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If you’re in a hurry and want to know what is the best vlogging camera with flip screen, then I would recommend the Sony A6600 as my top choice.

If you are more budget limited, then the Sony ZV-1 is the best cheap vlogging camera that won’t let you down, and still scores highly in every test.

Camera manufacturers have become increasingly aware of vloggers as a market for their cameras over the last few years, and have started to add features like flip screens even into their entry level models. This means that there are a huge number of cameras that potentially hit the criteria for best vlogging camera with flip screen, meaning that it can be overwhelming to even start comparing models.

In this article, I will cut down this long list of potential cameras, and will cover only the very best vlogging cameras, according to strict criteria that I have developed for myself when camera shopping.

First, I set some key criteria, that every camera reviewed here must meet. Consider these the minimum requirements to be the best vlogging camera:

• Flip screen, or a screen that is visible on the front of the camera.
• Strong internal microphone, or preferably a microphone port.
• Reliable autofocus.
• Good usability and button design, particularly when using the camera in ‘selfie’ mode.
• Lightweight, easy to carry, easy to change batteries, etc.

I’ve kept this list short and to the point, covering all budgets from the absolute best camera with flip screen, to the best cheap vlogging camera, if you are more budget limited.

These cameras are suited to a variety of vlogging uses, such as ‘selfie’ shooting that you will later edit and upload, to live streaming. I’ve tried to indicate which cameras are better for which uses, so bear in mind that the best camera for Youtube may not be the best camera for selfie videos, and that the entire list is subjective – your needs may be different than mine.

The cameras for vlogging with flip screen that we will be looking at today are:

• Sony A6400
• Sony A6600
• Sony A7C
• Sony ZV-1
• Fuji X-T4
• Panasonic Lumix G100
• Canon M6 Mark II
• Plus a few additional options if you want to relax some of the key criteria

The Best Vlogging Camera with Flip Screen

Although the best vlogging camera must be the Sony A6600 based on value for money, if budget is not a concern, then take a look at the brand new Sony A7C, which has a fully articulated touch flip screen and full frame sensor, but at the cost of a much higher price tag.

The Best Cheap Vlogging Camera

The best cheap vlogging camera with flip screen for me is the Sony ZV-1, which is ideally suited as a vlogging camera for beginners. Even this is relatively expensive though, so if you are looking for the best vlogging camera under $200, or even the best vlogging camera under $100, then something like this unbranded camera would be suitable, though you should remember that video quality will be poor.

Read More: The best cameras for filmmaking on a budget

Key Features of Good Cameras for Vlogging

There are a few specific features that you need to look for if you are researching cameras with a flip screen for vlogging, rather than for general stills and videos. Essentially, good cameras for vlogging have the best parts of both smartphones and DSLRs: being small and light with touchscreen interfaces; the ability to see yourself when recording selfie videos; excellent image quality in low light with minimal noise and high dynamic range; the ability to change lenses, and more.

The detailed criteria that I have used for reviewing these cameras are below. Feel free to use this list for your own research:

• Flip Screen Type – these come in three flavors: either fully articulating, flippable only, or with a dedicated screen on the front of the camera.
• Suitability to you – different cameras are suited to different styles of vlogging, eg. shooting in a studio or outside, videoing selfies or interviewing others, etc.
• Sensor Size – Larger sensors produce higher quality videos, at the expense of larger files.
• Recording Resolution & Modes – Higher resolution gives a more professional appearance and future proofs your videos, but some cameras suffer from overheating and impose time limits on videos at higher resolutions. Some cameras have useful recording modes like slow-mo, meaning you don’t have to waste time creating these effects in post.
• Rear Screen & Touch Interface – Some rear screens have digital overlays to help you compose and shoot high quality video. A touch interface helps a lot with this and with setting autofocus.
• Internal Mic and Mic Input – Vlogging cameras should have strong internal mics at a minimum, but even better, should have microphone inputs for external mics.
• Internal Stabilization – Having stabilization within the camera body reduces vibrations and makes videos shot handheld much smoother and sharper, but some modes crop the picture. This is often combined with in-lens stabilization for a superior effect.
• Autofocus – Can the camera quickly and accurately lock onto a point? Is it easy to select different autofocus points?
• Usability & Weight – Can you easily hold the camera and find the right buttons to press, without hitting the wrong ones? How are the menus designed?
• Battery Life & Changing Batteries On the Go – How long do batteries last? Is it easy to change them in the field? Some cameras block the battery port when a tripod is attached.
• Value for Money – The camera must meet your specific criteria. Remember that these reviews are based on more general criteria, but all cameras reviewed here I would consider to be excellent value for money.

Flip Screen Type

A vlogging camera’s flip screen is the main feature that sets apart vlogging cameras from regular DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. This gives you the ability to see yourself while recording video, so you can keep an eye on the composition and not cut half your head out of the frame.

