Looking to make your start as a content creator? Find out what camera features you need and our picks for the best video cameras for beginners

Choosing the best video camera for beginners means finding an option that’s both affordable yet offers some of the features and specifications you need to get started with your creative endeavours. While you may not need specifications like 4K video capability when you’re getting started, you probably will find that you’ll need features like a flip out screen or an input for an external microphone.

If you plan to start vlogging, a flip out, or vari-angle, LCD screen means you can see yourself within the frame while filming, which is very useful. Likewise, an input for an external mic ensures you record better quality audio. The built-in mics on most cameras are good enough in quiet spaces, but they will pick up ambient noise and sometimes sound a bit tinny. Have a look at our guide to the best cameras for vlogging if this is the route you plan to go down.

What other features are important when choosing the best video cameras for beginners? Sensor size is, of course, important. But you don’t need a full-frame sensor when you’re starting out, and even some of the top content creators shoot with crop sensor cameras. A camera with an APS-C or Micro Four Thirds sensor will probably offer you the best balance of image quality and affordability. See our guides to the best APS-C cameras and best Micro Four Thirds cameras for more information.

Video quality is also a consideration. We said at the beginning that you don’t necessarily need 4K video capability when starting out. Posting an HD video on YouTube is perfectly acceptable. However, with 4K more ubiquitous now you can pick up some of the best 4K cameras for video at a more reasonable price tag than a few years ago. Also, as you get more experienced, being able to record in 4K allows you to crop into your footage in edit and still publish a detailed Full HD video. This is why many professional videographers are excited about the 8K capabilities of cameras like the Canon EOS R5 and Nikon Z9.

Another consideration, if your budget can stretch for it, is choosing one of the growing number of cameras with IBIS, or in-body image stabilisation. IBIS typically gives you up to around five stops of shutter speed compensation, making it easier to handhold the camera when filming.

Which camera is best for video shooting for beginners?

Only a few years ago, the answer to this question would have been a DSLR. But the rise of mirrorless cameras, with their smaller design, better AF systems and – in some cases – in-body image stabilisation, means that mirrorless cameras are the best video cameras for beginners. All of the options in our list below are mirrorless cameras.

The best video cameras for beginners you can buy today

Below are our picks for the best beginner video cameras based on our experience testing them. You can find links to our full reviews for each camera. You might also find our following video-based guides useful if you have a more specific need in mind.

For a deeper dive into the many different camera types and features available, check out our range of camera buying guides.