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7 Best Vlogging Cameras Under $300 in 2023 [100% Tested]

Best Vlogging Cameras Under $300

A lot of people, including me, try to save some money and have a dedicated budget for their hobbies – vlogging is included!

It is the reason why I’m writing articles about vlogging cameras for the exact amount of money. This time for your attention – TOP 7 best vlogging cameras under $300.

Moreover, I hope that you have already noticed that among all the things a YouTuber can wish to have, a good vlogging camera is pretty high on the priority list.

That’s true!

People are not likely to click on your channel if your videos are blurry and pixelated. However, despite knowing this too well, people continue using low-quality cameras, mobile phones, or worse – laptops!

Looking at all of these cameras, we can say that with a budget of $300, you can definitely buy a perfect camera to create daily vlogs.

Best Vlogging Cameras Under 300 Dollars

NameFlip ScreenMicrophoneVideo ResolutionCheck

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 - Editor's Choice

YesBuilt-in4K Price

GoPro HERO 8 Black

NoBuilt-in + Mic. Jack4K Price

Canon SX50 HS

YesBuilt-in1080p Price

Canon VIXIA HF R800

YesBuilt-in + Mic. Jack1080p Price

PANASONIC Lumix FZ80

NoBuilt-in4K Price

Canon PowerShot SX620

NoBuilt-in1080p Price

Canon SX530 HS

NoBuilt-in1080p Price

1. Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 – Best Compact Vlogging Camera Under $300

Here’s the deal:

If you are looking for a really good compact vlogging camera that costs less than $300 dollars – you should start considering buying this one.

Now:

If you could buy a similar camera to Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 for less than $300, it is a pure steal even in a used condition. In other words, there are way worse brand-new vlogging cameras for less than $300 than this device.

Design:

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 is on-top when it comes to building quality, design, and overall comfort when handling the camera.

The handgrip and protruding thumb rest on the back of the camera giving its ergonomic thumbs up when handing the camera. You can use it on the one hand because of this feature. It only weighs 322 grams which justifies its lightweight.

The most crucial part is that the camera has a tiltable screen, which is a bonus for every vlogger and YouTuber.

The camera has the following dimensions: 112 x 67x 41mm and the weight is around 322 grams.

Specifications:

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70  has a 20.3-MP, 1/2.3-inch MOS sensor, and a powerful Leica DC Vario-Elmar branded 30x optical zoom lens with a 24-720mm equivalent.

As we talked about, one of the critical changes in this point-and-shoot camera is a tilting 3.0-inch LCD screen with a 1,040k dots resolution that makes it perfect for shooting selfies. You can flip it at a full 180-degree angle to face front.

This camera has a Buddy Shutter option that automatically shoots whenever two people bring their faces close together. It also has a Background Control option that can blur the background or keep it sharp, depending on your preferences the moment you shoot your shots.

One of the uncommon features of this point-and-shoot camera is it has a 0.2-inch viewfinder. It also catered to 49-point contrast-detect autofocus.

Another catch for this camera is it shoots 4K video at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps.

The quality of the audio is quite satisfying, recorded by the integrated microphones. It has Silent Operation Mode that helps to reduce the noise picked up by the stereo microphones.

Optical image stabilization of 5-axis hybrid O.I.S helps you to reduce blur from one-handed video and is also helpful in low light conditions and somewhat keeps the noise under control.

A big bonus for this point-and-shoot camera is it has RAW support that gives you the freedom to control the brightness and vividness of your shoots. Its Creative Control Mode gives you a variety of picture effects. Expressive, Old Days, Retro, and Impressive Art allows you to control color, vividness, and contrast. In contrast, Toy Effect, Miniature Effect, and Star Filter give your images a unique look but are less realistic.

Battery:

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 battery provides 380 shots at a one-full charge.

