Did you know that many of Today’s Successful YouTubers started out on a tight budget with a basic setup?
At A Glance: Our Top 5 Vlogging Cameras under $200
- Sony DSCWX220 BEST OVERALL
- Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 UNDER $150
- Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 PHOTO AND VIDEO
- YI 4K ACTION
- Sony DSCW830 CHEAPEST
Experts recommend against getting the most advanced equipment and instead of scaling up your vlogging system as you get more traction on your channel.
Here’s the deal:
You will need to know a few things about choosing the right vlogging camera in this price range, as it can be a hit or a miss.
This guide will be your resource to avoid falling for the wrong products, know everything you need to know about choosing a great budget vlogging camera for your needs and be able to learn about the best vlogging camera under $200 that you can choose today.
Here’s What You Can Get for $200:
And that makes the ease of use an important factor to consider.
Most vlogging cameras priced under $200 come with a simple user interface and a compact size,making it much easier to deal with the initial challenges you will face when making your first few videos.
They are usually also fairly lightweight when compared to the bulky DSLRs, which a beginner vlogger would certainly be grateful for, especially if they plan to record videos on the go.
Some of the other important features the best vlogging cameras under $200 usually offer include:
- Good Recording Quality
- Decent Battery
- Built-in WiFi and NFC connectivity for easier photo and video transfer (not all budget vlogging cameras come with this feature)
- Zoom Range 8x to 12x (in case you want to take photos too)
- If you’re careful with what you choose, you can even get good audio quality as well, which is otherwise hard to come by in this price range
Best Vlogging Cameras Under $200 Reviews:
So here we are, the part you have been waiting for all along. Almost all of the cameras on the list are point-and-shoot video cameras.
Now that you’re aware of what exactly to look for and how to set up a solid vlogging system on a budget, let’s get right to the reviewing!
Image | Model | Spec | Price |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Sony DSCWX220 BEST OVERALL | Image Stabilization: Yes 1080p Video | Check Price |
![]() | Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 UNDER $150 | Image Stabilization: Yes 720p Video | Check Price |
![]() | Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 PHOTO AND VIDEO | Image Stabilization: Yes 1080p Video | Check Price |
![]() | YI 4K ACTION | Image Stabilization: Yes 4K Video | Check Price |
![]() | Sony DSCW830 CHEAPEST | Image Stabilization: Yes 720p Video | Check Price |
1. Sony DSCWX220
Quality = 96%
Affordability = 88%
Why I Like It:
- Full HD
- Small and Pocketable
- Decent Audio
- Good image stabilization when you are moving fast
Review:
The Sony DSCWX220 comes with everything that we asked you to look for in an ideal budget vlogging camera from Sony.
It can record great videos in 1080p, offers WiFi and NFC connectivity, supports image stabilization, and feels very comfortable in hand due to being compact.
However, something that sets it apart from most vlogging cameras in this price range is its ability to record great videos even in low light conditions.
Quality: It boasts an 18.2MP Exmor R CMOS Sensor and BIONZ X engine that go a long way in maintaining a great quality even in low light conditions, as well as reducing noise and ensuring richly detailed results.
Zoom: Zoom is another area where it’s hard to beat for most budget vlogging cameras, as it offers a 10x optical and 20x clear image zoom.
Some of the other more technical features include a 4K quality still image output (that supports a simple HDMI connection), Sweep Panorama mode for enhanced subject detection and minimizing distortion, and advanced picture effects.
Sound: Something that impressed us the most about it though, is its excellent sound quality.
The audio quality is often terrible when it comes to budget vlogging cameras, which is why we think the kind of clear sound the DSCWX220 offers is one of the best things about it.
Features:
- Camera Type: Point and Shoot
- 1080p 60 fps
- 18.2MP sensor
- WiFi and NFS
- Image Stabilization
- Sound Quality
Drawbacks:
- According to some reviewers on Amazon, it is not the easiest camera to use control wise.
The Verdict:
All in all, this is our choice for the best under $200 camera for YouTube and vlogging. If you don’t have any specific needs, you’ll be fine with this camera.
