13 Best Affordable Cameras for Shooting Videos 2022 (For Beginners)

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Look:

On this website, we usually talk about photography, but I know that a lot of you are also looking for the best cameras for shooting videos (whether it’s YouTube content, music videos, or any other type of filmmaking).

So that’s exactly what we’ll talk about today. But first there are 3 things I’d like to mention:

1). This post is written for beginners and enthusiast photographers, NOT the pros.

2). I was considering the price-quality ratio, so you won’t find gear that costs over $2,000.

3). However, the $2K price tag is for the camera BODY, without lenses. It’s possible that buying a separate glass might cost you more than $2500 in total. Where applicable, you could buy kits to save money, and if that’s the case, I’ll be sure to mention it.

Without further ado, let’s get started.

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1. Best Cheap DSLR for Videos for Beginners

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Canon Rebel SL3 (250D)

• Type: Compact SLR
• Weight: 449g
• Resolution: 24MP
• Sensor size: APS-C (22.3 x 14.9mm)
• LCD screen: Fully Articulated, 3″
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: No
• ISO: Auto, 100-25600 (up to 51200)

✓ Reasons to Buy:

• light and compact body
• the ability to shoot in 4K mode
• DualPixel CMOS autofocus
• good price with a kit lens (under $1000)

✕ Reasons to Avoid:

• pretty low bitrate for video shooting
• noise starting from about ISO 6400
• no in-body stabilization
• not a lot of AF points compared to other DSLRs

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I know that a lot of people were criticizing this model because it wasn’t really that different from its predecessor, the Rebel SL2.

However, the SL3 does have a new processor, 4K capability, and great FullHD performance.

More professional videographers would argue against its rather low bit rate, but this is the cheapest entry-level camera for shooting videos, so we’d forgive a lot of things for this price.

More importantly, this is the DSLR that is often sold with an 18-55mm STM lens. So, if you are a beginner and your budget is limited, then this kit is worth investing in.

Just like many starter cameras, it has an APS-C sensor with a 1.6x crop faster which is a standard one for Canon.

What’s so great about this gear?

What you get is Dual Pixel autofocus, a fully articulated LCD screen, a compact body, and the ability to use pretty much any Canon glass you want.

I’ll repeat myself…

If you’re a beginner looking for a cheap entry-level DSLR for shooting photos for your blog or videos for your YouTube channel, then Rebel SL3 might be your best bet.

By the way, buying it with a kit lens certainly should be under $1000. Click on the button below for the latest prices.

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2. Best Affordable Micro 4/3 Camera Today

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Panasonic G85

• Type: SLR-style mirrorless
• Weight: 505g
• Resolution: 16MP
• Sensor size: 4/3 (17.3 x 13mm)
• LCD screen: Fully articulated, 3″
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 200 – 25600 (can expand to 100)

✓ Reasons to Buy:

• 5-axis optical stabilization system
• can shoot in 4K @ 30/25/24p with autofocus
• built-in OLED electronic viewfinder
• versatile camera under $1000 with decent video recording capabilities

✕ Reasons to Avoid:

• struggles shooting in low light
• not the best battery life (use power save mode)
• weak built-in flash, no NFC, and no external headphone jack

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Another affordable product to consider is Panasonic Lumix G85.

This camera can shoot video at 4K 25/30 frames per second with a bit rate of 100 Mbps. It offers a micro 4/3 (MFT) sensor with a crop factor of 2. This means that it is slightly smaller than the Canon I mentioned above, but this does not create any particular problems.

The Lumix G85 has a fully articulated screen, as well as a built-in image stabilizer. (However, as with most Panasonic cameras, it doesn’t offer the greatest autofocus.)

In any case, this is a very decent device for simple tasks by an enthusiast.

I’d say that with the right deal, it’ll probably be the best affordable video camera in the micro four thirds department. From what I’ve seen, it definitely offers a good price-quality ratio.

Check it out.

