Nikon is well known for it’s cameras being extremely good at photography.
Contents
At A Glance: Our Top Picks: Nikon Cameras for Video
- Nikon D750 OVERALL WINNER
- Nikon D7500 BEST MID-RANGE
- Nikon D3400 BEST BUDGET
- Nikon 1 J5 BEST COMPACT
But, what about videography?
In the past few years, Nikon has worked on video features and so far, we are impressed with the results.
Turns out, there are a number of Nikon cameras that perform amazing for vlogging and YouTube!
In today’s guide, I reviewed 7 Nikon cameras for video in all price ranges:
[fancy-ul icon_type=”font_icon” icon=”fa-camera” color=”extra-color-3″ alignment=”left” enable_animation=”true”]- Prosumer ($1000+)
- Mid-range ($500-1000)
- Entry-level (>$500)
Why Nikon for Vlogging and Videography?
While you obviously cannot go wrong with a great Canon or Sony camera, the Nikon ones are usually a more of a balanced choice.
They are good at both videos and images, and also have a healthy mix of features that are useful for YouTube creators and vloggers.
You can find a good Nikon camera for your needs at pretty much every price point, so regardless of your budget, you will be able to find a good deal.
Top 10 Nikon Cameras for Video in [year]
So, scroll down to the budget you set out for your Nikon video camera, and you’ll see our choice for that price.
Image | Nikon Model | Specs | Price |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Nikon D750 WINNER | DSLR 1080/60p Video | Check Price |
![]() | Nikon D7500 UNDER $1,200 | DSLR 4K Video | Check Price |
![]() | Nikon D5600 UNDER $600 | DSLR 1080/60p Video | Check Price |
![]() | Nikon 1 J5 COMPACT | Mirrorless 1080/60p Video | Check Price |
![]() | Nikon D3400 UNDER $500 | DSLR 1080/60p VideO | Check Price |
![]() | Nikon D5300 UNDER $450 | DSLR 1080/60p Video | Check Price |
![]() | Nikon COOLPIX B500 UNDER $250 | Mirrorless 1080/30p VideO | $Check Price |
WINNER
1. Nikon D750
Quality = 98%
Affordability = 86%
Why I Like It:
- Quality comparable with D810 (which costs $1000 more)
- Compact and Lightweight
- Amazing low light and indoors shooting
- Control ISO, Shutter Speed and Aperture while recording
Review:
You don’t often come across a camera that’s well-suited for doing videos with positive reviews, especially in this price range where customers expect a lot.
Yet, the Nikon D750 managing to get almost universally positive reviews speaks volumes about the kind of value it offers despite not being a cheap product.
If you have used other high-end full-frame video cameras before (like D850), you would find it a pleasure to switch to the D750.
And that’s because it’s faster than some of the pricier video cameras on the market, and allows for some extremely smooth video recording, which is exactly what you need for vlogging and video creation.
- AutoFocus: which tends to be another crucial factor, boasts a genius-level accuracy. It’s also extremely fast and instantaneous, which is again something that will make producing high-quality vlogging videos a breeze for you.
- Body: For those that are going to shoot videos outdoor for their channel, without spending hefty amounts on a tripod or carrying around a bulky setup, will love the great grip that the D750 offers.It makes moving around quickly with the camera so easy, without letting any kind of distortion creep into the videos. This, coupled with the supremely accurate autofocus, makes it a stunning option for all vloggers that shoot their videos outdoor.
- Lightweight: This simplicity of use is complimented by the D750’s lightweight body, which makes it more beginner-friendly as well as a much better option for travel vloggers or users that will be shooting a lot of videos outdoor.
- Beginner Friendly: However, while the users that have used a high-end video camera before will find the D750 impressive, the ones that are new to filming and videography, too, would be just as glad to have it as their first camera.The D750 comes with detailed controls but they are all very easy to use and manage. Unlike some other cameras in this price range, you wouldn’t have to mess around with different settings for shooting different types of videos.
- Low Light Performance: Finally, another important factor vloggers wouldn’t like to compromise on is low light performance.
And to your surprise, the D750 doesn’t disappoint in this department either, as it actually takes much better videos in low light than some of its competitors that cost considerably more.
