Video Camera for Dummies

Dude just because you can spend dosent mean that you should lavishly spend. For 500$ I would suggest. GoPro Hero 3+ and a mic to go with it would be Shure sm57 or Blue Yeti. You can get a tripod for 30$ so all in all this is a good setup. Dont spend that much now. Going for high end stuff is not always great.
 
~ZERO said:
Dude just because you can spend dosent mean that you should lavishly spend. For 500$ I would suggest. GoPro Hero 3+ and a mic to go with it would be Shure sm57 or Blue Yeti. You can get a tripod for 30$ so all in all this is a good setup. Dont spend that much now. Going for high end stuff is not always great.
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GoPro would be a terrrrible choice for her channel.
 
MBM Crafts said:
Up until now I've been doing all of my youtube videos using my iPhone. It does a decent job, but I think it is time to upgrade. I don't want to think too hard about adjusting hundreds of settings every time I record a video, I just want to be able to turn it on and go. My videos are done indoors, and are close up shots of table top crafts.

I could spend up to $2500 if I was convinced that the quality and user experience would be worth the investment. What cameras would you suggest for my type of YouTube channel? If I can do it for $500, thats even better. I don't want to spend just to have something fancy if the extra features aren't really useful to me!

What other equipment should I be getting to improve the production value of my videos? Microphone? Lighting?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can share!!!

Maybe there is a YouTube channel on A/V equipment that wants to do a "makeover" collaboration. haha.
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If you want simple, I'd stay away from DSLRs. Most won't have continuous autofocus (the Canon 70D is the exception) that is effective.

Go with a camcorder. A higher end consumer/prosumer camcorder would be ideal and aside from possibly having white balance (point at a white sheet of paper and press a button), it's pretty much ready to go with nothing to adjust.
I'd avoid the Sony VG20 right now. The kit lens is junk and there's no reason to spend the money on an interchangable lens camcorder when they have better camcorders for half the money.

Here are a few to take a look at:

Sony HDR-CX900
Sony FDR-AX100-it's basically a CX900 with 4k capability at the cost of an extra $500
Sony HXR-NX30U-this one is based on an older design with the best available image stabilization on the market. $1600 after a $200 rebate and includes a full version of Sony Vegas Pro 12 if you need the software. Also includes a XLR microphone rig that is $800 by itself.
Canon Vixia HF-G30-solid and very easy to use camera. Also comes with a full version of Sony Vegas Pro 12.
Canon Vixia XA10-based on the older HF-G10 camcorder with the addition of XLR audio (you need to provide your own mic)

If you want low cost and have a best buy around you, you should look into the Canon Vixia HF-G20. They should be on clearance, bringing the price down to the $600-700 range. Two stores near me have it priced at $599.

For mics, if you think you'll have trouble remembering to turn on the mic, most camcorders have optional mics made specifically for a particular brand/hot shoe that are powered from the camcorder so they turn on automatically when the camcorder is on. If you want a universal solution, I'd recommend looking into a Rode Videomic (the one with the Rycote Mount), the Shure VP-83, or the Sennheiser MKE 400. I have all three of them and prefer the Shure, but the Sennheiser is great if you need something small.
 
Wreckless Eating said:
If you want simple, I'd stay away from DSLRs. Most won't have continuous autofocus (the Canon 70D is the exception) that is effective.

Go with a camcorder. A higher end consumer/prosumer camcorder would be ideal and aside from possibly having white balance (point at a white sheet of paper and press a button), it's pretty much ready to go with nothing to adjust.
I'd avoid the Sony VG20 right now. The kit lens is junk and there's no reason to spend the money on an interchangable lens camcorder when they have better camcorders for half the money.

Here are a few to take a look at:

Sony HDR-CX900
Sony FDR-AX100-it's basically a CX900 with 4k capability at the cost of an extra $500
Sony HXR-NX30U-this one is based on an older design with the best available image stabilization on the market. $1600 after a $200 rebate and includes a full version of Sony Vegas Pro 12 if you need the software. Also includes a XLR microphone rig that is $800 by itself.
Canon Vixia HF-G30-solid and very easy to use camera. Also comes with a full version of Sony Vegas Pro 12.
Canon Vixia XA10-based on the older HF-G10 camcorder with the addition of XLR audio (you need to provide your own mic)

If you want low cost and have a best buy around you, you should look into the Canon Vixia HF-G20. They should be on clearance, bringing the price down to the $600-700 range. Two stores near me have it priced at $599.

For mics, if you think you'll have trouble remembering to turn on the mic, most camcorders have optional mics made specifically for a particular brand/hot shoe that are powered from the camcorder so they turn on automatically when the camcorder is on. If you want a universal solution, I'd recommend looking into a Rode Videomic (the one with the Rycote Mount), the Shure VP-83, or the Sennheiser MKE 400. I have all three of them and prefer the Shure, but the Sennheiser is great if you need something small.
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^Second that, very good choice. I'd argue the 4K one being a bit gimmicky, 4K especially for YouTube won't be viable for a loong time.
Was going to suggest the NX30U but it showed up as being over budget for me, forgot about the whole us thing heh
 
Styxie said:
^Second that, very good choice. I'd argue the 4K one being a bit gimmicky, 4K especially for YouTube won't be viable for a loong time.
Was going to suggest the NX30U but it showed up as being over budget for me, forgot about the whole us thing heh
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4K has been available on YouTube for months. YouTube Nation broadcasts in 4k every day.
 
Wreckless Eating said:
4K has been available on YouTube for months. YouTube Nation broadcasts in 4k every day.
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Not because you can broadcast in HD that you should, the US has generally shaite internet and with the upcoming merger, it most probably won't get any better.. For an arts and crafts channel, I think 1080p is more than enough for many years to come.
 
Styxie said:
Not because you can broadcast in HD that you should, the US has generally shaite internet and with the upcoming merger, it most probably won't get any better.. For an arts and crafts channel, I think 1080p is more than enough for many years to come.
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Agreed but with one important distinction. No one actually needs 4k, but you can gain extra exposure by offering it to the tiny handful of people who have 4k tvs and monitors. And if you are considering a $1500 camcorder, an extra $500 is very reasonable to have 4k capability in the exact same chassis.
 
I would argue that a DSLR doesn't have to be complicated...you can end up spending a but more for a good one, but you can always leave it in "P" mode.
 
Wreckless Eating said:
Agreed but with one important distinction. No one actually needs 4k, but you can gain extra exposure by offering it to the tiny handful of people who have 4k tvs and monitors. And if you are considering a $1500 camcorder, an extra $500 is very reasonable to have 4k capability in the exact same chassis.
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Ah that is a good point, if you're spending that money, might as well.
 
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