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What is the best camera for YouTube?
Short answer: before comparing a $150 and a $500 camera, check the features that actually matter for YouTube: manual focus, manual white balance, an external microphone input and a headphone output. I compare a Panasonic 1080p (X900M) with a Panasonic 4K model, both around $800-900 when new.
My experience
I have been making YouTube videos for over three years, and my Spanish channel has over 80,000 subscribers. These are the lessons from the cameras I bought in the past five years.
1. Manual focus
Autofocus can go out of focus for a few seconds when you film yourself, and it struggles with shiny or silver surfaces, like the computers and phones I repair. Manual focus solves that.
Manual white balance
Being able to choose a cooler or warmer color temperature manually lets you match the look you want.
2. Microphone input
The built-in mic is omnidirectional: it picks up sound from everywhere, so your voice is not loud and clear and you hear dogs and noise. Choose a camera with a mic input. I use a Sennheiser shotgun mic, which ignores sound from the sides. On a budget, a lavalier mic for a dollar or two on eBay works; you are just tied to the cable.
3. Headphone output
A headphone output lets you hear if the sound is good while recording. A cheap mic can ruin a video, and you only find out later if you can't monitor it.
$150 vs $500 camera
The price difference is in these features. A cheaper camera may look fine on paper, but when you start making videos you find out it can't do what you thought: it loses focus, you can't connect a good mic or you can't hear what you are recording.
1080p vs 4K Panasonic
I compare two Panasonic camcorders: the 1080p X900M and a 4K model. Both were about $800 to $900 new, and each new Panasonic of this type comes out around the same price. What matters most are the features I listed, which are found in most cameras and brands.
Little details
On the 4K Panasonic, the mic and headphone ports are under a cover that does not close all the way when cables are plugged in, so I like the other model better there. A shoe adapter on top lets you mount more accessories.
External mic options
A shotgun mic like my Sennheiser picks up sound from where it points and ignores the sides, so it is great when you don't want cables. A lavalier is the cheapest option: clip it on, plug it in and record, with an extension cable if you need more length. Wireless mics free you from cables completely.
Why monitor the audio
A cheap $10 or $20 mic can sound bad, and a dog barking or background noise can ruin a take. With headphones connected to the camera you hear the problem while recording, not after you edit.
Checklist before you buy
1. Manual focus. 2. Manual white balance. 3. External mic input. 4. Headphone output. 5. Then compare price and resolution.
Frequently asked questions
Is 4K necessary for YouTube?
Features like manual focus and a mic input matter more for good videos.
Why does a camera need a mic input?
The built-in mic picks up sound from everywhere; an external mic like a shotgun or lavalier sounds much clearer.
Why manual focus?
Autofocus can hunt when you film yourself or shiny objects; manual focus keeps the shot sharp.