The 5 Best Vlogging Cameras With Flip Screens - Black Friday 2024

The Sony ZV-E1 is the best flip screen vlogging camera we've tested. It's one of the most powerful vlogging cameras on the market, with a 12-megapixel full-frame sensor that's optimized for low-light shooting. The camera supports 4k recording at up to 120 fps, allowing you to record super slow-motion footage, and more advanced videographers can take advantage of internal Log recording and 10-bit 4:2:2 color to get more dynamic range and flexibility in post. Plus, in-body image stabilization (IBIS) and features designed to take the guesswork out of video production make this a great choice for the solo vlogger who tends to work in uncontrolled lighting conditions.

Beyond that, it sports a large, fully articulated screen and, unlike many other Sony cameras, features full touch navigation, so you can easily adjust settings while recording yourself. That said, while this camera is impressively compact for a full-frame model, it isn't the most portable option for on-the-go vlogging. It can also struggle with overheating when recording in 4k. Still, if you're looking for the best possible video quality in a dedicated vlogging camera, this is the camera to get.

If you don't need all of the high-end features that the Sony ZV-E1 provides, you can opt for a mid-range hybrid model like the Sony α6700. Though it lacks some of the ZV-E1's more advanced capabilities and uses an APS-C sensor, it's a very well-rounded camera and a great choice for intermediate to more advanced vloggers and videographers. For one, it's one of the few cameras in its class to shoot at up to 120 fps in 4k (albeit with a notable crop), and it has one of the best autofocus systems around, not to mention IBIS and internal 10-bit 4:2:2 capture.

The Fujifilm X-S20 is another good choice at this price point. It's a bit cheaper than the Sony and offers open gate 6.2k video recording. That said, it has fewer frame rate options, capping out at 60 fps in 4k, and its AF system isn't as reliable. Ultimately, the Sony is king in this price range, but both cameras have a lot to offer, depending on your particular needs and preferences.

While the Sony α6700 is a very well-rounded camera, the entry-level Sony ZV-E10 II is most likely a better value proposition for those who are primarily interested in vlogging. Like Sony's other ZV series cameras, it doesn't have a viewfinder, making it less versatile for stills, but it's tailor-made for content creators, with a large fully articulated touchscreen and an excellent APS-C sensor borrowed from one of Sony's higher-end cinema cameras. Plus, it has excellent internal video recording specs, with 4k at up to 60 fps and internal 10-bit recording, making it a great choice for intermediate shooters. Unfortunately, it doesn't have IBIS like the α6700 does.

If you're more of a hybrid photo/video shooter or just want a simpler camera with an easier-to-use interface, the Canon EOS R10 is a very user-friendly option at this price point. It lacks some of the ZV-E10 II's more advanced video features, like Log recording, but it has a viewfinder in addition to a fully articulated screen, and its ergonomics and simple user interface make it a good entry-level option.  

If you're on a tighter budget, the Sony ZV-E10 is one of the best budget video cameras on the market. Like the Sony ZV-E1 and the Sony ZV-E10 II, it lacks a viewfinder, making it less versatile for photography. However, it's nice and portable, and it has a large, fully articulated screen that's ideal for vlogging. It also has great battery life and unlimited recording times.

Frame rate options are more limited compared to its pricier successor above, with a noticeable crop on 4k 30 fps videos. Rolling shutter can also be pronounced with quicker camera movements and pans, and it can overheat with prolonged 4k recording, but this is still an excellent video camera for the price, and Sony's autofocus system is one of the best in the business. Like the other ZV models, there's even a special focus mode just for product and beauty vloggers, which automatically switches focus to any objects held up in front of the frame. Ultimately, this is the best option for those who want to start vlogging without spending a fortune.

If you like the sound of the Sony ZV-E10 but prefer something more portable, then you're in luck, thanks to the Sony ZV-1. Yes, that's right—yet another camera from the ZV series! It's essentially a compact, fixed-lens version of the ZV-E10. You won't have the flexibility to switch out different lenses, but it's a highly portable all-in-one camera you can easily take wherever you go. Like the ZV-E10, it has a fully articulated screen, no viewfinder, and the same specialized vlogging features like the 'Product Showcase' setting that prioritizes objects in front of the frame.

The autofocus, in general, is excellent and reliable at tracking moving subjects, and the video quality is surprisingly good despite its smaller 1-inch sensor. However, the biggest trade-off here is battery life and heat management, but that's typical of a point-and-shoot camera like this. It's still a great option if you need something more compact for on-the-go vlogging.