Recently, I've been seeing more and more of the word Vlog. Vlog is an abbreviation of Video blog or Video log, and refers to distributing daily life with video instead of sending text. More and more people post short videos on Instagram, YouTube, etc. People who post these Vlogs are called Vloggers.
Overseas, Vlogs have become a popular genre, and more and more people are starting Vlogs in Japan as well. To publish a Vlog, you will need a camera to shoot videos. Due to the growing demand for Vlogs, more and more camera manufacturers are developing cameras for Vlogs that specialize in shooting videos for Vlogs.
Recent smartphone cameras have improved image quality, and you can easily shoot videos, so many people use smartphone cameras to upload Vlogs, but I want to shoot videos with higher image quality and less camera shake. Then the camera for Vlog is recommended. As a product of a genre similar to cameras for Vlogs, there is a product called an action camera represented by GoPro. Action cameras are also cameras suitable for Vlogs, but they are specialized products that are attached to the helmets of athletes and shoot violent movements, so here we will take up cameras for Vlogs other than action cameras.
[Amazon] Camera for Vlogs [Rakuten Ichiba] Camera for VlogsThere are three points to choose a camera for Vlogs: "camera shake correction function", "with or without a microphone input terminal", and "smartphone cooperation function".
Image stabilization functions can be broadly divided into optical and electronic types. Basically, the optical type works better, but it's a big difference if it's not electronic, so it can be said that it's essential. Also, if you have a product with a gimbal that moves along with the camera body, you won't have to worry about the large camera shake that tends to occur when shooting while holding the camera in one hand.
The Vlog camera has a built-in microphone, so you can shoot videos with sound by itself. However, if the product has a microphone input terminal, you can improve the sound quality by connecting a high-performance microphone with better sound quality.
In addition, if you have a product that can send videos shot in cooperation with a smartphone, you can easily distribute them at the shooting site. There are also products that can be used as webcams by connecting to a computer or smartphone.
This time, we will introduce 5 recommended products for Vlog cameras that we chose considering the above 3 points. Of course, even if it is a product that claims to be for Vlogs, it can also be used as a compact digital camera.
Sony VLOGCAM ZV-1G
A model product for Vlog cameras
The Sony VLOGCAM ZV-1G is a Vlog camera with a shooting grip, equipped with a Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* zoom lens equivalent to 24-70mm in 35mm film equivalent. Equipped with a back-illuminated CMOS sensor with approximately 20.1 million pixels, high-resolution 4K video recording is possible.
When shooting movies, the optical + electronic hybrid image stabilization function is enabled, and you can shoot with reduced camera shake even while walking. In addition, it is attractive that there are many convenient functions for Vlog shooting, such as real-time eye AF that is effective when shooting movies, real-time tracking that keeps track of the specified subject, and one-touch blurring of the background. It has a wind noise reduction mechanism that reduces wind noise and a microphone input terminal.
By using the included shooting grip, you can shoot handheld with one hand. Operations such as shooting and zooming can be performed while holding the grip, and it can also be used as a tripod. Equipped with a vari-angle LCD that opens horizontally, which is convenient for taking selfies. It weighs about 294g, which makes it easy to carry around. In addition to being able to transfer videos and still images taken via Wi-Fi to a smartphone, it can also be used as a web camera by connecting to a computer or smartphone via USB.
It is a highly complete camera for Vlogs, and is recommended for those who have been shooting Vlogs with their smartphones, but want to shoot more serious videos. The selling price at Amazon is about 99,000 yen.
[Amazon] Sony VLOGCAM ZV-1G [Rakuten Ichiba] Sony VLOGCAM ZV-1GDJI Pocket 2
No blurring while walking with a 3-axis gimbal
DJI Pocket 2 is a compact vlogging camera with a 3-axis gimbal. Equipped with a CMOS sensor of approximately 64 million pixels, it is possible to shoot 4K video. The focal length of the lens is equivalent to 20mm in 35mm conversion, and although it does not have a zoom lens, it utilizes the large number of pixels of the CMOS sensor to achieve a digital zoom function with little deterioration in image quality. The zoom ratio changes depending on the shooting resolution, and 2x zoom is possible for 4K video, and 4x zoom is possible for Full HD video.
