Are you looking to make Youtube walking videos, with potential to use camera for Vlogging (I.e. flip screen) and need some recommendations on the best camera for walking videos with the following features:
- 4k video with 60fps video (unlimited filming time)
- Flip screen
- Good camera lens
- Gimbal for camera
- Good Microphone to use
Well, you’re in luck!
Personally, I use the Lumix GH5 (CHECK ON AMAZON) and a few gimbals (Weebill S, CHECK ON AMAZON), DJI Ronin-S (CHECK ON AMAZON). For lenses I use the Lumix Pro (CHECK ON AMAZON) – The 4K video quality is just Pure magic!
Here’s the best camera for walking videos:
- For consumer and prosumer level, I will pick GoPro Hero 7 (CHECK ON AMAZON) + external shotgun microphone (third party parts), or Hero 8 (CHECK ON AMAZON)/Hero 9 (CHECK ON AMAZON)+ Module Microphone.
- The second choice is Panasonic Lumix GH5 (CHECK ON AMAZON) + native lens which give you DUAL stabilization. Or the newer model in case you have extra money to burn: GH5S, Lumix 1S.
Best Camera for Walking Videos
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While most of the camera up there can shoot 4K, let’s get to some really specific ones:
Best Camera For 4k Walking Videos
There’s the Panasanonic S1 ($1.5k) as well as the GH5 but their autofocus isn’t great. You can fix that by getting a great lens with autofocus feature.
The Sony A7siii (BUY ON AMAZON) is expensive although it is 4k video with 60 fps video time (unlimited filming time), flip screen, goo camera lens, and a nice mic.
If you cannot afford that then you might have to compromise on features. Poor(er) autofocus in the Panasonic case, other features in other cases.
You might consider having 2 camera, one for taking A-roll footage which doesn’t require any of the vlogging features, so you could get away with an alternative camera (e.g. one with a recording limit or with just 4k 30p) and a second camera for easy access / quick vlog while walking scenarios and that you leave recording while walking without monitoring it.
From experience, the GoPro Hero9 can record 4K 60p for some hours, is lightweight and boasts of a front screen, so you can frame your shot while looking down the lens.
Another advantage of having the unit is the great stabilization without the need for gimbal and it’s very light, so it’ll be really light to carry around or mount and then forget while you walk.
If you combined say the GoPro Hero9 ($450) and the Fuji XT3 ($1000) that could leave you budget for a couple of lenses (like the Fuji 23mm F2 $450 and Fuji 18-55mm F2.8-4.0 $700) and all the accessories, batteries, SD cards etc.
You could also save money with 2nd hand camera and lenses if you want.
How To Make 4K Walking Videos
If you haven’t already gotten your camera gear then you would need the following:
- Sony a9ii (CHECK ON AMAZON)
- 16-35mm G Master Lens (CHECK ON AMAZON)
- Ronin SC Gimbal (CHECK ON AMAZON)
In terms of gear, that is all. Oh, throw in some sunscreen if it’s a sunny day too. Otherwise just go for the Sony A9ii body with a 16-35mm G Master Lens sitting on a Ronin SC Gimbal.
On some days, I also walk with my GoPro 7 Black and it built-in stabilization as well with the new Sony ZV1 also on the Ronin Gimbal.
This set-up can be quite heavy, but the image quality of the Sony A9, especially when compared to the GoPro, is well worth the extra effort.
The camera settings of your choice will greatly depend on light conditions, but for daytime walks, I typically go with:
Aperture
f/5.6 or 7.1 I set to this aperture to have a deeper depth of field and keep more of the image in focus. At night I set it to f/2.8 to capture more light.
ISO
I get it as low as possible, again depending on light conditions. Probably around ISO 200 if it is bright outside. If you expect variable lighting conditions you can set to auto ISO, but I personally don’t prefer this.
I shoot 4k at 30 frames per second when I’m outside. If you have a camera that shoots at 4K 60FPS go for that, because those seem to be the best at getting views on YouTube!
Focal Length
I set my focal length anywhere from 16mm-20mm. I notice with 20mm, there is almost no fish-eye effect.
Gimbal Settings and Strategy
You should take time to learn how to properly balance your gimbal. Without proper balance, you won’t get far.
Once mastered, the next is the settings. But that is largely dependent on your gimbal, but I do love to set mine to quite low sensitivity, especially side to side (panning).
I typically do not like my camera having much side to side movement while walking, unless I am very deliberately trying to pan to the side.
I also advise you tilt the gimbal forward at an angle, about 70 degrees, instead of straight up and down. I have found that tilting the gimbal forward helps with reduction of up and down bounce and bobble that I get when walking with gimbal vertically.
Plus, you should take small, light steps to avoid bounce. Panning, especially when near something, also creates plenty of blur, I recommend keeping the camera straight ahead as much as possible, but panning slow when necessary, and ideally not too close to whatever you are shooting.
For this set-up, this is the maximum this camera body and lens on this gimbal can take. Avoid pitching down or up too much, or else the camera weight will overpower the gimbal very quickly and cause it to lose balance.
This can ruin your walking video if you a) don’t want to make any edits/cuts in post or b) want the entire video to be one smooth walk without any mistakes.
Best Camera for POV Walking
If you need a camera and microphone to record POV walking then you’re in the right place:
From small to big.
- DJI Osmo Pocket (CHECK ON AMAZON)
- Action Cam with gimbal
- Phone with gimbal
- 4/3 with gimbal (Lumix G7 / G85 series as an example) CHECK ON AMAZON
- Full DSLR with gimbal
1 or 2 is perfect for a person who doesn’t want too much attention.
If you’ve got a small budget, but an already good phone, then go with 3.
If you want best quality go with 4 or 5. (5 for nighttime).
Best Camera for Hiking Videos
As for hiking videos, here are some quick picks:
- Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III. Lightweight and feature-packed, this is the ultimate vlogging tool.
- Sony ZV-1. The best compact vlogging camera around.
- Sony A6400. (CHECK ON AMAZON)
- GoPro Hero 9 Black.
- Fujifilm X-T200. One of the best budget vlogging cameras around.
- Canon EOS M50.
- Fujifilm X-T4.
- DJI Osmo Pocket.
Best Camera For Youtube Videos Under 10,000
- Sony DSC W830 Cyber-shot 20.1 MP
- Canon Vixia HF R600
- Kodak PIXPRO FZ201
Sony DSC W830 Cyber-shot 20.1 MP Point and Shoot remains the best camera you can get under the budget of 10,000 INR. You can get it online for around 7,000 INR.
Since the main goal is to shoot Youtube video, then I would recommend you invest in a good microphone. Youtubers typically don’t know that good audio is as important as video if not more until a video with quality audio is compared with a video with poor sound.
You can get an entry level microphone for around 5,000 INR. My suggestion would be Rode.
Put more lights it will make a big difference.
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