When looking for a fisheye vlogging camera, the first one you should check is the Canon VIXIA mini X. However, there are some things you must consider first before buying it. The best fisheye vlogging camera for you will depend a lot on your needs and your vlogging plans for the future.
You must know your video blogging goals and the downsides of a fisheye first. All this is necessary before you make a decision, since you will have to spend hundreds on a lens of this kind.
First, let’s make sure you truly need one.
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Why You Should Reconsider Getting a Fisheye Lens Camera for Vlogging
When you use a camera with wide-angle lens –like a fisheye- you need to take into account something called Perspective Distortion. This effect will cause the edges of your image to look unnaturally stretched.
You probably know this already since you’re looking specifically for a fisheye, but you should also know that long videos with this type of lens are uncomfortable for viewers. Making a long video with a fisheye lens can work against you; fisheye cameras cause the largest Perspective Distortion.
A good alternative to this problem is either:
- Using your fisheye lens for specific scenes that will improve with this type of lens
- Using a more natural wide-angle lens that won’t cause so much Perspective Distortion –which is done by using a lens with a focal length not lower than 35mm.
Now that you are warned, let’s see why I consider the Canon VIXIA mini X the best choice for most video bloggers that need a fisheye.
Why the Canon VIXIA mini X Is the Best Fisheye Camera (Most of the Time)
The Canon VIXIA mini X is the best fisheye for vlogging mainly because you can go from fisheye lens to a more natural wide angle, all thanks to its adjustable focal length range (zoom). It is also really comfortable to carry around and it has a flip screen.
This camera is one of those few small cameras that were made mainly for video recording. That’s why it comes with a mic output (which is almost mandatory for vlogging). If you bought a GoPro instead of this one, you would need to get an external recorder.
Anyways, I won’t talk much about the camera here, as I already wrote an in-depth review about it. What you should know right now is that, most of the time, you will be fine with the Canon VIXIA mini X.
Still, there are some other options you could consider depending on your situation.
Alternative #1 – Get an Interchangeable Lens Camera
One of the best investments you can make if you plan to keep recording in the long run is getting an interchangeable-lens camera. The most common examples are DSLRs, but Mirrorless cameras are also an option. Nevertheless, DSLRs can generally record for much longer time before their battery runs out.
DSLRs will give you a lot of quality for your vlogging and are a must have if you have a channel that needs great video quality (like makeup tutorials). You can get a normal focal length lens to use for most of your vlogs and a fisheye lens for situations that demand it.
Some popular fisheye lenses for different DSLR brands are the following:
Canon
- Opteka 6.5mm f/3.5 HD Fisheye Lens with Removable Hood for Canon
- Altura Photo 58MM 0.35x Fisheye Wide Angle Lens for Canon
- Rokinon HD8M-C 8mm f/3.5 HD Fisheye Lens with Removeable Hood for Canon DSLR 8-8mm
- Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens for Canon
- Rokinon FE8M-C 8mm F3.5 Fisheye Fixed Lens for Canon
Nikon
- Opteka 6.5mm f3.5 HD for Nikon Digital DSLR Cameras
- 52MM 0.35X Altura Photo Professional Super Fisheye w/ Macro Close Up for Nikon DSLR Cameras (only in America)
- Altura Photo 8mm f/3.5 Aspherical HD Fisheye Lens for NIKON DSLR Cameras (only in Amazon USA)
- Nikon AF DX NIKKOR 10.5mm f/2.8G ED Fixed Zoom Fisheye Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras
- Rokinon HD8M-N 8mm f/3.5 HD Fisheye Lens for Nikon DSLR 8-8mm (America and UK)
The thing when using DSLRs is that they are not comfortable to carry around at all. They are heavy and carrying their different lenses can be annoying. Make sure you don’t mind this before buying a fisheye for your DSLR.
Alternative #2 – Use a GoPro If You Want to Make Extreme Videos
Even though the Canon VIXIA mini X is great as a fisheye for vlogging, it can’t do what GoPro can.
They allow video makers show a good perspective of what they’re seeing as they do their unique activities. They’re also truly environmentally sealed. You can use them even under water (but read first each particular model specifications about its level of resistance before buying).
However, there’s no way to reduce their fisheye effect without damaging its image’s quality. This is the reason why you should only get one if you practice some kind of extreme sport. You can’t show your perspective while doing these activities with something that isn’t GoPro.
Still, don’t try to use a GoPro for every video you make, or you will end up boring your viewers with the Perspective Distortion and colors that this camera produces.
Will has been a full-time content creator since 2014. He’s an audio, video, and tech hobbyist dedicated to reviewing products and giving you the best tips he knows to grow your audience.