Top 10 Best Cameras with External Mic Input 2024

canon eos m50 with rode shotgun mic mounted on and a curious cat
This is my favorite camera with mic input. My own Canon EOS M50

It’s not enough to record high-quality videos. You also need high-quality audio, and the best and most efficient way to get better audio is by using a camera that allows external mics.

Not having to sync audio to the video can save you a lot of time. In the end, it will basically make filmmaking, be it for online content platforms like YouTube or for your real-life clients, easier for you.

I’ve tried so many cameras with mic input in my life, and I love them. I won’t buy one without it, as the audio is just so bad. Here are my top picks for recording video with top-notch audio.

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Top Favorite Picks

Camera Flip Screen Stabilization Resolution Price
Sony ZV-1 Mark II
Sony ZV-1 II Vlog Camera for Content Creators and Vloggers - Black
Yes Optical 2160p30 (4k)
$798.00
Canon EOS M50 Mark II
Canon EOS M50 Mark II Body Black
Yes No 2160p24 (4k)
$649.95
Fujifilm X-S10
Fujifilm X-S10 Mirrorless Camera Body - Black
Yes Yes 2160p30 (4k)
$919.99

First, all the mirrorless cameras you’re going to see here are interchangeable-lens cameras. If you want to save money in the long run —you will end up paying more today, but you’ll get a lot more quality from your camera and save yourself a lens upgrade—read my article about lenses.

Secondly, here’s a list of good microphones for vlogging. Some of them are perfect for these cameras since you can connect them to their external input. It’s one of the most visited and commented articles on this site, so make sure to go there to check some good mic prices.

Now let’s start.

Our Favorites for Vlogging

Sony ZV-1 Mark II

Sony ZV-1 Mark II
SensorCompact
Image Quality2160p30 (4k)
Weight292g (0.64 lb)
Flip ScreenYes
StabilizationOptical
Price$798.00

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

I’ve vlogged for a while, and the best thing to have is a simply compact and lightweight camera that can record high-quality video. And for that reason, the Sony ZV-II is my number one choice.

If you’re looking for a camera specifically for vlogging without worrying about lenses or needing any extra equipment, this is your best option this year.

Sony designed this camera to satisfy the needs of most content creators who want a camera that is easy to use, but that can still record great image quality.

The image stabilization gives you a smooth 4kp30 recording, and you can use an external mic, which is rare to find in a compact camera. The autofocus is eye-tracking and works well, so you won’t have issues keeping the focus on you.

There are also nice quality-of-life features like the easiness to connect to your smartphone and upload your pictures to social media,

Even though it’s a small compact camera with a 1″ sensor, it can still hold up decently well in low light thanks to its fast f/1.8 lens.

Of course, it still can’t compete against an APS-C sensor in low light. So don’t expect the highest quality possible in dark environments. If you’re looking for a camera for this, then go for one of the other mirrorless models below.

Canon EOS M50 II

canon eos m50
Image credit: VloggerPro
SensorAPS-C
Image Quality2160p24 (4k)
Weight387g (0.85 lb)
Flip ScreenYes
StabilizationNo
Price$649.95

The Good

  • 4k recording
  • Latest vlog camera
  • DSLR-Size sensor in a small size
  • Lots of vlog-friendly features

The Bad

  • Cropped 4k recording
  • Relatively short battery life

Check on Amazon

The M50 is Canon’s first mirrorless camera that seems like it was made for vlogging. Now the M50 II has been improved slightly

The big selling factor as a vlog camera is that it offers everything you need to record a vlog: flip screen, mic input, and the lightest weight possible in a mirrorless APS-C camera.

Also, the M50 is equipped with a 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor which enables it to capture quality footage in a variety of lighting conditions, especially low-light situations. Meanwhile, travel vloggers will find its five-axis digital image stabilization system quite adequate in handling camera shaking when you’re shooting.

Just bear in mind that the 4k mode adds a 1.7x crop to the image and disables the camera’s amazing Dual-Pixel system. This is definitely the biggest disadvantage.

