Everyone wants to be a social media influencer these days and it has become a growing trend.
This could be achieved through activism on Facebook or Twitter, modeling on Instagram, and live streaming on YouTube, Twitch or other platforms.
People have gained celebrity status and amassed a large number of followers with the tactics mentioned.
Many business and independent creators have found success with this type of video content.
You can also embed a live stream video on your website. The point is, live-streaming is popular and has lots of benefits.
People used to share songs, film trailers, and educational videos on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube back in the day.
As things changed, people started rolling with the punches, and now here we are, witnessing the age of live videos.
I bet you’ve been thinking about going live on your social media channels too, am I right?
But before you decide to delve knee-deep into that, you must understand which cameras will help you create high-quality live-streaming videos for your audience.
Taking convenience, handling, and budget into account, I have listed my favorites below:
Webcams
Commonly, webcams are convenient and budget-friendly options used for live streaming from the comfort of your own room.
So, if you have decided to launch a YouTube or Twitch channel for live streaming and want to keep it simple, then a webcam is the best choice.
Below are the top 5 webcams that you can easily get your hands on:
Logitech C920SHD Pro Webcam:
Credits: logitech.com
Logitech C920s is the most popular, budget-friendly, and top-rated choice when it comes to webcams for live streaming. It offers excellent picture quality.
With a recording resolution of 1080p with 30fps, a display resolution of 1080p, and a field of view of 78 degrees, it comes along with dual microphones and stereo.
It works well in low light with decent autofocus. The webcam settings can be accessed through Logitech Capture application which is available on Windows.
Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam:
Credits: logitech.com
Logitech C922x is a contemporary of C920s, and it possesses some additional features which have made it a suitable option for live streaming.
It offers a 720p resolution at 60 fps and has a glass lens. Users can also remove the background, and replace it entirely with a simulated background of their own.
It is also compatible with Logitech Capture application. The only downside is that it requires a higher budget than C920 which is why users would commonly overlook C922x.
Logitech BRIO:
Logitech BRIO presents an opportunity for premium live streaming video quality, as it boasts a 4K UHD resolution that transforms the whole experience.
It carries a high-quality streaming of 1080p resolution at 60fps, and a field of view of 90 degrees.
The most exclusive feature of Logitech BRIO is HDR capture which gives everyone who owns an HDR screen a chance to rejoice crisp and vibrant colors.
Since 4k streaming isn’t prevalent as of yet, paying the current price of Logitech BRIO wouldn’t make sense for a lot of people which is the only drawback of this webcam.
Razer Kiyo:
Razer Kiyo is another premium quality webcam option for optimal live streaming. It comes with a video resolution of 720p at 60fps and 1080p at 30fps.
It has a unique design which is a signatory feature. It has a light ring around the camera which keeps the lighting steady even in darker environments without having to adjust settings to reduce noise and graininess.
Razer Kiyo may have several great features, but if you’re on a tight budget the price may put you off. Keep reading to find a webcam that suits your pockets.
Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000:
Microsoft LifeCam is one of the cheapest webcam options for users who are just starting out and have budget constraints.
It is a Skype certified camera which gives a display resolution of 1280x800p and recording resolution of 720p at 30fps.
In this day and age, the video quality of LifeCam could be argued as low, but it’s the sort of device you can easily plug and play, making it hassle-free to use.
The image sharpness is fair with proper saturation calibration. It also has a 360-degree rotation feature.
DSLRs
DSLR cameras are a high-end product which require a sizable budget, but they also give you a high-quality outcome.
So, if you want to scale your live streaming efforts, and go out for vlogging/covering a live event, then a DSLR camera is a more appropriate choice.
Below are the top 3 DSLR cameras you could choose from:
Canon EOS 80D:
Youtubers consider Canon EOS 80D among the best cameras for live streaming. The live stream video resolution is 1080p at 60 fps.
It has powerful dual-pixel autofocus and anti-flicker feature which compensates for changing light sources and flickering to provide constant exposure levels and color while live streaming.
Canon EOS 80D users can enjoy longer battery life and built-in Wi-Fi with near-field communication. It has a 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor which performs well in low light conditions.
Canon EOS 80D offers value for money but without the range of options.
If you are just starting out, then this camera would make it easier for you to set sail as it won’t complicate things for you while live streaming.
Panasonic Lumix GH5:
Panasonic Lumix GH5 affords its users a luxurious 4K UHD video resolution. It has a 5-axis dual image stabilization with an interchangeable lens. This camera does not overheat and is freezeproof.
Panasonic Lumix GH5 is a premium choice for a DSLR which costs a pretty penny, but the quality of the video is top-notch. So, if you can save up enough for a camera, this would be a great option.
Sony Alpha a7 III:
Another great camera with excellent video quality and impressive features.
Sony Alpha a7 III is an unrivaled choice, which squeezes out tons of money from your pockets. In return, it gives you unmatched results.
Other than 4K UHD video, It has a 4.2MP Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor to provide you with ultra-fast speed and enhanced low light performance.
Honorable mentions
Webcams and DSLR cameras help you organize and manage your live streaming with notable aspects, but if you come across something that you need to record unexpectedly, you can improvise.
Just whip out your smartphone and begin live streaming.
In this day and age, your smartphone is capable enough to provide your audience with a pretty “well-made” live stream video.
After all, smartphones are what have made short-form video content so popular on the internet.
Read more: Short Form vs Long Form Video for Business
Other than smartphones, you also have action cameras like the GoPro HERO 7. If you’re the outdoorsy type, then an action camera is just what you need.
GoPro cameras are capable of capturing fast-moving objects and produce hyper smooth footage.
You can also live stream directly from your camera (all you need is a GoPro and a live stream app for iOS).
The cameras are waterproof and pretty adamant to give you gimbal-like stabilization. GoPros are hands-free and support voice commands.
*Information accurate at the time of publishing
Final thoughts
It has become a painless process to get started when it comes to live-streaming on any platform—whether YouTube, Facebook or Twitch.
If you want to begin giving live tutorials, vlogs or interviews, you just have to understand your forte and where you will easily fit in. Select a platform, set up your channel, choose a live stream camera and hit record, your audience awaits.