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3. Best Large Sensor Compact for Vloggers

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Sony RX100 VA

• Type: Compact
• Weight: 299g
• Resolution: 20MP
• Sensor size: 1″, (13.2 x 8.8mm)
• LCD screen: Tilting, 3″
• Touchscreen: No
• Weather-sealed: No
• ISO: Auto, 125 – 12800

✓ Reasons to Buy:

• compact, even pocketable, body
• advanced Eye AF performance
• Movie Format, Dual Video Rec, improved HFR recording

✕ Reasons to Avoid:

• still no touchscreen
• modest battery life
• 4K movies are limited to 5 minutes (but exceptional clarity)

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The RX100 V or RX100 VA (pretty much identical) is one of the best choices for a vlogger. That is, recording yourself from arm’s length, or putting the camera on a tripod, are ideal uses for this camera.

What sets the VA version apart from its competitors (for ex: Canon G7x Mark II), and why I recommend it, is its excellent autofocus system.

The Sony RX100 is a large sensor compact with ah-mazing capabilities.

The lens is attached and it is quite good. The camera itself is very small. It has a 1-inch sensor which is less than what other products from this list offer, but this sensor is larger than that of your smartphone’s.

The RX100 VA can shoot 4K 30 frames per second with a bit rate of 100 Mbps, and it also has the ability to shoot in S-Log2 mode, which accordingly allows you to use a wide dynamic range for subsequent processing.

I mean this one will not disappoint.

For such a compact baby, its video capabilities are simply amazing. Hence why the price tag.

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4. Best Mirrorless Under $1000 for YouTubers

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Canon M50

• Type: SLR-style mirrorless
• Weight: 390g
• Resolution: 24MP
• Sensor size: APS-C (22.3 x 14.9mm)
• LCD screen: Fully articulated, 3″
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: No
• ISO: Auto, 100-25600 (expands to 51200)

✓ Reasons to Buy:

• high burst rate speed
• easy to use interface (even for newbies)
• built-in electronic color viewfinder
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology for fast and precise focusing

✕ Reasons to Avoid:

• no DualPixel AF when shooting in 4K
• below average battery life (so keep a spare battery handy!)
• can’t charge it with USB cord

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I’ll say this…

You want to get into YouTube, don’t have much experience recording videos, and need to get something on a budget, then I highly recommend Canon M50. It is arguably one of the best affordable mirrorless cameras for YouTube that beginners can buy in 2022.

I myself own this baby specifically for recording YouTube videos and I truly believe that it’s one of the underrated mirrorless cameras on the market right now.

Because…

• it’s light and compact,
• it’s easy to understand and use,
• it’s super affordable,
• it has a fully articulated screen and a hot shoe for mic,
• it has 4K video (at 24 fps but still good),

Basically it has all the features that you’ll need as a rising YouTuber.

(Note: Get a couple of extra batteries, so you can shoot your videos longer.)

If you need a camera for YouTube purposes AND the one that takes great quality images, then this Canon mirrorless camera is a no brainer. Check out the video review here.

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5. Great Mirrorless Compact for Vlogging 2022

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Canon M6 Mark II

• Type: Rangefinder-style mirrorless
• Weight: 408g
• Resolution: 33MP
• Sensor size: APS-C (22.3 x 14.9mm)
• LCD screen: Tilting, 3″
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: No
• ISO: Auto, 100 – 25600 (up to 51200)

✓ Reasons to Buy:

• very portable body, great travel companion
• fast, accurate, and easy to use face and eye autofocus
• Ultra high-def with no crop, HDR and HFR video (but no 24p)

✕ Reasons to Avoid:

• either a microphone on a hot shoe or a flip up screen
• 4K video quality isn’t quite as sharp
• not the best option for sports or wildlife photographers

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The Canon M6 Mark II is a fairly new camera.

It has an APS-C format sensor, which is the same size as the Canon Rebel SL3, but unlike the SL3, it can shoot video from the entire sensor, and even with a working Dual Pixel autofocus.

