The word “Vlog” has become widely known, and it’s only going to spread further.
Riding that wave, I decided I wanted to try making Vlogs myself, so I made up my mind to buy a new camera.
One camera currently on the market that is built specifically for Vlogging is
Sony VLOGCAM ZV-1
Panasonic DC-G100
.
Unlike a handycam, it’s relatively compact and can be shot one-handed, and it makes it easy to capture advanced-looking footage, such as beautifully blurred backgrounds.
The two cameras above are in almost the same price range, and both have everything you need for Vlogging.
That’s exactly what makes it so hard to decide which one to buy.
So let me compare them and list the good points and the not-so-great points.
Sony VLOGCAM ZV-1
The good points
・A variety of video modes (you can instantly switch between product reviews, scenery, faces, etc.)
・Light (about 294 g)
・Two color options (the white one is cute…)
・Plenty of control buttons on the tripod grip
・Comes with a fluffy windscreen for the mic
・Wide zoom range
・Connects to the tripod without a cable, and the tripod buttons work
・Simple to operate
The not-so-great points
・Still photography isn’t really the focus, so I wouldn’t expect much there
・No viewfinder
・Apparently it can overheat and shut down
Panasonic DC-G100
The good points
・It’s a mirrorless camera, so you can swap lenses
・Strong still photography features too (also recommended for people just getting into photography)
・The microphone is amazing!
・Beautiful screen!
・The edge of the screen turns red while recording video, so it’s easy to tell when you’re rolling
・It has a viewfinder
The not-so-great points
・Heavier than the Sony
・The kit lens barely zooms at all
・There’s a cable running between the tripod and the camera
What defines the Sony VLOGCAM ZV-1:
It’s easy to operate, so anyone can start Vlogging!
A camera built specifically for Vlogging!
What defines the Panasonic DC-G100:
An outstanding microphone for serious video shooting
More than enough still photography features
What both cameras have in common is that they cover everything you need for Vlogging: image stabilization, eye autofocus, smartphone connectivity, 4K recording, and more.
Both were designed with Vloggers in mind, so I don’t think you’d regret either choice.
It really comes down to what extra features you’re after.
If you’ve decided you’re going all-in on Vlogging, or if your Vlogs will center on people, the SONY VLOGCAM is a really strong pick.
If you want to shoot stills as well as video, the Panasonic G100 is probably the way to go.
That said, I normally shoot photos with a DSLR, and it’s a Canon, so the lenses aren’t compatible.
Which means that with the Panasonic, I’d have to buy new lenses whenever I wanted a different focal length…
How much use would I actually get out of the Panasonic’s photo features?
That feels like it’ll be the deciding factor.
Depending on how it goes, I might even switch from Canon to Panasonic… haha
After that, all that’s left is to go to the store, see and handle them in person, and trust my gut!
I hope this helps someone out there.