The best time to start a YouTube channel was yesterday, but the second best time is today! Whether you aim to earn a side hustle income or want to start sharing your hobby with the world, starting a YouTube channel is a mighty endeavor. What initially may have seemed simple can quickly turn into thousands of dollars of gear you don’t know how to use. This results from not knowing how to pick what’s right for you. This guide will help you avoid mistakes and select the best equipment to start your YouTube journey.
Camera
If you want to produce videos, you first need a quality camera. While many creators may opt to use their smartphones, getting a dedicated camera will produce higher-quality footage. This will help you stand apart from the competition. Each camera has features we could spend a whole article talking about. In fact, we already did! However, we’ll break it down briefly here.
Consider two features when picking out the right camera for your YouTube channel. First is the ability to shoot in 4K. YouTube supports 4K resolution, and having the capability to shoot and upload in 4K will help your channel stand out. Secondly, having a camera with a front-facing monitor or a fully articulating screen is a must. Especially if you plan on feature filming yourself. You see yourself on the camera’s screen while recording, which will enable you to ensure you’re in the perfect spot. Hundreds of great cameras are on the market, but let’s look at two of our current favorites.
Sony ZV-E10
Boasting a fully articulating screen, 4K footage, and a slew of in-camera automated features. Features that make the filming process more manageable. The Sony ZV-E10 is the perfect camera for creators starting their YouTube channel and are serious about capturing fantastic footage. A small built-in microphone can record audio for those who don’t want to purchase an additional microphone. This microphone is pretty good for an in-body microphone. The ZV-E10 is small, compact, and can be used with any Sony E-mount lens. If you already have lenses, the ZV-E10 can be purchased “body only.” Otherwise, it can be bundled with the 16-50mm lens for creators without any lenses.
GoPro HERO13
For action sports creators, the GoPro HERO13 is a must-have. The HERO13 captures 5.3K footage that can easily be downsampled to 4K or 4K/120p. Additionally, you can capture super-slow motion in incredible quality. GoPro’s HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization will stabilize your footage, even when on the move. The GoPro is small enough to fit inside a pocket to take with you on your most cinematic experiences.
Microphone
While most cameras have some sort of in-body microphone, you’ll always get better audio quality with a dedicated microphone. Depending on what kind of content you aim to capture will significantly change the best type of mic, so we’ve included two recommendations based on the type of content you’ll record.
DJI Mic 2
This DJI lavalier mic is considered one of the best on the market and is designed to be clipped on when in use. This type of microphone is popular for people who want to capture spoken or spatial audio, especially when capturing video in the field. The DJI Mic 2 has a transmitter (designed to be placed where you want to capture the audio) and a receiver (to send the audio back to your camera wirelessly). If you want to capture multiple audio sources simultaneously, you can get two transmitters and the receiver in one package.
Rode VideoMic GO II-H Ultra Compact Shotgun Mic
A shotgun mic is perfect for recording environmental audio or spoken dialog right in front of the camera. This type of mic sits on top of the camera and records audio in the direction it is pointed. This Rode VideoMic Compact Shotgun Mic is both lightweight and very compact, pairing perfectly with either of the cameras mentioned above.
Lighting
Professional quality lighting may not always be needed, but if you’re filming content indoors or even outdoors in low light, making a small investment in lighting can help you vastly improve the quality of your content. For those shooting in a fixed indoor environment, a studio light is the best option as it provides very high-quality lighting and is easy to use, assuming it doesn’t need to be transported. If you’re capturing video in the field, a smaller on-camera light may be the most practical option.
Aputure Amaran Ace 25c 25W On-Camera Light
This full-color light is portable and designed to be used on-camera, making it an excellent choice for capturing video content outside of your home or studio. Many will use it as a key light to illuminate the face of the subject, but it can also be used off-camera to add a touch of color to your scene. If you’re a hybrid shooter that captures footage both in-field and in the office, these lights are convenient to have around.
Aputure Amaran 100x S 100W Bi-Color LED Light
If you capture footage in your studio, home, or office, a high-quality studio light is a must. The Aputure Amaran 100x LED Light provides beautifully soft light when paired with a compatible softbox and can be dimmed to the perfect brightness. 100W of power should provide plenty of lighting, even for those in a space with little natural light.
Software
Once you have everything you need to capture video, you’ll have to consider how you will combine all the footage. There are numerous free and paid software on the market for video editing that cater to all skill levels. We’ll highlight a few of our favorites.
Premiere Elements
If you’re just getting started with video editing, Premiere Elements is a simplified version of Adobe’s flagship video editor, Premiere Pro. Its easy-to-learn interface allows you to cut videos, edit footage, add titles, and even add special effects.
DaVinci Resolve
Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve is one of the most popular video editors in the world and offers advanced features. If you’re just getting started with video editing, there is a bit of a learning curve before you’ll find success, but for those serious and committed to growing their channel, this option offers all the features you’ll ever need.
Lights, Camera, Action!
There’s a lot to learn when you start a YouTube channel, but committed creators who are open to learning will always find their way. Using the equipment on this list, you’ll already be ahead of the game regarding video quality, one of the most essential aspects of retaining viewers on your channel. If you’re looking for more tips to start your channel, we’ve got another guide here covering some additional tips to starting a YouTube channel. Best of luck to you, and we’ll see you when you get that silver play button!
