Are you also a vlogger seeking the best small camera for vlogging? In this article, we will explore some of the cameras which are small, compact, and suitable for vlogging.
Vlogging just seems like recording and uploading, but there is much more hard work needed to gather up the audience. The best vlogging camera should record optimal videos, capture moments, be affordable, and, most importantly it should be compact and lightweight. The cameras that we are going to discuss include live streaming as well as AI editing features that make them the best and stand-out cameras. To know more, let's dive further into the article!
Having a small camera comes with various benefits for vloggers and to record videos efficiently for vlogging. Some of the most beneficial factors of small cameras are:
There are several factors that you should consider before buying a small camera for your vlogging. To reduce your efforts, we have listed below a few essential points:
The OBSBOT Tail Air camera is among the best small cameras for vlogging. It is AI-driven and takes your recording experience to a whole new level. This camera is suitable for indoor vlog recording as well as live streaming. It is equipped with several features that make it stand out from other small cameras, including sleek design, efficient performance, AI capabilities, 4K video recording, and much more. Let's see some of its key features, pros, and cons to know better about the Tail Air camera:
DJI Pocket 2 is a small and compact camera. It is perfect for travel vloggers and comes with various useful features that make it one of the best small cameras for vlogging. This camera has high high-definition panorama effect, AI editor, 3-axis stabilization, and more. In addition, the camera’s combo package includes a wireless microphone to enhance the vlogging experience. Its few key features, pros, and cons are listed below:
The GoPro Hero 10 Black is a small and portable camera to record anywhere you want to. It is suitable for action filming, traveling, and recording fast-paced content. Also, you can directly stream from this camera on your streaming platform. It includes factors like responsive touch screen, super 8x slow motion, 5.3K, and 4K capturing. The GoPro Hero 10 Black camera’s features, pros, and cons to consider are:
The Sony ZV-1 is compact and is one of the appropriate cameras for vlogging and recording. It is designed for both novice and experienced users with various useful features. Designed specifically for vloggers, it includes flip LCD touchscreen, image stabilization, clear audio, Bluetooth connectivity, and advanced effects. Let’s look into its main features, pros, and cons:
The Insta360 X3 is a handy and compact camera. Being a small camera, it comes with AI features, 4K recording, an invisible selfie stick, and more. It is perfect if you want a mountable camera that too records fast-moving scenes. Here are some of its features, pros, and cons to keep in mind:
The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is compactly designed to perfectly fit in the pocket. With this camera, you can live stream your videos and record in 4K with a microphone, zoom lens, and a 1-inch sensor. The vloggers can record their vlogs effectively with fast focus and burst rate. With the below features and cons, this camera is suitable for those who wish to record in several modes at an affordable price and portable size.
The Sony Alpha A6700 equips various features that will help vloggers to capture stills and fast-paced scenes efficiently. Its AI processing Engine and 6K oversampling 4K recording add to its good performance. It is a perfect small YouTube camera. Some of its essential features and cons to consider are:
Key Features:
The Nikon Z 30 is a mirrorless camera specifically designed for vloggers. It is compact and has several features versatile lens kit, a built-in stereo microphone, fast AF performance, and more. This camera is meant for casual vlogging and not for stills.
To increase your watch time and audience, your vlogging content should be effective and interesting. To help you out on this, here we have listed a few tips for effective vlogging:
The more authenticity, the more users! Simple! If you want a good result from vlogging, make sure you are speaking yourself and not using any robotic voice. It will reflect your personality and help viewers connect with you on a personal level.
Great visuals always attract viewers and vlogging is all about that only. For that, you always need a high-quality and compact vlogging camera to start so that every footage looks professional and clear.
the hook is what where most people lack or avoid. A hook is basically a compelling start that can make your audience stay with you till the end. As they say, first impressions last, likewise, the first few words surely last with the viewers and chances are higher that your vlogs will get popular.
Never underestimate the power of creativity. Try to be more creative while editing your video. Be it transitions, effects, or creative cuts, the more attractive they are, the more they will keep the viewers entertained.
