In the past, people who wanted to build an audience and have their ideas heard had to resort to expensive traditional media channels like radio and television talk shows.
However, with the advent of the internet and new technologies, content creators can now build a potentially global audience without having to invest in expensive radio and TV airtime.
The video blog, or vlog, is a type of blog that contains video content. Before, it is a high quality blog post that dominates the internet.
Now, Vlog entries often combine embedded videos with text and images.
While vlogs can be found on traditional blog hosting sites like Blogger and WordPress, vlogging is more popularly associated with YouTube.
YouTube’s massive user base of more than a billion users opens up new opportunities for vloggers who want to expand their influence and gain new audiences for their content.
Vloggers like Nigahiga, the Vlogbrothers, and Shane Dawson have become household names through YouTube.
Meanwhile, vlogging events like VidCon attract thousands of attendees annually, and the top YouTube vloggers have content that has been viewed billions of times.
Video is one of the most engaging types of media, and audiences have been conditioned by TV and cinema to spend countless hours consuming video content.
According to YouTube, people watch hundreds of millions of hours of video on the platform each day and generate billions of views.
How Technology Has Made Vlogging Easier and Cheaper
These days, anyone with a relatively new computer model, a high-speed internet connection, video editing software, and the right device (such as a smartphone or camera) can create vlogs.
Moreover, new technologies have made it easier and cheaper for content creators to create video content and distribute it to a potentially global audience.
Unlike traditional media airtime (which can cost thousands of dollars), blog hosting sites like Blogger and video-sharing sites like YouTube are free.
Choosing the Right Device to Create Compelling Video Content
The biggest question most first-time vloggers struggle with is:
What kind of device should I use to record my vlogs? There are numerous gadgets that vloggers can use, ranging from mid-range and high-end smartphones to compact, mirrorless, and DSLR cameras.
Vloggers who want to record vlogs on the go should consider investing in a smartphone or compact camera with decent specs, while those who’ll primarily be recording their vlogs indoors (such as talking heads) should consider investing in a good mirrorless or DSLR camera.
Check out the following recommendations:
Smartphones:
Looking for a compact device that can shoot crisp 4K video? High-end smartphones from makers like Apple and Samsung are ideal for vloggers who want to record videos on the go.
Apple’s iPhone 6S can record crisp 4K video up to four times the resolution of 1080 HD video. Vloggers can also use the phone’s 12-megapixel iSight camera to capture sharp and detailed stills.
Meanwhile, Samsung’s Galaxy S7 Edge provides not only crisp and detailed 4K video recording but also features like ruggedness, a waterproof body, and a 12-megapixel rear camera.
These features make the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge ideal for vloggers who want to record action, sports, and underwater videos.
While smartphones give vloggers mobility without sacrificing video quality, a tripod will be needed for stable stationary recordings.
Vloggers can invest in entry-level tripods to prevent shaky stationary recordings.
They should also invest in universal tripod adapters to connect their tripods to their smartphones.
Compact Cameras:
Image Source: Canon PowerShot G7 X
Compact cameras, like the Canon PowerShot G7 X, are ideal for vloggers who want to record their adventures on the go.
The Canon PowerShot G7 X is the most popular camera for YouTube right now due to its affordability, high image quality, and great autofocus.
YouTube vbloggers also favor the Canon PowerShot G7 X because of its great optical image stabilization feature, which ensures smooth video recording on the go.
DSLRs:
For vloggers who want to shoot professional-looking videos of the highest quality, their best bet is a DSLR. DSLRs offer polished results via manual mode and cinematic-style recording, as well as versatility through interchangeable lenses.
YouTube vloggers who like to create how-to videos and talking head segments may opt to record with DSLRs.
Image Source: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
The Canon EOS 5D Mark III is an affordable full-frame DSLR that shoots high-definition, cinema-quality videos.
Additionally, this DSLR is armed with a 22-megapixel CMOS sensor, as well as improved autofocusing and metering technology.
Mirrorless Cameras:
Image Source: Sony A7RII
Mirror-less cameras are another great option for vloggers. Just like DSLRs, these cameras accommodate interchangeable lenses without the extreme bulk that makes DSLRs so difficult to carry around.
A great mirror-less camera for vloggers is the Sony A7RII.
This mirror-less workhorse has crisp 4K video recording capability, an improved image sensor, better auto-focus, and a new 5-axis image stabilization system.
This camera is great for vloggers who want to capture dynamic and crisp videos and stills.
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