A lot of aspiring content creators would often ask: “What’s the best camera for YouTube?”

Understandable. You’ve probably seen how much money YouTubers are making, and now you’re trying to cash-in on the new craze. Anyone looking to start a career on the platform would obviously want the “best” camera they can buy from the get-go. The question, however, presents many common pitfalls for the average newcomer. One can easily get lost on spec sheets and marketing and sensor sizes — so perhaps the instinct is to gravitate towards the most expensive camera on the shelf.

Because objectively, the best camera you can get for YouTube would be something along the lines of a RED DSMC2 brain coupled with a Monstro 8K sensor. It’s a full frame cinema camera that shoots 8K RAW with 300MB/s data rates, records 17 stops of dynamic range, and does super slow-mo at 300 FPS.

If that sounded like I was describing a camera you’d shoot Stranger Things with, it’s because the Monstro 8K did shoot Stranger Things. It’ll also run you north of a $50k when you’re done kitting it out to a working state. And yet there’s one popular YouTuber, Marques Brownlee, using the very same Hollywood-caliber camera for his tech YouTube channel (more on that later).

Today we’ll breakdown what most YouTubers are using, and we’ll have a few case studies on different YouTubers below that can help you find out which camera is best for you.

Let’s start with what the YouTubers with the most subscribers are using…

Though we’ll be following Business Insider’s list of the most popular YouTubers,  keep in mind there’s still a selection bias with this list and thus it won’t reflect the YouTube community as a whole. People on this list have made millions of dollars on YouTube, thus they can afford the best of the best as far as cameras. But keep in mind that the same camera manufacturers often have similar cameras in their line that are more affordable, with a little less features (eg. you might lose 180fps, zebra patterns, log profiles, etc.).

*Please note that the cameras listed are the last camera they have reported to use, it’s safe to assume that they would have likely upgraded to the latest version (eg. A7RII to the A7RIV). 

1. PewDiePie (108 million subscribers) – Sony A7RII
2. Dude Perfect (55 million subscribers) – Sony NEX-FS700
3. Mr. Beast (52 million subscribers) – Canon EOS 1DX Mark II
4. Felipe Neto (42 millions subs) – Sony A7RII
5. Markiplier (28 million subs) – Sony A7III
6. James Charles (25 million subs) – Canon EOS 1DX Mark II for Beauty Vids, Canon 5d Mark IV for Travel
7. Smosh (25 million subs) – Panasonic AG-DVX100B
8. NigaHiga (22 million subs) – Panasonic GH5
9. Roman Atwood (16 million subs) – Canon EOS 1DX Mark II or 5d Mark IV, RX100V or Canon Powershot G7 for Vlogging
10. Casey Neistat (12 million subs) – Panasonic GH5 for vlogging, Sony RX100V for point and shoot

I also wanted to include some of the most popular filmmakers / directors / creatives on YouTube, though they’re not as “popular” because they don’t upload as frequently and their content is fairly niche, these creatives are much more knowledgeable on gear.

1. D4Darious (Darious Britt) (422k subs) – Panasonic GH5 for A Camera, Panasonic G7 for B camera
2. Tom Antos (360k subs) – It depends, BlackMagic URSA Mini is his cinema camera of choice. The Panasonic GH5 is the best DSLR / DSLM camera for filmmakers. Sony A6500 is an good all around 4k camera. Panasonic G85 is the best under $1000.
3. Phillip Bloom (228k subs) – Sony FS7 is his main camera. He also uses smaller cameras like the Sony A7R III, A7S II and A7 III for walking around, documentaries and when he doesn’t want to call too much attention.

Our analysis of over 100 YouTube channels indicate that the most popular camera for YouTube is…

Though notice the emphasis on the “popular” part. A lot of people make their purchase based on influencers (hence the name) and though Canon has had a strong market share in the US for the last decade, Sony has exploded in popularity since 2013 thanks to their Sony A7 series. We had a breakdown of mirrorless camera sales statistics, and the graph of camera market share is much different than what YouTubers are using:

Keep in mind this graphic is from 2019 and Sony and Panasonic have increased in popularity since then. It’s also important to note that camera market share is primarily for photographers, whereas filmmakers (a smaller niche) may have another preference for their favorite camera (eg. the Panasonic GH5).

TL;DR – So what’s the best camera for YouTube?