UNDER $150
2. Canon PowerShot ELPH 190
Quality = 78%
Affordability = 93%
Why I Like It:
- Very fast lens
- Extremely user friendly and simple to use
- Has optical image stabilization
- Doesn’t lose the important details even when recording from a considerably long distance
- Great price
Review:
It doesn’t come with 1080p, but that’s the only thing about it that didn’t impress us.
However, it more than makes up for the lower recording quality by coming with a long list of other great features, including built-in WiFi and NFC.
One of the best things we really liked about it is how fast its lens is.
This comes in handy when you want to take some quick shots in an environment where the subjects are moving fast. Such pictures can make rather stunning custom thumbnails, especially for travel vloggers.
Something that makes the ELPH 190 even more beginner-friendly is its Smart AUTO feature.
What it basically does is automatically select the best settings based on the conditions you’re shooting in.
Getting all the settings right is usually one of the most challenging tasks for most beginner vloggers, so it’s great that this feature can take care of it for you.
The user interface and controls are as simple as they could probably get for a vlogger, with the Help button making things even easier by providing short explanations for the features and functions.
It takes surprisingly clear videos and captures most of the important details even when you’re shooting from a distance of over 30 feet.
- Camera Type: Point and Shoot
- 10x Optical Zoom
- Optical Image Stabilizer
- DIGIC 4+ Image Processor
- 720p HD
- Smart AUTO
Drawbacks:
- The max recording quality is only 720p
The Verdict:
If your budget doesn’t allow going for the DSCWX220, the Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 is the next best choice.
VIDEO AND PHOTO
3. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360
Quality = 80%
Affordability = 86%
Why I Like It:
- 1080p recording quality
- Optical image stabilization
- Great for long-distance recording
Review:
The only real aspect where it manages to be better than the ELPH 190 is the recording quality. It can record in 1080p HD quality, while the ELPH 190 only offers 720p quality.
However, this alone may be a significant enough difference for most users to justify the otherwise considerable price difference between the two products.
If it isn’t for you, then you may be better off with the ELPH 190, as it’s much cheaper and the rest of the features are pretty much the same.
The ELPH 360, too, comes with built-in WiFi and NFC has optical image stabilization and has a 20.2MP CMOS sensor (which is only slighter better than the ELPH 190’s 20MP sensor).
Its 12x zoom is certainly better than ELPH 190’s digital 4x zoom though, so it offers an even better long-distance recording experience. It works fairly fast as well, and accessing all the controls and features is quick and easy.
Finally, while the ELPH 360 can take great videos when there’s adequate lighting, the recording quality can be as bad as what it gets with most other cheaper cameras when recording in low light conditions.
Features:
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Optical Image Stabilizer
- 1080p HD
- 20.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor
- DIGIC 4+ Image Processor to help deliver stunning image quality even in low light
- Max Resolution:5184 x 3888
Drawbacks:
- Poor recording performance in low light conditions
The Verdict:
If you couldn’t already tell, the ELPH 360 is an upgraded version of the ELPH 190 we reviewed above. If you can afford to pay a bit more, then this is a great choice.
ACTION CAMERA
4. YI 4K Action Camera
Quality = 91%
Affordability = 98%
Why I Like It:
- Supports up to 4K recording quality at a great fps
- Comes with advanced video stabilization
- Long battery life
- Very easy-to-use touchscreen
Review:
First things first, the YI 4K is not at all recommended for recording videos indoors.
The only reason you see it on this list is that it’s a great option for travel vloggers or those that will be recording the action, sports, or other types of videos with a lot of movement.
It’s also a great alternative to the much more expensive GoPro cameras. It can record action videos just as well as many of them.
To your surprise, it also supports the 4K recording quality at 30fps, something that’s quite a rarity at this price point. It also records 2.7K videos at 60fps and 1080p at an extremely impressive 120fps.
Its advanced video stabilization greatly improves its ability to record professional-quality action videos, especially if you stick to the 2.7K/60fps setting.
An action camera also needs to have a long battery life, and the YI 4K certainly doesn’t disappoint on this front either. It can record up to 120 minutes in 4K quality, which should be more than what beginner vloggers would ever need.
Of course, you can always go with a lower quality if you need to get even more out of the YI 4K’s battery life.