Frequency is the key. If you post one vlog today and the other after 5-7 days, you will lose the engagement. Make a schedule and stick to it. Keep your audience informed beforehand to stay tuned for the next vlog on a certain date.
As a vlogger, you need to have a small camera, if you shoot or want to create more travel vlogs. The top tiny vlogging camera should be pocket-friendly, small in size, portable, effective, and have good features.
With this article, you know what types of cameras are suitable for vlogging, why you should choose a small camera, and which the best camera for your vlogging is. Finally, we have discussed the top 8 best cameras for vlogging, which include Tail Air, Insta360 X3, Nikon Z 30, etc. Overall, we would recommend the OBSBOT Tail Air camera for effective blogging. It comes with AI capabilities, seamless networking, smart remote control, and many more features that help you record or stream your content, and attract a larger audience.
The best small mirrorless cameras are a lot more portable than a DSLR. Yes, the top-line mirrorless cameras are literally expanding to the point of negligible difference in size between the two formats; but there are still plenty of mirrorless options that are of great quality in a small package.
Smaller mirrorless cameras have practical advantages, of course. They can be used more easily one-handed, which is ideal for spontaneous street photography, for a start. We’ve drawn on the expertise of our review team to come up with a quick list of smaller mirrorless cameras that have impressed us, with options from across the major manufacturers.
Note that, in general, we’ll be looking at smaller sensor sizes as these allow for smaller bodies, though we have included full-frame options for those who want a large-sensor option.
You can scroll to the bottom of this page for a quick explainer section on how to choose a small mirrorless camera. For more affordable choices, check out our guides to the best cheap full-frame cameras, as well as the best cameras under £500 / $500. And, if you’re looking for a small camera because you’re interested in vlogging, take a look at our guide to the best cameras for vlogging and how to get started.
Want to cut right to it? Here’s a quick list of the small mirrorless cameras we’ve included on this list, along with links to get the best prices for each one:
Read on to learn more about why we picked each of these cameras, as well as key specs and how they perform…
This camera is effectively a slight upgrade to the original Fujifilm X-T30 – which was already fantastic – and yet is cheaper. We love this camera, despite some quirks in its design.
Pros
Cons
The Fujifilm X-T30 Mark II is basically a smaller, lighter and more affordable alternative to the X-T4 as it features the same 26.1MP 4th generation X-Trans CMOS sensor and processor. There are also 2.16M phase detection pixels covering 100% of the frame and up to 425 user-selectable AF points.
Shutter speed and exposure compensation dials help give the X-T30 II old-school looks and handling designed to appeal to traditionalists who will love the Fujifilm’s range of X-Mount lenses that feature an aperture ring.
Along with that traditional appearance, the X-T30 II has some great modern technology, including a responsive tilting touch-screen, fast autofocusing and an excellent 0.39-inch 2.36M-dot OLED viewfinder.
Although it’s not weather-sealed, its magnesium alloy construction gives the X-T30 II a solid feel and its handling is generally very good aside from the location of the Q button which means it’s a bit too easy to accidentally activate the quick menu.
You’ll also find it delivers excellent image quality with Fujifilm’s well loved colour reproduction. For video use, the lack of in-body image stabilisation may be an issue, so be sure have a look at the next model in the list.
The X-T30 II is being sold with a variety of kit lenses. The XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 is perhaps the best, but the XC 15-45mm is smaller, cheaper and lighter.
Read our full Fujifilm X-T30 II review.
A joy to use, light and compact, the Fujifilm X-S10 produces beautiful images in diverse conditions, thanks to its superb APS-C sensor – and benefits from top class X-mount lenses
Pros
Cons
The Fujifilm X-S10 is the Fujifilm APS-C format camera for photographers who don’t want traditional exposure controls. It has much of the same technology as the X-T30 (and X-T4) including the 26.1Mp X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor and X Processor 4, but there’s an exposure mode dial instead of the shutter speed dial and the aperture can be adjusted either via a lens ring or a command dial on the camera body.
In a step up from the X-T30 II, the X-S10 has a vari-angle touchscreen (great for videographers) and a very effective in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) system that enables up to 6 stops shutter speed compensation.
