The 7 Best Sony Camera for Vlogging in 2024

Best Sony vlogging cameras for vlogging

As a vlogger, the cameras that I find the most friendly for this job are Sony. They manage to bring together the best of DSLRs and compact cameras in a single product. 

They’ve improved their autofocus system so much over the last years, that now have arguably the best eye-tracking autofocus. It’s fast, accurate, and reliable, and can only be matched by Canon’s Dual-Pixel system.

That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best Sony cameras for vlogging and update it every year. And we’ll also show you the best Sony lenses for vlogging at the bottom of the page.

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Our Top Choices

Mirrorless or Point and Shoot? Which One is Better for Vlogging?

The best choice will depend a lot on your personal preference. There are advantages and disadvantages to each one.

  • Point and shoot cameras: pocketable and easy to carry, but you can’t upgrade the lens, and they have a small sensor that will make them lose a lot of quality in low light.
  • Mirrorless cameras: slightly bigger and heavier, but you can upgrade the lens and they have large sensors that will give you better quality in low light.

Another thing you should take into account is that even though compact cameras can’t upgrade the lens, they come with very high-quality lenses already, so if you’re not a power user, you won’t need a lens upgrade anyway.

If you just want a camera for vlogging, then a good point and shoot will give you what you need. But if you want to use your camera for more and love taking pictures and shooting video, a mirrorless will give you what you want.

1) Sony ZV-1 II

Sony ZV-1 II Vlog Camera for Content Creators and Vloggers - Black

The Good

  • 4k recording
  • All the features for vlogging in a small size

The Bad

  • Loss of quality in low light
  • Pricey for a compact

Check on Amazon

Stabilization: Optical | Resolution: 2160p30 (4k) | Weight: 294g (0.65 lb)

This is Sony’s best point-and-shoot camera for vlogging, and it’s been a huge success since its release for good reasons.

It can record top-quality 4kp30 video, and it comes with a fast 24-70mm f/1.8 lens with stabilization, flip screen, and the eye-tracking autofocus is simply excellent.

You won’t have to worry about the camera getting out of focus, and it even comes with a cool product showcase mode for when you’re doing a product review and need to change the focus constantly between you and the product — and it works pretty well.

It’s also one of the few point-and-shoot to come with external mic input. But something that vloggers will love is that the built-in microphone is directional, so it really doesn’t sound bad at all without an external mic plugged in. The camera is able to pick up your voice clearly over the background noise, which is great if you think carrying a microphone around is annoying — like me.

The software also makes everything about vlogging easier. You can upload your files easily through a wireless connection with your smartphone, and you can record in vertical mode and get the format that you need for social media automatically. And finally, it also has slow-motion and time-lapse modes.

For most people who are simply looking for the best vlogging camera, this should be their main option.

2) Sony Alpha ZV-E10

Sony Alpha ZV-E10 - APS-C Interchangeable Lens Mirrorless Vlog Camera Kit - Black

The Good

  • Top quality 4k for a fair price
  • Good for low light and Bokeh effect (APS-C Sensor)
  • Great continuous autofocus
  • Flip Screen, hot-shoe, and mic jack

The Bad

  • No in-body stabilization

Check on Amazon

Stabilization: No | Resolution: 2160p30 (4k) | Weight: 343g (0.76 lb)

The Alpha ZV-E10 is Sony’s reimagination of the ZV-1 in a mirrorless body. This means that you get basically the same software as the ZV-1 with the same 4kp30 recording quality.

So, like with the ZV-1, the autofocus works pretty well with its eye-tracking and product showcase modes. You can record in vertical mode for easy upload to your smartphone, and it has slow-motion and time-lapse modes.

The main differences are that it comes in a bigger size, with a bigger sensor —making it better for low light—, and has an interchangeable lens.

However, one big disadvantage is the lack of in-body stabilization. This means that you’ll have to get a lens with optical stabilization if you want to use it for vlogging. These lenses are more expensive and heavier than normal lenses, and their result is not as smooth as using OIS together with in-body stabilization.

To compensate, the camera has electronic stabilization, which is not bad, but it adds a crop of 1.44x to the image. This makes the frame smaller when activated, which is not so good when vlogging and trying to give viewers a wide field of view.

This is the camera I’d recommend if you plan to upgrade to better lenses with OIS in the long run and want better image quality in low light and a more intense Bokeh (blur background) effect.

But if you’re looking for the ultimate vlogging camera and don’t care about any extras, the ZV-1 will be a better option for you thanks to the stabilization.

3) Sony a7S III – Highest Quality Video Camera

sony a7rii, the best vlogging camera for youtube in 2016

The Good

  • Amazing for low light (Full-frame sensor)
  • Stunning 4k video at 120p
  • Great image stabilization
  • External mic input and flip screen

The Bad

  • Expensive
  • Heavier than most Mirrorless cameras

Check on Amazon

Sensor: Full-Frame | Stabilization: 5-Axis | Resolution: 2160p120 (4k) | Weight: 699g (1.54 lb)

The Sony A7SIII is a high-end full-frame mirrorless camera made for recording video like no other can.

