Vlogging is a really popular form of content production – for a good reason, too. It helps grow awareness for you and your business or service and provides a really intimate relationship with your audience. Here are the best sony vlogging camera and reviews of real customers after using the cameras
Before filming, I always tell my clients that you need to have something to say! It makes sense right!
Here’s how I recommend you go about it.
How to come up with a narrative or script
The most important part of any video is in the planning stage.
You’ll need to think of content that will be valuable to your audience. When I consult with clients I’ll get them to write down common questions that their customers ask. These are perfect seed ideas that will set you down the right frame of mind to succeed.
Your video structure
Then you need to think about the structure. For your first video consider this structure:
- Hook – in the first 3-5 seconds grab the attention of someone scrolling through their feed.
- Explain what your audience will learn today by watching your video
- Describe the problem that you will help people solve in this video
- Your personal experience in solving the problem for yourself or your customers.
- Call to action and ask people to comment on your video or like it. You can also have another call to action such as “do to this link and download…”. Anything off the platform is far more challenging to get people to do. Stick to on-platform calls to action for the first videos.
Use this as a starting point but as you start getting comfortable with the format, talking to the camera and the vlogging process as a whole you can play with the format.
What works for my audience will not work well for yours. Testing ideas and monitoring how your video’s metrics change will be the only way to discover if something is working for you!
Now you have something to say…you need to record it, right!
Sony vlogging cameras from $300 – over $3,000
Under $500
Sony Action Cam
When working out the perfect camera for my daily LinkedIn vlog and style that I wanted to achieve, these were the features that I wanted in a camera for my vlogging kit for beginners:
- Portable – so I could take it everywhere with me.
- Optically stabilized – so I could walk and talk and get a better image than a mobile phone recording.
- Standard connectors – So I could use any tripod I wanted and could change easily.
- Fantastic front-facing microphones – So I didn’t have to use an external microphone.
This was the winner!
- Ultimate image stabilization from Balanced Optical SteadyShot Professional 4K with ZEISS lens and Exmor R CMOS sensorCamera control.Power Requirements 3.6 V (battery pack),Battery type NP-BX1
- Splash-proof body or use incl. waterproof housing down to 197ft. Selectable viewing angle: Wide, Medium or Narrow and 3x zoomHigh quality 12MP still images and up to 10 fps in burst mode
- Interval record at 8.3MP for stills and 4K time-lapse videoHigh Quality stereo sound with wind noise reductionBuilt-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, HDMI, USB and mic jack
- Intuitive interface, 3x rec. lights and adjustable beep volume;Shoot at desired angle with adjustable FOV and zooming
- NOTE: Refer User Manual on Technical Specification before use.Monaural Speaker
Pros
- The built-in Wi-Fi works flawlessly as you can use the camera with the smartphone app.
- The controls are not complex and are simple to use.
- The layout to activate the video streaming is, I believed, designed so you can be able to use the camera without even looking at it.
- The image quality is awesome as I prefer this to the GoPro Hero.
Cons
- Not waterproof but water-resistant (rain, dropped in a puddle, etc.), you’ll need to install its housing unit if you’re planning to take this out to surf, fish, or any place with a large body of water.
- Limited to 128GB card. No complaint on my side, but just giving you a heads up.
- Live streaming service such as instantly putting it up on Vimeo and YouTube are still not supported easily.
This camera had everything I wanted in the above list and came with a waterproof housing which means I could take it swimming! It wasn’t something I thought I needed but has resulted in some fun shots for my vlog. This, for me, is the best sony vlogging camera.
I had watched a load of YouTube videos that contained video and audio comparisons before I made my choice. I thought about it for about two weeks before making my decision and I’m pleased to say that I have not been disappointed!
I’ve since done on to record about 100 more videos I’ve learned a few things about the best way to use the camera.
Firstly, do not record with a backlit scene or in low light situations – the camera just cannot handle it!
Secondly, the microphones are REALLY affected by the wind…even small amounts of wind cause a huge rumbling effect in the audio. People have got around this in a variety of ways online – from sponges to microphone hair stuff (called dead cats).
Thirdly, the WiFi and Bluetooth settings can dramatically decrease the battery life of the camera. The fix? Simple, turn on airplane mode and the battery will last for hours more!
These issues, once you know about them are not a hassle to work around and I really like the camera, interface, and ease of use…push the big button on top and you are recording in an instant!
I love this little camera. It is small enough to fit in my bag and super lightweight! Because it is an action camera it has image stabilization built-in. I also love that it DOESN’T have a screen.
A screen means that people quite often look at themselves and not the lens – it is a really simple habit to fall prey to! If you do want a flip screen however check out my other blog on cameras with a flip screen.
