How to Select the Perfect Video Camera for TikTok and YouTube all for under $500 US dollar.
Looking to Buy The Best Video Camera for YouTube and TikTok under $500?
If you are looking for the best camera for YouTube and Tiktok, there is actually no one camera that fits all and we will walk you through all the options under $500 to help you find the best video camera for you and not waste your hard earned cash!
First, you want to ask yourself how serious are you to shoot videos for TikTok and YouTube, if you own a business, or currently doing any type of ecommerce, the answer should be very critical since video can help convert sales 86% better than images for landing pages according to a study done by EyeView Digital.
Second, how much is it worth for you if you can quickly gain 30% more traffic to your website. If this is worth much more than $500, you should look into getting the right camera once and for all. If this is worth much less, you might want to explore with your current smartphone until you see the value of video is doing for you and invest in a the right camera then.
Third, your goal should not solely be set on getting a camera with the highest spec, but a camera that can cover the widest range of shots that you will most likely be needing for your foreseeable future, otherwise, you may need to purchase additional cameras very soon down the line. Cameras with 1080P for online video are all you need, this will save time and you can produce and edit video content faster and more often which are usually more critical than higher resolution. If you have someone who can dedicate a lot of time to shoot and edit, 4K capable cameras are amazing for companies wanting that high quality branded look. But bear in mind that 4K videos are 4 times the file size, so editing time and uploading time will easily double and triple unless you have a very fast computer and internet service.
Fourth, what are the lenses that you will need in order to capture the look and feel of your brand persona . One of the huge drawbacks with most video cameras under $500 is that they lack lens options.
Now, let’s go through all the best options under $500 and see which is best fitted for you.
If you are looking for the best camera for YouTube and Tiktok, there is actually no one camera that fits all and we will walk you through all the options under $500 to help you find the best video camera for you and not waste your hard earned cash!
First, you want to ask yourself how serious are you to shoot videos for TikTok and YouTube, if you own a business, or currently doing any type of ecommerce, the answer should be very critical since video can help convert sales 86% better than images for landing pages according to a study done by EyeView Digital.
Second, how much is it worth for you if you can quickly gain 30% more traffic to your website. If this is worth much more than $500, you should look into getting the right camera once and for all. If this is worth much less, you might want to explore with your current smartphone until you see the value of video is doing for you and invest in a the right camera then.
Third, your goal should not solely be set on getting a camera with the highest spec, but a camera that can cover the widest range of shots that you will most likely be needing for your foreseeable future, otherwise, you may need to purchase additional cameras very soon down the line. Cameras with 1080P for online video are all you need, this will save time and you can produce and edit video content faster and more often which are usually more critical than higher resolution. If you have someone who can dedicate a lot of time to shoot and edit, 4K capable cameras are amazing for companies wanting that high quality branded look. But bear in mind that 4K videos are 4 times the file size, so editing time and uploading time will easily double and triple unless you have a very fast computer and internet service.
Fourth, what are the lenses that you will need in order to capture the look and feel of your brand persona . One of the huge drawbacks with most video cameras under $500 is that they lack lens options.
Now, let’s go through all the best options under $500 and see which is best fitted for you.
1-If you already have a smartphone with decent video quality, you maybe able to get away with not buying a video camera if you don’t mind having to carry some additional accessories such as microphones, brackets for holding the microphone, a 3 axis gimbal, lighting and if you don’t plan on shooting vlogs since smartphones are lacking of a rear facing monitor. If the majority of your audience is on Tiktok, smartphones work very well for Tiktok since most clips on TikTok are 15 seconds or less, so video and audio quality is not as critical as YouTube videos with average length to be 5 minutes and longer. If your audience is mostly on YouTube, then you should definitely consider adding a shotgun microphone and a 3 axis gimbal to increase the audio and video quality of your smartphone setup.
Also, most video creators are adopting an omni channel video strategy meaning they typically plan on shooting a longer video for YouTube, then with the longer video, they can edit to multiple short clips that can be used for Tiktok, twitter, Linkedin, etc. This way you can use the same video and get more exposures on more channels.
Pros: no need to carry additional camera, You have your smartphone with you all the time.
Cons: No interchangeable lenses, Usually only one 4K camera, the rest of the cameras are lower resolution. Requires brackets to mount microphones and lighting, Needing a 3 axis gimbal for best video stabilization, limited lens options.
2-Action Cameras are amazing little cameras and nowadays top action cameras from Gopro, DJI, Insta360 can capture stable videos without gimbals when there is sufficient lighting. Action cameras are compact and usually can take a beating, which are perfect for users planning to shoot many action (Racing, biking) or diving shots.
For users looking to shoot in non action scenarios, where high quality audio and video are more critical, then an action camera may not be the ideal choice for the following reasons.
