Camcorder VS. DSLR for Video, YouTube and Vlogging?

Budget Camcorder — Canon VIXIA HF R800 A KIT

Wide Angle Conversion Lens for Canon VIXIA HF R800 (43mm)

Budget DSLR without a Flip Screen — Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Digital

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About this video:
In this video, Sean Cannell from THiNK Media TV compares DSLR cameras and digital cameras. The camcorder vs. DSLR video quality conversation invites a lot of opinions. Which is the right choice for you? It can be hard to decide between DSLR cameras and mirrorless cameras when you consider the low light, video quality, and usefulness for vlogging. If you want to compare cameras, check out this DSLR camera vs. normal camera video! We are ambassadors or affiliates for many of the brands we reference on the channel. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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[YoungMoneyInvestments]

Next time, can you show us image quality of both the videocamera and DSLR?

[amermeleitor]

There are big sensor camcorders, without record time limit, even interchangeable lens camcorders. For video, always a equivalent price camcorder is better than a DSLR

[GodfreySilas]

Great educational thesis on the camcorder/DSLR variances. From my vantage point, dslrs are more trouble than they are worth for a lot of people making youtube clips. The pros and cons are brilliantly enumerated and I would underscore the great import of dslr's record-time brevity, but also sound acquisition inefficacy. This is crucial. Finally, it is also pertinent to stress that dslr is more desirable for image-obsessed shooters striving for the cinema big picture; which is irrelevant for most youtube video makers. I shoot with sony vg 900 and vg30 with a multitude of lenses, so I understand the obsession. A camcorder is infinitely more viable for any number of obvious reasons.

[FunWithTheBugs]

Great subject and video! Something I went through when getting a camera for our videos. First thought was a video camera has to be better for video because that is what it's made for but then you learn it's simply not true. So we went the mirroless route and now using a mirroless with no recording limit so never have to worry about the camera shutting down in the middle of recording.

[The_Darrell]

I purchased a Sony AX53 camcorder... I highly recommend it. It's phenomenal. It has a focus ring btw, so you don't need a DSLR to get the blurry background effect.

[TechsmartGr]

I recently upgraded my channel with a DSLR and the difference is HUGE!!! Great quality...

[TampaTec]

camcorder for what I do, i record over 30 minutes and want everything in focus. also canon g40 has a remote so I can stop and record from far. away.

[handydadtv]

I've gotten burned by autofocus, auto white balance, auto exposure, etc., so I prefer the manual control of a DSLR (I primarily use a Canon T4i). I make DIY videos and nothing beats precise focus. Yes, I can switch to manual control on my Canon Vixia camcorder, but it's a lot harder; camcorders are designed for shooting home movies with auto-everything.

[furulevi]

Camcorders also have silent and quick zoom.

[fishsoft]

Half of those cons only really apply to the cheaper camcorders. I have a vixia hf g21 that does really well with that. Camcorders also are much friendlier with zoom controllers. Which is an essential piece of equipment for self filming in certain scenarios like hunting.

[cepillintvcepi]

And for music videos what do you recommend?

[yeslawrence]

I've been researching cameras lately and can't believe how much your videos come up for my various searches. Thanks for all the great content!

[YankeeWoodcraft]

I've been doing a ton of research on this lately. I've had a Canon T5i & T3i with an assortment of decent lenses, but have always struggled with them. My video quality sucks because they frustrate me for what I do (outdoors videos). Today's camcorders just end the comparison for me. The new crop is coming with DSLR-like settings in-camera + have all the benefits of uninterrupted recording as long as your batteries last, longer run time on the batteries, constant focus zoomed in or out and 4K with pretty much matching DSLR quality in dollar for dollar comparisons (for example, $800 DSLR vs $800 Camcorder).

It's pretty much a no-brainer for people who don't need Bokeh in their video or extreme low light performance (even though the new camcorders are coming up in that department too).

I need, prefer and want deep depth of field (the opposite of Bokeh) with almost everything in focus. I shoot outdoors in the day time. Low light performance is not a concern for me. And, I'm shooting videos, not taking pictures.

So, I have a 2018 Panasonic VX1K on it's way to me tomorrow with beautiful 4K and an assortment of DSLR-like adjustments that will give me the flexibility of both.

As for sensor size, not as important for video vs photography. Today, phones are taking pictures about as good as cameras so in my opinion, for the non-professional who doesn't need to create artistic imagery and just wants long run times from a camera that they don't have to worry about overheating and stopping work just to wait for it to cool down and who still want clear sharp nice color footage, the modern day upper level camcorder is killin' it right now.

It's to the point these days that you literally have to post footage side by side to compare the two and then look with a magnifying glass for the differences that the average YouTube viewer would never in a million years either notice or even care.

I'd LOVE to see some good camcorder reviews because in my opinion, for 90% of YouTubers, camcorders (the new ones + the prosumer camcorders) are the best choice. Turn on, stage your shot, done. More content in less time, less fidgeting with adjustments and far less time in post.

People need to know that DSLR are designed for photography primarily. This is why it takes so much more work to extract good video from them where camcorders are designed for video primarily.

It's like taking an economy car to use for construction work or commuting with a work truck. While you can do both with either, the economy car is obviously the better vehicle for commuting and the work truck is obviously the better vehicle for construction.

JMHO

[PherotoneStudios]

I know i'm a year late to the party but I use a Panasonic V770 camcorder for my YouTube videos. I'd love a DSLR but when I started my channel I was using a Panasonic SD60. What I liked about it was you could just point and shoot, the built-in mic was ok and the flip out screen was perfect for what I needed as I often used it for filming our gigs when on tour.

I upgraded to the V770 when the SD60 broke as it was very similar so I could hit the ground running. Again it is point and shoot and has the flip out screen that can be turned to face you when vlogging but it also has a mic input. This has helped a lot with audio quality on my videos. I also bought another SD60 for £50 off of ebay as my camera for a second shot.

A DSLR would be better but these camcorders are great for me in my small studio working on my own. Once the channel gets going properly I will upgrade and I'll be trawling through your videos to find the best option

[smartdrivetest]

Hey Sean: great video with really, really helpful tips for new YouTubers. As you've stated before, just get started. I'm still shooting on a Panasonic FZ150; it's definitely limited because I have to have it on manual focus. But the tip: take lots of still photos is great - that's not something I've been doing, but I will now. My daughter Scout, says she likes your posters in your office and she likes your voice. All the best, Cheers Rick

[magnus]

Hey! Thank you for the video!  I did a video like this a short time ago and showed the differences between a camcorder that I purchased, and my experience when I started to film DSLR's.  I love your presentation style and how well you speak.  One of my biggest challenges is being able to speak with the type of energy that you can convey, in order to keep user interest.  I have been trying different things, and thankfully, my audience has been growing steadily.  Just wanted to thank you for your helpful advice, as it has helped me so much when in many ways.

[DailyDrumLesson]

i used to use GoPros for my drum channel, but i just got a Canon 70D and start getting used to it.. haven't uploaded a video with the new cam though.. still learning.

[ei-tatsu]

This is the easiest to understand and most educational video about cameras I have ever seen on YouTube!

I was always wondering why a lot of YouTubers use DSLRs.

Now I understand the reason.

I usually watch YouTube videos about cameras in Japanese but nobody in Japan explains the difference between camcorders and DSLRs as clearly as you do.

I’ve been using camcorders for my YouTube videos for a few years but I decided to give a DSLR a try.

Thank you for the great tips!

[Viazm]

best explanation of the difference between dslr and camcorders

[anniegraceschaewe]

Thank you for making this video I was wondering which one to buy