I choose to record in a fisheye mode for my vlogs. This is because when I crop the image to a square aspect ratio you get a sense of my surroundings. If I was to leave the video in its standard ratio fisheye would look too sporty and out of place for a man talking to the camera!
Under $800
Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera
- 24 MP APS C CMOS sensor and Focus Sensitivity Range: EV 0 to EV 20 (at ISO 100 equivalent with F2.8 lens attached)
- ISO 100 25600 (expandable to 51200). Lens compatibility: Sony E mount lenses
- Hybrid AF with 179 point focal plane phase detection and 25 contrast detect points
- Up to 11 FPS continuous shooting. Battery Life (Still Images): Up to 360 shots.Metering Type:1200-zone evaluative metering
- 3 inch tilting LCD with 921,000 dots.Viewfinder Type: 0.39 in type electronic viewfinder (color)
- In the box: Rechargeable Battery NP FW50; Shoulder strap; Eyepiece cup; Micro USB cable
Pros
- The images are impeccably sharp and unlike Nikon, there are never any back focus issues and I have no trouble nailing the shot on the first time every time.
- The grain structure is wonderful and I never have any issues shooting at ISO 6400.
- Sony a6000 battery drain mystery solved!!! Turn Airplane Mode On! The a6000 supports Wi-Fi transfer of photos and videos to SmartPhones, Computers and other Wi-Fi devices.
Cons
- Difficult to use for some users
- The interface requires learning curve
Between $800 and $1,500
Sony Alpha a7IIK
- World’s first 5 axis in body image stabilization in a full frame camera
- Use your favorite lenses without blur from camera shake; High 50 Mbps bit rate XAVC S21 format recording of Full HD movies
- Capture stunning images with full frame, 24.3MP resolution. Lens Compensation: Peripheral shading, chromatic aberration, distortion
- Fast hybrid AF with phase detection: 30 percent faster than a7
- Compatible with Sony’s E mount lenses, and others with adaptors
Pros
- A note about lenses: the lens situation is improving.
- Improved Autofocus – Sony is claiming 30% better autofocus performance.
- Paired with Internal stablizing function of the A7ii, you can pull off fairly low shutter speed shots by hand @ 1/25 maybe 1/20
Cons
- Not quite in the professional range.
- Good for high end semi-professional photography and vlogging
Between $1,500 and $3,000
Sony a7 III
- Advanced 24.2MP BSI Full frame Image Sensor w/ 1.8X readout speed Advanced 24.2MP Back Illuminated 35 millimeter Full frame Image Sensor Sony test conditions. Compare to the 7 II
- 15 stop dynamic range, 14 bit uncompressed RAW, ISO 50 to 204,800. Compatible with Sony E mount lenses. Can be connected via Bluetooth with smartphones featuring (as of the date of release)- Android (Android 5.0 or later, Bluetooth 4.0 or later), iOS (Bluetooth 4.0 or later)
- Up to 10fps Silent or Mechanical Shutter with AE/AF tracking. Battery Life (Still Images): Approx. 610 shots (Viewfinder) / approx. 710 shots (LCD monitor), Battery Life (Movie, continuous recording): Approx. 200 min (Viewfinder) / Approx. 210 min (LCD monitor)
- 693 phase detection / 425 contrast AF points w/ 93 percent image coverage. Focus Sensor: Exmor R CMOS sensor
- In the box: Rechargeable Battery (NP FZ100), AC Adapter (AC UUD12), Shoulder strap, Body cap, Accessory shoe cap, Eyepiece cup, Micro USB cable.Metering Type:1200 zone evaluative metering
Pros
- Awesome auto focus
- large battery
- amazing lowlight performance, better than a9 & a7riii, about as good or better than a7sii in certain modes
- improved ergonomics
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a battery charger
- Some users don’t like the touch screen
Above $3,000
Sony α7R IV
- Stunning resolution: world’s first 61MP full frame 35 millimeter back illuminated Exmor R CMOS Image Sensor
- High speed: up to 10Fps continuous shooting at 61MP with AE/AF tracking; 26.2MP in APS C crop mode
- Fast Hybrid Autofocus: 567 Phase detection AF points and 425 contrast AF points to cover more area
- Advanced subject recognition: real time tracking and real time eye AF for humans, animals and movies
- Accurate color reproduction: 15 stop dynamic Range at low sensitivities for greater Color accuracy
- Incredible detail: see fine details with area specific noise reduction from Sony BIONZ X processor
- 4K video: full pixel readout without binning in super 35 millimeter mode; S log and HLG recording features
Pros
- People love the grip!
- EVF is way sharper
- card door is more rugged and strong
Cons
- Some users with autofocus issues