Flip screens on cameras come in three flavors. From least useful to most useful, these are:

• Fixed Front Screen – Not a true flip screen, but some devices like GoPros have a fixed secondary screen on the front. These are fixed and generally pretty low definition, making them awkward to use, although they are better than not having a front screen at all. These are almost exclusively found on action cameras, which show the advantage of having screens like this in their small, compact size, and high usability. A fixed front screen is also much easier to waterproof than articulated screens, making this a better choice if you intend to vlog underwater.
• Flip Screen – The first iteration of flip screens only moves on the vertical axis, flipping up or down by 180 degrees. These screens do not move side to side, making their use more limited, although they are still perfectly good for seeing yourself while filming. Because of their limited movement, screens that flip up may be hidden by external mics if these are connected to the camera hotshoe. Some cameras get round this by having the screen flip down, but this means you can’t rest the camera on the ground and see the screen, and the screen can also be blocked by your tripod. Cheap cameras with flip screens tend to have this 180 degree flip screen.
• Fully Articulated Screen – The most recent flip screen cameras all have fully articulating screens, where they move up and down and side to side. These are very flexible to your shooting situation and are incredibly useful for all photographers, but they tend to only be present on the newest, and therefore most expensive, camera models.

Of the three types of flip screen, fully articulated screens are by far the best, but you should always compare this criterion with the other aspects of the camera. Although the 180 degree flip screens are not the best, they are perfectly adequate in most situations. It’s only when you hit more specialist uses, like having a large external microphone attached to the camera hotshoe that these become more problematic. Even then, the screens are often still usable.

Suitability for You

When comparing cameras with screens that flip, it’s often easy to get caught up in the technical specifications and the minutiae of each camera, but you always need to keep in mind your specific use for the camera.

Are you intending to shoot high end landscapes or cityscapes? Then a large sensor and high resolution with excellent autofocus might be more important to you than weight, and you should look at cameras like the Sony A7C.

Are you primarily filming yourself in closeup, talking to the camera? Then you might prefer a good internal mic, or standard mic input jack, over the ability to record video in 6K, and therefore the Sony ZV-1 might suit you better.

These are questions that will be personal to you, but I would advise writing down the various uses you have for the camera (including whether it will help you make money or whether it is for a hobby, as you might be able to justify increasing your budget for the former). Think about the situations you will find yourself recording in, whether in a studio or the field, then check the reviews below for the best vlogging cameras for your specific situation.

Sensor Size

Although you would expect the best flip screen camera to have a larger sensor, as this is generally indicative of higher quality video recording, this isn’t the full story, as video quality is also determined by the number of pixels on a particular sensor and the internal architecture of the camera.

In everyday uses, you are unlikely to notice the difference between pictures and videos taken on a crop sensor camera (APS-C) versus a full frame camera, except perhaps in low light situations, where full frame sensors have better resolving powers, and will exhibit lower noise, although this is dependent on the camera.

The main points to bear in mind that differentiate crop and full frame sensors is in relation to the focal length and the effect that this has on overall camera size and weight.

• In a Full Frame Camera, the focal length specified on a lens is the same as the apparent focal length when it is used.
• In a Crop Sensor Camera, the focal length specified on a lens must be multiplied by the sensor crop factor to get the apparent focal length.

The crop factor is generally 1.5x (or 1.6x for Canon) for most interchangeable lens cameras, and means that a 10mm lens will give the same field of view as a 15mm lens on most crop sensor cameras. The added benefit of this is that lenses designed for crop sensor cameras are much smaller and lighter than their full frame counterparts for the same apparent focal length, as they rely on the crop factor to extend this apparent focal length.

Bear in mind that some cameras, like the Sony ZV-1, which have only a 1 inch sensor or smaller, will have an even greater crop factor applied. This means that at its widest, the 9.4mm focal length of the ZV-1 equals an apparent focal length of 20mm, which helps explain its very small size and weight.

Video Recording Resolution & Modes

The quality of any videos you make with your camera will largely be determined by the resolutions that it can shoot at, with additional video modes helping to reduce the time you spend editing your videos in post.

Most vlogging cameras shoot at a variety of resolutions and frame rates, with frame rate often reducing as the resolution increases. At a minimum, you should be looking for 4K resolution cameras – this is the current video standard and will ensure that your camera is usable at least for the next 5 years. If you wanted to push the boat out and futureproof to a greater extent, then look at cameras that record at 6K or even 8K, like the Canon R5, although you will have to sacrifice a flip screen, small size and weight, and quite a lot of money, when compared to the best 4K vlogging camera.

Cinema standard framerate is 24 frames per second (fps), so this should be the minimum that you consider when researching cameras. Higher framerates allow the video to capture more naturalistic motion and avoids ‘choppiness’ when panning, although as we are so accustomed to 24 fps from Hollywood movies, higher framerates can look strangely fake, even though they are technically more ‘real’.

The one real advantage to high framerates is the option to slow footage down in post, creating slow motion effects. Some cameras have special modes that do this for you in camera, which is handy to reduce your editing time.

