Although podcasting is mainly focused on audio clips and using our voices, many creators like to video themselves in action.
This can be key to reaching a wider audience or cementing a relationship with the current audience. After all, it’s always nice to put a face to a name.
No one wants to watch a low-quality video of your podcast, so you’ll need the best camera for podcasting for the best results.
Buying a new camera for photography purposes can be overwhelming enough, let alone when figuring out the best camera for podcasting for your needs. Luckily, we’ve done the research for you and can help you with this decision.
Most podcast creators will use the same space to record their episodes, so first of all you need to consider the size of the space and what type of angle you’ll need to fit you and any potential guests in the shot.
Then you’ll need to find the perfect resolution depending on where the camera is going to be set up and the distance it is from you.
The major qualities of the best camera for podcasting you’ll need to consider are the battery capacity, the memory size, and how easy it is to use.
1. Logitech BIRO – Best Budget Camera
The Logitech BIRO is an ultra HD webcam perfect for video calling, recording, and streaming.
Featuring a high-quality glass lens, you’re able to record and capture images in 4K for excellent quality. High dynamic range (HDR) and the autofocus feature further enhance the quality of the video, bringing them to life.
Regardless of where or how your studio space is set up, videos look great in any light. The RightLightTM 3 adjusts the exposure and contrast to balance glare and backlight automatically to give you the best results.
You can also maintain the HD image resolution with a choice of three fields of view, panning motions, and zooming power of up to 5x.
Size is on your side with this camera, as it can easily be mounted on top of your computer screen for easy viewing and control. The versatile mounting options mean that you can attach it to other stands wherever you need.
Dual omnidirectional microphones are built-in into the camera allowing for constant clear voice recording. There is also a noise canceling mechanism to drown out background noises for even better sound quality.
The Biro is compatible with Mac and Windows computer systems and features Windows Hello integration for easy sign-in and use. To connect the camera to a computer you’ll just need a USB port which does limit the positioning of the camera somewhat.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Ultra HD 4K quality
- Great microphone sound
Cons
- Not as portable as it needs to be attached via USB
- No screen
2. Olympus Mark III – Best Professional Camera
The Olympus Mark III is a small digital camera. It is a mirrorless camera which means that it works without a reflex mirror. This essentially allows you to adjust settings and preview images before they are shot.
Other features include a flipping mirror and optical viewfinder and LCD screen.
This camera allows you to shoot a clear 4K video, the 20MP resolution live MOS sensor and TruePic VIII image processor also make for sharp quality images and videos.
A 121-point all-cross type phase detection is an advanced autofocus feature that is ideal for subject tracking or focusing on multiple people in your shot.
Custom mode enables you to save your frequently used setting for ease of access, which is ideal for those who are frequently creating podcast content. This camera can also be mounted to a tripod to enable you to position it wherever you’d like. This is the best camera for podcasting if you are looking for one that will give you a lot of versatility and options.
Although it may not apply to your podcast criteria, the weather-sealed construction means you can travel with ease and don’t have to worry about water, dust, and dirt.
We know there’s a podcast for almost everything today, so this may be a feature some creators are looking for. If you’re editing other content for your video podcasts, it’s also a handy feature to have.
Pros
- Weather sealed so no need for additional protection
- Image stabilization
Cons
- Expensive so not accessible to all
- Made of plastic, which many professionals dislike
3. Panasonic HC-V770 Camcorder – Best Camcorder
Panasonic has created an easy-to-use camcorder that covers all bases, despite what you may think. It’s actually a small and lightweight camcorder perfect for entry-level podcasters.
Featuring 20x optical zoom, HD, and 1080p, you can count on this camera to capture clear shots and videos. The HDR movie feature allows for even crisper and clearer videos.
Working perfectly for podcaster creators, the instant Wi-Fi connection works with both phones and laptops. This is the best camera for podcasting if you are always on the go and need to connect to the internet quickly.
Using the WiFi function, you can remotely shoot and view content with the Panasonic smartphone app, and engage in picture-in-picture style video recording using your smartphone as a sub camera and also live stream events.
The battery life of this camera is around 3.5 hours which gives you the flexibility to record multiple takes and episodes without having to worry about recharging the battery.
Eco-mode refers to the camera’s ability to switch itself off to preserve the battery after 15 minutes of inactivity. There’s no need to worry as this can be disabled when filming longer takes.
Pros
- Wireless connectivity features
- Produces high-quality visual output
- Eco-mode
Cons
- Expensive
- Not always available
4. Canon EOS Rebel T6 – Best Camera For Short Podcasts
For those creators who only intend on making short podcast episodes, the EOS Rebel is a great device as it is capable of fulfilling your recording requirements with its short 30-minute record time.