Connectivity:

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 built-in Wi-Fi. You can connect your camera to your smartphone through Panasonic Image App (available at Google Play/ App Store)


PROS:
  • 4K Max Video Resolution
  • RAW Shooting
  • Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
  • Image Stabilization
  • Long Battery Life
  • Manual Exposure
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • External Microphone Jack
CONS:
  • No Environmental Sealing
  • No NFC Connectivity
  • It doesn’t have External Flash Shoe
9.7Expert Score
Excellent!

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 is far-fetched for an entry-level point-and-shoot vlogging camera as its flip screen makes it special for bloggers. It caters to more features than the usual entry-level compact camera from having a viewfinder, and RAW support. It can provide 4K 30 fps video recording. It is the perfect travel buddy for selfie addicts. Definitely one of the best vlogging cameras under $300 in 2023!

Design
10
Ease Of Use
10
Functionality
9

Check the Price


2. GoPro HERO 8 Black – Best Action Vlogging Camera Under $300

Vloggers will wish for GoPro HERO 8 as their holiday present because of its fantastic feature.

Again, after the new release, GoPro did not fail to impress the world market.

Once again, if you are looking for the best action camera to make amazing vlogs for less than 300 dollars – here is your pick

Here are the features of Go Pro Hero 8 that make it win the competition with other action cameras in the market.

Design:

GoPro Hero 8 put an upgrade on its body design. The lens is made with Gorilla Glass making it more impact-resistant. It is not removable anymore, making it more possible to slip the GoPro 8 into your pocket.

Second, it has built-in mounting fingers, which help a lot as well.

In general, the new GoPro is a super comfortable camera to create any type of vlog.

This vlogging camera is built around the dimensions of 2.4 x 1.3 x 1.8 inches and weighs around 4.13 oz or 117 grams. These dimensions and the way it’s so lightweight make it very comfortable to use and take to various locations while traveling or having an adventure with just you and the HD videos you’re gonna shoot with this beauty.

Specifications:

GoPro Hero 8 breaks all its competition with its electronic image stabilization.

HyperSmooth 2.0 is one of the upgrades that make videos of GoPro Hero 8 shoots look unshaken even if you are holding it while riding on a skateboard. This upgrade is available at all resolutions and frame rates, so making slow-motion clips looked better.

Another exciting upgrade of GoPro Hero 8 is Time Warp – a time-lapse mode. It will adjust speed based on the scene, motion, and how much lighting you would like to have automatically.

Moreover, the new update is that GoPro Hero 8 makes live streaming possible at 1080p at 240fps. If you decide to create standard vlogs, you could easily film in Full HD or 4K resolution.

Talking about the audio, when GoPro decided to move to a fixed lens, it put the microphone below it to capture better audio, which it did.

The fact that GoPro offers a built-in microphone along with such smooth and stable image quality makes it one of the best vlogging cameras in this price range.

Battery:

Go Pro Hero 8 battery lasts up to 50 minutes on a single charge.

Connectivity:

The GoPro Hero 8 action camera comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. It also has a lot of great Apps where you can share your files and edit them straight on your smart device.

GoPro and GoPro Quik are those apps that offer great editing and file sharing features.


PROS:
  • Image Stabilization through Hypersmooth 2.0
  • 4k videos at 240fps
  • GoPro mounting fingers built-in
CONS:
  • Not so good in low light conditions
9.3Expert Score
Excellent!

GoPro Hero 8 is an investment when it comes to an action camera. Still, one thing is for sure, this action camera wears the crown as the best action camera with its upgraded body design and features. If you are already a professional vlogger, then GoPro Hero 8 is the best partner for you. This action camera has Go Pro modular accessories like Display Mod, Media Mod, and Light Mod, making it the perfect set of gear for vlogging. One of the best vlogging cameras you could buy for under $300. The main reason why GoPro is preferred is because of its superior image quality and the way it plays full HD videos along with the image stabilization via hypersmooth 2.0. That's pretty much the reason it's a contender for the best vlogging camera under 300.

Design
10
Ease Of Use
8
Functionality
10

Check the Price


3. Nikon Coolpix B500 – Best Vlogging Camera For Podcasts and Makeup Vlogs

Nikon COOLPIX B500 is a great choice for people who are looking for a camera for making home vlogs.

