Ready to take your blog to the next level? You’re going to need to buy a camera.
But, buying a camera for blogging can be tricky. Your three-year-old cell phone with the cracked screen isn’t cutting it anymore, but you probably don’t need all the bells and whistles of a professional camera, either.
When our editor started blogging, she used an entry level Nikon for nearly 5 years. Most of the early baking recipe photos on Darcy were taken with that camera! But, when she traveled to Iceland, she upgraded to the Nikon D3000, invested in a prime 1.8 lens and a remote shutter so she could capture photos of the Aurora Borealis. And herself with the flu.
But you don’t have to spend a fortune to get good photos for your travel, food, or lifestyle blog. The best blogging cameras fall somewhere in the middle are portable and easy to use. But they should still be capable of producing crisp, professional-quality images of your hot dog legs sitting by the pool.
And, ideally, you won’t have to sell any internal organs to afford them.
So, whether your want buy your inner VSCO girl something nice (you can only buy yourself so many cheetah-print scrunchies) or you want to grow your Instagram following or your blog engagement by improving your photography, here’s a list of our favorites.
The Best Cameras for Blogging in 2020
The bad news is that there’s no single camera that’s the best for every blogger.
The right camera for you will depend on what you’re shooting, which features are most important to you, and how camera-savvy you are.
Here are our favorites for 2020:
- Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II
- Nikon D5600
- Sony RX100 VII
- Nikon Z6
- Fujifilm X-T3
- Samsung Galaxy S10+
- Google Pixel 4
- GoPro Hero8 Black
- Olympus Tough TG-6
1. Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II — Best Point-and-Shoot Camera for Travel Bloggers
The Canon Powershot comes with a fixed lens that’s great for capturing all sorts of vistas — whether that’s your new hostel bae or the Tuscan vineyards. Or both in one! We don’t judge. It has a moveable touchscreen, WiFi, and takes solid pics when set to auto. It doesn’t shoot 4K video and it won’t let go of its fixed lens no many how many treats you try and tempt it with.
Get it on Amazon here.
What We Like:
- The fixed 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 lens lets you capture sweeping landscapes, shoot in low light, or zoom in on that Jamie Dornan lookalike sitting 50 yards away.
- The Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II is small and lightweight and looks like a basic pocket camera, so it doesn’t scream “steal me.” (Which is good, because we don’t want a screaming camera).
- The touchscreen flips, so you can shoot selfies and videos if you’re traveling solo.
- Wi-Fi capability lets you share photos easily so you can let your IG followers know you’re in Prague and they’re not.
What We Don’t:
- The battery life isn’t great. Unless it’s on eco-mode, you only get 265 shots per battery charge.
- It doesn’t shoot 4K video, so if video is a huge part of your blog, you may need to upgrade before your wallet’s ready to take that next step. (The newer Mark III has 4K, but the reviews are spotty, which is why we’re recommending the trusty Mark II.)
- The lens isn’t interchangeable.
2. Nikon D5600 — The Best DSLR for New Photographers
If you’re new to blogging or photography, this Nikon D5600 DSLR camera is a great entry-level camera without too steep of a price point. You can adjust the screen to selfie mode if you need and the autofocus mode produces photos we wouldn’t shake a stick at. A wand, sure. But definitely not a stick.
Get it on Amazon here.
What We Like:
- As DSLRs go, this is one of the least bulky. It’s almost as light as a mirrorless camera, so you won’t feel like you’re lugging a ton of bricks in your travel bag.
- The LCD screen is moveable — helpful when you’re taking selfies or trying to get the perfect overhead shot of your Nutella crepe.
- If you’re not camera-savvy, the excellent autofocus, white balance and exposure systems let you shoot in auto mode and still get decent pictures most of the time.
- Price-wise it comes in around $600, which isn’t cheap, but isn’t an enormous investment for a DSLR.
What We Don’t:
- External controls are limited, so if you decide to get more hands-on with manual exposure, you’ll have to scroll through menus to adjust certain settings.
- There’s no 4K video, putting it near the bottom of the pack for video as far as DSLRs go.
- Because the D5600 is an entry-level DSLR, many mirrorless cameras are actually faster and lighter.
3. Sony RX100 VII — The Best Point-and-Shoot for the Independently Wealthy
Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy this Sony camera that produces vivid images and has a built-in image stabilizer so no one will know you drank four shots of espresso this morning to stave off the jet lag. And that’s kind of the same thing. Get it on Amazon here.
What We Like:
- Pretty much everything — it’s a solid camera and the images are rich, sharp and vibrant.
- The focal length of 24-200mm is super versatile — now you can stalk that Jamie Dornan lookalike from even farther away!
- Built-in optical stabilization helps to reduce shaky images and videos.
What We Don’t:
- Many users say the menus and controls are tricky to navigate, even while sober.
- The price tag can be hard to swallow, especially for a tiny camera you know you’re going to lose in the depths of your backpack and give yourself a small heart attack every… single… time. And because it’s made of paper.
4. Nikon Z6 — Best Mirrorless Camera for Vloggers
If you vlog, you need a camera that delivers beautiful images in low light. How else will you show off your new slime creations? The Nikon Z6 does that and is sealed against the elements for all your jungle hikes. However, its battery life is kind of awful, so if you like to do long, epic shoots, you’re out of luck Ms. Ackerman.
Get it on Amazon here.
What We Like:
- While it’s not the cheapest mirrorless option, it’s a fast camera that delivers bright, detailed images — even in low light.
- The magnesium alloy body is extensively weather sealed, so you can cover your trip to Burning Man without picking dust out of your lens for the next three months. Trust in the dust, but maybe don’t get it in your camera.
- With in-body stabilization, full-frame 4K video, and a silent shooting mode, it’s a capable workhorse camera for shooting video.