However, you are getting a lightweight camera that can record high-quality video even in low light. Most people can’t tell the difference between 4k and 1080p on a YouTube video, and most don’t even have the internet speed to stream it.

When recording in 1080p, this camera has everything you could ask in a semi-pro machine for both filmmaking and photograph enthusiasts.

The Dual-Pixel autofocus does a great job at tracking the subject’s face as it moves, and the OIS from Canon lenses combined with the Digital Stabilization allows you to have a pretty smooth result — although it could be a little bit better.

For the price that you pay, you couldn’t really ask much more from Canon.

Sony A7S III

Sony NEW Alpha 7S III Full-frame Interchangeable Lens Mirrorless Camera
SensorFull-Frame
Image Quality2160p120 (4k)
Weight699g (1.54 lb)
Flip ScreenYes
Stabilization5-Axis
Price$3,498.00

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

If you are the kind of filmmaker who records everything you do, you will most certainly want a camera that can perform in any situation, and that you can rely on for the most demanding environments.

The Sony Alpha 7 III is one of the best mirrorless cameras for video. And it so happens that it’s also a good camera for vloggers, although it’s on the heavier side.

Previous versions lacked the flip screen, but thank god that’s over now. Now we can really consider it as a vlogging camera.

After all, this camera can deliver top 4k60p quality and really smooth video with its 5-axis in-body stabilization and it’s not really that heavy for being a Full-Frame camera.

If you want your videos to look truly astounding with a deep, natural Bokeh effect —and have the money to blow—, you will love it.

However, it is going to be overkill for most vloggers. I’d recommend it if you also want to take it to those one-in-a-time trips and want to capture the best memories, or if you are a professional videographer.

It’ll make your job easier and better if you’re a professional, but if you’re a newbie, you might want something simple and lighter.

Fujifilm X-S10

Fujifilm X-S10 Mirrorless Camera Body - Black
SensorAPS-C
Image Quality2160p30 (4k)
Weight467g (1.03 lb)
Flip ScreenYes
StabilizationYes
Price$899.00

The Good

  • Good weight for a mirrorless
  • Great image stabilization
  • Great for video and photography

The Bad

  • Autofocus not as good as some competitors

Check on Amazon

The Fujifilm X-S10 is a lightweight camera that can record great video, but that’s also good for shooting stills.

This new version is smaller than its predecessor thanks to a new smaller IBIS system that Fujifilm designed. Now we can recommend it to vloggers who would like a nice photography camera too.

It has all the basics that you need for video blogs: flip screen, in-body stabilization, and eye-tracking autofocus. But it can also shoot photos at fast burst speeds to capture fast action.

Going back to its video features, it can record 4k at 30p and 1080p up to 240p, which gives you super slow-motion video.

It also has a headphone jack, which is something you really want in a video camera because it lets you check the sound after a recording.

Its battery duration is not the best and it isn’t the cheapest option on this list, but it’s also far from being the most expensive. So if you’re looking for a camera that is good for a bit of everything, this one is a great choice.

Sony Alpha ZV-E10

Sony Alpha ZV-E10
SensorAPS-C
Image Quality2160p30 (4k)
Weight343g (0.76 lb)
Flip ScreenYes
StabilizationNo
Price$698.00

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 port

The Bad

  • No in-body stabilization

Check on Amazon

This is another camera that is good for vlogging despite lacking image stabilization.

As long as you’re using a lens with optical IS, like the kit lens, you won’t have issues with it, although it won’t look as smooth as using a camera with 5-axis or sensor-shift stabilization.

But the rest of the features are good for video. Sony has been recognized for its super fast and accurate autofocus, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Also, the 4k30 recording from this Sony APS-C camera looks beautiful.

Finally, it’s not a camera that is only good for video, it can shoot good stills too and the battery is not bad for a mirrorless camera.

The only real disadvantage is the lack of in-body stabilization. However, it is slightly compensated with the electronic shake stabilization, although with a crop factor of 1.44x.

To take advantage of the electronic stabilizer, you’ll want the widest-angle lens you can get. This reduces your options as a vlogger, and that’s why it’s not one of the first recommendations on this list.

