The best cameras of 2023 for YouTube

Every YouTuber will have a varied level of expertise, with some having far more specialized video knowledge than others. The Panasonic Lumix GH6 is the right camera for you if you enjoy fiddling about with the camera's settings to make your video clip just right. One of the greatest consumer video cameras ever produced is this one.

The new 25MP stacked sensor, which provides significantly quicker readout rates and significantly more video possibilities for the user, is the camera's heartbeat. It can shoot in just about every codec a filmmaker or YouTuber might desire, and it can achieve resolutions of up to 5.7K at 30 frames per second in Apple ProRes format.

If you don't care much about that, the Lumix GH6 is definitely more camera than you need, so you should probably go for a cheaper model. However, it's a great option for the geeks among us.

The original Sony A6000 is still one of the most popular models in this Sony camera line, despite its massive recent growth. Young YouTubers who haven't yet made enough money to buy sophisticated equipment will be delighted to see how reasonably priced the A6000 is right now. But be aware that there's a Full HD resolution video restriction (no 4K, sadly), so if that's a deal breaker, keep that in mind. A large 24MP APS-C sensor and a powerful image processor with a 179-point focusing system make up the camera's other solid foundations.

Choose one of Sony's E-mount lenses to use with the camera for greater shooting versatility and excellent image quality. This camera is a reminder that you don't always need the latest technology to shoot high-quality YouTube videos. Older models may offer better value.

If you have some extra cash to spend and are interested in the latest camera technology, we recommend you consider the Canon EOS R5. Although it's a hybrid camera built for both still and video photographers, its video capabilities are among the best in the field. The highest specification is 8K at 30p, which is more than you want for YouTube, but it also gives you the option to crop and get excellent 4K footage, or shoot 4K natively and enjoy some of the best-looking video you can get. You can even set 4K to a 120fps frame rate if you want.

One of the best systems in the industry, Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS II autofocus delivers outstanding performance in both still and video shooting. body image stabilisation is particularly advantageous for video shooting, making it easy to capture smooth shots while holding the camera with one hand. If you already have EF DSLR lenses, the EF-RF adapter allows you to use them in full functionality on the R5. The RF lens market is also expanding and has some of the sharpest optics available.

It's not a perfect camera; when it first came out, it gained a reputation for its limitations in recording at high resolutions due to an overheating issue. As we made clear in our comprehensive review, this is still one of the most technologically sophisticated cameras overall and one of the most adaptable professional solutions for YouTubers, so it's not a deal-breaker, but it's something to be aware of.

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III receives great ratings from many YouTubers, and it's understandable why. It isn't the most extraordinary camera in any area, but it excels as a jack-of-all-trades, doing every task that YouTubers require of it in a portable package.

This small camera can record HD video at up to 120 frames per second, allowing you to create slow-motion effects and record 4K UHD video at 30 frames per second (but with a 10-minute recording time restriction). The Mark III version improves audio quality by adding a 3.5mm microphone input. The G7X Mark III's 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 lens is fixed and not interchangeable, but this zoom range is suitable for most YouTube use, and the f/1.8 maximum aperture is wide enough to make the G7X Mark III useful in low light.

The camera's ability to live stream and display content via a clear HDMI output is a key benefit for YouTubers. While there are cameras with more advanced video features, most creators won't need them. For most purposes, this is the best option.

Canon has produced this latest alternative, the 90D, to capitalise on the success of the EOS 70D among YouTubers. Designed specifically for the video industry, it can shoot detailed, uncropped 4K UHD footage. When the quality is reduced to Full HD, it can even shoot slow motion at 120 frames per second. If required, it can even shoot 32.5MP still images for multimedia video material. Canon has also upgraded the I/O by adding an external microphone and headphone connectors to aid audio recording and monitoring.

The EOS 90D is bigger and heavier than the other cameras on our list because of its DSLR pedigree. But its weather sealing means you can keep shooting even when it's raining or snowing. And with a big, bright optical viewfinder, it's a pleasant camera to hold. For video makers who don't mind something a little bigger, this price is a great deal.

