While a phone is a convenient option for recording, a camera and microphone setup will enhance both the visual and audio quality of your work. Your files also won’t take up all the storage space on your device. Whether you’re a vlogger, a social media influencer or an actor making self-tape auditions, having a good self-taping setup will improve your work and make it easy to produce.

When choosing the best camera for vlogging or self-taping, consider features that might suit your specific needs. If you’ll be moving around on the screen, a camera with face detection can help to keep you in focus. If you’re an outdoor influencer, a camera with a wide or ultra-wide-angle lens can capture stunning vistas. Cameras with image stabilization are helpful if you will be moving with your camera, and cameras for low light are useful at dusk or in dark rooms.

Additionally, consider how you will be capturing audio. There are many cameras with integrated microphones. However, an external microphone, like a Lavalier mic or an external camera mic, often provide superior sound. You can record your sound separately on a sound recorder, or you can choose a camera with microphone input to record everything together.

If you are a beginner to vlogging, one of the top tips is to research in advance the work of people creating similar content. You’ll want to understand what makes certain vloggers or influencers popular. Having a marketing plan for yourself so you can make your investment worthwhile. That means knowing which niche market you want to reach and creating memorable graphics or music to make your clips stand out.

Building a content creation kit may also go beyond investing in a good vlogging camera and audio setup. For example, it’s usually wise to invest in functional and flattering camera and video lighting that’s easy to set up. If you are doing any kind of editing in post, make sure you have the video editing software you need to make your content look great before uploading it.

You will also help yourself out by learning your gear thoroughly. Watch educational videos about how to finesse the settings on your camera for vlogging. If you don’t know terms like ISO or f-stop, it’s a good idea to become more familiar with them. While you can often use auto settings, understanding manual ones gives you much greater artistic control.