Best Camera for Vlogging and Content Creators in 2023? GoPro vs iPhone vs DJI vs Sony

*The Sony ZV-1 Mark II accidentally had wind reduction on, and that affected the sound.

What's the BEST camera for vlogging and content creators? Here are 7 comparison points between the iPhone 14 Pro, Gopro Hero 11 Black, DJI Pocket 2, and Sony ZV-1 / ZV-1MII.
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CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Intro
1:03 - Intro to Each Camera
1:35 - Why I Chose Each Camera
1:53 - Part 1 - Pricing
3:08 - Part 2 - Image Quality
6:30 - Part 3 - Zoom Range & Bokeh
9:13 - Part 4 - Stabilization
11:02 - Part 5 - Low Light Shooting
11:56 - Part 6 - Audio Quality
14:11 - Part 7 - Usability and Overall Impressions
19:17 - Conclusion

[PlanetDoug]

Perhaps something for a newcomer to vlogging to consider is that the form factor of these four cameras is DRAMATICALLY different. For me, considerations of the physical form factor and handling of the camera in real-world settings trump anything to do with video quality, audio quality, or stabilization.

It might be interesting to make an in-depth video about that, demonstrating the various advantages/disadvantages of just the physical handling and form factor of each. For me, that's a very important comparison point.

In my case, for example, I've tried to shoot video with a smartphone, but I simply can't stand how awkward it is to hold a phone or mount it and shoot video and adjust settings. Everything about it is awkward. And there is no removable battery, so it always runs out of power. Throughout the day, you always need to use your phone AS a phone, which means you can't shoot video at those times. To fix that problem, you end up carrying around two phones: one for shooting video and a second one to actually access the Internet and access Google Maps, etc. Attaching an external microphone is equally awkward and unreliable. You can never quite tell if the phone registered the microphone or not. It's also difficult to turn the phone around to film yourself and then ahead of you as you walk. Sometimes the LCD screen of the phone is facing you and sometimes it is facing forward and you can't see it. But people walking toward you have a full view of the large screen of your phone and everything it shows. To fix that problem, you have to constantly switch from the selfie camera lens to the forward-facing camera lens. And that usually involves a dramatic drop in video quality. There are no tally lights to tell you whether it's recording video or not. There were also security concerns when using a smartphone. If someone snatched my GoPro and ran away with it, I've lost just a camera. But I was always worried that someone would snatch my phone while I was holding it at arm's length, and then they would likely have access to a lot more of my personal online accounts since the phone would be unlocked at that time while it was filming. I could go on and on about all the problems I encountered when trying to use a smartphone for shooting a vlog. And those problems had nothing to do with the video quality or the stabilization or audio. All of that was perfectly fine. It was just the physical form of the phone that I disliked and how awkward it was to handle.

I had the same experience with the DJI Pocket 2. There are many good things about it, but I ultimately found it very difficult to use in typical walk-and-talk vlogging situations. It was fiddly and complicated to use the various gimbal modes, and I never knew where the camera lens was pointing. I couldn't see anything on the tiny and dim screen to confirm what the camera was pointing at and recording. And the gimbal itself is delicate. Once you are holding the camera in your hands, you can never put it down because it would damage the gimbal. You constantly have to power the camera down and put it back in its case just so you can have your hands temporarily free to get out your wallet or get a coffee or do anything. Then you have to take it out and power it back up again. I ended up having to do that dozens of times in a typical day. The battery is also not interchangeable. And to get a wide enough field of view, you have to use the wide angle lens adapter, and it falls off so easily. Just the slightest nudge causes it to fall off. It's almost guaranteed that you're going to lose it. For those reasons and many more, my DJI Pocket 2 ended up just gathering dust in a storage bag. It was just too much of a hassle to use because of the form factor.

Anyway, I was just thinking that a video focusing on these physical handling and form factor issues might be interesting for your channel and your viewers. I know that I would have a lot to say on the topic. 😀

[AbelVlogsRD]

I recently got my GoPro Hero 11 Black and i will never understand why people say it's not a good camera for Vlogging. I make travel content and i can't think of any camera better than a GoPro. Waterproof, great stabilization, compact, and with the media mod and a microphone, great audio quality. Sometimes i use my iPhone 11 as well in low light. Great video guys!