As an X-series camera, the X-S10 benefits from Fujifilm’s superb colour science and there’s an extensive collection of Film Simulation modes that can be used to give JPEGs and videos colours, tones and contrast to suit the subject, shooting conditions and photographer’s preference.
As we’d expect from Fujifilm, video can be recorded at up 4K resolution at 30fps with no additional crop while Full HD video can be recorded at up to 240fps.
Fujifilm has recently added another model to the X-S series to consider, the X-S20. This is almost identical in size to the X-S10 and has the same sensor but uses the X-Processor 5 to give a better IBIS performance (7 stops benefit), superior AF and vastly improved video features. It sells at $1,412 / £1,109 body only. This is one of the most powerful small mirrorless cameras you can get, though the extra power does increase the price.
If you want to keep the size to a minimum, consider the Fujinon XC 15-45mm kit lens. It’s not bad optically, and it’s small, light and cheap to buy.
Read our full Fujifilm X-S10 review.
The Alpha 6700 is Sony’s best APS-C camera to date. Great image quality and features – but the user experience lags behind.
Pros
Cons
The Sony A6700 is the latest and most powerful model in the Sony APS-C mirrorless line-up. It succeeds the previous flagship A6600 and brings vastly improved video features, a new 26MP sensor first seen in the Sony FX30 cinema camera, and a slightly thicker body.
Its rectangular rangefinder-style design means that there’s no protruding viewfinder housing on the top, so it’s still a pretty compact and pocketable camera, especially when used with the Sony 16-50mm power zoom kit lens. It’s not the best optically, but for a small camera-lens combination, it’s terrific. The A6700 can, of course, take the full range of Sony E and FE lenses.
The 26MP sensor might only be a small increase over the previous model’s 24MP, but photographers do get Sony’s latest and most advanced subject recognition AI autofocus, and it even incorporates the dedicated AI processor first seen in the Sony A7R V.
The headline news with this camera, though, is its 4K 30p, 60p and 120p (cropped) video recording capability, together with improved file format and compression options. This is the ideal camera for hybrid content creators who need to shoot both stills and video, and for whom the cheaper Sony ZV-E10 or more expensive ZV-E1 are just too video-focused.
Read our full Sony A6700 review.
A compact full-frame mirrorless camera that performs extremely well in image quality and autofocus. Its overall value compared to the A7 IV is dubious, however.
Pros
Cons
Sony’s penchant for making small and powerful cameras includes some attractive full-frame models for those looking for lightweight mirrorless cameras. The Sony A7C II is a refinement of the original A7C, which met some criticism from reviewers and punters alike due to its awkward handling. Does the A7C II do enough to right the ship?
It’s definitely an improvement. The Sony A7C II brings the gorgeous image quality of the A7 IV in a commendably tiny package. It also comes with the latest autofocus advancements for unparalleled focusing speed and accuracy. A new front control dial improves handling – giving the A7C II one more dial than the A6700, featured above, though the APS-C models benefit from a larger handgrip. It’s not entirely clear why – the same handgrip could have been used for both cameras – but that’s Sony!
Something else to note is that the A7C II was released at the same time as the A7CR, which has essentially the same camera body with an ultra-high resolution 60MP sensor packed in. We’ve picked the A7C II for this compilation, being a more affordable all-rounder that renders it a viable option for most people. But the A7CR is the one for greater resolution.
Small full-frame mirrorless cameras are a funny old thing. While the technical achievement here is undeniable, we’re less convinced by the user benefit of the A7C II, particularly as the weight of full-frame E-mount lenses is likely to negate the weight saving of the smaller camera. Still, for a small full-frame mirrorless camera, this is one of the most capable you can buy right now.
Read our full Sony A7C II review.
Like its predecessor, this is a lovely little camera that’s a joy to use and delivers great pictures.
Pros
Cons
As a Micro Four Thirds camera, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV has a smaller than APS-C format sensor, which gives it an advantage for size and weight. Indeed, with the Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ lens mounted, it could easily pass for a compact camera.
The sensor size brings a 2x focal length multiplication factor making the 14-42mm lens produce framing like a 28-84mm lens on a full-frame camera. That’s a nice everyday option.
