A camera to start a youtube tech channel

JtheGamer

Commendable
Feb 14, 2016
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So Ive been looking at some options of buying a camera to start a youtube tech channel...

Any suggestions on you guys?

My budget is 200 to 350 dollars

and I want a camera not a camcorder. (one with good video quality) (1080p)


UPDATE MARCH 2016

Budget now is around 400 to 500 dollars. Ive done some research and is the Samsung NX30 good? Found it at a low price on ebay. Looking into mirrorless also...
 
Solution
That budget is a joke, just use your cellphone for now until you understand why that budget is a joke. Once you do, you'll know what you need.

Just remember, content >>> video quality.

BlueFireZ

Estimable
Your budget is just too low for a good camera, and like basroil said, you might as well use a phone camera.

In the last few years the quality game has been increasing with 2k and 4k videos coming out on YouTube. Even though a camera at the price of $300 can record at 1080p, it doesn't mean the actual end-recorded quality will look good. I have a Canon 70D that I bought 3 years ago for $1400 which even though it shoots at 1080p, Its not the best looking 1080p. It's best to save up (around $700+) and buy a camera then. It's not only good for your videos, but also for the long run.

Btw, I myself have a tech channel and I hope this helps.
 

JtheGamer

Commendable
Feb 14, 2016
16
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1,560




By the way, my cell phone shoots like crap. So... Thats why I want better quality than a cell phone. Also I've changed by budget to 400 to 500 dollars
 


Most likely your cellphone shoots just fine, it's you that shoots like crap. Getting a new camera won't actually solve the problem, since the actual problem was you. Unless you know a great deal of photography and videography, I'm going to wager that any issues you are having are with your setup and content, not the video quality itself.
What type of lighting equipment do you have? If your answer is "what?" or "none", there's your problem.
 

sandraharriette

Commendable
Mar 7, 2016
4
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1,510
I saw someone recommend your smartphone and, as snarky as the comment was, that's not a bad idea. I use my Nokia Lumia 1520. Depending upon what you have, you'd be surprised at the quality these devices can put out.

Look at Pocket Filmmaker on YouTube. He has some basic tuts.
 

BlueFireZ

Estimable
Like basroil mentioned, lighting is also a problem depending on your situation. Since you are starting a tech channel which I'm guessing is placed indoors, you will have insufficient light which leads to you turning your exposure up and getting grainy video. I myself don't have any pro equipment in that area and am just surviving with a cheap Ikea lamp lol. Recording near a window with daylight is probably the best option.

As for the camera probably a mirror less is your best option, check out the Alpha a5000:

Sony Alpha a5000 - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1022331-REG/sony_ilce_5000b_k_alpha_a5000_mirrorless_digital.html

It seems to have good video quality for the price and also a very small form factor compared to entry level DSLR's.

Here's a DSLR, which has good video quality too:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/924688-REG/sony_slt_a58k_alpha_slt_a58_digital_slr.html

Hope this Helps!

 


I would actually suggest you "upgrade" to Home Depot halogen lamps, they are only $30-50. Not quite as nice as proper lighting equipment, but if you make a softbox (out of non-flammable parts please, halogen lamps can burn through pretty much any plastic or cloth), it can be very good for video (especially since you can find cheap worklamps with ~5500K color and >500W very easily)

I would actually suggest AGAINST using daylight unless you know how to balance for it, since daylight+regular fluorescent just doesn't work most of the time (daylight+halogen isn't bad though, +1 for worklamps)
 


Get lights, don't bother with video yet. Good lights should be enough for now, spend the rest on content creation.