Best bang for buck? Undoubtedly, the Panasonic GH5 for $1300, or $1900 and you get the Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 with it. And either the Panasonic G95 or G100 for under $1000. These Panasonic cameras are built on the Micro Four Thirds platform, which has much more affordable lenses compared to full frame equivalents.

Best overall? The entry level Sony A7III ($1700), A7C ($1800) if you want a flip out screen, or go with the A7S III ($3500) for the most video features in a compact package.

But let’s go into detail and delve into a few YouTuber case studies. Today, we’ll breakdown the best cameras for YouTube at any budget. Let’s start with the most expensive…

*And don’t worry you won’t need $50k, we’ll certainly cover top YouTubers who use relatively inexpensive gear, we also have a guide on the 7 Best Video Cameras for Filmmaking under $1000. If you’re going to be vlogging, I’d start with our guide on the Best Vlogging Cameras Under $1000.

The MKBHD Mini Case Study – From Sanyo Camcorder to a RED 8k Camera

13.9 Million Subscribers – Tech Channel

Camera: RED DSMC2 Monstro 8k – $54,500 (their other sensors range from $15,000-$25,000)

For a bit of context, Marques Brownlee, or MKBHD, sits on the highest echelons of tech YouTubers today with a 13.9 million-strong following. With content that goes from covering the cutting edge of what the tech world has to offer, like new Teslas, to interviewing Elon Musk himself, it’s easy to see how Marques can justify shooting with a RED and upping his production quality to such a degree.

But let’s not forget that a little more than a decade ago and only 100 videos in, Marques was filming himself with a Sanyo camcorder, talking about software and a concept for a “dream smartphone.”

A few years later, he graduated to the venerable Canon T2i — one of the most accessible “HDSLR” cameras at the time — before moving up to a Canon 60D which more or less had the same image quality as the T2i, but featured a novel flippy screen that helped YouTubers with their framing.

Going from a T2i to shooting with REDs hooked up to robotic cranes might be on the extreme end of real-life anecdotes of what growing a channel on YouTube can do for you. But this should highlight a few important principles when it comes to getting your first camera.

First. You don’t need to blow your life savings on a first camera for YouTube. Second, you work with what you have and then upgrade as you go. And finally, maybe the better question to ask when starting out is: “what’s the best camera for my budget and the type of content that I do?”

To help you with your camera buying decision, we’re going to take a look at what the top YouTubers in a variety of niches are shooting with. You might just be surprised with what type of gear you can get away with when your first start your YouTube career!

Matt D’Avella “Downgrades” his RED to a Canon C200

3.5 Million Subscribers – Minimalist Lifestyle Channel

Camera: Canon C200 for $5500, though you can find used C200’s on eBay for under $3500.

Here’s an interesting case. Normally, you’d upgrade your kit as your audience and channel grows. Not Matt D’Avella, though. He actually let his $38,000 RED Epic-W go in favor of a much more manageable Canon C200.

Aside from running his immensely successful self-improvement channel, Matt, the minimalist/director, is also a Netflix filmmaker. When you’re shooting a Netflix project, sure, you’d want the best possible image quality you can get. This is an area where the RED Epic-W will not disappoint.

But when you’re also producing weekly YouTube videos, you’re going to need a nimbler camera that won’t put a giant bottleneck to your workflow. In his video down below, Matt explains why the Epic-W is no longer the best fit for his current line of work.

Matt isn’t a stranger to working with huge file sizes and grinding at the ol’ timeline in Final Cut, especially with two Netflix documentaries under his belt. But his Epic-W was an entirely different beast. The RAW footage from the RED was enough to put the fastest editing workstations to a crawl. And because you’ll have to record audio separately when shooting with this level of cinema camera, post-production can be more of a nightmare than it already is.

Striking the perfect balance between image quality and usability, Matt found the Canon C200 as the far better-suited tool for the job. It won’t shoot 8K, but the C200 will crank out cinema-worthy 4K and 1080p footage. Not quite up there with RED’s otherworldly spec sheet, but the C200 is in no way a slouch in the image quality department. Plus it offers an infinitely more agreeable and faster workflow than a RED.

So if you’re an aspiring filmmaker looking to produce shorts and skits over at YouTube, maybe try not to obsess too hard on a RED. The dream “serious” cinema camera for you might be waiting in the sub $10k segment like the C200 which can be had in a kitted-out package for $5,499.

iJustine and Her Trusty Sony A7III

Content creators on the hunt for the perfect YouTube all-rounder of a camera might want to take a good look at the Sony A7III. Seriously, this camera can do everything from vlogging, being a studio workhorse, and it’ll shoot your short film without a hitch.

