Spec me a Vlogging Kit

Jase · 17 Dec 2017 at 21:35

I've decided that I need more motivation to do photography (which I love but often other things get in the way). So I'm going to do a youtube channel in the new year mainly on Landscape Photography but may also include some Drone, Lightroom and photoshop stuff.

I don't really have anything for vlogging (or know what I need), so I'm looking to order some bits this week. I guess I need:

1) Camera (one that will take a battering)
2) Audio/Mic
3) Small Gimbal
4) Jobby Tripod or something

This kit will be purely for the vlogging part, I will use my DSLR/Drone etc when I can. In view of that I was thinking maybe a GoPro but I'm not convinced the Video or Audio will be good (but never use one) or how easy it would be without being able to see a screen. Alternatively thinking of a small camers/used like a sony/canon/panasonic.

Cheers for any advice

Raymond Lin · 17 Dec 2017 at 21:58

Sony RX100 mk5 for the 4k and 120fps slow mo and a Rode Micro (with a dead cat)

Most Vloggers use a Gorilla pod, like Casey but a lot these days have a gamble. But Casey don't normally walk and vlog, he puts it down and talk to it or on his boosted board so it's relatively smooth.

Forgot to say, MOST important thing is to have a camera with a flip out screen, you need to be able to see your framing.

Jase · 17 Dec 2017 at 22:40

The Rode Micro is a good call, looks good. I have a VideoMic Pro which is great just a little big for this.

Although I'm now thinking about audio when away from the camera, maybe be better off with something to record audio seperatly like a Zoom H1? so I can go from one thing to another, like:

Edit: Just read it does not have an audio jack to plug in a mic so guess thats why hes doing it that way

As for the Camera, could be a good option looks good based on above, actually looks really good, thanks! does it have any sort of weather sealing as it rains here 99% of the year lol. Cheapest I can find is £649 on the bay so not bad I guess unless I can find a used one.

How does it compare to the Canon G7X which is a couple of hundred cheaper (not sure if the Canon does 4K though).

Raymond Lin · 17 Dec 2017 at 23:04

The Canon G7X is a VERY popular vlogging camera because of the flip screen, a lot of vloggers uses it.

There is an alternative is the Panasonic LX15 which has 4k and a flip up screen.

Spleen Sauce · 18 Dec 2017 at 13:10

The G7X doesn't have a Mic input either and the internal microphones aren't great (and its 1080P). Does have the best autofocus of the lot though. You could go external recorder but post-sync is a real PITA if you're doing a lot of cutting.

Could look at the Sony X3000R - seen some excellent results from it, has an external mic input and is rugged so no need to worry about the conditions you're working in. No screen (not sure if you can attach one) but the lens is so wide that shouldn't much matter. Stabilisation on this thing is excellent too.

EDIT - there's a live view remote (watch style thing, looks cool) that you can get for it. There's a bundle of the cam + remote on the rainforest at the mo for 500 quid.

Willis · 20 Dec 2017 at 09:20

My 2 flogging setup's, neither has a flip up screen to see yourself so you don't have to have one.

1) GoPro Hero 5 in case with GoPro Audio breakout box and Saramonic SR-XM1 with directional microphone (can talk to the camera and also from behind the camera). Solid little setup when i'm wild camping up mountains.
2) Sony a6500 with Zeiss 16-70 lens and Rode Micro, the auto focus on this camera is amazing, shoots 4k and 120FPS but its not cheap at 2k

Jase · 20 Dec 2017 at 10:18

Willis said:
My 2 flogging setup's, neither has a flip up screen to see yourself so you don't have to have one.

1) GoPro Hero 5 in case with GoPro Audio breakout box and Saramonic SR-XM1 with directional microphone (can talk to the camera and also from behind the camera). Solid little setup when i'm wild camping up mountains.
2) Sony a6500 with Zeiss 16-70 lens and Rode Micro, the auto focus on this camera is amazing, shoots 4k and 120FPS but its not cheap at 2k

What breakout box and housing is that? do you have a sample of the audio from it?

I looked at the A6500 but I don't want a 2K vlogging camera, I already carry a D850 and and an X-T2 and the A6500 setup is just too big.

Willis · 20 Dec 2017 at 10:26

Jase said:
What breakout box and housing is that? do you have a sample of the audio from it?

I looked at the A6500 but I don't want a 2K vlogging camera, I already carry a D850 and and an X-T2 and the A6500 setup is just too big.

At the moment you can only use the Gopro audio breakout box which is about £50, the case can be had for about £10 off Amazon and the Mic is about £25. I was using the set up with the Rode Mic but i do a lot of taking behind the camera and as the Rode is a directional Mic the sound was poor. I've not used the Saramonic SR-XM1 outside yet as I only just got a dead cat for it but will hopefully be trying it out in the next few days. Inside it does a very good job