Top 9 Best Vlogging Mirrorless Cameras 2023

Mirrorless cameras are basically compact cameras that can record high-quality video just as well as a DSLR even in low light.

This makes them a popular choice between vloggers. For me, mirrorless is the future of photography. You wouldn’t like to stay behind, would you?

This list of the best mirrorless cameras for vlogging will help you choose the right one for your needs.

Our Top 5 Choices

Are Mirrorless Cameras Good for Vlogging?

If you want to do vlogging for a really long time, then mirrorless cameras might be the best for you. The fact that you can upgrade the lens and keep improving your camera over the years makes them great investments in the long run.

However, there is another type of camera that is becoming really popular as of late between vloggers: point & shoots that are specifically made for vlogging.

I’m talking about cameras like the Canon G7X Mark III and the Sony ZV-1. They are basically compact cameras that can record high-quality video, are really easy to carry around, and are made to be used while recording a human being talking to the camera while walking and moving.

What vlogger wouldn’t like this?

Mirrorless cameras still continue to be my favorite because of their largest sensor and upgradable lens. But for them to be a worthy investment, you should really look for something that has everything you need for vlogging: in-body stabilization, reliable autofocus, flip screen, and an external mic port.

If your mirrorless camera doesn’t have all of this, a point-and-shoot made for video might be a better option.

The 9 Best Mirrorless Cameras for Vlogging

I’ll show you first the best “bang for your bucks”. After that, we’ll talk about the most expensive mirrorless cameras for people with a bigger budget.

1) Sony a7S III

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The Sony a7S III is everything a mirrorless made for shooting video should be, and that’s why we call it the King of Mirrorless.

It’s —almost— perfect for vlogging. The only downside is the weight. It’s not the heaviest mirrorless, but it’s far from being a lightweight camera with its 699g (1.54 lbs).

This is due to its massive full-frame sensor. It’s one of the lightest cameras of this type out there.

The full-frame sensor can achieve absolutely stunning videos. It makes it possible to achieve a really strong and beautiful Bokeh effect —the blurry background— that everyone loves. And no matter what the lighting situation is, you’ll end up with a useful video.

It can record 4k video up to 120 fps, which allows you to record super slow-motion videos in 4k.

Image stabilization is one of the most impressive features. It has in-body 5-axis IS that can be combined with certain Sony lenses to achieve the smoothest video. This level of stabilization can only be achieved by other cameras with a gimbal.

The downside? As we said, it’s not the lightest and most comfortable camera to carry around. And, of course, it’s not cheap at all. For most vloggers, this is definitely an overkill. But if you have the budget, this camera is just the best mirrorless for video out there.

Recommended lens to get: 28-70mm f/3.5-f/5.6

Recommended SD card: SanDisk 128GB SDXC Extreme Pro

2) Canon EOS M50 Mark II – The Best Budget Mirrorless Camera for Vlogging

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This is the second of the M-series line of Canon mirrorless cameras to have a fully-articulating LCD touchscreen and the first one to use the company’s new DIGIC 8 processor.

This upgrade allows the M50 Mark II to have a better and faster autofocusing system which covers a significantly wider area than other Canon cameras like the M6. For reference, the latter has only 99 AF points while the M50 has 143 AF points.

This camera truly hast it all for vlogging: flip-out screen, external mic port, APS-C sensor—which is the same size DSLRs use— and it’s really light and easy to carry around.

Of course, there’s also the fact that the Canon EOS M50 Mark II is the first M-series camera to have the capability to shoot 4K at 24/25p which is already a great deal considering its relatively affordable price point.

Just be warned that 4K shooting with the M50 Mark II entails an added crop factor further decreasing its field of view. This means that it’s not the best for 4k recording.

Another thing to take into account is that it lacks image stabilization. However, this seems to be the norm with Canon cameras because most of their lenses already come with optical stabilization.

This seems to be Canon’s approach: making their cameras lighter and smaller and have the stabilization in the lens. But this isn’t the best approach for vloggers. We really need the in-body stabilization because it’s simply better. We move way more than most filmmakers, so we need the extra stabilization.

Still, this is a good camera for vlogging. It won’t have the best stabilization you can find, but its autofocus is one of the most reliable out there.

Recommended lens: 15-45mm kit lens

Recommended SD card: Lexar Professional 633x 128GB SDXC UHS-I Card

Previous version (still viable): Canon EOS M50.

3) Sony Alpha ZV-E10

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After releasing one of the best vlogging cameras in history, the ZV-1, Sony decided they had a good enough response to justify making a mirrorless version of the same camera.

In my opinion, it’s not quite as good, but it does has its own advantage: a much larger sensor for low-light recording, and more intense Bokeh effect, and interchangeable lenses.