Justine Ezarik, better known as iJustine, I feel would be the best person to back up this claim. Because from what we can gather, it appears this awesome tech vlogger / variety content creator has been using the A7III as her main camera since it released back in 2018. She’s taken the A7III out in Hawaii for vlogging when it first came out and looks to have been vlogging with it ever since. The A7III also functions as the main shooter for her usual tech videos in the studio alongside an A7SII.

Have a look at Justine’s whole arsenal of vlogging cameras in this neat video below, where she talks about how the A7III has been a total workhorse.

A couple of things to note here. iJustine has a following of close to 7 million subscribers. The Sony A7III sits at the “entry-level” line of Sony’s hugely successful line of mirrorless full frame cameras and is therefore a relatively affordable camera. In fact, you can get it body only for $2,000.

Cameras have gotten so good that you’re really not missing out much on more expensive, specialized cameras that even bigger channels like iJustine wouldn’t have any issues delegating the A7III as her main shooter.

The A7III shoots 4K, has IBIS, features a Log picture profile for serious color work — if there ever was a one size fits all camera for YouTube, it’s got to be the A7III.

Shroud’s Streaming “Webcam”

With lockdowns, restrictions over public gatherings, and the world entering a “new normal”, the gaming industry has seen astronomical levels of growth. And with this kind of surge to an already healthy segment, you better believe gaming content creators will benefit from that extra attention as well.

So, if you’ve been thinking about streaming and starting a gaming channel on YouTube, and agonizing over which camera to get, pause for a minute and take a look at Michael Grzesiek, professionally known as shroud, and his YouTube/streaming set up.

Shroud shot into fame way back in his CS:GO days where he played professionally for Cloud9, one of NA’s biggest esports organizations. Retiring in 2018, shroud went full time as a streamer. With a history of inhuman flicks and clutch plays during his time as a pro, you know he’s going to amass quite a crowd that’ll tirelessly watch him destroy lobbies upon lobbies of unexpecting randoms.

Michael now runs a YouTube channel with close to 8 million subscribers, and a 9-million strong twitch following. With that kind of community rallying behind an esports celebrity, it’s easy to assume that the “Human Aimbot” runs the best possible streaming gear money can buy.

But you’d be wrong. Multiple and actual can confirm that shroud used to stream with a sub $100 Logitech C920. Shroud however switched to using a Sony A6000, a 6-year-old entry level APS-C mirrorless camera. You can get a used a6000 coupled with a kit lens on eBay for around $400. If you do decide to get the Sony, here’s a handy guide that’ll let you .

Don’t sweat it if you’re on a budget. Just get the trusty C920 and start streaming and uploading gaming content over at YouTube. If it’s good enough for shroud, it’s just about good enough for anyone.

Watch the man himself dole up some awesome streaming advice:

Casey Neistat’s Daily Vlogging Camera

If the swarm of dedicated vlogging cameras released last year is anything to go by, then it may be fair to assume that vlogging as a YouTube niche is seeing just as much of a spike in popularity as the gaming space. The upside is that aspiring vloggers are being spoiled with tons of camera options. The downside is the camera buying decision gets a little more overwhelming.

I think Casey Neistat can offer sage advice on matters concerning vlogging cameras. He, after all, went through 11 – – Canon 80D bodies during his days as a vlogger. Who knows how many 70D bodies he wrecked equally prior to the release of the 80D?

Anyway, a bit of background on Casey. He’s a thoroughbred filmmaker who was vlogging before the world even formally accepted what vlogging was, and has co-starred in his own HBO series with his brother, Van Neistat back in 2010. But most people will know Casey from his 604-day daily vlogging series that built a channel with 12.3 million subs.

Casey will also be the first to tell you that your gear doesn’t matter: story is king (see 37+ filmmaking tips).

So in terms of what to look for a main camera for vlogging, Casey will have his preferences. He’ll want a flip out screen. Casey will also appreciate an awesome video AF system. Bonus points if it has a tough magnesium-alloy construction and weather sealing. That’s about it. Don’t think too much about image quality because again, story is king.

The very same Canon 70D Casey loved so much checks most of these boxes, and will still produce gorgeous 1080p footage no problem. If you’re on a tight budget, go bargain hunting for a used 70D with a kit lens.