You can use the camera for recording podcasts and vlogs as it has the optimum balance in terms of everything from optical zoom to Bluetooth connectivity making it one of the best vlogging cameras you can have.

The camera has launched back in 2016; however, it still sits on the most popular on-the-budget- vlogging camera list.

From our usage, we can say that the Nikon COOLPIX B500 is a 16MP bridge camera that has a 40x Optical Zoom lens and if you wish, you can activate a digital zoom even up to 80x!

The camera has a wide range of shooting modes, but it lacks manual control and a raw shooting format.

For the beginner vlogger, we think that the Nikon COOLPIX B500 is way enough to shoot a nice-looking vlog. Just like many other Nikon cameras that we’ve tested before, the B500 comes with SnapBridge technology that offers you a consistent Bluetooth connection with your smartphone. Now, let’s go through more information about the Nikon COOLPIX B500 bridge camera.

Design:

While holding the Nikon COOLPIX B500 bridge camera in the hands, all I can say is that this is a middle-sized camera that fits perfectly. It is not the smallest and not the most massive camera – just the right size for comfortable handling.

Also, what I have noticed, is that the B500 has a big rubbery grip that is far from the rest of the camera’s body, and it offers safe and secure camera handling. You need to make sure that the device is not going to fall when you are vlogging intensively, right?

The other thing that makes the Nikon COOLPIX B500 camera great for vlogging is its lightweight body. I could easily hold it with one hand and vlog at the same time. This feature is essential for a full-time vlogger, at least, that is what we think.

All the buttons on the back of the camera are placed on the right side – super comfortable to use with one hand also — one of the best things that every vlogger is looking at in the camera – a tilting screen. The Nikon B500 comes with a 3” tilting LCD screen.

Specifications:

This near perfect vlogging camera has a CMOS sensor with 16 MP effective pixels along with 40x optical zoom that lets you make full HD videos and display them on a really neat 3 inches tilting LCD screen.

The camera has Contrast-detect autofocus and a native ISO of 125-6400 with a 3.0 max aperture aiding it in making Full HD videos in 1080p resolution. All this coupled with it’s battery life and economical cost make it one of the best vlogging cameras under 300 dollars.

Battery:

The Nikon COOLPIX B500 camera uses AA batteries, which we think is great. You can always carry extra AA batteries in your pocket and don’t worry about running out of them. Besides, the B500 camera can shoot up to 600 shots before the batteries run out of life.

Connectivity:

The Nikon COOLPIX B500 has a lot of connection options. The camera comes with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, and SnapBridge app connections, so you will not have to worry about sharing or uploading your files to your smart device.

Besides, all of the connection options allow you to connect additional devices to the camera which helps you to shoot a better vlog.


PROS:
  • Great battery life that keeps up to 600 shots
  • Full HD video recording and great image stabilization feature
  • 40x Optical Zoom lens which allows you to zoom in on sharp and clear details
  • 3” tilting LCD screen
CONS:
  • It could be more comfortable to hold for beginners
  • Could be an issue with the zoom focus
9.3Expert Score
Excellent!

For anyone who is looking for a great and cheap camera to create vlogs from home - try the Nikon COOLPIX B500. It is a great option for those who want to stay on a budget of around $300, but still have great video quality with extra zoom. Besides, this vlogging camera is great for beginners, as it has amazing image quality coupled with simple and clear options that are easy to understand. All of this coupled with the 40x optical zoom are testament to its quality as one of the best vlogging cameras under 300 dollars.

Design
9
Ease Of Use
10
Functionality
9

Check the Price


4. Canon VIXIA HF R800 – Best Camcorder for Vlogging Under $300

We don’t know if you are a fan of camcorders or not. However, if you want to mix things up, you can try the Canon VIXIA HF R800 Camcorder.

It is a pretty simple device, definitely not your high-end camcorder, but we are looking for vlogging cameras that cost less than 300 dollars, remember?