The first thing that you’ll notice is the capacity of recording in 4k at 120fps. This allows you to get ultra-slow motion 4k video, and it’s something you can’t find in almost any consumer camera.

But the ability to record 4k isn’t the most impressive thing about it. It’s the best mirrorless for low-light thanks to its full-frame but also due to its amazing image quality at high ISOs.

And for vlogging, it comes with all the features that need: flip screen, external mic jack, the best autofocus in the market, and top-end image stabilization.

Its 5-axis image stabilization can be used together with a lens with optical stabilization, which is already enough to deliver smooth videos. However, if you also use electronic stabilization, you will get basically the same result as using a gimbal.

The compact ZV-1 also has electronic stabilization, but the added crop factor is a big deal that will make it unusable for most vloggers. However, since the a7S III is a full-frame camera, you have a large frame available for cropping, so the result is much more useful.

So if you decide that you want to go all-in and truly want to commit to Youtube and vlogging, the Sony A7S II is probably the best option in the market. There’s a reason why the Sony a7S lineup is used by top vloggers like Jake Paul.

But for most vloggers, it is a lot more than what they need to record nice videos. It’s a really expensive camera, and it’s not that easy to carry since, like any other full-frame, it weighs a lot more, and the lenses are also heavier.

4) Sony RX100 VII

Sony RX100 VII Premium Compact Camera with 1.0-type stacked CMOS sensor (DSCRX100M7)

The Good

  • High-quality lens
  • Excellent image stabilization
  • Great autofocus
  • EVF and flash for photography

The Bad

  • No flip screen

Check on Amazon

Stabilization: Yes | Resolution: 2160p30 (4k) | Weight: 10.7oz (302g)

The Sony RX100 VII might not be targeted specifically at vloggers, but it’s still an excellent little camera for filmmakers. But vloggers can use it too and feel very comfortable with it.

The main things this one has that the ZV-1 doesn’t is an electronic viewfinder, a flash, and 20fps burst speeds (versus 11fps in the ZV-1). These are features that any photographer and filmmaker that is used to be behind the camera will want.

The viewfinder allows you to see clearly through the lens without worrying about the LCD screen lacking brightness during the day, and it also gives you more information to get the perfect exposure.

It comes with good image stabilization, which lets you record while moving without making your video shaky, it has an external mic input and a flip screen. These are the basic things you need for vlogging. Everything else is just extra, so it might be a good tradeoff if you’re looking to do more than just vlogging.

What seals the deal is that it can record 4k video and that has a good maximum lens aperture for a compact camera —f/1.8 at wide. This lets the camera capture more light indoors or on foggy days.

It might not have the vertical video mode, product showcase autofocus, and the built-in microphone isn’t as good for vlogging, but it’s a better machine for things that aren’t vlogging. So it is a camera we recommend for users who want a little camera to travel with, take pictures and more.

5) Sony a6400

Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera: Compact APS-C Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with Real-Time Eye Auto Focus, 4K Video, Flip Screen & 16-50mm Lens - E Mount Compatible - ILCE-6400L/B, Black

The Good

  • Top 4k quality
  • APS-C sensor
  • All needed features for vlogging
  • Small and lightweight

The Bad

  • No in-body stabilization

Check on Amazon

Stabilization: No | Resolution: 2160p30 (4k) | Weight: 403g (1.45 lb)

The Sony a6400 is one of those cameras that with one simple change would’ve been perfect for vlogging. It only lacks internal stabilization, so in a lot of ways, it’s very similar to the Alpha ZV-E10.

The good thing is that it has one of the best autofocus you’ll be able to find right now. It’s extremely accurate, and it’s the fastest autofocus available.

Its 4k recording quality is comparable to cameras that are near the $3000 mark, which is really far from this camera’s price.

It is lightweight, has an APS-C sensor, has a flip-up screen, and has an external microphone port.

However, bear in mind that if you use a shotgun microphone with this camera, it will cover the flip-up LCD screen and you won’t be able to use it.

If you want to use this type of mic, you will need a rig that allows you to set the mic to the side, instead of using the camera’s hot shoe.

But overall, its features make it a really good option for vloggers, and there’s no way I can’t complete this list without it.

Since it’s not marketed for vloggers, it doesn’t have the vertical video mode, the product showcase autofocus mode and the built-in microphone isn’t as good. However, it does come with an electronic viewfinder and a flash, which are features that you will find useful beyond vlogging.

Alternatively, the Sony a6500 is also a good alternative with stabilization, but no flip screen.

