really great for handheld shooting. You will be shocked at how stable it keeps your videos. You can walk while shooting and even zoom in to get usable footage without the use of a tripod.
It is Wi-Fi and NFC enabled, and you can capture night shots and time-lapse videos as well. The built-in zoom microphone works well to capture high-quality sound that matches your videos. Comes with a rechargeable battery pack, AC adaptor, power cord, HDMI cable, and micro USB cable.
If you want a camcorder that shoots in 4K and has a reliable stabilization system, this Sony is for you. An added bonus is its lightweight body – you won’t be bogged down by carrying this around for long hours.
Pros
Cons
- Stunning 4K video
- Amazing stabilization
- Taking a photo during video doesn’t stop the video
- Lightweight and fairly small
- You need external software to export time-lapse video as it stores as individual 4K JPEGS and not a movie. Free apps are available to do this
Sony Handycam HD Video Camcorder – Best Beginner Bundle Deal
The Sony Handycam records high definition 1920×1080 24p/60p video and 9.2 megapixel still images. You can get a clear digital image in all lighting conditions, and get very close to your images with the 30x optical zoom plus the 60x clear image digital zoom. It comes with a LED spotlight mount that really helps in low light conditions.
This value pack comes with 11 products – the Sony Handycam, 64GB MicroSD card, spare battery, battery charger, LED video light, hard case, travel tripod, cleaning kit, card reader and card reader case, and LCD screen protector. You have absolutely everything you need to start filming right away.
The LED mount that comes in the kit lets you take great photos and videos even in low light. This is the choice for you if you want a value pack of starter essentials to start shooting immediately. This Sony bundle is the best camcorder for Youtube beginner package deal because it is truly well-priced without sacrificing quality.
Pros
Cons
- Great value pack
- Able to shoot in low light, the LED video lights will help as well
- Great zoom ablity
- Lightweight
- Tripod it comes with isn’t the best quality
Actinow Camera Camcorder – Best Under $100
If you’re on a really tight budget, the Actinow camcorder will record good quality videos for you at the fraction of the price of most camcorders. It captures 1080p 30FPS and has a 16x digital zoom, anti-shaking built in, face detection, self-timer, internal and external microphones, and a webcam function. You truly get a lot of bang for your buck with this one.
The webcam function can be used for quality video streaming on any social media platform, or for daily calling. It’s easy to use and portable.
Overall, this is a great starter vlogging camera or a gift for children. It has a lot of useful features that will come in handy when making Youtube videos, and is our choice for the best camcorder for Youtube under $100.
Pros
Cons
- Very well-priced
- It has several features useful to Youtube video makers, like face detection and webcam functionality
- Battery is located outside and can not touch rain or water
DJI OSMOPOCKET HD Video Camera – Best Pocket Camera
This DJI OsmoPocket weighs just 4 ounces and can easily fit into your pocket. Although it’s small, its 3-axis gimbal automatically stabilizes your shot. It captures beautiful images thanks to its 1/2.3-inch sensor and f/2 aperture. If you’re interested in capturing video, it shoots 4K/60fps video as well.
This is a great pocket camcorder for travelers or anyone looking for a secondary camera that doesn’t take up a lot of space. It has some impressive features like ActiveTrack which follows your chosen subject with ease and FaceTrack which automatically detects a face in selfie mode. The universal port connects to your smartphone and several other accessories, and can be controlled by your phone when connected.
Battery life lasts over two hours and can be recharged quickly with the one-hour fast charge.
The Osmo Pocket is a great pocket camcorder that fits in your hand easily. It doesn’t skimp on quality and is very convenient to take with you anywhere. It is the best camcorder for Youtube for anyone that needs footage captured outside or on-the-fly.
Pros
Cons
- Fits in your hand
- Shoots 4K video and HD images
- ActiveTrack and FaceTrack
- No built-in Wifi to connect to app
Buyer's Guide - Best Camcorder for Youtube
So how did we compile our list? The following are the most important things to consider when picking a good camcorder.
Sensor
The sensor is really important in determining the quality of the video footage. In the simplest terms, the sensor is a solid-state device that captures the light required to form a digital image. A better sensor means a better image.
Sensors are especially important if you’re filming in low-light setting as a small sensor won’t pick up as much detail and light.
Zoom Lens
The power of the lens will give you a lot of creative control over the scenes you’re shooting. You will have so much more versatility in capturing things far and wide with a good zoom lens. Alternatively, invest in some good lens that are compatible with your video camera to achieve different looks and feels.
Stabilization
Shaky footage is a dead giveaway of unprofessional filmmaking, unless that’s the aesthetic you are trying to achieve on purpose. All good video cameras have some in-built image stabilization, with some remarkably better than others.
Bit Rate
Bit rate refers to the rate video or audio is encoded and is a useful way to compare two cameras with the same resolution. Cameras with higher bit rates will produce better-looking videos. This is especially important if you’re filming for the big screen, in which case you should definitely spring for 10-bit.
Bit rate is determined by how much of a file is compressed. Highly compressed footage takes up less space but is lower quality. Less compressed footage is good for quality and aesthetics, but takes up much more space.
Memory and Storage
It’s important to consider how much footage your camera can hold, especially if you plan on shooting for long periods of time. Usually more in-built storage means a more expensive camera, but then you need to buy less external storage cards. While it isn’t THE most important thing in terms of creating professional looking footage, it is something to consider if you’re deciding between two cameras of equal quality.
Sound
Some of the cameras we reviewed have great internal microphone systems. But in general, you want to get some external microphones going to best capture sound. It’s good to look at the camera’s native sound capability as well as the ports it has to connect external mics to.
Compatibility to accessories
Don’t buy a good quality video camera and expect that all your accessories will automatically be compatible. While some cameras have universal ports, it’s important to consider what ports your new camera has and what accessories you may need to use the camera to its fullest ability.
Conclusion
So that’s it. Hopefully you know enough about how to choose the best camcorder for Youtube for you to make an informed decision with our list of the best camcorders available.