Now…

There are some questions about the quality of the video itself in 4K. The detail is worse than that of some competitors, but at the time of writing this post, this is the max level of quality that Canon crop sensor cameras offer.

What does M6 II have to offer?

This Canon is a very compact mirrorless, with a flip-up screen and a selfie mode, so you can shoot your vlogs or other talking head videos for YouTube.

Important note:

If you don’t really care about having a fully articulated/tilting display and you’re more of an operator than a vlogger, then you may need to buy an electronic viewfinder. In that case, you may want to consider buying an M6 ​​II kit, which includes a camera, electronic viewfinder and lens.

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6. Best Affordable Camera for All Types of Videos

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Sony a6400

• Type: Rangefinder-style mirrorless
• Weight: 403g
• Resolution: 24MP
• Sensor size: APS-C (23.5 x 15.6mm)
• LCD screen: Tilting, 3″
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 100 – 32000 (up to 102800)

✓ Reasons to Buy:

• excellent tracking AF for photo and video shooting
• wide possibilities for reconfiguring the camera
• continuous shooting up to 11 fps with autofocus
• 4K video recording up to 30p, supports S-Log and HLG

✕ Reasons to Avoid:

• battery won’t do well in the cold
• UHS-II memory cards are not supported
• no headphone output

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If we look at price and design, the Sony a6400 is a direct competition to Canon M6 II that I mentioned previously.

However, with one significant point – there’s a built-in viewfinder. So, you won’t have to buy one separately (as you would have with the M6 II). In that sense, we can say that this camera from Sony is even cheaper than the one from Canon.

It get better…

From the video shooting perspective, technologically, it’s difficult to outrun Sony. They have good sensors and good autofocus systems. Compared to the previous A6300 model, the a6400 also has a selfie screen, making the a6400 even more versatile.

Now, let’s talk about its video capabilities:

• 4K 30 fps with 100 Mbps bitrate,
• FullHD 120 fps with 100 Mbps bitrate,
• SloG 2,
• SLog 3,
• Hybrid Log Gamma,
• Sensor with a crop factor of 1.5,
• excellent autofocus.

(More on log format recording.)

You can buy body only, or  you can take a kit with an 18-135mm lens.

There is also a kit with a simpler 16-50mm lens. This is more of a “gag” lens that are usually used on the camera until they buy a better glass. This is the option for you if you’re very much on a budget.

Bottom line:

Sony a6400 is suitable for shooting videos of various kinds. It seems that nothing should stop you from shooting even amateur short films and clips with this gear. It also works great for bloggers and Instagram influencers.

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7. Easy to Use DSLR for New Videographers

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Canon 90D

• Type: Mid-size SLR
• Weight: 701g
• Resolution: 33MP
• Sensor size: APS-C (22.3 x 14.9mm)
• LCD screen: Fully articulated, 3″
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 100 – 25600 (expandable to 51200)

✓ Reasons to Buy:

• very fast autofocus
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF in Live View
• 4K and 1080p120 slow-mo video

✕ Reasons to Avoid:

• ISO performance isn’t as high
• video recording limited to 29:59
• has low pass filter (reduces the detail)

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Essentially, in terms of video shooting, this is the same as the Canon M6 Mark II. The same sensor, the same autofocus, the same modes.

But the price is slightly higher simply because of the class of the camera. Canon 90D is an upper mid-range APS-C sensor DSLR.

Its advantages in comparison with the M6II: higher reliability, the presence of a screen that is rotatable in all planes, no need for an adapter when connecting EF and EF-S optics.

But the M6 ​​also has advantages over the 90D: the ability to shoot through the viewfinder (upon purchase), and its compactness.

Now, let’s talk about the issue of viewfinders that not a lot of beginners might know.