One key thing that most reviews don’t mention, is that many vlogging cameras that shoot at higher resolutions have time limits dictating the length of video clips that can be recorded. This is generally due to overheating concerns with the camera. The longer a sensor records for, the hotter it gets, until the camera eventually shuts off. For some cameras, this time period can be as short as ten minutes, while some can record for over an hour before the camera must be left to cool down. I’ve indicated real world recording time limits in the reviews below.

• At a minimum, look for 24 fps, 4K recording capabilities for vlogging.
• Be aware that higher resolution recording can be time limited due to camera overheating – see the reviews below.

Rear Screen & Touch Interface

Although not as important as some of the other criteria looked at here, the vlogging camera flip screen size and resolution should also be considered, as larger, more high res screens are much easier to see, particularly as you are likely to be looking at them from a distance of a few feet.

A touch interface on this screen also comes in very handy, as it often lets you set autofocus points, change the exposure compensation, and more, all without having to go round the back of the camera and find the relevant buttons. Although you don’t need a touch screen, you will know from using a phone camera how much easier it makes camera operations.

Internal Microphone & Mic Input

Video quality is of course important when vlogging, but audio quality is often wrongly overlooked. Though some cameras, like the Lumix G100, have multiple internal microphones that is suited for picking up voices while excluding other noise, for the absolute best audio quality, you should look at cameras with external mic inputs.

• A camera with external mic is light years ahead of using the same camera but only with the internal mic.

There are a few good options in the microphone for vlogging market, but I, and many others, would consider the best vlogging microphone to be the Rode VideoMic, although there are also well reviewed budget options from Comica.

It’s also a good idea to have a camera with a headphone socket, so that you can monitor audio while recording it. Of course this is less useful if you are filming yourself, as you don’t want unsightly wires in the shot. Bluetooth earbuds with a receiver that connects to a standard headphone jack can be a useful investment in this situation.

Internal Stabilization

I would consider some form of internal image stabilization to be essential for my own vlogging needs, although whether this matters to you will depend on how often you intend to use the camera on a fixed surface or tripod.

In-body image stabilization (IBIS) reduces camera shake and helps make videos sharper, often by having the sensor mounted on a plate that can move in 5-axes to offset motion imparted by your hands. Cheaper cameras will have IBIS that digitally offsets the motion by cropping the frame, moving the recorded picture to cope with any hand shake.

Lens stabilization (called OSS for Sony, IS for Canon, or VR for Nikon), works in tandem with IBIS to reduce any camera shake still further. Often, lens stabilization alone is sufficient for stable videos, but the most current forms of IBIS, as seen on the Sony A7 series of cameras, really is incredibly useful.

Autofocus Performance

Effective autofocus (AF) should be able to accurately track subjects as they move around the frame, and it should always be easy for you to select this subject in the first place, either via button control or preferably a touch screen.

Cheaper vlogging cameras often offer poorer AF control, and can ‘hunt’ when tracking subjects, moving in and out of focus. Top end cameras, which we are focusing on here, have additional AF features like the eye detect found in the Sony A6400, where you can select either the left eye, right eye, or both eyes of a subject for the camera to always keep in focus.

If you are regularly shooting in a studio, then AF may not be important to you. Conversely, if you are shooting videos in low light environments, then AF quality may be more important. AF requires some light to work effectively, but the light levels at which AF tends to fail vary from model to model.

For example, the top end Sony A7C has AF that works down to -4 EV (a 1-second exposure taken at an aperture of f/1.0 is the reference figure 0 EV, which means the A7C has working AF at 4 stops below this). This is pretty standard among models reviewed here, although it is possible to get even better AF performance than this if you are willing to give up a flip screen, as the Sony a7S III has usable AF down to EV -6, which is only just enough light to see with the human eye.

• Every camera reviewed here has easy to use, effective AF.

Usability, Battery Life & Weight

It can be difficult to tell how easy a camera is to use in real life, by just reading reviews like this one. I’ve tried to cover usability below, as far as I can, but remember that how easy a camera is for you to use will depend on your general videography experience. Camera weight, size and ergonomics plays into usability, but the importance of these are more subjective, as it depends on how much studio versus in-the-field shooting you will be doing.

• Every camera seen here has been thoroughly tested for usability, from beginners to experts.

Battery life is a useful characteristic if you will be away from a charger for any length of time. Some cameras, like the Sony A7C can receive power via USB, meaning that once the internal battery has been depleted, you can use a standard USB powerbank that you might otherwise use for you phone or other devices. Generally, batteries should be easy to change, though some models have the battery compartment blocked when a tripod quick release plate is attached, making battery changes much slower and more involved.

Value for Money

Every vlogging camera with flip screen reviewed here meets my criteria for value for money. The cameras all cover a variety of potential uses, from studio to outdoor videography, and with cameras suitable for beginners up to more expert users. Ultimately, to get the best camera with flip screen for you, you want to think about the current and future uses that you will have for a vlogging camera, and ideally should pick one that you can grow into.