The main reason why I don’t think it’s better it’s because it lacks the in-body stabilization that we need so much. Instead, they gave us electronic stabilization, which adds a crop to the image that nobody likes.

Thankfully, Sony has arguably the most reliable autofocus system out of all brands. Also, the built-in mic is good enough to record without needing an external mic — although you still have the option to use one.

Besides this, Sony has included some vlogger-friendly features like an easy background blur control button to activate the Bokeh effect we all love.

If it weren’t for the lack of in-body stabilization, this would be my favorite vlogging mirrorless camera.

4) Panasonic G100

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Similar to Sony, Panasonic has recently started releasing vlogging-friendly mirrorless cameras. The Panasonic G100 is one of their first attempts to attack this market.

The best thing about the camera is the price. For less than $800, you can have a mirrorless that is almost as small as a point and shoot camera, and you can attach lenses to it.

However, I think Panasonic needs to work a bit more in getting to know vloggers and their needs. It’s not a bad camera, but the autofocus is not nearly as reliable as Sony’s and Canon’s eye-tracking and dual-pixel systems. Also, the camera also lacks in-body image stabilization.

Sometimes external mic port and the flip screen are not enough to be a good mirrorless for vlogging.

We still like it because of how small it is, but we’d rather go for another camera that has either stabilization (impossible at this price point), or more reliable autofocus.

Also, the 4k recording is welcome, but it’s almost unusable. If you want to vlog while walking around, you’ll need to use the electronic stabilization, which adds a huge crop when in 4k mode.

5) Panasonic GH5: The Most Complete Youtube Camera

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The GH5 is the handy jack of all trades.

The problem is, that it’s quite heavy.

So if you want exclusively a camera that you can take out with you and record your day, this one probably isn’t the best option.

It has a flip-out touchscreen, all its controls are well placed, and changing settings is extremely fast and easy.

It also captures beautiful image quality in 4k and can record 1080p up to 180fps for extreme slow-mo.

In terms of dynamic range, it has little to envy to the Sony, and its image stabilization is even better if you use the dual IS 2.0, which is compatible with a handful of lenses.

This allows the camera in-body and in-lens stabilization to work together to achieve smooth videos while moving. This is an awesome feature for vloggers. But even if you don’t have the compatible lenses, you can still use the 5-axis image stabilization.

You can’t really use this camera the same way you’d use the Sony. It is still useful at night, but the image quality is not nearly as clean, and it’s impossible to shoot in total darkness.

It features a Micro Four Thirds sensor, which cripples its capacities in low light. The sensor neither allows you to achieve a shallow depth of field as you would with an APS-C camera, and let’s not say a full-frame.

But hey, it’s cheaper, has a lot more battery life and it shoots just as well in normal light conditions. Both cameras don’t have the best continuous autofocus, which is a shame for their price. But that’s why they aren’t the only two cameras on this list.

Recommended lens: 12-60MM, F3.5-5.6 ASPH

Recommended SD card: SanDisk 128GB SDXC Extreme Pro

Read the full review: Panasonic GH5.

6) Panasonic G9 – Best Camera for Vlogging and Photography

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The Panasonic Gh5 was considered the Panasonic king for video.

That was until November 2019, when Panasonic released a firmware update for its G9, and it made its focus incredibly reliable for video too.

Now we have two cameras that are basically just as good for video, but what’s better is that the Panasonic G9 is also amazing for photography.

If you don’t want a camera to use exclusively for video, and you feel a little artistic and want to also take amazing photographies, then the Panasonic G9 is a great choice.

This is the one I currently use for both my videos and photography, and I couldn’t be happier with it.

It can record 4kp60 video and has a slow-motion mode of up to 180fps.

It has also a burst mode for photography up to 60fps, which makes it really useful for action, and wild photography.

The autofocus tracking is also reliable. And in fact, it’s even good for sports and wild photography.

It’s also reliable for Youtube videos when you use the face detection mode.

The only downside is that it is a micro four thirds, so it’s not a good as an APS-C camera for low light, and the bokeh effect is a little harder to achieve.

But it has everything else that you need for video (Dual I.S., flip screen, mic and headphones jack, hot shoe…).

With 658g, it’s still heavier than what I like, especially for handheld recording, but it’s not as bad as the GH5.

For lighter options, the Sony a6400 might be better for you.

Recommended lens: 12-60MM, F3.5-5.6 ASPH

Recommended SD card: SanDisk 128GB SDXC Extreme Pro

7) Sony a6400

Sensor	APS-C
Image Quality	2160p30 (4k)
Weight	403g (1.45 lb)
Flip Screen	Yes
External Mic Port	Yes
Stabilization	No
Price	$998.00

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If I had to mention the main thing that this camera does better than its competitors here, is its continuous autofocus. It honestly has no other like it. If you want a reliable autofocus, this camera is the go-to for vloggers.