The price tag reflects the quality – for that amount, you are getting a simple design and video quality that is enough for beginners.

Of course, if you are looking for a device to shoot your vlog with – you need to have high video quality. I say this: the Canon VIXIA HF R800 camcorder offers Full HD video quality, and to my mind, for that amount of money, it is decent.

Design:

Usually, a lot of the time, camcorders are a bit bigger than your usual point-and-shoot cameras, but you would be surprised how small the Canon VIXIA HF R800 camcorder is.

It has a tiny small design that could be familiar to a consumer-type of camera. One of the main things that we’ve noticed after taking a closer look at the camcorder – it has barely any buttons.

However, you are getting a touchscreen, which is a plus. After opening the LCD panel, you can find a few buttons: On/Off switch, a playback button, and all the essential ports you need.

If you are a beginner, the camcorder is perfect for you, as it doesn’t confuse you with a lot of control options.

Specifications:

This small but effective vlogging camera weighs around 240g and packs a 57x advanced zoom lens along with extra high image quality and photo resolution of 20 MP and video resolution of 1920 x 1080p full HD.

And if that wasn’t enough, this vlogging camera comes with optical image stabilization as well making your shots look gorgeous and steady as they are supposed to.

Battery:

The camcorder comes with an upgraded battery life that offers recording up to 2 hours. The batteries in question are lithium-ion batteries and as expected, even at maximum settings the batteries would last around 2 hours. Based on battery alone, this might be another one of the best affordable vlogging camera under $300

Connectivity:

The only connection options are HDMI and USB port – not much, we know.

It also has an external microphone jack.

Luckily, you are filming directly onto your SD card, so it saves you some time, and all you have to do is connect your camcorder via USB cable to your computer.

However, we need to mention that your computer will recognize the camcorder only if you press the “play” button before.


PROS:
  • The Canon VIXIA HF R800 camcorder is affordable and simple
  • Lightweight and a small and portable device easily fits into your travel backpack
  • Great video quality
  • Decent optical image stabilization
  • Has a touchscreen
CONS:
  • Could be some issues connecting with iOS software
  • Doesn’t offer 4K video quality
  • Lack of Wifi connection
9.3Expert Score
Excellent!

The Canon VIXIA HF R800 camcorder is your best choice if you are a beginner and don't wish to vlog with your smartphone. The device has a small design and a great camera which makes it perfect for almost everyone who creates videos. Coupling all this with the excellent battery life and the fact that it has optical image stabilization, it gives most other vlogging cameras a run for their money as they try to compete with the sheer quality offered by Canon Vixia HF R800.

Design
9
Ease Of Use
9
Functionality
10

Check the Price


5. PANASONIC Lumix FZ80 – Best All-Around Camera for Vlogging Under $300

Starting with one of the largest cameras on our list, let’s see if it is the best one also.

Well, we liked this device so much because of its zoom lens, great price tag, and high image/video quality.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 model comes with a wifi connection, a great EVF, and even better video quality.

We can state that this camera is one of the for vlogging because it offers a 4K video recording and a lot more amazing features.

If your budget is tight (around $300) and you can’t afford any other camera – this might be the best option in the market.

The biggest drawback of this camera is the lack of a flip screen.

Design:

We will say that the FZ80 will not fit your jeans pocket – this is for sure.

On the other hand, it is not different from your usual bridge point-and-shoot camera. It is about the size of a small SLR.

The FZ80 has a handgrip that allows you to hold the device safely and be sure that you will not drop it in the middle of your vlogging.

The dimensions are quite different from the other vlogging camera on the list as FZ80 is quite large compared to other vlogging camera under 300 dollars range. The dimensions are 5.13 x 3.71 x 4.69 inches and it weighs around one and a half pounds, 1.36 pounds to be precise. The size really is unusual.

Specifications:

Sometimes size really is a testament of quality as this beast of a vlogging camera comes with a 2.3″ MOS image sensor and an EVF viewfinder that most other vlogging cameras lack.