For a long time Sony struggled to find a dedicated mid-range vlogging camera. While the little ZV-1 was good, what YouTubers and vloggers really wanted was a mirrorless camera that would give them more flexibility and the ability to switch lenses. The Sony ZV-E10 is an APS-C mirrorless camera packed with video functionality.

Excellent 4K UHD resolution and quality is on offer, while 120p Full HD is available for slow-motion video. While it's always preferable to buy an external microphone if you're on a limited budget, the built-in microphones on the ZV-E10 also perform admirably. This is partly due to the larger grille on top, which allows for higher quality audio recording.

It's not a perfect camera; there's a noticeable shutter effect when panning in 4K, and sometimes, as with the Sony, menus can be difficult to understand. But these are minor issues and the overall performance of the Sony ZV-E10 is actually quite good.

With the addition of the Z30, Nikon's Z mirrorless line now includes three APS-C cameras. It can shoot uncropped 4K UHD and has a vari-angle screen instead of a viewfinder. The Z30 is sleek and portable, light enough to carry almost anywhere, and we love the thick, ridged grip that makes one-handed shooting a breeze.

Z cameras, especially those with smaller APS-C sensors, are still in their infancy. As a result, there aren't many lenses to fit these cameras, and certainly not as many as there are for the Z30's closest direct competitor, the Sony ZV-E10, which capitalises on the long history of the Sony E-mount.

Still, this camera has plenty of features, including in-camera stabilisation for video and a respectable built-in microphone with wind noise reduction.

The Sony ZV-1 is a great camera for YouTube thanks to its many features. It's comparable to the Sony RX100's sensor and lens, but the body, controls, audio and rear screen are nicely tailored for vlogging. You get a clip-on windscreen for crystal-clear audio recording outdoors, a variable-angle rear screen for creative shots and, of course, front-facing shots. Plus, you get great fast AF in a small package that fits easily in your pocket.

The camera lacks a built-in viewfinder, flash or even a mode dial, but it does include a large Record button and built-in microphone, ideal for shooting YouTube videos on the go. It's a little more expensive than the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II at the top of our list (it has a flash), but not much else.

Both camera operators and filmmakers hold Blackmagic in high esteem as superior plug and film equipment. They make cameras that can shoot great video quickly and easily. The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K is a great alternative for creating high-definition YouTube videos that stand out from the competition, which is so important on the world's largest video sharing site. It has a massive Super 35 sensor and can shoot 6K Raw at 60fps.

Users can expect to use any of the EF series Canon lenses with the BPCC 6K thanks to the Canon EF mount included on the camera, which increases the price and versatility when it comes to lens selection. This camera is a good investment for anyone considering making YouTube their full-time career, as it not only packs professional functionality into a compact body, but also costs less than other film cameras. In our assessment, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K is a camera that combines excellent quality and features at an affordable price.

If you need extreme durability, GoPro is the brand for you. You can throw it into a lake, throw it over a mountain or bounce it on a mountain bike. If you want to record sports for your YouTube channel, no matter how extreme, the compact and capable GoPro Hero 11 Black is the camera for you.

This September, the popular Hero 10 Black will be replaced by the Hero 11, which is waterproof to 33 feet below the surface, automatically sends featured movies to your phone and features a new, longer-lasting Enduro battery. It retains the helpful front screen from the 10 to make selfie vlogging easier, and has improved on its industry-leading HyperSmooth 4.0 image stabilisation with HyperSmooth 5.0. It can record steady, smooth video even when thrown around in difficult conditions.

With 5.3K video quality (91% higher than 4K) captured at an incredible 60FPS, Hero10 Black now captures even more information. The horizon lock function makes every leap, flight and crazy landing look even more amazing. For those who prefer to shoot in slow motion, there's also a new 4K video feature at 120FPS. Extreme shooters who need a camera that can keep up with them should choose the Hero11 Black if they want smooth footage and reliable results.