[Gemini_Connect]

*The Sony ZV-1 Mark II accidentally had wind reduction on, and that affected the sound.

[baron_hendricks]

This is an amazing video that highlights all of the strengths and weaknesses of some of the vlogging cameras I use. I personally use the GoPro for B-roll, Timelapses, and POV shots and I use my iPhone 14 Pro for macro shots of food and while talking. I actually purchased the GoPro Hero 11 in December 2022 because of your videos, so thank you!

[mustang]

I use the gopro hero 11, insta 360 x3, my phone (pixel 7 pro) and a sony a6600. Covers all the areas that I need. Where one camera is weak in certain areas, my other camera(s) fill the gap.

[zainmstudios]

Literally the best video about vlogging cams in YouTube. Thank you. This should be the gold standard of product reviews. A+

[enriqueruiz]

not sponsored. amazing. i am now going around internet searching for that type of content. thanks.

[_.Lizia._]

You deserve all the views, all the likes and all the subs. What a well researched, well detailed, well though-out video! Easiest sub ever.

[tjthedogtrainer]

Great video! Man, wish DJI would come out with a Pocket 3. Hope they didn't give up on the product line.

[ericd]

I have 3/4 of those cameras. Everything you said about the GoPro and the Pocket 2 is spot on. My wife just got the ZV1 mark 2 today. I haven't had a chance to use it. I often find myself going for the Pocket 2 over the GoPro. I record my table tennis matches and the GoPro always overheats. Major bummer.

[vicl]

I have the iPhone 14 pro max and the go pro 11, Carry both, and alternate between the two for vlogs and photos 😀 love your videos

[JaroslavBengl]

I also ended up with GoPro and iPhone as a combo, which covers majority of the situations.
Pocket 2 is a wonderful camera and I like it a lot, but it's not as weather proof as GoPro unfortunately.

[RiezForester]

I have GoPro (up to Hero 10B), Iphone, Pocket 2 and original ZV-1.

My ranking would be
1. Pocket 2 due to portability and form factor, the best performer in stable low light, great sharpness, great audio and their creator combo.
2. iPhone. You have it with you pretty much all the time and it takes good photos, and auto backup to Google Photos.
3. ZV-1. My main problems with Mark 1 is clunky menu and, and not stable. Plus its expensive.
4. GoPro. So many problems. Hangs a lot and easily overheat. The app experience isn't any better.

However these days I shoot mostly with Insta360 Go 2 and now Go 3. Their quality ain't as great as the 4 above (but good enough for silly social posts), but they are super small and compact and MAGNETIC.

[electrifiedlatina]

I am very happy with my IPhone 13 Pro and my GoPro 10. And this Fall I will upgrade both of them!! To me their both easy to use and light enough! Thanks for this amazing video!

[NOHOLOCO]

You gave an excellent all-around comparison of each kind of camera, based on popularity (by intended users) in this part of the world. You had me watching your video even though I just watched your channel for the first time! Thanks!

[bradleyroe]

Recently purchased a go pro hero 11 after watching a heap of your videos along with others on YouTube. Looking forward to Learning how to maximize its capability and hopefully even get started on my own channel. Thanks for providing us with some quality information!!

[vinnizereypilapil]

How I wish I have one of these start my study vlog, still saving money and I know I could make it. Thank you for this review

[stephensears]

Thanks for the thorough comparisons! The GoPro system seems the most trouble-free and has such a great ecosystem of accessories. An Iphone is indeed a $1k camera, OR it is a life device that comes with a free camera that is always in your pocket. However, I do not want any part of my photo/video workflow including ICloud or have my footage limited by the way that Apple almost insists on storing/managing the data.

[davefink]

Wonderful overview of A-list cameras sporting dramatically different form factors. Regarding stabilization 8:30, remember the DJI *doesn’t crop* because it stabilizes via gimbal.

[paulcain]

Great work providing information on the strengths and weaknesses of these cameras. Own the ZV1, pocket 2, GoPro 10 and iPhone XS. It’s knowing when to use them and learning along the way. Totally useable for Vlogging if you’re just starting out. Appreciate the time it must have taken to make this 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻🇬🇧