Best Video Camera For Different Budget
Viewers won’t watch something that is poorly captured, so as you develop your live streaming strategy make sure to dedicate proper resources towards finding the right camera. As any broadcaster will tell you, the most important piece of gear in your production arsenal is your camera. Oton Technology makes it easy for you to find and set up cameras with ease.
We’ve done the legwork to help you out. Below you’ll find a list of our favorite cameras for live streaming at the different scenarios, such as game streaming, ecommerce streaming, video conference, education streaming and professional broadcasting.
Type of Camera
Webcam
Webcams are USB-powered devices that connect directly to a computer. The plug-and-play capability makes them highly user friendly. Both computers and hardware encoders can accept webcams as USB video sources.
PTZ Cameras
PTZ are cameras you can operate remotely. These cameras typically have a flat base that can be securely mounted on a shelf, a ceiling, or a tripod. PTZ cameras are widely used in permanent installs at churches, conference and concert halls, lecture auditoriums, and other large spaces.
DSLR and Mirrorless cameras
Originally designed as digital analogs to traditional film cameras, DSLR and mirrorless cameras offer beautiful image quality. The lenses on these types of cameras are usually interchangeable, presenting opportunities for shot customization and fine cinematographic effects. Compared to camcorders in the same price category, DSLR and mirrorless have much larger image sensors, which means better image quality.
Camcorders
Unlike DSLR and mirrorless cameras, camcorders are purpose-built for capturing hours and hours of video. Designed as digital versions of their analogue counterparts, professional camcorders are the industry standard for video broadcasting. Feature sets range widely depending on price point. The bottom line is, if you are looking to produce a lot of live video content, you should strongly consider a camcorder.
Camera For Any Budget
We’ve broken the list down into four budget categories. The idea is to highlight the features you can expect at each price point. The model picks are based on our own experience as well as the opinions of expert streaming community members.
Minimal Budget ($50-$300) — Just getting started with streaming
This category includes two types of cameras: webcams and basic camcorders.
the most popular webcams on the market today
- 1080p30, 720p60 streaming over USB
- Good autofocus and light correction
- Stereo audio with dual microphones
- Customizable background replacement
- 78° Diagonal Field of View
- up to 1920 x 1080p60 Video
- Canon 3.28MP CMOS Sensor
- DIGIC DV 4 Image Processor
- 57x Advanced Zoom and SuperRange O.I.S.
- 3" LCD Touch Panel Display
- SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card
- Highlight Priority Mode
- Fast- and Slow-Motion Recording
Starter budget ($300-$700) — Beginners looking for better image quality
If you’re looking to upgrade from the quality you’d get from a webcam or basic camcorder, this category is for you. Alternatively, if you’re just getting started with streaming and want to jump directly to advanced video quality (skipping webcams altogether), this category is also for you. This category predominantly features entry-level mirrorless and DSLR cameras, which offer crisp, professional-looking video.
- 1/2.5″ CMOS sensor, 8MP
- 4K Resolution
- 3G-SDI, USB3.0, RJ45, RS-232 and RS485 port
- Auto tracking with 3 tracking modes
- Strong anti-Interference
- 2D/3D digital noise reduction
- Wide Dynamic Exposure
- Built-in H.265 encoding
- Support POE
- 1080p60 streaming
- APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) CMOS sensor
- 3” flip-up display
- Fast autofocus
- Light and portable (only 283 g)
- Micro HDMI out
Advanced user budget ($700-$1500) — Transitioning to professional-quality live streaming
This section is for those looking to transition from basic and mid-level event streaming to professional, polished live productions. This category includes PTZ cameras, advanced DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and prosumer camcorders.
- 1080p60 sresolution
- 1/2.8 inch CMOS sensor
- Auto focus, auto zoom, auto exposure
- HDMI and SDI output
- 12X/20X/30X optical zoom, 10x digital zoom
- Digital 2D/3D noise reduction
- Remote Control on pan, title, zoom
- Multiple installation
- 4K30, 1080p60 streaming
- Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) Live MOS sensor
- 3″ rotating display
- Long battery life
- Micro HDMI out
- 1080p60 streaming
- Full Frame (35.8 x 23.9 mm) CMOS sensor
- Simultaneous HDMI out + internal recording
- 3.5 mm mic and headphone
- Micro HDMI out
Professional budget ($1,500+) — For mission-critical live productions
This category goes into heavy-duty, high-end professional camcorders, advanced DSLR/mirrorless, and professional cinema cameras.
- 4K24 (via HDMI), 1080p60 streaming
- One-chip 1″ MOS sensor
- Focus assist + fast focus
- External (remote) zoom and iris controls, wireless remote control from an iPad
- Two full XLR inputs, one 3.5 mm jack
- One 3G-SDI and one full HDMI 2.0 output
- Up to 4K60 streaming (DCI 4:2:2 10-bit)
- Super 35 mm Dual Gain Output (DGO) sensor
- Two mini XLR three-pin inputs, one 3.5 mm stereo
- Full-size HDMI 2.0 out
- IP streaming available; requires third-party optional USB-C to Ethernet converter and decoder transmission device
- Dual pixel autofocus and face tracking
- Portable and versatile
There you have it: our picks for the best cameras for live streaming for any budget. Naturally, there are many other streaming cameras on the market. This list is based on our own experience and the experiences of our customers.
Though cameras are important, they’re not the only player in the live streaming game. To learn more about video mixers, check out below posts.