If you intend to use the camera for business purposes, then it might be wise to try to push your budget to gain higher quality videos. In general, this strategy will also save you from having to upgrade in the near future.

Reviews of the Best Cameras with Flip Screen

Read the full reviews of vlogging cameras with flip screens below. There are many more potential models available, but these few meet the strict criteria I have documented above, and cover all budgets and potential use cases.

Sony A6400

An excellent budget choice for studio-based vloggers

If you are looking for a cheap Sony camera with flip screen, then the Sony A6400 should be on your list. It’s very similar to the more expensive Sony A6600, but without the in body image stabilization, and with an older model of battery that doesn’t hold charge quite as well.

The A6400 has nearly the same size, weight and ergonomics as the A6600, with a touchscreen that flips up 180 degrees, one of the fastest, most accurate AF systems currently available, and a large ISO range, from 100 – 32,000 native, but expandable up to 102,400.

The AF is the real key part of this camera, with eye tracking abilities letting you select individual eyes of your subject to keep in focus as they move about the frame, although this feature is only available when shooting stills. Unfortunately, it’s common among manufacturers to limit the best AF modes to only still photography, not videography. Nonetheless, the real-time tracking AF is still very good when recording video.

Although the ISO range looks good on paper, you will struggle to get really clean video when above ISO 1600, due to the APS-C sized sensor and the relatively low cost of this model – strong low light performance tends to be found on only the more expensive cameras.

As a vlogging camera with flip screen, you can shoot video in Sony’s proprietary S-log format which preserves dynamic range and color for later editing, and you can record 4K footage at 30 fps.

Ultimately, the A6400 is most suited for studio based photographers where image stabilization, battery life and low light performance are not an issue, as you will most likely be using a tripod, will have power supplies nearby, and have good lighting. In this case, the Sony A6400 is the best affordable vlogging camera, but if you will be vlogging in the field, then in my opinion, the benefits of the A6600 outweigh the extra cost.

Pros:

• Flip-up screen
• Uses interchangeable lenses, with a large selection available
• Relatively large APS-C sensor records clean footage in good light
• No recording limit on videos
• Not prone to overheating when recording
• Can record 4K / 30 fps footage, or 1080p / 120fps
• No rolling shutter when recording in 1080p
• In-camera timelapse and slow-mo features
• You can view a histogram of the video during recording
• Mic jack to connect an external microphone
• Electronic viewfinder is useful in bright conditions, and to extend battery life even further
• Small and light, at 14.22 ounces (403 g)
• Good ergonomics – easy to hold and the buttons fall naturally where your fingers want them

Cons:

• No in body image stabilization
• No headphone jack for monitoring audio while recording (but you can work around this using the HDMI slot and an appropriate adapter)
• Slight crop to the frame when shooting at 1080p / 120fps
• Less strong low light performance than the A6600
• Poor battery life
• Some buttons are blocked when the screen is flipped up
• An external mic or flash in the hotshoe partially blocks the screen from flipping up
• ‘Rolling shutter’ effects when recording in 4K – not suitable for fast action recording

Read More Reviews and See the Sony A6400

Sony A6600

The best vlogging camera with flip screen for everyday and in-the-field use

The Sony A6600 is the current final iteration of the A6000 Sony vlogging camera with flip screen lineup, containing the best of all other models in this range, and approaching the A7 series for video quality but at a much lower price point.

It hits the same high points as the A6400 above, with video recording in 4K at 30 fps, and 1080p at 120 fps, and a standard ISO range of 100 – 32,000 (expandable to 102,400). In fact, the APS-C sensor in the A6600 is the same as the A6400, but with improved image processing technology and autofocus, meaning the AF system works with eye detect (left eye, right eye, or both) for both still photography and videography.

So, why does the A6600 beat the A6400?

• The A6400 has 5-stops worth of in body image stabilization
• A higher quality battery gives longer shooting time
• Low light performance is better, with no noise until about ISO 6400
• Inclusion of a headphone jack for monitoring audio during recording
• AF eye tracking during videos

The A6600 might at first seem to be quite an expensive choice, but as this is an interchangeable lens camera, unlike some of the cheaper models, you have the option of adding a wide variety of lenses to create a really unique look to your videos. This may be wasted on you if you are studio-based, but for those who need to create videos quickly in the field, this opens up the options to make professional-quality videos.

The low light performance is enough on its own to justify this camera, in my opinion, with effectively noiseless video recorded up to ISO 6400. Pair this with the 5 stops of in body camera stabilization, and you have outstanding low light performance, meaning you don’t need a tripod for the vast majority of your work. Don’t underestimate how much this will speed up your video production.