It also features a touchscreen that is responsive and easy to use and supports voice commands.
You would also be able to instantly share and transfer your work, thanks to the YI 4K’s built-in high-speed WiFi and Bluetooth using the YI Action app.
The YI 4K also manages to buck the trend as far as shooting in low light conditions is concerned, and performs surprisingly well in the absence of enough light for a budget vlog camera.
The different lens option is another feature that the more advanced users would be pleased with, as it really adds to the overall usability as well.
Features:
- Camera Type: Action
- Records 4K/30fps and 1080p/120fps
- Long Battery Life
- Good in Low Light
- Slow Motion and Time Lapse Options
Drawbacks:
- The audio quality is not as good as what you would get with something like a GoPro, but don’t forget there’s a huge price difference between the.
The Verdict:
All said and done, the only area where the YI 4K doesn’t do as well as the audio quality, which doesn’t really come off as a surprise given how much it offers for a price of well under $200.
CHEAPEST
5. Sony DSCW830
Quality = 70%
Affordability = 97%
Why I Like It:
- 20.1MP sensor and 8x zoom is more than what you would expect at this price
- Super easy to use with almost no learning curve
- Can be used with both automatic and custom settings
Review:
It’s the cheapest option on our list, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that it isn’t a good option.
It comes with a 20.1MP sensor and has an 8x zoom. And just like most other options on this list, it offers optical image stabilization.
Unlike the more expensive products on our list though, it can only record in 720p quality.
Similarly, it’s made using plastic and the build quality isn’t very good, so you will have to be careful not to drop it. And of course, you couldn’t expect a very good low light performance at this price either.
On the good side, however, the camera is really easy to use and could make a great first camera for beginners.
Another important feature you typically don’t find in this price range is the ability to use it with both automatic and custom settings.
Features:
- Camera Type: Point and Shoot
- 20.1 Megapixel
- 8x Zoom
- Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization
- 720p MP4 HD Movie Mode
Drawbacks:
- Recording quality is only 720p
- The build quality isn’t as good as the other cameras we reviewed above
- The low light performance isn’t great either
The Verdict:
If you’re looking to start a YouTube channel on a shoestring budget, the Sony DSCW830 has to be the camera you’re looking for.
6. Canon Powershot SX140 IS
Review:
Coming within a compact and durable built, this Canon PowerShot can prove to be an ultimate choice for the users that are just hitting off with their vlogging career.
You don’t have to worry about overpriced vlogging cameras anymore, this vlogging camera comes within an affordable budget and provides you with all the premium specifications you can possibly get in the expensive gears.
Though this camera proves to provide users with an ultimate manual focus ability, by utilizing this facility one has to sacrifice the video quality of his vlog.
Having said that the low light performance of this vlogging camera is not up to the mark.
But apart from these shortcomings, this vlogging camera is still counted among the best products when we opt for vlogging cameras under 200 dollars.
Why? It is because this vlogging camera comes in handy with manual focus adjustment that is rare to be found in other average vlogging cameras in a specific budget.
With the premium specifications of this vlogging camera, you can operate this gear for both indoor and outdoor shooting purposes.
Hence for the people who want to pursue their vlogging career on a part-time basis, then this product can be their viable pick.
Features:
- Provide users with a premium video quality of about 1080p.
- Users have been rating this vlogging camera 4 out of 5 stars for its ultimate performance.
- This vlogging camera proves to be best for both indoor and outdoor shooting.
Drawbacks:
- Users aren’t satisfied with the battery timing of this vlogging camera.
- Doesn’t come in handy with a flip screen.
- Doesn’t come with an external microphone and front mic.
7. Nikon Coolpix L840
Review:
Since the beginning, the biggest competitor Fuji Films has ever come across is none other less Nikon.
Having said that this vlogging model comes with a prime set of specifications which makes this vlogging camera stand out from the other average products.
If you are seeking a camera that’s compact and small but doesn’t compromise on its video quality, then this camera can prove to be your viable pick.
No matter in which environment you are shooting your vlog, this camera will allow you to record high-quality video even in dim light conditions.
What counts as the best feature of this camera is that it doesn’t comprise any noticeable negative quality.