6) Sony Alpha 6100

Sony Alpha A6100 Mirrorless Camera with 16-50mm Zoom Lens, Black (ILCE6100L/B)

The Good

  • One of the most luggable mirrorless cameras
  • You get all the needed features for a good price
  • Good continuous autofocus 

The Bad

  • No in-body stabilization

Check on Amazon

Stabilization: No | Resolution: 4k | Weight: 396 g (0.87 lb / 13.97 oz)

This interchangeable lens camera gets you decent battery life for a mirrorless. It’s also lighter, has a touchscreen and you can find it for a price below the RX100’s, without losing too much of the quality.

You can record in 4k and 1080p at 120fps for slow motion, so you won’t be losing much of the recording capabilities for going for a lower-priced mirrorless.

And with the Sony a6100, you can also take advantage of the Alpha lineup’s excellent eye-tracking autofocus for a lower price, which has always been my favorite feature about them.

If you have a bigger budget, then I’d recommend you to get the a6400. It’s very similar, but it will give you a higher resolution of the EVF and environmental sealing to protect your camera from rain and dirt.

7) Sony DSC-HX99

Sony DSC-HX99 Compact Digital 18.2 MP Camera with 24-720 mm Zoom, 4K and Touchpad – Black

The Good

  • Lightweight
  • Flip-up screen​​​​​
  • World’s smallest camera with 24-720mm zoom lens — according to Sony

The Bad

  • Worst option for low-light recording
  • No external mic port

Check on Amazon

Stabilization: Yes | Resolution: 4k | Weight: 242 g (0.53 lb / 8.54 oz)

The Sony DSCHX99 is one good Sony flip-screen camera with features that are useful for vlogging but in a friendlier price range.

It can record in 4k and has WiFi, image stabilization, and a flip screen, all within a good price range. And even though it doesn’t have an external mic input, it’s still good value for vloggers.

It’s better to get just what you need instead of buying a fancier camera with features you might not need. That’s just what this camera offers, so I can’t leave it out of this list.

Naturally, the thing that suffers the most is its low-light performance. But this was to be expected at this price range.

In all considerations, the Sony DSCHX99 is one of the best Sony cameras for the sole purpose of vlogging.

Recommended Lenses

If you get a mirrorless, you’ll be able to choose what lens to use. Most of the cameras come with a kit lens, and even though they’re not the best, they do come with optical stabilization, which is a must-have if your camera doesn’t have stabilization.

But if you want to get a higher-quality lens from the start, I recommend going for a fixed, prime lens. Sony offers mainly two types of lenses:

  • Sony FE: these are made for the full-frame Sony a7 cameras, but they can be used in smaller sensors cameras too.
  • Sony E: these are for the rest of the Sony mirrorless cameras. They shouldn’t be used on full-frame sensor cameras.

Here’s my favorite selection for each:

Sony FE

Sale
Sony 35mm F2.8 Sonnar T FE ZA Full Frame Prime Fixed Lens
  • Features a bright maximum aperture of F2.8, compact dimensions and outstanding optical performance...
  • Minimum Focus Distance : 1.15 ft (0.35 m), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.12x
  • Carl Zeiss E-mount full-frame lens for Alpha a7 Series full frame camera bodies.Lens groups /...
Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2 Lens for Sony E-Mount
  • Smooth and reliable autofocus
  • Versatile full-frame lens
  • Excellent resolution and high contrast
Sony 16-35mm Vario-Tessar T FE F4 ZA OSS E-Mount Lens
  • Ideal for landscapes and the a7 series of full frame cameras, ZEISS T (T star) coating to reduce...
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 0.92 feet (0.28 m), Maximum Magnification ratio: 0. 19x, Focal-Length: 5/8 -...
  • Three ED glass elements suppress chromatic distortion, constant F4 maximum aperture throughout the...

Sony E

Sale
Sony SELP1650 16-50mm Power Zoom Lens (Silver, Bulk Packaging)
  • POWER ZOOM for smooth zooming with superb operability and quietness
  • ED glass and Aspherical lens elements for excellent performance with reduced aberrations
  • Built-in image stabilization
Sony SEL-20F28 E-Mount 20mm F2.8 Prime Fixed Lens
  • Superior Image Quality
  • Minimum Focus Distance : 0.66 feet (0.2 m), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.12x
  • Focal Length- 20 mm, Compact Length; Lens not Zoomable
Sale
Sony SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8 Prime Fixed Lens
  • Compact, lightweight fixed F1.8 lens.Angle of View (APS C) 44 °
  • Minimum Focus Distance : 0.99 ft (0.3 m), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.15x, Focal Length : 1.38...
  • New optical design for excellent peripheral sharpness and contrast, Built in image stabilization
Sony - E 10-18mm F4 OSS Wide-Angle Zoom Lens (SEL1018),Black
  • Angle of View (APS-C) - 109 ° – 76 °
  • Minimum focal length of 10 mm (15 mm in 35 mm-camera equivalency)
  • Minimum Focus Distance : 0.82 ft (0.25 m), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.1x