It comes with a 3 inches LCD touch screen and lets you record videos at 4k Ultra HD at 30 FPS. Moreover, you can also do continuous shooting up to 10 FPS. All these features coupled with the superior image quality give this vlogging camera a massive edge over all other vlogging cameras.

Battery:

The Panasonic Lumix FZ80 camera comes with a lithium-ion battery that offers up to 330 shots if you are using an LCD monitor. For the EVF, it only takes up to 240 shots.

Connectivity:

The FZ80 camera comes with a Wi-Fi connection for a smooth file transfer and remote camera control. You can download the Panasonic Image app and easily control your device. Also, you can find micro HDMI and USB ports for additional connection options.


PROS:
  • It comes with a 60x optical zoom lens and sharp EVF
  • Superior 4K image and video resolution
  • It has a 3″ touchscreen
  • Huge value for this price
CONS:
  • Limited RAW buffer
  • There is no eye sensor in EVF
9.3Expert Score
Excellent!

You can be sure that the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 camera delivers superior zoom coverage with the 60x optical zoom lens. Besides, it comes with a 3 inches LCD touchscreen, sharp EVF, and records video at 4K resolution. If you are looking for a decent and not expensive camera for vlogging - the FZ80 model is what you should go for. It's all because of superior features like these that camera is considered the best vlogging camera under 300 dollars by many experts as it not only lives up in terms of quality as much as it does in terms of size but also surpasses various metrics that most other vlogging cameras under 300 dollars don't..

Design
8
Ease Of Use
10
Functionality
10

Check the Price


6. Canon PowerShot SX620Best Vlogging Camera Under 300 Dollars for Compact Cameras Lovers

The first thing that comes to attention for us and would for you – is the Canon SX620 HS 25x Optical Zoom lens fitted in a small and sleek body.

Furthermore, if you love to travel and thoroughly enjoy making vlogs of your venture – Canon PowerShot SX620 HS is the right gear for travelers and adventurers.

Here is the list of excellent features that made this camera, your perfect travel buddy

Design:

Canon Powershot SX620 HS camera comes in a very sleek design available in a variety of colors: red, black, and white.

It weighs 182 g and with a dimension of 97 x 57 x 28 mm, proving it to be a handy, lightweight, and compact digital camera.

Specifications:

Canon Powershot SX620 HS features a 20.2MP CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 4+ Image processor that will create high-resolution images with clarity and a continuous shooting rate of 7.1fps. The combination of this sensor and processor creates Canon’s HS system that yields to produce high-quality shots even in low-light settings and with minimal noise for videos.

Canon Powershot SX620HS is capable of recording videos at full high-definition quality at 1080p video at 30fps. The video format is MP4. It has monaural audio.

It has a 25x optical zoom lens that provides a wide-angle to super-telephoto equivalent focal length range t 625mm.

One of its excellent attributes is it has Canon’s Intelligent IS image stabilization system that helps keep your photos and video footage steady. It excellently reduces blur in images and video due to camera shake.

Hybrid Auto Mode is one of the exciting features of Canon Powershot SX620 HS that combined still images into a 2-4 second video at 720p.

Moreover, it has a 3.0” inch LCD screen with a resolution of 922k dots that provides color accuracy and comfortable viewing for photos and videos even from a wide-angle – really awesome!

Battery:

There is a big jump from the previous SX610 HS model in the battery department. The Canon SX620 HS uses a better battery pack that allows you to have up to 295 shots. However, if you activate the Canon’s “ECO” mode, you can make up to 405 shots.

Connectivity:

The SX610 HS camera comes with Wifi connectivity and your usual Canon Camera Connect app to quickly transfer your files. Also, if you want to move your files using an NFC connection – you can do that. These connections also allow you to control your camera remotely.