Providing users with an HD recording of 1080p, this gear suits best when used for indoor shoots.
Though this device doesn’t offer users manual focus adjustments, a built-in premium Wifi Connectivity, and a flip screen to record your vlog from different angles make up for this drawback.
Providing users with optimum battery timing, this product can be everything you have been looking for!
Features:
- Enrich users with premium video quality for about 1080p.
- Comes in handy with a built-in tilted flip screen.
- Users have been rating this vlogging camera 4 out of 5 stars for its ultimate performance.
Drawbacks:
- Doesn’t feature an external microphone within the package.
- The users find the battery life of this vlogging camera to be average
- This vlogging camera doesn’t come with a front mic.
9. Fujifilm FinePix S8600 16 MP Digital Camera
Review:
If you’re seeking a product that proves to be fruitful to be used for indoor shoots, then this Fujifilm FinePix S8600 can be your best viable pick.
Most of the people that are well aware of the technology and specifications Fuji cameras come in handy with, they compare the 720 p camera of this product with a DSLR.
Though this camera isn’t the first priority of the vloggers lately due to the fact that the resolution of this camera can’t go any further than 720p resolution.
However, this camera proves it’s worth to the people who just want a camera to shoot a product review video without considering other factors like video quality, flip screen, etc.
This masterpiece is often compared with HD pro webcam by most people, but according to the professionals, both of these products are absolutely different from each other.
Coming back towards the topic, if you want to witness quality along with great battery life, then this product can be your viable pick.
Features:
- Enrich users with premium video quality for about 1080p.
- Users have been rating this vlogging camera 4 out of 5 stars for its ultimate performance.
Drawbacks:
- The users find the battery life of this vlogging camera to be average
- Doesn’t feature an external microphone within the package.
- This vlogging camera doesn’t come with a front mic.
10. Nikon Cool Pix S6900 Digital Camera with 12x Optical Zoom
Review:
If you are a travel fanatic and want to gear yourself up with something that comes with a handful of specifications and provides you with the best possible experience, then look no more as this camera can prove its worth to you as soon as you begin using it.
One of the reasons that this vlogging camera under 200 dollars has created quite a fandom of it is just because this product is light in weight and can be handled and maintained with ease.
No doubt that Canon is the name that’s more than enough to assure users about the long-lasting durability of this product along with providing users with the best possible experience.
This camera comes in handy with the ability to allow users to record their videos at 1080p top-notch quality at a speed of 30 fps.
Moreover this ISO this camera features is excellent and is rare to be found in other vlogging cameras under 200 dollars.
What counts as the best feature of this camera is its front-mounted microphone, which provides users with realistic audio input. Comprising the best features, this camera provides users with the best value for their money!
Features:
-
- Provide users with a premium video quality of about 1080p.
- Comes in handy with a built-in flip screen.
- Users have been rating this vlogging camera 4 out of 5 stars for its ultimate performance.
Drawbacks:
- The users find the battery life of this vlogging camera to be average
- Doesn’t feature an external microphone within the package.
- This vlogging camera doesn’t come with a front mic.
11. GoPro Hero 4 Silver
Review:
If you are seeking the best professional vlogging camera under 200 dollars, yet don’t want to compromise on the quality of your video, then getting your hands on GoPro hero 4 silver can be a solution to your problem.
Coming with the robust and sturdy upper casing, this vlogging camera can easily operate in extreme weather conditions, without worrying about getting your gear defected.
In addition to this, GoPro hero comes in handy with multiple other accessories that tend to increase the productivity and result of your vlog.
The accessories can either be a long selfie stick to shoot areas that are far away from your hand or a car mounting stand that allows this camera to be mounted on the top of your car.
Featuring easy operations, it doesn’t matter if you are new to the vlogging field, this camera can be easily used and maintained even by an immature one.
Allowing you to shoot your videos at 4K resolution, this camera provides you with a 60 fps recording speed.
Other than vlogging, this camera can be used as a DSLR too which allows users to capture 12 megapixels photos with a burst shot rate of 30 fps.
For the price this camera comes with, this can be your best viable pick.
Features:
-
- Enrich users with a fast burst rate of 30 fps.