The E-M10 Mark IV doesn’t have phase detection autofocusing and relies on contrast detection alone. This is pretty dependable for still and slow-moving subjects, but it’s not ideal for sport and action photography – though it is still surprisingly fast for its type.
Despite its entry-level status, the E-M10 IV has Olympus’s excellent Live Time and Live Composite modes, which take the sweat out of long exposure images, with Live Composite mode being especially useful for light painting, traffic trail and firework images.
There’s also a very good image stabilisation system, a long list of Art Filters, which are of use for stills and video, and a screen that can flip through 180° to be visible from in front of the camera. Best of all, it usually comes with a 14-42mm EZ pancake zoom, which is the smallest and slimmest kit lens on the market.
Read our full Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV review.
We love this versatile and impressive camera for its great quality photos at very good prices. Great lens range. Does good video too.
Pros
Cons
The OM System OM-5 isn’t much heavier than the E-M10 IV shown above, yet offers a weather-sealed camera body and, when combined with a weather-sealed Micro Four Thirds lens, offers a completely weather-sealed camera system with an IP53 rating. This makes it a great choice for anyone planning on going out in challenging weather.
The camera is full of advanced photo features as well, including Live ND (for slow shutter speed shots of water etc), a high-res multi-shot mode for static scenes (for up to 80MP images), and other features that you rarely get on cameras from other brands, including Starry Sky AF. In testing, we found the camera performed admirably, and gave excellent colour reproduction.
For recording video, there is a microphone socket, as well as unlimited video recording at resolutions up to CINE 4K. The camera also benefits from a 5-axis in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) that’s one of the best around. If you’re looking for a particularly compact camera, then the Olympus/OM System f/4 PRO lenses combine small size with big performance, as the 12-45mm f/4 PRO (shown above) demonstrates.
Read our full OM System OM-5 review.
A competent camera overall; a great entry-point in to the Micro Fours Thirds system and does stills and video fairly well for all-rounders.
Pros
Cons
Designed for vlogging and video recording, the Panasonic Lumix G100 is a compact, neat little camera, that also represents excellent value for money, particularly if you can find it in-store body only, if you have a lens available. This camera is particularly lightweight, but features a high-resolution electronic viewfinder, as well as a high-resolution 3inch vari-angle touchscreen.
The Micro Four Thirds camera features a 20MP image sensor, and gives good image quality, with great looking stills images. As part of the Micro Four Thirds system, there are a wide range of Micro Four Thirds lenses to choose from, including budget options, as well as premium optics.
The camera records 4K video, and the screen can be turned forwards to use as a selfie screen for vlogging, although the crop is worth noting, particularly if video is your main focus.
The battery life is a little on the short side as well, so packing a spare battery, or a portable power bank is definitely recommended, although this could also be said for some of the other mirrorless cameras here. The tiny Panasonic 12-32mm (24-64mm equivalent) pancake zoom is the perfect lens to go with it.
Check out our Panasonic Lumix G100 review.
Aimed at vloggers, the Z30 brings lovely image quality at a good price. The flip touch screen, wide-area continuous AF, tally lamp, make for a good shooting experience
Pros
Cons
Nikon’s Z series now boasts three cameras with APS-C sensors, in addition to the full-frame flagship line-up. The Nikon Z30 is the smallest and lightest of the lot, weighing in at a slender 405g, and it’s also the cheapest at launch. While it’s comprehensively equipped for both stills and video, the Nikon Z30 has clearly been designed with vloggers in mind – it shoots uncropped 4K video, and it has a fully articulating screen that can be set to pretty much any angle.
The video focus doesn’t mean it skimps on stills. Having an ISO sensitivity range of 100-51,200 gives you real flexibility in low-light situations, especially given how good the performance is up to ISO 6400, as we found out in our testing.
The only thing that stills photographers are likely to take exception to is the very thing that has allowed Nikon to keep the cost and weight of the camera down – the lack of a viewfinder. This makes total sense on a vlogging camera, but if it’s a deal-breaker, then try one of the other Nikon Z APS-C cameras like the Z50 or the Z fc. Just be aware they’re a little heavier and more pricey.