It only records in 1080p HD but the quality wouldn’t make you miss 4K for sure.
Features:
- DSLR Camera
- 1080p 60 fps
- 24.3 megapixel CMOS sensor
- Great Body
- Pro Video Feature Set
Drawbacks:
- Could have 4K at this price point, but it compensates with quality of other features beating other cameras that are much more expensive
The Verdict:
All in all, it’s a great Nikon DSLR for video. You definitely may not find anything to complain about it unless you perhaps compare it to a product costing a grand more than it does.
UNDER $1200
2. Nikon D7500
Quality = 95%
Affordability = 88%
Why I Like It:
- 4K Ultra HD Resolution
- Detailed and color rich image quality
- Fast AF System
- Great sound quality
Review:
If you’re on a budget but want to get most of what the D750 offers without a big compromise on any of the important features, then the Nikon D7500 may very well turn out to be your best bet.
It comes with a great ISO range that gives it the versatility to shoot many different types of videos.
- AutoFocus: is very similar to the D750 – surprisingly fast and accurate.A user mentioned in their review how they use it to shoot videos of birds, and they all come out great without losing track of the flying birds. In other words, the focus is very accurate and quick and in this case, follows the birds without letting the focus go off even for a bit.
- Video Quality: However, something that really surprised us is the video quality itself.
The quality of the videos it takes is easily comparable to a premium video camera, which would set you back much, much more than the D7500. - Details: The colors come out very rich and there’s absolutely no loss of detail, even when shooting videos with fast-moving subjects or elements in them.
The color retention and exposure is great too, better than what you would expect at this price point.
Overall, for YouTube videos, you would be very pleased with what it can do for you.
Features:
- Camera Type: DSLR
- Power Aperature Control
- 4K Time Lapse
- WiFi and Bluetooth
Drawbacks:
- Only one card slot
- No vertical grip
The Verdict:
For a couple hundred bucks cheaper than D750, this camera has insanely sharp quality and a 4K resolution. Definitely a good choice and value for the cost.
UNDER $600
3. Nikon D5600
Quality = 93%
Affordability = 94%
Why I Like It:
- Great quality for the price
- Good in Low Light
- Flip Screen
- Beginner Friendly
Review:
It’s a much cheaper camera than the other two we reviewed above, so you will have to make a few compromises here.
However, if $500 to $700 is all you got, then it may be hard to beat the D5600.
The focus isn’t as fast as the D750 or even the D7500, but it would be good enough for most users unless they will be shooting action-packed sports videos or something similar.
Touchscreen LCD is very responsive and makes using the menus much easier to use. It also helps save a lot of time, which vloggers producing a lot of fresh videos every week for their subscribers will certainly appreciate.
The LCD is also articulating, which makes the D5600 even more flexible, and you would be able to shoot from many more angles than with other cameras without an articulating LCD.
In fact, it’s actually even better than the other cameras in this price range that do come with an articulating LCD, and that’s because the D5600’s LCD allows you to flip it to face in the front as well, which can be a HUGE feature for vloggers and YouTubers that film themselves.
It records full HD 1080p as well, and at 60fps, it’s fast enough for most vloggers’ needs.
As for beginners, they will really like how simple and easy it is to use, with the menus having a lot of information with a very user-friendly interface.
Features:
- Camera Type: DSLR
- 1080p
- Flip Screen
- WiFi and NFS
- 24.2 megapixels
Drawbacks:
- According to some reviewers on Amazon, it is not the easiest camera to use control wise.
The Verdict:
Best Nikon vlogging camera with flip screen. Balanced features and ease of use make it a great choice for everyone.
SMALL AND POWERFUL
4. Nikon 1 J5
Quality = 86%
Affordability = 95%
Why I Like It:
- Fast AutoFocus (easily beats some DSLR’s on this list)
- Good in low light and indoors
- You can carry it in your pocket
- 180° tilting touch screen
Review:
Now, the Nikon 1 J5 isn’t the most popular Nikon vlog camera, but if you’re after something unique and very compact, AND something you can buy on a very tight budget, then it’s probably what you’re looking for.
One of its most impressive features is the tilting touchscreen, which is very rare to find in this price range.
