The best cameras and lenses for YouTube video success

Simeon Quarrie is a successful video storyteller with more than 9,500 YouTube followers. His day job involves enabling major international brands such as Barclays, Unilever and Burberry to engage with internal and external audiences, while his YouTube playlists range from business advice for production companies to educational videos for filmmakers and behind-the-scenes (BTS) videos from his shoots.

For Simeon, the most important feature of a camera for online video is that it produces output that looks good – quickly. "To get the best out of YouTube, you need to produce regular content, so setting the look in-camera is key," he says.

So, if you're a professional content creator like Simeon, a travel vlogger making videos on the move, or entering the industry with a new fashion and beauty channel, here are the best cameras for YouTube channel videos.

• Canon EOS C70 and EOS C80
• Canon EOS R5 Mark II and EOS R6 Mark II
• Canon EOS R50 V
• Canon EOS R50
• Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
• Livestreaming functions
• Canon RF and Cine lenses

Here, Simeon reveals what's in his own YouTube kitbag, while Canon product specialists John Maurice, Mark Kendrick and Paul Atkinson offer additional technical insight into versatile hybrid kit for those who focus mainly on video but also want the capability to shoot stills, as well as suggestions for those just starting out on YouTube but keen to produce professional-quality video from the get-go.

So, if you're a professional content creator like Simeon, a travel vlogger making videos on the move, or entering the industry with a new fashion and beauty channel, here are the best cameras for YouTube channel videos.

The EOS C70's built-in ND filters also ensure that Simeon can shoot outdoors on a sunny day while still achieving the shallow depth of field he prefers.

Paul Atkinson, Canon Europe Professional Video Product Specialist, says: "Self-shooters using the Canon EOS C70 can be confident the autofocus is always going to follow you. You also have two XLR mic inputs and the option of four-channel audio, so combined with a massive dynamic range, you can really push up your production values with this camera."

If a more cinematic, full-frame aesthetic suits your style of production, then the Canon EOS C80 is the perfect alternative to the EOS C70. It combines the portability of the EOS C70 with the full-frame 6K BSI sensor of the professional Canon EOS C400, making it a truly versatile video camera for YouTube videos .

The EOS C80’s backside illuminated (BSI) stacked CMOS sensor delivers a triple base ISO (800, 3,200 and 12,800 ISO), which means less image noise and better low-light performance. This is ideal when shooting YouTube content in darker venues such as theatres and concert halls. It’s also equipped with 12G-SDI connectivity, which is well suited to transmitting 4K signals across long distances at live events.

Other differences between the EOS C80 versus the EOS C70 include the EOS C80's built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet, plus enhanced EOS iTR AF X subject tracking autofocus across 100% of the frame.

John Maurice, European Product Marketing Manager at Canon Europe, adds: "The EOS R5 Mark II and EOS R6 Mark II are full-frame cameras, which can give your video a more cinematic look with a characteristically shallower depth of field. Full-frame sensors typically deliver improved low-light performance too, thanks to being physically larger than APS-C sensors. You can record 4K movies at 120fps on the EOS R5 Mark II (60fps on the EOS R6 Mark II) and use the resolution to re-frame and provide a punch-in."

The EOS R6 Mark II introduces several video upgrades that are beneficial for creating YouTube content. The reliable Dual Pixel CMOS AF, for example, has an updated algorithm for improved subject tracking. If you're presenting a piece to camera, then the autofocus will keep you sharp as you move through the shot. Detect only AF, which is a variation of the EOS C70's Face only AF, can also be activated to ensure the camera won't refocus on the background if you walk out of the frame.

"Another useful feature for presenters is what we call recording emphasis," adds John. "This displays a red box around the screen to show that the camera is recording. It serves the same function as a tally lamp on a video camera and is very reassuring."

John highlights the benefit of the camera's recording emphasis frame marker as well: "YouTube is predominantly known as a 16:9 format, but it also supports vertical video. The EOS R6 Mark II will detect if you're shooting vertically, but the aspect marker will allow you to frame appropriately if you're shooting a different format for social media, such as 1:1 or 9:16."

Content creators can also take advantage of the Canon Camera Connect app to start and stop recording remotely, as well as changing shooting settings – perfect when you're presenting to a camera that isn't within reach. Connect the smartphone or tablet to the camera via a USB cable, and you can enjoy video control and playback in the app with minimal lag.

A Color button gives you access to Color mode, where you can quickly change a range of video colour settings – including Custom Pictures, a feature inherited from high-end cameras such as the EOS R5 Mark II.There’s also a Live button to let you get up and running with livestreaming more easily, and a video-centric mode dial. “All of the modes on there except one are video modes,” Mark points out.