First, action cameras are typically limited with one lens, an ultra wide fisheye lens where the distortions are usually considered not attractive in non action shots. There are digital crop settings in most action cameras that can correct the fisheye effect, however, the image quality will be reduced and video from fisheye lenses typically looks flat when enlarged.
Second, it’s often a challenge to attach a standard shotgun microphone to an action camera if you want high quality audio. Action cameras usually don’t have a direct 3.5mm jack input to attach a standard external microphone, so you will require to get an adapter and a microphone mounting bracket in order to mount a shotgun microphone to an action camera.
Pros: Compact size, Durable, Stable video in bright lighting, point-n-shoot
Cons: Only Fisheye Lens available, Troublesome to work with shotgun microphones, EIS stabilization lose 15-20% image quality.
For users looking to shoot in non action scenarios, where high quality audio and video are more critical, then an action camera may not be the ideal choice for the following reasons.
First, action cameras are typically limited with one lens, an ultra wide fisheye lens where the distortions are usually considered not attractive in non action shots. There are digital crop settings in most action cameras that can correct the fisheye effect, however, the image quality will be reduced and video from fisheye lenses typically looks flat when enlarged.
Second, it’s often a challenge to attach a standard shotgun microphone to an action camera if you want high quality audio. Action cameras usually don’t have a direct 3.5mm jack input to attach a standard external microphone, so you will require to get an adapter and a microphone mounting bracket in order to mount a shotgun microphone to an action camera.
Pros: Compact size, Durable, Stable video in bright lighting, point-n-shoot
Cons: Only Fisheye Lens available, Troublesome to work with shotgun microphones, EIS stabilization lose 15-20% image quality.
3) Pocket gimbal cameras such as the DJI pocket, Feiyu Gimbal are a new breed of camera started selling in late 2018. These pocket cameras are a hybrid of action cameras with a 3 axis gimbals. Unlike action cameras utilizing EIS stabilization that crops into the image sensor to correct for movements, which in the process will sacrifice around 20% of image quality. Pocket gimbals have 3 motorized arms that is physically connect to the lens and counter for movement and are able to retain 100% of image quality while achieving great image stabilization in all lighting conditions.
They are small with slightly higher image quality than action cameras. They are also limited to typically 1 wide angle lens, making a perfect camera for travel.
Pro: Compact, Good video Stabilization, Good image quality, Face Tracking
Con: limited to Wide Angle lens, No HDMI connection for live streaming, troublesome to attach shotgun microphone, or lighting.
They are small with slightly higher image quality than action cameras. They are also limited to typically 1 wide angle lens, making a perfect camera for travel.
Pro: Compact, Good video Stabilization, Good image quality, Face Tracking
Con: limited to Wide Angle lens, No HDMI connection for live streaming, troublesome to attach shotgun microphone, or lighting.
4) IDOLCAM is a very unique video camera for under $500, it's a mix of action camera with 3 axis gimbal, with DSLR interchangeable lenses, shotgun microphone and lighting all into a palm size camera. The biggest advantage of IDOLCAM is that it’s the only video camera for under $500 with an interchangeable lens system and featuring 13 lenses to choose from. So, creators who are looking for more lens options from their compact video camera don’t have to look into the much larger, heavier and more expensive DSLR and mirrorless camera market anymore.
Len options including 6mm f2.5 ultra fisheye, 10mm f2.4 fisheye, 16mm f2.4 Rectilinear (IR, f2.0), 24mm f2.8, 35mm f1.6, 50mm f2.0 (IR), 85mm f2.0, 110mm f1.4, 350mm f2.0, 1000X microscope.
IDOLCAM weighs only 9 oz and features all the tools needed to shoot like video pros. Also, IDOLCAM is the only sub $500 video camera that comes with a 4th axis stabilizer handle that further stabilizes the Z axis bumps during walking, which pocket gimbals, smartphones and action cameras can’t eliminate.
Pros: 13 Lenses to choose from, 3 Axis Gimbal, 4th axis stabilization, fill-lighting, Shotgun Mic, Bokeh effect capable, most versatile of all the cameras.
Con: palm size, not waterproof.
Len options including 6mm f2.5 ultra fisheye, 10mm f2.4 fisheye, 16mm f2.4 Rectilinear (IR, f2.0), 24mm f2.8, 35mm f1.6, 50mm f2.0 (IR), 85mm f2.0, 110mm f1.4, 350mm f2.0, 1000X microscope.
IDOLCAM weighs only 9 oz and features all the tools needed to shoot like video pros. Also, IDOLCAM is the only sub $500 video camera that comes with a 4th axis stabilizer handle that further stabilizes the Z axis bumps during walking, which pocket gimbals, smartphones and action cameras can’t eliminate.
Pros: 13 Lenses to choose from, 3 Axis Gimbal, 4th axis stabilization, fill-lighting, Shotgun Mic, Bokeh effect capable, most versatile of all the cameras.
Con: palm size, not waterproof.