However, the touchscreen is fairly large and responsive, and even beginners wouldn’t have any problem getting used to it.
The 1 J5 records excellent 1080p full HD videos at 60fps. While the videos aren’t the most detailed you can get (if you go for a considerably more expensive camera), they are not half bad for what you pay, having no noise and retaining the details better than many other options available at a similar price.
It also has a Sports mode and a time lapse feature, which some users might find useful.
Finally, something may not fail to impress you is the hybrid AF system with 105 AF points. Similarly, the built-in WiFi connectivity with NFC is a great feature to have.
Features:
- Type: Mirrorless cameras
- 1080p 60 fps
- 20.8 megapixels
- WiFi and NFS
Drawbacks:
- Not the best footage quality overall compared to DSLR’s on this list
The Verdict:
I figured I should include at least 1 portable Nikon camera that you can carry in your pocket, and this model servers perfectly for that purpose. If you need a small vlog camera, get Nikon 1 J5.
UNDER $600
5. Nikon D3400
Quality = 90%
Affordability = 96%
Why I Like It:
- Sharp footage and good colors
- Amazing low light performance for the price
- Lightweight
- 1080p resolution
Review:
First things first, this is one of the few cameras that both beginners and some of the most experienced users have been pleased with.
It takes very sharp videos that have great details and very rich colors.
It supports 1080/60p full HD quality, and the AF system is fairly precise as well.
The good thing about the AF system is that it works pretty well in low light conditions as well, which is quite a surprise when buying something under $500.
It’s also very lightweight and easy to use, which is what makes it a great fit for both beginners and travel vloggers.
The ISO range is good too, although you may have to make some slight adjustments and do some testing to find out what works best for you.
The only major downside is that there’s no touchscreen or an articulating LCD.
Features:
- Camera Type: DSLR
- 1080p 60 fps
- 24.2MP CMOS Sensor
- A lot of good lens options
- ISO Range 100-25600
Drawbacks:
- No touch screen
The Verdict:
Best entry-level Nikon DSLR for video and photo.
UNDER $450
6. Nikon D5300
Quality = 89%
Affordability = 97%
Why I Like It:
- Over 500 5-star reviews on Amazon!
- One of the best bang for the buck cameras
- Beginner Friendly
- Full HD
Review:
This is another budget DSLR from Nikon that comes packed with great features and doesn’t compromise on the functionality at all.
Its AF system offers a much larger coverage than some of the much more expensive DSLRs, and you would be able to set the focus to even the smallest of elements regardless of where they are on the screen.
The ISO range is good and unless you’re shooting very demanding videos, it would serve you well for your needs.
As for the ease of use, there have been many beginners mentioning how easy it is to get familiar with the D5300, thanks to the intuitive Menu system, which is way better than that of its predecessor, the D5100.
The internal GPS works great too, which would certainly turn out to be a useful feature for some vloggers.
The low light performance isn’t exceptional, but it gets the job done most of the time.
It shoots 1080p at 60p, 30p and 24p, so you do get a fair bit of flexibility as well. The video shooting quality is fairly good when you’re shooting indoor videos or just filing yourself.
Things do get a bit tricky when you use it for anything outdoor, though. While the AF system is large and covers the entire screen, it does get quite inaccurate as you move away from the center of the screen.
This means that it wouldn’t be a great choice for shooting sports videos or anything with a lot of action.
Features:
- Camera Type: DSLR
- 1080p 60 fps
- Great indoors and for vlogging
- Internal GPS
Drawbacks:
- Low light performance could be better
- Not the best in fast paced recording
The Verdict:
For under $450 getting this camera is a steal! If you want to check very similar model, we reviewed D5200 on our top 5 cameras for music videos article.
UNDER $300
7. Nikon COOLPIX B500
Quality = 84%
Affordability = 98%
Why I Like It:
- One of my favorite super budget cameras
- Full HD
- Good at both video and photo
- Beginner Friendly
Review:
So here we have the cheapest option on our list. It’s also our best vlogging camera under $300.
Of course, it’s not a very recommended camera if you can afford to spend a bit more, but for those on a shoestring budget or just trying their hand at vlogging, it would work just fine.