His last vlogging camera is the Panasonic GH5, if you want something with a little less features and a little less expensive, the Panasonic G100 is targeted towards vloggers on a budget, also featured on our list of the Best Small Cameras.

But if you can stretch your budget a little, I’d suggest getting the Canon M50 Mark II for $700 with a kit lens. The Canon M50 Mark II now shoots 4K, boasts an improved version of the Dual Pixel autofocus system we first saw in the 70D, and has built-in live streaming features.

It’s possibly the best run-and-gun vlogging camera around — almost like a 70D mirrorless incarnate — but now packs all the features you’ll expect to have in a camera from 2021.

Carli Bybel’s Beauty Studio Setup

If we learned anything from Casey, or shroud and Matt D’Avella’s filming gear, it’s that you never really need the best of the best cameras to shoot videos for your channel. You need only to find the kind of gear that is both good enough and works great for what you do.

So there’s probably no better YouTube personality that could round off this article as perfect as beauty and fashion guru, Carli Bybel. You see, Carli is one of the biggest names out there in the entire beauty, fashion, fitness influencer space. She’s got 6 million subs on her super successful YouTube Channel and nearly 5 million followers on IG, and has been at the top of her game since her first beauty tutorial ever back in 2011.

If you need more proof that you don’t need the fanciest gear to get started, let’s take a brief look at Carli Bybel’s studio set up.

Yep, she’s shooting with a lone 5D Mark III, a Yongnuo video light for her key light, a Shure mic, a tripod, and a 50mm prime lens. Oh, and a Wi-Fi tethering dongle that lets her monitor her framing and adjust focus/camera settings via her iPad when she’s filming by herself at the studio.

Because the Canon 5D Mark III didn’t have WI-FI built in… just like most cameras released in 2012.

Carli says she found the exact set up we’ve listed above about four years ago and hasn’t changed a thing on the set up since. She claims she never really needed to look at other stuff because the super simple, one light and one camera set up was perfect for a one-woman film crew like her.

Even the Canon M50 Mark II we’ve briefly touched on would outperform the 5D Mark III in video, at least on paper. But it’s frankly quite inspiring how such an influential personality in the fashion/beauty niche is perfectly satisfied with what “older” gear can offer.

Final Thoughts

If I could just be totally honest here for a moment and say pretty much any camera that entered the market in the last five years or so can be good enough for your YouTube channel. So definitely expect to save a ton on your seed money if you happen to own a perfectly capable, albeit a little older DSLR or mirrorless camera.

Probably just as important as the camera (if not more important!) is buying a good lens. For YouTube, wide angle zoom lenses are the most popular (because it works for vlogging). Here’s a list of our lens guides depending on your system:

• Best Micro Four Thirds Lenses – The Panasonic-Leica 8-18mm or Panasonic-Leica 10-25mm f1.7 (see the review) will probably be your best bet, and there’s a bunch of other really good video lenses for Panasonic cameras.
• Best L-Mount Lenses – Panasonic has also entered the full frame video space (see Micro Four Thirds vs Full Frame), with a lot of good video lenses.
• 3rd Party Manual Lenses – Plenty of inexpensive options here, including Rokinon/Samyang, Mitakon Speedmaster’s, Kowa, etc.
• Legacy Lenses – Plenty of inexpensive lenses can be found on eBay, my personal favorite legacy lenses are Canon FD lenses.
• If you do want to livestream, especially with a professional level camera, think about improving your internet connection, for most professional content creators, it might be pricier, but it’s a cost of doing business.

If you want to make money on YouTube, it will be a grind. You could consider other ways to make money as a videographer while you build your following. Real estate photography/videography is a great way to make some extra money, and since you’ll already have a wide angle lens for YouTube, you really just need a tripod and maybe a drone (see our Real Estate Gear Guide and How to Become a Real Estate Photographer). And if you get a drone, you could sell your footage to stock video websites. You never know, you might just end up building a full video production company.

And don’t forget about a mic. People can tolerate lower quality video, most people won’t discern the difference between 1080p and 4k. But people won’t tolerate bad audio. We’ve covered the Best Mics for YouTube, at any budget.

Another thing to think about is your studio, or the place you’ll shoot videos. A lot of top YouTubers have an eye-catching space, with interesting props, etc.

As we’ve hopefully shown you, even the biggest YouTubers in their respective niches are working with a level of gear that is extremely accessible, even for complete beginners. There’s absolutely no excuse for you not to pick one of any camera we’ve discussed and get started on your content creation journey!