Since it is equipped with a 3-axis gimbal, the image stabilization function is very powerful. You can shoot stable movies like movies. You can hold it in one hand and start shooting immediately, and it also has "ActiveTrack 3.0" that tracks and shoots the subject. It also has an audio zoom function that zooms in on the audio when you zoom in during video recording, and you can use a wireless microphone or an external microphone if you use the optional wireless microphone transmitter.
Weighing only 117g, it is very light and can be easily held in one hand. You can use the included smartphone adapter to connect to a smartphone, and use the optional Do-It-All handle for remote control and live streaming from your smartphone.
Recommended product for active Vloggers. The selling price on Amazon is about 50,000 yen.
[Amazon] DJI Pocket 2 [Rakuten Market] DJI Pocket 2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M7G
High-quality model with attractive high-magnification zoom
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M7G is a Vlog camera that sells image quality, and is equipped with a Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* zoom lens equivalent to 24-200mm in 35mm film equivalent. Equipped with a back-illuminated CMOS sensor with approximately 20.1 million pixels, it is possible to shoot high-resolution 4K videos.
It is equipped with an optical image stabilization function, and when shooting movies, it is possible to use electronic image stabilization for even more powerful image stabilization. In addition, real-time eye AF and real-time tracking that keeps track of a specified subject can be used even when shooting movies. It also has a microphone input terminal, so you can shoot videos with better sound quality by attaching an optional external microphone.
A shooting grip, bracket, and replacement battery pack are also included. With the shooting grip, you can shoot handheld with one hand. It weighs about 302g, so you can easily take it with you. In addition to being able to transfer videos and still images taken via Wi-Fi to a smartphone, it can also be used as a web camera by connecting to a computer via USB.
It is recommended not only for Vlog shooting, but also for those who want to create high-quality video works like movies. The selling price at Amazon is about 155,000 yen.
[Amazon] Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M7G [Rakuten Market] Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M7GMOZA MOIN Camera
Equipped with a 3-axis gimbal and a large LCD
MOZA MOIN Camera is a Vlog camera equipped with a 3-axis gimbal. Equipped with a CMOS sensor with approximately 12 million pixels, it is possible to shoot 4K video. The focal length of the lens is equivalent to 14mm in 35mm conversion, and it does not have a zoom lens.
Since it is equipped with a 3-axis gimbal, it can strongly compensate for camera shake. Equipped with a large 2.45-inch vari-angle LCD is also attractive. There is only a power button and a shooting button on the main body, and anyone can intuitively operate it together with the touch operation of the liquid crystal. In addition to various shooting modes such as time lapse, face tracking, slow motion, etc., you can use the dedicated smartphone app "MOZA Artist" to control from your smartphone and transfer captured videos and still images.
Although it has a stereo microphone, it does not have a microphone input terminal. It weighs only 175g, so you can hold it with one hand without getting tired. This product is also recommended for those who want to start Vlogging. The selling price on Amazon is about 40,000 yen.
[Amazon] MOZA MOIN Camera [Rakuten Market] MOZA MOIN CameraPergear Fimi Palm 2
Low price model with 3-axis gimbal
Pergear Fimi Palm 2 is a Vlog camera with a 3-axis gimbal. Equipped with a CMOS sensor with approximately 12 million pixels, it is possible to shoot 4K video. However, when recording 4K movies, the maximum is 30fps (maximum 60fps for 2.7K movies, maximum 90fps for full HD movies).
The focal length of the lens is equivalent to 14mm in 35mm conversion, and although it is not equipped with a zoom lens, 3x electronic zoom is possible. Equipped with a 3-axis gimbal, you can shoot stable videos even handheld. In addition to having an active track function that recognizes the subject and automatically tracks it, time-lapse shooting and slow motion shooting are also possible. With a dedicated smartphone app, you can control the camera from your smartphone and transfer captured videos and still images. A microphone input terminal is provided, so if you want to shoot videos with higher sound quality, you can connect an external microphone.
It weighs about 145g, which is very light, so even women and children can handle it easily. The selling price on Amazon is about 26,000 yen, which is attractive as a camera with a 3-axis gimbal. The weak point is that noise increases in dark places, but it's enough for everyday Vlog shooting.
[Amazon] Pergear Fimi Palm 2 [Rakuten Market] Pergear Fimi Palm 2The products in the article are recommended by the Engadget Japanese team. Sales information is as of the time of article writing, and prices and availability are constantly changing.