The videos do come out fairly sharp and detailed, but you wouldn’t be able to avoid the noise completely, especially when shooting the more demanding videos.
However, the B500 comes with Vibration Reduction (VR), which is basically the Nikon version of video stabilization.
And as you likely won’t be using a tripod, this feature would come in really handy as it would help prevent shakiness and blurriness in your videos. This alone would improve the overall quality of your videos quite a bit.
It records full HD 1080p quality videos as well, but the autofocus wouldn’t be spot on.
Features:
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- 1080p 30 fps
- 40x Optical Zoom Lens
- WiFi and NFS
- Vibration Reduction
Drawbacks:
- Autofocus is not the best
- Noise reduction can be better
The Verdict:
One of the best cameras you can get in this price range, highly recommended if you need a cheap Nikon camera for video and photo!
8. Nikon Z6 II
Why I Like It:
- Provides top quality images
- Has a Compact body with well-designed ergonomics and a lot of included control points
- Has a strong video shooting features
- Has a durable build quality
- The feature “Auto shutter mode” helps in avoiding issues such as shutter shock or bokeh truncation
Review:
The Z6 II is a type of camera that is capable enough to support the photographer in almost every situation he gets into. From being comfortable to use, this camera is absolutely best to to capture good quality video footage.
Although this camera is similar to its previous version, this camera has an ability to add a battery grip along with vertical cords, and also offers the users to add another card slot which helps to expand its already wide storage capacity. With these small replacements and improvements, Z6 II can be used for everything.
The Z6 II’s ergonomics are extraordinary, the menus are organized in a well prescribed manner and consist of AF foibles aside which makes this camera enjoyable to shoot with. The Z6 II’s battery life can possibly hinder your experience while being on prolonged shoots or during long periods of video recording, but normally it’s an easy camera to operate. Z6 II Bluetooth/Wi-Fi system works quite smoothly after being set up.
Within the price range it offers, this camera is worth every penny. The specification this camera carries gives a tough competition to Nikon’s D750 and D780 , and hence can prove to be a perfect pick for your vlogging experience.
9. Nikon D7100
Why I Like It:
- Gives High ISO
- Has a 51-point AutoFocus system.
- The body of this camera is Sealed which makes it dust and moisture-proof
- Has a Great LCD screen
- A very precise AWB system
Review:
The Nikon D7100 is the upgraded version of the well-known D7000, and as the success of its previous model, D7100 comes with some improvements while maintaining the attributes and standard of its previous version.
The show-stealing feature of D7100 is its 24-megapixel sensor, for which D7100, therefore, is considered to be the highest resolution APS-C camera in the market. When you pick up this camera, you will see how light weighted it is, even with an attached flash, it will still remain easy to carry and provide ultra-portability.
On the rear side of the D7100, a 3.2 inch, 1228k-dot LCD monitor is placed, although it doesn’t have an flipped screen option but the beautiful resolution it portrays makes up for it. The menu system of the camera includes large texts and allows access to a rather comprehensive and well-organized list of options. With its incredibly bright and sharp display, visibility won’t be an issue on this camera.
It offers an excellent image quality option and stunning performance. With quick shooting capabilities, you can start your shooting within 2 seconds with a minor shutter lag of 0.5 seconds.
Finally, the Nikon D7100’s video recording capability can not be ignored, this gadget is able to record at up to 1080p30 or 720p60 in Quicktime format. The footage quality produced is exquisite, maintaining sharpness like a pro with accurate colors.
When the user Adjusts the camera’s setting to 1.3x crop mode allows the users to record in 1080i at 60 fps or 1080i at 50 fps, whereas the aperture- and shutter-priority modes are lacking in this camera’s video capabilities, the option for manual exposure is given, which will make this a solid choice even for shooting videos as well.
10. Nikon Coolpix L340 Digital Camera
Why I Like It:
- Powered by AA batteries
- 32 GB SDHC Memory card
- XTECH mini table tripod
- Effective and Excellent Auto Abilities
Review:
Nikon Coolpix proves to be an affordable, cutting-edge, and stylish camera that is produced to offer a premium video shooting experience.