Pros:

• 180 degree flip screen
• Relatively large APS-C sensor and large range of lenses can be used
• 5-axis in body image stabilization to minimize camera shake
• Autofocus allows real time eye tracking, even when recording video
• Separate headphone and mic jacks
• 14+ stops of dynamic range can be captured when recording videos in S-Log3
• No overheating issues
• No recording time limits
• No rolling shutter in 1080p / 120fps
• In camera timelapse and slow-mo
• Excellent battery life
• Electronic viewfinder is useful in bright conditions, and to extend battery life even further
• Small size and weight, with great ergonomics – easy to carry and use
• The best vlogging camera with flip screen for most people

Cons:

• As with the A6400, no dedicated charger included – you must charge batteries in the camera unless you buy one
• An external mic in the hotshoe will block the flip screen as it only flips up, so a separate mount should be used
• Some rolling shutting in 4K / 30 fps (but better than the A6400)
• Slight crop to the frame when shooting at 1080p / 120fps
• A couple of buttons are blocked when the screen is flipped up
• Relatively expensive

Read More Reviews and See the Sony A6600

Sony A7C

The best vlogging camera with flip screen if budget is not an issue

The Sony A7C is a truly stunning camera, that comes with an associated very high price tag. It takes an evolutionary step from the A6000 series of cameras, and although it looks very similar to the A6600, it adds a full frame sensor with Bionz X image processor, oversampled 4K video recording at 30 fps, and a fully articulating touchscreen. It is essentially a blend of the A6600 and the A7III, in a very vlogger friendly package with no time limits on recording or overheating issues in everyday use.

The autofocus has been upgraded with additional refinements. Like the A6600, it tracks faces as they move around the frame with ease, but there are now settings to control how willing the camera is to refocus if the person leaves the frame or new people enter, along with the speed that the autofocus motor should move. This gives professional options to your videos, with the AF system either slowly pulling focus, or rapidly switching to a new subject depending your preference. And you can always tap on the touchscreen to select a new subject to lock onto.

Low light video performance is exemplary, particularly with Sony’s new 5-axis in body image stabilization to help prevent camera shake (which is smaller and lighter than the A6600 version), and an ISO range of 100 – 51,200 as standard (extendable to 102,400).

The flip screen is of the most recent, fully articulating type, allowing you to move it out to the side, or flip it over to face the body, preventing scratches when in transit. You are therefore able to use an external mic in the hotshoe, without compromising the ability of the screen to flip. Talking of mics, there is a separate mic and headphone jack, allowing you to monitor audio as you record.

Overall, if you have the budget, you are unlikely to find a better vlogging camera with flip screen than the Sony A7C. The full frame sensor and interchangeable lenses unlocks a massive amount of potential to create truly stunning videos, in pretty much all conditions.

Pros:

• Fully articulated touch flip screen can be moved into a huge variety of positions
• Flip screen does not block the hotshoe or any buttons
• Large full frame sensor with no crop factor at 4K / 24 fps
• Wide range of lenses available
• Responsive and powerful autofocus that tracks subjects almost flawlessly, even in low light – the best on the market
• Very long life NP-FZ100 battery
• Separate mic and headphone jacks
• No overheating or recording time limit issues
• Electronic viewfinder is useful in bright conditions, and to extend battery life even further
• Small and light (only slightly bigger than the A6600) and very easy to use – buttons and dials fall naturally under your fingers and thumbs
• Includes 5 GHz WiFi connection to connect to your phone

Cons:

• Most expensive camera in this article
• Some rolling shutter at 4K / 24 fps (less at 30 fps)
• Slight crop (1.2x) at 30 fps (the full sensor is used at 24 fps)
• Only 8-bit video recording, like the other Sony cameras

Read More Reviews and See the Sony A7C

Sony ZV-1

The best cheap vlogging camera with flip screen (or even the best vlogging camera with flip screen for travel uses)

Sony’s newest camera that is specifically built for vloggers, the Sony ZV-1 contains many of the best parts of their earlier models of cameras, but in a much smaller, cheaper package and with enhancements that will be specifically useful to vloggers such as high speed shooting in addition to 4K at 30 fps, with a relatively low price making it the best budget vlogging camera.

Although there are some limitations, I would rank the ZV-1 as a top vlogging camera, if not the best Sony camera for vlogging within its price point. With this camera, you get a number of vlogging friendly features that are unique to this model, including:

• A flip out touchscreen that moves to the side, meaning the hotshoe and buttons on the back of the camera are not blocked
• An obvious recording lamp on the front, so you know when you are filming
• Optimized grip designed to be held as comfortably from the front as the back, for selfie recording
• Compatible with Sony’s GP-VPT2BT wireless grip
• Directional 3-capsule microphone, with included wind screen, plus mic jack and hotshoe to attach an external mic, not found on the previous iteration of this model
• Background defocus button to give a professional bokeh and keep attention on you

There are of course some negatives, as you would expect in a relatively low cost camera, with the main ones being the 1 inch sensor, instead of APS-C or even full frame, and the inability to change lenses. Despite that, the apparent focal length of the built-in lens is 24 – 70 mm, which gives you a good range for most uses. This focal length is most suited for videoing people and street scenes, rather than landscapes or wildlife, but this should be acceptable for most vloggers.