PROS:
  • The camera comes with a high-quality Image Stabilization feature, a DIGIC 4+ processor and a 20.2MP CMOS image sensor
  • Sleek and small design, suitable for traveling
  • Manual Focus Mode
  • Good wide-angle coverage at 25mm
  • Wireless connection
  • Compact Body
CONS:
  • The device doesn’t have a touchscreen and flip screen
  • No RAW shooting capability
  • No Manual Exposure Mode
8.7Expert Score
Perfect!

Overall, the Canon PowerShot SX620 camera comes with great image and video quality and a sleek and small design. Yes, it doesn't have a touchscreen and flip screen like most compact cameras, but we think that this is not the essential part of the device. As long as it provides you with a good quality vlog - you should be okay with the SX620. Not to mention that it's really handy for beginners as they tend to struggle with the stability of their shots but Canon Powershot SX620 once again proves its worth as one of the best vlogging camera under 300 dollars.

Design
9
Ease Of Use
9
Functionality
8

Check the Price


7. Canon SX530 HSRecommended Super Cheap Vlogging Camera for Recording Podcasts

We don’t need to talk much about podcasts either. This is an extremely growing field, and more and more people are not only recording audio but also filming the conversation.

We’ve already talked about the best podcast cameras on a separate topic, but we also have a recommendation for those looking for a decent podcast and vlogging camera for a few hundred dollars.

This camera can safely be put in the best digital, budget-friendly cameras category.

Let’s take a closer look at the features of this vlogging camera.

Design:

Canon PowerShot SX530 has a screen size of three inches, and weighs around one pound, with a dimension of 4.72 x 3.62 x 3.23 inches (12 x 9.1 x 8.2 cm). It has an ergonomic grip on the right side for holding the camera and a pop-out flash shutter.

Moreover, it has a lens cap for the lens, and it comes with an NS-DC11 neck camera strap.

Specifications:

Canon PowerShot SX530 has a 16.0-megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor with a DIGIC 4+ image processor.

The best part about this model is that it has 50x optical zoom power with a 24-1200 mm wide angle. It also has a Zoom Framing Assist feature that helps you capture and focus your subject better. Lastly, it also has a 1080p video resolution (30 fps).

Battery:

Canon PowerShot SX530 needs 1 Lithium metal battery. The package comes with a battery pack NB-6LH, and a battery charger CB-2LY. The battery life can approximately shoot 210 shots per charge on default settings and approximately 290 shots on Eco mode setting.

Connectivity:

Canon PowerShot SX530 has built-in Wi-Fi and the Canon Camera Connect app helps transfer photos and videos to and from compatible devices. It also has a built-in NFC and a mobile device connect button which allows the wireless transfer.


PROS:
  • Full HD video resolution
  • Good image stabilization
  • Wi-Fi and NFC ready
  • 50x optical zoom
CONS:
  • Can be slow to lock focus when zoomed
  • No EVF
8.7Expert Score
Perfect!

We recommend trying this camera despite the fact that the resolution is limited to 1080p30. Pretty good device for a start as it helps you get a good grip of vlogging with its resolution coupled with the 50x optical zoom make it a very underrated but one of the best vlogging camera under 300 dollars.

Design
8
Ease Of Use
9
Functionality
8

Check the Price


Conclusion

So, these were pretty much the best vlogging cameras under $300 in 2023. However, despite the review, everyone is unique and has unique tastes for what kind of vlogging camera he wants.

In this review, everyone should find a camera they love and like: from the traveler to the make-up specialist and the beginner. These cameras offer all the features that make them the perfect vlogging camera for pretty much every type of person.

Anyway, so, look further for other reviewed vlogging cameras, and you will find the camera that best suits your requirements. If you need help choosing a vlogging camera– feel free to contact us!

Help to choose a vlogging camera

Glen Beker

Glen Beker

Hello there! I am glad that you are visiting my Blog! I am Glen Beker and I’m a 100% tech-addicted guy, Blogger, Video Editor and Entrepreneur. I spend a lot of my time learning and editing various video blogs (vlogs) for YouTubers, testing vlogging equipment, and giving vlogging tips to many starting video makers or editors from all over the world! If you want to consult with me about vlogging – feel free to contact me!

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