Other highlights that make this an ideal camera for making YouTube videos include 4K 30p with 6K oversampling, Canon Log 3, 4-channel audio, a two-speed zoom lever for smooth zooming with power zoom lenses such as the RF-S 14-30MM F4-6.3 IS STM PZ, and the same intelligent AF subject tracking as the EOS R5 Mark II.

The Powershot V1 is another EOS/PowerShot V series camera that’s a great choice for YouTubers who prefer an all-in-one compact camera design. Its powerful set of video features, including Canon Log 3, active cooling fan and internal ND filter, mean it is an ideal camera for making YouTube videos for creators who don't require interchangeable lenses.

"You've got a mic input, so you can attach an external microphone to the hotshoe, and it's also got an electronic viewfinder. A lot of content creators are hybrid shooters who take pictures as well as video, and the viewfinder provides that traditional camera experience while also allowing footage and images to be reviewed."

A dozen scene modes ensure that the EOS R50 is an easy first step for content creators who are upgrading from a smartphone. It also features Hybrid Auto, a mode which enables a short movie to be created just by shooting stills.

The EOS R50 introduced a new movie feature for close-up product demos, which is perfect for recording 'unboxing' videos on YouTube, suggests John. "If you're speaking to the camera and hold the product near to the lens to point out some details, the EOS R50 will prioritise and focus on the object. When the camera detects that the object has been removed, it will go back to focusing on your face."

It has a 180º tilting screen and a 3.5mm microphone jack, which enables you to get good audio quality. The camera supports vertical video and has the option of Face Select and Track autofocus, which keeps you and your other subjects sharp in the frame.

Over its lifetime, functions have been added to the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III through firmware updates including Video Blog Recording Mode, which specifically tunes the AF mode to be more responsive to changing scenes and dynamic capture. Zebra, level and aspect marker overlays are available, allowing you to assess the framing and exposure of your footage, and 24fps has been added for users preferring this frame rate.

If you're looking to host a live event on YouTube, the PowerShot G7 X Mark III supports a high quality 'Clean' HDMI output, which can be plugged into video capture cards or HDMI to USB adapters for a clean or graphic-free video feed directly into your streaming software. If you don't have an adapter, the camera is supported by the Canon EOS Webcam Utility software, which enables you to plug it directly into the USB port of your PC or Mac. Direct streaming is also possible from the camera, but you need a YouTube account with at least 1,000 subscribers.

As well as providing a clean HDMI feed, the Canon EOS R50 V, Powershot V1, EOS R6 Mark II, EOS R8 and EOS R50 all support the industry-standard USB Video Class (UVC) and USB Audio Class (UAC) for livestreaming. "This means they too can be plugged directly into a computer and operated as a webcam, streaming video and audio via USB-C," adds John.

Discover the full range of cameras that offer clean HDMI output in our regularly updated guide on which Canon cameras have which features.

The EOS R50 V adds further convenience in the shape of a Live button, which makes it easy to go straight into your livestream without having to dive into the menu. It’s also the first camera to support the Canon Live Switcher Mobile app, which gives you the power to elevate your livestreaming with multiple cameras and wireless switching straight from your mobile iOS device.

For live events that demand more cinematic scale, the EOS C80 combines high-quality 6K full-frame capture with responsive and accurate autofocus, and flexible output options – including Wi-Fi and Ethernet for real-time IP streaming.

Paul adds, "Some people will want a wide-angle view if they want to show a lot of context – a travel vlogger, for example. If so, consider the ultra-wide RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM or the RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM."

The RF-S 14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ is an ultra-wide angle option that’s designed with video in mind, which makes it an ideal kit lens for the EOS R50V: “It’s the first Canon RF lens with an internal power zoom ,” says Mark. “This provides smooth zooming control for professional looking results while you’re filming.”

If your focus is YouTube video but you also need to shoot high-quality stills to promote your work, then the Canon hybrid lens range is for you. The line-up covers focal lengths from 20mm to 200mm and features both prime and zoom lenses.

You can find out more about what Canon RF hybrid lenses have to offer today's filmmakers, with our guide to the best RF lenses for shooting video.

Simeon personally likes a focal length of 35mm when talking to camera. "The RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM is great, because you've got wide context, you can use 35mm or 50mm for talking heads and you have the ability to go to 105mm for detail shots."

The growing range of Canon Cinema EOS equipment and EOS R System cameras and RF lenses presents professional vloggers and content creators with the perfect way to upgrade the production values of their YouTube content. Removing the technical barriers of shooting, recording and streaming high-quality video means that filmmakers can focus on what really matters: creating engaging content for audiences around the world.