Best 3 Point and Shoot Cameras for Vlogging on a Budget

Most of us are pretty comfortable enough with the cameras built-in to our smartphones that we don’t need dedicated cameras anymore. However, there are still several perks to having a dedicated, compact camera. The most important one, of course, is photo quality.

In the era of the selfie, camera manufacturers are catching on that it’s becoming increasingly important for cameras to have front-facing capabilities. That is, you should be able to see yourself when you’re taking a photo of yourself. Vloggers especially need this for posting videos online. So, check out these great cameras that combine the features necessary for front-facing video capture with the great quality footage you expect from a point-and-shoot.

1. Canon G7X

The Canon G7X is hailed time and time again as the best camera for vloggers. It’s part of the Powershot line of point-and-shoot cameras from Canon and has a lot to offer. Most importantly, the LCD screen on the back of the device flips a full 180 degrees to face in the same direction at the lens. This means you can film yourself while seeing the photo or video in real time.

It also takes impressive photos and videos thanks to its one-inch 20.2MP CMOS sensor. It also has a large f/1.8 aperture for excellent low-light sensitivity and sharp focus with an improved ability to defocus the background like with dSLR cameras. The Canon G7X also shoots up to 1080p video at 6o frames per second.

For the cherry on top, G7X has built-in Wi-Fi so you can automatically upload your vlogs to the Internet without a single cable.

Tip: Many Wi-Fi-connected cameras are able to transfer photos to your smartphone, too. This is especially useful paired with a photo-editing app for quick and painless edits.

At $599 on Amazon, it certainly won’t be affordable for all, but it’s a pretty good value considering everything you get in this camera.

2. Sony RX100 III

The Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III is the third edition of the RX100, which has been turning heads since its initial release in 2012. It’s about the closest thing you can get to a dSLR without actually buying one.

The RX100 comes with very similar features to the Canon G7X. It comes with a one-inch 20.9MP Exmor R CMOS sensor, f/1.8-2.8 aperture and 1080p 60 fps video capture. Like the G7x, the LCD on the back swivels up for vlogging. It also has built-in Wi-Fi.

It’s very difficult to find a negative review of the RX100 III and in fact, many reviews indicate that it’s faster than the Canon G7X with regard to startup time and actually capturing photos. This is something to consider if speed is a priority for you in a camera. It also has a built-in electronic viewfinder and significantly better battery life. That said, the RX100 III is a whopping $798 on Amazon, making it the most expensive option on this list.

3. Samsung NX Mini

The Samsung NX Mini is the last stop on this list of vlogging cameras and for good reason. Yes, it has a 180 degree swiveling LCD screen, yes it takes 1080p HD video, yes it has a one-inch 20.5MP CMOS sensor, yes it has built-in Wi-Fi — all the important stuff. What it doesn’t have though, is a large price tag or even a large body. This “mini” camera — just 22.5 mm thick — costs only $299.

Granted, it does have a low-resolution LCD and doesn’t capture smooth 60fps video, but it’s still very capable of high-quality shots. Plus, it’s less than half the cost of the RX100 III. It’s an exceptional pick for vloggers who aren’t necessarily looking for the best, but perhaps just good enough.

Clicked Yet?

Let us know if these cameras click with what you’re going for. Join us in our forum if you have any questions.