If you buy a classic SLR camera, then you cannot shoot video through the viewfinder. That is, shooting video on Canon 90D is possible only through the screen. The M6 has no such limitation, but only if you buy an electronic viewfinder, then you can shoot video with it.

Personally, if I were to choose from these two cameras, I’d probably choose the 90D.

The reason is that when shooting a vlog, when the camera is on a tripod and the screen is in selfie mode, it’s not possible to install additional accessories in the hot shoe on the M6 (because the screen flips up). In addition, when you mount the viewfinder and shoot in operator mode, you cannot add anything else in the hot shoe because it’s occupied.

In general, there are quite a few inconveniences and all due to the fact that the M6 ​​Mark II does not have a built-in viewfinder, like the same Sony A6400. So, it’s good that you’re doing your research 🙂

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8. Impressive Camera For Both Stills & Videos

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Fujifilm X-T3

• Type: SLR-style mirrorless
• Weight: 539 g
• Resolution: 26MP
• Sensor size: APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm)
• LCD screen: Tilting
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 160-12800 (expands to 80-51200)

✓ Reasons to Buy:

• best “all in one” choice, especially for a hybrid shooter
• compact and convenient to work with
• high-res electronic viewfinder
• advanced AF tracking system (for variety of genres)
• up to 20 fps full-res burst shooting
• 4K 60p video and F-Log support
• Dual UHS-II slots

✕ Reasons to Avoid:

• no in-body image stabilization
• Slight crop in 4K 60p (1.18x)
• Need a fast computer for internal 10-bit HEVC video files

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With this product we’ll see a serious jump in price. And for good reason.

Fujifilm X-T3 is a well-rounded mirrorless APS-C sensor camera that works great for both photos and videos. Truth is, this body can be used as a professional tool because its functionality is impressive even by today’s standards.

I mean…

It has an amazing AF tracking, so as a photographer, you can shoot everything from portraits, sports and wildlife, to landscapes and nature photography.

As a videographer, you’ll enjoy the 4k 60p 10 bit 4:2:0 to a USB flash drive with a bit rate of 200 Mbps, and to an external recorder 10 bit 4:2:2 with a bit rate of 400 Mbps.

(Even if you have zero understanding what these numbers mean, you can probably guess that they are great.)

I think this is an excellent choice for those who really want to learn all things videography, including color grading. This baby will help you learn and grow as a filmmaker.

Now, even though the newer X-T4 is already on the market right now, you can certainly benefit from the X-T3 model.

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9. Fave Among Content Creators & Influencers

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Panasonic GH5

• Type: SLR-style mirrorless
• Weight: 725 g
• Resolution: 20MP
• Sensor size: Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm)
• LCD screen: Fully articulated
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 200-25600 (expands to 100-25600)

✓ Reasons to Buy:

• high image quality at ISO up to 3200
• stellar 4K video up to 60p with no crop
• support for HLG, V-Log L and other log picture profiles
• support for 10-bit 4:2:2 chroma subsampling 
• confident stabilization work in photos and videos
• good battery life for its category

✕ Reasons to Avoid:

• no OLPF, higher risk of moiré
• no built-in flash
• AF speed isn’t always sufficient when continuous shooting with fast movements

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I’ll say this…

The Lumix GH5 is extremely popular among video content creators, bloggers, and social media influencers. And not just them.

This MFT baby shoots 4K 60p 8bit 4:2:0 video on a memory card with a bitrate of 150 Mbps. An external recorder can record 10 bit 4:2:2 with a bit rate of 400 Mbps, though only 30 frames per second.

Overall, the specs are worse than the X-T3, but the GH5 was also released much earlier.

You may wonder, why is it more expensive then?

I think because the GH5 has a fully articulated screen, great ergonomics, built-in stabilizer that works great, and more affordable glass.

The main drawback of the camera is its indistinct autofocus.

For newbie filmmakers it might not be that obvious/important, but if you REALLY want to excel at videos, then I’d probably suggest you have a look at other options from this list. Eventually the autofocus might start bugging you.