It is an APS-C sensor camera, so you will also get good low-light performance, although not as close as its full-frame cousin, the A7 III.

I should also mention that it is a lot cheaper than the cameras you’ve seen up until this point. And still, it can record crisp 4k video, although only up to 30fps. It can also record 1080p up to 120fps for slow motion.

The last thing you will love is that it is a lot lighter and smaller than the others. This is especially good if you have weak arms. It’s hard to carry a camera while recording vlogs for an entire day. The size of this Sony makes it a lot easier.

Still, it does has some downsides. It doesn’t have in-body image stabilization. Ouch! It would’ve been perfect if it did.

It isn’t a big deal, the problem is that you need to get a lens with optical stabilization if you want to record while walking around.

And of course, you won’t achieve an image as smooth as the previous cameras featured here, especially like the Panasonic cameras with Dual I.S.

But it is a really high-quality camera for the price, and it is as light as a mirrorless can get.

You just need to get the right lens if you want to take it out with you, but this won’t be a problem if you record on a tripod at home.

Recommended lens: 16-50mm Lens f/ 3.5-5.6

Recommended SD card: SanDisk 128GB SDXC Extreme Pro

Read our full review of the Sony a6400.

8) Panasonic G7: Another Affordable Vlogging Mirrorless

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I like to think of the Panasonic G7 as the budget version of the GH4 or GH5.

This is a camera that was made for video recording, like the other latest releases from Panasonic. It has everything you’d want in a vlogging camera that can record in 4k.

The only exception is the lack of image stabilization, but as an interchangeable lens camera, you can get a lens with OIS. The included kit lens has it installed.

It is lighter than the A6500 without a lens, even though it’s slightly bigger. It also features a hot-shoe mount that lets you use a shotgun microphone on it.

The autofocus feels a bit slow, but it does not do an excessive amount of hunting. It can’t be compared to the a6500’s autofocus, but we are talking about a camera that almost doubles its price.

Taking into account its price tag, this one is amazing for video blog recording. You can’t have a good interchangeable lens camera that can record 4k25p for cheaper than this.

And it’s extremely hard to find a camera that has all the features that make video recording easier for this price. Maybe the reason is its Micro Four Thirds sensor, which is not as big as Sony’s sensors, but they do a pretty good job at taking advantage of this by adding more features.

Recommended lens: 14-42mm kit lens

Recommended SD card: Sandisk Extreme Pro – Flash Memory Card – 64 GB – SDXC UHS-I

Read our full review of the Panasonic G7.

9) Panasonic G95

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This camera is similar to the Panasonic G9, including its price, but it has some key differences.

For starters, it isn’t as good for photography as the other model, and this allowed Panasonic to design it with a more compact and lighter body.

It also includes the V-Log profile that is only available for the G9 for an extra price.

This makes it obvious that this camera was made for video, unlike the G9.

If you’re not familiar with it, the V-Log profile allows for better colors in video mode if you know a bit about color grading.

On the other hand, the slow-motion is only up to 120fps, instead of 180fps.

Since this one is not for photography, it doesn’t include the 6k photo mode, no focus bracketing and other features (including fewer focus points), that make this a slightly less professional camera, but makes it more affordable and luggable for people that only want it for video.

Recommended lens: 12-60mm F3.5-5.6

Recommended SD card: Sandisk Extreme Pro – Flash Memory Card – 64 GB – SDXC UHS-I

Read the full review.

How to Save Money and Get the Most Out of Your Mirrorless

First, all these cameras have interchangeable lenses, meaning that you can upgrade the lens later on. For most of them you will have the option to buy the camera with a kit lens—a cheaper bundle, but with the most basic lenses—or get only the body and get a good lens from the start. The kit lens is the cheapest option in the short term, but I always recommend getting a good lens from the beginning. You will save money in the long run if you ignore the kit lens now and go straight for the better one. You will end up doing it anyway.

Some of the prices you’ll see here are only for the camera body. I tried to organize all these by price without a lens, but some of these cameras don’t have the option of buying only the body unless you buy used. Just make sure that you’re taking into account the extra money you will need for the lens and—even more important—for a good microphone. You should be worrying more about audio than video right now.

You will always get more out of money if you learn a bit about the basics of photography and filmmaking. Knowing about the exposure triad—what lens aperture, shutter speed, and ISO do—will let you use your camera to its full potential. Honestly, it’s not worth getting a $3000 camera if you don’t know any of this. This will let you solve problems you will get while recording. Also, it will let you personalize your shooting and develop your own style.

Now, I think you’re ready to make a decision.