Camera gear
There are so many options out there for cameras that it can be hard to choose which one you’re going to invest in. I’ve been using Sony cameras since 2016 and I really enjoy their balance of features, image quality, reliable autofocus, and compact size. That being said, pretty much all the new cameras these days are more than capable of creating high quality video and photos for online use.
Bodies
Sony a7 III – This is my main camera and Sony’s “entry level’ full-frame mirrorless camera. The two main reasons I use a full frame camera are that the bigger imaging sensor allows for shallower depth of fields (blurry backgrounds), and it also has much better image quality in low-light situations.
Sony a6400 – I do most of my handheld vlogging with this camera since it has a flip screen and I can see my framing and make sure that I’m in focus. It’s lightweight, easy to carry, and it has a microphone input which makes a huge difference in the audio quality when I’m in noisy situations.
Sony RX100 VA – This was my go-to vlogging camera until I got the a6400. It’s a fantastic camera with really impressive results, especially for its size. I switched to the a6400 mainly for the microphone input and the fact that I could attach a lens with a wider field of view to capture more of my surroundings.
Lenses
Sony 10-18mm f/4 – A really good vlogging lens since it’s super wide and has optical image stabilization. It handles distortion fairly well and the focal range also works great for landscape photos.
Sony 24-70 f/4 – Most of the footage from my a7 III is shot with this lens since it has such a versatile zoom range. An aperture of f/4 means it’s compact and lightweight, but not the best in low light.
Zeiss Batis 18mm f/2.8 – A wide field of view and a large aperture makes this lens awesome for indoors, low light scenarios, and landscapes. It’s also super sharp, fairly lightweight, and easily balances on a gimbal.
Sony 85mm f/1.8 – An affordable, high quality portrait lens that gives really nice bokeh and makes your subject pop out of the background. One of my favourites!
Audio
Rode VideoMic Pro – I’ve had this microphone for over 8 years and it’s served me well. The built in high-pass filter is great for cutting out wind and other low frequency noises.
Rode VideoMicro – This is the mic that stays on my vlogging camera and it’s surprising good for the price. It even cuts out background noise a bit better than my much more expensive VideoMic Pro. The downside is that it’s not as good in the wind.
Sennheiser EW 112p G4 – Wireless lavalier mics are expensive, but they sound so good in noisy environments and they offer more flexibility by being able to walk away from the camera.
Extras
Sirui T-025SK T-0S – A simple folding tripod to hold up my camera. Everyone should have this basic camera tool!
Zhiyun Crane v2 – Gimbals are great for getting those dynamic moving shots while keeping the footage perfectly smooth. This one has great battery life, is pretty compact, and has served me well.
GoPro Hero6 Black – A fantastic waterproof little camera that you can fit almost anywhere and attach to almost anything. We have 2 of these cameras that we use for action, adventure, difficult weather scenarios, and cool angles you couldn’t get with a normal camera (like sticking it to the bottom of a helicopter).
DJI Mavic Pro – DJI makes the best consumer drones and the Mavic is an awesome balance between image quality and portability. We don’t use our drone nearly enough, but we love how compact it is and we cannot recommend this one enough.