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10. Great 4K Camera for Enthusiast Shooters

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Sony a6600

• Type: Rangefinder-style mirrorless
• Weight: 503g
• Resolution: 24MP
• Sensor size: APS-C (23.5 x 15.6mm)
• LCD screen: Tilting, 3″
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 100 – 32000 (up to 102400)

✓ Reasons to Buy:

• comfortable and durable body
• burst rate of up to 11 fps with autofocus
• extensive videoshooting capabilities in Ultra HD resolution
• buffer for 46 RAW files
• 4K recording and support for gamma profile
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, microphone input and headphone output

✕ Reasons to Avoid:

• no direct input for exposure compensation
• UHS-II cards are not supported 
• limited capabilities with touch interface

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Sony a6600 is a fairly new product, which was released in 2019 and quickly made the top list of the best mirrorless cameras.

While it really is great, it’s important to mention that, unlike X-T3 and GH5, the a6600 doesn’t have outstanding professional characters and therefore is more for amateur video production/vlogging purposes.

It shoots video in 4K 30p with a bit rate of 100 Mbps. The flat S-Log3 mode and Hybrid Log-Gamma are present just like in the a6400 (which we talked about earlier).

In fact, the a6600 and a6400 models are very similar.

The A6600 has a larger battery, which means better battery life, as well as a built-in sensor stabilizer and headphone output. Essentially, these are all differences. But because the price is significantly higher, it forces us to compare the a6600 with very serious competitors such as the X-T3 and GH5.

From the point of view of a professional, this Sony product definitely loses to its competitors.

From the point of view of an amateur or blogger, not everything is so simple. The a6600 has everything you need to shoot a vlog – a selfie screen, excellent autofocus in video mode, the ability to connect a microphone, and at the same time, the video quality in 4K is extremely decent.

Again, the S-Log is available, so unlike the Canon 90D, for example, you are not limited to basic profiles, and you can create in post-processing if you want.

If you’re an amateur vlogger/videographer, I think you’ll definitely enjoy this gear for years to come. The only thing you might miss is the 4k 60p.

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11. Amazing Full-Frame for Photos & Videos

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Nikon Z6

• Type: SLR-style mirrorless
• Weight: 675g
• Resolution: 25MP
• Sensor size: FX (35.9 x 23.9mm)
• LCD screen: Tilting, 3.2″
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 100-51200 (expands to 50 – 204800)

✓ Reasons to Buy:

• fast and confident phase detection autofocus
• 4K video shooting without crop
• slow motion Full HD video recording
• built-in intervalometer (for time lapses)
• compatible with F optics via FTZ adapter

✕ Reasons to Avoid:

• tracking AF can lose the subject if shooting in difficult conditions
• video recording in 10-bit N-Log is possible only on external media
• less battery life compared to DSLRs

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Nikon Z6 is the first full-frame camera mentioned in this list. Since its release, it dropped a lot in its price, so it’s definitely good news for those on a tighter budget.

I actually happen to have a Nikon Z6 review with a real-life field test, so I encourage you to check it out.

So, let’s talk about its video capabilities.

Considering that it’s a Nikon gear, surprisingly, it has a good autofocus in the video recording mode. The built-in stabilization is also good news. The camera shoots 4K from the entire area of ​​the sensor (again, full-frame), up to 30 frames per second.

However, the possibilities for recording on a memory card are quite modest. Here I’d like to talk more about the Nlog profile to color grade your footage in post-production.

Generally speaking, Z6 is one of the fewest Nikon cameras that is capable of recording N-log video. However, it can’t record 10 bit N-Log to the media card in the camera, so you’ll need to connect it to a digital recorder that supports 10-bit video such as an Atomos Ninja V.

The good news?

More recently, new firmware has been released, allowing 12-bit RAW video to be recorded to an external recorder, making the Z6 a tool for professionals as well. The drawback is that you’d have to pay for it.