What We Don’t:
- The battery life is pretty abysmal — according to one review site, around 300 images on a full charge. Mildly annoying if you’re shooting food porn or OOTDs, but a much bigger issue if you’re trying to document, say, a 12-hour hiking trip.
- Some users have reported viewfinder lag. (We just thought it was a glitch in the Matrix.)
- The so-so buffer capacity when you’re shooting in burst mode can make you feel like you’re trying to watch Netflix over motel Wi-Fi.
- It’s expensive. Like, nearly $1800 expensive. Without lenses.
5. Fujifilm X-T3 — Best Nostalgic Mirrorless Camera
The Fujifilm X-T3 looks super slick and the video specs are amazing. But, we hope you really loved Cloverfield or have incredibly steady hands, because there’s no built-in image stabilization.
Get it on Amazon here.
What We Like:
- The old-school styling on the camera body makes you kinda feel like a gonzo photojournalist, even if you’re just shooting a cupcake recipe.
- If action shots are your thing, this camera excels at handling fast-moving subjects, like that bear running towards you. I think he wants a hug!
- Exceptional video specs make this a great still/video crossover camera.
What We Don’t:
- There’s no in-body stabilization, so your videos may need Dramamine.
- The interchangeable lens lets you choose the perfect lens for the task at hand — but holy moly, Fuji XF lenses are an expensive habit.
- The LCD touchscreen doesn’t flip to the front, which can be a dealbreaker for vloggers who need selfie capabilities. (We refuse to call them “velfies.”)
6. Samsung Galaxy S10+ — Best Smartphone for Camera Snobs
The Samsung Galaxy S10+ is a phone that thinks it’s a camera. Sort of like your dog that thinks it’s a cat and spends all of its time ignoring you.
Get it on Amazon here.
What We Like:
- If you want a DSLR that fits in your back pocket, tracks your location 24/7, and probably reported all your secrets back to the government, this is the camera for you.
- It’s capable of shooting in RAW mode, so now you can edit cell phone snappies with the same level of pixel-peeping precision as you’d edit images from a pro camera.
- The triple-lens rear camera includes an ultra-wide lens, which is helpful for landscapes and overhead shots.
What We Don’t:
- The edge-to-edge 6.4-inch screen is ridiculously impressive but can suck up battery life (though it’s still pretty decent).
- It’s still a $1000 smartphone that you’re going to eventually lose in the back of an Uber.
7. Google Pixel 4 — Best Smartphone for Beginner Photographers
If you’re trying to up your influencer game but aren’t super technically savvy, the Google Pixel 4 is for you. You don’t need to know your f-stop from your aperture and the portrait mode rivals — and possibly surpasses — the iPhone’s. Which is great when you want to look cute even after standing in line for hours to get your hands on the new fried chicken sandwich.
Get it Amazon here.
What We Like:
- The Pixel 4 has one of the best selfie cameras on the market, with a wide angle that lets you avoid that super-flattering up-the-nose selfie angle.
- Portrait mode is impressively good — you’ll get a decent shot in most lighting conditions, whether you use the front or back camera.
- If you’re new to blogging, the average price point — and the fact that it’s, you know, also a phone — makes this a reasonably low-risk investment until those sponsored content perks start rolling in. In the meantime, we recommend trying to pay your bill with exposure.
What We Don’t:
- Occasionally the portrait mode can mistakenly blur out areas that should really be sharp. It’s technology, not sorcery…or at least that’s what the Google Assistant wants us to believe.
- The battery life isn’t great.
8. GoPro Hero8 Black — Best Camera for Adrenaline Junkies
Do you like jumping out of airplanes? Do you live for rappelling down cliffs? Did your last trip involve rafting the Colorado River? Then please do not invite us on your next vacation. But, do take the GoPro8 with you. It’ll video stabilize the crap out of your adventures and is waterproof up to 33 feet, but can’t understand voice commands underwater. Yet another thing we can’t get our merman boyfriend.
Get it on Amazon here.
What We Like:
- HyperSmooth video stabilization means you won’t make people seasick when they watch your mountain biking helmet-cam videos.
- You can operate many of the camera controls via voice commands. Take my picture, tiny robot!
What We Don’t:
- It doesn’t always respond perfectly to the voice commands, and the touch screen is sometimes unresponsive.
- Image quality is decent, but won’t blow you away. If you mainly shoot still photos, and you don’t need the waterproofing, you’ll probably be happier with a different camera.
9. Olympus Tough TG-6 — Best Waterproof and Weatherproof Camera
If you break everything, buy this camera. The Olympus Tough TG-6 is nearly indestructible, so it’s perfect for butterfingers and newbie photographers who could care less that there’s no manual mode.
Get it on Amazon here.
What We Like:
- It’s waterproof to 50 feet, shockproof to 7 feet, crushproof to 220 pounds, and freezeproof to 14°F, so it’ll survive all your death-defying hobbies…. or if you accidentally leave it in the freezer while making homemade popsicles.
- Dual-pane protective glass helps prevent fogging.
- The macro function lets you focus as close as 1 cm away from the lens.
What We Don’t:
- There’s no full manual mode, which will likely annoy anyone who knows WTF they’re doing with a camera.
- It has a 12-megapixel sensor like it’s 2005. (Honestly, that’s fine for web-ready blog images — but if you decide that street scene in Cartagena would look perfect poster-sized over your couch, we hope you like blurry pics.)
- The New Season of Schitt’s Creek Is Here and No That’s Not Just Another Name for America Right Now - October 6, 2020
- The 9 Best Cameras for Blogging in 2020 - December 17, 2019
- These 19 Christmas Party Ideas Are Tacky AF and We Want Them All - November 28, 2019
Leave a Comment