The ZV-1 takes the autofocus system from the A6000 series of cameras, and includes face tracking modes and real-time eye autofocus. For those shooting product reviews, the Product Showcase mode automatically pulls focus from your face to any objects brought in front of the camera, with the face auto exposure ensuring that you are always bright and clear within the frame.

Selective background defocus is a nice touch for pro-level bokeh, and the digital ND filter aids this, letting you shoot at wide apertures, even in bright light, with the fantastic internal mic largely eliminating the need for an external microphone. If you value a small size and light weight camera with fantastic performance for its price, then the Sony ZV-1 should be at the top of your list.

If you’re still not convinced, then don’t forget the the ability to shoot at 960 fps at a 1080p resolution, which is not found on any other camera in this article.

Pros:

• Side flip-out touchscreen that doesn’t impede on the hotshoe or any buttons
• Excellent internal mic that captures sound around the camera, and includes wind screen
• Mic jack and hotshoe for an external mic
• The same autofocus as found on Sony’s top camera models, and includes real-time eye tracking
• Shoots footage at 4K / 30fps, or 120 / 240 / 480 / 960 fps at 1080p (upscaled footage about 120 fps)
• No 4K time limit or overheating issues
• Soft skin effect for smoothing skin tones
• Front recording lamp to show you when you are recording
• Well designed ergonomics so that the camera is as easy to hold from the front as the back
• Very small and light, at 10.4 ounces (294g)
• Compatible with the excellent Sony bluetooth shooting grip

Cons:

• Relatively short battery life
• Lens can’t be changed
• Only a 1 inch sensor, so poor low light performance
• No headphone jack for monitoring audio while recording
• Battery must be charged in the camera, unless you buy a separate charger
• No in body image stabilization (but there are steady shot modes that crop the frame to hide camera shake)

Read More Reviews and See the Sony ZV-1

Fujifilm X-T4

The highest quality 4K video recording of any camera in this article

If absolute video quality is your main metric to decide the best camera with flip up screen, then the Fuji X-T4 should be on your radar. Although it is a few hundred dollars more than the Sony A6600, it is otherwise a pretty decent camera for vlogging.

With the same APS-C sensor as the well-regarded previous model, the X-T3, video quality is excellent, particularly when paired with the all new 6.5 stops of in body image stabilization. This beats out the Sony’s with an otherwise impressive 5 stops of IBIS, and allows for smooth footage even when shooting handheld.

The fully articulated touchscreen is the best vlogging camera flip screen currently available, allowing you to set autofocus points and swipe to change various options without having to go behind the camera.

Video can be recorded in 10-bit at 60 fps in 4K, and at up to 240 fps in 1080p, meaning that slow-mo recording is possible in 4K. Bear in mind though, that there is a crop of 1.17 x when shooting 4K at 60 fps, with no crop when shooting at 24 fps. Also, for high speed recordings, audio is not recorded when above 60 fps, and there is a 4K recording time limit of 29 mins 59 secs.

Clean footage can be shot at up to ISO 3,200, which is good, though not impressive when compared to the ISO 6,400 of the Sony A6600, but low light recording should be a breeze with the 6.5 stop IBIS.

The autofocus has face and eye tracking, as is common among cameras in this price range, and this works very well, allowing you to hit record and not have to worry that the footage will be in focus. The AF is fast and accurate, quickly focusing on any faces that enter the frame, with eye and face detect barely thrown by sunglasses or hats on subjects.

Unlike the Sony’s, there is a negative relating to the ergonomics and ease of use. The camera is relatively small and light, at 21.4 ounces (607g), but this is notably heavier than the 17.7 ounce (503g) Sony A6600, and also the controls are not suited to holding and using the camera from the front. I do like Fuji’s button design and placement from a design standpoint, but it can make selfie vlogging harder.

Pros:

• Fully articulating touch flip-screen
• Screen does not block the hotshoe or any buttons when flipped
• Relatively large APS-C sensor
• Large selection of high quality lenses
• Shoots 4K at up to 60fps and 1080p at up to 240 fps
• No crop when shooting 4K / 24 fps
• Shoots 10-bit video for large dynamic range and color capture
• No overheating issues
• Mic input for external mics
• Large capacity NP-W235 battery for long battery life
• High-quality electronic viewfinder for use in bright conditions
• Can use Fuji’s film emulation modes

Cons:

• Batteries must be charged in the camera, unless you buy an external charger
• No headphone socket for monitoring audio during recording (though you can get this from the micro HDMI jack with an adapter or the USB-C port)
• Slight rolling shutter when shooting 4K / 24 fps
• No audio recording when shooting over 60 fps
• Cropped 4K video when recording at 60 fps
• Fairly poor on-board microphone (high noise)
• Recording time limit of 29 mins 59 secs
• Slightly larger and heavier than the A6600

Read More Reviews and See the Fuji X-T4

Lumix G100

An excellent choice for best budget vlogging camera with a flip screen

With an easy to use interface, very reasonable price, and high video quality when shooting 4K at 30 fps, the Lumix G100 makes an excellent choice for those looking for something small and compact for video recording. Aimed at those vlogging, the G100 is designed for those new to filmmaking, but has enough traditional camera ergonomics and customizable power under the hood to also appeal to more knowledgeable users.