It’s also worth noting that the majority of Z-Mount lenses have been designed for full-frame cameras, so finding a compact lens to go with this camera may be an issue once you grow beyond the compact zoom kit lens – though if you intend using the Z30 as a pocket camera, the retracting 16-50mm kit lens will be perfect.
Read our Nikon Z30 review.
good handling, attractive images. Autofocus system and continuous shooting speed are superior to anything that anyone (Canon included) has offered in this price range.
Pros
Cons
Canon arguably sounded the death knell for its APS-C EOS M cameras when it introduced the crop-sensor EOS R7 and EOS R10. The latter is the smaller of the pair, comparable in size and weight to an EOS M camera, and bursting with plenty more features.
With sophisticated autofocus, impressive shooting speed and DSLR-style handling, the EOS R10 is a comprehensive photographic package. As we found in our full test of the camera, the subject-detection autofocus is particularly impressive, making the camera a real contender for sports and action shooting on a budget. The viewfinder is perhaps a little small in use, but some some cutbacks are going to be necessary in making a fully featured camera as small as this.
The RF-mount lens range for APS-C RF cameras is pretty restricted currently – though, unlike the EF-M range, it’s likely to expand in the future. For the moment, as we said in our review of the EOS R10, the Fujifilm X-S10 is probably a better buy simply for its greater lens options. However, this is something we can expect to change as the EOS R series matures. The EOS R10’s body is not quite as pocket-friendly as some of the other cameras here, but Canon’s 18-45mm kit lens is pretty compact.
Read our full Canon EOS R10 review.
This pocket wonder really has to be seen to be believed. Somehow, Panasonic has created a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera that weighs just 270g body only. This is probably the smallest and lightest mirrorless camera you can buy right now, and it acquits itself well in use, too. The previous GX850/GX800 was available in the US, (and other areas), and was a couple of grams lighter, but not enough to make a noticeable difference.
The Lumix GX880 is built around a 16MP MOS sensor, which is more than enough resolution for most purposes. It’s got face and eye detect autofocus, which is hugely handy for street photography – one of the best uses for this tiny, unobtrusive camera.
Like all contemporary Panasonic Lumix cameras, the GX880 shoots 4K video, and can make use of Panasonic’s clever 4K Photo modes. These include the ability to extract high-res stills from 4K footage – effectively giving you a 30fps burst rate. There’s also 4K Post-focus mode in which the camera shoots a series of images at different focus distances. You can then select where you want the focus to be with a tap on the screen post-capture.
If size and weight matter to you, Micro Four Thirds is a very sensible system to buy into. There are absolutely loads of slim, high-quality lenses available from Olympus, Panasonic and third party brands, but our favourite for a pocket-size combination is Panasonic’s own 12-32mm pancake zoom. The GX880 has been around for a while now, but it’s a great little pocket camera, and cheap too.
Small cameras inevitably come with compromises, so it’s worth weighing up what you can live without. Sensor size is a big factor: the small mirrorless cameras have small sensors, particularly Micro Four Thirds but APS-C too. Bigger sensors do have advantages in dynamic range and ultimate image quality. However, small sensors are still very capable and many professional photographers and content creators swear by MFT cameras; plus they give your lenses greater effective telephoto reach.
For more on sensor size, have a look at our guide to APS-C, MFT and Full-Frame sensors.
Also, do you need a viewfinder? For manufacturers, this the first thing to go when they set about making a small mirrorless cameras. Some photographers simply can’t imagine life without one, but if you’re happy composing images on the LCD screen, it’s a great way to save some weight and bulk.
Lens selection is another key consideration. The lens you fit to your camera will have a big impact on its weight and balance, not to mention image quality. Again, Micro Four Thirds is an attractive system for this, offering a huge range of slim, pancake lenses that are perfect with small cameras.
Also, with their 2x crop factor you can achieve long telephoto focal lengths without the lenses being massive. The classic example here is the OM System 300mm f/4 which gives an effect of 600mm in the full-frame format, but it comes in a very compact form.
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