The short recording time can put some people off, but with a structured and to-the-point script, podcasters may only need 30 minutes to deliver their information. This is the best camera for podcasting if you want to focus on a concise, high-quality show but have a smaller budget.
Sacrificing the longer recording times does make this product less expensive than most, but it won’t affect the quality. It features full HD 1080p video recording at 3.0 fps, a 4-image processor, and an 18MP resolution.
When filming your podcasts, you can use the continuous shooting feature and full HD movie mode for easy-to-shoot great quality video.
Remote shooting is also available with this device which is ideal for podcast creators who keep their cameras set up in specific locations.
You can use the Camera Connect app to do this, but please note this feature is only compatible with certain software versions.
Built-in wifi and Near Field Communication (NFC) connectivity allows you to share your content easily between devices and can even be uploaded straight to social media sites.
NFC is specifically related to Android devices. Using the free Canon Connect app enables you to easily transfer any material from the camera to compatible devices.
Pros
- Can control various features with a smartphone app using NFC and WiFi
- Produces high-quality content
- Optimized features for shooting video
Cons
- Only 30 minutes of shooting time
- Battery life only lasts around 30 minutes
5. Sony Alpha A6600 – Overall Best Camera For Podcasting
Sony’s Alpha A6600 is considered to be one of the best podcasting cameras currently on the market with a 24MP resolution. This small mirrorless camera weighs just over one pound making it compact and lightweight. The 5-axis in-body image stabilization usually found on full-frame cameras has been adapted for this model.
The Alpha features fast hybrid AF for high speed, accuracy, and tracking performance to create great 4K video content. The inbuilt detection system enables more stable AF and the contrast-detection AF system contributes to the accuracy of filming, especially if you’re someone who likes to move their hand around a lot when they talk.
Using the 4K movie recording enables high-resolution video capture and the new Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) picture profile supports instant HDR delivery. It is possible to use a microphone and headphones with this camera as there are jacks for both which is ideal for podcasting.
With a unit of what some consider as the best camera for podcasting, you also receive a battery, charger, USB cable, and body strap so you have everything you need to start using the the Alpha straight away.
Pros
- Great battery life
- Real-time AF features that detect and hold onto moving subjects
- High capacity battery
- Microphone and headphone jacks
Cons
- Expensive
- The built-in flash is not amazing
Buyer’s Guide
When choosing the best camera for podcasting, you must consider your needs before rushing into making a decision. Here are some of the main points to consider when buying a podcasting camera.
- How long are your podcast episodes?
- Do you need any specific features?
- Will you be using the camera for any outside filming?
Price
Price is always an influential factor when buying something new, especially when it comes to cameras. Unfortunately, the best camera for podcasting with all the bells and whistles is usually on the pricey side, with many of the best and most advanced ones costing over $1000.
If you’re looking for a good entry-level product, you can expect to pay around $100.
As always, you can see if you can find second-hand bargains or refurbished cameras that will work just as well but cost a fraction of the price.
Autofocus Features
A common element used in modern camera technology is autofocusing (AF).
Many of the best camera for podcasting featured in this article have some form of AF technology. This is essential for creating good quality video as subjects in the frame will be moving. This helps to reduce blur and keep the audio synced with the video.
Extra Features
As seen above, there are some impressive features of modern cameras.
Features that would be beneficial for podcasting are remote shooting features, as these allow you to control the camera from an app and can be beneficial for controlling takes and lens zoom.
The majority of the best camera for podcasting come with inbuilt WiFi features such as the Canon Rebel and the Panasonic camcorder, so be sure to check this is listed in the specifications of the model you purchase.
Battery Life
Battery life is a key feature that you must consider when choosing the best camera for podcasting for your needs.
If you’re a creator that likes to take their time filming episodes, cameras with longer battery lives are essential to make your filming process go as smoothly as possible.
The Sony Alpha has a good battery life and the Logitech BIRO just needs to be plugged into a USB port.
Image Quality
Lastly, image quality should be considered when choosing the best camera for podcasting. All the devices listed here feature high-quality 4K imaging with some even optimized for capturing video content, further improving the quality regardless of lighting.
Final Thoughts
It is difficult to consider one particular camera as the ‘best’ for podcasting as everyone’s needs are different. We hope that with this review, you will find the best camera for podcasting that fits your needs.
Buying a new camera is a big investment and should be a decision that occurs with time and care.
We hope you found this article interesting and informative, making your podcasting camera journey a lot easier. Happy recording!
