If you are a content creator or YouTuber, Sony, Canon and other camera companies all want your business. Since the last guide, several new models have arrived, with more new models.
Recent video blog-specific models include Sony’s new ZV-E1 full-frame mirrorless mirror, DJI’s OSMO Pocket 3 and Canon’s compact PowerShot V10. Others in this guide, such as the new Panasonic G9 II and Canon’s EOS R6 II, are hybrid mirrorless cameras that can be used for Vloggoging as part of a larger tool set.
Many people have certain commonalities, such as flip-up screens, face and/or eye detection autofocus, and stability. Price, functionality and quality may vary greatly. To do this, we have updated our guide with all the latest video cameras, and all price ranges designed for professional creators are within all price ranges. Engadget has tested all of this to give you the best advice.
Table of contents
Best Video Camera of 2025
Best Action and Camcorder
If you’re just starting out with a video blog or need a rugged camera, an action cam is probably your best bet. Usually, they are easy to use because you don’t have to worry about things like exposure or focus. The recent models also offer good electronic stabilization and vibrant color video up to 4K and 60 fps. Lack of control over the drawbacks. Image quality is not the same as larger cameras; and there is no option to zoom or change the lens.
DJI
In the second half of 2023, DJI announced Osmo Pocket 3 and me Call it “Maybe the only video camera you need.” It has a large one-inch sensor, the same size as it does on Sony’s ZV-1 II compact camera. This greatly improves image quality, especially in low light. It also features a new large rotating touch screen, making it easier to switch between horizontal and vertical videos.
What really makes it a great video museum is the following pattern combined with facial tracking. If you work alone, you can simply set it up and then rotate and tilt to follow you. This also works for walking video blogs, so you don’t have to worry about focus or even pointing to yourself. The OSMO Pocket 3 is hardly a fan of it, but it is not ideal for photos due to the reduced resolution and it is also expensive.
Gopro
Gopro’s Hero 13 Black hasn’t changed much from the Hero 12 inside, but the design is a whole new story. A new series of new modular lenses (ultra-wide, deformation and macro) is now available to make it more versatile for action creators. It also has a slightly larger battery that allows for longer capture times, up to 90 minutes of 4K 30FPS video.
Other specifications remain the same, including 60 fps in 10-bit color, with high data rates, and 8:7 capture using the entire sensor. Otherwise, Hero 13 still has any action camera, best digital stability (aka Hypersmooth) for the full color front screen, and still offers the best image quality in its class.
DJI
DJI’s Action 5 Pro is a good choice for GoPro 13. Its best feature is the large 1/1.3-inch sensor, which makes it better than its competitors in low light. It also shoots the top of the action cam battery life meter well above two hours when shooting at 4K 60p for over four hours. Another nice feature is 47 GB of internal storage, which can be of great help if you fill in or forget about the microSD memory card. The OSMO Action 5 Pro works directly with DJI’s Noise Microphone 2 and MIC Mini Wireless Microphone, which provides an easy way to record high-quality sound. Compared with competition, the main drawback of the Action 5 Pro is its relatively low resolution and slightly poor stability.
Insta360
A camera that can record 360-degree video can perform a good trick: recreate the action after shooting or capture immersive videos in virtual reality. The Insta360 just dominates this category and doesn’t even get close to its latest X4 model. It captures up to 8k 30fps or 5.7k operations at 60fps, and can be viewed on the regular screen when you reframe it to 16:9.
Meanwhile, the ME mode that generates flat video (automatic selfie stick removal) has been upgraded from a maximum of 2.7k 30fps to 4K 30fps. The X4 now has a removable lens guard to protect the lens from rough shooting conditions. It also offers solid battery life, waterproof for 10m and free editing apps. However, next to Action 5 Pro, there is a slight lack of low light energy.
The best compact video camera
The compact camera is an acceleration option for smartphones or action cameras, with larger sensors and better image quality. At the same time, they are not as versatile as mirrorless or DSLR cameras (not necessarily cheap) and lack advanced options such as 10-bit video. But this is the best choice for people who want the best quality without having to think too much about the camera.
Sony
The 20-megapixel Sony ZV-1 II is a follow-up to the company’s ZV-1, which is based on the compact cameras of the RX-100 series using a 1-inch sensor. This is thanks to the lightweight body, built-in high-quality microphone, flip display, 4K 30p video, top-notch autofocus and excellent image quality, so it can be done well. Compared with the ZV-1, the 18-50mm f/1.8-4.0 lens is sharper and wider, so it can be used for video propagation. A very good feature is the built-in neutral density filter, but does lack optical image stabilization.