The microphones would on first glance appear to be unsubstantial, but Panasonic claim that the camera can track audio subjects, even isolating their voices from background noise using the Nokia Ozo microphones. Happily, this works very well from both the front and rear mics, plus a further internal mic, with all mics automatically switching to track voices around the camera, with them also being integrated to the autofocus face tracking. Any sound that is not coming from you is therefore reduced, meaning other conversations and external noise are pushed low in the mix. It may not have quite the sound quality of a dedicated mic with windshield, but there is a mic input and hotshoe to turn this into an excellent vlogging camera with mic.

The rear 3-inch screen is fully articulated and touch enabled, letting you select AF points anywhere on screen, as well as being able to fully review your photos and videos in detail using the 1,840 pixels in the screen. The autofocus itself is perhaps the greatest weakness of this camera, but this is based only on the very strong competition that the Sony’s offer.

Finally, the G100 can be said to fall down in low light capabilities, with video looking grainy as the ISO gets into four figures. This is not surprising given the size of the sensor (which is four thirds, below APS-C size), and is a trade-off from the overall smallness of the camera. You should also remember that this is the cheapest 4K camera for filmmaking that produces quality video. If you’re shooting in daylight, or bright lights indoors, and want something easily portable and suitable for easy day to day use, then the Lumix G100 is a very strong choice.

Pros:

• Fully articulated touch flip screen
• Screen does not impinge on the hotshoe or any buttons when flipped
• Audio tracking using on-board mics is one of the best available
• Mic input for an external microphone
• Shoots 4K footage at 30 fps
• No overheating issues
• Good range of compatible lenses
• A red frame appears around the screen when recording, as a recording indicator
• Small and light, at 12.4 ounces (352g) including batteries

Cons:

• Autofocus is worse than on Sony cameras
• Smaller sensor than APS-C cameras, so worse low light performance
• No headphone socket for monitoring audio during recording
• Battery charges within the camera, unless you buy an external charger
• No ‘real’ IBIS (electronic stabilization only)
• Only micro USB port, not USB-C, so no way to monitor audio

Read More Reviews and See the Lumix G100

Canon M6 Mark II

The best Canon camera for vlogging, and an excellent choice for beginners

The M6 MkII has Canon’s latest DIGIC 8 image processor and an APS-C sensor capable of shooting 4K video at 30 fps, and 1080p footage at 120 fps. With a similar size and weight to the Sony A6400, but as a more recent model with upgraded features, yet at around the same price point, the M6 MkII is a real competitor to the Sony cameras.

The Dual Pixel CMOS AF matches that seen in larger, more expensive models, and means that you have eye tracking AF in video mode. Although this isn’t as strong as Sony’s offering, it still makes a very strong addition to the camera, and you can still select focal points with the touchscreen.

This Canon vlogging camera with flip screen sees the same issues as the Sony A6400, in that the screen flips up, effectively blocking the hotshoe. You would therefore need to use a separate mount if you wanted to record external audio via the mic input, while using the flip screen.

Slow motion videos are a real possibility without losing too much video quality thanks to the 120 fps 1080p recording mode, although you cannot use AF when shooting at this frame rate. Note that if you choose to use image stabilization when shooting video, the edges of the frame are cropped out, as the stabilization is performed entirely through image processing, not through physically moving the sensor.

With excellent image quality, responsive AF and minimal rolling shutter issues making this camera even suitable for fast moving subjects, the Canon M6 Mk II is the best Canon camera for vlogging, and well suited to those just starting out in videography.

Pros:

• 180 degree flip screen
• 4K video at 30 fps with no crop
• Good selection of lenses available (but less than for other mounts)
• Shoots 4K at 30 fps, and 1080p at 120 fps
• Powerful and accurate Dual Pixel autofocus for 4K footage with face and eye detect
• No overheating or time limit issues
• Well-suited to beginners
• Small and light, at 14.4 ounces (409 g)

Cons:

• Screen blocks the hotshoe when flipped
• 4K video not quite as high quality as that on the comparable Sony models
• Poor battery life
• No autofocus when shooting at 120 fps
• Image stabilization crops the frame
• Electronic viewfinder is optional and must be attached to the hotshoe
• No headphone jack for monitoring audio

Read More Reviews and See the Canon M6 MkII

Note: The Canon M50 Mark I and II are also good choices for vlogging cameras with flip screens, and come in as one of the cheapest cameras in this article. Availability is currently limited, but these are good models to look out for if you are not bothered about usable 4K footage, and can make do with 1080p, as the autofocus does not work in 4K, and there is a massive 2.56 x crop.