Mastered to take pictures from a particular angle, this camera can take your photography and video shooting skills to another level. Although it exceeds a normal budget range, it’s fashionable style appeals to it.
Being powered by AA batteries, this camera is highly portable and with a set of extra batteries, you don’t have to worry about its battery health running out.
Offering a 32 GB SDHC memory card, you can shoot and record a whole list of events, and still some of the space would be left out.
Although it lacks Bluetooth services and doesn’t support any connectivity feature, coming with an X Tech mini tripod for optical image stabilization and preventing your footage from being shaky makes up for this fact.
With its effective autofocus abilities, multiple subjects can be shot at a time, and hence makes this camera a good pick for image capturing and video shooting options.
What to Consider When Choosing a Camera for Video?
From a list of famous camera manufacturers and brands, it can be difficult to find the right camera for you.
Everyone has a different approach and different theme of vlogs, and to fulfill the particular requirements, every camera is packed with a set of different specifications that serves the best to the vlogger.
That being said, some of the universal qualities you should look beforehand while purchasing a camera are mentioned below.
The most important feature to look out for in a camera is its image quality and how much video resolution it supports. To give the competition to other bloggers out there, your camera should be able to produce a video resolution upto 720p, 1080p and should support a 4K resolution. If you’re a professional blogger and want to impress your audience with extreme vlogging skills, you should not settle down with a camera that provides an image quality below 1080p. Anything below 1080p is considered to lie within just an average quality vlog and can hinder your growth, so it’s advised to raise your budget and get a camera that shoots in 4K to have an eye-catching vlog. According to professional vloggers, vlogging cameras should be lightweight and highly portable so that you can carry your camera wherever you go with ease. It’s hard to shoot onHeavy and Bulky cameras, and hence it can be difficult to carry a bulky camera for a prolonged period which can end up in wrist pain. It’s common to walk or perform an activity that requires a lot of movement during a vlog. Although there are a couple of apps that will account for a good amount of stabilized footage, it won’t still be able to provide the quality results that are obtained from a vlogging camera that has built-in optical image stabilization. To have a shaky free, quality video resolution, you should go for a camera that supports optical image stabilization. If a viewer struggles hearing you in the vlog, they won’t stick around for a second and will skip your video instantly, which is why audio quality has the same importance as image quality. Every camera has a built-in microphone these days, which provides a decent audio quality but ends up picking up unwanted noise from the background. That’s why it is preferred to invest in an external microphone to provide premium audio quality to your viewers. A lot of time, you’ll need to switch your focus on different things while filming, so when you change your direction of shooting towards a different subject, your camera must be strong enough to focus that spot quickly. If your camera operates slowly during focus or while editing your shot, you discover that some part of your film is out of focus, which can irritate you. You should go for a camera that has the quickest and accurate autofocus capability to improve the quality of your vlog. If you’re a travel vlogger and mostly remains out of town, then before purchasing a camera, you should look out for a long lasting battery life in a camera. And if you’re running low on your budget and your camera doesn’t support a long battery health, then it’s advised to purchase a set of additional batteries to avoid any inconvenience. The full form of this abbreviation is Frames per second. This term is used to represent something that measures frame rate, or the number of individual images you can see a screen is capable of showing you in a second. The average fps rate for filming in modern days is considered to be around 24 FPS. If a camera has about 12 FPS, then the video results might look slightly choppy and won’t provide the user and the viewers with good views. An ideal camera for vlogging should have the ability to produce 20 frames per second at least. As you can probably tell, you should limit yourself to choosing one of the first three cameras we reviewed above if you have an established channel and looking to crank out really professional quality videos. However, if you’re on a tight budget and just a beginner at vlogging, then you can choose any of the other cameras based on your budget and needs. If you need a really cheap Nikon, check out 2 Nikon’s under $100 They are all good at making fairly good quality videos that do have somewhat of a professional feel, which you can further improve by working on your video making skills. We recommend pairing your camera with a good vlogging tripod. Thanks for sticking till the end and I hope you found best Nikon video camera for your needs. If you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know in the comments! 🙂Image quality:
Weight :
Optical Image stabilization:
Audio;
Autofocus:
Battery life:
FPS:
Frequently Asked Questions:
Conclusion!