What do you need to make the best YouTube videos?
Want to start your vlog or YouTube show? Of course, you can use your smartphone, but that is usually not ideal—tips for the material you need to get started.
Every minute, 300 hours of footage is published on YouTube. Another impressive figure: more than 5 billion videos are viewed on the platform every day. Maybe you have considered making YouTube videos yourself. With this material, you can make the best videos in an instant.
Which camera you need depends on the type of show you want to make. Some YouTubers film themselves while gaming indoors; others take action footage shot in slow motion.
You can’t go wrong with a decent entry-level model, the Canon Powershot SX740, for example. This camera films in 4K and has a tilting screen, so you can watch yourself while recording. Because the device can be connected to your laptop or tablet via WiFi, you don’t have to make a lot of effort to publish videos afterward.
Those who have more budget and want to take a more professional approach can opt for a specialized camera. Some brands release specific cameras for vlogging.
Sony, for example, has the ZV-1, which costs from $670. The automatic exposure follows the faces so that they are always beautifully exposed. With the push of a button, you create a diffuse background, making you or the products you are discussing look even better.
Tripod: Element Traveler Small and Joby GripTight PRO 2 GorillaPod
There is nothing more annoying than a video with the picture moving up and down all the time. A tripod that provides the necessary stability is therefore indispensable for those who want to film. Manfrotto, the reference in tripods for years, has several affordable models.
The Element Traveler Small weighs 4 kg and is only 32 centimeters when folded. Even if you want to film with your smartphone, it is best to use a tripod. The Joby GripTight PRO 2 GorillaPod, for example, clamps your phone, after which you can film both horizontally and vertically.
Light: Elgato Ring Light
If you want to be in the picture yourself, it is important that you are well exposed. A ring lamp ensures that the light is spread evenly and naturally, creating soft shadows and low impurities. The Elgato Ring Light is highly recommended.
Sound: Trust GXT 232 Mantis, Røde NT-USB and Blue Yeti
Not only your image quality is important, the sound also plays a role. Although most cameras have quite good quality, it is still better to provide an extra microphone.
A USB microphone is especially recommended for those who film and stream indoors. The Trust GXT 232 Mantis has a good price-quality ratio, but if you want to make top videos in which conversations are central, it is better to choose another device. In such a case, the Røde NT-USB and the Blue Yeti are recommended.