Other Good Options for Cameras for Vloggers

There are a few more left-field models that would be suitable for vlogging, that don’t really have a flip screen, that would be worth considering, as well as a handful of other models that don’t quite meet all of my strict requirements, but might still work well for you.

Gopro Hero 9

You might not think of Gopros as being the best video camera for vlogging, due to their reputation as action cameras, but the new front facing screen on the Hero 9, in addition to the larger rear screen, makes them much better placed for vloggers.

This front screen isn’t perfect of course, being pretty low resolution and not having the highest frame rate, but it is still perfectly acceptable for seeing yourself and framing the shot.

But where the Hero 9 really shines is in its small size and wide range of possible use cases. If you are looking for the best waterproof vlogging camera, then Gopros are your best bet. The Hero 9 is waterproof down to 33 feet (10 m) natively, with an additional case available to take this down to 196 feet (60 m).

Video specs are impressive, with the Hero 9 now able to record at 5K / 30 fps, without major overheating issues (although it does get hot), as well as 4K at 60 fps and 1080p at 120 fps. There is an in-camera slow-mo mode, and the Hindsight feature which allows you to save up to the last 30 seconds of footage from before you pressed the record button.

The updated Hypersmooth 3.0 technology allows for stable horizons, effectively working as electronic in body image stabilization, which is improved with the Max Lens mod.

In fact, mods are a big part of the Hero 9. They are accessories that can increase the functionality of the camera, and include:

• Max Lens Mod – A wider angle lens that gives a greater field of view, while also increasing the usability of Hypersmooth, for rock steady footage.
• Light Mod – Which can either be used standalone or attaches to the Media Mod to provide extra lighting
• Media Mod – Includes a directional mic with wind suppression, plus a mic out and HDMI port, among other ports.
• Smart Remote – For controlling the Hero 9 from up to 600 ft (180 m) away.

Sure, the Hero 9 has a small sensor and is limited to wide angle focal lengths, but the very small size and weight, combined with wide range of environments in which you can use the camera may be much more valuable to you.

Pros:

• Front facing screen and rear touch screen
• Can record at 5K / 30 fps, along with faster frame rates at lower resolutions
• Waterproof and pretty shockproof, even without a case
• Vast range of possible uses
• Lens is detachable and mods can be added
• In-camera modes like Hypersmooth, Timelapse and Hindsight are genuinely useful

Cons:

• Limited to wide angle focal lengths
• Mods can really up the price
• Small sensor so footage will never look as good as the other true cameras featured here
• Poor low light performance

Read More Reviews and See the Gopro Hero 9

DJI Pocket 2

If you’re interested in a very small camera that is more suited to vloggers than a Gopro, then the DJI Pocket 2 makes a good case to be the best camera for travel vlogging. As a small camera with front screen and a built-in grip, it’s very easy to shoot selfie videos, particularly thanks to the gimbal stabilization, which offers an excellent alternative to IBIS.

The shape, size and ergonomics make the Pocket 2 well suited to walking and talking more than any other camera in this article, and the ability to shoot in 4K at 60 fps is certainly welcome.

The front screen is touch enabled, and all of the buttons fall naturally under your thumb, whether you use the camera right or left handed. Additional accessories like the wireless microphone help you to create more professional videos with this, although you are always going to be limited by the relatively small sensor size.

The sensor is 1/1.7 inches, which is larger than the Gopro Hero 9’s 1/2.3 inch sensor, but much smaller than the APS-C or full frame cameras featured earlier. The lens is also fixed at a relative focal length of 20mm, so you will be stuck with wide angle shots for all of your videos, but you are able to record in 4K at 60 fps, which is a strong result.

There is also decent autofocus, and a combination of four microphones on the handle to dynamically record voices around the camera, depending on where the lens is pointing.

It’s not the perfect camera, but for those shooting a lot of outdoor videos of themselves walking and talking, particularly within cities or other crowded areas, the Pocket 2 punches above its wait.

Pros:

• Front facing touch screen
• Records 4K at 60 fps, along with higher frame rates at a lower resolution
• 3-axis gimbal stabilization for clean footage
• Very small and light, with excellent ergonomics
• Extremely easy to use and very portable
• Compatible with some useful accessories

Cons:

• Fixed 20mm focal length
• Battery life not fantastic
• You must register the camera with the DJI app on your phone, or it will stop working
• Small sensor, so low video quality
• Poor low light performance due to sensor size

Read More Reviews and See the DJI Pocket 2

Canon G7X Mark III: Poor AF and it overheats quickly – these problems are less apparent with the preceding Mark II model, which is the best point and shoot camera for vlogging, but this has no mic jack.

Panasonic Lumix G7: Limited battery life and model is now a few years old, but very reasonably priced.

Panasonic Lumix LX10: No microphone or headphone ports, but cheap.

Sony A7III: Excellent camera, but superseded by the Sony A7C.

Nikon Z50: Too bulky for easy vlogging, but otherwise an excellent camera.

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