But, you know, if you are a professional and you really need video in RAW, then you can pay for it. Especially considering that only very expensive professional cameras are usually shot in RAW.

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12. Nice Compact Full-Frame with 4K Video

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Sony a7 III

• Type: SLR-type mirrorless
• Weight: 650g
• Resolution: 24MP
• Sensor size: Full frame (35.8 x 23.8mm)
• LCD screen: Tilting, 3″
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 100 – 51200

✓ Reasons to Buy:

• very high working ISO and wide dynamic range
• high-quality video recording in 4K and Full HD
• microphone input and headphone output
• high speed continuous shooting up to 10 frames/s
• long battery life for a mirrorless
• two slots for memory cards, one with support for UHS-II

✕ Reasons to Avoid:

• tilted but not rotatable display LCD screen
• quite confusing menu
• limited functionality of the touch interface
• no built-in flash

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Look:

The reason why Sony a7 III became such a popular device was due to its wide functionality it offered, especially at the time of its release in 2018. Back then, you could only buy the Panasonic GH5 at an affordable price, the a7 III looked like a very  attractive option.

It shoots at 4K 30 frames per second, it has a built-in stabilizer, has an S-log, and has a double slot for SD memory cards.

When it comes to video recording, this model is very similar to the a6600. The main differences are the size of the sensor and the lack of the ability to flip the screen to selfie mode. It might be a bit disappointing to vloggers who want to use the Sony A7 III.

But for amateur photography of some family holidays, trips and other things, the capabilities of the A7 are quite enough. It also does great in low light conditions.

Remember…

Like all full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Sony A7 III dropped in price a lot over time. So today, you might get a bargain price. (Click on the button below for the current prices on Amazon.)

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13. Canon’s Top Mirrorless Camera in 2022

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Canon EOS R

• Type: Mirrorless SLR-like
• Weight: 660 g
• Resolution: 30MP
• Sensor size: Full frame (35.8 x 23.8mm)
• LCD screen: Articulating
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 100 to 40000 (50 to 102400)

✓ Reasons to Buy:

• very good viewfinder
• separate settings for photo and video modes
• video shooting in 4K and Full HD
• support for 8-bit and 10-bit C-Log
• continuous shooting speed up to 8 frames/s
• can work with fast UHS-II cards
• the ability to work with EF-S and EF lenses via the EF-EOS R adapter

✕ Reasons to Avoid:

• limited burst rate in continuous autofocus mode
• 4K video with crop
• demanding touch controls, must keep hands dry and clean

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The EOS R is a direct competition to Nikon’s Z6 and Sony’s a7 III. I thought it would be a good idea to include a model from Canon as well.

Is Canon EOS R good for videography purposes?

It can definitely shoot a 4K 30 fps video with a bit rate of 100 Mbps.

Unlike Nikon, it can shoot LOG to a memory card. The problem from the video point of view here is that this camera’s 4k records with a huge crop factor of 1.8. (Some upside to this is that you can use cheaper cropped lenses for video shooting.)

You can use the built-in Log game for greater dynamic range and the 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 output over HDMI for even greater color control.

Other distinguishing features are the swivel touchscreen LCD and the DualPixel autofocus system that you’ll also love as a video shooter.

Check out the glowing Amazon reviews below.

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Best Budget Camera for Videography 2022

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As you can see there are a lot of mirrorless and DSLRs today that will work great for your videography purposes. Whether it’s YouTube vlogging, shooting music videos, creating short movies, or even getting into serious filmmaking, you’ll find the option that works best for you.

The list that I created in this post offers more or less affordable options, some of them are even cheap. Overall, my aim was to provide the most suitable options for you with good price-quality ratio. I hope you enjoy it!

Now, I’d like to hear from YOU:

• What is the best cheap camera for videos in 2022?
• What’s the purpose of your video shooting – music clips, YouTube channel, creating movies?

Let us know in the comments below!

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