Good HD camera for under 120$

[Zeke_]

I am starting a YouTube channel really soon and after I build my rig I need to buy a camera as well. I want good HD video for under 120$ I know absolutely nothing about cameras other than the differences between resolutions and have no idea what a lot of the specifications mean or anything like that so I'm kinda lost as to what to purchase.

[RadiatingLight]

Unless you need zoom, there's not much you could get that would be way better than a phone on a stand.

just use that to save money for now if you only have a $120 budget.

 

NOTE: I could be wrong here. I don't know too much about video cameras, so take this advice with a grain of salt.

[MValuableP]

5 minutes ago, RadiatingLight said:

Unless you need zoom, there's not much you could get that would be way better than a phone on a stand.

just use that to save money for now if you only have a $120 budget.

 

NOTE: I could be wrong here. I don't know too much about video cameras, so take this advice with a grain of salt.

Yeeeah, phones usually aren't a great option. There's a lot of "motion blur" or whatever it's called, at least on my phone's camera (iPhone 6), which wont look very nice.

 

For OP:

One of your best options is probably to go with a webcam. Logitech c920 or c922 are great. They've also just come out with a 4k 60fps version of the webcam, but I can't remember the name of it. Anyway, those are great, and I know for a fact it's looked upon as one of the best webcams for YouTube out there. They're also definitely in your price range, so have a look!

[RadiatingLight]

5 minutes ago, MValuableP said:

Yeeeah, phones usually aren't a great option. There's a lot of "motion blur" or whatever it's called, at least on my phone's camera (iPhone 6), which wont look very nice.

In my experience, that only happens when the phone itself is moving.

if you put the phone on a stand, it should be fine.

 

but a webcam is also a great option.

[Jacktastic-Mofo]

Get that really nice Logitech 1080p webcam and a gorillapod and call it a day. Save up for a better camera, mirrorless or DSLR in the future.

[MValuableP]

1 minute ago, RadiatingLight said:

In my experience, that only happens when the phone itself is moving.

if you put the phone on a stand, it should be fine.

 

but a webcam is also a great option.

Depends on what he's going to post to Youtube. Also if he'll be jumping up his chair and move around his room quickly, then the phone wont be happy about the frames it can produce.

 

For OP:

You do know, that audio is important as well? Even more so than a webcam? What'll you be using for audio? I'm curiois since a lot of starting YouTubers seem to think a cam is a necessity and then don't realize audio is just as (if not more) important  Anyway, you must be able to squeeze a cool microphone in your $120 budget (maybe a Samson Meteor mic, those are great for the price) if you buy a c920. Good luck!

[Zeke_]

3 minutes ago, MValuableP said:

Depends on what he's going to post to Youtube. Also if he'll be jumping up his chair and move around his room quickly, then the phone wont be happy about the frames it can produce.

 

For OP:

You do know, that audio is important as well? Even more so than a webcam? What'll you be using for audio? I'm curiois since a lot of starting YouTubers seem to think a cam is a necessity and then don't realize audio is just as (if not more) important  Anyway, you must be able to squeeze a cool microphone in your $120 budget (maybe a Samson Meteor mic, those are great for the price) if you buy a c920. Good luck!

I have a condenser mic for my audio and one of those shirt clip on mics for when I'm outside doing stuff.

[RadiatingLight]

3 minutes ago, Zeke_ said:

I have a condenser mic for my audio and one of those shirt clip on mics for when I'm outside doing stuff.

if you're outside doing stuff a webcam's not going to work.

where do you plan to film?

[xQubeZx]

54 minutes ago, MValuableP said:

Yeeeah, phones usually aren't a great option. There's a lot of "motion blur" or whatever it's called, at least on my phone's camera (iPhone 6), which wont look very nice.

 

For OP:

One of your best options is probably to go with a webcam. Logitech c920 or c922 are great. They've also just come out with a 4k 60fps version of the webcam, but I can't remember the name of it. Anyway, those are great, and I know for a fact it's looked upon as one of the best webcams for YouTube out there. They're also definitely in your price range, so have a look!

Belive me, the video from a 120US videocamera won't be much better than the one you get from the iPhone 6. And motion blur has nothing to do with the sensor really. (Rolling shutter may be what you have experienced). I would just use the phone unless it's ancient or something like that.

 

Drop the budget on proper lightning and maybe even a stabalizer for the phone to recive good smooth shots. I have seen semi professional shoots (Fstoppers tutorials are just one to mention) use a gimbal and an iPhone 6s/7 to produce some pretty impressive smooth cinematics in good light.

 

And as others have said a good mic to record audio is important. But, a relativly neew flagship phone is able to produce some pretty impressive shots if used the right way in good lightning conditions. 

 

 

[Zeke_]

1 hour ago, RadiatingLight said:

if you're outside doing stuff a webcam's not going to work.

where do you plan to film?

Inside and outside