Top 5 Best Vlogging Cameras under $1000 – Review

Vlogging is a new exciting way of communicating with your audience that rewards your unique personality traits as well as your expertise in the ancient art of handling a camera. Whether it's filming domestic animals falling over or commentating on your own travelogues in tough environments such as Amazon rainforests, African deserts, or even Detroit, vlogging can be a proper rollercoaster of an experience and can even earn you some money!

That being said, making this happen will take some patience, belief in yourself, and last but not least - a camera. Since these complex electronic contraptions can cost an arm and a leg nowadays, I've decided to make a list o' 5 cameras under $1000 for you, so that you can equip yourself with one of these devices and venture into the world confident you'll make some high-quality footage throughout your journey, even if you're working with a smaller budget.

Within the reviews you're about to see, I've made sure to include camera models with different sets of characteristics so that everyone can find something that will suit their particular needs. There are tough outdoors-savvy devices, semi-pro models for shooting breathtaking scenery, and beginner-friendly cameras for those who have embarked on their vlogging journey only recently. So, now, without further ado, let's dive right into my top 5 picks for the best vlogging camera under a thousand bucks!

Also, while we're talking about distance, the Rebel T7i is equipped with a Wi-Fi module, so you can send your footage to a device of your choice in no time. (the platforms supported include Androids and iOS contraptions of all kinds).

That being said, this particular model, as is the case with any Rebel model from Canon, the bulky build of this camera might present some problems if you plan to use to shoot some fast-paced action in rugged environments.

Performance

Performance-wise, the T7i has quite a few aces up its sleeve. The Live View feature, for example, enables you a quick autofocus making the transitions smooth and your footage more fluid. This is mostly thanks to the Dual Pixel AF system, which is unique to Canon's cameras.

What it does is? It splits the pixels into two, virtually doubling the amount of tiny dots that capture the quality of your footage. The result of this is, of course, images and videos that look more natural, and more importantly, since this technology uses the most of its potentials, you get the quality similar to those of much more expensive cameras, while spending less money.

Possessing a host of features that can make your life as a rookie vlogger easier, the Rebel T7i is surely a camera that will offer strong performance and high quality of the footage, while at the same time being fairly easy to handle.

Possibly one of the biggest pluses of this model that aren't necessarily connected to the electronics inside its build would be the build itself, which is made out of tough magnesium alloy. This means that you'll be able to take this camera outdoors, and use it in some of the less hospitable environments without worrying about tiny particles of dust or God knows what meddling with your vlogging task at hand.

Performance

If you've been battling with poor autofocus performances so far, you're surely going to love this next thing. Namely, the Sony Alpha 6300 prides itself on having the world's fastest autofocus, capable of processing your image in 0.05 seconds or less! So, if you're planning on shooting some footage of a race or some other type of fast-paced event, you'll be sure to capture every single detail of it, no matter how heated it gets.

What's more, when it comes to shooting highly-demanding footage, the Alpha 3600 vastly outperforms some of its peers thanks to its ability to film in 4K resolution. Add to that the fact that you can use a range of filters and other image-enhancing additions, and you can see why this model has been so beloved by photographers worldwide.

A powerful image processor, plenty of user-friendly buttons as well as a handy flip-screen for good measure, all make the Sony's Alpha 3600 a great solution for a vlogger in need of a tough and ready camera, that will be able to film great images in all kinds of working conditions.

You get a smallish camera that can fit in the palm of your hand, and a big button with a red circle on it (I'm not sure about the color schemes for the other models) that you simply press when you want to start recording. Once you do this, the camera will do its job and everything in its path is sure to be documented (even you're working in some tough conditions).

On the other hand, if you like to use plenty of filters in your shooting sessions, you might want to look at some of the other models on this list, as GoPro's, in general, are best suited for simple point-and-shoot vlogging tasks.

Regarding the question of tough outdoors conditions, this model is well-equipped for all kinds of bumpy rides, especially those that are to take place underwater. Without any additional protective casing, you'll be able to take this camera up to 10 m deep into sea and freshwater alike.

Possibly the biggest selling point of this particular GoPro model would be its powerful shooting mode, enabling you to capture videos in 4K resolution. The footage you'll receive will be super-detailed and ready for further processing (if you feel like puttering about it even more).

Sporting a minute size and a rather impressive ability to shoot high-quality footage at 4K resolution, this GoPro Hero 5 is an absolute must-have when it comes to filming fast-paced actions (especially if you plan to attach it to a bike or a surfing board).

Also, considering that GoPro's are typically meant to be taken into inhospitable destinations with plenty of natural obstacles and rough terrain, the designers working for this company equipped the Hero 5 with a GPS module. This means that the camera itself will capture your location at the moment of filming, which can come in handy at times.

Also, if you can't live without a flip screen (or any screen, for that matter), a GoPro is surely not going to cut it for you.

Further on, this camera is compatible with a wide variety of lenses, so you can create your own version of it by choosing the appropriate lens model for your style of shooting. For this entry, I've decided to pair the Canon's EOS 70D body with an 18-55mm STM lens, which is probably the best overall solution. If you're after more zoom or a wider angle, you can find a specialized lens for it separately, as well.

Performance

Despite its bulky build and sizeable lens, the EOS 70D can be quite a hefty solution for filming high-pace situations as well. (unless they're underwater, that is) When it comes to its continuous shooting prowess, you can count on up to 7 fps- more than enough to capture even the zippiest of sportspeople or, indeed, animals around.

Other than this, there are a number of different performance-enhancing options, including seven different filters- that for Fisheye Effect, Toy Camera Effect and so on and so forth.

All in all, the Canon's EOS 70D can be a great solution for an avid vlogger who'd like to up their game with a powerful and versatile SLR camera, as this model's got a number of creative features as well as a powerful processor to make it all happen.

The latter one is a black-and-white type of display for the record, and it's there to help you track the specific numbers regarding the settings of the shot itself. Also, the entire build is made out of durable magnesium alloy, well-known for its toughness.

Performance

When it comes to shooting itself, there is a load of features that can help you polish your footage. For example, the face detection helps you, well, detect a face of a person even at a distance. This means they will always stay focused, no matter how fast they're moving.

Considering its rich range of features and a powerful 24.2 MP sensor, this model is best suited for a vlogger with some background in photography. Also, the fact that you can change the lens, makes this particular Nikon body perfect for building your own filming configuration.

Vlogging cameras come in a variety of shapes and sizes nowadays, from the big bulky ones resembling full-blown TV-station models to the small ones that can fit in your pocket. If you're working on a budget of roughly a thousand bucks or less, it's safe to say that you'll be able to acquire models that would fit in either of these categories. That being said, there are some features you should pay attention to, in order to extract the most value for the money paid.

The capturing power of a camera is directly correlated to the strength of its image sensor. Therefore, if you're after super-detailed images, I would advise you to go for a model that's got a 20-something MP sensor. On the other hand, if shooting fast-paced events are your primary focus, a plucky GoPro with a weaker sensor might do the trick just fine.

Having a camera with a mighty processor that can capture high-quality images is definitely a great thing, but when it comes to shooting some footage underwater, for example, you might be better off having a small waterproof model with a tough body. If you vlogging adventures are bound to take you outdoors and into the unknown, do get a tough camera that will be able to withstand the pressure!

All things considered, a thousand dollars would be more than enough to get yourself a powerful camera, whether your primary goal is shooting outdoors or going for the extra features of some of the more complex models. I hope this top 5 review helped you find your perfect vlogging companion. Best of luck with your purchase!