Panasonic G100 – Cheapest Option

Panasonic G100
SensorMicro 4/3
Image Quality2160p30 (4k)
Weight419g (0.92 lb)
Flip ScreenYes
StabilizationNo
Price$497.99

The Good

  • Made for video (mic. port, flip screen, hot-shoe)
  • 4k recording
  • Affordable

The Bad

  • Not the best for low light (micro four thirds sensor)
  • No IBIS

Check on Amazon

If you only care about vlogging and have a tight budget, the Panasonic G100 is a good camera to get started.

The sensor is smaller than an APS-C, but it’s still larger than the one found in any compact camera. This gives you a bit more room to work in low light, but you’ll still want a fast lens if possible. The good thing is that it’s an interchangeable lens camera, so you can upgrade your lens later on.

This camera has a lot of image stabilization features for vloggers. It comes with various stabilization modes that let you manage the amount of crop. More crop equals more stabilization. That’s why you’d want a really wide lens to use with this camera.

The amount of crop is a bit too much in 4k, so, like the Canon M50, you want to stick to 1080p when using this camera.

Our Favorites For Video in General

These are the cameras that are not the best options for vlogging. They might not be as light to carry around or might not have the most useful vlogging features, but they’re great for recording on a tripod or from behind the lens.

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic GH5
SensorMicro 4/3
Image Quality2160p60 (4k)
Weight725g (1.59 lb)
Flip ScreenYes
StabilizationYes
Price$682.92

The Good

  • Made for video (IS, mic. input and flip screen)
  • Dual I.S. for extra smooth movement
  • Stunning 4k video at 60fps

The Bad

  • Really expensive but not the best for low light
  • As heavy as a DSLR

Check on Amazon

The Panasonic Lumix GH5 is one of the first mirrorless cameras in the Four Thirds camera lineup to capture 4K-resolution video.

The Gh5 has quickly become one of the best choices for Youtube in 2017. It is kind of heavy for a mirrorless, but it can achieve stunning 4kp60 video.

And even better, it has great image stabilization and a wide dynamic range. The colors are beautiful and has a bunch of features that make it great for both video and photography, but especially for the latter.

As any other mirrorless, its battery life is not the best, and as a Micro Four Third sensor camera, it is not the best fit possible for low light. However, as long as you’re not recording in the night with complete lack of lighting, you will be able to achieve as good as image quality as money can buy right now.

Fujifilm X-T4

Fujifilm X-T4
SensorAPS-C
Image Quality2160p60 (4k)
Weight526g (1.16 lb)
Flip ScreenYes
StabilizationYes
Price$1,337.63

The Good

  • Made for video (IS, mic. input and flip screen) and good for photography
  • Great stabilization
  • Stunning 4k video at 60fps

The Bad

  • Expensive for a non full-frame camera
  • Autofocus not as good as the competition

Check on Amazon

This camera is the top of the line of APS-C cameras. This means two things: it can do a lot, and it’s not cheap.

It’s a camera that can record in 4kp60 for around 20 minutes. This is impressive after knowing that most cameras that allow for 4kp30 can only do it for 10 minutes at a time.

Compared to its predecessor, it finally comes with in-body stabilization that can be combined with in-lens stabilization when available. It also has a much larger battery (50% more capacity) and fast 15fps shooting.

This is not a camera that you want to use only for video. This is a workhorse that you can use for both professional photography or filmmaking. This makes it a great option for any user that wants to do a lot of different things.

This is all great, but before pulling the trigger you have to consider that you can get a full-frame camera for this price.

A bigger sensor is not always the better option. It will depend on the type of work you’re doing. But it is definitely something to think about carefully before spending so much money on an APS-C sensor.

Sony a6400

Sony a6400
SensorAPS-C
Image Quality2160p30 (4k)
Weight403g (1.45 lb)
Flip ScreenYes
StabilizationNo
Price$848.00

The Good

  • Great low-light performance
  • 120fps slow motion (1080p)
  • Outstanding AutoFocus
  • Really good 4k recording in a small camera

The Bad

  • No in-body image stabilization

Check on Amazon

The Sony a6400 is like a tuned-down —and a lot cheaper— version of the a6600. The biggest sacrifice as a video camera? The in-body stabilization. But considering the rest of the things, the trade-off is not bad at all.

