Best Gear For New YouTubers
Photo by: James Feaver - @photography_by_feaver
Video
YouTubers need cameras that have a lot of features for a low price. The top features we look for in a camera include:
4K Video
High-resolution stills
60 FPS or higher
Flip out screen
Why Sony?
We suggest Sony cameras because they have the versatility needed by YouTube creators.
Video Gear Under $5,000
Sony A7R IV - 61MP Images + Great Video
Sony A7S III*** - 4K at 120 FPS (aka super slow motion)
Sony A7 IV + Kit Lens - Lens is an ok option to get started on a budget
Video Gear Under $2,500
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 - A great option if you want to get a second lens
Sony - FE 24-105mm*** - Our choice for the most versatile lens
Sony A7 IV - Our choice for the most versatile camera
Sony FX30 - This camera packs a ton of professional features into an affordable price. To learn more about why we think this camera rocks, check out our blog “Why the Sony FX30 Might be the Best Camera For Vlogging.”
Sony A7C - Compact Full Frame
Video Gear Under $1,000
Sony ZV-1 - Built-in lens
Sony Alpha ZV-E10 - Can upgrade lens
Sony 24-70mm f/4 - Great image quality for getting started
iPhone 14Pro*** - Just under $1,000 + this camera has a phone built in.
Video Gear Under $500
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 - Compact
Sony ZV-1F - Doesn't shoot RAW images
GoPro Hero 11 - Incredibly Durable
Audio
Audio is the second most important part of any video. Cameras can be versatile, but microphones should be specialized. We listed use cases next to each suggestion.
Audio Gear Under $1,000
Rode NTG-3B Shotgun Microphone*** - Great for hiding your microphone out of frame and getting clean audio.
Audio Gear Under $500
Rode VideoMic Pro+ - On-camera option. Good for when you will be close to the camera. Better build quality than the Rode VideoMic Pro R option, with extra features.
Zoom F3*** - Audio recorder that can record two mics at once. This link includes the cables you need.
Sure MV7*** - Used for podcasts or if you sit and talk to the camera in your videos. Includes microphone stand.
Audio Gear Under $250
Rode VideoMic Pro R - On-camera option. Good for when you will be close to the camera.
Zoom F2 Lavalier Recorder - Our choice for the best recorder for YouTubers. Perfect for moving around or when you're far away from the camera.
Windshield Blimp*** - Used with the shotgun mic to block the wind
Heavy Duty Mic Stand - To hold the shotgun mic
Podcasting
Podcasting is growing on YouTube, and they have even recently released a new way to upload and categorize your podcasts on YouTube Studio. Podcasts are an audio-first medium, so making sure you have the best gear for recording your podcasts is essential to ensure the highest fidelity. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Podcasting Gear Under $700
Shure SM7B Microphone - This microphone is the industry standard when it comes to podcasting. It provides a very clean sound and helps block out unwanted noise.
OR - RodeCaster Pro Microphone*** - This microphone has very similar specs to the Shure SM7B and is nearly half the cost.
Zoom PodTrak P4 - This unit pairs nicely with the Shure SM7B. It has strong enough preamps to keep up with the demand of the SM7B, and provides extra functionality (including a small form factor, audio interface capabilities, recording guests via phone call, sound pads, and more), making it an amazing purchase.
Mic Cable - This is a straightforward and affordable cable to connect your Microphone to your recorder.
Mic Arm Desk Mount - Going hands-free with your microphone helps to improve your overall sound quality. The Shure SM7B is a durable and heavy unit that requires a strong boom arm to support it. This desk mount will do the job nicely.
Podcasting Under $350
Shure MV7 USB Microphone - If you are comfortable recording directly to your computer, then the Shure MV7 USB microphone is the mic for you. It is less expensive than its bigger brother and still provides amazing sound quality.
Mic Arm Desk Mount - Going hands-free with your microphone helps to improve your overall sound quality. The Shure SM7B is a durable and heavy unit that requires a strong boom arm to support it. This desk mount will do the job nicely.
Lighting
Lights make your video look better. Even if you film outside, you might need a light or two.
Lighting Gear Under $1,000
Aputure 300D II*** - Super powerful light, great for outdoor shoots.
Lighting Gear Under $500
Aputure 60D - Small but powerful light, best for indoor.
Lighting Gear Under $250
Aputure Light Dome II*** - An attachment for the Aputure 300D II that helps shape the light.
Lighting Gear Under $100
Aputure Amaran - Super small lights that are still really bright, better for indoor lighting
Tripods
Magnus VT-4000 Tripod with Fluid Head*** - This tripod is sturdy and reliable and works great with any of the cameras we recommend.
Editing
We trust Macbook Pros for our video editing. They are fast and reliable.
MacBook Pro M1 Max*** - 10-Core CPU, 32-Core GPU, 32GB Ram, 1TB SSD
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