The best mirrorless video camera
This has been the biggest change in the past few years, especially in the cheaper price category. Interchangeable lens cameras provide you with the most video sensors, providing sensors with better low light sensitivity and shallow depth of field than compact cameras to isolate you or your subjects. They also provide better control of your images through manual controls, log recording, 10-bit video, and more. These drawbacks are the extra weight compared to action or compact cameras, extra complexity and higher price.
Canon
If you have a budget, you can buy a good purchase is the 24.2-megapixel Canon R50. It can shoot blasts at up to 15 fps in electronic shutter mode and deliver 4K 10-bit video with supersampled and crop-free. It has a completely clear display, and unlike other cameras in this price range, it is an electronic viewfinder. It uses Canon’s dual-pixel AF with theme recognition mode and even has a pop-up flash. It is There are rumors Canon will soon release a new version of the R50, so it may be worth waiting until then to see what the new model offers and whether it launches the current model price.
Nikon
If you want to look great while Vlogging, check it out Nikon’s Fashion Z FC. It is largely the same as the Z50, with a 20.9-megapixel APS-C sensor, 4K at 30 fps and a reliable phase-detection autofocus system with face detection. However, the Z FC brings a variegated touch screen to the party and has a nice old-fashioned body covered with convenient manual controls. It doesn’t have built-in optical stabilization, but you can get it through the lens.
Canon
Canon’s mainstream hybrid mirrorless camera, the EOS R6 II, offers reliable video capabilities. It offers a full sensor 4K supersampling from 6K to 60 fps for maximum clarity and a pleasant color and skin tone. Thanks to extended theme detection, autofocus is faster and more versatile than ever before. However, this still doesn’t meet Sony’s standards, and Microhdmi and lack of CFExpress slots are not ideal.
Sony
Sony has no less than five models in its content creator ZV series, and the ZV-E1 is by far the most capable one. According to the video-centric A7S III, it has excellent video features including 10-bit 4K, up to 120p, and is a low-light champion worth pushing. It also provides cool AI features such as automatic frameworks and dynamic stabilization, which are very convenient. The main drawback is the lack of clarity, but the price is $1,300 less than the A7S III, which is a highly recommended video camera.
Upcoming camera
If you are not ready to buy, you can make some interesting options. Canon is just make fun of Probably the camera of the R50 V, maybe the registered update of the R50 I recommend. Canon can also announce the availability of the PowerShot V1, a compact camera with a 1.4-type sensor that is larger than the 1-inch sensor on the most compact cameras.
Meanwhile, Panasonic has just announced the S1R II, a 45-megapixel hybrid camera. Although high resolution suggests it is mainly used for photography, the S1R II can shoot 8K video at up to 30 fps and capture 5.7k 30 RAW internally. It’s pretty expensive, but much cheaper than other options, including the Nikon Z8 and the Canon EOS R5 II. The model is Book now And start shipping by the end of March – Stay tuned for Engadget’s comments.
What to look for in a video camera
Video cameras are designed for filmmakers who often work alone and use tripods, unipods, vehicle mounting, or holding the camera with only hands. It not only needs to shoot it on yourself, but it also has to help tell your story.
The first requirement is to flip the screen so you can see yourself while shooting. These can be rotated upward, downward, or sideways, but flipping it to the side is desirable, so a tripod or microphone won’t stop it.
Continuous autofocus (AF) for videos with facial and eye detection is also a must. It becomes your camera “assistant”, putting things in focus while you focus on content. Most cameras can do this these days, but some still do better than others.
If you are walking around or walking a lot, you should look for a camera with built-in optical stability. Electronic stability is another option as long as you know the limitations. You also need a camera with a fast sensor that limits the scroll shutter, which creates a distracting jelly “swing” with fast camera movements.
4K recording is another key feature. Today, all cameras can shoot at least 24 fps, but if possible, it is better to have 4K at 60 fps. If you are shooting motion or something else that involves fast movement, look for a model of at least 1080p at 120 fps for slow motion recording.
Video quality and color accuracy are other important considerations, especially for skin tone. Good light sensitivity helps with night shots or concerts, and digital contours help improve dynamic range in very bright or dark shooting conditions. If you want the best image quality and can afford it, get a camera that can record 4K (billions of) colors. This will give you more options when you make edits.
Don’t ignore the audio either; if the quality is not good, your audience will be disconnected. Look for a camera with a microphone port so you can plug in a shotgun or lapel microphone for interviews, or at least use a camera with a quality built-in microphone. It is best to have a headphone port to monitor the sound so you can avoid annoying surprises after shooting.
You also need good battery life and dual memory card slots for backups where possible. Finally, don’t forget the size and weight of the camera. If you keep carrying it once while shooting, especially at the end of a gimbal or gorillapod, it might actually be this The most important factor. That’s why Tiny GoPro cameras are so popular in sports, despite offering lower image quality and less professional features.