This camera is probably the one I will be recommending to people who want to start a YouTube channel.

The 4k quality is comparable to other much more expensive cameras, and the autofocus is probably one of the fastest and accurate in the market.

The camera has the ability to record 4K video (3840 x 2160) at 30p, 25p and 24p. Additionally, you will love the capacity to record 1080p slow-motion video at 120fps.

However, the only real downside to this camera is the lack of internal image stabilization.

Its weak point against the Panasonic featured here is exactly that. You’ll need a lens with OIS if you want to take the camera with you and record as you move.

On the other hand, its strong point against the competitors is the fact that it’s even lighter and even though it has an APS-C Sensor.

This will make it better for low-light recording, and also to achieve that beautiful bokeh (blurry background) effect that we all love to see.

PANASONIC LUMIX G95 – Best Value For Your Money

PANASONIC LUMIX G95
Image credit: VloggerPro
SensorMicro 4/3
Image Quality2160p30 (4k)
Weight484g (1.06 lb)
Flip ScreenYes
StabilizationYes
Price$997.99

The Good

  • Made for video (IS, mic. port and flip screen)
  • Great 4k image for the price
  • Fair size and lightweight
  • Comes with V-log profile for better colors

The Bad

  • Not the best for low light
  • Low battery life

Check on Amazon

If you can spend a little bit more, then the Panasonic G95 is probably the best choice for a camera with mic input.

The camera can even record 4k video at 30fps and allows for 1080p slow motion at 120fps.

It’s a micro four thirds sensor so it’s not the best for low light, but it will be more than enough as long as you don’t record in total darkness.

The camera was made for video and because of that it comes with flip screen, external mic port and image stabilization.

This latter feature will let you choose any lens without optical image stabilization. This will let you save money in the long run.

What bad thing can we say about it? Pretty much the basic things mirrorless lack: battery life.

For the rest, you won’t find much to complain about it, especially when you take into account the price.

It is not the lightest mirrorless, but it’s at a pretty decent size and weight for carrying around and will deliver the best image quality you can buy for the price.

Alternatively, you can check the previous model, the Panasonic G7, which is a bit cheaper due to the lack of in-camera stabilization. It’s still a nice option since the kit lens comes with optical IS so you can get away with a camera just as good for a lower price.

Canon EOS 90D

Canon EOS 90D
SensorAPS-C
Image Quality2160p30 (4k)
Weight701g (1.54 lb)
Flip ScreenYes
StabilizationNo
Price$1,199.00

The Good

  • Really good autofocus
  • Good low-light performance
  • Long battery life

The Bad

  • No image stabilization
  • Size and Weight

Check on Amazon

If you don’t want to use your main camera to go out a lot and record trips, you are probably better off with choosing a DSLR.

The Canon EOS 90D is a DSLR made for video. The camera is made to have the most reliable autofocus you could buy for the price and comes with a new processor a sensor that achieves better image quality.

Although it doesn’t come with image stabilization, there’s a huge selection of lenses with optical stabilization you can choose for it.

This is an APS-C sensor camera that becomes the best option if you want a really good low-light performance, but don’t want to spend so much money on a full-frame camera.

Finally, its battery life has really good capacities; it’s—by far—the best camera on this list in terms of recording duration.

After Choosing Your Camera, Don’t Forget This

There are several cameras with external mic input that you can consider purchasing to make your filmmaking experience better. The ones that I have reviewed above are the latest in the market today. Just keep in mind that the lack of optical image stabilization isn’t a great deal since they are interchangeable-lens cameras. This means you can always get a lens with stabilization should the need arise.

Another thing to note is that the Panasonic cameras have a smaller sensor than the Canon M50, so they are not as good in low light as Canon models.

However, this is something you shouldn’t worry about if you use good lighting. You can also try to get a lens with a fast aperture since these are a lot more affordable in MFT cameras and there’s a good selection available.