- This vlogging camera enables users to shoot their videos at 4K resolution.
- Comes in handy with a long-lasting durable design.
- A lot of other necessary accessories come within the package.
Drawbacks:
- The 4K resolution this vlogging camera offers has a poor playback.
How to Get the Most Out of a Budget Vlogging Camera?
While you probably already know a lot about what to look for when choosing the right budget vlogging camera for your needs, the thing is that what the camera alone offers wouldn’t be enough.
This is because, in this price range, vlogging cameras are fairly limited in terms of what they can offer.
This is where quality vlogging accessories come in. They help you build a vlogging system without breaking the bank, but can greatly improve the quality of videos you produce.
When going with a cheap vlogging camera that costs less than $200, your best bet as an accessory would be the lighting kit.
Don’t worry about blowing your budget, as there are more than a few cheap lighting kits that perform fairly well for a budget vlogging setup.
It can totally transform the kind of quality you can achieve with your videos as controlling your lighting is a crucial element of vlogging.
No matter the type of channel you run or are planning to run, the lighting factor can make or break your video quality.
Even a cheap vlogging camera that records like a high-end one if it has a good lighting kit assisting it.
No, not only does it make the subjects in the video much better and improves the focus on them, but it also gives the video a much more overall professional feel.
This is especially important if you’re looking to record videos indoors, as that’s usually when you encounter low light conditions.
After all, using a cheap vlogging camera in low light conditions is often a recipe for vlogging disaster.
Another important accessory to have with a cheap vlogging camera is a cheap tripod.
Just like a lighting kit, it’s going to be a must if you plan to record your videos at your home.
Features To Pay Attention To:
While we just talked about what the better budget vlogging cameras tend to offer, there’s more to it (make sure to check out vlogging tips for beginners to know what you really need).
You need to know what features and factors to consider when looking for a budget vlogging camera that meets YOUR needs better.
This is important because there are different types of vloggers and their needs tend to differ quite a bit from one another.
For instance, a vlogger that’s into adventurous stuff would want to go with a good action camera with high fps shooting, and wouldn’t bother much with the zoom range.
On the other hand, for a vlogger that plans to only shoot indoor, the low light recording quality will be a crucial factor to consider.
And while it’s certain that you may have to make some compromises in this price range, you can still get a great deal by identifying your needs well and getting a budget vlogging camera that meets those needs better, even if it doesn’t fare as well in other departments that are not as important for you.
That said, something that’s going to be an important factor for every type of vlogger is the recording quality.
You can’t expect a 4K camera, but it would be great if it was in 1080p quality, which is the standard today for high-quality videos. Some vlog cameras can only support up to 720p, but they can still be a good option depending on your needs.
As we mentioned above, if you’re going to shoot most of your videos indoors, the low light recording quality is going to be of great importance. Unfortunately, most YouTube cameras priced under $200 are rather disappointing on this front.
However, if you don’t mind spending exactly around the $200 mark and compromising a bit on some of the other less important factors, you can get a camera that promises great performance in low light conditions as well.
There are also a few options on the market that come with some of the more advanced features like optical image stabilization, which is a great feature to have for beginners that want to record professional-quality videos without investing in a quality tripod.
Finally, there’s no external mic port to attach an external mic to these cameras, so the audio quality is something you wouldn’t want to compromise on.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Verdict:
The Sony DSCWX220 is going to be a perfect choice for most vloggers reading this.
For action or travel vloggers, however, the YI 4K may make more sense.
The Canon ELPH 190 and ELPH 360 might be worth considering for those that are after a more balanced performance, and for some reason are more comfortable going with a Canon.
Finally, the Sony DSCW830 isn’t half bad for the price it’s being sold at, especially if you can live with the few downsides it comes with.
Overall, we think that Sony DSCWX220 is a very complete option and unless you have any specific needs that the other products meet better, it’s going to be hands down the best vlogging camera you can buy for under $200.
Zach’s Take
It has optical image stabilization that would help beginners avoid noise and distortion in their videos to a great extent.
The combination of the 20MP CCD sensor and the DIGIC 4+ Image Processor is also pretty good for the price.